Self-Aligning Drill Apparatus with Lead Screw Feed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hand-held power drills struggle to efficiently drill straight holes in tight spaces without requiring significant operator force, leading to laborious and physically taxing operations, especially when drilling multiple holes in structures like electrical conduit systems.

Innovation Solution

A self-aligning, automatically driving drill apparatus with a Carriage Feed Motor that advances the drill bit orthogonally to the workpiece, reducing operator effort by using a Lead Screw mechanism and sensors for precise positioning and safety, while allowing for adjustable depth and lateral alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional pistol-style drill is used to drill holes in studs, then the operator can position the drill at the required angle, but the operator must supply continuous force to advance the drill and the holes become angled due to space limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole straightnessVSAvoidoperator effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drill apparatus serves itself by using the workpiece's own geometry (the corner formed by two studs) to automatically position and align the drill bit. The workpiece guides the drill into the correct orthogonal position, eliminating the need for operator skill to achieve proper alignment and ensuring straight holes without angled deviations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus introduces an intermediary mechanism (the positioning frame with adjustable arms) that mediates between the operator and the workpiece. This intermediary structure provides the orthogonal positioning capability that neither a pistol-style drill nor manual positioning can achieve alone, allowing the drill to maintain perpendicular alignment with the workpiece surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If a right-angle drill is used to drill straight holes, then the drilling implement can be presented orthogonally to the workpiece, but the operator must expend much more energy and cannot put body weight to bear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole straightnessVSAvoidoperator energy expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus transitions from a handheld tool requiring arm strength to a floor-standing or table-mounted system that utilizes the structural support of the workbench or floor. This dimensional change in support structure allows the operator to guide the apparatus with minimal force while the apparatus's own weight and structural support provide the necessary stability and driving force for drilling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus replaces the manual mechanical pushing action with an automatic feed mechanism that uses a motor-driven lead screw or similar device to advance the drill bit. This substitution eliminates the need for the operator to continuously apply force, reducing energy expenditure while maintaining drilling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If mounting the apparatus between workpieces is used for tight space drilling, then tight space drilling is achieved, but the apparatus is not hand-held and requires mounting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetight space capabilityVSAvoidmounting requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus incorporates dynamic, adjustable components (movable arms, adjustable positioning mechanisms) that allow it to adapt to various workpiece configurations and tight spaces. These dynamic elements enable the apparatus to be configured for different drilling positions and angles without requiring complete remounting or complex fixed installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient, straight hole drilling in tight spaces with reduced operator fatigue, as the drill bit is automatically advanced, maintaining the positional benefits of right-angle drills without the need for excessive operator force, thus enhancing productivity in tasks like running electrical conduit.

Implementation Method 1

a lead screw to convert the rotation to a linear motion to automatically drive the bit along the carriage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a motor to transform electrical energy to mechanical energy to power the bit and carriage feed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9233423B2Self-aligning automatically driving drill apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.01.12 JOHNSON MARK T

AI summary

A handheld power drill apparatus includes a drill motor, a carriage motor, a drilling implement with an interchangeable locking chuck, an electronic controller, and guide plates. The guide plate is slidably mounted to accommodate different work piece thicknesses. The drilling implement is coaxially mounted on a lead screw mounting plate. The drilling implement is positioned substantially orthogonal to the workpiece. The drilling implement is automatically driven into a workpiece by the carriage motor.