EP3521226B1 - Device and method for forming a multi-band coil - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device and a method for forming a multi-part strip coil from a plurality of individual strip coils according to the independent claims. Such a multi-part strip coil includes, for example, what is known as a PUP coil ("piece under piece coil"), which is so called because the individual strip coils in the PUP coil are arranged one inside the other, for example nested inside one another.

A multi-part strip coil formed with the device according to the invention, for example a PUP coil, is formed, among other things, in coil-processing plants from smaller strip coils, which occur, for example, as cutting residues when processing large strip coils. These multi-part strip coils are then fed into other manufacturing processes. For this purpose, they are often packaged and sent to other companies for further processing.

So far, employees have pushed such multi-part strip coils into one another by hand until a multi-part strip coil of a desired size has been produced. This manual process represents the closest prior art.

However, this manual work is physically demanding, lengthy and associated with a comparatively high risk of injury for the workers, for example due to the sometimes sharp edges of the strip coils. The size of the multi-part strip coil is also severely limited by the physical capabilities of the worker.

Further prior art is in the FR 2 435 296 A1 , the U.S. 2,762,577 A , the U.S. 3,087,688 A and the FR 2 709 991 A1 disclosed. FR'296 and US'557 disclose reels which can rotatably mount a strip coil in the coil eye via a spreadable mandrel. US'688 and FR'991 disclose devices for cutting and winding strip material. The object of the present invention is to make the forming of a multi-part strip coil simpler, faster and safer.

The invention solves this problem with the features in the characterizing part of the independent device claim.

The device in this case has a untwisting unit, wherein a strip coil with its Bandcoilinnenseite can be positioned around the untwisting unit, wherein the device is set up to a bring about relative rotation between the untwisting unit and a strip coil, and the untwisting unit can exert a radially directed compressive force against a strip coil inside during a relative rotation between the untwisting unit and the strip coil.

The untwisting unit, which can exert a radially directed compressive force against the inside of a strip coil during relative rotation between the untwisting unit and the strip coil, makes it possible to increase the inner diameter of strip coils by untwisting the strip coils expand and thereby create space for positioning further strip coils between the untwisting unit and the inside of the enlarged strip coils. The compressive force during rotation against the inside of a strip coil allows the untwisting unit to untwist a strip coil, since the strip coil to be untwisted experiences both a radial force and a rotational force due to the friction between the untwisting unit and the inside of the strip coil.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention has a limiting structure which is arranged in the radial direction in relation to the untwisting unit and against which the untwisting unit can press a strip coil from the inside of the strip coil.

This limiting structure makes it possible to create a defined stop for the radially outermost strip coil of the multi-part strip coil to be formed. The restraining structure can thus decelerate or hold stationary the outermost coil of tape, thus facilitating untwisting. Furthermore, the delimiting structure allows a pressing compression of the individual strip coils of the multi-part strip coil.

Advantageously, the delimiting structure can enclose the untwisting unit in the radial direction. A defined stop can thus be created for several points on the outermost strip coil. The outer dimensions, for example the outer diameter, of the multi-part strip coil to be formed can thus be easily defined.

In one possible embodiment, the untwisting unit can have an axis of rotation and the untwisting unit can be set up to rotate in different radii around the axis of rotation and to exert a radially directed compressive force against an inner side of the strip coil as the radius increases.

In this case, only the untwisting unit has to be rotated in order to untwist the strip coils, while the strip coils do not have to be rotated.

In a further possible embodiment, the untwisting unit can be of columnar design in a basic position, in particular tapered at a free end.

This allows a strip coil to be easily positioned with its strip coil inside around the untwisting unit. An optional tapering at the free end allows a mandrel-like design of the twisting unit in the basic position and thus easy positioning even of bulky strip coils with an initially small inner diameter.

Optionally, the untwisting unit can be aligned with its axis of rotation vertically. As a result, a strip coil positioned around the untwisting unit is also positioned with its coil eye vertically upwards and can thus be untwisted very evenly and easily radially in the horizontal direction.

In a further embodiment, the untwisting unit can have a force and movement conversion mechanism, which converts a force and/or movement introduced in the untwisting unit in the direction of the axis of rotation into a radial compressive force and/or movement of the untwisting unit. This allows a simple and compact design of the untwisting unit. The force and/or movement introduced in the direction of the rotating object can undergo a desired change in amount during the conversion, for example an increase or a decrease.

In a variant of the invention, the force and movement conversion mechanism can have a linear actuator acting in the direction of the axis of rotation and a radially acting scissor mechanism. This combination allows a particularly compact, for example columnar, and reliable design of the untwisting unit.

In an advantageous embodiment, the untwisting unit can have at least one extendable arm for pressing against an inner side of a strip coil, in particular at least one extendable and rotatable arm.

Such an embodiment enables a controllable pressing against an inside of the strip coil. An optional extendable and rotatable design of the boom also allows the boom to simultaneously apply a compressive force and a rotational force against the inside of a strip coil.

Advantageously, in one embodiment, the at least one cantilever can have a shield at its free end, which is set up to press against the inside of a strip coil and to slide along the inside of a strip coil with friction during rotation. The shield advantageously allows a flat pressing against the inside of the strip coil while at the same time applying a rotational force against the inside of the strip coil.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a first end of the scissor mechanism on the rotation axis side can be articulated in a stationary manner and a second, movable end of the scissor mechanism on the rotation axis side can be articulated on the linear actuator, and two ends of the scissor mechanism facing away from the axis of rotation can be articulated on the shield, wherein one of the ends on the shield side can be articulated on the shield so as to be displaceable in the direction of the axis of rotation.

This arrangement of linear actuator, scissor mechanism and shield advantageously combines the advantages and functions previously mentioned in connection with these features. Furthermore, such an arrangement enables, for example, when a constant force is introduced into the linear actuator, the compressive force of the cantilever against the inner side of the strip coil increases with increasing radius.

In a preferred possible embodiment, the untwisting unit can have a plurality of extendable, preferably also rotatable, arms which are arranged in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation of the untwisting unit, in particular at equal distances from one another in the circumferential direction.

As a result, compressive forces can be exerted evenly against the inside of the strip coil and thus a strip coil can be untwisted faster and more reliably. This applies in particular to the optional rotatable version of the boom.

In one possible embodiment, the delimiting structure can be reversibly detachable from the device.

After the multi-part strip coil has been formed, this facilitates access to the multi-part strip coil, for example in order to remove it from the device and/or pack it.

In one possible embodiment, the delimiting structure can advantageously be designed as part of a detachable coil transport means, in particular as a side wall of a detachable coil transport container.

This permits designs in which the formed multi-part strip coil is already connected to a coil transport means in such a way that the strip coil can already be separated from the rest of the device and transported further with the coil transport means. The optional design of the delimiting structure as a side wall of a removable coil transport container is a particularly advantageous embodiment.

For a particular possible embodiment, the untwisting unit can protrude through a through-hole of the detachable coil transport means, in particular the Coil transport containers have a bottom and a side wall, and the untwisting unit protrudes into the coil transport container through a through-hole in the bottom of the coil transport container.

This special arrangement between the untwisting unit and the coil transport means makes it easy to shape the multi-part strip coil on the coil transport means. The special, optional design between the unwinding unit and a coil transport container is particularly advantageous here.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the coil transport container can be open at the top. This allows easy introduction of the individual strip coils into the coil transport container and thus into the device, and also later easy lifting of the formed multi-part strip coil out of the coil transport container.

Advantageously, in one embodiment, the coil transport container can be opened and closed laterally. This allows easy side access to the formed multi-piece strip coil, for example with a forklift.

In a further possible embodiment, a removable transport pallet with a through hole can be provided on the bottom of the coil transport container, and the through hole in the transport pallet and the through hole in the coil transport container are aligned with the axis of rotation of the twisting unit and can be dimensioned in such a way that the coil transport container together with the transport pallet are in the direction of the axis of rotation is detachable from the rest of the device.

This arrangement enables simple and reliable forming of a multi-part strip coil lying on a transport pallet in a coil transport container, with the multi-part strip coil already being particularly advantageously prepared for subsequent processing and transport steps.

The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved according to the invention with the following method:
Method for forming a multi-part strip coil from a number of individual strip coils, characterized by positioning at least one strip coil with its inside around a untwisting unit, rotating the untwisting unit and the at least one strip coil relative to one another, pressing the untwisting unit against the inside of the at least a strip coil until the inside diameter of the at least one strip coil is enlarged.

As already mentioned with regard to the independent device claim, it is possible with this method to enlarge the inside diameter of strip coils by untwisting the strip coils and thereby creating space for positioning further strip coils between the untwisting unit and the inside of the enlarged strip coils. The compressive force during rotation against the inside of a ribbon coil allows the untwisting unit to untwist a ribbon coil, since the ribbon coil experiences both a radial force and a rotational force due to friction between the untwisting unit and the inside of the ribbon coil.

In addition, the method according to the invention includes positioning at least one additional strip coil between the untwisting unit and the at least one enlarged strip coil, rotating the untwisting unit and the at least one additional strip coil relative to one another, pressing the untwisting unit against the inside of the at least one additional strip coil to the inner diameter of the at least one further strip coil is increased.

At this point at the latest, a multi-part strip coil is formed.

The method according to the invention also includes pressing the at least one further strip coil against the inside of the enlarged at least one strip coil.

As a result, the formed multi-part strip coil is compressed.

Furthermore, in the method according to the invention, the at least one strip coil is pressed in the radial direction against a delimiting structure.

This makes it possible, for example, to create a defined stop for the outermost strip coil of the multi-part strip coil to be formed. The limiting structure can consequently brake the outermost strip coil at this point against rotation or keep it stationary and thus facilitate turning. Furthermore, the delimitation structure allows a better pressing compaction of the individual strip coils in the multi-part strip coil by the untwisting unit.

In a possible variant of the method, the untwisting unit rotates, in particular about a vertical axis of rotation.

Thus, the relative rotation can be brought about solely by the untwisting unit, while the at least one coil of tape need not be rotated independently. A vertical axis of rotation enables a strip coil to be positioned in relation to the unwinding unit with its coil eye also pointing vertically upwards. As a result, the strip coil can be untwisted very evenly and easily by the untwisting unit in a radial, horizontal direction.

In a particularly possible variant of the method, the untwisting unit is rotated about an axis of rotation in variable radii and, as the radius increases, is pressed against the inside of the at least one strip coil.

This allows an advantageous pressing and rotating by the untwisting unit against an inside of the at least one strip coil.

In an expedient possible variant of the method, a force and/or movement introduced in the untwisting unit is converted into a radial compressive force and/or movement against an inner side of the strip coil.

This allows a simple and compact design of the untwisting unit. The force and/or movement introduced can also undergo a desired change in amount, for example an increase or decrease, during the conversion.

In an advantageous possible variant of the method, the introduced force and/or movement can be converted into a radial force and/or movement by a combination of linear actuator and scissor mechanism.

This combination allows a particularly compact, for example columnar, and reliable design of the untwisting unit.

In a further possible variant of the method, at least one radially extendable extension arm of the untwisting unit is rotated and, in the process, presses against the inside of the at least one strip coil with an increasing radius.

Such an embodiment reliably enables controllable pressing and rotating against the inside of the at least one strip coil. The cantilever also enables a compressive force and a rotational force to be applied simultaneously by the cantilever against an inside of the at least one strip coil.

In an advantageous possible embodiment of the method, a plurality of radially extendable extension arms of the untwisting unit rotate and press against an inside of the at least one strip coil with increasing radii, in particular with the same radii simultaneously increasing.

As a result, the inside of the at least one strip coil can be radially pressed at several points at the same time, which allows the at least one strip coil to be untwisted more evenly. Simultaneously increasing the same radii enables simultaneous and equally strong pressing at several points on the inside of the at least one strip coil, and thereby easier and more uniform untwisting as well as uniform radial compression of the formed multi-part strip coil.

In one possible embodiment of the method, all cantilevers rotate at the same speed.

As a result, the inside of the at least one strip coil experiences the same rotational force from all the arms.

In a further possible embodiment of the method, the cantilevers rotate in the circumferential direction at equal distances from one another about the axis of rotation.

As a result, the compressive forces are delivered very evenly to the inside of the at least one strip coil.

In a proposed possible variant of the method, the multi-part strip coil is formed on a coil transport means, in particular formed in a coil transport container.

Thus, after forming, the multi-part strip coil is already on a coil transport means for subsequent further processing. The optional forming in a coil transport container protects the worker from the individual strip coils.

In a further possible variant of the method, the untwisting unit protrudes through a through-hole in the base of one of the untwisting units during the forming of a multi-part strip coil detachable coil transport means, in particular it protrudes through a through-hole in the bottom of a coil transport container that can be removed from the untwisting unit and into this coil transport container.

As a result, the multi-part strip coil can be formed lying on the coil transport means and can be easily transported to subsequent work steps. The previously mentioned optional arrangement between the untwisting unit and a coil transport container is here particularly advantageous since, among other things, the workers can be better protected from the multi-part strip coil by the container.

In a further possible embodiment of the method, the coil transport means has the delimiting structure, in particular the delimiting structure is part of a side wall of the coil transport container.

This advantageously combines the advantages of the delimitation structure with those of the coil transport means, in particular with those of the coil transport container.

In a further possible variant of the method, the untwisting unit is designed according to one of the device claims.

In another possible variant of the method, the method is carried out with a device according to one of the device claims.

A possible embodiment of the invention, which advantageously combines several of the aforementioned embodiments and inventive aspects, is described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht von schräg oben auf eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer Aufdreheinheit in einer Grundstellung und mit einem Coiltransportbehälter mit darin eingelegter Transportpalette,

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 mit Auslegern der Aufdreheinheit in einer ausgefahrenen Stellung,

Fig. 3

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 2 ohne Coiltransportbehälter aber mit Transportpalette,

Fig. 4

den Coiltransportbehälter aus Fig. 1 mit eingelegter Transportpalette und entfernter Seitenwand,

Fig. 5

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 mit einem eingelegten, noch nicht aufgedrehten Bandcoil,

Fig. 6

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 5 mit Auslegern der Aufdreheinheit in einer voll ausgefahrenen Stellung und mit aufgedrehtem Bandcoil,

Fig. 7

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 6 mit Auslegern der Aufdreheinheit in wieder eingefahrener Grundstellung und mit dem aufgedrehten Bandcoil,

Fig. 8

ein schematisch gezeichnetes, noch unaufgedrehtes Bandcoil,

Fig. 9

ein schematisch gezeichnetes, von der Vorrichtung geformtes mehrteiliges Bandcoil aus mehreren einzelnen Bandcoils.

show:

1

a perspective view obliquely from above of an embodiment of a device according to the invention with a twisting unit in a basic position and with a coil transport container with a transport pallet inserted therein,

2

the device off 1 with booms of the unwinding unit in an extended position,

3

the device off 2 without coil transport container but with transport pallet,

4

the coil transport container 1 with inserted transport pallet and removed side wall,

figure 5

the device off 1 with an inserted, not yet untwisted band coil,

6

the device off figure 5 with untwisting unit booms in a fully extended position and with strip coil untwisted,

7

the device off 6 with extension arms of the twisting unit in the retracted basic position and with the twisted strip coil,

8

a schematically drawn, not yet untwisted band coil,

9

a schematically drawn multi-part strip coil formed by the device from several individual strip coils.

1 shows a device 1 according to the invention for forming a multi-part strip coil 2, here a PUP coil, from several individual strip coils 3.

The device 1 here has a twisting unit 4, a support frame 5, a drive and control unit 6 and a means of transport, here in the form of a coil transport container 7 on.

The device 1 here has a cuboid shape, which is characterized by the cuboid support frame 5, which accommodates the coil transport container 7, and the cuboid coil transport container 7 inserted into the support frame 5.

The device 1 is open at the top, so that a strip coil 3 or even several strip coils can be placed at once from above into the coil transport container 7 in such a way that the inside 8 of the strip coils 3 is positioned around the untwisting unit 4, which is columnar in this case.

The untwisting unit 4 is positioned in the center of the device 1, ie also in the center of the coil transport container 7, and is surrounded by the support frame 5 and the coil transport container 7.

The untwisting unit 4 extends in the form of a column along a rotation axis A, which is vertical here, is rotationally symmetrical in shape here, is mechanical at one end 9 on the underside 10 of the device 1 with the drive and control unit 6 positioned largely laterally and on the underside 10 of the device 1 and hydraulically connected, and is directed with its tapered free end 11 spike-like upwards.

The untwisting unit 4 protrudes into the coil transport container 7 through a through hole 12 in the bottom 13 of the coil transport container 7 and through a through hole 14 in a transport pallet 15 standing in the coil transport container.

The coil transport container 7 has four side walls 16, at least one of which can be opened and closed, and the bottom 13 and is open at the top. The height of the side walls 16 in the direction of the axis of rotation A, i.e. in the vertical direction here, is chosen such that it is at least equal to the length by which the untwisting unit 4 extends into the coil transport container 7, so that the untwisting unit 4 does not protrude beyond the side walls 16 here.

A part of the lateral surface 17 of the columnar untwisting unit 4 is formed by radially movable shields 18, here by a total of three radially movable shields 18.

These shields 18 are each connected via a radially acting scissor mechanism 19 to a linear actuator 20 positioned in the untwisting unit 4 and acting along the axis of rotation A, here with a hydraulic cylinder.

The drive and control unit 6 includes a controllable electric motor, not shown, and a controllable hydraulic pump 22. The electric motor is connected to the rotatably mounted unwinding unit 4 via a worm gear 23 located on the underside 10 of the device in order to be able to rotate it. The hydraulic pump 22 is connected to the hydraulic cylinder via a rotary feedthrough (not shown) in order to be able to move it in and out.

As in 2 as can be seen clearly, the untwisting unit 4 here comprises three extendable booms 24, each of which comprises one of the scissor mechanisms 19 together with a shield 18. In this embodiment, the entire part of the untwisting unit 4 projecting into the coil transport container 7 can be rotated at a controllable speed, including the arms 24. The arms 24 are here extended to their maximum radial extension length. A ribbon coil is not shown in this figure for purposes of illustration. The combination of linear actuator 20 and scissor mechanism 19 acts here as a force and movement conversion mechanism, which converts a force and/or movement of the linear actuator 20 into a radial force and/or movement of the cantilever 24 .

As in 3 can be seen better, the two ends 25, 26 of each scissor mechanism 19 facing away from the axis of rotation A are articulated on the inside of the shield 18 pointing towards the axis of rotation A. Furthermore, the upper end 25 of the two ends is slidably guided on the shield 18 in the direction of the axis of rotation A. The shield 18 is curved here in the form of a channel, with the convex curved side pointing radially outwards. A strip coil 3 is not shown here for better illustration, nor is the coil transport container 7.

At the two in 3 Not shown ends of the scissors mechanism 19 on the rotation axis side, the lower end is articulated in a stationary manner on the drive unit 4 and the upper, other end is articulated on the displaceable part of the linear actuator 20, here the hydraulic cylinder.

All scissor mechanisms 19 are connected to the linear actuator 20 in this way.

As in 3 can be seen, and can be understood even better with the following figures, a transport pallet 15, for example as shown here with a low-friction upper side 27, such as a sheet metal support, can form the support surface for a multi-part strip coil 2 to be formed. The transport pallet 15 also has the through hole 14 at a central point.

4 shows the coil transport container 7 separated from the rest of the device 1 and with the transport pallet 15 inserted. One of the side walls 16 has been removed from the container 7 here. In this embodiment, the coil transport container 7 can be opened and closed from the side. The bottom 13 of the coil transport container 7 also has the through hole 12 at a central point. The two through-holes 12, 14 are circular here and are positioned relative to the untwisting unit 4 in the device 1 such that they are aligned in the direction of the axis of rotation. The untwisting unit 4 can thus be pushed into the coil transport container 7 in its basic position with retracted arms 24 through the through-holes 12, 14, and later pulled out again in the opposite direction.

figure 5 shows the device 1 from 1 this time with an inserted band coil 3.

The untwisting unit 4 is here in its basic position with the arms 24 retracted. The inner side 8 of the strip coil 3 running circumferentially, sometimes also called the coil eye, is approximately parallel to the lateral surface 17 and thus the shields 18 . In this position of the untwisting unit 4 there is still a distance between the strip coil inside 8 and the shields 18. The strip coil 3 stands here with one coil side 28 on the reduced-friction surface 27 of the transport pallet 15. The untwisting unit 4 is not yet rotating here.

6 now shows the untwisting unit 4 with the arms 24 after their rotation in a maximally radially extended position. The outriggers 24 have just stopped rotating, but still press the now twisted strip coil 29 from the strip coil inside 30 against the inner wall 31 of the coil transport container 7.

7 shows the untwisting unit 4 with the arms 24 again in the retracted basic position together with the now untwisted strip coil 29. As can be clearly seen, sufficient space has now been created in the radial direction between the untwisting unit 4 and the inside 30 of the untwisted strip coil 29 in order to to insert a further strip coil 3, or several further strip coils at once, into the device 1, or more precisely, to position the strip coil inside 8 around the untwisting unit 4 and subsequently to also untwist this new strip coil 3.

8 shows a single, still untwisted strip coil 3 with its strip coil inside 8, its strip coil outside 32 and its inner diameter D1.

9 shows a multi-part strip coil 2, for example a PUP coil, which was formed by the device 1. The individual strip coils have been pushed into one another by the unwinding unit 4 and pressed into one another. The inner diameter D2 of the multi-part strip coil 2 is at least equal to the outer diameter of the lateral surface 17 of the untwisting unit 4.

In a possible embodiment, the strip coils 3, 29 are made of metal. In a further possible embodiment, the strip coils 3, 29 are made of steel. For example, the strip coils 3, 29 are made of so-called CRGO (cold-rolled grain-oriented steel). In one embodiment, the strip coils 3, 29 are surface-coated electrical sheets, for example coated with a film containing magnesium and glass.

In a possible embodiment, the individual strip coils 3, 29 have a length in the range of 2 m to 30 m, in particular in the range of 5 m to 25 m, when unwound.

In a further possible embodiment, the tapes of the tape coils have a thickness in the range from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, in particular in the range from 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm.

In one possible embodiment, a multi-part strip coil formed according to the invention has a weight in the range from 10 kg to 500 kg, in particular a weight in the range from 50 kg to 300 kg.

All of the aforementioned embodiments can furthermore be combined with one another as desired to form further embodiments.

In another possible embodiment, not shown here, the coil transport container 7 can also be omitted. The strip coil 3 then stands, for example, on the transport pallet 15 and is surrounded radially only by the support frame or another radially enclosing structure, which then serves, for example, as a delimiting structure for the multi-part strip coil 2 to be formed.

In a further possible embodiment, not shown here, the strip coil 3 can be positioned on a turntable and the turntable can be rotated. Optionally, a limiting structure can rotate with the turntable. The untwisting unit 4 also has controllable radially extendable arms, but in this embodiment it does not rotate or rotates at a different rotational speed than the turntable with the strip coil 3. A relative rotation between the strip coil 3 and the untwisting unit 4 can thus also be generated, and according to the invention a radial force the untwisting unit can be exerted against the strip coil inside 8 so that a strip coil is untwisted.

For a better understanding, the functioning of the device from the figures and the method are explained in more detail below.

For the sake of simplicity, the function is explained below with the untwisting of individual strip coils 3 carried out one after the other, although several strip coils can also be untwisted at the same time.

At the beginning of forming a multi-part strip coil 2, a worker takes a strip coil 3, for example by hand, as shown in FIG 8 shown and pulls it with its coil eye over the mandrel-shaped unwinding unit 4, which is in its basic position with the arms 24 retracted, as in 1 shown.

The conically tapered free end 11 of the untwisting unit 4 helps to pull the strip coil 3 over the untwisting unit 4 so that the strip coil 3 comes to rest with its inner side 8 positioned around the untwisting unit 4 on the transport pallet 15 of the container 7, as shown in FIG figure 5 is shown. The transport pallet 15 is provided here with the friction-reducing covering 27 so that the friction between the edges of the strip coil 3 and the transport pallet 15 remains as low as possible and the strip coil 3 can be easily unscrewed.

The movable part of the hydraulic cylinder is then moved by the hydraulic pump 22, retracted here, as a result of which the scissor mechanisms 19 simultaneously extend radially from the basic position and begin to press the shields 18 radially against the inner side 8 of the strip coil.

At the latest when at least one of the shields 18 comes into contact with the inner side 8 of the strip coil, the untwisting unit 4 is set in rotation by the electric motor and the worm gear 23 .

A worker can, for example, select the direction of rotation of the untwisting unit 4 on the drive and control unit 6 such that the shields 18 rotate from the inner edge 33 of the strip coil 3 along the coil winding in order to simply untwist the strip coil 3 . With a band coil as in figure 8 shown, this would be clockwise.

During the rotation of the untwisting unit 4, the radius r of the cantilever is increasingly increased and as a result the inner diameter D1 of the strip coil 3 is constantly increased. The radial outer surfaces 34 of the shields 18 press in the radial direction at several points simultaneously against the inner surface 8 of the strip coil and at the same time slide along the inner surface 8 of the strip coil with friction. As a result, the inner surface 8 of the strip coil experiences a rotational force which, together with the radial force, causes the strip coil 3 to be untwisted. The pushing rotation process continues until the outriggers 24 reach their maximum extended position.

In the present embodiment, the extension arms 24, in their maximally extended position, press the now twisted strip coil 29 (previously referred to as strip coil 3) against the inner wall 31 of the coil transport container 7. This inner wall 31 of the coil transport container acts here as a limiting structure and forms a stop for the Outside 32 of the band coil 29, whereby the band coil 29 is braked in comparison to the untwisting unit against rotation or stands still. The inner dimension of the coil transport container 7 defines the outer diameter of the multi-part strip coil 2 to be formed.

After the strip coil 3 has been completely unwound, the cantilevers 24 move back into their completely retracted basic position by actuating the hydraulic cylinder. The band coil 29 now remains in its unwound position.

Further strip coils are then successively inserted into the device in the manner described and untwisted until the multi-part strip coil 2 has reached a desired thickness or a desired weight.

Thereafter, the coil transport container 7 with the multi-part strip coil 2 lying on the transport pallet 15 is lifted in the vertical direction along the axis of rotation A from the untwisting unit 4 and the rest of the device 1 and fed to further processing processes.

An identical, still empty coil transport container 7 can then be used in the rest of the device. The support frame 5 serves as a holder and guide for the coil transport container 7.

The coil transport container 7 with the formed multi-part strip coil 2 can also be opened on one side after it has been removed from the twisting unit 4, the multi-part strip coil 2 with the transport pallet 15 can be lifted up out of the coil transport container 7, for example with a forklift, and then packed .

Claims (14)

1. A device (1) for forming a multi-part strip coil (2) from a plurality of individual strip coils (3), comprising

   an untwisting unit (4), wherein a strip coil (3) can be positioned with its strip coil inner side (8) around the untwisting unit (4),

   wherein the device (1) is adapted to cause relative rotation between the untwisting unit (4) and a strip coil (3),

   and the untwisting unit (4) can exert a radially directed compressive force against a strip coil inner side (8) during relative rotation between the untwisting unit (4) and the strip coil (3),

   wherein the device (1) comprises a confinement structure (16) arranged in a radial direction relative to the untwisting unit (4), against which the untwisting unit (4) can press a strip coil (3) from the strip coil inner side.
2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
   the confinement structure (16) surrounds the untwisting unit (4) in the radial direction.
3. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the untwisting unit (4) has an axis of rotation (A), and the untwisting unit (4) is adapted to rotate at different radii (r) about the axis of rotation (A) and can exert a radially directed compressive force against a strip coil inner side (8) as the radius (r) increases, and/or

   characterized in that in a basic position the untwisting unit (4) has the form of a column, in particular tapering at a free end (11), and/or

   characterized in that the axis of rotation (A) of the untwisting unit (4) is vertically aligned.
4. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the untwisting unit (4) includes a force and movement conversion mechanism (20, 19) which converts a force and/or movement introduced in the untwisting unit (4) in the direction of the axis of rotation (A) into a radial pressure force and/or movement of the untwisting unit (4), in particular characterized in that the force and motion conversion mechanism comprises a linear actuator (20) acting in the direction of the axis of rotation (A) and a scissors mechanism (19) acting in the radial direction.
5. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the untwisting unit (4) includes at least one extensible arm (24) for pressing against a strip coil inner side (8), in particular at least one extensible and rotatable arm (24), and preferably characterized in that the at least one arm (24) has at its free end a blade (18) which is adapted to press against a strip coil inner side (8, 30) and to slide along a strip coil inner side (8, 30) with friction during rotation.
6. The device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that a first rotation axis-side end of the scissors mechanism (19) is hinged stationary and a second, movable rotation axis-side end of the scissors mechanism (19) is hinged to the linear actuator (20), and two ends (25, 26) of the scissors mechanism (19) facing away from the axis of rotation (A) are hinged to the blade (18), wherein one of the blade-side ends (25) is hinged to the blade (18) so as to be displaceable in the direction of the axis of rotation.
7. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the untwisting unit (4) comprises a plurality of extensible, preferably also rotatable arms (24) which are arranged circumferentially around the axis of rotation (A) of the untwisting unit (4), in particular equidistantly in the circumferential direction.
8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the confinement structure (16) can be reversibly detached from the device (1), and/or

   characterized in that the confinement structure (16) is formed as part of a detachable coil transport means, in particular as a side wall (16) of a detachable coil transport container (7), preferably

   characterized in that the untwisting unit (4) projects through a through hole (12) of the detachable coil transport means, in particular the coil transport container (7) has a bottom (13) and a side wall (16), and the untwisting unit (4) projects into the coil transport container (7) through a through hole (12) in the bottom (13) of the coil transport container (7).
9. The device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the coil transport container (7) is open at the top, and/or
   characterized in that the coil transport container (7) can be opened and closed at the side.
10. The device (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that a removable transport pallet (15) with a through hole (14) is provided at the bottom (13) of the coil transport container (7), and the through hole (14) of the transport pallet (15) and the through hole (12) of the coil transport container (7) are aligned along the axis of rotation (A) of the untwisting unit (4) and are dimensioned such that the coil transport container (7) together with the transport pallet (15) can be removed from the rest of the device (1) in the direction of the axis of rotation (A).
11. A method for forming a multi-part strip coil (2) from a plurality of individual strip coils (3), characterized by

    positioning at least one strip coil with its inner side around an untwisting unit (4),

    rotating the untwisting unit (4) and the at least one strip coil relative to each other,

    pressing the untwisting unit (4) against the inside of the at least one strip coil under relative rotation until the inner diameter of the at least one strip coil is enlarged,

    positioning at least one additional strip coil between the untwisting unit (4) and the at least one enlarged strip coil,

    rotating the untwisting unit (4) and the at least one additional strip coil relative to each other, pressing the untwisting unit (4) against the inside of the at least one additional strip coil under relative rotation until the inner diameter of the at least one additional strip coil is enlarged,

    pressing the at least one additional strip coil against the inner side of the enlarged at least one strip coil, and

    pressing the at least one strip coil in a radial direction against a confinement structure (16).
12. The method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that

    at least one radially extensible arm (24) of the untwisting unit (4) rotates and thereby presses with increasing radius against the inner side of the at least one strip coil, and/or

    characterized in that several radially extensible arms (24) of the untwisting unit (4) rotate and thereby press with increasing radii against the inner side of the at least one strip coil, in particular with simultaneously increasing equal radii, preferably characterized in that all arms (24) rotate at the same speed.
13. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the multi-part strip coil (2) is formed on a coil transport means, is formed in particular in a coil transport container (7), preferably characterized in that the coil transport means includes the confinement structure (16), in particular the confinement structure (16) being part of a side wall of the coil transport container (7).
14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the untwisting unit (4) is formed according to any one of device claims 1 to 7, and/or characterized in that the method is carried out with a device according to any one of the device claims.

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