Magnet sensing hole driller and method therefor
First Claim
1. A process for operating a portable autonomous device to drill holes comprising:
- transmitting a signal to the portable autonomous device to move to a drill location on a surface;
receiving a location update from the portable autonomous device;
determining whether the updated location is the drill location;
aligning a drill spindle assembly of the portable autonomous device to the drill location;
activating an attachment mechanism of the portable autonomous device to fix a position of the portable autonomous device;
activating magnet sensors and a drive table to locate a freestanding magnet;
determining an angle between a platform of the portable autonomous device and the surface by measuring a pivot angle of a wheel set of the portable autonomous device relative to a wheel pivot assembly;
adjusting the angle of the platform relative to the surface based on the pivot angle of the wheel set; and
activating a drill feed assembly of the portable autonomous device to lower the drill spindle assembly.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable device to drill holes has a platform. A plurality of wheel sets is coupled to the platform. A drive system is used for driving the plurality of wheels. An attachment mechanism is positioned on an underside of the platform for securing the device to a surface. A control board is used for controlling the operation of the device. A drill spindle assembly is coupled to the platform. A drill feed assembly is coupled to the drill spindle assembly for raising and lowering the drill spindle assembly. A plurality of sensors are operable to sense one or more magnets disposed below the surface. A drive table is used for positioning the drill spindle assembly in an XY plane based on an output of said plurality of sensors.
21 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A process for operating a portable autonomous device to drill holes comprising:
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transmitting a signal to the portable autonomous device to move to a drill location on a surface; receiving a location update from the portable autonomous device; determining whether the updated location is the drill location; aligning a drill spindle assembly of the portable autonomous device to the drill location; activating an attachment mechanism of the portable autonomous device to fix a position of the portable autonomous device; activating magnet sensors and a drive table to locate a freestanding magnet; determining an angle between a platform of the portable autonomous device and the surface by measuring a pivot angle of a wheel set of the portable autonomous device relative to a wheel pivot assembly; adjusting the angle of the platform relative to the surface based on the pivot angle of the wheel set; and activating a drill feed assembly of the portable autonomous device to lower the drill spindle assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A portable autonomous device that drills holes in a surface, the portable autonomous device comprising:
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a receiver that is part of a control board coupled to an antenna, the receiver configured to receive from a controller a signal containing coordinates of a drill location; a drive system that moves the portable autonomous device to the drill location, the drive system including at least one wheel set pivotable about a wheel pivot assembly; an attachment mechanism that fixes the portable autonomous device to the surface at the drill location; magnet sensors that locate a freestanding magnet below the surface; a drill feed assembly coupled to a drive table that moves the drill feed assembly over the freestanding magnet located via the magnet sensors, wherein the drill feed assembly includes a drill spindle that drills a hole in the surface at the freestanding magnet; and a normality system configured to; determine an angle of the platform relative to the surface by measuring a pivot angle of the wheel set about the wheel pivot assembly; and adjust the angle of the platform relative to the surface based on the pivot angle of the wheel set to achieve a desired angle between the platform and the surface. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of drilling holes in a surface using a portable autonomous device having a platform and a drive mechanism coupled to the platform, the method comprising:
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moving, via the drive mechanism, the portable autonomous device to a drill location received via a wireless signal from a cell controller; fixing a position of the portable autonomous device at the drill location with an attachment mechanism; moving a drive table over a freestanding magnet located under the surface at the drill location; determining an angle of the platform relative to the surface using a normality system;
wherein the drive mechanism comprises at least one wheel set pivotable about a wheel pivot assembly, and wherein determining the angle of the platform relative to the surface comprises measuring a pivot angle of the wheel set about the wheel pivot assembly;adjusting the angle of the platform using the normality system to achieve a desired angle between the platform and the surface; and drilling a hole at the freestanding magnet using a drill feed assembly coupled to the drive table. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification