CYLINDRICAL HEAD BORING TOOL, IN PARTICULAR A FORSTNER BIT

Abstract

A cylindrical drill bit includes at least one set of circumferential cutting edges positioned at a circumference of the drill bit; the circumference is centred to a longitudinal rotational axis; each set of circumferential cutting edges includes at least two circumferential cutting edges; and the at least two circumferential cutting edges have a mutually different radial distance from the longitudinal rotational axis.

Claims

1.-13. (canceled)

14. A cylindrical drill bit comprising at least two sets of circumferential cutting edges positioned at a circumference of the drill bit; wherein the circumference is centered to a longitudinal rotational axis; the cylindrical drill bit comprising a shank and a cylindrical head, wherein each set of circumferential cutting edges comprises at least two circumferential cutting edges; wherein the at least two circumferential cutting edges have a mutually different radial distance from the longitudinal rotational axis; wherein the radial distance increases or decreases for subsequent circumferential cutting edges in one set of circumferential cutting edges according to the equation: R.sub.n=R.sub.1+(−1).sup.nX.sub.n; X.sub.n∈R.sup.+; wherein the at least two circumferential cutting edges each have a frontal surface facing the material to be cut away, wherein the at least two circumferential cutting edges are arranged at such different radial distances that during operation, the at least two circumferential cutting edges form one groove in the material to be cut away, and wherein the groove is wider than any of the widths of the at least two circumferential cutting edges, wherein said circumferential cutting edges are spaced teeth having cutting edges providing the circumferential cutting edges, wherein said radial distances of said circumferential cutting edges are defined by setting a circumferential cutting-edge inner angle and a circumferential cutting-edge outer angle, where in order to reduce vibrations and maintain mass balance or weight balance symmetry of the cutting is avoided by arranging the circumferential edges at different radial distances, wherein the circumferential cutting edge comprises a top surface comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being angled under an angel β and having a first width, the outer surface being angled and an angle γ and having a second width, the angles β, γ both with respect to a line parallel to the rotational axis, wherein the inner width and the outer width together make up the width off the circumferential cutting edge, and wherein the inner surface and the outer surface join each other to form a top cutting edge.

15. The cylindrical drill bit of claim 14, wherein the radial distance increases or decreases for subsequent circumferential cutting edges, preferably linear, quadratic, root square, logarithmic or exponential.

16. The cylindrical drill bit of claim 14, comprising at least two substantially radial, main cutting edges radially extending from the longitudinal rotational axis and defining a bit working rotational direction, wherein each set of circumferential cutting edges is arranged between two subsequent main cutting edges and at radial ends of the main cutting edges.

17. The cylindrical drill bit of claim 14, wherein the at least two circumferential cutting edges each have a width and wherein the change in the radial distance does not exceed any of the widths.

18. The cylindrical drill bit of claim 14, comprising two of said sets of circumferential cutting edges, in particular each set of circumferential cutting edges comprising at least three circumferential cutting edges, more in particular each set of circumferential cutting edges comprising four circumferential cutting edges.

19. The cylindrical drill bit of claim 14, further comprising a space for positioning a central mandrel or centering tip from which space said main cutting edges extend.

20. The cylindrical drill bit of claim 14, wherein each main cutting edge connects to a chip space opening for in use leading chips away from said main cutting edges in longitudinal direction.

21. The cylindrical drill bit of claim 14, comprising a peripheral wall forming a cylinder of said cylindrical drill bit, in particular the form of segments of a hollow cylinder connecting a radial end of a main cutting edge and a chip space opening of a previous main cutting edge, and wherein longitudinal ends of said peripheral wall or peripheral wall segments are provided with said one or more circumferential cutting edges.

22. The cylindrical drill bit of claim 14, wherein a side of the teeth directed to the rotational direction provides a longitudinal cutting edge, wherein in particular said longitudinal cutting edge is at an inclined angle α with respect to a line parallel to the rotational axis, in particular an inclined angle α in the range of 5 to 15 degrees with respect to the line parallel to the rotational axis.

23. The cylindrical drill bit of claim 14, wherein said radial distances of one set subsequentially increase in the bit working rotational direction, and said radial distances of a subsequent set subsequentially decrease in the bit working rotational direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and which may be provided with one or more brackets when more than one corresponding parts are to be indicated, and in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill bit;

[0036] FIGS. 2 and 3 show opposite side views of the drill bit of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows the cross-sectional view as indicated in FIG. 2;

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a front view of the drill bit of FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 6 shows the cross section as indicated in FIG. 5;

[0040] FIG. 7 shows the detail indicated in FIG. 6;

[0041] FIG. 8 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment;

[0042] FIG. 9 shows the cross section as indicated in FIG. 8;

[0043] FIG. 10 shows the detail indicated in FIG. 9.

[0044] The drawings are not necessarily on scale.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a drill bit 1. The drill bit is a cylindrical drill bit, a Forstner (or “Forstner”) bit or a Kunstbohrer. The drill bit comprises a shaft or shank 2 and a cylindrical head 3. The cylindrical head is arranged on one end of the shaft and both are centered to a longitudinal axis or rotational axis R. The other end of the shaft is couplable to e.g. a drill providing a rotational force to the drill bit in operation around said rotational axis in a bit working rotational direction D. The coupling of the shaft for coupling with the drill typically comprises a cross sectional hexagon shape.

[0046] The cylindrical head comprises two main cutting edges 4, 4′ extending radially from the rotational axis at a side of the cylindrical a head opposite of the shaft. The side opposite the shaft is typically facing an object or a material to be cut during operation.

[0047] The cylindrical head further comprises two sets of circumferential cutting edges 6, 8, which define the circumference of the cylinder head. One end of each of the sets of circumferential cutting edges coincides with a respective radial end of the main cutting edges. The sets of circumferential cutting edges extend from their respective radial ends along the circumference towards the other main cutting edge. The ends opposite to the radial ends of the sets of circumferential cutting edges with their respective other main cutting edge may be left open. This open space typically extends towards the rotational axis and forms a chip space opening 5, 5′ for removal of chips cut from the object that is cut with the drill bit.

[0048] The first set of circumferential cutting edges 6 comprises circumferential cutting edges 7, 7′, 7″, 7′″. The second set of circumferential cutting edges 8 comprises circumferential cutting edges 9, 9′, 9″, 9′″. These sets typically extend parallel and/or longitudinal to the rotational axis in a direction away from the shaft. In an embodiment, the drill bit may only comprise one set of circumferential cutting edges and/or only one main cutting edge.

[0049] The main cutting edges typically chip or cut away most of the material. The main cutting edges have the disadvantage that the material shatters and/or splinters due to the way the main cutting edge is arranged. The circumferential cutting edges typically are positioned and arranged for minimizing the shattering and/or splintering of the material, but have the disadvantage of allowing not as much material to be transported away from the area cut. In an embodiment, the circumferential cutting edges extend beyond the two main cutting edges in a direction away from the shaft. This allows the material to be cut with a circular pattern first by the circumferential cutting edges, where after the main cutting edges cut and/or chip away the inside. This has the effect that the hole in the material is having a clean side wall minimizing the shattering and/or splintering of the side wall of the hole in the material, while the hole can still be drilled with speed as the main cutting edges efficiently cut and/or chip away the larger part of the material.

[0050] The cylinder head may further comprise a space for positioning a mandrel or centering tip 10. The space is centered to the rotational axis and arranged to a side of the cylinder head opposite to the shaft. The mandrel functions during operation as creating a stable centering point. FIGS. 2 and 3 show opposite side views of the drill bit of FIG. 1. Further, FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional reference plane IV for FIG. 4. The shaft of the drill bit may comprise a hole 11 for providing a fixing bolt for the mandrel positioned in the cylinder head via the space 10. FIG. 4 shows the cross-sectional view as indicated in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 shows a front view of the drill bit of FIG. 1. Further, FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional reference plane VI for FIG. 6.

[0051] The main cutting edges 4, 4′ are intermitted by chip breaks 12, 13, 14. The chip breaker may be intermitted by a chip breaker opening, such as in the shape of a half cylinder. The chip breakers cause chips from the object that is cut to be broken in smaller parts and/or parts of smaller width. These smaller parts or chips will be easier to remove, such as via the chip space opening. The chip breakers are typically arranged at different distances from the rotational axis, such that after one rotation of the main cutting edges at least all the surface of the cut object within reach of the main cutting edges is chipped or cut. The chip breakers provide the advantage of decreasing the probability of clogging of the drill bit in operation. Furthermore, the chip breakers provide the advantage of increasing the speed of expelling material, due to that smaller parts need to be expelled from the drill bit. Thus, the overall speed of drilling of the drill bit is increased with the use of chip breakers.

[0052] The circumferential cutting edges 7, 7′, 7″, 7′″ of the first set of circumferential cutting edges 6 are arranged at respectively radial distances R5, R6, R7, R8. The circumferential cutting edges 9, 9′, 9″, 9′″ of the second set of circumferential cutting edges 8 are arranged at respectively radial distances R1, R2, R3, R4. Typically, at least one radial distance of the radial distances R5, R6, R7, R8 is different, preferably multiple radial distances are different, more preferably all radial distances are different. Typically, at least one radial distance of the radial distances R1, R2, R3, R4 is different, preferably multiple radial distances are different, more preferably all radial distances are different. In an embodiment, the radial distances R4 and R5, R3 and R6, R2 and R7, R1 and R8 are substantially equal, preferably the circumferential cutting edges are arranged substantially point symmetric relative to the rotational axis. In an alternative embodiment, the radial distances are arranged line symmetric, such as line VI or the line formed by main cutting edges. To reduce the vibrations, the drill bit according to the invention maintains mass balance or weight balance relative to the rotational axis as much as possible, while symmetry of cutting is avoided as much as possible. The avoidance of the symmetry of cutting is obtained by arranging the circumferential cutting edges at radial different distances according to the invention and/or by intermitting the main cutting edges with chip breakers according to the invention. A circle C helps to identify the change in radial distance for the circumferential cutting edges.

[0053] The respective radial distances of the two sets set of circumferential cutting edges R1, R2, R3, R4 and set R5, R6, R7, R8 may increase or decrease. Furthermore, the respective radial distances may change linear, quadratic, root square, logarithmic, exponential. Furthermore, the respective radial distances may diverge remittent or alternating from the radial distance, such as R2=R1+a, R3=R1−b, R4=R1+c; (a,b,c) E Q and a<c. In general, for a set of circumferential cutting edges the radial distances Rn can be defined as Rn=R1+(−1)′ xn, with xn E {Real numbers}±. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment wherein the respective sets of radial distances R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5, R6, R7, R8 decrease in the direction of rotation. The radial distance is typically in the range of 5 mm to 200 mm, preferably 10 mm to 100 mm, more preferably 20 mm to 50 mm. The change in radial distance is in the range of 0.01 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.02 mm to 2 mm, more preferably 0.05 mm to 1 mm.

[0054] During operation, by arranging a trailing circumferential cutting edge at a radial distance different from a leading circumferential cutting edge it is prevented that the trailing circumferential cutting edge follows the groove in the object drilled in, cut or created by the leading circumferential cutting edge. It is an insight of the inventor that the trailing circumferential cutting edge, when not placed at a different radial distance, typically causes friction with the groove wall causing heat and vibration in the drill head and the object to be drilled or cut. The invention has thus the technical effect of reducing heat generation and/or vibration in the drill head and the object during operation. Furthermore, a larger part of the surface of the trailing circumferential cutting edge is used during drilling, having the effect of distributing wear over a larger surface, more evenly and/or increasing the speed with which material is cut away. The distribution of wear has the effect of prolonging the lifetime of the drill bit. Furthermore, due to the reduced friction, the cylindrical drill bit will heat up less providing the advantage of less wear of the cylindrical drill bit. Furthermore, due to the reduced friction, it is less likely the material to be drilled is burned and/or heated to a temperature that the material oxidizes or deforms through melting.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows the cross section as indicated in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 further shows a circle VII indicating the location of the detail shown in FIG. 7.

[0056] The circumferential cutting edges may be shaped like teeth 15. The circumferential cutting edges comprise similar features, such as the same features.

[0057] Only one circumferential cutting edge will be discussed in detail due to this similarity. The circumferential cutting edge 7′″ comprises a leading cutting edge or longitudinal cutting edge 16″. The longitudinal cutting edge substantially extends from the base to the top of the circumferential cutting edge in a longitudinal direction relative to the rotational axis.

[0058] FIG. 7 shows the detail indicated in FIG. 6. The longitudinal cutting edge 16′″ typically leans forward. In an alternative description, the longitudinal cutting edge is directed in the cutting direction rotational direction, such as in the operating direction, and provides longitudinal cutting edges, wherein in particular said longitudinal cutting edges are at an inclined angle a with respect to a line parallel to the rotational axis. The inclined angle a is between 3 and 25 degrees, preferably 4 and 20 degrees, more preferably 5 and 15 degrees, most preferably 6 and 10 degrees, with respect to the line parallel to the rotational axis or longitudinal axis.

[0059] The forward leaning longitudinal cutting edge substantially under the right angle a has the effect that the circumferential edge as a whole is forced deeper into the material during drilling. This allows the circumferential cutting edge to cut over a substantial longer length of the longitudinal cutting edge. By utilizing a substantial longer length of the longitudinal cutting edge, the wear is spread over this substantially longer length, thus prolonging the time the longitudinal cutting edge maintains sharpness, thus prolonging the lifetime of the cylindrical drill bit. Furthermore, this force also causes the main cutting edges to be dragged into the material, having the effect of dragging the main cutting edges faster trough the material to be removed by the main cutting edges. This effect also works the other way around, as the main cutting edges chip away material, the longitudinal cutting edge is forced deeper into the material, causing the circumferential cutting edge to cut faster through the material. The circumferential cutting edges comprise similar features, such as the same features, only one will be discussed in detail. The circumferential cutting edge 7′″ comprises a top surface comprising an inner surface 17′″ and an outer surface 18′.

[0060] The inner surface 17′ is angled under an angle 0′″ and has a width 20′″. The outer surface is angled under an angle y′ and has a width 21′. Both with respect to a line parallel to the rotational axis. The inner width and the outer width together make up the width of the circumferential cutting edge. The angle 0 is in the range of 15° to 75°, preferably 25° to 65°, more preferably 35° to 55°. The angle y is in the range of 15° to 75°, preferably 25° to 65°, more preferably 35° to 55°. In a specific embodiment, the angles 0, y may be substantially the same.

[0061] The inner surface and the outer surface join each other forming a top cutting edge 19′″. The angle 0-y defines the sharpness of the top cutting edge. The angle 0-y is in the range of 45° to 135°, preferably 65° to 115°, more preferably 75° to 105°.

[0062] The top surface is shaped to cut through the material where upon the top surface is pressed. Typically, depending on the angles 0 and y and the widths of the inner and outer surface more material may be forced to either the inner side or the outer side of the circumferential cutting edge. In an embodiment, the angles 0 and y and the widths of the inner and outer surface more material vary depending on the radial distance of the circumferential cutting edge. In an embodiment, the angles 13 and y and the widths of the inner and outer surface of a subsequent circumferential cutting edge are configured to move more material to a side of the subsequent circumferential cutting edge, which has space, place or room created by the preceding circumferential cutting edge having a different radial distance compared to the subsequent circumferential cutting edge. Thus, if the preceding circumferential cutting edge has a larger radial distance compared to the subsequent circumferential cutting edge, more material of the subsequent circumferential cutting edge is expelled to the outer side of the circumferential cutting edge and vice versa.

[0063] FIG. 8 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment. While FIG. 5 shows an embodiment wherein the respective radial distances R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5, R6, R7, R8 decrease, FIG. 8 shows an embodiment wherein the respective radial distances R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5, R6, R7, R8 increase in a direction of rotation.

[0064] FIG. 9 shows the cross section as indicated in FIG. 8. The shown features are similar to the features described for FIG. 6.

[0065] FIG. 10 shows the detail indicated in FIG. 9. The shown features are similar to the features described for FIG. 7.

[0066] It will also be clear that the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person. These embodiments are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0067] Cylindrical drill bit [0068] shaft or shank [0069] cylindrical head, straight circle cylindrical [0070] 4, 4′ main cutting edge [0071] 5, 5′ chip space opening [0072] 6 first set of circumferential cutting edges [0073] 7, 7′, 7″, T″ circumferential cutting edges of the first set of circumferential cutting edges [0074] 8 second set of circumferential cutting edges [0075] 9, 9′, 9″, 9″ circumferential cutting edges of the second set of circumferential cutting edges [0076] 10 space for positioning a mandrel or centering tip [0077] 11 hole for providing a fixing bolt for the mandrel/centering tip [0078] 12, 13, 14 chip breakers for the main cutting edges [0079] 15 Tooth providing a circumferential cutting edge [0080] 16′, 16″. 16′″ longitudinal cutting edge [0081] 17′, 17″, 17′″ inner surface [0082] 18′, 18″, 18′″ outer surface [0083] 19, 19′, 19″, 19′″ top cutting edge [0084] 20′, 20″, 20′″ width inner surface [0085] 21′, 21″, 21′″ width outer surface [0086] R1-R4 radial distances of the respective circumferential cutting edges of second set of circumferential cutting edges [0087] R5-R8 radial distances of the respective circumferential cutting edges of the first set of circumferential cutting edges [0088] R rotational axis/longitudinal axis [0089] C circle [0090] D bit working rotational direction [0091] a longitudinal cutting edge angle [0092] f3′″, f3″ circumferential cutting edge inner angle [0093] y′″, y″ circumferential cutting edge outer angle