CA3290569A1 - Method for operating a dispensing apparatus, and dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a dispensing apparatus (10), comprising the following steps: - determining a depth (77) of the bore (75) by means of the distance measuring device (60); - determining or setting a diameter of the bore (75); - calculating an internal volume (79) of the bore (75) (S3); - determining or setting a volume of a part, to be arranged within the bore (75), of an element, in particular an anchor rod; - subtracting the volume from the calculated internal volume (79) of the bore (75) to obtain a filling volume; - setting the determined filling volume in the dispensing apparatus (10) as output of a subsequent dispensing process.

Description

Hilti Aktiengesellschaft Principality of Liechtenstein Description Method for operating a dispensing apparatus, and dispensing apparatus TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a method for operating a dispensing apparatus.

In addition, the invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for carrying out such a method.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND In addition to mechanically operable dispensing apparatuses, a plurality of electrically operable dispensing apparatuses is known from practice.

Cartridges can be introduced into the dispensing apparatuses, wherein masses contained in the cartridges can be dispensed via a mixer that can be brought into operative connection with the cartridge.

The masses can be a two-component system, for example a mortar.

Mechanically operable dispensing apparatuses have a lever, which, when operated, moves a push rod of the dispensing apparatus a defined distance in the direction of the cartridge and a certain quantity of the mass(es) in the cartridge is dispensed by the mixer.

Furthermore, electrically operable dispensing apparatuses or dispensers are known in which, for example, it is possible to set via a user interface how far a push rod of the dispensing apparatus should be moved when a switch is actuated or how much mass should be dispensed by the dispensing apparatus when the switch is actuated.

If the mass in the cartridge is to be used to fix an anchor rod, for example, in a bore in a wall, a user or operator must estimate how much mass is to be introduced into the bore for this purpose, both in the case of mechanically operable dispensing apparatuses and in the case of electrically operable dispensing apparatuses.

This estimate is prone to errors so that the desired filling of the borehole or bore with the mass is difficult to achieve.

If too little mass is filled, there is a risk that the anchor rod arranged in the bore will not be able to transmit the desired high forces.

If, on the other hand, too much mass is filled, the material consumption is undesirably high and the mass can ooze out of the bore when the element is inserted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for operating a dispensing apparatus by means of which a required mass can be reliably determined for the particular application.

In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus for carrying out such a method.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION This object is achieved by the method for operating a dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 1.

In addition, the object is achieved by a dispensing apparatus in accordance with claim 11.

Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for operating a dispensing apparatus which can be brought into operative connection with a cartridge provided with a mixer, wherein the dispensing apparatus has a control device and a distance measuring device, wherein by means of the dispensing apparatus, mass in the cartridge can be introduced into a bore in a wall.

The method comprises the following steps: _ determining a depth of the bore by means of the distance measuring device; determining or setting a diameter of the bore; calculating an internal volume of the bore; determining or setting a volume of a part, to be arranged within the bore, of an element, in particular an anchor rod; _ subtracting the volume from the calculated internal volume of the bore to obtain a filling volume; setting the determined filling volume in the dispensing apparatus as output of a subsequent dispensing process.

The method in accordance with the invention makes it possible to determine very accurately the filling volume required for the particular application and reliably prevents less or more mass than desired from being filled into the bore.

On the one hand, this ensures that the element is held securely in the bore.

On the other hand, a required use of materials is optimized and it is reliably prevented that mass or material escapes from the bore after the element has been arranged in the bore.

The dispensing apparatus can in principle be any type of dispensing apparatus or dispenser, wherein the dispensing apparatus can be operable mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or similarly.

In an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention, it is provided that a speed at which the dispensing apparatus is moved relative to the surface of the wall during a filling process is determined, wherein a filling process of the bore is carried out depending on the determined speed.

In particular, a mass flow output by the dispensing apparatus is controlled or regulated in the process.

This has the advantage that, for example, it is easy to prevent a mixer tip from coming into contact with the mass during a filling process and thus becoming contaminated.

In addition, by adapting the output quantity to the speed, it can be ensured that the inner region of the bore is in particular completely filled.

The speed at which the dispensing apparatus is moved relative to the surface of the wall during a filling process is in particular determined by continuously measuring the distance between the dispensing apparatus and the surface of the wall.

In an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention, a mass flow output by the dispensing apparatus, i.e., an output mass volume per time, is reduced or stopped if a determined speed is less than or equal to a preset reference value.

Alternatively, the mass flow may also be adjusted continuously or in stages depending on the determined speed.

This makes it easy to prevent a mixer tip from coming into contact with the output mass during a filling process.

In an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention, the dispensing apparatus provides the user with feedback if a movement speed determined during a filling process is less than a defined limit value and/or greater than a predefined limit value.

This makes it easy for the user to maintain an ideal movement speed.

It may be provided that the particular limit values vary depending on the filling volume determined in each case or the parameters present in each case, such as borehole depth, borehole diameter and type or size of the element to be introduced into the bore.

For example, a display with a bar may be provided that shows an ideal range with an optimal speed and indicates in which range the current movement speed is.

In an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention, in order to determine the depth of the bore, a reference distance value is compared with a determined distance value when the mixer is in contact with a bore base.

In an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention, the reference distance value is stored in the dispensing apparatus, in particular in the control device of the dispensing apparatus, or is determined when the mixer is in contact with the wall in the region of the bore.

The stored reference distance value preferably relates to a standard length of a mixer used.

Alternatively, it may be provided, in particular when a different mixer or an extension for the standard mixer is used, that a measurement of the current reference distance value can be triggered by the user.

The measurement is preferably carried out with the mixer tip in contact with the surface of the wall in the region of the bore, wherein the value determined is stored as a reference distance value and, based thereon, in conjunction with the measurement of the current distance value, a depth of the bore is determined.

It may be provided that the determined reference distance value for future processes is in particular stored in the memory device.

In order to achieve the most accurate determination possible, in particular of the distance value or the reference distance value, it may be provided that for measuring a value, an average value is formed from a plurality of individual measurements.

The filling volume present in an individual case can be determined particularly accurately if an input of a diameter of the element to be introduced into the bore is used to determine the volume of the element to be introduced into the bore.

It can also be provided that the diameter of the element to be introduced is determined on the basis of the measured or entered diameter, for example on the basis of a look-up table stored in the control device.

A particularly accurate determination of the currently required filling volume can be achieved if, in addition to the input and/or determination of the diameter of the element to be introduced into the bore, an input of a type of the element to be introduced into the bore is in particular used.

This allows the volume of the element to be determined particularly precisely.

For example, anchor rods to be introduced into the bore can have different volumes depending on the design even if they have the same diameter.

This can accordingly be taken into account by entering the appropriate type of the element.

In order to reliably prevent mass from escaping from the bore after the entire determined mass has been introduced into the bore and the element has been introduced into the bore, it can be provided that the determined filling volume of the bore can be or is reduced automatically or manually by a defined or selectable value.

This can be either a percentage or an absolute reduction of the determined value for the filling volume.

Furthermore, a dispensing apparatus for carrying out such a method is described, wherein the dispensing apparatus can be brought into operative connection with a cartridge provided with a mixer and has a control device and a distance measuring device.

With such a dispensing apparatus or dispenser, a filling volume required for the particular application can be very accurately determined and introduced into a bore.

The distance measuring device can in principle be arranged at any position of the dispensing apparatus, wherein, for example, the depth of the bore is determined by a difference between the determined values, in particular the distance value and the reference distance value.

In an advantageous embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the invention, the distance measuring device is designed as a laser distance measuring device, as an ultrasonic distance measuring device, as a radar distance measuring device or as a mechanical distance measuring device, by means of which a scan can be carried out in particular.

A particularly accurate determination of the values can be achieved if a gravity sensor is provided, by means of which an inclination of the dispensing apparatus can be determined.

The determined values can be corrected accordingly as necessary depending on the existing inclination.

In an advantageous embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the invention, a touch display is provided for entering data, such as the reference distance value, the diameter of the bore, the diameter of the element, the type of element or similar.

Alternatively or additionally, a mechanical setting device, for example in the form of a setting dial, may be provided, by means of which different functions can be selected.

For example, a position of the setting device for measuring the distance value, a position for entering a reference distance value, a position for entering a diameter of the element and/or a position for entering the type of the element can be provided.

Further advantages can be found in the following description of the figures.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the figures.

The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to form further meaningful combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the figures, identical and equivalent components are provided with the same reference signs.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention for operating a dispensing apparatus; Fig. 2 is a simplified representation of a dispensing apparatus in isolation; Fig. 3 is a simplified representation of a borehole arranged in a wall; Fig. 4 is a simplified representation of the borehole in accordance with Fig. 3, wherein an element arranged, for example, as an anchor rod with a mass, in particular a mortar, is arranged in the borehole; Fig. 5 is a simplified representation of the dispensing apparatus in accordance with Fig. 2 while carrying out a method according to the invention; and Fig. 6 is a representation of a setting device of the dispensing apparatus in isolation.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT In Fig. 2, a dispensing apparatus 10 is shown in isolation, which is designed to carry out a method shown schematically in Fig. 1.

The dispensing apparatus 10 can in principle be designed to dispense single-component and, in the present case, in particular multi-component masses, and the masses can, for example, be provided for filling, gluing or sealing or similar applications in the construction sector.

The masses are arranged in cartridges which can be brought into operative connection with the dispensing apparatus 10.

In the present case, the dispensing apparatus 10 is designed to work together with a cartridge 40, which is partially visible in Fig. 5, the cartridge device 40 being designed in particular with two chambers, for example film containers, which are connected to one another via a head part.

On the head part is arranged a mixer 41, via which the masses in the film containers can be output during a dispensing process after being mixed with one another.

The chambers of the cartridge 40 contain, for example, masses of a two-component mortar mass, with, for example, a curable resin component being arranged in a first chamber of the cartridge 40 and a curing component being arranged in the further chamber of the cartridge 40, which is arranged separately therefrom in a reaction- inhibiting manner.

During a dispensing process, the components are mixed with one another, for example in the region of the mixer 41, wherein the mass resulting after mixing the curable resin component and the curing component can be used, for example, as injection mortar for the chemical anchoring of, for example, metal elements such as anchor rods in mineral substrates, such as in particular buildings made of brickwork, concrete, or natural stone.

For this purpose, a bore 75 is first made, for example, in masonry 76, as can be seen in Fig. 3, for example.

The bore 75 has a borehole depth 77 and a diameter 78, which define an internal volume 79 of the bore 75. A surface of the masonry 76 in the region of the bore 75 is designated by 80.

Fig. 4 shows in simplified form how an element 82, in particular an anchoring means, such as an anchor rod, is arranged in the borehole 75 filled with mortar 83.

After filling the bore 75 or the borehole 75 with mortar 83, the anchor rod 82 is inserted into the bore 75 and aligned therein.

The anchor rod 82 is arranged here in the desired end position with a length 84 in the borehole 75, the length 84 being defined by the distance between the surface 80 of the masonry 76 and a tip 85 of the anchor rod 82. A diameter of the anchor rod 82 is designated by 86.

The dispensing apparatus 10 is designed to output the mortar 83 into the bore 75.

For this purpose, the dispensing apparatus 10 has a receiving space 11, into which the cartridge 40 can be introduced, in a housing 12.

In the present case, the housing 12 of the dispensing apparatus 10 extends substantially along an axial direction A and has a functional portion 14 and a handling portion 16.

The functional portion 14 substantially comprises the receiving space 11 and, at a processing-side distal end 18 of the functional portion 14, a processing head 19, in the region of which a head part of the cartridge 40 can be arranged.

As can be seen in more detail in Fig. 5, the mixer 41 extends forward in the axial direction A beyond the processing head 19 or the distal end 18.

In addition to a handle 21, the handling portion 16 of the housing 12 comprises an actuating switch 22 which is arranged in the region of the handle 21.

In order to dispense from the cartridge 40, a dispensing apparatus 24 is provided, which in the present case is designed with two dispensing pistons, which in the present case are firmly connected to one another in particular via a push rod 29.

Each dispensing piston has a plunger at the end facing the respective chamber of the cartridge 40.

Furthermore, a drive device is provided, which is only shown schematically here and is in particular designed as an electric motor 30, by means of which the dispensing pistons can be displaced in the axial direction A.

In order to discharge masses in the chambers of the cartridge 40 via the mixer 41, the dispensing pistons can be moved together in the direction of the distal end 18 via the push rod 29 which can be driven in a feed direction V by the electric motor 30.

In the present case, the electric motor 30 is supplied with energy by a power supply which is only shown schematically in Fig. 2 and is designed as an accumulator 31.

Alternatively, the dispensing apparatus 10 may also be line-operated, wherein a plug that can be coupled to a power supply system can be provided.

The dispensing apparatus 10 furthermore comprises a control device 33, which is designed to actuate the electric motor 30 in response to a user request by means of the actuating switch 22.

The control device 33 can set the electric motor 30 to various operating modes, which can be selected by the user, for example, via a rotary switch 42 shown in Fig. 6.

As an alternative or in addition to the rotary switch 42, a touch screen device 70 may, for example, also be provided, by means of which various operating modes can be selected by the user and via which information about the current operating state, the current charge level of the accumulator 31 or similar can, for example, be displayed to the user.

Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 schematically show a distance measuring device 60, which in the present case is arranged in the distal end region 18 of the dispensing apparatus 10.

In alternative embodiments, the distance measuring device 60 can also be arranged in other regions of the dispensing apparatus 10, for example in the region of the handling portion 16.

The distance measuring device 60 in the present case is a laser distance measuring device, wherein the distance measuring device 60 can in principle operate according to any measuring principle.

The distance measuring device 60 is coupled to the control device 33.

By means of the distance measuring device 60, as shown in simplified form in Fig. 5, a distance 90 between the distance measuring device 60 and a surface, in particular the surface 80 of a masonry 76 in the region of the bore 75, can be measured.

Furthermore, a sensor 61 is provided, which is coupled to the control device 33, wherein the sensor 61 is designed in particular as a gyro sensor 61.

By means of the sensor 61, an orientation, in particular inclination, of the dispensing apparatus 10 can be determined.

The control device 33 is designed to correct the distance value determined by the distance measuring device 60, on the basis of the inclination value during the respective distance measurement.

The method in accordance with the invention serves in particular to introduce the most optimal possible quantity of mortar into the bore 75 so that after the arrangement of the element, in this case the anchor rod 82, there is a sufficiently large quantity of mortar in the bore 75 to ensure a desired hold of the anchor rod 82.

On the other hand, it is to be prevented that too much mortar mass is filled into the bore 75 so that after the arrangement of the anchor rod 82, mortar mass runs out of the bore 75.

An embodiment of a method in accordance with the invention for operating the dispensing apparatus 10 is shown in Fig. 1 and is described below.

The method begins at the start S.

In step S1, the borehole depth 77 is determined by means of the distance measuring device 60. A distance measurement is carried out when a tip 43 of the mixer 41 is in contact with a base 81 of the bore 75.

This measurement is carried out at the user's request and results in a current distance value 93.

It may be provided that a reference distance value 92, which corresponds to a distance value when in contact with the surface 80 of the masonry 76 in the region of the bore 75, is stored in a memory device 72 of the control device 33.

It may be provided that the reference distance value is assigned to a standard mixer, which is usually used for cartridges 40 used for the dispensing apparatus 10.

If a different mixer 41 or an attachment for the mixer 40 is used in the current application, the reference distance value can be measured by means of the distance measuring device 60 at the user's request.

For this purpose, a distance measurement is carried out at the user's request, in particular when the tip 43 of the mixer 41 or of an attachment for a mixer is in contact with the surface 80 of the masonry 76.

It may be provided that the reference distance value stored in the memory device 72 is overwritten by the reference distance value measured here and is used for future processes.

The borehole depth 77 is calculated by the control device 33 by a difference between the reference distance value 92 and the distance value 93.

In order to have the most accurate values available, it may be provided that the particular measurement is carried out twice, three times or more times and the particular value is determined as the average value of the measurements.

In the subsequent method step S2, a diameter 78 of the bore 75 is determined or set.

It may be provided that the distance measuring device 60 is designed to determine the diameter 78 of the bore 75.

Alternatively, it may also be provided that the diameter 78 of the bore 75 can be set by the user or a value stored in the memory device 72 is used for the diameter 78.

In method step S3, the control device 33 calculates the internal volume 79 of the bore 75 from the borehole depth 77 and the diameter 78 of the bore 75.

In method step S4, when the element, in particular the anchor rod 82, is in an end position and arranged in the bore 75, the volume 87 of the anchor rod 82 located within the bore 75 is determined or set.

For this purpose, it may be provided that a diameter used and an insertion depth or the length 84 are deduced on the basis of the determined or set diameter 78 of the bore 75 and a look-up table stored in the memory device 72.

Alternatively, it may be provided that these values can be entered by the user.

In this case, it may also be provided that a type of element, in particular of the anchor rod 82, can be entered by the user, and that the volume, to be arranged within the bore 75, of the element 82 is deduced on the basis of a look-up table stored in the memory device 72, on the basis of the entered type of the element 82 in combination with the diameter and length thereof.

In method step S5, the control device 33 subtracts the volume 87, determined or set in method step S4, of the element 82 from the internal volume 79 of the bore 75 to obtain a filling volume 88.

The filling volume 88 determined in method step S5 is set by the control device 33 in method step S6 as output of a subsequent dispensing process so that in the subsequent dispensing process, when the user actuates the actuating switch 22, a quantity of mortar corresponding to the determined filling volume 88 is output into the bore 75.

It may be provided that a predefined absolute or percentage value is deducted from the determined filling volume 88 in order to reliably prevent mass or mortar 83 from running out when the bore 75 in which the element 82 is arranged is filled.

It may be provided that during the dispensing process, a speed, at which the dispensing apparatus 10 is moved relative to the surface 80 of the masonry 76 and thus the tip 43 of the mixer 41 is moved out of the bore 75, is determined on the basis of a continuous distance measurement by the distance measuring device 60.

It may be provided that an output mass flow is controlled or regulated in accordance with the determined speed using an algorithm stored in the memory device 72, or a stored look-up table.

This can, for example, prevent contamination of the mixer tip at too low a speed and insufficient filling of the bore 75, in particular in the region of the base 81, at too high a speed.

For example, it may be provided that an output mass flow is reduced or stopped if the speed falls below a stored limit speed.

In addition, it may be provided that the user is shown a current speed in relation to an optimal speed by means of the display device 70, for example by means of a bar.

For example, a green, a yellow and a red range may be provided.

Alternatively or additionally, an output device may be provided, which provides the user with optical, acoustic, haptic or similar feedback if a determined speed is greater and/or less than stored limit values.

Claims

<pat:Claims> <pat:Claim com:id="1"> A method for operating a dispensing apparatus (10) which can be brought into operative connection with a cartridge (40) provided with a mixer (41), wherein the dispensing apparatus (10) has a control device (33) and a distance measuring device (60), wherein by means of the dispensing apparatus (10), a mass (83) in the cartridge (40) can be introduced into a bore (75) in a wall (76), comprising the following steps: - determining a depth (77) of the bore (75) by means of the distance measuring device (60) (S1); - determining or setting a diameter (78) of the bore (75) (S2); - calculating an internal volume (79) of the bore (75) (S3); - determining or setting a volume (87) of a part, to be arranged within the bore (75), of an element (82), in particular an anchor rod (S4); - subtracting the volume (87) from the calculated internal volume (79) of the bore (75) to obtain a filling volume (88) (S5); - setting the determined filling volume (88) in the dispensing apparatus (10) as output of a subsequent dispensing process (S6). </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="2"> The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a speed at which the dispensing apparatus (10) is moved relative to the surface (80) of the wall (76) during a filling process is determined, wherein a filling process of the bore (75) is carried out depending on the determined speed. </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="3"> The method according to claim 2, characterized in that a mass flow output by the dispensing apparatus (10) is reduced or stopped if a determined speed is less than or equal to a preset reference value. </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="4"> The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing apparatus (10) provides the user with feedback if a movement speed determined during a filling process is less than a defined limit value and/or greater than a predefined limit value. </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="5"> The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in order to determine the depth (77) of the bore (75), a reference distance value is compared with a determined distance value when the mixer (41) is in contact with a bore base (81). </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="6"> The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the reference distance value is stored in the dispensing apparatus (10) or is determined when the mixer (41) is in contact with the wall (76) in the region of the bore (75). </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="7"> The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in order to measure a value by means of the distance measuring device (60), an average value is formed from a plurality of individual measurements. </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="8"> The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an input of a diameter (86) of the element (82) to be introduced into the bore (75) is used to determine the volume (87) of the part, to be arranged within the bore (75), of the element (82). </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="9"> The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an input of a type of the element (82) to be introduced into the bore (75) is used to determine the volume (87) of the part, to be arranged within the bore (75), of the element (82). </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="10"> The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the determined filling volume (88) of the bore (75) can be or is reduced automatically or manually by a desired value. </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="11"> A dispensing apparatus for carrying out a method according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the dispensing apparatus (10) can be brought into operative connection with a cartridge (40) provided with a mixer (41) and has a control device (33) and a distance measuring device (60). </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="12"> The dispensing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the distance measuring device (60) is designed as a laser distance measuring device, as an ultrasonic distance measuring device, as a radar distance measuring device or as a mechanical distance measuring device. </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="13"> The dispensing apparatus according to either claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that a sensor (61) is provided by means of which an inclination of the dispensing apparatus (10) can be determined. </pat:Claim> <pat:Claim com:id="14"> The dispensing apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that a touch display (70) is provided for entering data. </pat:Claim> </pat:Claims>