WINDING MACHINE FIXING MECHANISM, WINDING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR COUPLING AND/OR DECOUPLING A WINDING SLEEVE TO OR FROM A WINDING SPINDLE OF A WINDING MACHINE

20240262651 ยท 2024-08-08

    Inventors

    Cpc classification

    International classification

    Abstract

    The invention relates to a winding machine (1) with a winding machine fixing mechanism (44) for fixing a winding sleeve (4) on a winding spindle (3). The winding machine fixing mechanism (44) can be actuated by use of a motion control. By this motion-controlled actuation, the winding machine fixing mechanism (44) can be transferred from the release position into a fixing position and/or from a fixing position into a release position. During the motion control, a catch (5) is entrained by the movement of the winding sleeve (4). This catch then causes the actuation of the winding machine fixing mechanism (44).

    Claims

    1. A winding machine fixing mechanism for fixing a winding sleeve on a winding spindle comprising a) a fixing position and a release position, b) a motion control which actuates the winding machine fixing mechanism from the release position to the fixing position and from the fixing position to the release position, c) a fixing device which fixes the winding sleeve on the winding spindle and d) a catch which causes an actuation of the winding machine fixing mechanism and which is entrained by the movement of the winding sleeve during the motion control, e) the fixing device comprising at least one spreading element and at least one fixing element, f) the spreading element and the fixing element bearing against one another via at least one slanted surface, g) a movement of the catch causing a relative movement of the spreading element and the fixing element, the relative movement being guided by the slanted surface, the relative movement leading to a change of a distance of the fixing element from a longitudinal axis of the winding spindle, h) the fixing element comprising a fixing section that, after the winding sleeve has been slid on, is arranged behind the winding sleeve in the direction for sliding on, the fixing section being arranged radially outside of an inner diameter of the winding sleeve, i) the fixing section forming an axial stop for the winding sleeve that opposes or blocks a withdrawal of the winding sleeve from the winding spindle.

    2. The winding machine fixing mechanism of claim 1, wherein in the fixing position a) an end region of the winding sleeve is supported on the catch in one axial direction and b) the other end region of the winding sleeve is supported on the fixing device in the other axial direction.

    3. The winding machine fixing mechanism of claim 2, wherein the fixing device comprises multiple fixing elements distributed over a circumference of the winding spindle, pressed radially inwards against an outer surface of the winding spindle by a spring device and comprising slanted surfaces in an end region that interact with the spreading element.

    4. The winding machine fixing mechanism of claim 1, wherein the catch is supported by an actuating spring that a) is biased by a movement of the winding sleeve in a direction for sliding on by the force for sliding on exerted by the winding sleeve on the catch and b) actuates the fixing device.

    5. The winding machine fixing mechanism of claim 1, wherein a motion link unit is arranged in the force flow between the catch and the fixing device.

    6. The winding machine fixing mechanism of claim 5, wherein the motion link unit comprises a ballpen motion link.

    7. The winding machine fixing mechanism according to claim 5, wherein that the motion link unit comprises a motion link and a motion link body moving along the motion link, wherein the motion link unit defines a first axial position of the motion link body, in which the fixing device is in the release position and in which the winding sleeve can be moved onto the winding spindle and can be moved by the winding spindle, defines a second axial position of the motion link body, in which the catch is entrained by the winding sleeve, defines a third axial position of the motion link body, in which the fixing device is in the fixing position, and defines a fourth axial position of the motion link body, in which the catch is entrained by the winding sleeve.

    8. The winding machine fixing mechanism of claim 7, wherein the movements from the first axial position into the second axial position and from the third axial position into the fourth axial position are caused by the movement of the winding spindle in the direction for sliding on and the movements from the second axial position into the third axial position and from the fourth axial position into the first axial position are caused by the actuating spring.

    9. The winding machine fixing mechanism of claim 8, wherein in the first and third axial positions, a distance of the catch from the spreading element is larger than in the second and fourth axial positions.

    10. The winding machine fixing mechanism of claim 9, wherein the motion link is a circumferential motion link and a rotation of a circumferential motion link takes place during the movements between the axial positions.

    11. The winding machine fixing mechanism of claim 5, wherein the catch is coupled to at least one of the motion link unit and the fixing device by an actuating part and a sensor is provided which senses a position or a movement of the actuating part.

    12. The winding machine fixing mechanism of claim 11, wherein the actuating part comprises an actuating rod that comprises an end region that extends at least temporarily out of an inner bore of the winding spindle, wherein the sensor senses the position or the movement of the end region projecting from an inner bore of the winding spindle.

    13. A winding machine comprising a winding machine fixing mechanism for fixing a winding sleeve on a winding spindle comprising a) a fixing position and a release position, b) a motion control which actuates the winding machine fixing mechanism from the release position to the fixing position and from the fixing position to the release position, c) a fixing device which fixes the winding sleeve on the winding spindle and d) a catch which causes an actuation of the winding machine fixing mechanism and which is entrained by a movement of the winding sleeve during the motion control, e) the fixing device comprising at least one spreading element and at least one fixing element, f) the spreading element and the fixing element bearing against one another via at least one slanted surface, g) a movement of the catch causing a relative movement of the spreading element and the fixing element, the relative movement being guided by the slanted surface, the relative movement leading to a change of a distance of the fixing element from a longitudinal axis of the winding spindle, h) the fixing element comprising a fixing section that, after the winding sleeve has been slid on, is arranged behind the winding sleeve in the direction for sliding on, the fixing section being arranged radially outside of an inner diameter of the winding sleeve, i) the fixing section forming an axial stop for the winding sleeve that opposes or blocks a withdrawal of the winding sleeve from the winding spindle.

    14. A method for fixing and/or releasing a winding sleeve on a winding spindle of a winding machine, the method comprising the following method steps: a) fixing a winding sleeve on a winding spindle by aa) moving the winding sleeve on the winding spindle in a sliding on stroke, wherein the winding sleeve is pressed against a catch with a force for sliding on in a direction for sliding on, whereby the catch is moved in a direction for sliding on by applying bias onto an actuating spring, and ab) reducing or eliminating the force for sliding on, whereby the actuating spring causes an actuating stroke in which the actuating spring transfers a fixing device from a release position to a fixing position, b) releasing of the winding sleeve from the winding spindle by ba) moving the winding sleeve on the winding spindle in a sliding on stroke, wherein the winding sleeve is pressed against the catch with a force for sliding on in the direction for sliding on, whereby the catch is moved in the direction for sliding on by applying bias onto the actuating spring, and bb) reducing or eliminating the force for sliding on, whereby the actuating spring causes an actuating stroke in which the actuating spring transfers the fixing device from the fixing position to the release position.

    Description

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

    [0050] In the following, the invention is further explained and described with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the Figures.

    [0051] FIG. 1 schematically shows a section of a winding machine in the area of a winding machine fixing mechanism, wherein the winding machine fixing mechanism is in a release position and the winding sleeve is slid onto the spindle.

    [0052] FIG. 2 shows a developed view of a motion link unit of a winding machine fixing mechanism of the winding machine according to FIG. 1, wherein a motion link body is located in a motion link in a first axial position.

    [0053] FIG. 3 shows the winding machine as shown in FIG. 1, wherein at the end of the winding sleeve sliding on operation the winding sleeve has entrained a catch with a bias of an actuating spring.

    [0054] FIG. 4 shows a developed view of the motion link unit of the winding machine fixing mechanism of the winding machine according to FIGS. 1 and 3, wherein the motion link body is located in a second axial position of the motion link.

    [0055] FIG. 5 shows the winding machine as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, wherein the actuating spring has caused the fixing position of the winding machine fixing mechanism.

    [0056] FIG. 6 shows a developed view of the motion link unit of the winding machine fixing mechanism of the winding machine according to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, wherein the motion link body is located in a third axial position of the motion link.

    [0057] FIG. 7 shows the winding machine according to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, wherein here, in order to transfer the winding machine fixing mechanism into the release position, the winding sleeve with the winding created on it has been pressed against the catch under a bias of the actuating spring and the actuating spring has caused the release position.

    [0058] FIG. 8 shows a developed view of the motion link unit of the winding machine fixing mechanism of the winding machine according to FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 7, wherein the motion link body is located in a fourth axial position of the motion link.

    [0059] FIG. 9 shows the winding machine according to FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 7 during the removal of the winding spindle with the winding wound on it from the winding spindle.

    [0060] FIG. 10 shows a developed view of the motion link unit of the winding machine fixing mechanism of the winding machine according to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9, wherein the motion link body is again located in the first axial position of the motion link.

    DETAILED DESCRIPTION

    [0061] In the Figures, some components or parts thereof are partially labelled with the same reference numbers, if they correspond or are similar in terms of geometry and/or function. In this case, the components or parts thereof can then be distinguished from one another by the additional letters a, b, . . . . Reference can then be made to these components or parts thereof with or without the use of the additional letter, wherein one of the components or parts, several of the components or parts or all of the components or parts can then be addressed without the use of the supplementary letter.

    [0062] In the following, the structure of a winding machine is explained with reference to FIG. 1, wherein the components of the winding machine are primarily marked in FIG. 1. In contrast, FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 show the winding machine in different operating positions, while FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 show a motion link unit of the winding machine for these different operating positions.

    [0063] FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 show a winding machine 1. The winding machine 1 has a machine frame 2. A winding spindle 3 is mounted for being rotated relative to the machine frame 2. The winding spindle 3 can be driven by a motor in a manner not shown here for winding the winding material. The winding spindle 3 protrudes from the machine frame 2 in the manner of a flying bearing, so that a winding sleeve 4 can be slid onto the winding spindle 3.

    [0064] In the exit area of the winding spindle 3 from the machine frame 2, a catch 5 is mounted on the winding spindle 3, here via a slide bearing, so that it can be displaced to a limited extent in the direction of a longitudinal axis 6, which corresponds to the axis of rotation of the winding spindle 3. In the shown embodiment, the catch 5 is embodied as a catching sleeve 7. At the end region arranged in the machine frame 2 the catching sleeve 7 comprises a supporting surface 8 formed by the front face. A spring base of an actuating spring 9 is supported on the supporting surface 8 of the catching sleeve 7. The other spring base of the actuating spring 9 is supported on the winding spindle 3, here via an inner bearing ring of a roller bearing of the bearing of the winding spindle 3. The other end region of the catching sleeve 6 forms a contact surface 10 for the winding sleeve 4. In the embodiment shown, the contact surface 10 is embodied as a contact cone 11.

    [0065] Between the end regions and on diametrically opposite sides, the catching sleeve 7 has elongated holes 12a, 12b that run through in the radial direction and that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 6. Radially oriented catching pins 13a, 13b are accommodated in the elongated holes 12 and guided such that between the catching pins 13a, 13b and the catching sleeve 7 there is only one translational degree of freedom in the direction of the longitudinal axis 6, the length of which is predetermined by the length of the elongated holes 12, while no relative rotation about the longitudinal axis 6 is possible.

    [0066] The winding spindle 3 has a continuous inner bore 14. An actuating rod 15 extends inside the inner bore 14. The actuating rod 15 protrudes from the winding spindle 3 in the end region of the winding spindle 3 arranged in the machine frame 2, while the other end region ends inside the winding spindle 3 (approximately in the middle). The actuating rod 15 has a transverse bore 16 in which the catching pins 13a, 13b are received and fixed. The catching pins 13a, 13b extend through elongated holes 17a, 17b of the winding spindle 3. The elongated holes 17 are radially continuous through the wall of the winding spindle 3 and extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis 6. The catching pins 13 extend through the elongated holes 17 of the winding spindle 3 into the elongated holes 12 of the catching sleeve 7. The catching pins 13 ensure on the one hand that the drive movement of the winding spindle 3 is transmitted (free of play or with play) on the one hand to the actuating rod 15 and on the other hand to the catching sleeve 7. The elongated holes 17 enable an axial relative movement of the actuating rod 15 with the catching pins 13 (and thus also of the catching sleeve 7) with respect to the winding spindle 3. The movement of the actuating rod 15 in the axial direction can deviate from the axial movement of the catching sleeve 7 by an amount determined by the elongated hole 12.

    [0067] In the end region facing away from the machine frame 2, the actuating rod 15 comprises a further transverse bore 18, in which catching pins 19a, 19b are arranged. Also in this area, the winding spindle 3 has elongated holes 20a, 20b, that are continuous in the radial direction in the wall of the winding spindle 3 and extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis 6. The catching pins 19a, 19b extend through these elongated holes 20. The outer end regions of the catching pins 19a, 19b are received in bores 21a, 21b of an actuating sleeve 22 and fixed therein. The actuating sleeve 22 forms a slide bearing 23 with the lateral surface of the winding spindle 3. The catching pins 19 ensure that a transmission of the rotary movement of the winding spindle 3 to the actuating rod 15 and the actuating sleeve 22 takes place without play or with limited play and that the axial movement of the actuating rod 15 corresponds to the axial movement of the actuating sleeve 22. The actuating rod 15, the catching pins 19 and the actuating sleeve 22 have an axial degree of freedom in the direction of the longitudinal axis 6.

    [0068] In contrast to the previous description, the transmission of the rotary movement can only take place via one of the elongated holes 12, 17, so that there is no double fit.

    [0069] The actuating sleeve 22 carries a motion link body 24. In the embodiment shown, the motion link body 24 is embodied as a motion link pin 25. The motion link pin 25 is fixed in a radial bore of the actuating sleeve 22. The motion link pin 25 does not protrude beyond the lateral surface of the actuating sleeve 22 and extends radially inwards from the actuating sleeve 22.

    [0070] The motion link body 24 engages in a motion link 26. In the embodiment shown, the motion link 26 is embodied as a circumferential slotted motion link 27 of a motion link sleeve 28.

    [0071] The motion link sleeve 28 is rotatably mounted on the winding spindle 3, but without an axial degree of freedom. In the embodiment shown, the winding spindle 3 transits into a bearing surface 30 via a shoulder 29 with a reducing cross-section. The motion link sleeve 28 rests against the shoulder 29 on the side facing the machine frame 2. In the other direction, the motion link sleeve 28 rests against a securing ring 31 that is received in a groove of the winding spindle 3. The motion link sleeve 28 is thus trapped (particularly with a limited play or a transition fit) between the securing ring 31 and the shoulder 29.

    [0072] A spreading element 32 is fixed in the free end region to the winding spindle 3. The spreading element 32 has a slanted surface 33 or bevel. In the embodiment shown, the spreading element 32 is embodied as a spreading sleeve 34, wherein the slanted surface 33 is here formed by a frustoconical conical surface 35.

    [0073] The actuating sleeve 22 protrudes slightly in the direction of the spreading element 32 beyond the motion link sleeve 28. In the space between the spreading element 32 and the end face of the actuating sleeve 22, a plurality of fixing elements 36 (of which two fixing elements 36a, 36b are shown in the Figures as examples) are arranged which are distributed over the circumference of the winding spindle 3. In a rough approximation, the fixing elements 36 can be embodied as hollow cylinder segments, the segment angle preferably being less than 90?, less than 70?, less than 60?, less than 50?, less than 40? or less than 30? and/or the wall of the hollow cylinder segments comprising a longitudinal section which (particularly as shown) deviates from a rectangular longitudinal section. The front face of the actuating sleeve 22 contacts the associated axial front faces of the fixing elements 36, so that the front face forms an actuating surface 53. In the other end region, the fixing elements 36 have slanted surfaces 37 that can be shaped to correspond to the slanted surfaces 33 of the spreading element 32 and particularly comprise the same angles of inclination. By a spring device 38 surrounding the fixing elements 36, the fixing elements 36 are pressed radially inwards against the lateral surface of the winding spindle 3 such that they contact the lateral surface of the winding spindle 3 with a contact surface 39.

    [0074] FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 show a development 40 of the circumferential motion link 27 of the motion link sleeve 28. Here, the development 40 in the Figures can represent the entire development of the circumferential motion link 27 for a developed or circumferential angle of 360?. However, preferably the Figures only show a development 40 of the circumferential motion link 27 over a circumferential angle that is an integer divisor of the circumferential angle of 360?. Several identical developments 40 according to FIG. 6 can thus be arranged directly adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. In both cases mentioned, the end regions of the circumferential motion link 27 in the development 40 shown are then arranged directly adjacent to each other and without any steps or kinks in between.

    [0075] As will be explained in more detail below with regard to the mode of operation, a fixing device 41 is formed with the spreading element 32 and the fixing elements 36a, 36b. The motion link body 24 and the motion link 26 (and possibly also the actuating sleeve 22 and/or the motion link sleeve 28) together form a motion link unit 42. The catching pins 13, 19, the actuating rod 15 and the actuating sleeve 22 form a rigid actuating part 43 that is axially movable relative to the winding spindle 3 and/or the catching sleeve 7, but rotates with the winding spindle 3 and is rotatable relative to the motion link sleeve 28 and can also perform an axial movement relative to the motion link sleeve 28.

    [0076] It is possible that (in deviation from the above explanation) the catching pins 13a, 13b and/or 19a, 19b are embodied as a single pin passing through the associated transverse bore 16, 18.

    [0077] The catch 5, the actuating part 43, the motion link unit 42 and the fixing device 41 form a winding machine fixing mechanism 44, the operation of which is explained in the following.

    [0078] As can be seen in the development 40 of the circumferential link, the circumferential link has a maximum 45, a minimum 46, a maximum 47 and a minimum 48 with regard to the axial position in the direction of the longitudinal axis 6 and in the direction of actuation of the fixing device 41, that are passed in this order by the motion link body 24. Here, the maxima 45, 47 preferably specify the same axial position of the motion link body 24. On the other hand, the minimum 46 is arranged less far in the axial direction for actuating the fixing device 41 than the minimum 48, so that the minimum 48 is an absolute minimum. In the context of the present patent application, the minimum 46 is referred to as the first axial position 49, the maximum 47 as the second axial position 50, the minimum 48 as the third axial position 51 and the maximum 45 as the fourth axial position 52.

    [0079] The operation of the winding machine fixing mechanism 44 is explained in the following.

    [0080] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the winding machine fixing mechanism 44 is in the release position, in which the actuating part 43 has the greatest distance from the spreading element 32. As a result, the actuating surface 53 that is formed by the front face of the actuating sleeve 22 facing the spreading element 32 has a maximum distance from the spreading element 32. This in turn has the result that the fixing elements 36 can slide radially inwards along the slanted surface 33 of the spreading element 32 as a result of the bias by the spring device 38, which can be accompanied by an axial sliding movement of the fixing elements 36 along the contact surface 39 and/or a pivoting of the fixing elements 36 about the contact surface 39. In the release position, a fixing section 54 is arranged at such a small distance from the longitudinal axis 6 that the winding sleeve 4 can pass the fixing sections 54 without contact. In this release position, the motion link body 24 is held in the first axial position 49 by the actuating spring 9 (possibly after overcoming any play as a result of the elongated hole 12), because the actuating spring 9 presses the motion link body 24 against the recess in the correspondingly shaped boundary of the circumferential motion link 27. In the release position, the winding sleeve 4 can thus initially be slid without any resistance onto the winding spindle 3, onto the motion link unit and onto the fixing device 41 in a direction for sliding on 55.

    [0081] At the end of the sliding on process, a front face 56 of the winding sleeve 4 comes into contact with the contact surface 10 of the catch 5. If a force for sliding on 57 is then applied to the winding sleeve 4, an entraining movement of the catch 5 takes place with an increase of the bias of the actuating spring 9. The movement of the catch 5 (possibly after overcoming any play in the elongated hole 12) is transmitted via the catching pins 13 to the actuating part 43 and thus to the motion link body 24. As a result, the motion link body 24 can move in the circumferential motion link 27 from the first axial position 49 according to FIG. 2 to the second axial position 50 according to FIG. 4. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the second axial position 50 caused at the end of applying force for sliding on 57, which can thus also be referred to as the sliding on position. In the second axial position 50, the operating position of the fixing device 41 is still the release position.

    [0082] If the force for sliding on 57 is then reduced or eliminated, the actuating spring 9 can cause the fixing position of the winding machine fixing mechanism 44 that is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. For this purpose, the actuating spring 9 presses the catch 5 and thus the actuating part 43 in the direction of the spreading element 32. As a result, the motion link body 24 in the circumferential link 27 is moved from the second axial position 50 to the third axial position 51. In the third axial position, the distance of the actuating surface 53 of the actuating sleeve 22 from the spreading element 32 is minimal. As a result, the actuating force of the actuating spring 9, that is exerted by the actuating surface 53 on the fixing elements 36, causes the fixing section 54 to slide upwards along the slanted surface 33 of the spreading element 32 with its slanted surface 37, the angle of inclination of which is adapted to the angle of inclination of the slanted surface 33 of the spreading element 32, thereby increasing the distance of the fixing section 54 from the longitudinal axis 6. This movement can be accompanied by an axial sliding movement in the region of the contact surface 39 and/or a pivoting of the fixing elements 36 about the contact surface 39. In the fixing position according to FIG. 5, the end region of the fixing section 54 has a distance from the longitudinal axis 6 that is larger than the inner diameter of the winding sleeve 4. This in turn has the result that the winding sleeve 4 is axially trapped between the contact surface 10 of the catch 5 on the one hand and the slanted surface 33 of the spreading element 32 on the other hand and is thus axially fixed. On the other hand, the fixing section 54 also exerts a radially outwardly oriented force on the edge region of the winding sleeve 4, which can lead to clamping of the winding sleeve 4 from the inside, which can ensure further fixing or securing.

    [0083] In the fixing position of the winding machine fixing mechanism 44 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a winding 59 is then created on the winding sleeve 4.

    [0084] If at the end of the winding cycle the winding sleeve 4 with the winding 59 is to be removed from the winding spindle 3, the winding machine fixing mechanism 44 must first be transferred to the position for sliding on shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. For this purpose, a force for sliding on 60 is applied to the winding sleeve 4 and/or the winding 59, that results in a movement of the catch 5 while increasing the bias of the actuating spring 9. This movement of the catch 5 is transmitted via the catching pins 13 to the actuating part 43 and thus also to the motion link body 24, so that the motion link body 24 is transferred from the third axial position 51 according to FIG. 6 to the fourth axial position 52 according to FIG. 8. During this sliding on movement, the distance of the actuating surface 53 of the actuating sleeve 22 from the spreading element 32 already increases, allowing the fixing elements 36 to slide radially inwards again along the slanted surface 33 of the spreading element 32 until, in the release position shown in FIG. 7, the fixing sections 54 again comprise a radial distance from the longitudinal axis 6 that is smaller than the inner radius of the winding sleeve 4.

    [0085] In this state, the force for sliding on 60 is eliminated and with a movement of the winding sleeve 4 in a direction for sliding off 61, the winding sleeve 4 with the winding 59 arranged thereon can be slid off the winding spindle 3 (FIG. 9). As a result of the removal of the force for sliding on 60, the actuating spring 9 can move the motion link body 24 in the circumferential motion link 27 from the fourth axial position 52 according to FIG. 8 to the first axial position 49 according to FIG. 10.

    [0086] The movement of the motion link body 24 along the circumferential motion link 27 (in addition to the change in the axial position between the first axial position 49, the second axial position 50, the third axial position 51, the fourth axial position 52 and again the first axial position 49) is associated with a rotary movement of the motion link sleeve 28 relative to the winding spindle 3 on the one hand and to the actuating sleeve 22 on the other hand about the longitudinal axis 6, for which purpose a corresponding slide bearing is provided. Here, the extent of the rotary movement depends on the angle of inclination or the slope of the boundaries of the circumferential motion link 27.

    [0087] As an optional particularity, an end region 62 of the actuating rod 15 protrudes from the end region of the winding spindle 3 mounted in the machine frame 2. Here, a distance 63 that the end region 62 protrudes from the winding spindle 3 depends on the operating position of the winding machine fixing mechanism 44:

    [0088] In the release position according to FIGS. 1 and 2 as well as 9 and 10, i.e. in the first axial position 49, the end region 62 protrudes from the winding spindle 3 with a distance 63 of the length X. In the sliding on positions, i.e. the second axial position 50 and fourth axial position 52 according to FIGS. 3 and 4 as well as FIGS. 7 and 8, the end region 62 protrudes from the winding spindle 3 at a distance 63 with a length Y. Finally, in the fixing position according to FIGS. 5 and 6, i.e. in the third axial position 51, the end region 52 protrudes from the winding spindle 3 at a distance 63 with a length Z. Z>X>Y applies here.

    [0089] Fixing a winding sleeve 4 on the winding spindle 3 by the winding machine fixing mechanism 44 is achieved by a sliding on stroke, for which a force for sliding on 57 is applied to the winding sleeve 4 and the winding sleeve 4 is moved in the direction of the catch 5, and by an actuating stroke, in which (with elimination of the force for sliding on 57) an opposite movement is caused by the actuating spring 9 and a transfer of the fixing device 41 from the release position into the fixing position is achieved.

    [0090] Transferring the winding machine fixing mechanism 44 from the fixing position to the release position to remove the winding sleeve 4 with the winding 59 from the winding spindle 3 requires a sliding on stroke, in which a force for sliding on 60 is applied to the winding sleeve 4 and/or the winding 59 and the winding sleeve 4 is moved in the direction of the catch 5, and a subsequent actuating stroke after removal of the force for sliding on 60, in which a transfer of the fixing device 41 into the release position is induced by the actuating spring 9.

    [0091] Accordingly, both the transfer of the winding machine fixing mechanism 44 into the fixing position and the actuation of the winding machine fixing mechanism 44 into the release position is induced by the actuating spring 9, the different directions of action of the actuating spring 9 with respect to the winding machine fixing mechanism 44 being provided by the design of the circumferential motion link 27.

    [0092] The different distances 63 can be detected by a sensor 64, that can detect the displacement or the speed of the end region 62. It is possible that the sensor here detects the distance 63 continuously or in steps or digitized. It is also possible that the sensor 64 is a switch with at least 2 switching positions, that is switched over when reaching the predetermined distances 63, in particular the distances X, Y, Z.

    [0093] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the winding spindle 3 with the catch 5 protrudes from the machine frame 2 through an opening 65. The space between the winding spindle 3 and the catch 5 and the boundary of the opening 65 can be closed by a covering or sealing 66. On the one hand, by the covering or sealing 66 dirt particles can be kept away from the machine frame 2 and the interior including the bearing for the winding spindle 3. Furthermore, it can be prevented that actuating elements or even the fingers of an operator's hand can enter this space. In the simplest case, the covering or sealing 66 can be embodied in the form of a plate, possibly with a gap seal or labyrinth seal opposite the lateral surface of the catch 5. Preferably, the covering or sealing 66 is trapped between extended end regions of the catch 5 on the one hand for providing the supporting surface 8 and on the other hand for providing the contact surface 10. In this case, the covering or sealing 66 can be embodied separately.

    [0094] The accommodation of the catching pins 13 in elongated holes 12 of the catching sleeve 7 ensures a limited degree of freedom or play, which can be used for a compensation of differences in length of the winding sleeves 4. Such differences in length can for example be caused by manufacturing tolerances or due to wear.

    [0095] Many variations and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.