Automatic drilling machine for drilling in one-shot at least two holes in a crosspiece structure

Abstract

An automatic drilling machine for simultaneously drilling at least two holes through a surface of a crosspiece. The machine comprises an automatic drilling unit having at least two tool holders, each one adapted for receiving a drilling tool. The automatic drilling unit has a cross-shaped channel configured to receive, at least partially, the crosspiece to be drilled inside the automatic drilling unit with. The tool holders are arranged, such as, when the drilling machine is mounted with the crosspiece to be drilled, the tool holders are positioned in accordance with the locations of the crosspiece where a hole is to be drilled.

Claims

1. An automatic drilling machine for simultaneously drilling at least two holes through a surface of a crosspiece, the machine comprising: an automatic drilling unit comprising a main body having at least two tool holders, each one adapted for receiving a drilling tool, wherein the automatic drilling unit has a cross-shaped channel configured for receiving, at least partially, the crosspiece to be drilled inside the automatic drilling unit, and wherein the tool holders are arranged and positioned, when the drilling unit is mounted with the crosspiece to be drilled, in accordance with locations of the crosspiece where the at least two holes are to be drilled, wherein the automatic drilling unit is a pneumatic device and has a pneumatic circuit, the automatic drilling unit further comprising position detecting means configured and arranged to detect a correct position of the crosspiece when the crosspiece is coupled with the automatic drilling unit, and wherein the position detecting means are operatively associated with the pneumatic circuit.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the operative association of the position detecting means with the pneumatic circuit comprises that the pneumatic circuit is only closed when the crosspiece is correctly coupled with the automatic drilling unit.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the automatic drilling unit has a displaceable fastening clamp for attaching the unit to the crosspiece during a drilling operation.

4. The machine according to claim 2, wherein the position detecting means comprises an opening in the pneumatic circuit arranged in correspondence with the cross-shaped channel, so that when the crosspiece is correctly coupled with the automatic drilling unit, the opening is closed by the crosspiece.

5. The machine according to claim 3, wherein the fastening clamp is pneumatically operated.

6. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the automatic drilling unit comprises four tool holders.

7. The machine according to claim 3, wherein the tool holders are provided in the fastening clamp.

8. The machine according to claim 3, wherein the cross-shaped channel comprises a first channel formed in part in the main body and in part in the fastening clamp, so that that channel runs longitudinally in the machine.

9. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the channel runs along a center line of the machine.

10. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the cross-shaped channel comprises a second channel formed by the separation gap between the main body and the fastening clamp, when the fastening clamp is positioned nearest to the main body.

11. The machine according to claim 10, wherein the drilling tools are transversally arranged to the second channel, and parallel to the first channel.

12. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the machine is configured so that a drilling process is activatable only when the machine is correctly placed in the crosspiece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention and preferred embodiments thereof are henceforth described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1A and 1B show a classical crosspiece structure to be drilled, like the internal reinforcement structure of an aircraft skin. FIG. 1A is an elevational view of a crosspiece, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an aircraft reinforcement structure comprising a plurality of crosspieces.

(3) FIGS. 2A-2E show a preferred example of a machine according to the invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a front elevational view; FIG. 2B is a side elevational view; FIG. 2C is a top plan view; FIG. 2D is a perspective view; and FIG. 2E is an exploded view.

(4) FIGS. 3A and 3B show the main body of the machine, wherein FIG. 3A is a front elevational view and FIG. 3B is a perspective view.

(5) FIGS. 4A-4D show the clamping device, wherein FIG. 4A is a front elevational view; FIG. 4B is a side elevational view; FIG. 4C is a top plan view; and FIG. 4D is a perspective view.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view from below of the machine of the invention.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the machine in use with the assistance of an anti-gravity arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIG. 1 shows a classical crosspiece structure (1) formed by two reinforcement elements (2,2a) arranged transversally to each other and attached to a skin (3) to be reinforced. The location of the four holes (4) to be drilled for receiving the chicken rivets, is also shown in the figure.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a preferred example of the automatic drilling machine according to the invention, which comprises an automatic drilling unit (5) comprising a main body (6) and a fastening clamp (7) which is displaceable relative to the main body (6), for attaching the unit to the crosspiece during the drilling operation. In particular, the fastening clamp (7) is mounted in two parallel arms (8) protruding from the main body (6), and it is adapted to move along these arms (8).

(10) The automatic drilling unit (5) is pneumatically operated, that is, the drilling tools and the displacement of the fastening clamp, are driven by pneumatic force. An intake (9) is provided to be coupled with a source of compressed air (not shown), from which compressed air is fed to a pneumatic circuit inside the main body (6), and to the fastening clamp (7) by means of a tube (12).

(11) Conventionally, the automatic drilling unit (5) is adapted for performing a drilling operation automatically in accordance with predefined drilling parameters.

(12) In use, the automatic drilling unit (5) has four tool holders (13) each one having a drilling bit (14) fitted therein. As shown in the figures, the tool holders (13) and drilling bits (14) are provided in the fastening clamp (7), so that they are displaceable together with the fastening clamp (7).

(13) The machine is conventionally provided with handles (10) and with a suction system (11) for suctioning out shavings and dust from the drilled material, and a drilling holes counter (not shown) for controlling the cutting tool's lifetime.

(14) The automatic drilling unit (5) has a cross-shaped channel configured for receiving at least partially the crosspiece (1) to be drilled inside the automatic drilling unit. This cross-shaped channel is formed at the bottom area of the machine, and it is formed by two substantially flat channels transversally arranged to each other configuring a cross generally matching the shape of a crosspiece to be drilled.

(15) A first channel (15) is formed in part in the main body (6) and in part in the fastening clamp (7), so that that channel (15) runs longitudinally in the machine preferably at its center line. The position and extension of this channel (15) is shown in FIG. 2C as a dotted line.

(16) A second channel (16) is formed by the separation gap between the main body and the fastening clamp (6,7), when the fastening clamp (7) is in its nearest position to the main body (6) as shown, for example, in FIG. 2B. The second channel (16) is orthogonal to the first channel (15).

(17) The axis of the drilling bits (14) are transversally arranged to the second channel (14) (see FIG. 2B), and parallel to the first channel (15) (see FIGS. 4A,C). Additionally, the axis of the tool holders (13) and the axis of the drilling bits (14) are arranged, such as when the drilling machine is mounted with the crosspiece (1) to be drilled, the tool holders are positioned in accordance with the locations of the crosspiece where a hole is to be drilled, that is, facing or in front of the spots where a hole is to be opened.

(18) The automatic drilling unit further comprises position detecting means configured and arranged to detect a correct position of a crosspiece when it is correctly coupled with the automatic drilling unit. Preferably, this position detecting means comprises an opening in the pneumatic circuit arranged in correspondence with the cross-shaped channel, so that when a crosspiece is correctly placed within the cross-shaped channel, the opening is closed by the crosspiece. Alternatively, the position detecting means may be implemented as a type of end-of-run switch.

(19) The position detecting means are operatively associated with the pneumatic circuit of the machine, such as the pneumatic circuit is only closed to allow suitable circulation of air, when the crosspiece is correctly coupled with the automatic drilling unit.

(20) As shown in FIG. 6, the use of the machine can be assisted by an anti-gravity arm (17).

(21) For using the machine, this is coupled with a crosspiece (1) as the one shown in FIG. 1A, in such a way that the reinforcement elements (2,2a) are fitted inside first and second channels (16,15) respectively. When the machine is in the right position, the position detecting means are activated, that is, a part the crosspiece closes the opening of the pneumatic circuit so that this circuit is closed, and pressurized air can flow through it. Then, the fastening clamp (7) is automatically activated and moves towards the main body (6) thereby fastening the machine to the crosspiece.

(22) The machine is configured so that the drilling process can be activated only when the machine is correctly placed in the crosspiece and the pneumatic circuit is closed. This assures that the holes are drilled precisely in the desired locations. In that situation, the drilling process is initiated when an operator manually presses a push-bottom, and the drilling process is performed automatically, and four holes are opened at the same time.

(23) While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.