System for collecting excavation slurry

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for collecting excavation mud generated during the operation of a core drilling machine, including a collection device as a functional unit, the collection device being fixable underground using negative pressure, the negative pressure being generated by a vacuum pump which is a component of the drive unit of the system. The drive unit also includes an energy storage unit for supplying power to the drive unit and its components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for collecting drilling mud generated during the operation of a core drilling machine, including a collection device as a functional unit, the collection device can be fixed underground using negative pressure, and the negative pressure can be generated by a vacuum pump which is a component of the drive unit of the system. The drive unit also includes an energy storage unit for supplying power to the drive unit and its components.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of core drilling machines, various devices are known for collecting the drilling slurry generated during the execution of core drilling operations. For example, a water capture ring that can be attached to the base using mechanical fixing means such as clips or clamping means is known. Other devices are attached to the base by the vacuum generated by a suction device. However, mechanical fixing means often have the drawback that they cannot be removed from the base non-destructively and thus cannot eliminate minor damage to the base.

[0003] When attaching the water capture ring by vacuum, the problem is that the water capture ring can be attached to and held on the base only when the suction device is switched on and operating. However, the implementation of core drilling does not require continuous operation of the suction device, and the suction device consumes a particularly large amount of power, especially during idle periods. This drawback becomes even more significant when battery-powered suction devices with only a limited amount of onboard power are used due to the power supply from a battery or the like. However, even when a mains-powered suction device is used, it is clear that attaching a conventional water capture ring by a suction device leads to unnecessarily high energy consumption. Furthermore, the continuous operation of the suction device can lead to an increase in noise pollution at the construction site.

[0004] Furthermore, if the water capture ring can only be attached to the base when the suction device is operating, the inability to prepare the excavation site or construction site for the core drilling that is to be carried out is a further drawback. However, this is desirable for the efficient flow of work at the construction site.

[0005] When using a suction device with automatic mis-suction air cleaning of the filter, there is a risk that the water capture ring will come off the wall or base due to the possible decrease in the suction force of the suction device during filter cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] The underlying object of the present invention is to provide a system for collecting drilling slurry that overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies and drawbacks of the prior art and can support the execution of core drilling operations in a time- and energy-efficient manner. In particular, when the system provided is used with a battery-powered suction device to remove drilling slurry from the working area of a core drilling machine, the system is not intended to shorten the operating time of the battery-powered suction device and is intended to contribute to increasing the "battery charge" range. Furthermore, the system should be easy and straightforward to attach to the base and ensure good adhesion to various surfaces, including rough surfaces. Furthermore, it would be welcomed by those skilled in the art if the system provided could be used with drill bits of many different sizes of core drilling machines.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0007] The above object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of independent claim 1 are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the present invention, a system for collecting the drilling slurry generated during the operation of a core drilling machine is provided. The collection system includes a collection device as a functional unit, and the collection device can be attached to the base by vacuum, and the vacuum can be generated by a vacuum pump which is a part of the drive unit of the system. The drive unit further includes a power supply unit for supplying power to the drive unit and its components.

[0009] The present invention can provide a collection system that can be attached to the base independently of the core drilling machine and / or an external suction device. In the application test, it has been shown that the system can be attached to the base particularly easily and quickly at the work site, thus ensuring rapid preparation for use. In particular, since the present system generates the vacuum used to attach the system by the system itself or its vacuum pump, it can be attached to the base before the actual start of core drilling. In this regard, the attachment of the proposed collection system is independent of the use or operation of the suction device used to suck up the drilling slurry. Furthermore, the present invention can reduce the noise generation at the construction site and can also reduce the energy consumption.

[0010] The system includes a drive unit and a functional unit, and the functional unit has a collection device that can be arranged around the drill bit of the core drilling machine or the drilling location. The drilling slurry is collected in the internal space of the collection device when the core drilling is being carried out, and this drilling slurry can be taken out of the internal space of the collection device by a suction device. For this purpose, the collection device may have a take-out opening that opens towards the internal space of the collection device and can be connected to the suction device via a suction hose. The functional unit includes a vacuum pump and a power supply device, and the power supply device is set to supply power to the vacuum pump.

[0011] In connection with the present invention, it is preferred that the drive device can be removably fixed to the functional unit. In other words, the drive unit and the functional unit are two separately formed units, and thus the proposed collection system can be of a modular design. In connection with the present invention, the term "modular" preferably means that the collection system includes a drive unit having a power device and a vacuum pump, and a functional unit having a collection device and optionally a vacuum plate, and the functional unit and the drive unit are designed to be detachable from each other and can be used individually. For example, the functional unit can be used with different drive units at different construction sites. Alternatively, for example, when creating smaller or larger boreholes preferably using drill bits of different sizes, it is possible to use the same drive unit with different functional units at the same construction site. By separating the drive unit and the functional unit, the user can use the separate units particularly flexibly and the system can be used to accommodate a wide range of drill bits of different sizes.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the functional unit includes a vacuum plate for transmitting a vacuum to the base. In the operating state of the proposed collection system, the functional unit and the drive unit can generate a vacuum by a vacuum pump of the drive unit, and are attached to each other such that the vacuum can be transmitted to the base to which the collection system is attached by the vacuum plate. The form in which the vacuum is transmitted to the base by the vacuum plate preferably means, in relation to the present invention, that the vacuum plate has voids and / or cavities on its lower surface and that the voids and / or cavities can be evacuated, i.e., discharged, by the vacuum pump. When the vacuum plate preferably rests on the base to which the collection system is attached on its lower surface, the base closes the previously open voids and / or cavities, creating an evacuable space. This space can be evacuated by the vacuum pump such that a lower pressure exists in the voids and / or cavities of the vacuum plate than in the environment of the collection system. This lower pressure, preferably also referred to as negative pressure or vacuum in relation to the present invention, enables the collection system to be attached to the base. In relation to the present invention, it is preferred that the proposed collection system is pressed against the base by the pressure difference between the pressure in the environment of the system and the pressure in the vacuum chamber, thereby being securely fixed.

[0013] The proposed collection system can also be used with a core drill. The core drill is designed to cut out a substantially cylindrical drilling core from a substrate. The substrate can be, for example, but not limited to, stone, stone structure or concrete. After the drilling core is cut out, a hollow cylindrical hole remains in the processed substrate, and for example, a cable shaft, a pipe or a line can be laid in the hole. In the context of the present invention, the position where the borehole is introduced into the substrate is called the "drilling position" or "drilling location". To cut out a substantially cylindrical drilling core, the core drill can include a drill bit that can be attached to the core drill by a tool holder. The drill bit can include, on its front surface, cutting segments into which, for example, artificial diamonds or diamond chips can be embedded to increase the cutting force of the drill bit. In such a case, the term "diamond drill bit" is often used. The core drill can be a hand-held core drill held by a user and driven into the substrate. However, in the context of the present invention, it may also be preferable for the core drill to be attached to a drill rig during its operation such that the drill rig holds the core drill. In such a case, the thrust force can be generated by a so-called feed device. The feed device can be formed, for example, by an automatic add-on module that can be connected to the core drill and / or the drill rig. However, the feed device can also be formed as a handcart used to drive the core drill into the substrate. Further, the proposed system can be used with a hammer drill. The functional unit can include, for example, a dust collection device or can be formed as a single unit.

[0014] In a very particularly preferred embodiment, the proposed collection system can be operated with a core drill and can be connected to the core drill as required. In the context of the present invention, the collection device of the collection system is preferably designed as a collection ring, which can be arranged around the drill bit of the core drill or around the excavation site. The collection ring preferably has an inner surface facing the drill bit of the core drill when the collection system and the core drill interact. An extraction opening can be provided in this inner surface of the collection ring, and through the extraction opening, drilling slurry or the like can be taken out from the internal space of the collection ring. The drilling slurry is generated, for example, when the drilling powder or particles released during the cutting of the drilling core are mixed with water during the operation of the core drill. In core drilling, water is used on the one hand to cool the drill bit and on the other hand to bind the drilling powder generated during drilling and prevent it from entering the airways of the users of the core drill. If the drilling slurry collection system is not used during core drilling, the drilling slurry can spread or disperse without being hindered around the excavation site or at the construction site, resulting in large-scale pollution and water damage. With the proposed collection system, the drilling slurry can be taken out at the starting point, preferably in the internal space of the collection ring, and thus can be directly removed. This prevents the possibility of large-scale pollution and water damage from the beginning and significantly reduces the labor of cleaning and disposal after the completion of the core drilling operation.

[0015] After the core drilling operation is completed, the proposed collection system can be disassembled and removed from the site. For this purpose, the drive unit and the functional unit of the system can be disassembled and stored and / or transported individually. The core drilling operation is often performed using drill bits of different diameters depending on the size of the desired borehole. Therefore, it is advantageous if the proposed collection system includes collection rings of different sizes and different diameters. In this way, it is possible to ensure an optimal extraction of the drilling slurry in which the size of the collection ring is advantageously adapted to the diameter of the drill bit. In other words, the size of the collection ring can correspond to the diameter of the collection ring. Therefore, the collection system can advantageously be provided as a kit including collection rings of different sizes. The possibility of providing the proposed collection system as a kit is made possible by separating the drive unit and the functional unit of the system. By making the drive unit and the functional unit detachable from each other, the drive unit can be used with different collection rings and / or vacuum plates. In particular, a service provider performing the core drilling operation only needs to purchase the expensive drive unit, and the drive unit can then be used with different collection rings and / or vacuum plates, and the collection rings and / or vacuum plates can generally be purchased at a lower cost.

[0016] The collection ring and the vacuum plate can be designed to be detachably connectable. However, the collection ring and the vacuum plate can also form a unit with each other. For example, the first end of the suction hose can open into the vacuum plate, and an opening leading to the extraction opening of the collection ring is provided in the vacuum plate. Then, the extracted drilling slurry is sucked in the direction of the suction device through this line from the extraction opening through the suction hose.

[0017] The excavation slurry is preferably removed by a suction device that can be connected via a suction hose to a collection system, in particular a functional unit or a collection ring. For example, the first end of the suction hose leads to the extraction opening of the collection ring, while the second end of the suction hose is connected to the suction device. The suction device may include a storage container for storing the excavation slurry. In the context of the present invention, the excavation slurry may be filtered, and the filtered water may preferably be reused.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the functional unit preferably includes a vacuum plate for transmitting a vacuum to the base. Preferably, the vacuum plate has a lower side and an upper side. The vacuum plate may have voids and / or cavities on its lower surface that can form a vacuum chamber in the context of the present invention. A vacuum can be generated in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate by the vacuum pump of the drive unit, and the vacuum is preferably lower than the ambient pressure or atmospheric pressure surrounding the collection system. As a result, the collection system can be attached to the base, and the base can be machined, for example, by a core drilling machine by making holes in the base. The drive unit can be provided, for example, preferably on a plane of the vacuum plate as a separate detachably attachable unit. In the context of the present invention, it is preferable that an interface is used to attach the drive unit to the functional unit or the vacuum plate. In other words, the drive unit can be attached to the functional unit and / or the vacuum plate of the functional unit by an interface. The interface is preferably a mechanical interface for connecting the drive unit to the functional unit or the vacuum plate.

[0019] In connection with the present invention, the vacuum plate is preferably formed of several parts. According to the present invention, the functional unit preferably includes at least one vacuum plate. In connection with the present invention, this at least one vacuum plate may be referred to as the central or main vacuum plate of the functional unit or the collection system. The central or main vacuum plate is preferably designed to support the drive unit and / or to guide the suction hose such that the suction hose opens into the extraction opening of the extraction ring. In addition to the central vacuum plate, the functional unit may include additional vacuum plates that can be arranged, for example, around the collection ring. For the purposes of the present invention, the use of a plurality of vacuum plates is preferably referred to as the use of a "multi-component vacuum plate". In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the functional unit may include, for example, a central or main vacuum plate and two additional second vacuum plates. The vacuum plates may be present distributed at regular intervals, for example, around the collection ring. In connection with the present invention, it may also be preferred that the central or main vacuum plate is arranged on the first side of the collection ring and the second vacuum plate is arranged on the second side or the opposite side of the collection ring.

[0020] In connection with the present invention, the vacuum plates are preferably connected to each other via a vacuum line. In connection with the present invention, a further or second vacuum plate preferably also has a vacuum chamber which can be formed as a void and / or cavity. Preferably, the vacuum chamber is provided on the lower surface of the vacuum plate, and the lower surface of the vacuum plate rests on a base which is machined by a core drilling machine. Thereby, it becomes possible to suck the vacuum plate itself onto the base, and thus it becomes possible to attach the collection system to the base. The vacuum for attaching the collection system is preferably generated by a vacuum pump which is part of the drive unit. The drive unit is preferably present in a state of being arranged on the central or main vacuum plate, and there is preferably a fluid communication between at least one vacuum chamber of the central or main vacuum plate and the vacuum pump of the drive unit. The vacuum generated by the vacuum pump is transmitted to the vacuum chamber through the fluid communication. In connection with the present invention, this preferably means that at least one vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate can be evacuated or discharged through the fluid communication to the vacuum pump. At least one vacuum chamber of the central or main vacuum plate and / or the vacuum pump of the drive unit of the collection system can be connected to another second vacuum plate or its vacuum chamber via a vacuum line. This makes it possible to transmit the vacuum generated by the vacuum pump of the drive unit to the vacuum chamber of the second vacuum plate. In connection with the present invention, this preferably means that the vacuum chamber of the second vacuum plate can be evacuated or discharged via the vacuum line. The vacuum for this purpose is generated by the vacuum pump of the drive unit and is preferably uniformly distributed in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate of the functional unit by the vacuum line. By the preferably uniform distribution of the vacuum to the various vacuum plates and the corresponding application of the vacuum at several positions, a particularly good and uniform attachment of the collection system to the base on which the core bore is created can be achieved.

[0021] Furthermore, by providing a plurality of vacuum plates, advantageously, the space available for attaching other articles to the base can be increased. For example, the vacuum plates of the proposed collection system can be used to attach tools, auxiliary equipment or other articles used at a construction site to the base. For example, measuring equipment or laser line equipment can be attached to the vacuum plates. The attachment of tools, auxiliary equipment or other articles is particularly useful when the collection system is attached to a vertical wall and thus the articles can be positioned, for example, at the working height or eye level of the user of the collection system. Furthermore, the load capacity of the system can be increased by using a plurality of vacuum plates, particularly when the vacuum area increases with the increase in the number of vacuum plates.

[0022] In connection with the present invention, it should be noted that two different vacuum systems are distinguished from each other. First, a first vacuum generated by a vacuum pump of the drive unit of the collection system is provided, and this first vacuum generated by the vacuum pump is used to mount the vacuum plate or the collection system or its components on the base. The first vacuum can be distributed under the vacuum plate of the collection system by a vacuum line, so that the collection system can be mounted on the base in a particularly uniform and effective manner. Further, in connection with the present invention, a second vacuum generated by a suction device can be provided. This second vacuum can be used to remove the drilling slurry from the collection ring, and the second vacuum is transmitted from the suction device to the collection system by a suction hose. In connection with the present invention, this preferably means that the suction hose connects the suction device and the functional unit of the collection system, and the suction hose leads through or is guided through the vacuum plate so that the drilling slurry can be removed from the internal space of the collection ring through the extraction opening. The drilling slurry is preferably removed by the second vacuum generated by the suction device, and the collection system can be connected to the suction device as an external auxiliary device. Preferably, the suction device does not form part of the proposed collection system. Preferably, the above-mentioned core drill is also not part of the proposed collection system. Preferably, the proposed collection system includes a functional unit having a collection device and optionally at least one vacuum plate, and a drive unit having a vacuum pump and a power supply device for generating a first vacuum for fixing the system to the base.

[0023] By providing two different vacuum systems, the proposed collection system can be attached to the base independently of the operation of the suction device. This does not apply to many systems known from the prior art. Rather, conventional systems involve attaching a water or excavation slurry collection device to the base using the same vacuum that is also used to remove the excavation slurry. However, such an approach has several drawbacks. First, the attachment of the collection device to the base can only be ensured when the suction device is switched on and operating. However, this means that when starting the suction device, the collection device must always be removed from the base or reattached to the base. This is cumbersome and time-consuming and thus costly. Instead, the suction device can remain on even when it is not in use. However, this approach involves very high unnecessary energy consumption and is particularly disadvantageous when the suction device is also a battery-powered suction device. This is because the described approach significantly reduces the operating time of the power device of the suction device or significantly shortens the interval between two battery replacement operations. In this regard, the fact that a second vacuum of the suction device is used to remove the excavation slurry and the first vacuum for attaching the collection system is generated by the vacuum pump of the collection system and thus does not load or shorten the operating time of the power device of the suction device is a significant advantage of the present invention. In connection with the present invention, the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate in which the first vacuum for attaching the collection system is dominant is called the first vacuum chamber.

[0024] The collection device from which the drilling slurry is removed from its internal space may also have at least one vacuum chamber, and at least one vacuum chamber of the collection device is preferably referred to as the "second vacuum chamber" in connection with the present invention. The second vacuum chamber can be formed, for example, by closing the internal space of the collection device not only downward by the base but also upward with respect to the environment. For this purpose, the collection device may have, for example, a cover device that closes the second vacuum chamber upward. The cover device preferably has an opening through which the drill bit of the core drill can be guided. If the cover device contains a compatible elastic material, drill bits of different sizes can be used with the same diameter opening, and the acceptable sealing and suction effects of the suction device can still be achieved. The compatible elastic material can form, for example, a sealing disk, and the drill bit is guided through this sealing disk when preparing for core drilling. Therefore, it is not necessary to use different collection devices for each individual drill bit, and the compatible elastic material from which at least part of the cover device of the collection device is made allows a range of different drill bits to be used with a specific extraction ring. This means that the user does not need to have many different collection devices if they wish to perform several core drilling operations with different diameters. Of course, the second vacuum chamber can also be sealed downward, i.e., towards the base, by a seal. This prevents air from flowing into the second vacuum chamber from the surroundings of the collection system or flowing out of the second vacuum chamber into the surroundings of the collection system, and thus the vacuum in the second vacuum chamber can be maintained with less effort.

[0025] In connection with the present invention, the second vacuum chamber may preferably also be referred to as the extraction chamber. The terms "upper" and "bottom" are not terms that are unclear to a person skilled in the art. Because the term "bottom" or "lower surface" or "downward" in the spatial direction is used in connection with the present invention for the side facing the base of the collection system, while the term "upper" or "upper surface" or "upward" in the spatial direction is used in connection with the present invention for the side facing away from the base of the collection system. In this way, the terms are clearly defined not only when the collection system is used on the ground and a horizontal base, but also when the proposed collection system is used on a vertical base such as an outer wall or an inner wall.

[0026] In connection with the present invention, the separation of removal and attachment is achieved in particular by providing at least two vacuum chambers in the system: a first vacuum chamber formed by the voids and / or cavities of the vacuum plate and evacuated by the vacuum pump of the drive unit, and a second vacuum chamber formed by the internal space of the collection device and from which the excavation slurry is removed by an external suction device. For this purpose, the collection device may include a suction channel or a suction nozzle to which the external suction device can be connected. Preferably, the two vacuum chambers are fluidically separated from each other so that air cannot flow from one vacuum chamber to the other or vice versa. Similarly, the excavation slurry or water should not be able to flow from the second vacuum chamber into the first vacuum chamber. Because this would contaminate the first vacuum chamber, which could impair the installation of the proposed system. The fluid separation of the two vacuum chambers can be further improved, for example, by means of a seal.

[0027] The power supply device of the drive unit is preferably provided to supply power to a component of the drive unit or the collection system. In the context of the present invention, the collection system preferably has a vacuum pump. However, in the context of the present invention, the collection system may preferably also include two or more vacuum pumps or further pumps. The pump is an electrical load that draws the power required for its operation from the power supply device of the drive unit. The power supply device can be a rechargeable battery having a plurality of energy storage cells. Preferably, the power supply device can also be called an accumulator battery or an "accumulator". In the context of the present invention, the power supply device of the drive unit is preferably charged while remaining within the proposed collection system or its drive unit. For this purpose, the power supply device can be connected to a charger or a public or construction site power supply. However, in the context of the present invention, the power supply device may preferably also be removed from the system for charging and connected to an external charger.

[0028] In addition to the vacuum pump and the power supply device, the drive unit may include electronics for controlling the drive unit of the collection system. The electronics of the drive unit can also preferably obtain the energy required for its operation from the power supply device of the drive unit of the collection system. In this regard, in relation to the present invention, the electronics of the drive unit are preferably also constituted by the consumer. For example, the electronics of the system can be used for closed-loop control and / or open-loop control of active components of the system such as a vacuum pump. For example, the system may include a two-point controller that can be used to maintain the vacuum in a first vacuum chamber of a vacuum plate within a predetermined pressure range. The proposed open-loop control and closed-loop control of the collection system may include a two-point controller designed to maintain the first vacuum in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate between a desired lower limit and a desired upper limit of the vacuum. In relation to the present invention, the vacuum pump of the proposed system is preferably turned on or off when these thresholds of the desired pressure range are exceeded or undershot. Preferably, the vacuum pump is turned on to increase the difference from the vacuum, i.e., pressure = 0 bar, and when the vacuum pump is switched off, the vacuum continuously decreases. In relation to the present invention, "decrease in vacuum" represents an increase in pressure in the absolute sense where the difference with respect to pressure = 0 bar decreases, and "increase in vacuum" represents, in relation to the present invention, a decrease in pressure in the absolute sense where the difference with respect to pressure = 0 bar increases.

[0029] Furthermore, the drive unit may include a switching device for turning the collection system or the drive unit on and off. The switch may be a switch, such as a slide switch or a pressure switch. This enables the collection system to operate independently of the core drill and / or the suction device. For example, the user can prepare the proposed collection system before its use and before operating the core drill, and can already attach the collection device to the substrate on which the core hole is to be drilled. The suction device for removing the drilling slurry need only be switched on later, for example only during the core drilling operation, so that the entire core drilling process can be carried out in an optimized manner in terms of time and energy.

[0030] In connection with the present invention, it is preferred that at least one vacuum plate has a seal. Preferably, the seal of the vacuum plate is provided on the lower surface of the vacuum plate and is designed to seal at least one vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate. While atmospheric or ambient pressure prevails within the environment of the collection system, the collection system is attached to the substrate by vacuum, which is generated by the vacuum pump of the collection system and prevails within at least one vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate in the attached state of the system. A seal can be used to seal the vacuum chamber from the environment of the collection system to prevent air from the environment from flowing into or out of the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate. Advantageously, the seal helps to attach the collection system particularly well to rough surfaces.

[0031] In connection with the present invention, the seal preferably has a non-linear sealing profile. When a collection system is connected to the substrate in which the core hole is drilled, the vacuum plate is first placed on the substrate around the drilling position. At this point, the average distance between the vacuum plate and the substrate is, for example, 1. If the vacuum pump of the collection system is switched on here and the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate is evacuated, the vacuum plate is further sucked towards the substrate, and the average distance between the vacuum plate and the substrate decreases, i.e., becomes smaller than 1. The distance or path by which the distance between the vacuum plate and the substrate becomes smaller can preferably be called the suction path l in connection with the present invention. In connection with the present invention, the sealing effect or the suction force F preferably changes as the suction path increases, and these changes in the sealing effect or the suction force F depend on the suction path l called the sealing profile. In connection with the present invention, this is particularly very preferable when the sealing profile is non-linear. In connection with the present invention, this means that the sealing effect or the suction force F does not increase linearly with the increase of the suction path l, and the sealing effect or the suction force F increases more rapidly or more steeply, for example, with the increase of the suction path l. In this situation, the function of the sealing effect or the suction force F depending on the suction path l can be, for example, a polynomial function of the nth order, an exponential function or different, for example, a first part having a linear part, for example, a first gradient m1 and a second part m2, and the second gradient m2 preferably represents a function larger than the first gradient m1. In connection with the present invention, it is preferable that the composite function of the linear parts having different gradients itself is called a "non-linear" function.

[0032] A non-linear sealing profile can be achieved, for example, by not using a conventional sealing ring and instead combining, for example, two sealing rings having different sealing characteristics and / or material characteristics, for example by arranging them one above the other. Instead, a sealing ring having a non-circular shape or a cut-out region in the cross-sectional profile can be used. Such a sealing ring can have a triangular shape in the profile, for example, the shape of the sealing ring profile preferably tapering from top to bottom. Further, for example, two sealing rings having different heights can be combined with each other by arranging the sealing rings adjacent to each other. Preferably, the first sealing ring can have a first height h1, the second sealing ring can have a second height h2, and the first height h1 is greater than the second height h2. Thus, when evacuating the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate, the higher first sealing ring having the first height h1 first contributes to the sealing of the vacuum chamber. In this first region where only the first sealing ring contributes to the sealing, the sealing effect or the suction force F is determined by the first sealing ring. As the suction increases, the distance between the vacuum plate and the substrate further decreases, and at some point the lower second sealing ring having the second height h2 also contributes to the sealing. In this second region where both the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring contribute to the sealing, the sealing effect or the suction force F is preferably determined by both sealing rings. Preferably, the sealing effect of the sealing ring in this second region is added such that the sealing effect or the suction force F in the second region is greater than that in the first region. Thereby, a function is obtained having a first substantially linear region with a first gradient m1 and a second substantially linear region with a second gradient m2, and the second gradient m2 is greater than the first gradient m1 due to the addition of the sealing effect of the sealing ring. Such a function or such an extending sealing profile is referred to in the context of the present invention as a "non-linear sealing profile".Preferably, such a non-linear sealing profile can be achieved by using a sealing ring or material having a sealing effect or suction force F that changes non-linearly during the suction process, for example, the rigidity of the sealing material that changes during the removal process or a shape adjusted accordingly.

[0033] In connection with the present invention, the system preferably has an interface for connecting the drive unit and the functional unit, and the interface preferably includes a line interface for transmitting vacuum from the drive unit to the functional unit.

[0034] Preferably, the interface may include a line interface for transmitting vacuum from the vacuum pump of the drive unit to the vacuum chamber of the functional unit. Preferably, the line interface is designed as a removable, quickly attachable, and further leak-free fluid line that can transmit the vacuum generated by the vacuum pump from the drive unit to the vacuum plate of the functional unit. In connection with the present invention, it is preferable that the air present in the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate can be removed toward the vacuum pump through the line interface.

[0035] In one embodiment also disclosed herein, the functional unit of the collection system can also be used without the drive unit. In this case, the functional unit side of the line interface can be connected to an external suction device such as a vacuum cleaner or a wet / dry vacuum cleaner. In this embodiment, the suction device can be used to evacuate the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate of the functional unit. In connection with the present invention, the line interface is preferably designed to self-lock on the functional unit side. As a result, the vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate of the functional unit is well sealed from the environment even when the drive unit is disassembled, i.e., when the functional unit is used without the drive unit.

[0036] In connection with the present invention, the vacuum plate is preferably part of the drive unit. In this embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum plate is preferably part of the drive unit rather than part of the functional unit. In this embodiment of the present invention, the functional unit includes a collection device, particularly designed as a collection ring or a water capture ring. In this embodiment, the vacuum plate is preferably referred to as a vacuum fixing base plate. In this embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum plate exists in a state securely connected to the drive unit, and the drive unit may exist as a self - contained module, for example, arranged on the preferably flat upper side of the upper side of the vacuum fixing base plate. In this embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit also includes a vacuum pump and a power supply device for supplying power to the vacuum pump. Further, the drive unit may include a switch for switching on and off and an electronic device. In this embodiment, since it is not intended to remove the vacuum fixing base plate and the drive unit from each other, in this embodiment, the fluid line between the drive unit and the vacuum fixing base plate can be a single fluid line. In particular, the fluid line between the vacuum pump and the vacuum chamber of the vacuum fixing base plate can be designed to be particularly robust and easy to implement technically. The fluid line extracts air from the vacuum chamber of the vacuum fixing base plate towards the vacuum pump, thus evacuating the vacuum chamber. The vacuum generated in the vacuum chamber adsorbs the vacuum fixing base plate to the base, thereby fixing it to the base. In an embodiment where the vacuum fixing base plate is part of the drive unit, the system formed by the collection device and the drive unit having the vacuum fixing base plate may include a mechanical interface for connecting the vacuum fixing base plate to the collection device. This mechanical interface is preferably designed such that the drive unit having the vacuum fixing base plate can be connected to collection devices of different sizes. Preferably, the connection between the collection device and the vacuum fixing base plate is made without tools. For example, the water capture ring can be clamped to the vacuum fixing base plate.In an embodiment of the present invention where the vacuum fixing base plate is part of the drive unit, the evacuation of at least one vacuum chamber of the vacuum fixing base plate is performed by a first vacuum generated by a vacuum pump of the drive unit. The excavation slurry is removed by a second vacuum generated by an external suction device such as a vacuum cleaner or a wet / dry vacuum cleaner. The collection device or the water capture ring may have a suction nozzle for attaching a suction hose, or may have other means for connecting the suction hose of the suction device.

[0037] In this embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum fixing base plate can also be formed of several parts. Furthermore, the vacuum fixing base plate, which is part of the drive unit, may also have a seal against the base, and the seal may have a non-linear sealing profile.

[0038] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. The figures, the present specification and the claims include a combination of a number of features. A person skilled in the art will, as appropriate, also consider the features individually and combine them to form suitable further combinations.

[0039] In the figures, the same and functionally identical components are denoted by the same reference signs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the collection system 10 in a state where the functional unit 20 and the drive unit 30 are connected. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the functional unit 20 includes a water capture ring 20 as a collection device 20 and a vacuum plate 40 that can be attached to the base U of the collection system. The base U can be processed by a core drilling machine 100 in the sense of drilling a core hole in the base U. For this purpose, the core drilling machine 100 may include a drill bit shown in FIG. 1 as representative of the core drilling machine 100. When the core drilling operation is carried out, a drilling slurry B is generated as a mixture of cooling water or flushing water, dust and the excavated material. This drilling slurry B is collected in the internal space 26 of the collection device 22. The internal space 26 of the collection device 22 can be connected to an external suction device 80 via a suction nozzle 84 and a suction hose 82 so that the drilling slurry B can be removed from the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 by vacuum. This means that the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 can be exposed to the vacuum generated by the suction device 80. As a result, the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 becomes a vacuum chamber called the second vacuum chamber 26 in relation to the present invention. The possible path of the drilling slurry B is indicated by arrows in FIG. 1. The internal space 26 of the collection device 22 can be closed by a cover device 28 to form the vacuum chamber 26. Therefore, the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 can be closed by the base U itself downward, i.e., in the direction of the base U, and the seal 24 helps to seal the vacuum chamber 26 particularly effectively. The cover device 28 is preferably provided on the side of the collection device 22 that faces "upward" in the spatial direction, i.e., opposite to the base U. The cover device 28 may include, for example, a sealing disk and may include, for example, a suitable elastic material. The cover device 28 may have an opening that can guide the drill bit of the core drilling machine 100 for carrying out core drilling, surrounded by the collection device 22.

[0042] In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum plate 40 is part of the functional device 20. The vacuum plate 40 also has a vacuum chamber 46, and the vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 is referred to as the first vacuum chamber 46 in connection with the present invention. The first vacuum chamber 46 can be exposed to a vacuum that can be generated by the vacuum pump 32 of the drive unit 30 of the collection system 10. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the functional unit 20 and the drive unit 30 of the system 10 are separate units 20, 30 from each other, and the unit 20 and the unit 30 are connected to each other in FIG. 1 and separated from each other in FIG. 2. This separation enables, for example, the drive unit 30 to be used in combination with different functional units 20, and the functional units 20 have, for example, different diameters of the collection rings 22. In this way, the collection system 10 can be adapted to core drills 100 and drill bits having different diameters in a particularly simple and user-friendly manner.

[0043] The vacuum plate 40 can be sealed to the base U by a seal 44, and the collection device 22 can be sealed to the base by a seal 24. The seal can also be provided in the transition region between the vacuum plate 40 and the collection device 22 and is referred to as "seals 24, 44" in connection with the present invention. The seals 24, 44 ensure that there is no exchange of air or drilling slurry between the first vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 and the second vacuum chamber 24 of the collection device 22. In other words, the seals 24, 44 seal the vacuum chambers 26, 46 from each other. The seal 24 seals the second vacuum chamber 26 of the collection device 22 from the environment of the collection system 10 or the atmospheric pressure within the environment of the collection system 10, and the seal 44 seals the first vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 from the environment of the collection system 10 or the atmospheric pressure within the environment of the collection system 10. The first vacuum in the first vacuum chamber 46 is used to attach the system 10 to the base U, and the second vacuum in the second vacuum chamber 26 is used to discharge the drilling slurry B from the internal space 26 of the collection device 22. The first vacuum can be generated by the vacuum pump 32 of the drive unit 30, and the second vacuum can be generated by an external suction device 80. The seals 24, 44 can have a non-linear sealing profile so as to enable an improvement in the sealing effect of the seals 24, 44.

[0044] In addition to the vacuum pump 32, the drive unit 30 of the collection system 10 includes a power supply device 34 for supplying power to the vacuum pump 32. The electrical line 37 can be routed within the drive unit 30 and electrically connects, for example, the power supply device 34 of the drive unit 30, the vacuum pump 32, the switch 36, and / or the electronics 38 to each other. The switch 36 can be used to switch the system 10 or the drive unit 30 and its components, such as the vacuum pump 32, on or off. The electronics 38 of the drive unit 30 can be used for closed-loop control and / or open-loop control of the drive unit 30 and / or the vacuum pump 32. For example, the operation of the vacuum pump 32 can be controlled to ensure that the vacuum within the first vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 always remains within a desired pressure range. This can ensure that the vacuum plate 40 and the water capture ring 22 connected to the vacuum plate 40 are always securely attached to the base U. The power supply device 34 is preferably a rechargeable battery having a plurality of energy storage cells. The power supply device 34 can be in the form of an accumulator battery (an "accumulator") that can be recharged with power from either the drive unit 30 or an external charger (not shown).

[0045] The fluid line 33 can be present between the vacuum pump 32 and the first vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 and can include a line interface 52. The line interface 52 can be part of a mechanical interface 50 for connecting the functional unit 20 to the drive unit 30. The interface 50 enables the easy separation of the drive unit 30 from the functional unit 20 without tools, and the line interface 52 enables the easy separation of the fluid line 33. Since the line interface 52 can self-lock on the vacuum plate 40 side and / or the drive unit 30 side, the fluid line 33 is sealed when the units 20 and 30 are separated.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the collection system 10 with the functional unit 20 and the drive unit 30 separated.

[0047] Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of the collection system 10. A functional unit 20 having a collection device 22 and a drive unit 30 are shown. The collection device 22 can be annular so that an internal space 26 is formed. When core drilling is carried out, the drilling slurry B can be collected within this internal space 26 and removed through the extraction opening 23 of the collection device 22 by means of a suction device 80. The collection device 22 can be connected to the suction device 80 via a suction hose 82 for this purpose. The suction device 80 is designed to generate a vacuum for removing the drilling slurry B, and a vacuum acts on the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 and thus functions as an extraction or vacuum chamber 26. The internal space 26 of the collection device 22 can be closed at the top by a cover device 28 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Below, the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 is closed by the base U on which the core bore is created. The suction hose 82 can extend through the functional unit 20 until it opens into the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 in the region of the extraction opening 23. This extension of the suction hose 82 within the functional unit 20 is shown by a dashed line in FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0048] The drive unit 30 of the collection system 10 can include electronics 38 for closed-loop control and / or open-loop control of the components of the drive unit 30. For example, the vacuum pump 32 and / or the power supply device 34 or their respective operations can be subject to open-loop control and / or closed-loop control by the electronics 38 of the drive unit 30. In the embodiment of the collection system 10 shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum plate 40 is part of the functional unit 20. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum plate 40 is integrally formed, and in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum plate 40 is preferably referred to as the central or main vacuum plate 40.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of the collection system 10, particularly a preferred embodiment of the collection system 10 shown in FIG. 3. In particular, a possible arrangement of the drive unit 30 of the system 10 on the functional unit 20 is shown. For example, the drive unit 30 can be arranged on the upper side of the functional unit 20 or on the upper side of the vacuum plate 40 of the functional unit 20. In FIG. 4, the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 and the extension of the suction hose 82 within the functional unit 20 are shown by dashed lines because they are not visible from the outside in a side view. The drive unit 30 and the functional unit 20 can be connected to each other by an interface 50, which is preferably a mechanical interface. The interface 50 can include a line interface 52 that connects the fluid line 33 to each other on the side of the drive unit 30 and the side of the vacuum plate 40 of the functional unit 20, or, in a separated state, seals the fluid line 33 airtight on the side of the drive unit 30 and the side of the functional unit 20.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of the collection system 10 having a plurality of vacuum plates 40, 48. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, the vacuum plates 40, 48 are part of the functional unit 20. The functional unit 20 includes a main vacuum plate 40, and a drive unit 30, for example, can be arranged on the main vacuum plate 40. Further, the exemplary embodiment of the collection system 10 shown in FIG. 5 includes an additional vacuum plate 48, and the additional vacuum plate 48 can be arranged, for example, on the opposite side of the functional unit 20 of the collection system 10. As a result, the vacuum plates 40, 48 of the exemplary embodiment of the collection system 10 shown in FIG. 5 have a multi-component design, that is, the collection system 10 shown in FIG. 5 has a plurality of vacuum plates 40, 48, and the collection system 10 shown in FIG. 5 particularly has a central or main vacuum plate 40 and two additional vacuum plates 48. The additional vacuum plate 48 also has a vacuum chamber 46, and the vacuum chamber 46 can be evacuated by a vacuum pump 32 of the drive unit 30. The vacuum plates 40, 48 can be connected to each other and / or to the vacuum pump 32 of the drive unit 30 via a vacuum line 42. The vacuum chambers 46 of the vacuum plates 40, 48 can be evacuated or exposed to a vacuum via the vacuum line 42. In this way, the collection system 10 can be attached to the base U.

[0051] To remove the excavation slurry B from the internal space 26 of the collection device 22, the collection system 10 can be connected to an external suction device 80, and a suction hose 82 can be used for this connection. The functional unit 20 or the collection device 22 can have a suction nozzle 84 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) to which the suction hose 82 can be attached. The vacuum for removing the excavation slurry B can be introduced into the area of the extraction opening 23 of the collection device 22 via the suction hose 82 and the possible extension of the suction hose 82 through the functional unit 20, so that the excavation slurry B can be removed from the internal space 26 of the collection device 22 through the extraction opening 23.

[0052] Figure 6 shows a schematic view of various non-linear sealing profiles. A cross-section of a schematic exemplary sealing arrangement is shown in the left half of Figure 6. The right half of Figure 6 shows the corresponding sealing profiles, and in each case the sealing effect or the suction force F is plotted against the suction path l. In the context of the present invention, the suction path l is preferably the path along which the distance between the vacuum plate and the substrate decreases when the vacuum pump 32 of the collection system 10 is switched on and the vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 is evacuated. This is because by applying a vacuum to the vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40, the vacuum plate 40 is attracted towards the substrate U and thereby attached to the substrate U. In the upper right quadrant of Figure 6, for example, a sealing profile F(l) having an exponential or quadratic progression is shown. The sealing effect and the suction force F initially increase slowly and then increase more rapidly as the suction path increases. Such a progression of the sealing profile can be achieved, for example, by a tapered sealing arrangement (schematically a triangular cross-sectional profile of the sealing arrangement) or by two seal rings arranged one on top of the other, which may, for example, contain different materials or have different material compositions.

[0053] In the lower right quarter of FIG. 6, a sealing profile F(l) composed of two substantially linear portions having different gradients m is shown. The gradient m2 of the larger suction path l is greater or higher than the gradient m1 for the smaller or shorter suction path l. The sealing effect and the suction force F first increase slowly with the gradient m1 and then increase with the gradient m2 from the kink point, where m2 > m1. Such a course of the sealing profile can be achieved, for example, by a sealing arrangement consisting of two seal rings arranged adjacent to each other, and the seal rings can have different heights h1 and h2. On the one hand, in the small suction path l, first only the first seal ring having the height h1 contributes to the sealing effect, and from the kink point, the sealing effects of the individual seal rings are added, so that both seal rings contribute to the sealing effect such that the sealing effect increases more rapidly from the kink point. In the example shown at the bottom of FIG. 6, the height h1 of the first seal ring is greater than the height h2 of the second seal ring. By using a sealing arrangement having a non-linear sealing profile, it has been shown that a vacuum chamber 46 can be obtained that is sealed particularly effectively, which can enable a particularly stable, robust and reliable attachment of the collection system 10 to the substrate U to be processed.

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of a collection system 10 in which a vacuum plate 40 is part of a drive unit 30. In this embodiment of the present invention, the collection device 22 of the system 10 can be maintained particularly simply. The water capture ring 22 can be covered by a cover device 28 and sealed to the base U and / or the vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 by a water capture seal 24. The water capture ring 22 can be connected to an external suction device 80 via a suction nozzle 84 and a suction hose 82 so that the drilling slurry B generated during the execution of the core drilling operation can be removed from the internal space 26 of the water capture ring 22. The water capture ring 22 can form an attachment to the drive unit 30, particularly to the vacuum plate 40 of the drive unit 30, by an interface 60 to form the collection system 10. In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum plate 40 of the drive unit 30 can preferably be referred to as a vacuum fixing base plate 40. The vacuum fixing base plate 40 can be sealed to the base U by a seal 44, and its vacuum chamber 46 can be exposed to the vacuum from the vacuum pump 32 of the drive unit 30. As a result, the vacuum fixing base plate 40 adheres to the base U, and the collection system 10 can thus be fixed to the base U. The drive unit 30 of the system 10 includes, in addition to the vacuum pump 32, a power supply device 34 and, optionally, an on / off switch 36 and / or electronics 38 for open-loop control and / or closed-loop control of the collection system 10 or its active components such as the vacuum pump 32 or the power supply device 34. The electrical components of the drive unit 30, such as the power supply device 34, the switch 36, the vacuum pump 32, or the electronics 38, can be conductively connected to each other via an electrical line 37. The vacuum pump 32 and the vacuum chamber 46 of the vacuum plate 40 can be fluidly connected to each other via a fluid line 33.

Explanation of Signs

[0055] 10 Collection system 20 Functional unit 22 Collection device 23 Extraction opening 24 Seal of collection device Second vacuum chamber of the collection device Cover device Drive unit Vacuum pump Fluid line Power supply device Switching device Electrical line Electronic device Vacuum plate Vacuum line Seal of the vacuum plate First vacuum chamber of the vacuum plate Additional vacuum plate Interface between the functional unit and the drive unit Line interface Interface between the collection device and the vacuum plate Suction device Suction hose Suction nozzle of the collection device Core drill, especially drill bit Drilling slurry U base

Claims

1. In a system (10) for collecting a drilling slurry (B) generated during operation of a core drilling machine (100), comprising a collection device (22) as a functional unit (20), the collection device (22) being attachable to a base (U) by vacuum, the vacuum being generated by a vacuum pump (32) which is part of a drive unit (30) of the system (10), the drive unit (30) further comprising a power supply device (34) for supplying power to the drive unit (30), a system (10) characterized by that.

2. The system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit (30) is detachably attachable to the functional unit (20).

3. The system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the functional unit (20) comprises at least one vacuum plate (40) for transmitting the vacuum to the base (U).

4. The system (10) according to claim 3, comprising an interface (50) for connecting the drive unit (30) and the functional unit (20), the interface (50) comprising a line interface (52) for transmitting the vacuum from the drive unit (30) to the functional unit (20).

5. The system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one vacuum plate (40) for transmitting the vacuum to the base, the vacuum plate (40) being part of the drive unit (30).

6. The system (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the vacuum plate (40) is made of several parts.

7. The system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the vacuum plates (40) can be connected to each other and / or to the vacuum pump (32) via vacuum lines (42).

8. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one vacuum plate (40) has a seal (44).

9. The system (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the seals (24, 44) have a non-linear sealing profile.

Images