Drill Chuck Vibration Mechanism for Chip Breaking in Hard-Material Drilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drill vibrating mechanisms face issues with chip clogging and drill breakage, especially when drilling hard-to-cut materials like titanium, due to unstable vibration and wear, leading to difficulties in maintaining consistent drilling and preventing groove clogging.

Innovation Solution

A tool driving device with a vibrating mechanism that periodically reciprocates the drill chuck relative to the casing in the tool axis direction, using a sliding surface with recesses and projections to control the vibration amplitude and speed, preventing chip clogging and drill breakage by intermittently separating and reapproaching the drill from the workpiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional vibrating mechanism using rolling balls is used, then chip division is achieved, but the drill separates from the workpiece causing sudden push-back and potential drill damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip division qualityVSAvoiddrill stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a static ball retention mechanism to a dynamic one where balls are continuously fed and discharged through rotating guide holes. This dynamic mechanism ensures smooth, controlled movement of the drill chuck without sudden separations or push-backs, maintaining both chip division quality and drill stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide holes act as an intermediary mechanism between the ball feeding system and the drill chuck. They control the timing and manner of ball discharge, mediating the force transmission to achieve gradual drill movement rather than sudden push-back, thus protecting the drill while maintaining cutting effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If drilling hard-to-cut material like titanium is performed with conventional mechanism, then chip discharge is achieved, but drill breakage occurs due to collision with workpiece

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling capabilityVSAvoiddrill integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic ball feeding mechanism through rotating guide holes provides controlled, gradual movement of the drill chuck during drilling of hard materials. This prevents sudden collisions that would cause drill breakage while maintaining the necessary cutting action for effective chip discharge and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If continuous drilling of metal is performed, then productivity is maintained, but groove clogging occurs due to continuous chips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling continuityVSAvoidchip clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating guide holes create a periodic ball discharge mechanism that rhythmically separates the drill chuck from the workpiece. This periodic action divides continuous chips into manageable segments and prevents groove clogging, allowing continuous drilling to proceed without interruption while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Ease of manufacture

If drilling laminated material from FRP side is performed, then FRP drilling is completed, but hole size becomes excessive due to drill clogging with metal chip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling processabilityVSAvoidhole size accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The periodic ball discharge mechanism creates rhythmic separation of the drill chuck from the workpiece during drilling of laminated materials. This prevents metal chips from clogging the drill groove, ensuring that when drilling transitions from FRP to metal, the drill remains clear and hole size accuracy is maintained throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively divides chips, preventing groove clogging and ensuring high-quality drilled products, while reducing the risk of drill damage and user discomfort from drilling reactions, by maintaining stable and controlled vibration.

Implementation Method 1

The vibrating mechanism is configured to periodically reciprocate the drill chuck relatively to the casing in a tool axis direction during rotation of the drill chuck

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

using a sliding surface with recesses and projections to control the vibration amplitude and speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4327983A1Tool driving device and method of producing drilled product
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 SUBARU CORP
  • EP4327983A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4327983A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4327983A1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A tool driving device (1) includes a drill chuck (2), a motor (3), a casing (4) and a vibrating mechanism (8). The drill chuck (2) holds a drill (T). The motor (3) is configured to rotate the drill chuck (2). The casing (4) houses the motor (3). The vibrating mechanism (8) is configured to periodically reciprocate the drill chuck (2) relatively to the casing (4) in a tool axis (AX) direction during rotation of the drill chuck (2). The vibrating mechanism (8) is configured to distance the drill chuck (2) from the casing (4) at a first speed smaller than a second speed for bringing the drill chuck (2) close to the casing (4).