Spindle-Mounted Laser Guide for Precise Hole Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser guides for drilling equipment, particularly magnetic drilling machines, face challenges in achieving accurate alignment and precision due to calibration complexities and susceptibility to vibrations, leading to potential human error and reduced usability.

Innovation Solution

A laser guide system that includes a body with a laser source and a first end configured to be releasably coupled to the spindle of a drilling machine, emitting a laser beam axially aligned with the spindle's axis of rotation, allowing for precise positioning of the drill bit on a workpiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional laser guides emit laser beams at an angle relative to the spindle axis, then the laser guide can be positioned separately from the spindle, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to calibration complexity and vibration susceptibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of positioning laser guideVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The laser guide is integrated directly onto the spindle assembly, merging the laser emission function with the spindle positioning function. This ensures that the laser beam is always axially aligned with the spindle axis of rotation, eliminating calibration errors and vibration-induced misalignment that occur with separate positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser guide acts as an intermediary component mounted on the spindle, providing a visual indicator (laser beam) that directly represents the spindle's axial direction. This intermediary allows operators to accurately position the workpiece without complex calibration procedures, as the laser beam automatically tracks the spindle's rotational axis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If laser guides are calibrated manually, then initial alignment can be achieved, but precision is limited by human error and repeated calibration is required due to vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidcalibration stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The laser guide system is self-aligning through its direct mounting on the spindle. As the spindle rotates and moves, the laser guide moves with it, maintaining automatic axial alignment without requiring external calibration or adjustment. This self-service mechanism eliminates human error and ensures consistent precision throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The laser guide is designed to dynamically follow the spindle's motion and orientation changes. By being rigidly mounted on the spindle assembly, the laser guide automatically adapts to any movement or vibration, maintaining accurate alignment without requiring static calibration that would need repeated adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If magnetic drilling machines are made portable, then mobility and versatility improve, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to manual positioning challenges

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidhole location accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with an optical laser guide system. The laser beam provides a visual reference that is much easier to align and maintain than mechanical guides, enabling portable magnetic drilling machines to achieve high precision hole location accuracy despite manual positioning requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the alignment parameter from mechanical contact and physical guides to optical laser beam positioning. This parameter change allows for non-contact alignment, easier verification of hole location, and maintains accuracy despite the portable, manually-positioned nature of the drilling machine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The system enables accurate, repeatable, and portable hole drilling by ensuring the laser beam is consistently aligned with the spindle's axis, reducing calibration errors and maintaining precision even during machine operation.

Implementation Method 1

a laser source configured to generate a laser beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS20230347421A1Laser guides and methods of drilling holes with drilling equipment using laser guides

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 UNDERWOOD MICHAEL J

AI summary

Laser guides and methods of using the laser guides in conjunction with drilling equipment to accurately produce holes in workpieces. Such a laser guide includes a body, a laser source configured to generate a laser beam, a first end of the body configured to be releasably coupled to the spindle of the drilling machine, and a second end of the body configured to emit the laser beam such that the laser beam is axially aligned with an axis of rotation of the spindle of the drilling machine when the first end is coupled to the spindle.