Percussion Device Dynamic Impact Force Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current rock drilling technologies are inefficient and costly due to high wear and tear, complex equipment, and suboptimal drilling procedures, necessitating improved energy expenditure and drilling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A percussion device with a controller that continuously adapts the impact force of the percussion mechanism during drilling, optimizing the impact force based on real-time data and patterns to match the specific rock conditions, reducing energy consumption and wear on equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If constant impact force is applied during drilling, then drilling continuity is maintained, but energy efficiency decreases and tool wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoidenergy expenditure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of impact force during drilling operations. The controller continuously monitors drilling conditions and adapts the impact force in real-time, transitioning from static constant force to dynamic variable force. This allows the system to optimize energy efficiency by reducing impact force when rock hardness decreases or drill bit wear increases, while maintaining high impact force when encountering harder rock formations, thereby improving overall drilling efficiency without excessive energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where sensors detect drilling parameters (such as impact force, drilling depth, rock resistance) and transmit this information to the controller. The controller processes this feedback and adjusts the impact force accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables the drilling operation to adapt to changing conditions, optimizing energy usage by avoiding unnecessary high-impact strikes when the rock formation or drill bit condition changes, thus reducing energy expenditure while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If high impact force is used to break hard rock, then drilling speed increases, but tool wear and equipment damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling speedVSAvoidtool lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts impact force based on real-time monitoring of both rock hardness and drill bit condition. When the drill bit shows signs of wear or when rock hardness decreases, the controller automatically reduces impact force to prevent excessive wear or damage. This dynamic adaptation allows maintaining high drilling speed on hard rock while protecting the tool during periods of reduced rock hardness or increased wear, thereby extending tool lifespan without sacrificing overall drilling productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the impact force parameter dynamically during the drilling process based on detected conditions. By monitoring parameters such as drilling resistance, impact frequency, and drill bit performance, the system adjusts the impact force parameter to optimal levels. This prevents applying excessively high impact force that would accelerate tool wear, while still maintaining sufficiently high force to achieve effective rock breaking, thus balancing drilling speed with tool reliability and extending equipment lifespan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If complex equipment is used to achieve precise control, then drilling precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-functional control system where a single controller performs multiple functions: monitoring drilling conditions, detecting rock hardness variations, tracking drill bit performance, adjusting impact force, and coordinating percussion and rotation. This universal controller integrates what would otherwise require multiple separate complex systems, achieving precise drilling control while minimizing overall equipment complexity. The controller serves as a central intelligence that coordinates all drilling parameters, reducing the need for separate specialized devices for each function

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

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

This approach leads to more efficient drilling by minimizing suboptimal strikes, reducing energy expenditure, and decreasing tool wear, resulting in a more optimized drilling procedure with lower power requirements and extended equipment lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

the percussion means during drilling impacting the drill bit or a drill string connected to the drill bit with an impact force having a specific magnitude

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3775484B1A percussion device and a method for controlling a percussion mechanism of a percussion device
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 EPIROC ROCK DRILLS AB
  • EP3775484B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3775484B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Herein is described a percussion device (1) adapted for rock drilling comprising a controller (3), a percussion mechanism (5), a percussion means (7) and a drill bit (9).The percussion mechanism (5) is adapted to provide the percussion means (7) with a motion.The controller(3)is arranged to control the percussion mechanism (5) such that it imparts the percussion means (7) with a force causing the motion, whereby the percussion means (7) during drilling impacts the drill bit (9), or a drill string (11) connected to the drill bit(9), with an impact force having a specific magnitude. The controller (3) is furthermore arranged to continuously during drilling determine a desired magnitude of the impact force of the percussion means (7) and control the percussion mechanism (5) such that the impact force of the percussion means (7) is changed according to the desired magnitude. A method for controlling a percussion mechanism (5) of a percussion device (1) is also described.