Portable Drilling Head With Worm-Gear Vibration and Torque Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable drilling machines lack effective vibration control and torque management, leading to inefficiencies and defects in drilling multiple surfaces, as they rely on mechanical devices that only allow sinusoidal vibration and require additional devices for piezoelectric vibration conversion.

Innovation Solution

A portable drilling machine design featuring parallel driving means, a worm gear, and an adapter that transfers movement between axes, allowing for controlled longitudinal vibration and torque without additional devices, along with a control unit that adjusts drilling parameters and vibration to optimize the drilling process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical vibration devices are used to control vibration, then vibration control is improved, but device complexity increases and volume of drilling machine head increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical vibration control devices with a simplified mechanical linkage system consisting of a movable guide and adapter. This substitution eliminates the need for additional vibration control mechanisms while maintaining effective vibration management through the natural movement constraints of the guide-adapter-drill bit assembly.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the vibration control function from separate mechanical devices and integrates it into the existing drilling mechanism through the movable guide. The guide's ability to move along the longitudinal axis inherently provides vibration control without requiring additional dedicated vibration control components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If piezoelectric vibration devices are added to transform vibration, then vibration control is improved, but device complexity and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration controlVSAvoidvolume of drilling machine head
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the vibration control function with the existing drilling mechanism by integrating the movable guide into the drill bit assembly. The guide's longitudinal movement along the axis combines drilling and vibration control functions into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate piezoelectric devices and reducing overall volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the drill bit, controls vibration through its constrained movement, and enables longitudinal adjustment. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require separate specialized devices, reducing the volume and complexity of the drilling machine head.

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

3Device complexity

If conventional mechanical drilling is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to lack of vibration control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoiddiameter tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic vibration control into the conventional mechanical drilling system through the movable guide that can move along the longitudinal axis. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt during drilling, controlling vibrations in real-time to maintain tight diameter tolerances while preserving the simplicity of the overall mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable guide acts as an intermediary between the drill bit and the drilling machine body. It mediates the drilling process by absorbing and controlling vibrations through its constrained movement, thereby improving manufacturing precision without requiring complex changes to the fundamental mechanical drilling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If additional vibration conversion devices are included, then vibration control capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration controlVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable guide provides self-service vibration control through its inherent ability to move along the longitudinal axis. The system automatically controls vibrations during drilling without requiring additional control mechanisms or complex operational procedures, maintaining ease of operation while achieving effective vibration management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design enhances drilling precision and efficiency by controlling vibration and torque, reducing defects and improving diameter tolerance and roughness control, while eliminating the need for additional gadgets and minimizing lubricant leaks and material delamination.

Implementation Method 1

a worm gear connected in a solidary manner to the second driving means along the second longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWorm gear mechanism: Worm Drive

Implementation Method 2

the adapter is configured to transfer a movement of the worm gear in a first longitudinally movement along the second longitudinal axis and to transfer said first longitudinally movement along the second longitudinal axis in a second longitudinally movement along the first longitudinal axis moving the first driving means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical coupling through adapter: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3187291B1Portable drilling machine
Publication Date: 2023.02.08 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE SAU
  • EP3187291B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3187291B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3187291B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A portable drilling machine comprising, a first driving means being movable along a first longitudinal axis, said first driving means being configured to be connected in a solidary manner to a drill bit along the first longitudinal axis, a second driving means arranged in a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are parallel to each other, a worm gear connected in a solidary manner to the second driving means along the second longitudinal axis, an adapter mechanically connected to the worm gear, said adapter comprising a sleeve mechanically connected to the first driving means, wherein the adapter is configured to transfer a movement of the worm gear in a first longitudinally movement along the second longitudinal axis and to transfer said first longitudinally movement along the second longitudinal axis in a second longitudinally movement along the first longitudinal axis moving the first driving means.