Wire saw, system including the wire saw and a remote control unit, method for tensioning a saw wire of the wire saw, and use of an actuating device for tensioning a saw wire of the wire saw

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wire saw having a wire drive and a wire storage for the saw wire, wherein an actuating device for tensioning the saw wire is arranged on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a system consisting of a wire saw and a remote control device, the actuating device being a component of the remote control device. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for tensioning the saw wire of a wire saw and to the use of an actuating device for tensioning the saw wire of a wire saw, the actuating device being arranged on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw or being a component of the remote control device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire saw having a wire drive unit and a wire storage unit for a saw wire, wherein an operating device for tensioning the saw wire is arranged on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a system consisting of a wire saw and a remote control device, wherein the operating device is a component of the remote control device. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for tensioning the saw wire of a wire saw and the use of an operating device for tensioning the saw wire of a wire saw, wherein the operating device is arranged on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw or is a component of the remote control device.

Background Art

[0002] What is known as a wire saw, for example, which can make a large cut in a wall, is well known from the prior art. A wire saw typically has a saw wire in the form of an endless saw wire, which is guided on various rollers inside the wire saw and tensioned. At least some of these rollers form a wire storage unit capable of storing the saw wire. Further, a tension adjustment and deployment mechanism capable of keeping the saw wire in a tensioned state can be provided. The saw wire is subjected to significant mechanical loads during its use, and in particular, uniform wear of the saw wire is desired. As a result, for example, it is possible to reduce the probability or risk of an undesirable breakage of the saw wire. The rollers of the wire storage unit of the wire saw or the deflection rollers have guide slots as running grooves, and the saw wire is preferably guided in these running grooves. The wire drive unit and the wire storage unit can be surrounded by a housing, and as a result, a drive and storage unit of the wire saw is formed.

[0003] It is known from the prior art to wind up the saw wire before connecting the wire loop so that the saw wire wears as uniformly as possible, i.e., evenly. This winding up of the saw wire promotes the formation of a loop of the saw wire, and due to this loop formation, it becomes impossible to hold the saw wire without additional tension within the guide slots of the wire roller.

[0004] In a conventional wire saw well-known from the prior art, an operating device is provided, by which the tension of the saw wire can be generated or initiated. These operating devices can be formed by or include, for example, buttons. In principle, well-known operating devices for tensioning the wire are located on a control panel at a distance, for example, several meters away from the actual wire saw for safety reasons. This means that well-known operating devices for tensioning the wire are not arranged directly on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw and are usually components of a control panel arranged at a distance of at least several meters from the wire saw. This distance means that at least two persons are required to attach the wire to the wire storage unit, i.e., a first person who tensions the wire in the drive and storage unit of the wire saw and a second person who operates the operating device to tension the saw wire at the control panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] Since the described procedure for preparing the operation of the wire saw involves many personnel, it is costly. Therefore, the underlying object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies and drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a wire saw that can be operated with fewer people. In particular, it is intended that the preparation for operating the wire saw becomes easier.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0006] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments relating to the subject matter of the independent claims may be recited in the dependent claims.

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a wire saw having a wire drive unit and a wire storage unit for a saw wire. The wire saw is characterized in that an operating device for tensioning the saw wire is arranged on a drive and storage unit of the wire saw ( "the first configuration of the present invention"). For the purposes of the present invention, this preferably means that the operating device for tensioning the saw wire is not provided on a preferably fixed control panel, but rather is a component of the wire saw itself. Such a preferably fixed control panel is known from the prior art and is used to control a wire saw. The present invention departs from such a wire saw system having a control panel. This is achieved in particular by the fact that the operating device for wire attachment is arranged on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw. As a result, only one person is required to attach the wire in the wire storage unit of the wire saw, and as a result, the specific advantage of the present invention that the number of persons required to operate the wire saw can be significantly reduced can be achieved. With this one person, the saw wire can be kept in a tensioned state within the area of the wire saw where the saw wire is introduced, and preferably at the same time, the operating device for tensioning the saw wire can be operated. This is because the operating device is preferably arranged on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw.

[0008] Advantageously, the present invention makes it possible to operate a wire saw with a significantly smaller number of personnel. In particular, the present invention simplifies the attachment of the wire in the wire storage unit, so that the preparation for operating the wire saw can be carried out much more easily with fewer personnel.

[0009] The same advantageous effect of only requiring one person for the operation preparation of the wire saw can be achieved by the operating device being a component of the remote control device ( "the second preferred configuration of the present invention"). In this case, one person can introduce the saw wire into the wire storage part of the wire saw, and preferably, at the same time, operate the operating element of the operating device for tensioning the saw wire. As a result, the saw wire is tensioned, and only one person is required to prepare the wire saw for use. Both configurations of the present invention have in common that the operating device is not arranged on a fixed control panel. Therefore, the present invention relates in particular to a wire saw in which the operating device is not arranged on a fixed control panel, which is usually arranged several meters away from the wire saw. In the first configuration of the present invention, the communication link, i.e., the wireless link, can be stopped in order to activate the wire tension adjustment for attaching the wire to the storage part, and as a result, an unwanted restart of the wire saw is effectively prevented. In the context of the second preferred configuration of the present invention, since an active wireless link is provided, it is necessary to prevent accidental power-on or accidental restart by additional measures.

[0010] The proposed operating device is, in particular, an operating device used for wire attachment. In the context of the proposed wire saw, since it is also possible to provide other operating devices with different functions, for the purpose of the present invention, the proposed operating device is preferably also referred to as a "further operating device".

[0011] For the purposes of the present invention, the proposed system preferably has at least two operating devices, the first operating device can be provided on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw, and the second operating device can be provided on the remote control device. Preferably, as a result of the operation of the operating device, the tension of the saw wire can be set or changed. For the purposes of the present invention, the operating device on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw is preferably used, in particular, for attaching the wire or for attaching the wire to the storage section. For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferable that there is no communication link between the wire saw and the remote control device while the wire is being attached to the storage section of the wire saw. In other words, for the purposes of the present invention, it is preferable that the remote control device is stopped during the attachment of the wire. During the operation of the wire saw, the user of the system preferably stays outside the danger zone of the wire saw and can control the operating wire saw via the remote control device. In particular, the user can change or adapt the pressure of the operating device. This can be done conveniently and safely outside the danger zone of the wire saw using the remote control device during the operation of the wire saw. In particular, the operating device on the remote control unit can be used for this adaptation of the pressure.

[0012] In the context of the present invention, therefore, a wire saw is disclosed in which a further operating device is either arranged on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw itself or is a component of the remote control device.

[0013] For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferable that the actuating device is provided for setting the tension of the saw wire. In other words, tensioning the saw wire preferably corresponds to setting an increasing or high value of the wire tension. When it is aimed at reducing or removing the tension of the saw wire, for example, it is possible to set a lower value with respect to the tension of the saw wire. For the purposes of the present invention, a high value with respect to the tension of the saw wire preferably corresponds to a state in which the saw wire is tensioned, and a low value with respect to the tension of the saw wire preferably corresponds to a relaxed state of the saw wire. For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferable that the value of the tension of the saw wire or the wire tension can be set by the actuating device.

[0014] For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferable that when the protective cover is opened, the tension of the saw wire decreases. As a result of the decrease in the wire tension, it is advantageously possible to significantly reduce the risk of injury to the operator of the wire saw. However, the remaining wire tension is preferably still high enough to ensure that the saw wire remains in the guide slots of the rollers of the wire storage unit.

[0015] For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferable that the tension of the saw wire is removed by the long operation of the actuating device. In other words, this preferably means that the saw wire is preferably no longer tensioned.

[0016] Preferably, by the relatively long operation of the actuating device, the wire saw can be brought into a state where the wire can be attached to the wire storage unit. This state for attaching the wire to the storage unit is preferably achieved by closing the storage unit. For the purposes of the present invention, this preferably means that the distance between the rollers of the wire storage unit is reduced as the rollers move towards each other. This process is preferably carried out slowly and with a small force. By operating the actuating device for a short time, the storage unit can be opened outwards again. For the purposes of the present invention, this preferably means that the distance between the rollers of the wire storage unit increases as the rollers move away from each other. In other words, the rollers of the wire storage unit move away from or are pulled away from each other. As a result of this separation of the wire storage unit or the rollers of the wire storage unit, the wire loop of the saw wire can be tensioned. The wire loop can be tensioned, in particular, until the saw wire is again securely held within the guide slots of the rollers. Therefore, for the purposes of the present invention, further operation of the actuating device for a short time results in the tensioning of the saw wire, and the tensioning of the saw wire preferably causes the saw wire to be passed through the guide slots of the wire storage unit.

[0017] For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferable that the wire tension is increased again after the protective cover is closed. This increase in wire tension after the closure of the cover can be, for example, within the range of 5 to 20% of the initial tension of the saw wire. For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferable that the wire tension preferably does not fall below a pre-set minimum value.

[0018] This increased wire tension advantageously enables verification of the alignment between the guide roller and the deflection roller attached to the component in the mechanical input and / or output section. In other words, actuation of the wire saw and closing of the cover of the drive and storage unit for the wire saw result in an automatic increase in the tension of the saw wire. For the purposes of the present invention, it is particularly preferred that, in order to avoid misuse, the actuation of the actuating device is correlated with a fixed value of the tension and / or release force of the saw wire. The correlation between the actuation of the actuating device and the preferably fixed tension and / or preferably fixed release force of the saw wire consists in particular in that actuation of the actuating device results in the application of a preferably fixed tension and / or release force.

[0019] For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferred that it is impossible to change the tension of the saw wire of the wire saw while the cover of the wire saw is open. In other words, it is preferred that the wire saw is set such that the operator cannot further increase the tension of the saw wire when the cover of the drive and storage unit of the wire saw is open.

[0020] For the purposes of the present invention, the wire saw preferably has a cover for the wire storage section, and when the cover is open, it is possible to set a predefined, preferably low, wire tension. For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferably that the wire tension is automatically set, and in the context of the present invention, in particular when the cover of the wire storage section is open, a low wire tension is set. This setting is preferably automatically performed when the wire saw identifies that the cover of the wire storage section is open. As a result of setting a preferably pre-set or predefined low value of the wire tension, the risk of injury to the user of the wire saw can advantageously be significantly reduced. This is particularly the case when the hand of the user or operator is between the roller of the wire storage section and the saw wire. In this configuration of the present invention, the tension pressure applied to the saw wire preferably is preferably automatically set to a predefined low value when the cover of the storage section is open. In this way, the risk of injury to the operator of the wire saw can be significantly reduced.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, when the cover of the wire storage section is closed, it is preferable that a high wire tension can be set. This setting is also preferably automatically performed when it is identified that the cover of the wire storage section is closed. For the purposes of the present invention, when the cover of the wire storage section is closed, it is preferably that the wire tension is preferably automatically increased. This can advantageously be achieved by being able to tension the saw wire and being able to check or monitor the correct wire guidance.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a system comprising a wire saw and a remote control device, wherein the operating device is a component of the remote control device. A wire saw system provided, for example, on a fixed control panel such as this is known from the prior art. In the context of the present invention, the present invention departs from such a wire saw system having a control panel in that the operating device for tensioning the saw wire is not provided, in particular, on the fixed control panel. This can be achieved, for example, in that the proposed operating device is arranged on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw or is simply a component of the remote control device. The terms, definitions and technical advantages introduced with respect to the wire saw apply equally to the proposed system. The wire saw which is a component of the proposed system is preferably a wire saw different from the proposed wire saw. The proposed wire saw preferably corresponds to the first configuration of the present invention, while the wire saw of the proposed system is a wire saw corresponding to the second preferred configuration of the present invention.

[0023] For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferred that there is a communication link between the wire saw and the remote control device. In particular, the communication link may be wireless.

[0024] For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferred that the remote control device can be carried by a user of the system. In other words, the remote control device can advantageously be a portable remote control device. For example, the operating device is electronic and can also be integrated into application software ("app"), and the application software can be executed on a mobile communication device. As a result, a commonly used electronic device such as a mobile communication device can be used as a remote control device for the wire saw.

[0025] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method of tensioning the saw wire of a wire saw. The terms, definitions and technical advantages introduced with respect to the wire saw and system are equally applicable to the proposed method. The method comprises the following steps, namely, a) providing the proposed wire saw or providing the proposed system; and b) introducing the saw wire into the wire storage part of the wire saw; and c) operating an operating device to tension the saw wire, and as a result, tensioning the saw wire. It is characterized by the above.

[0026] An essential advantage of the proposed method is that the method can be carried out by only one user. This means that only one person is required for the execution of the proposed method, and this one person preferably manually applies tension to the saw wire in the wire storage part of the wire saw and operates the operating device at the same time, and as a result, further tensions the saw wire. Preferably, the operating device for tensioning the saw wire is arranged on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw or is a component of the remote control device. The operating device for tensioning the saw wire is not arranged on a fixed control panel that can operate the wire saw in particular.

[0027] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of an operating device for tensioning the saw wire of a wire saw, the operating device being arranged on the drive and storage unit of the wire saw or being a component of the remote control device.

[0028] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. The figures, the description and the claims include various combinations of features. Those skilled in the art will also consider the features individually and combine them as appropriate to form useful further combinations.

[0029] In the figures, the same and similar components are denoted by the same reference signs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a preferred configuration of the proposed wire saw 1. The wire saw 1 includes a wire drive unit 2 and a wire storage unit 3, and the wire storage unit 3 may include rollers and / or deflection rollers. The wire drive unit 2 and the wire storage unit 3 are preferably arranged in the drive and storage unit 5 of the wire saw 1, and the drive and storage unit 5 preferably forms the main body of the wire saw 1. The wire storage unit 3 is designed to receive and store the saw wire 4 of the wire saw 1. The saw wire 4 can be driven using the wire drive unit 2. The wire storage unit 3 or the drive and storage unit 5 may preferably have a cover 7, which is also preferably called the wire storage unit cover 7 for the purposes of the present invention. The wire saw 1 has an operating device 6 for tensioning the saw wire 4, and in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, this operating device 6 is arranged on the drive and storage unit 5 of the wire saw 1. Of course, the operating device 6 is arranged so that an operator can reach the operating device 6 while manually tensioning the wire 4. Furthermore, different embodiments of the operating device 6 are also conceivable.

[0032] In the context of the present invention, the operating device 6 can be arranged on the drive and storage unit 5 of the wire saw 1. As a result of this arrangement, the wire tension can be activated even when the wireless link is not active. For example, since it is possible to particularly effectively prevent an unintentional power-on of the wire drive unit and an unintentional restart of the saw, this technical effect of arranging the operating device on the drive and storage unit 5 of the wire saw 1 has been found to be an essential advantage of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 shows a preferred configuration of the proposed system 10. The system 10 includes a wire saw 1 and a remote control device 30, and the operating device 6 is a component of the remote control device 30 in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2. For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferred that there is a communication link 40 between the remote control device 30 and the wire saw 1, particularly its drive and storage unit 5. This communication link 40 is preferably wireless. In the configuration of the present invention shown in Figure 2, the operating device 6 is not a component of a fixed control panel (not shown) in particular.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2, the drive and storage unit 5 does not have the operating device 6. Rather, the operating device 6 is arranged in the remote control unit 30. For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferred that the tension of the saw wire 4 is set or established via the operating device 6 on the remote control device 30. Preferably, in this configuration of the present invention, since there is an activated wireless link, other functions of the wire saw 1 can also be activated, for example. To avoid unintentional power-on of the wire saw 1 when the wire is attached to the wire storage unit 3, for the purposes of the present invention, it is preferred that the control program of the wire saw 1 meets high safety standards. As a result, in particular, unwanted automatic start-up of the wire saw 1 can be effectively avoided. The control program of the wire saw 1 can be realized, for example, as a computer program product and can be executed on the drive and storage unit 5 of the wire saw 1.

[0035] For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferred that the wire saw 1 can be controlled by the remote control device 30 in that the inputs are executed on the remote control unit 30 and these affect the wire saw 1. For the purposes of the present invention, it is particularly highly preferred that the remote control unit 30 has an operating device 6 that can tension the saw wire 4 of the wire saw 1. The process within the wire saw 1 that results in tension or a not-too-strong tension of the saw wire 4 is substantially the same in different embodiments.

[0036] Preferably, there is a communication link 40 between the wire saw 1 and the remote control device 30, especially when the wire is attached to the wire storage unit 3.

Explanation of symbols

[0037] 1 Wire saw 2 Wire drive unit 3 Wire storage unit 4 Saw wire 5 Driving and storage unit of wire saw 6 Actuating device 7 Cover of wire storage unit 10 System 30 Remote control device 40 Communication link

Claims

1. A wire saw (1) having a wire driving unit (2) and a wire storage unit (3) for a saw wire (4), and being controlled by a control panel disposed at a remote position, wherein the wire driving unit (2) and the wire storage unit (3) are disposed in a driving and storage unit (5) of the wire saw (1), in the wire saw (1), a tension adjusting unit that tensions the saw wire (4) extending outside the driving and storage unit (5) by adjusting the distance between a plurality of rollers that guide the saw wire (4), and an operating device (6) that is operated to drive the tension adjusting unit, wherein the operating device (6) is disposed on the driving and storage unit (5) of the wire saw (1), characterized in that, a wire saw (1).

2. The wire saw (1) has a cover (7) for the wire storage unit (3), and is characterized in that a low wire tension can be set when the cover (7) is open, the wire saw (1) according to claim 1.

3. The wire saw (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a high wire tension can be set when the cover (7) is closed.

4. In a system (10) including a wire saw (1') controlled by a control panel disposed at a remote position and a remote control device (30) not disposed on the control panel, the wire saw (1') has a tension adjusting unit that tensions the saw wire (4) extending outside the driving and storage unit (5) by adjusting the distance between a plurality of rollers that guide the saw wire (4), and an operating device (6) that is operated to drive the tension adjusting unit, characterized in that the operating device (6) is a component of the remote control device (30), a system (10).

5. The system (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that there is a communication link (40) between the wire saw (1') and the remote control device (30).

6. The system (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the communication link (40) is wireless.

7. The system (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the remote control device (30) can be carried by a user of the system (10).

8. A method for tensioning the saw wire (4) of a wire saw (1), comprising: The following method steps, namely: a) preparing the wire saw (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or preparing the system (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 7; b) introducing the saw wire (4) into the wire storage part (3) of the wire saw (1); c) operating the operating device (6) so as to tension the saw wire (4) as a result. A method characterized by the above.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the operating device (6) is arranged on the drive and storage unit (5) of the wire saw (1) or is a component of a remote control device (30).

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the method is executed by only one user.

11. Use of an operating device (6) of a wire saw (1) controlled by a control panel arranged at a remote position, wherein the wire saw (1) is provided with a tension adjustment part for tensioning the saw wire (4) extending outside the drive and storage unit (5) by adjusting the distance between a plurality of rollers for guiding the saw wire (4), the operating device (6) is configured to drive the tension adjustment part, Use of the operating device (6), wherein the operating device (6) is arranged on the drive and storage unit (5) of the wire saw (1) or is a component of a remote control device (30) not arranged on the control panel.

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