Movable Drill Rod Guide Device for Centering and Stroke Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drilling machines with fixed guide towers are limited in depth and require manual intervention for centering rods at inclined angles, leading to reduced effective stroke and increased equipment dimensions and costs, especially when working near the horizontal line.

Innovation Solution

A movable guide device for drill rods that can be controlled along the guide tower, allowing it to move from a higher working position during loading to a lower position of minimal dimensions during drilling, enabling automatic centering and reducing the need for manual interventions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a fixed guide device is positioned at a height corresponding to the loading device movement zone, then rod centering is achieved, but the effective stroke of the rotating head is limited and guide tower dimensions must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverod centering precisionVSAvoideffective stroke of rotating head
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is made movable along the guide tower instead of being fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During loading operations, the guide device moves to a higher position to center rods, and during drilling operations, it moves to a lower position to clear the rotating head's path, thus resolving the contradiction between centering precision and effective stroke

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide device is divided into separable components including a guide body, centering elements, and blocking means, allowing independent movement and positioning relative to the rotating head and loading device, enabling both precise centering and full stroke utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed guide device is used to center rods during inclined drilling, then rod alignment is maintained, but equipment dimensions and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverod alignment stabilityVSAvoidguide tower height
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device transitions from a fixed stationary structure to a dynamic movable system that can be repositioned along the guide tower, maintaining rod alignment stability during inclined drilling while reducing the overall guide tower height requirement by utilizing the existing tower structure more efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If manual intervention is used for rod centering at inclined angles, then rod positioning is achieved, but safety is reduced and productivity is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverod positioning capabilityVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device with automatic blocking means and centering elements performs rod positioning autonomously without manual intervention. The blocking means automatically engage to prevent rod deviations, and the centering elements self-adjust to maintain proper alignment, thereby improving safety by eliminating manual exposure to hazardous areas and increasing productivity through automated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2239410B1A drilling machine provided with a device for guiding the drill rods contained in a loading device
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 SOILMEC SPA
  • EP2239410B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2239410B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2239410B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A drilling machine comprising a supporting structure having a guide tower (2) provided with elements for guiding the sliding (21), upon which a rotating head (23) for sequentially moving drill rods, to which are given both the movements of rotation and the movements of advancement in the ground and of successive return, slides. The machine also comprises a loading device (3) associated with this guide tower, wherein a plurality of drill rods in battery is positioned and a guide device (4) for maintaining centered the drill rod present in battery and/or drawn from the loading device and associated to the rotating head in the desired direction of drilling.