DEVICE FOR REPLACING A COIL OR A CORE, ARRANGEMENT, AND METHOD FOR REPLACING A COIL OR A CORE

Abstract

A device to replace a coil or a core. The coil comprises the sleeve-like core and a film wound thereon. The device is stationary with respect to a winding station at which the film is unwindable from the coil or windable onto the core. The device has at least one stand and a support arm that is movably situated at the stand. The support arm extends along a horizontally running first axis. The coil or the core is situatable so that it is movable on the support arm along the first axis. An arrangement and a method for replacing a coil or a core is also provided.

Claims

1. A device to replace a coil or a core, the coil comprising a sleeve-like core and a film wound thereon, the device being stationary with respect to a winding station at which the film is unwindable from the coil or windable onto the core, the device comprising: at least one stand; and a support arm arranged at the stand, the support arm extending along a horizontally running first axis, the coil or the core being arranged so that they are movable on the support arm along the first axis, wherein the stand together with the support arm is rotatable relative to the winding station, at least about a rotational axis extending along a vertical first direction.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the support arm is displaceable with respect to the stand along the first axis.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a first displacement unit for displacing the coil or the core arranged on the support arm along the first axis.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the stand is arranged so that it is stationary or movable with respect to the winding station, a unit for moving the stand being an integral part of the device, and a travel path of the stand being unchangeable in relation to the winding station.

5. An arrangement to replace a coil or a core, wherein the coil comprises the sleeve-like core and a film wound thereon, the arrangement comprising: at least one device according to claim 1; and a winding station that has at least one receiving mandrel, the receiving mandrel extending along a horizontally running second axis, and the coil or the core being arranged so that it is movable on the receiving mandrel along the second axis, and the support arm of the device and the receiving mandrel are arranged relative to one another in a way that is suitable for a transfer of the coil or the core.

6. The arrangement according to claim 5, further comprising a second displacement unit to displace the coil or the core, arranged on the receiving mandrel along the second axis (16).

7. The arrangement according to claim 5, further comprising a first deposition device for the coil or the core, the first deposition device being arranged relative to the device such that the support arm is at least retractable into the sleeve-like core or removable therefrom within a movement that takes place along the first axis.

8. The arrangement according to claim 7, further comprising a second deposition device for the coil or the core, the first deposition device being suitably designed to receive at least the core, and the second deposition device being suitably designed to receive at least the coil.

9. A method for replacing a coil or a core via an arrangement according to claim 7, wherein in a starting state, the coil or the core is situated on the receiving mandrel of the winding station, the method, beginning at the starting state, comprising: a) moving the support arm toward the receiving mandrel so that the axes are suitably situated relative to one another for displacing the coil or the core; b) displacing the coil or the core along the axes, starting from the receiving mandrel, toward the support arm of the device; c) moving the support arm toward a first deposition device for the coil or the core; d) placing the coil or the core on the first deposition device; e) moving the support arm toward a second deposition device for the core or the coil; f) arranging a new core or coil on the support arm; g) moving the support arm toward the receiving mandrel so that the axes are arranged relative to one another for displacing the core or the coil; and h) displacing the core or the coil along the axes, starting from the support arm, toward the receiving mandrel; and i) operating the winding station and winding a film onto the core for forming the coil or unwinding the film from the coil.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein at least in step e), only the support arm is moved with respect to the stand along the first axis, or at least the stand is moved along a travel path, and wherein a unit for moving the stand is an integral part of the device, and the travel path of the stand is unchangeable in relation to the winding station.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

[0077] FIG. 1 shows multiple winding stations in a side view;

[0078] FIG. 2 shows a first example of an arrangement;

[0079] FIG. 3 shows a winding station for the arrangement according to FIG. 2 in a side view;

[0080] FIG. 4 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 2 according to step b) of the method, in a side view;

[0081] FIG. 5 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 4 according to step c) of the method, in a side view;

[0082] FIG. 6 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 5 according to step d) of the method;

[0083] FIG. 7 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 6 according to step e) of the method;

[0084] FIG. 8 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 7 directly after step f) of the method;

[0085] FIG. 9 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 8 during step g) of the method;

[0086] FIG. 10 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 9 according to step h) of the method;

[0087] FIG. 11 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 10 directly after step h) of the method;

[0088] FIG. 12 shows a second example of an arrangement and step d) of the method;

[0089] FIG. 13 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 12 and step e) of the method;

[0090] FIG. 14 shows a third example variant of an arrangement and step c) of the method;

[0091] FIG. 15 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 14 and step e) of the method;

[0092] FIG. 16 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 15 and step g) of the method; and

[0093] FIG. 17 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 16 and step h) of the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0094] FIG. 1 shows multiple winding stations 5 in a side view. Each winding station 5 is suitably designed to receive a core 3 or a coil 2. Within the scope of step i) of the method, operation of the winding stations 5 and winding of a film 4 onto the core 3 for forming the coil 2 (right winding station 5), and unwinding the film 4 from the coil 2 (left winding station 5), take place. Processing of the film 4, for example coating or cutting, may take place between the winding stations 5.

[0095] FIG. 2 shows a first emb example odiment variant of an arrangement 14. FIG. 3 shows a winding station 5 for the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 2, in a side view. FIG. 4 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 2 according to step b) of the method, in a side view. FIG. 5 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 4 according to step c) of the method, in a side view. FIG. 6 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 5 according to step d) of the method. FIG. 7 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 6 according to step e) of the method. FIG. 8 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 7 directly after step f) of the method. FIG. 9 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 8 during step g) of the method. FIG. 10 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 9 according to step h) of the method. FIG. 11 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 10 directly after step h) of the method. FIGS. 2 through 11 are jointly described below. Reference is made to the statements concerning FIG. 1.

[0096] The arrangement 14 includes a device 1 and a winding station 5. The device 1 is stationary with respect to a winding station 5 at which the film 4 is unwindable from the coil 2 or windable onto the core 3. The device 1 has a stand 6 and a support arm 7 situated at the stand 6. The support arm 7 extends along a horizontally running first axis 8. The hollow core 3 or the coil 2 is situated or situatable so that it is movable on the support arm 7 along the first axis 8. The stand 6 together with the support arm 7 is rotatable relative to the winding station 5, at least about a rotational axis 10 extending along a vertical first direction 9.

[0097] The sleeve-like core 3 and also the coil 2 (i.e., the core 3 including the film 4 wound thereon) are designed in a known manner. The core 3 has a sleeve-like cavity. The circumferential surface of the core 3 has a cylindrical design. The core 3 extends, starting from a first end 20, toward a second end 21, wherein the film 4 is or may be situated on the circumferential surface 22 present between the ends 20, 21.

[0098] The winding station 5 has a receiving mandrel 15. The receiving mandrel 15 extends along a horizontally running second axis 16, the coil 2 or the hollow core 3 being situated or situatable so that it is movable on the receiving mandrel 15 along the second axis 16. The support arm 7 of the device 1 and the receiving mandrel 15 of the winding station 5 are suitable for transferring the coil 2 or the core 3 (from the support arm 7 to the receiving mandrel 15 and vice versa), for example situatable with mutually aligned axes 8, 16.

[0099] The stand 6 extends essentially along the first direction 9. The support arm 7 is connected to the stand 6 or movably situated on same.

[0100] The support arm 7, together with the stand 6 or independently of the stand 6, is rotatable about the rotational axis 10. The support arm 7 is also displaceable with respect to the stand 6 along the first axis 8 and along the first direction 9.

[0101] The device 1 additionally includes a first displacement unit 11 for displacing the coil 2 or the core 3, situated on the support arm 7, along the first axis 8. The first displacement unit 11 is situated at the support arm 7.

[0102] The coil 2 or the core 3 may be moved on the support arm 7 via the first displacement unit 11, in particular to the extent that the coil 2 or the core 3 may be pushed onto a receiving mandrel 15 of the winding station 5.

[0103] The support arm 7 extends through the sleeve-like core 3 (optionally of the coil 2), or may be inserted into this sleeve-like cavity.

[0104] The stand 6 is stationary with respect to the winding station 5. In the present context, stationary means that the position of the stand 6 in relation to the winding station 5 is unchangeable. However, rotation of the stand 6 about the rotational axis 10 is possible.

[0105] Before step a), the support arm 7 or the stand 6 (or the device) is in a starting position (see FIG. 2, for example) in which, for example, an interaction (collision or impairment of the freedom of movement, for example) with the winding station 5 or a provided deposition device 18, 19 may be ruled out.

[0106] Within the scope of step a), a movement of the support arm 7 (beginning from the starting position) toward the receiving mandrel 15 takes place, so that the axes 8, 16 are situated relative to one another (in alignment, for example) in such a way that the coil 2 is displaceable toward the support arm 7 (see FIG. 4). The movement encompasses only a rotation of the stand 6 or of the support arm 7 about the rotational axis 10.

[0107] Within the scope of step b), a displacement of the coil 2 along the axes 8, 16, starting from the receiving mandrel 15, toward the support arm 7 of the device 1 takes place (see FIG. 4). This displacement takes place via a second displacement unit 17 provided at the winding station 5. Within the scope of step b), the receiving mandrel 15 pushes the coil 2 downwardly and onto the support arm 7 (see FIG. 5).

[0108] Within the scope of step c), a movement of the support arm 7 toward a first deposition device 18 for the coil takes place. This movement encompasses only a rotation of the stand 6 or of the support arm 7 about the rotational axis 10 (see FIG. 6).

[0109] Within the scope of step d), placement of the coil 2 on the first deposition device 18 takes place. This placement encompasses only a movement of the support arm 7 along the first direction 9 (see FIG. 6).

[0110] The deposition device 18 has a holder 23 via which only the core 3 is contactable, so that the wound film 4 is not contacted by the deposition device 18. The ends 20, 21 of the sleeve-like core 3 are supported by the holder 23.

[0111] The support arm 7 is removed from the sleeve-like cavity of the core 3 after the coil 2 is placed in the first deposition device 18. The support arm 7 is moved, with respect to the stand 6, solely along the first axis 8 (see FIG. 7).

[0112] Within the scope of step e), moving the support arm 7 toward a second deposition device 19 for a core 3 takes place. This movement encompasses only a displacement of the support arm 7 along the first axis 8, this movement taking place relative to the stand 6 (see FIG. 8).

[0113] Within the scope of step f), situating the (new) core 3 on the support arm 7 takes place. This step encompasses solely insertion of the support arm 7 into the sleeve-like core 3 along the first axis 8. For this purpose, the deposition devices 18, 19 are situated in such a way that the cores 3 placed on the deposition devices 18, 19 are situated coaxially with respect to one another.

[0114] Within the scope of step g), moving the support arm 7 toward the receiving mandrel 15 takes place, so that the axes 8, 16 are situated relative to one another (in alignment, for example) in such a way that the core 3 is displaceable toward the receiving mandrel 15. This movement encompasses a rotation of the stand 6 or of the support arm 7 about the rotational axis 10. In addition, a movement of the support arm 7 along the first direction 9 is necessary in order to remove the core 3 from the second deposition device 19 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0115] Within the scope of step h), a displacement of the core 3 along the coaxially situated axes 8, 16, starting from the support arm 7, toward the receiving mandrel 15 takes place. This displacement takes place via a first displacement unit 11 provided at the device 1. Within the scope of step h), the support arm 7 pushes the core 3 downwardly and onto the receiving mandrel 15 (see FIG. 11).

[0116] Within the scope of step i), operation of the winding station 5 and winding of a film 4 onto the core 3 for forming the coil 2, or unwinding the film 4 from the coil 2, takes place (see FIG. 1).

[0117] FIG. 12 shows a second example variant of an arrangement 14 and step d) of the method. Within the scope of step d), placement of the coil 2 on the first deposition device 18 takes place. Here, the deposition device 18 is designed in such a way that a coil 2 (or a core 3) can be transferred from the support arm 7 toward the deposition device 18 only by moving along the first axis. For this purpose, the holder 23 of the deposition device 18 is designed in the manner of a cantilever arm onto which the coil 2 may be pushed (similarly as for the support arm 7 of the device 1 or the receiving mandrel 15 of the winding station 5). This placement involves only a rotation of the support arm 7 about the rotational axis 10, so that after the rotation the first axis 8 is situated (essentially) coaxially with respect to the holder 23 of the deposition device 18.

[0118] FIG. 13 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 12 and step e) of the method. Within the scope of step e), moving the support arm 7 toward a second deposition device 19 for the core 3 takes place. After the coil 3 is placed (not absolutely necessary), the support arm 7 is moved along the first direction 9 relative to the stand 6, and the stand 6 rotates about the rotational axis 10 toward the second deposition device 19.

[0119] FIG. 14 shows a third example variant of an arrangement 14 and step c) of the method. FIG. 15 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 14 and step e) of the method. FIG. 16 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 15 and step g) of the method. FIG. 17 shows the arrangement 14 according to FIG. 16 and step h) of the method. FIGS. 14 through 17 are jointly described below. Reference is made to the statements concerning FIGS. 1 through 13.

[0120] Within the scope of step c), moving the support arm 7 toward the first deposition device 18 for the coil 2 takes place. This movement encompasses a rotation of the stand 6 or of the support arm 7 about the rotational axis 10. In addition, a movement of the support arm 7 along the first direction 9 is necessary (see FIG. 14).

[0121] Within the scope of step d), placement of the coil 2 on the first deposition device 18 takes place. This placement requires only a movement of the support arm 7 along the first direction 9 (see FIG. 14).

[0122] After the coil 2 is placed in the deposition device 18, the support arm 7 is removed from the sleeve-like cavity of the core 3. This movement together with the stand 6 takes place via the unit 12 (see FIG. 15). In the process, the support arm 7 is optionally moved along the first axis 8.

[0123] Within the scope of step e), moving the support arm 7 toward a second deposition device 19 for the core 3 takes place. The movement optionally encompasses a rotation of the stand 6 about the rotational axis 10, and a movement together with the stand 6 via the unit 12 along the fixed travel path 13 (see FIG. 15).

[0124] Within the scope of step f), situating a new core 3 on the support arm 7 takes place. This step involves solely insertion of the support arm 7 into the sleeve-like core 3 along the first axis 8. This movement, optionally together with the stand 6, takes place via the unit 12 (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

[0125] Within the scope of step g), moving the support arm 7 toward the receiving mandrel 15 takes place, so that the axes 8, 16 are situated relative to one another (in alignment, for example) in such a way that within the scope of step h) the displacement can take place. The movement encompasses a rotation of the stand 6 about the rotational axis 10, and a movement together with the stand 6 via the unit 12 along the fixed travel path 13 (see FIG. 16).

[0126] Within the scope of step h), a displacement of the core 3 along the axes 8, 16, starting from the support arm 7, toward the receiving mandrel 15 takes place. This displacement takes place via a first displacement unit 11 provided at the device 1. Within the scope of step h), the support arm 7 receiving mandrel 15 pushes the core 3 downwardly and onto the receiving mandrel 15.

[0127] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.