CLAMPING APPARATUS, WINDING APPARATUS AS WELL AS UNIT

Abstract

A clamping apparatus for clamping a winding core is disclosed including a base, a clamping head, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is adjustable between a lock position and a release position, and the clamping head is axially moveable relative to the base between an extended position and a retracted position. The locking mechanism in the lock position locks the clamping head in the extended position axially and forms a fixed stop for the clamping head. A winding apparatus and a unit for producing a material web are disclosed.

Claims

1. A clamping apparatus for clamping a winding core, comprising a base, a clamping head and a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is adjustable between a lock position and a release position, wherein the clamping head relative to the base is moveable axially between an extended position and a retracted position, and wherein the locking mechanism in the lock position locks the clamping head in the extended position axially and forms a fixed stop for the clamping head.

2. The clamping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is designed in such a way that at least one of it locks the clamping head in the extended position up to a maximum clamping force from at least 25 kN up to 30 kN; it locks the clamping head in the lock position from moving axially from the extended position into the retracted position by means of positive locking; or its length in the axial direction is longer in the lock position than in the release position.

3. The clamping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a difference in length between the lock position and the release position equals the axial movement of the clamping head between the extended position and the retracted position.

4. The clamping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first locking element and a second locking element, wherein the first locking element and the second locking element are connected positively to each other in the lock position of the locking mechanism in the axial direction.

5. The clamping apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first locking element in the lock position rests on the second locking element in the axial direction.

6. The clamping apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first locking element is a splined shaft and the second locking element is a splined hub, or vice versa, which engage with each other in the lock position.

7. The clamping apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first locking element is at least one of fixed in the axial direction on the clamping head or connected non-rotatably to the clamping head.

8. The clamping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping apparatus comprises a cylinder on which the clamping head is fixed, wherein the cylinder extends through the locking mechanism.

9. The clamping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping apparatus comprises a first actuator for actuating the locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is adjustable between the lock position and the release position by means of the first actuator.

10. The clamping apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first actuator is connected in such a way to the first locking element or the second locking element that it can apply torque to the corresponding locking element.

11. The clamping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping apparatus comprises a second actuator which is connected to the clamping head in such a way that it applies a force to the clamping head in the axial direction.

12. The clamping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clamping head has a tapered engagement section.

13. A winding apparatus for winding and unwinding a flat material web comprising a support that comprises at least one receiving space for a winding core, wherein said at least one receiving space comprises a first clamping apparatus and a second clamping apparatus, wherein at least the first clamping apparatus is a clamping apparatus comprising a base, a clamping head and a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is adjustable between a lock position and a release position, wherein the clamping head relative to the base is moveable axially between an extended position and a retracted position, and wherein the locking mechanism in the lock position locks the clamping head in the extended position axially and forms a fixed stop for the clamping head.

14. The winding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the winding apparatus comprises at least one winding core.

15. The winding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second clamping apparatus is a clamping apparatus comprising an axially adjustable clamping head.

16. The winding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the support comprises two opposing rotatable wheels, wherein at least the clamping head and the locking mechanism of the first clamping apparatus is attached to a first one of the wheels, and at least the clamping head of the second clamping apparatus is attached to a second one of the wheels.

17. The winding apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the support comprises at least two of the receiving spaces.

18. The winding apparatus according to claim 17, wherein at least the clamping heads and the locking mechanisms of the first clamping apparatuses of the receiving spaces are attached to the first wheel and at least the clamping heads of the second clamping apparatuses of the receiving spaces are attached to the second wheel.

19. The winding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first clamping apparatus is located on an operator side of the winding apparatus; the base is fixed statically to the support; or the base is a part of the support.

20. A unit for producing a material web comprising a winding apparatus, the winding apparatus comprising a support that comprises at least one receiving space for a winding core, wherein said at least one receiving space comprises a first clamping apparatus and a second clamping apparatus, wherein at least the first clamping apparatus is a clamping apparatus comprising a base, a clamping head and a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is adjustable between a lock position and a release position, wherein the clamping head relative to the base is moveable axially between an extended position and a retracted position, and wherein the locking mechanism in the lock position locks the clamping head in the extended position axially and forms a fixed stop for the clamping head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Additional features and advantages of the disclosure are found in the following description as well as the attached drawings to which reference is made. In the drawings:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a unit according to an embodiment of the disclosure comprising a winding apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure comprising a clamping apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a winding apparatus of the unit according to FIG. 1 comprising a clamping apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0046] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a sectional view through the clamping apparatus according to FIG. 2 comprising the clamping head in the extended or retracted position.

[0047] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a sectional view through the clamping apparatus according to FIG. 2 comprising the locking mechanism in the lock position or the release position.

[0048] FIG. 7 shows an isolated exploded view of the locking mechanism of the clamping apparatus according to FIG. 2.

[0049] FIG. 8 shows a clamping apparatus of the winding apparatus not according to the disclosure according to FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Lists having a plurality of alternatives connected by and/or, for example A, B and/or C are to be understood to disclose an arbitrary combination of the alternatives, i.e. the lists are to be read as A and/or B and/or C or as at least one of A, B or C. The same holds true for listings with more than three items.

[0051] In FIG. 1, a unit 10 for producing a material web B is shown extremely schematically, which comprises several different units and apparatuses.

[0052] In the shown example, the unit 10 is a film production unit, by means of which-without any limitation in the scope of the protection [0053] the disclosure is explained exemplarily.

[0054] In this case, the material web B is a plastics film. It is also conceivable that the material web B is a paper web, a textile web or a web made of another knitted fabric or material that can be stretched.

[0055] In the shown example, the unit 10 comprises an extrusion unit 12, a cast rolling unit 14, at least one stretching unit-such as a machine direction orienter 16 (MDO), a transverse direction orienter 18 (TDO)-, a draw roller unit and/or an edge treatment device 22 as well as a winding apparatus 24.

[0056] The film produced is, for example, a biaxially stretched film, such as polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET), polyamide film (BOPA), polyethylene film (BOPE), polylactic acid film (BOPLA), capacitor film (BOPP-C) or battery separator film (BSF).

[0057] To produce plastic films, a film is created on the chill roll of a cast rolling unit 14 by means of an extrusion unit 12. To this end, the extrusion unit 12 generates a melt from the starting products, such as granular material, said melt being applied to the chill roll, thereby creating the film.

[0058] This film is conveyed from the cast rolling unit 14 to the machine direction orienter 16 as a material web B. In the machine direction orienter 16, the film is stretched in the machine direction in order to obtain the film.

[0059] In the machine direction orienter 16, the film runs over a plurality of rollers that are heated in order to heat the film to the desired temperature so it can be stretched.

[0060] Between at least two of the rollers present in the machine direction orienter 16, the stretching takes place in the machine direction, i.e. in the drawing direction, so that the film becomes a stretched film.

[0061] The film obtained is conveyed by the machine direction orienter 16 to the transverse direction orienter 18 and stretched in the transverse direction orienter 18 in the transverse direction.

[0062] Along the drawing direction of the unit 10, the transverse direction orienter 18 has an oven 20 with different (treatment) zones for treating the film.

[0063] The film is heated in the first zone, also termed the preheating zone. In the subsequent second zone (stretching zone), the film is stretched in the transverse direction so that its width is greater and its thickness is less at the end of the second zone than it was at the start.

[0064] After completing the stretching, the film then passes through the third and further zones (termed heat treatment zone, further heating zone and/or annealing zone), in which a relaxation of the film, for example, can take place at high temperatures.

[0065] Subsequently, the film passes through a further zone (cooling zone), whereby the film is cooled in the last zone.

[0066] A further zone is termed the neutral zone and serves to separate the zones. The neutral zone is, for example, an empty space without any ventilation and is located optionally between the different treatment zones.

[0067] The zones of the transverse direction orienter 18 can also be divided differently and/or designed differently in their lengths. For example, fewer or shorter neutral zones can be provided or the neutral zones can be arranged at other points, also additionally. Changes in the remaining zones are also conceivable.

[0068] After the transverse direction orienter 18, the now biaxially stretched film runs through the draw roller unit and/or the edge treatment device 22 and is wound by means of the winding apparatus 24.

[0069] It is also conceivable that the unit 10 is designed in another way, for example, it comprises a simultaneous stretching unit 26 as a stretching unit alternatively or in addition to the machine direction orienter 16 and/or to the transverse direction orienter 18 comprising an oven 20.

[0070] FIG. 2 shows the winding apparatus 24 isolated and in a schematic view.

[0071] The shown winding apparatus 24 is used to wind the material web B, but can also be used for unwinding such a material web B.

[0072] The winding apparatus 24 has a support 28 as well as two winding cores 30 that are inserted into the support 28.

[0073] The winding core 30 has, for example, in each case a length of at least 10 m, in particular at least 12 m, furthermore in particular at least 14 m, and/or a weight exceeding 20,000 kg, in particular exceeding 25,000 kg. For example, a winding bale, thus a winding core with a material web B wound on it, weighs from more than 30 t up to 34 t, or even more.

[0074] The support 8 comprises two sections, namely a first section 32 and a second section 34.

[0075] The sections 32, 34 are located on different sides of the material web B, wherein the first section 32 is located on the operator side (in FIG. 2, on the left) of the winding apparatus 24 or the unit 10 and the second section 34 is located opposite the first section 32 on the drive side of the winding apparatus 24 or the unit 10.

[0076] The support 28 has a first wheel 36 that is provided in the first section 32 and a second wheel 38 that is provided in the second section 34. The wheels 36, 38 are aligned coaxially to each other and rotatable relative to the remaining support 28.

[0077] By means of the wheels 36, 38, two receiving spaces 40 are formed for the winding cores 30, wherein each receiving space comprises a first clamping apparatus 42 and a second clamping apparatus 44. The first clamping apparatus 42 of each of the receiving spaces 40 is attached here on the first wheel 36 of the first section 32, and the corresponding second clamping apparatus 44 is attached to the second wheel 38 of the second section 34 of the support 28.

[0078] The first clamping apparatuses 42 are thus provided on the operator side and the second clamping apparatuses 44 on the drive side of the winding apparatus 24.

[0079] Hereinafter, only one of the first clamping apparatuses 42 is described exemplarily. The remaining first clamping apparatuses 42 are designed identically.

[0080] The first clamping apparatus 32 comprises a base 46, a clamping head 48, a locking mechanism 50, a first actuator 52, a second actuator 54, a cylinder 56 as well as a cover 58.

[0081] In the shown embodiment, the base 46, the clamping head 48, the locking mechanism 50, the cylinder 56 and the cover 58 are provided on the first wheel 36. The first actuator 52 and the second actuator 54 can also be attached to the first wheel 36 or connected fixedly to the static parts of the support 28.

[0082] The FIGS. 3 and 4 show the first clamping apparatus 42 in a sectional view on the first wheel 36 in the extended position of the clamping head 48 or in the retracted position of the clamping head 48.

[0083] As can be seen FIGS. 3 and 4, the first wheel 36 comprises an opening in the region of the first clamping apparatus 42.

[0084] The opening of the first wheel 36 or the rotational axis of the first wheel 36 defines the axial direction A of the winding apparatus 24

[0085] The base 46 that is designed as a bearing, e.g. a ball bearing, extends through the opening and is connected to the first wheel 36, in particular non-rotatably.

[0086] It is also conceivable that the base 46 is a part of the first wheel 36, thus a part of the support 28.

[0087] The cylinder 56 extends through the opening and the base 46 in the axial direction A.

[0088] The clamping head 48 is attached to the cylinder 56 at the end facing the second wheel 38, in particular non-rotatably.

[0089] The clamping head 48 has at its end facing the second wheel 38 a tapered engagement section 60 whose diameter increases towards the first wheel 36.

[0090] The engagement section 60 is designed in a known manner to engage with one of the winding cores 30 and to be tensioned with this.

[0091] The clamping head 48 can be moved by means of the second actuator 54 in the axial direction. To this end, the second actuator 54 is connected to the cylinder 56 and can move this in the axial direction forwards and backwards so that the clamping head 48 also moves forwards and backwards. In this way, the clamping head 48 can assume an extended position as well as a retracted position, wherein the spacing a between the end faces of the clamping head 48 and the first wheel 36 is greater in the extended position than in the retracted position.

[0092] The travel, i.e. the difference in spacing a between the extended position and the retracted position is between 5 and 20 cm, in particular 10 cm.

[0093] The second actuator 54 is, for example, a hydraulic cylinder or an electric cylinder.

[0094] The locking mechanism 50 is arranged axially between the clamping head 48 and the first wheel 36.

[0095] The locking mechanism 50 comprises a first locking element 62 and a second locking element 64.

[0096] The second locking element 64 is supported in the axial direction A on the base 46 and is mounted rotatably relative to the base 46.

[0097] The cover 58 of the first clamping apparatus 42 covers the second locking element 64 in the radial direction. This is also attached to the base 46 or to the first wheel 36.

[0098] The locking mechanism 50, thus the first locking element 62 and the second locking element 64 are also designed hollowly, and the cylinder 56 extends through the first locking element 62 and the second locking element 64, in particular coaxially.

[0099] The locking mechanism 50 can assume a lock position and a release position, wherein the locking mechanism 50 in the axial direction in the lock position has a larger length in the axial direction than in the release position. This difference in length corresponds to the travel of the clamping head 48, thus the length of the axial movement of the clamping head between extended position and retracted position.

[0100] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a section through the locking mechanism 50 along the line V-V of FIG. 3 or the line VI-VI of FIG. 4, wherein the locking mechanism 50 is located in the position shown in FIG. 5 in the lock position and in FIG. 6 in the release position.

[0101] FIG. 7 shows the locking mechanism 50, for example thus the first locking element 62 and the second locking element 64, isolated in an exploded view.

[0102] It can be clearly seen in FIG. 7 that in this embodiment, the first locking element 62 is a splined shaft 66 and the second locking element 64 is a splined hub 68. It is also conceivable that the first locking element is a splined hub and the second locking element is a splined shaft.

[0103] The splined shaft 66 comprises multiple teeth 70 that extend outwards around its circumference distributed in the radial direction. In the shown embodiment, the splined shaft 66 comprises six teeth 70 that are evenly distributed around its circumference.

[0104] The teeth 70 of the splined shaft 66 are flattened towards the splined hub 68.

[0105] The splined hub 68 is designed complementarily to the splined shaft 66.

[0106] The splined hub 68 comprises grooves 72 on its interior wall that are designed complementarily to the teeth 70. The grooves 72 extend in the axial direction A through the splined hub 68. In the shown embodiment, the splined hub 68 comprises six grooves 72.

[0107] Between the grooves 72, a fillet is provided in each case in the circumferential direction, said fillet being flattened towards the splined shaft 66, i.e. in the direction towards the second wheel 38.

[0108] The first locking element 62, thus here the splined shaft 66, is connected to the clamping head 48 in the axial direction. This can occur directly, for example by means of a threaded connection or also indirectly through attachment to the cylinder 56.

[0109] The first locking element 62, in the example thus the splined shaft 66, and the clamping head 48 are attached to each other in particular non-rotatably.

[0110] Hereinafter, reference is made to the splined shaft 66 and splined hub 68 in part only for simplicity, wherein more generally these are understood to mean the first locking element 62 and the second locking element 64, even if these are not designed as a shaft and hub.

[0111] The first actuator 52 is connected to the splined hub 68 in such a way that it can twist the splined hub 68 relative to the base 46 and thus also relative to the splined shaft 66. To this end, a radial pin 74 is attached or moulded to the splined hub 68, as can be seen in the FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0112] The twisting of the splined hub 68 relative to the splined shaft 66 occurs between the lock position and the release position.

[0113] In the lock position, which can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the teeth 70 of the splined shaft 66 align with the fillets of the splined hub 68. In addition, the splined shaft 66 is moved out from the splined hub 68. In this position, the splined shaft 66 cannot be inserted into the splined hub 68 as now a positive connection exists between the teeth 70 of the splined shaft 66 and the fillets of the splined hub 68.

[0114] If the first locking element 62 and the second locking element 64 are now twisted against each other, for example by rotating the splined hub 68, the teeth 70 of the splined shaft 66 are now in alignment with the grooves 72 of the splined hub 68.

[0115] The positive connection is removed and the splined shaft 66 can now be moved in the axial direction into the splined hub 68. In doing so, the teeth 70 engage with the grooves 72.

[0116] This corresponds to the release position as an axial relative movement is now possible between the first locking element 62 and the second locking element 64, thus between the splined shaft 66 and the splined hub 68.

[0117] By means of the locking mechanism 50, the clamping head 48 can be locked in position as follows in its extended position in order to clamp a winding core 30.

[0118] Starting from the extended position shown in FIG. 4, a winding core is placed first coaxially to the clamping head 48 in front of the clamping head 48, i.e. between the first and second clamping apparatus 42, 44.

[0119] Then, a force in the axial direction A is applied to the clamping head 48 by means of the second actuator 54 so that the clamping head 48 is moved towards the winding core 30 and engages with the winding core 30. The second actuator 54 can apply a force of more than 20 kN and/or a force of up to 25 kN to a clamping head 48.

[0120] Here, the tapered engagement section 60 centres the winding core 30 relative to the clamping head 48 and the cylinder 56. Now, the extended position of the clamping head 48 is attained.

[0121] When moving the clamping head 48 axially, the first locking element 62, thus the splined shaft 66, is also moved in the axial direction and the second locking element 64, i.e. the splined hub 68, is extended out.

[0122] Due to the weight of the winding core 30, the second actuator 54 must initially apply the required force to hold the clamping head 48 in its extended position.

[0123] To lock the clamping head 48 in the extended position, the locking mechanism 50 is now actuated.

[0124] Here, the first actuator 52 twists the first locking element 62 and the second locking element 64, i.e. the splined shaft 66 and the splined hub 68, relative to each other.

[0125] In the shown embodiment, the first actuator 52 applies torque to the splined hub 68 so that this twists relative to the splined shaft 66. In the shown embodiment, twisting by approximately 30 occurs.

[0126] The teeth 70 of the splined shaft 66 now align with the fillets of the splined hub 68, and the second actuator 54 is switched off.

[0127] Then, the other one of the clamping apparatuses 44, 42, for example the second clamping apparatus 44 on the drive side, applies an axial force to the winding core 30 in the direction towards the opposing clamping apparatus 42, 44. As a result, an axial force in the direction of the splined hub 68 is also applied to the clamping head 48 and with it the first locking element 62, thus the splined shaft 66.

[0128] As a result, the splined shaft 66 moves towards the splined hub 68, thereby touching the grooves 72 on the fillets and preventing the sliding of the splined shaft 66 into the splined hub 68.

[0129] The splined shaft 66 is thus supported on the splined hub 68 in the axial direction, thereby also supporting the clamping head 48 on the splined hub 68. The clamping head 48 is thus locked in position in its extended position. In this way, the clamping forces from at least 25 KN up to 30 kN can be absorbed by the locking mechanism 50.

[0130] The flattened portions of the teeth 70 or the fillets increase thus the tensioning and therefore ensure more stability.

[0131] Thus, positive locking exists between the first locking element 62 and the second locking element 64 that prevents the clamping head 48 from being moved from its extended position back into its retracted position. The locking mechanism 50 forms here a fixed stop for the clamping head 48 that holds the clamping head 48 reliably in the extended position without actively applying a permanent force, for example by means of a second actuator 54 or by springs.

[0132] In this way, a particularly reliable, passive and also at the same time space-saving first clamping apparatus 42 is provided.

[0133] The first clamping apparatus 42 described previously can be designed in the winding apparatus 24 also as the second clamping apparatus 42 on the second wheel 38.

[0134] In each case, one first clamping apparatus 42 and one second clamping apparatus 44 form one of the receiving spaces 40, wherein the clamping heads 48 of the clamping apparatuses 42, 44 of the same receiving space are formed coaxially to each other.

[0135] The winding core 30 received in a receiving space 40 is thus held by the clamping heads 48 of the corresponding first clamping apparatus 42 and the second clamping apparatus 44 rotatably in the receiving space. At the same time, the clamping heads 48 are moveable in the axial direction so that both clamping heads 48 can be moved in and out of the winding core 30 for the purpose of removing and inserting a winding core 30 in the receiving space 40 without the winding core 30 needing to be moved itself in the axial direction.

[0136] In this way, the changing of the winding core 30 is simplified greatly, in particular if this is loaded with a winding bale of the material web B.

[0137] In another embodiment, the second clamping apparatus 44 is designed as shown in FIG. 8. The second clamping apparatus 44 according to FIG. 8 also comprises an axially adjustable clamping head 48 with cylinder 56 that is attached to the second wheel 38, wherein the cylinder 56 extends through the second wheel 38.

[0138] The second clamping apparatus 44 comprises in addition a hydraulic cylinder 78 comprising a piston rod 80 on which a spring assembly 76 is attached. In the hydraulic cylinder 78, a clamp 82 is also provided that can lock the piston rod 80 in a position.

[0139] The piston 80 is connected to the cylinder 56 so that the cylinder 56 and thus also the clamping head 48 can be adjusted by the hydraulic cylinder 78 of the clamping apparatus 44 in the axial direction.

[0140] For the clamping, the hydraulic cylinder 78 is actuated in order to move the clamping head 48 into the winding core 30.

[0141] After the clamping head 48 has been moved completely into the winding core 30, the hydraulic cylinder 78 still remains actuated, thereby pressing the spring assembly 76 now against cylinder 56 or an attachment of the cylinder and clamping it as a result. The hydraulic cylinder 78 remains actuated until the spring assembly 76 is tensioned until it has a preset force.

[0142] If the preset force has been attained, the clamp 82 is actuated and the piston rod 80 locked in position. The hydraulic cylinder 78 can now be switched off so that the clamping force is only maintained via the spring assembly 76.

[0143] The clamping apparatus according to the second embodiment thus does not have a locking mechanism that forms a fixed stop for the clamping head as the spring assembly 76 does not form a fixed stop. Rather, the spring assembly 76 applies a force permanently actively in order to hold the clamping head 48 in its extended position and to maintain the force in the axial direction which is necessary to be capable of transmitting torque via the (taper-pin) connection between the clamping head 48 and the winding core 30.

[0144] If the clamping head 48 is moved into the winding core 30 completely, torque can be transmitted onto the winding core 30 by means of the clamping head 48. The winding core 30 can then be rotated by means of a motor 84, for example an electric motor.

[0145] The motor 84 is connected to the clamping head 48 non-rotatably and is configured to set the clamping head 48 in rotation so that the winding core clamped on it is set in rotation.

[0146] For example, the clamping head 48 is mounted rotatably on the cylinder 56.

[0147] In this way, the winding core 30 of the first embodiment can be rotated.