Drilling and Splitting Tool Carrier for Solid Material Division

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for dividing solid materials, such as rock and boulders, are inefficient due to the labor-intensive process of switching between drilling and splitting devices and the difficulty in precisely inserting splitting devices into boreholes, which complicates the division process.

Innovation Solution

A device and method where multiple drilling devices are attached to a tool carrier that can move along a drilling contour, with a guide rail and independent drives for each device, allowing for precise positioning and automated or semi-automated operation, including the use of position sensors and data memory for controlled movement and synchronization of drilling and splitting devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional manual methods are used to switch between drilling and splitting devices, then the division process can be completed, but the work is labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedivision efficiencyVSAvoidtime for equipment change
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple drilling devices and splitting devices on a single tool carrier, allowing the system to perform both drilling and splitting operations without manual equipment changes. The tool carrier integrates several drilling devices arranged along a drilling contour and multiple splitting devices, enabling automated transition between operations and significantly improving productivity while reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple splitting devices are introduced into boreholes manually, then the material can be divided, but the insertion requires millimeter precision which is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveborehole insertion precisionVSAvoiddifficulty of device insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical insertion with an automated positioning system that uses position sensors to detect borehole locations and a control unit to automatically position and insert splitting devices. This automated system eliminates the need for manual millimeter-level precision alignment, making the operation easier while maintaining high precision through sensor-based positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-positioning and self-alignment through integrated position sensors that automatically detect borehole locations and guide the splitting devices into correct positions without requiring manual intervention for precision alignment. The automated system serves itself by using sensor data to control the positioning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If several splitting devices are used to divide large material, then the division can be achieved, but the coordination and positioning of multiple devices complicates the process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to divide large materialVSAvoidcomplexity of multiple device coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool carrier is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate both drilling devices and splitting devices, with a single control unit managing all operations. The position sensors and control system provide multi-functional capability to handle positioning, drilling, and splitting operations across multiple devices simultaneously, reducing operational complexity despite using several devices for dividing large material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3299138B1Device and method for cutting of solid material
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 WIMMER HARTSTAHL
  • EP3299138B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3299138B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3299138B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Device and method for cutting solid material (1), comprising a device carrier (4) connectable or connected to a working tool (2) or to the tool carrier (3) of the working tool (2), a centering means (5) connected to the device carrier (4) for centering the position of the device carrier (4) relative to the solid material (1), at least one drilling arrangement (6) attached to the device carrier (4) for producing several bores (7) with the device carrier (4) centered in position, wherein the bores (7) are provided or are provided substantially along a drilling contour (8) at spaced-apart drilling points (9) in the solid material (1), and wherein several splitting devices (10) movably attached to the device carrier (4) are provided, each having a splitting extension (12) extending along a splitting axis (11).