Adaptor for rock or building anchor system

Abstract

An adapter (20) for at least electrically connecting a solid anchor system (11), in particular a rock or stone or building anchor system, with a data handling system (30) is described, wherein the solid anchor system (11) has an anchor (12) for at least partial insertion into the solid and at least one sensor (13), wherein the anchor has at least at an end part (14) of the anchor (12) that is not to be inserted into the solid an external thread (15) and electrical contact areas (16) of the sensor (13), wherein the adapter has: a first sleeve assembly (23) with internal thread (24) for screwing onto the external thread (15) of the anchor (12), in particular from the end part of the anchor that is not to be inserted into the solid;a second sleeve assembly (25) having electrical connections (26) exposed in an interior (27) of the second sleeve assembly (25) to contact the electrical contact areas (16) on the armature (12) in a state installed on the armature; wherein the first sleeve assembly (23) is rotatable relative to the second sleeve assembly (25) in a state not installed on the armature and wherein the interior (27) is sealed against the surrounding medium in the state installed on the armature, wherein in particular the armature (12) is screwed to the first sleeve assembly (23) in the state installed on the armature.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an adapter for at least electrically connecting a solid anchor system with a data handling system, further relates to a system comprising a solid anchor system, an adapter and a data handling system, and further relates to a method of at least electrically connecting a solid anchor system with a data handling system. Background of the invention

[0002] EP 3 927 942 B1 discloses a rock anchor with a sensor for measuring mechanical stresses. A conductor track is fixed to a mounting section of the anchor, so that the conductor track follows corresponding deformations or movements of the mounting section. An evaluation unit can measure and evaluate the electrical resistance of the conductor track.

[0003] WO 2021 / 028394 A1 discloses a method for producing a deformable conductor using an ink composition.

[0004] AT 525566 B1 discloses a sensor-based hollow rod system consisting of a hollow rod, a coupling element, and a nut with a retaining plate, and comprising at least one condition monitoring system. The hollow rod system is designed as a self-drilling system with a lost drill bit facing the inside of the borehole, and the hollow rod is designed as an at least two-layer tube comprising an inner measuring tube and an outer casing tube. A housing for a smart nut is provided for screwing onto the sensor carrier. The housing has a viewing opening to allow a clear view of an adapter located inside the sensor carrier. To prevent unintentional ingress of moisture or dust into the interior of the housing, a cover is provided for the housing, which is positively connected to the housing.The cover has a through-hole for connection to a transmission unit for a Long Range Wide Area Network. The adapter has multiple recesses or grooves into which various strain gauges can be inserted.

[0005] However, the system and its components disclosed in the patent specification listed above are very complex and correspondingly expensive, and cannot provide satisfactory results under all conditions.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adapter for electrically connecting a solid anchor system to a data handling system, which is simple in design, ensures a reliable electrical connection and is also usable and functional in the field under harsh environmental conditions. Summary of the invention

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an adapter according to independent claim 1 is provided. The adapter is provided for at least electrically connecting a solid anchoring system, in particular a rock or stone or building anchoring system, to a data handling system, wherein the solid anchoring system comprises an anchor for at least partial insertion into the solid and at least one sensor, wherein the anchor has an external thread and electrical contact areas of the sensor at least at an end part of the anchor not to be inserted into the solid, wherein the adapter comprises: a first sleeve assembly with an internal thread for screwing onto the external thread of the anchor, in particular from the end part of the anchor not to be inserted into the solid;a second sleeve assembly having electrical connections exposed in an interior of the second sleeve assembly to contact the electrical contact areas on the armature in a state installed on the armature; wherein the first sleeve assembly is rotatable relative to the second sleeve assembly in a state not installed on the armature and wherein the interior is sealed against the surrounding medium in the state installed on the armature, wherein in particular the armature is screwed to the first sleeve assembly in the state installed on the armature.

[0009] The solid anchor system allows anchoring in a solid material, such as rock or stone, or in a building, particularly in a building wall. The solid anchor system can be used and is suitable for applications such as mining, tunneling, and building construction.

[0010] The anchor can be designed, for example, as a solid metal rod or as a hollow tube. In the area to be inserted into the solid material, the anchor can be equipped with one or more locking, wedging, or expanding elements. Generally, the anchor can be equipped with one or more identical or different wedging and / or expanding elements that anchor or fix the anchor in the solid material within the area to be inserted. The anchor can be designed, for example, as an expansion sleeve anchor, wedge sleeve anchor, double wedge anchor, slotted wedge anchor, expansion anchor, or a combination of the aforementioned types. The anchor can also be designed as a self-drilling anchor. The anchor can be made, at least partially, of metal or metal alloy, in particular steel, and / or can comprise an anchor head, anchor foot, and an anchor rod.The anchor can, for example, be designed or equipped with spreading elements, but can also be designed as a bonded anchor and / or friction anchor.

[0011] The external thread need not be present along the entire length of the anchor, but only needs to be provided at an end portion of the anchor that is not to be inserted into the solid. In other embodiments, an external thread may also be provided, for example, additionally in at least one end portion of the anchor that is to be inserted into the solid, for example, to actuate one or more expansion elements or to actuate one or more wedges for the secure locking of the anchor in the solid.

[0012] An end portion of the anchor, intended for insertion into the solid, can be screwed in place, for example, via the external thread using a (metal) plate and / or a nut, particularly on the impact side (the side facing away from the rock or solid). This allows the anchor to be firmly anchored in the solid. The adapter can then be screwed onto the end portion of the adapter, extending beyond the nut and / or the metal plate into the external space, using the internal thread of the first sleeve assembly and the external thread of the anchor end. In this configuration, the innermost end of the anchor (the one embedded in the solid) can be expanded or wedged by expanding jaws or other wedging or locking elements to secure it in the solid.

[0013] The sensor can be integrated with the armature and / or partially mounted on the armature and / or be spatially separate from the armature. At its end, the armature has the electrical contact areas of the sensor, which are electrically connected to the sensor. According to one embodiment, for example, the sensor can be mounted at least partially on an outer surface of the armature, i.e., also connected to the armature. The sensor can be configured to detect or measure at least one property or condition of the solid into which it is at least partially embedded, for example, temperature and / or humidity and / or deformation and thus the stress within the solid. For example, the sensor can have one or more strain gauges to measure or detect stresses in the solid via deformation.In other embodiments, the sensor can, for example, be configured to measure and detect temperature and / or pH value and / or gas molecules, for example mine gas, methane, CO2, CO, N2.

[0014] Measurement signals from the sensor or multiple sensors can be output via the electrical contact areas on or at the end of the armature. These sensor contact areas (when the adapter is installed on the armature) are contacted by the electrical terminals of the second sleeve assembly, which are exposed inside the second sleeve assembly. The second sleeve assembly may also have additional external contacts for contacting the data handling system, which are described in more detail below.

[0015] The first sleeve assembly can be understood as an assembly that essentially has a sleeve shape and is formed from one or more elements or parts, in particular from two parts, which are firmly connected to each other. The first sleeve assembly thus allows it to be screwed onto the external thread of the anchor end via the internal thread in order to mechanically connect the adapter to the anchor outside the solid.

[0016] The second sleeve assembly can be understood as an assembly consisting of one or more elements or components, in particular three components, which includes at least one sleeve-shaped element or component. The second sleeve assembly can, in particular, have at least two electrical connections in order to contact, for example, two sensor signal lines via the sensor's electrical contact areas on the end part of the armature.

[0017] The armature may have an end portion not to be embedded in the solid, in particular a chisel shape, a tapered shape, or a wedge shape, which has the (at least two) electrical contact areas of the sensor on two converging chisel or wedge surfaces. When the adapter is connected to the armature, the tapered or chisel-shaped end of the armature may project into the interior of the second sleeve assembly and be arranged within the interior such that the electrical contact areas of the sensor make electrical contact with the electrical terminals of the second sleeve assembly.

[0018] If the first sleeve assembly is rotatable relative to the second sleeve assembly in a state not installed on the armature, the second sleeve assembly can be correctly aligned so that the electrical contact areas of the sensor electrically contact the electrical terminals of the second sleeve assembly and also so that the tapered end or chisel end of the armature can slide into or fit into the recess of a guide element, as described in more detail below.

[0019] When the interior of the armature is sealed against the surrounding medium in its installed state, reliable electrical contact between the sensor's contact areas and the electrical terminals of the sleeve assembly can be ensured, without dust, moisture, or other environmental influences impairing the connection. To achieve a seal against the surrounding medium, it may be necessary to screw the armature firmly onto its end, particularly to the point of compression of a seal, as described below.

[0020] The adapter can also be configured as a mounting bracket for various types of data handling systems. The data handling system can, for example, include a data transmission system and / or a data processing system. For instance, the data handling system can include a wireless data transmission system and can be configured to wirelessly transmit the measurement signals received from the sensor to another processing system. The adapter can have a mechanical and / or electrical interface on the data handling system side to allow different types of data handling systems to be connected to the adapter.

[0021] Various adapters with different internal thread diameters for the first sleeve assembly can be provided for anchors with different external thread diameters that match the respective internal diameter of the adapter. An (identical) second sleeve assembly can, for example, be connected to different first sleeve assemblies to provide suitable adapters for different anchor external thread diameters.According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adapter is designed such that the first and / or the second sleeve assembly is completely sealed, in particular tightly against the surrounding medium, wherein in particular the second sleeve assembly is sealed at an outer end face, in particular tightly against the surrounding medium, wherein the outer end face of the second sleeve assembly is provided for contact with the data handling system; and / or wherein, in the state installed on the anchor, the end part of the anchor is arranged inside the interior of the second sleeve assembly.

[0022] This prevents environmental materials, such as moisture, dust, rock fragments, soil, and sand, from penetrating the interior of the second sleeve assembly, which could compromise the reliability of the electrical contact. The second sleeve assembly can be axially sealed via its outer end face, particularly to provide an environmentally tight seal. This outer end face can, for example, have two contact surfaces or areas connected to the electrical terminals of the second sleeve assembly, enabling the electrical connections to be made to a data handling system. This ensures the reliable transmission of measurement signals from the sensor to the data handling system.

[0023] The second sleeve assembly can, for example, have a cylindrical or truncated conical shape for mechanical connection to the data handling system, with two or more contact points provided on the outer end face. The second sleeve assembly can, for example, have a profile on a cylindrical surface that enables guidance and / or locking with the data handling system, as explained in more detail below.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adapter further comprises a seal arranged between the first sleeve assembly and the second sleeve assembly for sealing the interior in the state installed on the anchor.

[0025] The seal can be designed, for example, as a sealing ring (e.g., an O-ring) made of an elastic material such as rubber. When the adapter is assembled (comprising the first and second sleeve assemblies), the seal does not need to be compressed between the first and second sleeve assemblies. Only when the assembled adapter is screwed onto the end of the anchor is the sealing ring compressed between the first and second sleeve assemblies, thus creating a seal. The seal can be achieved using a circumferential, ring-shaped gasket. This ensures a reliable seal.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first sleeve assembly comprises: a sleeve part with internal thread; a stepped retaining ring for holding the second sleeve assembly, wherein, for assembly of the adapter, the sleeve part and the retaining ring are connected before being attached to the anchor.

[0027] The internal thread of the sleeve part of the first sleeve assembly is sized such that it can be screwed onto the external thread of the anchor end. When the sleeve part of the first sleeve assembly and the retaining ring are connected, the second sleeve assembly is connected to the first, specifically loosely connected. However, the first and second sleeve assemblies can be rotated relative to each other (around their respective axial or longitudinal directions). The connection of the sleeve part of the first assembly to the retaining ring can be achieved, for example, by crimping, bonding, screwing, riveting, or similar methods.

[0028] According to embodiments of the present invention, a stepped end face is not necessarily required in the sleeve part and the stepped retaining ring of the first sleeve assembly. Threads could also be provided, and the two parts could be connected via a press fit or plug connection, for example, preferably with a conical (fructed cone) end part of the sleeve part and a conical (fructed cone) opening of the retaining ring. The final shape of the armature, that is, the geometry at the end part of the armature, and the shape or geometry of the recess must essentially match each other so that they cannot be twisted or displaced relative to each other in the assembled state. At least two of the sensor connections or connection areas located on the armature are pressed directly onto at least two of the contacts in the adapter, preferably by spring action.

[0029] The pitch of the internal thread of the first sleeve assembly determines the insertion of the anchor end into the recess of the guide element with the metal (spring) contacts of the metal elements. In principle, the metal elements can also be replaced by non-metallic conductive elements with spring force.

[0030] The orientation of the contacts on the end face of the guide element after tightening the nut (adapter) onto the screw part of the armature is not always consistent. This depends, among other things, on the contact pressure against the sealing ring. Coding on the outer surface of the sleeve part of the second sleeve assembly would be one way to align the housing of the data handling system so that the mating contacts located there are precisely aligned with the metal elements (for example, nose guide, bayonet fitting, or similar). Instead of adhesive bonding, an interference fit or thread can also be used. The recesses for the metal elements on the guide element can also have corresponding structures on the inner surface of the sleeve part, which engage with the recesses containing the metal elements during assembly and press the metal elements into the recess.

[0031] Through appropriate assembly measures, the orientation and locking mechanism are precisely adapted to the requirements and location of the electrical connections of the data handling system. The sensor can also be positioned near the armature, and the thread can be present only at the outer end of the armature. The conductive ink itself can act as the sensor or transmit signals from other sensors.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve part is connected at an outer surface area to the retaining ring at an inner surface area, particularly at a first region of a first inner diameter, and in particular by adhesive bonding. This allows for a reliable and simple connection. Additionally or alternatively, crimping, screwing, or riveting may be provided.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second sleeve assembly comprises: a stepped sleeve part that surrounds the interior along a circumference in a material-tight manner; a guide element with a preferably wedge- or chisel-shaped recess for guiding a preferably wedge- or chisel-shaped end of the armature; metal elements that are clamped to the guide element and that provide electrical connections within the recess for contacting the contact areas of the sensor on the armature.

[0034] The guide element can, for example, be essentially cylindrical or frustoconical (if the recess is disregarded). The guide element can be arranged within the stepped sleeve section and be material-tightly bonded to it, in particular by adhesive bonding. The metal elements can project at least partially into the recess and / or can also extend longitudinally around the guide element to, for example, provide contact surfaces on an outer end face of the second sleeve assembly.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the metal elements, in particular two metal elements, provides both the electrical connection within the recess for contacting the contact areas of the sensor on the armature, and also, in particular on an outer end surface of the second sleeve assembly, a contacting field for a respective contact of the data handling system.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide element is connected to the stepped sleeve part on a portion of its outer surface, in particular by a tight bond. Before the connection, in particular the tight bond, the metal elements are clamped to or inserted into the guide element, so that portions of the metal elements can serve as electrical connections within the recess.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide element has one or more notches and / or recesses and / or indentations on one or more other parts of the outer shell surface, in particular extending along a longitudinal direction, for receiving sections of the metal elements and / or for guiding the guide element in the stepped sleeve part in an axial direction, in particular before the bonding of these two parts; and / or wherein the metal elements extend to an end face of the guide element, are exposed there to the outside and form contacts for contacting the data handling system.

[0038] Profiling on parts of the outer surface of the guide element allows the metal elements to be countersunk on the outer surface, meaning they cannot be clamped or connected protrudingly. This allows the guide element, together with the inserted metal elements, to be inserted into the stepped sleeve section and then connected to it, particularly by bonding on the outer surface. This allows for a simple, material-tight bond.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adapter is designed such that the retaining ring of the first sleeve assembly has a first region of a first inner diameter and a second region of a second inner diameter, which is smaller than the first inner diameter, between which a stepped end face is located, wherein the sleeve part of the second sleeve assembly has a first region of a first outer diameter and a second region of a second outer diameter, which is smaller than the first outer diameter, between which a stepped end face is located, wherein the seal is arranged between the stepped end face of the retaining ring of the first sleeve assembly and the stepped end face of the sleeve part of the second sleeve assembly and is pressed in a sealing manner in the state installed on the anchor.

[0040] This allows for a simple connection between the first and second sleeve assemblies, ensuring a tight seal. When the adapter is screwed onto the anchor, opposing forces can be exerted on the stepped end face of the retaining ring of the first sleeve assembly and the stepped end face of the sleeve part of the second sleeve assembly. These forces compress the seal, creating a tight seal.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adapter is designed such that the electrical connections in the interior of the guide element are designed as spring-loaded contact tongues which, in the state installed on the armature, electrically contact the contact areas on the end part of the armature; and / or wherein the stepped sleeve part of the second sleeve assembly and / or the guide element of the second sleeve assembly and / or the sleeve part of the first sleeve assembly and / or the retaining ring of the first sleeve assembly is made of (in particular electrically insulating) plastic suitable for injection molding and / or additive manufacturing, in particular thermoplastics, and / or has substantially rotational and / or mirror symmetry.

[0042] The spring-loaded contact tongues, when firmly connected to the armature, can provide clamping forces for the seal when, for example, chisel-shaped surfaces on the end of the armature bear against these spring-loaded contact tongues and exert force. The aforementioned materials allow for cost-effective and simple manufacturing.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adapter is designed such that a profile and / or groove and / or recess for mechanical locking and / or retention with the data handling system is provided on an outer surface of the stepped sleeve part of the second sleeve assembly, in particular via a bayonet lock and / or snap lock.

[0044] The outer end face and / or the outer surface of the second sleeve assembly can be designed to allow electrical and / or mechanical connection of several different data handling systems. The contact fields on the outer end face of the second sleeve assembly can also be arranged and dimensioned to allow electrical connection of the various data handling systems. The mechanical locking mechanism can ensure reliable locking of the data handling system (e.g., under harsh field conditions).

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adapter is designed such that the pressing force on the seal is exerted by the thrust force exerted by the end part of the armature, firstly on the electrical connections of the second sleeve assembly (which are, in particular, spring-elastic) with a suitable spring stiffness, and / or as a result of the helical movement of the second sleeve assembly against the seal between the first and second sleeve assemblies; and / or wherein, in particular, the compression of the seal and the elastic deformation paths of the preferably spring-elastic contact tongues of the electrical connections together form counterforces against the armature through the torque of the threads against the end faces of the sleeve part and the retaining ring facing the seal. Thus, both reliable electrical contact and a reliable seal can be ensured.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided comprising: a solid anchor system, in particular a rock or stone or building anchor system, comprising an anchor for at least partial insertion into the solid and at least one sensor, wherein the anchor has an external thread and electrical contact areas of the sensor at least at an end part of the anchor that is not to be inserted into the solid; an adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, in particular comprising a data handling system, wherein in particular the solid anchor system is connected to the data handling system at least electrically, and in particular also mechanically for mounting, via the adapter.

[0047] It should be understood that features mentioned, described, or provided for an adapter, individually or in any combination, can likewise be applied or used individually or in any combination for a system according to embodiments of the present invention, or vice versa. Likewise, such features can be applied or used individually or in any combination for a method of connecting a solid anchor system to a data handling system, according to embodiments of the present invention, or vice versa.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system is configured such that the at least one sensor of the solid anchor system comprises one or more sensors from the group consisting of strain sensors, deformation sensors, temperature sensors, gas sensors, humidity sensors, acoustic sensors, and / or wherein the sensor is formed in particular by at least one conductor track, in particular applied conductive ink, or is contacted via at least one conductor track which is applied to an outer surface, in particular a recess and / or notch, of the anchor, preferably in a longitudinal direction, and / or wherein the ends of the conductor tracks are electrically connected to the contact areas on the end part of the anchor and the contact areas conductively touch the metal elements or electrically conductive elements.This allows various properties of the solid, especially mountains or rocks or buildings, or its environment (liquid or gaseous), to be detected and reliably transmitted from the sensor to the data handling system.

[0049] The sensor can be designed, for example, as described in EP 3 927 942 B1. According to WO 2021 / 028394 A1, a deformable conductor can be produced using an ink composition.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for at least electrically connecting a solid anchor system, in particular a rock or stone or building anchor system, to a data handling system is provided, wherein the solid anchor system comprises an anchor for at least partial insertion into the solid and at least one sensor, wherein the anchor has an external thread and electrical contact areas of the sensor at least at an end part of the anchor that is not to be inserted into the solid, wherein the method comprises: providing an adapter having a first sleeve assembly with an internal thread and a second sleeve assembly having electrical connections exposed in an interior of the second sleeve assembly, in particular rotating the first sleeve assembly relative to the second sleeve assembly in a state not installed on the anchor;Screwing the internal thread of the first sleeve assembly onto the external thread of the anchor, in particular from the end part of the anchor not to be inserted into the solid, wherein the interior is sealed against the surrounding medium when screwed to the anchor; contacting the electrical contact areas on the anchor with the electrical connections of the adapter inside the interior of the second sleeve assembly.

[0051] The method can be carried out using an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following exemplary description of currently preferred embodiments, to which the invention is not limited. Brief description of the drawing

[0053] Fig. 1 shows in a perspective, exemplary representation a system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 3A to 3E show different views of a fully assembled adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 4A and 4B show cross-sectional views of an adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5A and 5B show a system in a cross-sectional view or in a side view according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description

[0054] The in Fig. 1System 10, illustrated in a three-dimensional representation, comprises a solid anchor system 11, which includes an anchor 12 and at least one sensor 13 (here, conductive ink applied in the guide grooves), wherein the anchor 12 has, at least at an end part 14 not to be inserted into the solid, an external thread 15, which is interrupted here by the guide grooves, and electrical contact areas 16 of the sensor 13. System 10 further comprises an adapter 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as well as a data handling system 30, wherein the solid anchor system 11 is at least electrically connected to the data handling system 30 via the adapter 20.

[0055] In Fig. 1The system is illustrated in a non-installed state, in which the adapter 20 is not yet screwed onto the end part 14 of the anchor 12 and in which the data handling system 30 is also not yet connected to the adapter 20. The adapter has, in particular, a first side 21 with which it can be screwed to the anchor 12, and a second side 22 via which it can be connected to the data handling system 30.

[0056] The in Fig. 2 The adapter 20, illustrated in an exploded view, has a first sleeve assembly 23 with an internal thread 24 for screwing onto the external thread 15 (see Fig. 1) of the armature 12, in particular in the end part 14 of the armature 12 which is not to be inserted into the solid. The adapter further comprises a second sleeve assembly 25, which has electrical connections 26 exposed in an interior 27 of the second sleeve assembly 25 in order to contact the electrical contact areas 16 on the armature 12 when it is installed on the armature 12. The first sleeve assembly 23 and the second sleeve assembly 25 are rotatable relative to each other when not installed on the armature 12, and the interior 27 is sealed against the surrounding medium when installed on the armature. The sealed interior 27 is formed when the adapter 20 is fully assembled. As already described in Fig. 2 As can be seen, the first and also the second sleeve assembly 23, 25 are completely sealed against the surrounding medium.

[0057] In Fig. 3AThe adapter 20 is shown in its assembled state from the second side 22, in Fig. 3B in a three-dimensional representation, in which Fig. 3C shown in a side view, in which Fig. 3D illustrating the first page 21 in a three-dimensional representation and in the Fig. 3E Illustrated from the first page 21.

[0058] On the second page 22, as in Fig. 3A and 3B As illustrated, the second sleeve assembly 25 has an end face 47, in particular an end face 47 of a guide element 1, wherein contact fields 28 for contacting with the data handling system 30 are formed on the end face 47.

[0059] In Fig. 3D The internal thread 24 of the first sleeve assembly 23 is recognizable.

[0060] In Fig. 3E From the first side 21, the electrical contact areas 26 can be seen exposed in the interior 27 of the second sleeve assembly 25.

[0061] For example, from Fig. 2 As can be seen, the adapter 20 also has a seal 5 arranged between the first sleeve assembly 23 and the second sleeve assembly 25, for sealing the interior 27 in the state installed on the anchor 12 (see Fig. 5A and 5B ).

[0062] The first sleeve assembly 23 has a sleeve part 4 with the internal thread 24, as well as a stepped retaining ring 6 for holding the second sleeve assembly 25, wherein, for assembly of the adapter 20, the sleeve part 4 and the retaining ring 6 are connected before being attached to the anchor 12. In particular, the sleeve part 4 can be tightly bonded to an outer surface area 29 and to the retaining ring 6 on an inner surface area 31 (see Fig. 2 ).

[0063] The second sleeve assembly 25 has a sleeve section 3, which is in particular stepped, and which surrounds the interior 27 along a circumference in a material-tight manner. The second sleeve assembly 25 also has a guide element 1 with a preferably wedge- or chisel-shaped recess 32 for guiding a preferably wedge- or chisel-shaped end 33 of the armature 12. Furthermore, the second sleeve assembly has two electrically conductive elements, preferably metal elements 2, which are clamped to the guide element 1 and provide the electrical connections 26 within the recess 32 for contacting the contact areas 16 of the sensor in the armature 12.

[0064] An outer surface 44 of the stepped sleeve part 3 of the second sleeve assembly 25 has a profile and / or groove 45 for mechanical locking and / or retention with the data handling system 30.

[0065] The guide element 1 is tightly connected, preferably bonded, to the stepped sleeve part 3 on a portion of its outer surface 34 and to an inner surface 35. The guide element 1 has recesses or notches 36 on two portions of its outer surface 34 for receiving sections of the electrically conductive elements or metal elements 2.

[0066] The retaining ring 6 of the first sleeve assembly 23 has a first region 37 of a first inner diameter d1 and a second region 38 of a second inner diameter d2, which is smaller than the first inner diameter d1, between which lies a stepped end face 39. The sleeve part 3 of the second sleeve assembly 25 has a first region 40 of a first outer diameter D1 and a second region 41 of a second outer diameter D2, which is smaller than the first outer diameter D1, between which lies a stepped end face 42.

[0067] The seal 5 is arranged between the stepped end face 39 of the retaining ring 6 of the first sleeve assembly 23 and the stepped end face 42 of the sleeve part 3 of the second sleeve assembly 25 and is pressed in a sealing manner in the state installed on the anchor 12.

[0068] The electrical connections 26 in the interior 27 of the guide element 1 are designed as spring-elastic connecting contact tongues which, when installed on the armature 12, electrically contact the contact areas 16 on the end part 14 or 33 of the armature.

[0069] Figs. 4A and 4B (Excerpt B from Fig. 4A Figure 1 illustrates in a sectional view an adapter 20, according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example the one shown in the Fig. 1 , 2 , 3 Illustrated adapter in an assembled state. From Fig. 4BIt is evident that the sealing ring 5 is arranged between the stepped end face 39 of the stepped retaining ring 6 and the stepped end face 42 of the sleeve part 3 of the second sleeve assembly 25 and is pressed in place to seal the interior 27 in a material-tight manner. 46 denotes an adhesive for joining sleeve part 4 and retaining ring 6 as an example of a possible permanent connection.

[0070] Fig. 5A and 5BFigure 1 illustrates a solid anchor system 11 as it is connected to the adapter 20 in an installed state, shown in a side section or side view. The end part 33 of the anchor 12, when installed on the anchor, is located within the interior 27 of the guide element 1 or the second sleeve assembly 25 and contacts the spring-elastic connecting contact tongues 26 of the metal elements 2 with its contact areas 16. The ends of the metal elements or electrically conductive elements 2 are guided around the outer end face 47 of the guide element 1 to provide electrical contact fields 28 for contacting the (not illustrated) data handling system 30.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the solid anchor system comprises the anchor 12 with a strain sensor 13, wherein the strain sensor 13 is formed by a conductor track 43, in particular printed ink. In other embodiments, a conductor track 43 can be used as an electrical connection to, for example, enable sensor signals from another sensor, which may not be directly attached to the anchor but spatially separated from it.

[0072] To install the adapter 20 on the solid anchor system 11, a method for connecting the solid anchor system to a data handling system can be carried out. In this process, the internal thread 24 of the first sleeve assembly 23 is screwed onto the external thread 15 of the anchor, whereby the interior 27 is sealed against the surrounding medium when screwed to the anchor 12. Furthermore, the electrical contact areas 16 on the anchor 12 are connected to the electrical terminals 26 of the adapter within the interior 27 of the second sleeve assembly 25.

[0073] To form the second sleeve assembly 25, the metal elements or electrically conductive elements 2 can be hooked into the guide element 1 in the recesses 36 provided for this purpose. The sleeve part 3 can then be connected to the guide element 1, which contains the metal elements or electrically conductive elements 2, preferably by gluing or crimping.

[0074] To form the first sleeve assembly 23, the sleeve part 4 of the first sleeve assembly 23 is connected to the stepped retaining ring 6, preferably also by gluing or pressing. The second sleeve assembly 25 remains freely movable in the axial direction within the portion of the area 37 not occupied by the outer jacket area 29 of sleeve part 4, and also rotatable about the axis, until the first sleeve assembly 23 is correctly aligned by screwing it onto the armature 12 and is then sealed and fixed by pressing on the seal 5 of the adapter 20. The contacts on the outer end face, that is, the contacts 28 on the end face 47, for example (see Fig. 3B or Fig. 4A ), are sealed separately using a seal and data handling system.

[0075] Embodiments of the present invention enable the use of rock anchors with a printed sensor and a data acquisition module, a suitable signal connection, and the mounting of a data recording and transmission module. The connection must reliably withstand the high mechanical and weather-related stresses in mining for several years. The signal connection is protected against moisture, dust, and chemicals. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention offer flexibility regarding the different diameters of the rock anchors by appropriately adapting the internal thread and, if necessary, other dimensions of the adapter. Embodiments of the present invention provide adapters between the rock anchors and different data handling modules. The adapter can be produced according to the diameters and threads of the anchors without major design changes. The connection to the data evaluation or...The handling module can be retained if possible and can serve as a template for various manufacturers of data transmission units.

[0076] The adapter can be constructed from a maximum of seven to eight parts, which are joined together, for example, by gluing. Materials that can be used include, for example, plastic (preferably ABS) and two conductive contacts, which can be joined by gluing. The adapter can establish contact between the sensor and the module without any additional processing step. For this purpose, the end of the anchor (chisel shape) and the contact surfaces in the adapter (negative) are adapted to the production of the rock anchor.

[0077] It is noted that the term "have" does not exclude other elements and that "a" does not exclude a plurality. Elements described in connection with different embodiments may also be combined. It should also be noted that reference numerals in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. Adapter (20) for at least electrically connecting a solid anchor system (11), in particular a rock or stone or building anchor system, with a data handling system (30), wherein the solid anchor system (11) comprises an anchor (12) for at least partial insertion into the solid and at least one sensor (13), wherein the anchor has at least at an end part (14) of the anchor (12) not to be inserted into the solid an external thread (15) and electrical contact areas (16) of the sensor (13), wherein the adapter comprises: a first sleeve assembly (23) with internal thread (24) for screwing onto the external thread (15) of the anchor (12), in particular from the end part of the anchor not to be inserted into the solid;a second sleeve assembly (25) having electrical connections (26) exposed in an interior (27) of the second sleeve assembly (25) to contact the electrical contact areas (16) on the armature (12) in a state installed on the armature; wherein the first sleeve assembly (23) is rotatable relative to the second sleeve assembly (25) in a state not installed on the armature and wherein the interior (27) is sealed against the surrounding medium in the state installed on the armature, wherein in particular the armature (12) is screwed to the first sleeve assembly (23) in the state installed on the armature.

2. Adapter according to the preceding claim, wherein the first and / or the second sleeve assembly (23, 25) is completely sealed, in particular tightly against the surrounding medium, wherein in particular the second sleeve assembly (25) is sealed at an outer end face (47), in particular tightly against the surrounding medium, wherein the outer end face of the second sleeve assembly is provided for contact (28) with the data handling system (30); and / or wherein, in the state installed on the anchor, the end part (33) of the anchor (12) is arranged within the interior (27) of the second sleeve assembly (25).

3. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a seal (5) arranged between the first sleeve assembly (23) and the second sleeve assembly (25) for sealing the interior (27) in the state installed on the anchor.

4. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sleeve assembly comprises: a sleeve part (4) with internal thread (24); a stepped retaining ring (6) for holding the second sleeve assembly (25), wherein, for assembly of the adapter, the sleeve part (4) and the retaining ring (6) are connected before being attached to the anchor.

5. Adapter according to the preceding claim, wherein the sleeve part (4) is connected at an outer shell surface area (29) to the retaining ring (6) at an inner shell surface area (31), in particular at a part of the first area (37) of a first inner diameter (d1), in particular by being tightly bonded.

6. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second sleeve assembly comprises: a stepped sleeve part (3) that surrounds the interior (27) along a circumference in a material-tight manner; a guide element (1) with a preferably wedge- or chisel-shaped recess (32) for guiding a preferably wedge- or chisel-shaped end (33) of the armature (12); metal elements or elements with high electrical conductivity (2) that are clamped to the guide element (1) and that provide the electrical connections (26) within the recess (32) for contacting the contact areas (16) of the sensor on the armature.

7. Adapter according to the preceding claim, wherein the guide element (1) is connected at a part of its outer jacket surface (34) to the stepped sleeve part (3) at an inner jacket surface area (35), in particular by being tightly bonded and / or pressed.

8. Adapter according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the guide element (1) has on one or more other parts of the outer shell surface (34), in particular extending along a longitudinal direction, one or more notches and / or recesses and / or recesses (36) for receiving sections of the metal or electrically conductive elements (2) and / or for guiding the guide element (1) in the stepped sleeve part (3) in an axial direction, in particular before the bonding of these two parts; and / or wherein the metal or electrically conductive elements (2) extend to an end face (47) of the guide element (1), are exposed there to the outside and form contacts (28) for contacting with the data handling system.

9. Adapter according to any one of the preceding claims, referring back to claim 4 as well as 6, wherein the retaining ring (6) of the first sleeve assembly (23) has a first region (37) of a first inner diameter (d1) and a second region (38) of a second inner diameter (d2), which is smaller than the first inner diameter, between which a stepped end face (39) is located, wherein the sleeve part (3) of the second sleeve assembly (25) has a first region (40) of a first outer diameter (D1) and a second region (41) of a second outer diameter (D2), which is smaller than the first outer diameter, between which a stepped end face (42) is located, wherein the seal (5) is arranged between the stepped end face (39) of the retaining ring (6) of the first sleeve assembly and the stepped end face (42) of the sleeve part (3) of the second sleeve assembly and is pressed in a sealing manner in the state installed on the anchor. is.

10. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical connections (26) in the interior of the guide element (1) are designed as spring-elastic connecting contact tongues which, in the state installed on the armature, electrically contact the contact areas (16) on the end part (33) of the armature (12); and / or wherein the stepped sleeve part (3) of the second sleeve assembly and / or the guide element (1) of the second sleeve assembly and / or the sleeve part (4) of the first sleeve assembly and / or the retaining ring (6) of the first sleeve assembly is made of plastic suitable for injection molding and / or additive manufacturing, in particular thermoplastics, and / or has substantially rotational symmetry and / or mirror symmetry.

11. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a profile and / or groove (45) and / or recess for mechanical locking and / or retention with the data handling system (30) is provided on an outer surface (44) of the stepped sleeve part (3) of the second sleeve assembly, in particular via bayonet lock and / or snap lock.

12. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, wherein pressing force is exerted on the seal (5) by the thrust force exerted by the end part (33) of the armature (12) first on the, in particular spring-elastic, electrical connections (26) of the second sleeve assembly (25) against the spring stiffness and / or as a result of the helical movement of the second sleeve assembly (25) against the seal (5) between the first and second sleeve assembly; and / or wherein in particular the compression of the seal and the elastic deformation paths of the preferably spring-elastic contact tongues of the electrical connections together form counterforces against the armature by means of the tightening torque of the threads against the end faces of the sleeve part (6) facing the seal.

13. System (10) comprising: a solid anchor system (11), in particular a rock or stone or building anchor system, comprising an anchor for at least partial insertion into the solid and at least one sensor, wherein the anchor has an external thread and electrical contact areas of the sensor at least at an end part of the anchor that is not to be inserted into the solid; an adapter (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular a data handling system (30), wherein in particular the solid anchor system (11) is connected to the data handling system (30) at least electrically, and in particular also mechanically for mounting, via the adapter (20).

14. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one sensor (13) of the solid anchor system comprises one or more sensors from the group consisting of strain sensors, deformation sensors, temperature sensors, gas sensors, humidity sensors, acoustic sensors, and / or wherein the sensor is formed in particular by at least one conductor track (43), in particular applied conductive ink, or is contacted via at least one conductor track which is applied to an outer surface, in particular recess and / or notch, of the anchor (12), preferably in the longitudinal direction, and / or wherein the ends of the conductor tracks are electrically connected to the contact areas (16) on the end part of the anchor and the contact areas (16) conductively touch the metal elements or electrically conductive elements (2).

15. Method of at least electrically connecting a solid anchor system (11), in particular a rock or stone or building anchor system, with a data handling system (30), wherein the solid anchor system comprises an anchor (12) for at least partial insertion into the solid and at least one sensor (13), wherein the anchor (12) has at least at an end part (14) of the anchor not to be inserted into the solid an external thread (15) and electrical contact areas (16) of the sensor (13), wherein the method comprises: providing an adapter having a first sleeve assembly (23) with an internal thread (24) and a second sleeve assembly (25) having electrical connections (26) exposed in an interior (27) of the second sleeve assembly, in particular rotating the first sleeve assembly relative to the second sleeve assembly in a state not installed on the anchor;Screwing the internal thread (15) of the first sleeve assembly (23) onto the external thread (15) of the anchor (12), in particular from the end part of the anchor not to be inserted into the solid, wherein the interior (27) is sealed against the surrounding media in the state screwed to the anchor; contacting the electrical contact areas (16) on the anchor with the electrical connections (26) of the adapter (20) inside the interior (27) of the second sleeve assembly (25).

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