Method for operating a dispensing apparatus, and dispensing apparatus

Abstract

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

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for operating a squeezing device and squeezing device

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The invention relates to a method for operating a dispensing device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a dispensing device for carrying out such a method.

[0005] Technical background

[0006] In addition to mechanically operated dispensing devices, a variety of electrically operated dispensing devices are known in practice. Cartridges can be inserted into these dispensing devices, and the compounds contained in the cartridges can be dispensed via a mixer that can be brought into active contact with the cartridge. The compounds can be a two-component system, such as a mortar.

[0007] Mechanically operated dispensing devices have a lever which, when actuated, moves a push rod of the dispensing device a defined distance towards the cartridge and a specific amount of the mass or masses in the cartridge is pressed out by the mixer.

[0008] Furthermore, electrically operated dispensers are known in which, for example, the distance a push rod of the dispenser should be moved when a switch is actuated or the amount of mass should be dispensed by the dispenser when the switch is actuated can be adjusted via a user interface. If the mass contained in the cartridge is to be used to secure, for example, an anchor rod in a hole in a wall, the user or operator must estimate for themselves how much mass needs to be introduced into the hole, both with mechanically operated dispensers and with electrically operated dispensers.

[0009] This estimation is prone to errors, making it difficult to achieve the desired filling of the borehole or hole with the mass. If too little mass is added, there is a risk that the anchor rod positioned in the hole will not be able to transmit the desired forces. If too much mass is added, however, material consumption will be undesirably high, and the mass may ooze out of the hole when the element is inserted.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a dispensing device by means of which the required mass can be reliably determined for a particular application. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device for carrying out such a method.

[0011] Disclosure of the invention

[0012] This object is achieved by the method for operating a squeezing device according to claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a squeezing device according to claim 11.

[0013] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for operating a dispensing device that can be brought into operative connection with a cartridge equipped with a mixer. The dispensing device has a control device and a distance measuring device, and the dispensing device can be used to introduce a mass located in the cartridge into a bore in a wall. The method comprises the following steps: determining a depth of the bore using the distance measuring device;

[0015] Determining or setting a bore diameter;

[0016] Calculation of the internal volume of the borehole;

[0017] Determining or setting a volume of a part of an element, in particular an anchor rod, to be arranged within the bore;

[0018] Subtraction of the volume from the calculated internal volume of the bore to a filling volume;

[0019] Setting the determined filling volume in the squeezing device for the output of a subsequent squeezing process.

[0020] The method according to the invention allows the required fill volume for a specific application to be determined very precisely, reliably preventing the element from being filled with less or more mass than desired. This ensures that the element is securely held in the bore. It also optimizes the required material usage and reliably prevents any mass or material from escaping from the bore after the element has been installed in the bore.

[0021] The dispensing device can, in principle, be any type of dispensing device or dispenser, whereby the dispensing device can be operated mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or similarly.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention, it is provided that a speed at which the dispensing device 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 as a function of the determined speed. In particular, a mass flow dispensed by the dispensing device is controlled or regulated. This has the advantage that, for example, it can be easily prevented that a mixer tip comes into contact with the mass during a filling process and becomes contaminated as a result. Furthermore, by adapting the dispensed quantity to the speed, it can be ensured that, in particular, the inner region of the bore is completely filled.The speed at which the dispensing device is moved relative to the surface of the wall during a filling process is determined in particular by continuously measuring the distance between the dispensing device and the surface of the wall. In an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention, a mass flow dispensed by the dispensing device, i.e. a dispensed mass volume per unit of time, is reduced or stopped if a determined speed is less than or equal to a preset reference value. Alternatively, the mass flow can also be adjusted continuously or stepwise depending on the determined speed. This makes it easy to prevent a tip of a mixer from coming into contact with the dispensed mass during a filling process.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention, the dispensing device provides the user with feedback when 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. Provision can be made for the respective limit values ​​to vary depending on the respectively determined filling volume or the respective parameters present, such as borehole depth, borehole diameter, and type or size of the element to be introduced into the borehole. For example, a display with a bar can be provided for this purpose, which has an ideal range with an optimal speed and indicates the range within which the current movement speed lies.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention, in order to determine the depth of the borehole, a reference distance value is compared with a determined distance value when the mixer is in contact with a borehole base.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention, the reference distance value is stored in the dispensing device, in particular in the control device of the dispensing device, 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 can 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 when the mixer tip is in contact with the surface of the wall in the region of the bore, wherein the value determined in this process is stored as the reference distance value and, based on this, in conjunction with the measurement of the current distance value, a depth of the bore is determined.It can be provided that the determined reference distance value for future processes is stored in particular in the storage device.

[0026] In order to achieve the most accurate determination possible, in particular of the distance value or the reference distance value, it can be provided that an average value is calculated from several individual measurements to measure a value.

[0027] The fill volume in a specific case can be determined particularly accurately if the diameter of the element to be inserted into the bore is input to determine the volume of the element to be inserted into the bore. It can also be provided that the diameter of the element to be inserted is determined based on the measured or input diameter, for example, using a look-up table stored in the control device.

[0028] A particularly accurate determination of the currently required fill volume can be achieved if, in addition to entering and / or determining the diameter of the element to be inserted into the borehole, a type of element is entered. This allows the volume of the element to be determined particularly precisely. For example, anchor rods to be inserted into the borehole can have different volumes depending on their design, even if they have the same diameter. This can be taken into account by entering the corresponding element type.

[0029] To reliably prevent any mass from escaping from the hole after the entire determined mass has been introduced into the hole and the element has been inserted into the hole, it can be provided that the determined fill volume of the hole 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 fill volume value.

[0030] Furthermore, a dispensing device for carrying out such a method is described, wherein the dispensing device can be brought into operative connection with a cartridge equipped with a mixer, and has a control device and a distance measuring device. With such a dispensing device or dispenser, the filling volume required for the respective application can be determined very precisely and introduced into a bore. The distance measuring device can, in principle, be arranged at any position on the dispensing device, 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.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment of a squeezing device 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 in particular a scanning can be carried out.

[0032] Particularly accurate determination of the values ​​can be achieved if a gravity sensor is provided, which can detect the inclination of the dispensing device. The determined values ​​can then be corrected accordingly, if necessary, depending on the existing inclination.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment of a dispensing device 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 the element or the like.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, a mechanical adjustment device, for example in the form of a dial, can be provided, by means of which various functions can be selected. For example, the adjustment device can be provided with a position for measuring the distance value, a position for entering a reference distance value, a position for entering the diameter of the element, and / or a position for entering the element type.

[0035] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. The figures illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The figures, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0036] Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, identical and similar components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0038] They show:

[0039] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention for operating a squeezing device;

[0040] Fig. 2 a simplified representation of a squeezing device in isolation;

[0041] Fig. 3 is a simplified representation of a borehole arranged in a wall;

[0042] Fig. 4 is a simplified representation of the borehole according to Fig. 3, wherein an element arranged, for example, as an anchor rod with a mass, in particular a mortar, is arranged in the borehole;

[0043] Fig. 5 is a simplified representation of the squeezing device according to Fig. 2 during the implementation of a method according to the invention; and

[0044] Fig. 6 shows a representation of an adjustment device of the squeezing device in isolation.

[0045] Description of an embodiment

[0046] In Fig. 2, a squeezing device 10 is shown in isolation, which is designed to carry out a method shown schematically in Fig. 1.

[0047] The dispensing device 10 can generally be designed for dispensing single-component and, in this case, especially multi-component compounds, whereby the compounds can be intended, for example, for filling, bonding, sealing, or similar applications in the construction sector. The compounds are arranged in cartridges that can be brought into operative connection with the dispensing device 10.

[0048] In the present case, the dispensing device 10 is designed to interact with a cartridge 40, partially visible in Fig. 5. The cartridge device 40 is designed, in particular, with two chambers, for example, film containers, which are connected to one another via a head section. A mixer 41 is arranged on the head section, via which the masses contained in the film containers can be dispensed during a dispensing process after being mixed with one another.

[0049] The chambers of the cartridge 40 contain, for example, masses of a two-component mortar compound, with a curable resin component being arranged in a first chamber of the cartridge 40, for example, and a hardener component being arranged in the further chamber of the cartridge 40, which is arranged separately from the hardenable resin component to inhibit reaction. During an extrusion process, the components are mixed with one another, for example in the area of ​​the mixer 41. The mass resulting from the mixing of the curable resin component and the hardener component can be used, for example, as an injection mortar for the chemical anchoring of, for example, metal elements such as anchor rods in mineral substrates, such as in particular structures made of brickwork, concrete, or natural stone.

[0050] First, a bore 75 is created, for example, in a masonry 76, as shown in Fig. 3. 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 area of ​​the bore 75 is designated 80.

[0051] 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 borehole 75 or the borehole 75 with mortar 83, the anchor rod 82 is inserted into the borehole 75 and adjusted therein.

[0052] The anchor rod 82 is arranged here in the desired final position with a length 84 in the borehole 75, wherein the length 84 is 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.

[0053] The dispensing device 10 is designed to dispense the mortar 83 into the bore 75. For this purpose, the dispensing device 10 has a receiving space 11 in a housing 12, into which the cartridge 40 can be inserted. The housing 12 of the dispensing device 10 extends essentially along an axial direction A and has a functional section 14 and a handling section 16. The functional section 14 essentially has the receiving space 11 and, at a processing-side distal end 18 of the functional section 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.

[0054] The handling section 16 of the housing 12 has, in addition to a handle 21, an actuation switch 22 arranged in the region of the handle 21. For ejecting the cartridge 40, a ejection device 24 is provided, which in this case is designed with two ejection pistons, which are firmly connected to one another, in particular via a push rod 29. Each ejection piston has a plunger at its end facing the respective chamber of the cartridge 40.

[0055] Furthermore, a drive device, shown here only schematically, is provided, in particular designed as an electric motor 30, by means of which the squeezing pistons can be displaced in the axial direction A.

[0056] In order to discharge masses located 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.

[0057] The electric motor 30 is supplied with power by a power supply, shown only schematically in Fig. 2 and designed as a rechargeable battery 31. Alternatively, the dispensing device 10 can also be mains-operated, in which case a plug that can be connected to a power grid can be provided. The dispensing device 10 further comprises a control device 33, which is designed to actuate the electric motor 30 upon a user request by means of the actuation switch 22.

[0058] The electric motor 30 can be set by the control device 33 to various operating modes, which can be selected by the user, for example, via a rotary switch 42 shown in Fig. 6. Alternatively or in addition to the rotary switch 42, a touchscreen device 70 can 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 the like can be displayed to the user.

[0059] Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 each schematically show a distance measuring device 60, which in this case is arranged in the distal end region 18 of the dispensing device 10. In alternative embodiments, the distance measuring device 60 can also be arranged in other regions of the dispensing device 10, for example, in the region of the handling section 16.

[0060] The distance measuring device 60 is a laser distance measuring device, which can, in principle, operate according to any measuring principle. The distance measuring device 60 is coupled to the control device 33.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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. The sensor 61 can be used to determine the orientation, in particular the inclination, of the dispensing device 10. The control device 33 is designed to correct the distance value determined by the distance measuring device 60 based on the inclination value during the respective distance measurement.

[0063] The method according to the invention serves, in particular, to introduce the most optimal amount of mortar possible into the bore 75, so that after the element, here the anchor rod 82, is positioned, a sufficient amount of mortar is present in the bore 75 to ensure the desired hold of the anchor rod 82. On the other hand, it is intended to prevent too much mortar from being filled into the bore 75, so that after the anchor rod 82 is positioned, mortar runs out of the bore 75.

[0064] An embodiment of a method according to the invention for operating the squeezing device 10 is shown in Fig. 1 and is described below.

[0065] The method begins with the start S. In step S1, the borehole depth 77 is determined using the distance measuring device 60. A distance measurement is performed when a tip 43 of the mixer 41 is in contact with a bottom 81 of the borehole 75. This measurement is performed upon user request and results in a current distance value 93.

[0066] It can be provided that a reference distance value 92 is stored in a memory device 72 of the control device 33, which corresponds to a distance value when in contact with the surface 80 of the masonry 76 in the region of the bore 75. It can be provided that the reference distance value is assigned to a standard mixer that is usually used for cartridges 40 used for the dispensing device 10.

[0067] 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 at the user's request using the distance measuring device 60. For this purpose, a distance measurement is performed upon user request, particularly when the tip 43 of the mixer 41 or an attachment for a mixer is in contact with the surface 80 of the masonry 76.

[0068] It can 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 methods.

[0069] The borehole depth 77 is calculated by the control device 33 by the difference between the reference distance value 92 and the distance value 93. In order to obtain the most accurate values ​​possible, it can be provided that the respective measurement is performed twice, three times, or more times, and the respective value is determined as the average of the measurements.

[0070] In the subsequent method step S2, a diameter 78 of the bore 75 is determined or set. It can be provided that the distance measuring device 60 is designed to determine the diameter 78 of the bore 75. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the diameter 78 of the bore 75 is adjustable by the user or that a value stored in the memory device 72 is used for the diameter 78.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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 can be provided that a used diameter and an insertion depth or the length 84 are deduced from the determined or set diameter 78 of the bore 75 and a look-up table stored in the memory device 72. Alternatively, it can also be provided that these values ​​can be entered by the user. In this case, it can also be provided that the usera type of element, in particular the anchor rod 82, can be entered, and on the basis of a look-up table stored in the memory device 72, the volume of the element 82 to be arranged within the bore 75 is determined based on the type of element 82 entered in combination with its diameter and length.

[0073] In method step S5, the control device 33 subtracts the volume 87 of the element 82 determined or set in method step S4 from the internal volume 79 of the bore 75 to form a filling volume 88.

[0074] The filling volume 88 determined in method step S5 is set by the control device 33 in method step S6 to output a subsequent extrusion process, so that in the subsequent extrusion process, upon user actuation of the actuation switch 22, a quantity of mortar corresponding to the determined filling volume 88 is dispensed into the bore 75. It can 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.

[0075] It can be provided that during the extrusion process, a speed is determined based on a continuous distance measurement by the distance measuring device 60, by means of which speed the extrusion device 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. It can be provided that an output mass flow is controlled or regulated according to the determined speed using an algorithm stored in the memory device 72 or a stored look-up table. This can prevent, for example, contamination of the mixer tip if the speed is too low and insufficient filling of the bore 75, particularly in the area of ​​the base 81, if the speed is too high.

[0076] For example, it may be provided that an output mass flow is reduced or stopped if a stored limit speed is undershot. Furthermore, 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.

[0077] Alternatively or additionally, an output device can be provided which gives the user optical, acoustic, haptic or similar feedback if a determined speed is greater and / or less than stored limit values.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for operating a dispensing device (10) which can be brought into operative connection with a cartridge (40) provided with a mixer (41), wherein the dispensing device (10) has a control device (33) and a distance measuring device (60), wherein by means of the dispensing device (10) a mass (83) located in the cartridge (40) can be introduced into a bore (75) located 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 of an element (82), in particular an anchor rod (S4), to be arranged within the bore (75); Subtracting the volume (87) from the calculated internal volume (79) of the bore (75) to a filling volume (88) (S5); Setting the determined filling volume (88) in the squeezing device (10) for the output of a subsequent squeezing process (S6).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a speed at which the squeezing device (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 as a function of the determined speed.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that a mass flow output by the squeezing device (10) is reduced or stopped if a determined speed is less than or equal to a preset reference value.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the squeezing device (10) gives the user 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.

5. Method according to one 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 bottom (81).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the reference distance value is stored in the squeezing device (10) or is determined when the mixer (41) is in contact with the wall (76) in the region of the bore (75).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in order to measure a value by the distance measuring device (60) an average value is formed from several individual measurements.

8. Method according to one 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 of the element (82) to be arranged within the bore (75).

9. Method according to one 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 of the element (82) to be arranged within the bore (75).

10. Method according to one 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.

11. Squeeze-out device for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the squeeze-out device (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).

12. Squeezing device 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.

13. Squeezer according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that a sensor (61) is provided by means of which an inclination of the squeezer (10) can be determined.

14. Squeezing device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that a touch display (70) is provided for entering data.

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