Inclined Panel Drilling Unit With Adjustable Spindle Angles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drilling machines struggle to efficiently create inclined holes in panels, which are necessary for secure and long-lasting couplings in furniture construction, as they require costly modifications and are not adaptable for mass production.

Innovation Solution

A versatile drilling unit with adjustable spindles and spindle holders that can be inclined at various angles, allowing for drilling on different faces of panels, including upper, lower, and side faces, and equipped with a machining center for flexible operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing drilling machines are modified to create inclined holes, then the capability to drill inclined holes is improved, but the machine complexity and production cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to drill inclined holesVSAvoidmachine complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling machine employs a movable spindle holder that can be adjusted to different inclination angles dynamically. The spindle holder can be positioned at various angles relative to the panel surface, allowing the machine to adapt to different drilling requirements without permanent modifications. This dynamic adjustability resolves the contradiction by providing versatility while maintaining operational simplicity through movable rather than fixed complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drilling machine is designed with a universal spindle holder that can perform both perpendicular and inclined drilling operations. The same spindle holder structure serves multiple functions by simply changing its angular position, eliminating the need for separate specialized drilling mechanisms. This multi-functionality approach improves adaptability while avoiding the complexity of multiple dedicated systems.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing drilling machines are modified to create inclined holes, then the capability to drill inclined holes is improved, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to drill inclined holesVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The movable spindle holder with adjustable inclination angles allows the machine to be manufactured once and reused for both perpendicular and inclined drilling. This dynamic capability eliminates the need for costly permanent modifications or multiple specialized machines, thereby improving adaptability while keeping production costs low through a single versatile unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The universal spindle holder design allows one machine to replace multiple specialized drilling machines. By making the spindle holder capable of both perpendicular and inclined operations, the invention reduces the need for purchasing and maintaining separate equipment, thereby reducing overall production costs while improving versatility.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing drilling machines are modified to create inclined holes, then the capability to drill inclined holes is improved, but the production time and downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to drill inclined holesVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The movable spindle holder can be quickly repositioned between perpendicular and inclined positions without requiring machine stops or extensive reconfiguration. This dynamic adjustability allows operators to switch between drilling modes rapidly, improving versatility while minimizing production time losses compared to fixed modification approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If perpendicular holes are drilled in panels, then the assembly is simpler initially, but the coupling loosens over time reducing durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidcoupling durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the angular parameter of the drilled holes from perpendicular (0°) to inclined angles (typically 15°-45°). This parameter change in hole inclination improves coupling durability and resistance to loosening while the adjustable spindle holder maintains ease of operation by allowing quick adjustment to the required angle for optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4234137A1Unit for inclined drilling, machining center equipped with such unit for inclined drilling, and operating method of the same
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 SCM GRP
  • EP4234137A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4234137A1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP4234137A1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

The present invention relates to a drilling unit (5A, 5B, 5C, 5D) for drilling a panel (P) made of wood, fiberglass, plastic, and the like, wherein said panel (P) comprises at least one upper face (Fs), at least one lower face (Fi) and side faces (Fa, Fp, Fld, Fls), comprising a frame (51), motor means (M), installed on said frame (51), and at least one spindle (521), comprising a housing for housing a respective drill bit (522), operated by said motor means (54), characterized in that said at least one spindle (521) is arranged at an inclination angle (α) with respect to said upper face (Fs) or said lower face (Fi) or said side faces (Fa, Fp, Fld, Fls) of said panel (P) to be drilled. The present invention also relates to a machining center (1) and to an operating method of the same unit.