Reel winding arrangement and process

Details Reel winding arrangement and process Reel winding arrangement and process

1999-12-06

2002-04-02

Mansen, Michael R. (Department: 3653)

Winding, tensioning, or guiding

Convolute winding of material

With spool loading or coil removal

C242S530400, C242S533200, C242S533700

Reexamination Certificate

active

06364243

ABSTRACT:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of German Patent Application No. 198 58 516.0, filed on Dec. 18, 1998, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a process and a reel winding arrangement having a plurality of winding positions which are arranged in two winding position groups on two longitudinal sides of a contact roller. The arrangement also includes a core feeding device which incorporates a longitudinal transport device.
2. Discussion of Background Information
Reel winding arrangements are generally known as exemplified from DE 33 08 271 C2, the contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference. The reel cores are typically fed from beneath a contact roller on two transport belts positioned parallel to each other. The position of the individual reel cores relative to their winding position is determined by a stop associated with the respective winding position. Since the individual winding positions of the two winding position groups are arranged with gaps relative to each other, the reel cores cannot be fed jointly, but rather a relatively large expenditure of time is necessary for the correct positioning of the reel cores in the region of the winding position. When the wound reels are completely rolled and a new reel core is to be brought into the winding position, the respective reel core must be repelled laterally from the transport belt. It then arrives on a lift table by which it can be lifted to a height where the respective tensioning spindle of the winding position can grip it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention simplifies reel core feeding and winding. In particular, the present invention provides a reel winding arrangement and a process which utilizes such an arrangement similar in general to the type mentioned in the introduction. The invention utilizes a core feeding device having a core moving device with two carrier arrangements which run along the axial length of the contact roller and are affixed in each case, to holding arms which are pivotable around the central axis of a contact roller.
With this design, a feeding movement is provided from a pick-up position on a longitudinal transport device to a discharge position on one of two winding position groups, in which the respective reel cores can be engaged by the corresponding tensioning spindles. This movement is performed by the simple pivoting action of a lever on which the carrier arrangements are affixed. With this design, all reel cores of one winding position group can be simultaneously brought from the pickup position on the longitudinal transport device to their discharge position in the region of the tensioning spindles. As a result, only a relatively small structural space is necessary to enable the reel cores to move to their respective winding position group.
Preferably, the longitudinal transport device has a conveyor path for all reel cores of one type, set or size. These cores are positioned serially with their axis running through a vertical plane which is common to the central axis of the contact roller. By this design, the loading of the reel cores into the reel winding device is also greatly simplified. In fact, it is possible to arrange all reel cores of one set, i.e., the reel cores for all winding reels which are to be wound at the same time, end to end and one after another, and to shift them along the transport path into the reel winding arrangement. The longitudinal transport device does not have to be active for this purpose. It may, for example, simply include a channel on which the reel cores can be shifted axially. The individual reel cores, once positioned on the longitudinal transfer device, can then be gripped by the “correct” carrier arrangement, i.e., in alternate fashion with some reel cores being gripped by the carrier arrangement of one winding position group and other reel cores being gripped by the carrier arrangement of the other winding position group. For example, every other reel core is transferred to the same winding position group (either a left side group or a right side group). The result is that none of the reel cores share a same contact surface area of the contact roller. That is, each reel core is staggered on each side of the contact roller. This ensures a positionally correct distribution of the individual reel cores to their respective winding positions and tensioning spindle location. In order to facilitate the transferring of the reel cores, they are positioned with their respective axes sharing the common vertical plane running through the central axis of the contact roller. This design produces a symmetrical arrangement for the winding position groups. Moreover, two lever arms, one for each winding position group, can be utilized for covering the same distance in order to arrive at the discharge position.
Each winding position has at least one pair of tensioning spindles for each reel core, and these spindles are movable in a radial direction on a base relative to the contact roller. Two holding arms are utilized for each winding position group such that they have a discharge position defined by a horizontal axis which is common to the axes of the reel cores, the central axis of the contact roller, and the axes of the tensioning spindles, all of which lie in this one plane. As a result of this configuration, it is possible to handle differently sized reel cores easily. Adapting the arrangement to wind different sizes or diameters of the reel cores is handled simply because the tensioning spindles can be moved radially in relation to the contact roller. In the case of a reel core having a relatively large diameter, the tensioning spindles would simply be moved somewhat farther away from the contact roller in order to be able to engage its respective reel core. This design also utilizes a transport path which is located in the same vertical plane as the central axis of the contact roller. The tensioning spindles can be located, which though horizontally movable, on the same horizontal axis plane which is common to the contact roller. Such a design allows for the lever arms to pivot at an angle of approximately 90°. However, other angular positions may also be utilized depending on where one locates the winding position groups.
Preferably, each carrier arrangement is provided with vacuum type suction heads for gripping the reel cores. These suction heads can hold an outside surface of the reel cores securely with suction. Thus, no failure prone mechanical gripping devices are required on the carrier arrangements. Utilizing these suction heads also allows for the angular positioning of the reel cores to be obtained accurately. Moreover, vacuum holding can be especially useful when the reel cores are provided with an adhesive coating.
Preferably, the suction heads of the two carrier arrangements are positioned with gaps relative to each other, thereby forming a staggered or mesh tooth-like configuration, in the pickup position. With this design, all the reel cores positioned on the longitudinal transport device can be gripped uniformly as they are taken into one or the other winding position group. The predetermined axial positioning of the suction heads on the carrier arrangements also determines which reel core arrives in a particular winding position group. Thus, complicated control measures for subjecting the individual suction heads to suction become superfluous.
In one embodiment, the longitudinal transport device is arranged beneath the contact roller. This design allows the contact roller to be well supported without the risk of sagging, and as a result, the contact roller may be designed with a relatively long axial length.
The longitudinal transport device may also be provided with a height-adjustable receiving surface. As a result, the carrier arrangements need only provide a pure pivot motion. Moreover, this design also allows for the loadin

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