Smart drill guide device for muscle training of hand drilling operations

• US 10,339,831 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2015
• Issued: 07/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Arab Emirates University (Al Hikma Development Co. PJSC)
• Original Assignee: United Arab Emirates University (Al Hikma Development Co. PJSC)
• Inventors: Mourad, Abdel Hamid Ismail, Alshehhi, Azza Abdulla, Al Kaabi, Maryam Salem
• Primary Examiner(s): Saint-Vil, Eddy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ermlick, William D
• Application Number:
  US14/947,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20170148351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2260/128 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2270/32 Use of electronics
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2270/483 Measurement of force
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2270/486 Measurement of rotational speed
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 49/02 Boring templates or bushings
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 Use of tools
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F

Abstract

A drill guide device comprising a speed detection device for measuring speed of a drill bit used by the device for drilling an object surface during a hand drilling operation; a force detection device for measuring force applied by the drill bit on the object during the hand drilling operation; an alignment detection device for detecting alignment of the drill bit with respect to the object surface during the hand drilling operation; a user interface connected to the speed detection device, the force detection device and the alignment detection device adapted to communicate to a user information related to the speed, the force and the alignment of the drill bit during the hand drilling operation. The drill guide device is preferably used for training technicians on hand drilling the object surface using a required range of force, speed and alignment, particularly muscle memory training of technicians on these required parameters.

Claims

1. A drill guide device for training users on hand drilling operations, the device comprising:

a speed detection device for measuring speed of a drill bit used by the drill guide device for drilling an object surface during a hand drilling operation;

a force detection device for measuring force applied by the drill bit on the object surface during the hand drilling operation;

wherein the force detection device comprises a load cell;

an alignment detection device for detecting alignment of the drill bit with respect to the object surface during the hand drilling operation;

wherein the alignment detection device comprises a drill guide base held using a drill guide holder connected with a handle;

wherein the force detection device is integral with the handle; and

a user interface connected to the speed detection device, the force detection device and the alignment detection device for communicating to a user information related to the measured speed, the measured force and the detected alignment of the drill bit during the hand drilling operation;

wherein the training on hand drilling operations is provided based on a predefined required range of speed, force and alignment measurement specifications, thereby diminishing mistakes while manufacturing structural components or systems.

2. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a microcontroller adapted to be connected to the user interface and to the speed detection device, the force detection device and the alignment detection device for comparing the force, speed and alignment measurements to the predefined required range of force, speed and alignment and for communicating a non-compliance signal to the user interface in case the measurements are not within the predefined required range.

3. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the microcontroller is adapted to be connected to an ignition system of a hand drill device for deactivating the hand drill device in case the measurements are not within the predefined required range.

4. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a display for displaying the speed, force and alignment related information.

5. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the speed detection device comprises a speed sensor adapted to detect a rotational speed of the drill bit.

6. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the speed sensor is a hall effect sensor.

7. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force detection device further comprises a load frame structure having an upper portion for receiving and supporting the object surface during the drilling operation, a lower portion for supporting the load frame structure to the ground, and an intermediary portion between the upper and lower portions for receiving the load cell such that the force applied on the object surface during the drilling operation is transferred to the load cell for measurement.

8. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drill guide base comprises:

supporting members adapted to sit on the drilling surface during the drilling operation and an opening adapted to guide the drill bit through to the object surface according to the alignment required when all the supporting members are in physical contact with the object surface;

contact sensors at said supporting members respectively for detecting whether said supporting members are in physical contact with the object surface;

wherein said alignment detection device detects lack of alignment when at least one supporting member is not in physical contact with the object surface.

9. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the alignment desired is perpendicularity and the alignment detection device is configured to detect the perpendicularity of the drill bit with respect to the object surface during the drilling operation.

10. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the contact sensors comprise gyroscope sensors or switches sensors.

11. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the switches sensors are push button switches sensors.

12. The drill guide device of claim 11 wherein the push button switches sensors comprise switch on/off pins and wherein supporting members have openings adapted to receive the pins such that the pins extend outside the supporting members through the openings, wherein the switch on/off pins are adapted to be connected to a switch for generating a signal indicative of whether the switch on/off pins are in physical contact with the drilling surface.

13. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the drill guide base comprises a body having:

a central body portion defining the drill guide base opening, wherein said opening has an opening axis;

a peripheral body portion around the central portion comprising the plurality of supporting members; and

a plurality of cavities within the peripheral body portion for receiving the contact sensors at said supporting members.

14. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a bushing adapted to be mounted centrically within the drill guide base to act as a guide for the drill bit and to protect the drill guide base from being damaged by the drill bit.

15. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the holder is adapted to be coupled to the drill guide base for enabling a user to hold the drill guide base on the object surface using a single hand during the drilling operation.

16. The drill guide device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said holder comprises a housing adapted to house the microcontroller and a battery in such a manner to be in electrical connection with the contact sensors.

17. The drill guide device of claim 13, wherein the supporting members have a height defining a distance between the guide base opening and the object surface during the drilling operation in order to allow space for any left out material resulting from the drilling operation.

18. The drill guide device of claim 1 wherein the object surface is flat or curved.

19. A process of training users on hand drilling operations using a hand drill device, said process comprising:

measuring alignment, speed and force applied by a user on an object surface during a drilling operation using speed sensors, alignment measurement sensors and a force detection device respectively,

wherein the alignment measurement sensors are placed at supporting members on a drill guide base held using a drill guide holder connected with a handle integral with the force detection device, and

the force detection device comprises a load cell;

obtaining alignment, speed and force measurements through a microcontroller;

comparing the measured alignment, speed and force measurements with a predefined required range of force, speed and alignment measurement specifications using the microcontroller; and

communicating a non-compliance signal to the user through a user interface in case the measured alignment, speed and force are not within the predefined required range of measurement specifications to avoid mistakes while manufacturing structural components or systems.

20. The process as claimed in claim 19 further comprising:

using the microcontroller connected to an ignition system of the hand drill device, for deactivating the hand drill device from operation in case the measured alignment, speed and force are not within the predefined required range of measurement specifications.

21. The process as claimed in claim 19 wherein said training on hand drilling operations comprises a muscle memory training of technicians based on the predefined required range of speed, force and alignment measurement specifications.

22. The process as claimed in claim 21 wherein said training on hand drilling operations is for reducing mistakes occurring by the users during the hand drilling operations.