Multi-functional connector, drill head, and method

Abstract

A multi-functional connector is arranged for connecting a functional drill element to a drill head, such as an extendable cylinder of a drill head. The multi-functional connector includes a first connecting element having a first receptacle, a second connecting element having a second receptacle, and a retainer element having a retainer opening. The first receptacle has at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction, the second receptacle has at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction, and the retainer element has at least one retaining section to prevent a movement of a second functional drill element relative to the second connecting element in a retracting position of the second functional drill element.

Claims

1. A multi-functional connector for connecting a functional drill element to a drill head, in particular to an extendable cylinder of a drill head, the multi-functional connector comprising: a first connecting element with a first receptacle arranged to receive a connecting section of a first functional drill element therein; a second connecting element arranged proximal to the first connecting element in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the multi-functional connector with a second receptacle arranged to receive a connecting section of a second functional drill element therein; and a retainer element arranged between the first and the second connecting elements, the retainer element having a retainer opening for receiving the connecting section of the second functional drill element therethrough, wherein the first receptacle has at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction to at least two corresponding contact surfaces on the connecting section of the first functional drill element, the second receptacle has at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction to at least two corresponding contact surfaces on the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a drill and/or retracting position of the second functional drill element, and wherein the retainer element has at least one retaining section to prevent a movement of the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis relative to the second connecting element in the retracting position of the second functional drill element.

2. The multi-functional connector according to claim 1, wherein the second receptacle has at least two first driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction to at least two corresponding first contact surfaces on the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a drill position of the second functional drill element, and wherein the second receptacle has at least two second driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a second, opposite direction to at least two corresponding second contact surfaces on the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a retracting position of the second functional drill element.

3. The multi-functional connector according to claim 2, wherein the first and second driving surfaces are arranged alternating along a periphery of the second receptacle.

4. The multi-functional connector (1000) according to claim 1, wherein between pairs of first and second driving surfaces rounded corners are arranged along the periphery of the second receptacle.

5. The multi-functional connector according to claim 2, wherein the first driving surfaces and/or the second driving surfaces of the second receptacle are arranged to engage a connecting section of the second functional drill element with a square cross section.

6. The multi-functional connector according to claim 1, wherein the retainer element has at least two retaining sections arranged to prevent a movement of the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis relative to the second connecting element in the retracting position of the second functional drill element.

7. The multi-functional connector according to claim 1, wherein the first receptacle has a hexagonal cross sectional shape.

8. The multi-functional connector according to claim 1, wherein an inner envelop of the cross section of the first receptacle envelops the cross section of the second receptacle and/or the retainer opening.

9. The multi-functional connector according to claim 1, wherein the retainer element has at least two guiding surfaces.

10. The multi-functional connector according to claim 9, wherein between the at least two guiding surfaces a rounded corner is arranged.

11. The multi-functional connector according to claim 9, wherein the at least two guiding surfaces are arranged to engage a connecting section of the second functional drill element with a square cross section in an orientation according to the drill position.

12. The multi-functional connector according to claim 1, further comprising an engagement element arranged at an outer periphery of the first connecting element and being arranged to engage a cylinder of a drill head in a torsion proof way.

13. The multi-functional connector according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid provision section with a fluid channel for providing fluid from a proximal end of the connector to the first connecting element and/or the second connecting element and/or the retainer element.

14. A drill head, comprising: an extendable cylinder with a shaft and a piston, the piston being moveable with respect to the shaft along a longitudinal axis; a drive for rotationally driving the shaft of the extendable cylinder; an extending union arranged to extend and/or retract the extendable cylinder along the longitudinal axis; and a multi-functional connector disposed at a distal end of the piston for connecting a functional drill element thereto, the multi-functional connector including a first connecting element having a first receptacle arranged to receive a connecting section of a first functional drill element therein, a second connecting element arranged proximal to the first connecting element in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the multi-functional connector with a second receptacle arranged to receive a connecting section of a second functional drill element therein, and a retainer element arranged between the first and the second connecting elements, the retainer element having a retainer opening for receiving the connecting section of the second functional drill element therethrough, wherein the first receptacle has at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction to at least two corresponding contact surfaces on the connecting section of the first functional drill element, the second receptacle having at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction to at least two corresponding contact surfaces on the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a drill and/or retracting position of the second functional drill element, and wherein the retainer element has at least one retaining section to prevent a movement of the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis relative to the second connecting element in the retracting position of the second functional drill element.

15. A method for drilling an anchor hole and for tightening an anchor nut, the method comprising: providing a drill head with a multi-functional connector, the multi-functional connector including a first connecting element having a first receptacle arranged to receive a connecting section of a first functional drill element therein, a second connecting element arranged proximal to the first connecting element in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the multi-functional connector with a second receptacle arranged to receive a connecting section of a second functional drill element therein, and a retainer element arranged between the first and the second connecting elements, the retainer element having a retainer opening for receiving the connecting section of the second functional drill element therethrough, wherein the first receptacle has at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction to at least two corresponding contact surfaces on the connecting section of the first functional drill element, the second receptacle having at least two driving surfaces for transferring a torque in a first direction and in a second, opposite direction to at least two corresponding contact surfaces on the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a drill and/or retracting position of the second functional drill element, and wherein the retainer element has at least one retaining section to prevent a movement of the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis relative to the second connecting element in the retracting position of the second functional drill element; providing a drill steel as the first functional drill element; inserting the drill steel trough the first receptacle and the retainer opening into the second receptacle in the drill position; rotating a cylinder of the drill head with the multi-functional connector in a first direction; rotating the cylinder of the drill head with the multi-functional connector in a second, opposite direction to bring the drill steel into the retracting position; retracting the cylinder with the connector and the drill steel; rotating the cylinder of the drill head with the multi-functional connector in the first direction to bring the drill steel into the drill position; removing the drill steel from the multi-functional connector; engaging the anchor nut of an anchor with the first receptacle; and rotating a cylinder of the drill head with the multi-functional connector in a first direction.

Description

(1) Preferred embodiments of the invention shall now be described with reference to the attached drawings, in which

(2) FIG. 1: a longitudinal cross section of a drill head with an extendable cylinder and a multi-functional connector in the extended position;

(3) FIG. 2: a longitudinal cross section of the drill head of FIG. 1 in the retracted position;

(4) FIG. 3: a three-dimensional depiction of the drill head according to FIG. 1 cut in the longitudinal direction;

(5) FIG. 4: a three-dimensional depiction of the drill head according to FIG. 2 cut in the longitudinal direction;

(6) FIG. 5: a three-dimensional depiction of the drill head according to FIG. 2;

(7) FIG. 6: an enlarged view of FIG. 5 without the first connecting element and the retainer element;

(8) FIG. 7: an enlarged view of FIG. 5 without the first connecting element;

(9) FIG. 8: a three-dimensional depiction of the drill head according to FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 9: a three-dimensional depiction of the drill head according to FIG. 2;

(11) FIG. 10: a three-dimensional depiction of the drill head cut in the area of the taper bearings;

(12) FIG. 11: a three-dimensional depiction of the drill head cut in the area of the spur gear reduction stage;

(13) FIG. 12: a three-dimensional depiction of the drill head cut in the area of the fluid or water connection; and

(14) FIG. 13: a three-dimensional depiction of the drill head in the area of the motor connections.

(15) In FIGS. 1-13, a preferred example of a drill head 2000 with an extendable cylinder 10 and a multi-functional connector 1000 is shown. Although in the figures, the multi-functional connector 1000, the extendable cylinder 10 and the drill head 2000 are shown in combination, in particular the multi-functional connector 1000 and the extendable cylinder 10 described herein also can be applied separately.

(16) FIGS. 1, 3, and 8 show the drill head 2000 with the extendable cylinder 10 in the extended position, while FIGS. 2, 4, and 9 show the drill head 2000 with the extendable cylinder 10 in its retracted position. FIGS. 5-7 show in particular details of the multi-functional connector 1000. FIGS. 10-13 in particular show details of the drill head 2000.

(17) The drill head 2000 comprises a hydraulic motor 2100 for driving the extendable cylinder 10 connected with it via the spur gear reduction stage 2300. The extendable cylinder 10 is supported by taper roller bearings 2400 arranged back to back. The hydraulic motor 2100 is able to operate in two different speeds. The torque of the hydraulic motor 2100 is transferred to the cylinder 10 via a spur gear reduction stage 2300. The two rings of taper roller bearings 2400 are adapted to receive the loads and forces coming from operation of the drill head 2000. The drill head 2000, in particular the hydraulic motor 2100, is adapted to provide a rotation of the extendable cylinder 10 of up to 700 rpm and to apply a torque in the first and/or second direction of up to 400 Nm and a flow of hydraulic oil of up to 40 l/min.

(18) The extendable cylinder 10 can be extended in a distal direction (d) by the provision of hydraulic fluid, as described below. The drill head 2000 comprises an extending union 2200 in the form of a rotating union for providing the hydraulic fluid to the rotating extendable cylinder 10. The multi-functional connector 1000 is connected to a distal end of the extendable cylinder 10.

(19) The extendable cylinder 10 comprises a shaft 100 and a piston 200, which is movable relative to the shaft 100 along a longitudinal axis LX to extend or retract the extendable cylinder 10. The shaft has an inner part 110 and an outer part 120 and the piston has an inner part 210 and an outer part 220. The shaft 100 with its inner and outer parts 110, 120 and the piston 200 with its inner part 210 and its outer part 220 are substantially cylindrical in shape and arranged coaxially.

(20) A shaft ring volume 101 is formed between the inner part 110 and the outer part 120 of the shaft and a piston ring volume 201 is formed between the inner part 210 and the outer part 220 of the piston 200. A proximal end 221 of the outer part 220 of the piston 200 is arranged between the inner and outer part 110, 120 of the shaft 100 and sealed against the outer part 120 of the shaft 100. A distal end 111 of the inner part 110 of the shaft 100 is arranged between the inner and outer parts 210, 220 of the piston 200. The proximal end 221 of the inner part 210 of the piston 200 is sealed against the inner part 110 of the shaft 100.

(21) The piston 100 and the shaft 200 are connected by a torsionally rigid coupling 30, which is realized by a spline coupling between the outer part 220 of the piston 200 and the inner part 110 of the shaft 100. The splines of the spline coupling 30 extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LX. The spline coupling 30 has a longitudinal extension large enough to provide for a reliable torsionally rigid coupling between the shaft 100 and the piston 200 in the extended as well as in the retracted position, in particular when the hydraulic motor 2100 drives the extendable cylinder 10 in a rotational movement.

(22) The shaft ring volume 101 and the piston ring volume 201 are in fluid communication with each other via the spline coupling 30.

(23) By providing a hydraulic fluid via hydraulic fluid bores 2500 to the shaft ring volume 101 and/or the piston ring volume 201, the extendable cylinder 10 can be extended, this means brought from a position shown in FIG. 2 or 4 into the position shown in FIG. 1 or 3. The extendable cylinder 10 can be retracted by the provision of hydraulic fluid via hydraulic fluid bores 2500 to the intermediary ring volume 40. The intermediary ring volume 40 is preferably formed by a section 222 of the outer part 220 of the piston 200, which has a reduced outer diameter. Preferably, when hydraulic fluid is provided to the shaft and/or piston ring volume 101, 201, hydraulic fluid is retracted from the intermediary ring volume 40 and vice versa to allow for or facilitate the respective retraction or expansion movement.

(24) Further, seals 300, in particular high-pressure seals where hydraulic fluid is applied, are arranged throughout the drill head 2000 and the extendable cylinder 10 with a multi-functional connector 1000 where needed. The high-pressure seals 300, in particular water seals and/or hydraulic fluid seals, preferably are adapted to withstand a fluid provision of 6 l/min at up to 180 bar.

(25) The extendable cylinder 10 further comprises a supply channel 140 forming a central cavity 141 for supplying a fluid, for example water, to the piston 200, in particular an inner piston volume 212. A fluid, like water, can be supplied to the supply channel 140 via a fluid connection 2600. The supply channel 140 also has a substantially cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with the piston 200 and the shaft 100 and provided with respective seals 300 to create a sealed fluid channel.

(26) Further, the extendable cylinder 10 comprises a transmission element 130 to transmit lateral forces. The transmission element 130 is arranged between the outer part 220 of the piston 200 and the outer part 120 of the shaft 100.

(27) The force transmission element 130 is a ring-shaped element with an axial extension that exceeds its radial extension by a factor larger than 3. Further, the force transmission element 130 is connected to the outer part 220 of the piston 200 by form fit.

(28) The rotating union 2200 is in fluid communication with the shaft ring volume 101 and/or the piston ring volume 201 and/or the intermediary ring volume 40 and adapted to provide and/or discharge hydraulic fluid from these volumes.

(29) FIG. 10 shows in particular a ring of taper roller bearings 2400 as well as hydraulic fluid bores 2500 for providing hydraulic fluid to the piston, ring, and/or intermediary ring volume 201, 101, 40 for moving the piston 200. The spur gear reduction stage 2300 can be seen in particular in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 further shows speed sensors 2700 of the drill head 2000 to control the speed of the rotation. FIG. 12 shows in particular the fluid or water connection 2600 to provide fluid, like water, to the central cavity 141 of the supply channel 140. FIG. 13 shows in particular the hydraulic fluid bores 2500 providing the motor with hydraulic oil.

(30) The multi-functional connector 1000 is connected to the outer part 220 of the piston 200 via a threaded connection 1700. To ensure that the threaded connection 1700 is not released during rotation of the extendable cylinder 10 with the multi-functional connector 1000 in a first or second, opposite direction, the multi-functional connector is secured via an engagement element 1400. The engagement element 1400 is arranged at an outer periphery of the first connecting element 1100 and adapted to engage the piston 200, in particular the outer part 220 of the piston 200 in a torsion proof way, in particular via a form fit, interlocking fit or positive fit. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, the engagement element 1400 has six evenly spaced recesses in its outer circumference and six corresponding protrusions on the distal end of the outer part 220 of the shaft 200 project into these recesses. The engagement element 1400 can be secured by a ring or e-clip 1600.

(31) The multi-functional connector 1000 comprises a first connecting element 1100, a second connecting element 1300 and a retainer element 1200. The first connecting element has a first receptacle 1110 to receive a connecting section of a first functional drill element therein. Also the second connecting element 1300 has a second receptacle 1310 to receive a connecting section of a second functional drill element therein. The second connecting element 1300 is arranged proximal (p) to the first connecting element 1100 and the retainer element 1200 is arranged between the first and second connecting elements 1100, 1200. The retainer element 1200 has a retainer opening 1210 to receive the connecting section of the second functional drill element therethrough.

(32) The first receptacle 1110 has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape and is particularly suitable to engage an anchor nut or tensioning rod. The first receptacle 1110 has six driving surfaces 1111 for transferring a torque in a first direction to at least two corresponding contact surfaces on the connecting section of the first functional drill element.

(33) The second connecting element 1300 further has a fluid provision section 1500 with a cylindrical fluid channel for providing fluid from a proximal end of the multi-functional connector 1000 to the first and second connecting elements 1100, 1300 and the retainer element 1200.

(34) The second receptacle 1310 is particularly suitable to engage a second functional drill element in the form of a drill steel with a connecting section having a square cross section. The second receptacle 1310 has four first driving surfaces 1311 for transferring a torque in a first direction to at least two corresponding first contact surfaces on the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a drill position of the second functional drill element. The second receptacle 1310 further has four second driving surfaces 1312 for transferring a torque in a second, opposite direction to at least two corresponding second contact surfaces on the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a retracting position of the second functional drill element. The first and second driving surfaces 1311, 1312 of the second receptacle 1310 are arranged alternating along a periphery of the second receptacle 1310. Between pairs of first and second driving surfaces 1311, 1312 rounded corners 1313 are arranged along the periphery of the second receptacle 1310. As can be seen in FIG. 6, four rounded corners 1313 are present in the second receptacle 1310 of the embodiment shown in the figures. Two adjacent first and second driving surfaces 1311, 1312 are preferably arranged under an angle toward each other or, in other words, the first driving surface 1311 is inclined to an adjacent second driving surface 1312. The first and second driving surfaces 1311, 1312 of the second receptacle 1310 are arranged to engage a connecting section of the second functional drill element with a square cross section.

(35) The retainer element 1200 can be seen in particular in FIG. 7. The retainer element 1200 has at least two retaining sections 1213 to prevent a movement of the connecting section of the second functional drill element in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LX relative to the second connecting element 1300 in the retracting position of the second functional drill element.

(36) The retainer element 1200 has four guiding surfaces 1211, wherein between adjacent guiding surfaces 1211 a rounded corner 1212 is arranged (in total four rounded corners). The four guiding surfaces 1211 are arranged to engage a connecting section of the second functional drill element with a square cross section in an orientation according to the drill position, in order to let the connecting section of the second functional drill element pass the retainer opening 1210 in its drill position. In the drill position, the connecting section of the second functional drill element would contact the first driving surfaces 1311 of the second receptacle 1300 and the guiding surfaces 1211 of the retainer element 1200. In the retracting position of the connecting section of the second functional drill element, only the second driving surfaces 1312 of the second receptacle 1300 would be contacted by the connecting section of the second functional drill element, which would be retained in a longitudinal direction by the retaining sections 1213 of the retainer element 1200.

(37) As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, an inner envelope of the cross section at the first receptacle 1110 envelopes the cross section of the second receptacle 1310 as well as the cross section of the retainer opening 1210.

(38) With the drill head 2000 comprising an extendable cylinder 10 and a multi-functional connector 1000 as described before, a method for drilling an anchor hole and for tightening an anchor nut can be improved and facilitated. For example, a drill steel as a first functional drill element with a connecting section with a square cross section can be inserted through the first receptacle 1110 and the retainer opening 1210 into the second receptacle 1310 in a drill position. The extendable cylinder 10 can then be rotated by the hydraulic motor 2100 in a first direction, which results in a corresponding rotation of the drill steel via the first driving surfaces 1311 to drill the anchor hole. When the desired length of the anchor hole is reached, the extendable cylinder 10 can be driven by the hydraulic motor 2100 into a second, opposite direction with the drill steel in the retracting position. Then the drill steel can be retracted together with the extendable cylinder 10 and the multi-functional connector 1000 from the anchor hole, while the retaining sections 1213 of the retainer element 1200 of the multi-functional connector 1000 prevent a relative longitudinal movement of the drill steel relative to the multi-functional connector 1000. To remove the drill steel from the multi-functional connector 1000, the cylinder 10 is rotated by the hydraulic motor 2100 in the first direction, to bring the drill steel into the drill position and to release it from the retaining sections 1213 of the retainer element 1200.

(39) When the drill steel is removed from the multi-functional connector 1000, a tensioning rod can be connected to the first receptacle 1110 or an anchor nut of an anchor can be engaged by the first receptacle 1110. It can be preferred to extend the piston 200 relative to the shaft 100 before the anchor nut is engaged or before the extendable cylinder 10 is then rotated in the first direction to tighten the anchor nut of the anchor.

(40) By providing the multi-functional connector 1000 and by providing an extendable cylinder 10, the same drill head 2000 can be used for drilling the anchor hole and for tightening an anchor nut without the use of dollies or other adapters. This increases safety and facilitates handling. It further provides for a higher degree in automation of the process of drilling an anchor hole and tightening an anchor nut.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(41) LX longitudinal axis

(42) d distal

(43) P proximal

(44) 10 cylinder

(45) 30 torsionally rigid coupling

(46) 40 intermediary ring volume

(47) 100 shaft

(48) 101 shaft ring volume

(49) 110 inner part of the shaft

(50) 111 distal end of the inner part of the shaft

(51) 120 outer part of the shaft

(52) 130 transmission element

(53) 140 supply channel

(54) 141 central cavity

(55) 200 piston

(56) 201 piston ring volume

(57) 202 distal end of the piston

(58) 210 inner part of the piston

(59) 212 inner piston volume

(60) 220 outer part of the piston

(61) 221 proximal end of the outer part of the piston

(62) 300 seals

(63) 1000 multi-functional connector

(64) 1100 first connecting element

(65) 1110 first receptacle

(66) 1111 driving surfaces of first receptacle

(67) 1200 retainer element

(68) 1210 retainer opening

(69) 1211 guiding surfaces

(70) 1212 rounded corners

(71) 1213 retaining sections

(72) 1300 second connecting element

(73) 1310 second receptacle

(74) 1311 first driving surfaces of the second receptacle

(75) 1312 second driving surfaces of the second receptacle

(76) 1313 rounded corners

(77) 1400 engagement element

(78) 1500 fluid provision section

(79) 1600 ring

(80) 1700 threaded connection

(81) 2000 drill head

(82) 2100 hydraulic motor

(83) 2200 extending union

(84) 2300 spur gear reduction stage

(85) 2400 taper roller bearings

(86) 2500 hydraulic fluid bores

(87) 2600 fluid connection

(88) 2700 speed sensors