Removal device for automatically removing a flexible material component, method for removing a flexible material, and production facility comprising a conveying device and a removal device

Abstract

The invention relates to a removal device for removing a flexible material part, to a method for removing a flexible material part, and to a production facility comprising a conveying device and a removal device. The object of the invention is to provide a removal device for removing and moving one or more flexible material parts, a method for removing a material part from a conveying device, and a production facility comprising a conveying device and a removal device. This is achieved by a removal device (100) for removing at least one flexible material part (20) from a conveying device (30), the removal device comprising at least one winding device (110) comprising a receptacle (120), which is movable by means of the conveying device (30) into a removal position (A) and is configured to contact an area of the flexible material part (20) to be removed and to receive the flexible material part (20) to be removed from the conveying device (30) and to wind it around the receptacle (120), wherein, after winding the material part (20) to be removed, the orientation of the winding device (110) or of the receptacle (120) can be pivoted and the winding device can be moved into a storage position (B), the winding device (110) being designed to convey the material part (20) wound around the receptacle (120) to a transport container (151) at the storage position (B) and to store the wound material part (20) in the wound state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a removal device for removing flexible material components, a method for removing flexible material components, and a production facility including a conveying device and a removal device. Background Technology

[0002] Flexible material components or fabric material components, such as technical textiles, woven fabrics, fiber-reinforced fabrics, nonwoven components, and OPW (One-Piece Weave) fabrics, are transported on conveyor equipment. This conveyor equipment is capable of transporting material fabrics on a horizontal surface. Wide material fabrics are processed or cut on the conveyor equipment by processing units (e.g., cutting equipment). These material components are typically cut using laser technology. Continuous and / or discontinuous cutting and conveying methods can be used. Typically, multiple material components are cut from a single material fabric in side-by-side running fabrics, and the material components are arranged such that they are offset from each other, a process known as nesting, to obtain the highest yield of finished cut material components from the material strip.

[0003] Typically, multiple material components are cut side-by-side from the fabric, such that after the cutting process, multiple material components arrive at the end of the conveyor and usually must be removed there simultaneously or almost simultaneously. However, nesting of material components can also cause the finished cut material components to arrive at the end of the conveyor or the removal position of the conveyor in an offset manner.

[0004] To date, cut material components, particularly OPW fabric components used in airbags, have been manually removed from the conveyor equipment of the production system in such systems. One drawback of manual removal is the monotonous handling of cut material components (especially cut OPW fabric components), which requires a large number of personnel.

[0005] DE202007000899U1 discloses a processing apparatus for flexible pad-like materials, including a processing tool and a rotary-driven winding carrier for winding coils attached to a frame. The frame can be moved in space along multiple axes by a manipulator, particularly by rotating and swiveling along multiple axes by a robotic arm. Once winding is complete, the manipulator transports it to an output location, such as a storage platform, where the material workpiece is unwound and processed again.

[0006] DE102017203124A1 demonstrates a robotic gripper for handling cuts of flexible, flat materials. For storage, the flat material fabric cuts unfold from the sleeve wall of the material receiving roller, allowing them to be unfolded and stored in the storage area.

[0007] In the production of airbags, fabric components are typically very large, sometimes reaching lengths of 4 meters, as airbags cover the entire length of a vehicle's interior. Removing and storing such large fabric components is not only expensive but also requires extensive movement and correspondingly large storage areas.

[0008] Furthermore, when handling flexible material components, especially OPW fabric components, a so-called "sail effect" occurs due to their large size. This is because such materials typically have only slight air permeability, and the "sail effect" occurs when they are removed, making it more difficult to repeatedly place them in a designated storage location or slowing down rapid operations.

[0009] In addition to effectively removing cut material components (even at high conveying speeds), another requirement is the non-destructive handling of materials or fabrics and their safe removal from the conveying equipment, as the cut material components are made of flexible materials or fabrics, making automated gripping or removal difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Because different batches of material parts are cut in such systems, and the removal equipment is flexible enough to be used for different types of materials or fabrics and different sizes of material parts, it is also necessary to adapt the removal equipment to different cutting patterns and different sizes of material parts to be manufactured.

[0011] Therefore, the objective is to provide a removal device for removing and moving one or more flexible material components, a method for removing material components from a conveying device, and a production facility including a conveying device and a removal device.

[0012] Therefore, this invention is directed to all flexible or supple materials, i.e., materials that can be handled by the removal device of this invention. Various examples of possible materials are given below. However, this invention is primarily described based on flexible OPW fabrics.

[0013] This invention is based on the principle of arranging equipment downstream of the conveying direction. This equipment is capable of removing at least one or more material components and moving at least one material component away from the conveying direction in a manner that minimizes the space required for movement. To this end, the proposal according to the invention is to roll up at least one material component entering the conveying device and further convey the material component in a rolled-up state, and, if applicable, store the material component in a prepared container in a rolled-up state. Material components can also be processed in the case of multi-channel material component supply by using multiple winding devices or by interleaving single winding devices with adjacent material fabrics.

[0014] According to one aspect, a removal device is provided for removing at least one flexible material component from a conveying device, comprising: at least one winding device including a receiver movable to a removal position A above the conveying device and configured to receive the material component to be removed from an area of ​​the conveyor belt and wind it around the receiver, wherein the winding device is pivotable in its direction and movable to a storage position after winding the material component to be removed, wherein the winding device is configured to convey the material component wound around the receiver to a transport container at the storage position and to place the wound material component in a wound state.

[0015] Preferably, the receiver can contact the material component to be removed in the generally horizontal longitudinal direction of the receiver.

[0016] Preferably, multiple winding devices can be provided, with each winding device assigned to a region of the conveying equipment. As a result, multiple material components can be removed and stored simultaneously, quasi-parallel, or independently of each other.

[0017] The winding device can be configured as, for example, a tripod, a hexapod stage, a parallel kinematic robot, or an articulated arm robot. In its simplest form, the winding device includes three axes: X, Y, and Z, along which the receiver can move. The X direction corresponds to the material delivery direction, the Y direction extends laterally to the delivery direction, and the Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction.

[0018] The winding device can be coupled to the receiver via a hinge so that the orientation of the receiver can be changed according to receiver operation or storage operation.

[0019] Preferably, the winding device is height-movable relative to the conveying equipment and / or movable from the removal position to the storage position. Therefore, one or more material components can be removed from the conveying equipment and stored in another location. According to the invention, transport is carried out in a rolled-up state, thus significantly reducing the space required for handling and transporting sometimes very large material components.

[0020] Preferably, the receiver may include a clamping device for adhering or securing material components entering the conveying device to the surface of the receiver so as to wind them up.

[0021] Alternatively or concurrently, the receiver may include a suction device for adhering material components entering the conveying device to the surface of the receiver. As a result, the material components are received by the conveying device and may be wound around the receiver.

[0022] The receiver can also be referred to as a receiver device or a removal element.

[0023] Preferably, the receiver is rotatably hinged to the winding device. As a result, the material component to be received can rotate about the longitudinal axis, preferably after being adhered to the receiver, so as to wind the material component around the receiver.

[0024] The receiver can be configured as a cylinder, which preferably has a width or longitudinal range corresponding to at least one piece of material.

[0025] Preferably, the suction device may have one or more openings disposed on the surface of the receiver.

[0026] One or more openings can also be distributed on the receiver surface in the form of grooves or rows of openings. One or more openings can be distributed along the longitudinal axis and circumferential direction to consistently generate a suction effect and allow the receiving material component. This results in the advantage of attracting a larger area of ​​fabric material components, thus allowing for better adhesion to the receiver. Furthermore, the receiver can attract and adhere fabric material components regardless of its rotation direction.

[0027] To ensure effective adhesion, one or more openings can withstand negative pressure. In this way, incoming material components can be reliably adhered to the surface of the receiver.

[0028] The surface of the receiver can have a structure that allows adhesion, such as a rubber surface with microstructures.

[0029] In order to effectively separate the material components wound on the receiver, one or more openings can also withstand positive pressure. Therefore, positive pressure can be used to store or separate the wound material components together with the receiver.

[0030] In order to store the fabric material components in the transport box, the suction device pressurizes the material components to separate them from the receiver.

[0031] The suction device of the receiver can be formed as a row of openings. Multiple openings or rows of openings can also be distributed on the circumference of the receiver to ensure that the fabric material components are attracted or adhered to the receiver at every rotational position as much as possible.

[0032] The clamping device can be formed as a gap between the receiver surface and the clamping device to allow material components entering the conveying device to be inserted into the gap. The clamping device can be formed as a bracket or flip cover on the receiver, wherein the gap can be reduced after the material component is inserted to induce clamping. The receiver can then roll up the material component by a rotational motion.

[0033] The winding device may also include a clamping device that secures the wound material component to the receiver. This means that after the material component is wound onto the receiver, the clamping device flips over onto the wound material component to prevent accidental unwinding.

[0034] Here, the clamping device can be attached to the receiver or the receiver's support or winding device, and can be moved toward the receiver after the winding operation to secure the rolled-up material component to the receiver.

[0035] During storage, the clamping device can be removed from the receiver along with the rolled-up material component to release the rolled-up material component.

[0036] Preferably, the axis of rotation of the receiver is substantially horizontal or slightly inclined in the area where the material component is removed from the conveying device, and is substantially transverse or perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying device.

[0037] The receiver's axis of rotation is preferably oriented horizontally or vertically in the storage location area. Depending on the location of the rolled-up material or the arrangement of the storage box, the receiver's axis of rotation can be rotated to store the rolled-up material components.

[0038] After the material component adheres to the receiver, the receiver can move upward from the conveying plane.

[0039] Therefore, the winding process of the receiver can be carried out at a predetermined distance from the transport plane. This is advantageous for the winding process.

[0040] Preferably, after the material component is wound, the receiver can be moved together with the wound material component into a transport container so that the wound material component can be stored there in a wound state.

[0041] The winding device may include at least one joint that enables the receiver to be positioned and pivoted.

[0042] The height of the winding device can be adjusted so that it can be raised from the conveying plane or removal position A and moved after rotating to the horizontal or storage position of the transport container.

[0043] The removal device may also include a frame connected to one or more winding devices, the width of which is greater than the width of the conveyor.

[0044] The material components may preferably have elasticity and / or flexibility.

[0045] It can be single-layered or multi-layered.

[0046] Preferably, the material component is an airbag or OPW fabric or craft textile, cloth, fiber-reinforced fabric, non-woven material, carbon fiber material, paper, glass fiber material or seat cover material.

[0047] The material components may preferably include coated or uncoated single or multiple layers of metal or plastic foil.

[0048] The removal system according to the invention may include a transport container that can receive at least one rolled-up material component and is positioned in an area of ​​the storage location to receive the rolled-up fabric material component from the receiver.

[0049] Transport containers may have a partitioned structure, in which rolled-up material components are received in each storage area formed by the partitioned structure.

[0050] Transport containers can have multiple storage areas, each with a depth greater than its diameter or width.

[0051] The depth of the storage area should preferably correspond at least to the width of the material component. However, rolled-up material components may also protrude from the storage area. Preferably, the depth of the storage area should be greater than half the width of the material component.

[0052] The removal system may also include a conveyor belt on which one or more transport containers can be transported to a storage location, and after loading one or more rolled-up fabric material components, it can be transported out of the storage location.

[0053] In a particular embodiment, the conveyor belt may extend laterally to the conveyor direction of the conveying equipment in the storage location area, and / or the storage location may be located on the right and / or left or side of the conveying equipment.

[0054] A system for transporting fabric material components away is also provided, comprising: a conveying device having a horizontally arranged conveying plane on which at least one fabric material component is conveyed, and including the aforementioned removal device.

[0055] Material components can be conveyed continuously or discontinuously. That is, using the removal device of the present invention, material components can be picked up and wound by the conveying device from the conveying movement and resting position during the stop-and-go operation of the conveying device.

[0056] In addition, facilities for cutting and transporting fabric material components are provided, including: a removal system as described above, which includes a processing unit for cutting material components from a material web located on a conveyor belt.

[0057] A method for removing a material component located on a conveying device includes the following steps: adhering at least one material component in the removal location area to a rotatable receiver of the removal device; winding the material adhering to the receiver by rotating the receiver; moving the receiver of the receiving device and the wound material component to a storage location; and releasing and / or storing the wound material component in a transport container at the storage location or in the transport container.

[0058] The winding device may include a guide device positioned at a distance from the receiver. The guide device has a slightly curved shape corresponding to the circumference of the receiver. The guide device ensures that the fabric material component can be safely wound.

[0059] The transmission device may have multiple storage areas formed by partition structures. For example, the storage areas may be configured as compartments for storing rolled-up fabric material components, with each storage area containing one fabric material component.

[0060] Each compartment or storage area may have a narrowing section to clamp the fabric material component when it is inserted, thus securely holding the rolled-up fabric material component within the storage area. A flexible protrusion may also be provided in the upper region of the compartment, allowing easy insertion of the fabric material component while forming a barrier against removal movement, thereby securing the rolled-up fabric material component in the storage area like a barb.

[0061] The receiver may have an adhesive area to allow adhesion of the fabric material component to be rolled up.

[0062] The receiver may have a pinhole or rough surface so that the fabric material component to be rolled up can adhere to the surface of the receiver.

[0063] Fabric material components can be formed as material parts cut from flexible materials to allow for winding, such as airbags or airbag components. The material can be flexible, particularly craft textiles or fabrics (woven, nonwoven), carbon fiber, paper, fiberglass, airbag or OPW fabric, seat covers, wool materials, or coated or uncoated, single-layer or multi-layer metal or plastic foil, which are conveyed on a basic horizontal conveyor.

[0064] Preferably, at least one of the joints is configured as a rotary joint to allow the first hinge arm, the second hinge arm, and / or the third hinge arm to rotate about their respective longitudinal axes.

[0065] When the fabric material component is wound onto the rotatable receiver, the rotation axis R of the receiver is arranged laterally with the horizontal plane of the conveying device on which the fabric material component is located.

[0066] During the winding process, the receiver can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around its axis of rotation R.

[0067] The winding device can be adjusted laterally to the conveying direction F of the conveyor so that the winding device can wind up the fabric material components at different positions relative to the conveying direction F of the conveyor.

[0068] The winding device can be adjusted along the conveying direction of the conveying equipment.

[0069] The winding device can be adjusted in the vertical direction.

[0070] The storage location B can be higher than, lower than, or the same as the removal location A on the conveyor equipment where the fabric material component is located.

[0071] The receiver can be configured to remove the roller.

[0072] The removal roller can have a circular or polygonal cross-section. The removal roller can be configured as a cylinder extending along its axis of rotation.

[0073] After the fabric material component is wound, the winding device can move along the conveying direction of the conveying equipment, and the fabric material component can be released in the storage position. During the storage of the fabric material component, the receiver is positioned so that its axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular.

[0074] Multiple winding devices can be spaced apart from each other, with each winding device assigned to a corresponding conveying channel for the fabric material component of the conveying equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0075] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0076] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the system used for transporting material components away;

[0077] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the winding device;

[0078] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the removal roller of the winding device;

[0079] Figures 4a and 4b show schematic diagrams of the winding process of the cut material component on the removal roller;

[0080] Figure 5 is a cross-section of a removal roller with multiple openings;

[0081] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a removal roller with multiple openings;

[0082] Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the removal roller with a clamping device;

[0083] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the removal roller with a clamping device;

[0084] Figure 9 is a system plan view for transporting fabric material components away;

[0085] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of removing the equipment when storing material components;

[0086] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the facility used for cutting and transporting fabric material components;

[0087] Figure 12 illustrates the method according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0088] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a system for transporting a flexible or resilient material component 20. The flexible or resilient material component 20 arrives at a conveying device 30, which is configured, for example, as a conveyor belt, and is conveyed along the conveying direction F.

[0089] According to the invention, the removal device 100 is provided at the end of, for example, the conveying device 30, and receives the material components 20 at the storage location A and conveys them from the removal location A to the storage location B.

[0090] The removal device 100 includes one or more winding devices 110 disposed on the frame 160.

[0091] Each winding device 110 includes a receiver 120, hereinafter referred to as a removal roller 120. At the removal position A, the removal roller 120 is substantially horizontal and oriented transversely to the conveying direction F, and can be wound up with the material part 20. The removal roller 120 has a length L that corresponds at least to the width b of the material part 20 (see FIG. 4b).

[0092] After the material component 20 is wound onto the removal roller 120, the winding device 110 moves to a storage position B, where the wound material component 20a is stored in a transport container 151. For example, the transport container 151 is configured as a box and has a partition structure 152 forming a plurality of storage areas 153, in which the wound material component 20a is introduced into the storage area 153 and stored there.

[0093] After the transport container 151 is fully filled, i.e., after all storage areas 153 have been filled with the rolled material components 20a, the transport container 151 is transported away by the conveyor belt 154, and the empty transport container 151 is transported to storage location B for refilling. The conveyor belt 154 is preferably arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction. However, one or more conveyor belts 154 may also be positioned on the right and / or left side of the conveying device 30 to store the rolled material components 20.

[0094] These figures have been described using the terms fabric material component 20 and material component 20, which are used synonymously herein.

[0095] For simplicity of the invention, the cut fabric material components 20 are shown offset from each other in multiple channels and conveyed along the conveying direction F on the conveying device 30. Viewed from the conveying direction F, a cutting or processing device 200 (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIGS. 11 and 12) configured to cut wide widths of fabric or material is arranged in front of the removal device 100 (opposite to the conveying direction F). This cutting or processing device 200 may be configured as a laser cutting device and can cut the fabric material components 20 from the provided material net or fabric net, preferably with maximum throughput. At the end of the conveying device 30 (along the conveying direction F), the removal device 100 is arranged or configured such that it can approach the conveying plane of the conveying device 30 and the material components 20 resting thereon from above.

[0096] The figures are not shown in greater detail and are not essential to the invention, but for the cutting system, it is necessary to separate and remove the residual material or residual fabric from the cut material component before the removal device 100 according to the invention rolls it up.

[0097] The removal device 100 includes a frame 160. For example, the frame 160 may include four vertical supports. A top cover may be provided in the upper region. The frame 160 is configured such that it is positioned above the conveying device 30.

[0098] One or more winding devices 110 are connected to the frame 160, the winding devices 110 being securely fixed to the frame 160, or in another embodiment, being in a movable, changeable, or displaceable position relative to the frame to accommodate different conveying devices or different removal positions due to different material roll widths. The one or more winding devices 110 may also be arranged in different ways to approach material components moving on the conveying device 30.

[0099] The removal device 100 includes one or more winding devices 110 mounted on the frame 160 and adapted to receive one or more fabric material components from the conveying device 30 at the removal position A.

[0100] Each winding device 110 includes a removal roller 120 that contacts a fabric material component 20 to be removed and located at removal position A on the conveying device 30. The winding device 110 adheres the fabric material component 20 to be removed to the removal roller 120 and winds it up around the removal roller 120.

[0101] Subsequently, the winding device 110 moves the rolled-up fabric material component 20 to the transport container 151 located at storage position B. The rolled-up fabric material component 20 is stored in the transport container 151 in a rolled-up state.

[0102] The structure of the winding device 110 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 5 to 9.

[0103] Figure 2 illustrates a winding device 110 according to the invention. In the example according to Figure 2, the winding device 110 includes a base 131 connected to a first hinge arm 132. The first hinge arm 132 is connected to a second hinge arm 133, and the second hinge arm 133 is connected to a third hinge arm 134. A removal roller 120 is hinged to the third hinge arm 134. The winding device 110 can perform movement in multiple directions.

[0104] The first joint 141, second joint 142, third joint 143, and fourth joint 144 can be configured as translation joints, rotary joints, or combinations thereof. A translation joint connects two linear axes, allowing the next articulated arm to move along a straight path via the translation joint. The translation joint is mounted on a roller or sliding bearing. A rotary joint allows the connected articulated arm to rotate about a rotation axis, so that the next articulated arm rotates accordingly about the rotation axis. Assembly is performed on a rotary bearing. The rotation axis of the joint can extend along the longitudinal axis of the articulated arm or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the articulated arm. Different rotation axes can be achieved using a ball joint.

[0105] Therefore, the first articulated arm 132 can rotate about its longitudinal axis. The first articulated arm 132 is connected to the second articulated arm 133 via a joint 142, which allows the second articulated arm 133 to rotate out of the horizontal position to position the removal roller 120 lower. The rotational movement of the first articulated arm 132 about its own longitudinal axis allows the removal roller 120 to move over a large radius around the base 131 of the winding device 110.

[0106] The second articulated arm 133 is connected to the third articulated arm 134 via the second joint 143 so that it can also be moved by rotational motion.

[0107] The third articulated arm 134 (by including an extendable element 135 within the articulated arm 134) is adjustable in its longitudinal direction, and the removal roller 120 is attached to the extendable element 135. Due to the adjustability of the longitudinal direction, the removal roller 120 can therefore be lowered onto the conveying plane to receive the incoming material component 20 there. The removal roller 120 is connected to a third joint 144 at the lower end of the third articulated arm 134 and can be moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position or also to an inclined position there.

[0108] In Figure 2, the first joint 141 is configured as a rotary joint, allowing the first hinged arm 132 to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The second joint 142 is also implemented as a rotary joint, allowing the second hinged arm 133 to rotate orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the first hinged arm 132. The third joint 143 is also a rotary joint, allowing rotation orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the second hinged arm 133. The fourth joint 144 allows rotation about two axes of rotation: a first axis of rotation that allows the removal roller 120 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of its third hinged arm 134, and a second axis of rotation that allows the removal roller 120 to rotate from a horizontal position to a vertical position. Furthermore, the removal roller 120 is rotatable about its own longitudinal axis. Therefore, the removal roller 120 can reach or be positioned at any point within the spherical space defined by the center of the fourth joint 144 and the length of the removal roller 120.

[0109] The removal roller 120 can rotate horizontally and vertically about its longitudinal axis.

[0110] The winding device 110 also includes a clamping device 170, implemented, for example, in the form of a rod. For example, the clamping device 170 may be mounted on the third hinge arm 134 or placed on a support of the removal roller 120. The clamping device 170 can clamp the rolled-up material component after the winding process 20a to prevent the fabric material component from unintentionally detaching from the removal roller 120. The clamping device 170 has the function of securing the fabric material component 20 to the removal roller 120 after it has been fully wound onto the removal roller 120. Before and during the winding of the fabric material component 20, the clamping device 170 is in a resting position, i.e., maintaining a sufficient distance from the peripheral surface 124 of the removal roller 120.

[0111] After the fabric material component 20 is fully wound onto the removal roller 120, the clamping device 170 moves, rotates, or folds from its resting position to a clamping position, such that the clamping device 170 contacts the wound fabric material component 20 and applies sufficient force to the wound fabric material component 20 to prevent the fabric material component 20 from detaching from the removal roller 120. At least one area of ​​the clamping device 170 may be adapted to the curved surface of the removal roller, or to the curved surface of the fabric material component wound on the removal roller, for better abutment against the fabric material component.

[0112] Due to the different materials or sizes of the cutting material components and the resulting different radii on the removal rollers, the force required by the clamping device 170 to prevent the rolled-up fabric material components from unwinding can vary and is monitored and adjusted by the controller.

[0113] For example, a sensor can be used to determine whether the force applied to the fabric material component 20 by the clamping device 170 corresponds to a preset force.

[0114] Alternatively, the clamping device 170 can be flexibly mounted and closed in a relaxed state, thereby pressing against the rolled-up fabric material component 20 with spring force. During the winding and storage process of the fabric material component 20, the clamping device 170 is pulled or folded in the direction of the winding device, particularly in the direction of the third hinge arm 134.

[0115] At least one winding device 110 is fixed to the frame 160, and all or at least part of the winding device 110 is movable along or opposite to the conveying direction F. For this purpose, guides or rails (not shown) are formed in the upper region of the frame 160, for example on the top cover, for each winding device 110 to extend parallel to the conveying direction F and to allow the winding device 110 to move along and opposite to the conveying direction F.

[0116] Furthermore, each winding device 110 can move orthogonally or transversely to the conveying direction F along a guide or rail (not shown). Therefore, the winding device 110 can be positioned at different locations relative to the conveying direction F and can be adjusted perpendicular to the conveying direction F along the guide.

[0117] To prevent collisions between adjacent winding devices 110, the guide rails of the winding devices 110 are positioned on the frame 160, so that the distance between the winding devices 110 is large enough.

[0118] Therefore, a working area can be defined within the frame space for each winding device 110, in which the winding device 110 can move freely. Each winding device 110 is assigned an area on the conveying device 30, where the removal position A is located, and where the corresponding winding device 110 can receive the fabric material component 20. Furthermore, each winding device 110 is assigned a storage position B, and the winding device 110 can move to storage position B. The winding device 110 stores the wound fabric material component 20a at the corresponding storage position B.

[0119] At removal position A on the conveying device 30, the winding device 110 winds up the fabric material component 20 and conveys it to storage position B, where the winding device 110 stores the fabric material component 20 in the transport container 151. The transport container 151 includes a partition structure 152 that forms multiple storage areas 153 within the transport container 151. Each fabric material component 20 is stored in a corresponding storage area 153 in a rolled-up state. The partition structure 152 may, for example, form multiple rectangular storage areas 153 in the form of a rectangular grid, or form tubular storage areas 153. Each storage area 153 is configured as a cuboid or a hollow cylinder. For example, the transport container 151 is configured to resemble a beer crate.

[0120] In Figure 2, the articulated arms are shown with rectangular or square cross-sections. However, they can also have cylindrical or circular cross-sections, thus enabling rotational movement within the articulated arms. It is also possible to form each articulated arm such that it has longitudinal displacement similar to that of a third articulated arm. As a result, the adjustability of the winding device 110 can be increased.

[0121] Alternatively, the removal roller 120 can be moved between the removal position and the storage position B using a very simple adjustment structure. In a simplified embodiment, only translational displacement along the conveying direction is required. This can be achieved via a support rail on the frame 160. An adjustable-length vertical element is fixed to this support rail, and the removal roller 120 is secured to its lower end. The removal roller 120 can thus be positioned at the removal position A by translational and vertical displacement to roll up the material component 20. Thereafter, the removal roller 120 can be raised and conveyed along the support rail along the conveying direction to the storage position B.

[0122] Figure 3 shows a removal roller 120 in detail. The removal roller 120 is cylindrical with a longitudinal axis of rotation R about which it rotates. The removal roller 120 has a suction device 122 formed in or on its surface 124. The suction device 122 may include a plurality of openings 123 to which positive or negative pressure can be applied.

[0123] To allow material component 20 to adhere during winding, opening 123 is subjected to negative pressure, which can be supplied via winding device 110 to adhere material component 20 to removal roller 120 and initiate the winding process with subsequent rotational movement of removal roller 120. Positive or negative pressure can be provided via a hose line passing through the articulated arm. However, positive or negative pressure can also be generated in removal roller 120. A controller controls the duration, timing, and / or the amount of positive or negative pressure. One or more contact sensors on removal roller 120 determine whether fabric material component 20 is in contact with removal roller 120. Rotational movement of removal roller 120 can then begin, maintaining negative pressure during winding if necessary, and is only closed after clamping device 170 has folded open.

[0124] One or more contact sensors on the removal roller determine whether the fabric material component 20 has been removed from the removal roller in the event of a detachment. The positive pressure supply can then be shut off.

[0125] Alternatively or additionally, control of positive or negative pressure supply can also be based on time or event control.

[0126] The winding process is detailed in Figures 4A and 4B. The removal roller 120, located in removal zone A, adheres the incoming material component 20 using a suction device 122 and negative pressure supply, causing the material component 20 to be received by the conveying plane or conveyor belt of the conveying device 30 and adhered to the surface 124 of the removal roller 120. The removal roller 120 then rotates and performs a winding operation, partially shown in Figure 4B, illustrating the partially wound material component 20.

[0127] In Figure 5, the removal roller 120 is shown in cross-section. It can be seen here that the removal roller 120 may have an opening 123 of a suction device 122, which can withstand positive or negative pressure at different locations, so as to receive the material component 20 at as many points as possible on the removal roller 120 and adhere it there to begin the winding process.

[0128] In Figure 6, the removal roller 120 is shown in perspective, and the opening 123 is shown here as a longitudinal groove, which can be configured as a common opening or any number of small openings.

[0129] Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the removal roller 120, in which a clamping device 121 is present in the region of the removal roller 120, forming a gap 121a into which an incoming material component 20 is introduced. The gap 121a can be reduced after the material component 20 is inserted into the gap 121a so that the material component 20 is clamped to the removal roller 120 and wound around the removal roller 120 by a subsequent rotational motion.

[0130] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the removal roller 120 including the clamping device 121, where two supports or flaps are shown forming a gap 121a, which can be reduced to achieve a clamping effect after the material component 20 is introduced into the gap 121a.

[0131] Figure 9 shows a system plan view for transporting material component 20 away. Similar to the representation in Figure 1, the arriving material component 20 moves along the conveying direction F on the conveying device 30 so as to be wound at the removal position A by the removal roller 120 of at least one winding device 110. After a winding device 110 has wound the material component 20, the winding device 110 (as shown on the left) and the wound material component 20a are moved to the storage position B so as to place the wound material component 20a in the storage area 153 of the transport container 151.

[0132] In this regard, referring to Figure 10, the storage of the rolled-up material component 20a is shown in more detail. The winding device 110, accompanied by the removal roller 120, moves or has moved the rolled-up material component 20a into the area of ​​storage position B. There, the removal roller 120 rotates to a vertical position. For the storage process of the rolled-up material component 20a, the winding device 110 moves to the area of ​​the designated storage area 153 in the transport container 151 that is still empty. The material component 20a is then inserted into the empty storage area 153 and stored.

[0133] The storage area 153 in the transport container 151 has a depth approximately corresponding to the width of the material component 20. The width or diameter of the storage area 153 is sufficient to receive the rolled-up material component 20a.

[0134] A fixing device can be provided in the upper region of the storage area 153. This fixing device allows the rolled-up material component 20a to be inserted or introduced, but prevents the rolled-up material component 20a from being pulled up when the removal roller 120 is removed, thus keeping the rolled-up material component 20a in the storage area 153. To further simplify the storage process, positive pressure can be applied to the removal roller 120. Furthermore, the clamping device 170 has been removed from the removal roller 120 before being placed in the storage position B, so that the rolled-up material component 20a can be separated from the removal roller 120.

[0135] Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of a factory including a system for transporting material components 20. A processing device 200, configured, for example, to be a laser cutting device, cuts the material components, particularly the fabric material components 20 used in the production of airbags, and is shown in the right-hand area.

[0136] The material component 20 or fabric material component 20 to be received (as described above) is received by one of the rollers of the winding device 110 and conveyed into the transport container 151 in the area of ​​storage location B, and stored in the storage area 153.

[0137] The configuration according to the invention is particularly advantageous because, since most of the very large cut material parts are wound up, only a small amount of space is needed to store and transport the fully cut material parts. This is especially true compared to manually removing and transporting unwound material parts, and it saves a significant amount of space.

[0138] Figure 12 illustrates the flow chart of the method according to the invention. In step S10, at least one (fabric) material component 20 adheres to the rotatable removal roller 120 of the winding device 110 in the area of ​​removal position A. In step S20, the adhered material component 20 is wound up by rotating the removal roller 120 until the material component 20 is completely wound up. In step S30, the removal roller 120 and the wound (fabric) material component 20a are moved to storage position B, and in step S40, the wound (fabric) material component 20a is separated and stored in the storage area 153 of the transport container 151.

[0139] The system for transporting fabric material component 20, as shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, also includes a conveyor belt 154 on which an empty transport container 151 is transported to storage location B and then transported away when full.

[0140] Multiple transport containers 151 are positioned on the conveyor belt 154, with each transport container 151 positioned on the conveyor belt 154 and assigned to a specific location on the winding device 110. A separation device or stopping device 155 is provided that allows the transport containers 151 to be positioned on the conveyor belt 154 to assign the transport containers 151 to the winding device or to define the exact location of the transport containers 151 for storing the fabric material components 20.

[0141] A controller (not shown) detects the fabric material component 20 near removal position A to receive it, for example, through a camera or light barrier. The removal roller 20 is then positioned such that the fabric material component 20 can adhere to it. For this purpose, the winding device 110 moves approximately to the centerline of the fabric material component 20 and lowers the removal roller 120 to a conveying level there, allowing the fabric material component 20 to be acted upon by the suction device and / or clamping devices 121, 122 of the removal roller 120 and adhered to the surface 124 of the removal roller 120. After the gap 121a of the clamping device 121 is fully closed or negative pressure has been applied to the suction device 122 for a sufficient period, the controller can initiate the rotational movement of the removal roller 120. A camera or one or more sensors on the removal roller 120 can also be used to detect that the fabric material component 20 adheres to the surface 124 of the removal roller 120 and to initiate the rotational movement. The duration of the rotational movement is determined by the length of the fabric material component 20 to be wound and the diameter of the removal roller 120. After the fabric material component 20 is rolled up, the winding process is complete because the removal roller 120 has completed the required number of rotations. The clamping device 170 of the winding apparatus 110 can then be folded up to prevent the rolled-up fabric material component 20a from falling off the removal roller 120. The removal roller 120, along with the clamped and rolled-up fabric material component 20a, is pivoted or moved to storage position B via the corresponding rotational movements of joints 142, 143, 144 or the translational movements of hinged arms 132, 133, and 134 / 135. There, depending on the alignment of the storage area, the removal roller 120 is introduced into an insertion direction corresponding to the alignment direction of the storage area 153. The removal roller 120 and the rolled-up fabric material component 20 are then at least partially introduced into the storage area 153, which may also be referred to as a groove. Before or after the rolled-up fabric material component 20a is introduced into the storage area 153, the clamping device 170 releases it from the rolled-up fabric material component 20a so that it can be separated from the removal roller 120 for holding or storage in the storage area 153. Alternatively or as support, positive pressure can be output by the suction device 122 to support or allow the rolled-up fabric material component 20a to separate from the removal roller 120. If the clamping device 121 is implemented, the gap 121a opens, allowing the fabric material component 20a to separate from the removal roller 120. The removal device 100 can be controlled by means of a camera or by sensors in the transport container 151 to optically determine which storage areas 153 of the transport container 151 are empty or occupied, in order to determine the next free storage space or storage area 153 for the rolled-up fabric material component 20a and position the winding device 110 or the removal roller 120 accordingly. When the controller determines that all storage areas 153 of the transport container 151 are full, it is transported away via conveyor belt 154, and a new or empty transport container 151 is moved to storage location B.

[0142] The described clamping device 121 can be formed as an alternative to the suction device 122 or as an additional structure on the removal roller 120.

[0143] The removal device of the present invention is preferably used in a cutting system for airbag production. In particular, an advantage achieved here is that fabric material components 20, which are sometimes very large and have complex contours, must be transported with great care. The rolled-up fabric material components 20 according to the present invention save a significant amount of transport space. Furthermore, the rolled-up fabric material in the transport container 20 is also well protected.

Claims

1. A removal device (100) for removing at least one flexible material component (20) from a conveying device (30), comprising: At least one winding device (110) includes a receiver (120), the winding device being movable to a removal position (A) above the conveying device (30), and configured to contact the area of ​​the material component (20) to be removed, receive the material component (20) to be removed from the conveying device (30), and wind the material component around the receiver (120). After the material component (20) to be removed is wound, the winding device (110) or receiver (120) can rotate and move to the storage location (B). The winding device (110) is configured to transport the material component (20) wound around the receiver (120) to the transport container (151) at the storage location (B) and store the wound material component (20) in the transport container (151).

2. The removal device (100) according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of winding devices (110) are provided, and each winding device (110) is assigned to an area of ​​the conveying device (30) and / or one or more winding devices (110) are individually moved from the removal position (A) to the storage position (B) on the horizontal plane of the conveying device (30).

3. The removal device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiver (120) includes a clamping device and / or a suction device (122) to adhere the material component (20) entering the delivery device (30) to the surface (124) of the receiver (120).

4. The removal device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the receiver (120) is rotatably hinged to the winding device (110) so as to perform a rotational movement about a longitudinal axis after the material part (20) to be received adheres, thereby winding the material part (20) around the receiver (120).

5. The removal device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the suction device (122) has one or more openings (123) disposed on the surface (124) of the receiver (120).

6. The removal device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the one or more openings (123) are capable of withstanding negative or positive pressure to adhere the incoming material component (20) to or separate the incoming material component (20) from the surface of the receiver (120).

7. The removal device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the clamping device (121) forms a gap (121a) between the surface (124) of the receiver (120) and the clamping device (121), into which a material component (20) arriving from the conveying device (30) can be inserted, and / or wherein the clamping device (121) reduces the opening (1212) of the gap (121a) after the material component (20) is inserted to clamp the material component (20) onto the receiver (120), or wherein the receiver (120) performs a rotational movement about a longitudinal axis after the material component (20) has been inserted into the gap (121a) to roll the material component (20) onto the receiver (120).

8. The removal device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the winding device (110) includes a clamping device (170) that secures the wound material component (20a) to the receiver (120).

9. The removal device (100) according to claim 8, wherein the clamping device (170) is connected to the receiver or the holder of the receiver (120) and is movable toward the receiver (120) after the winding process to secure the rolled material part (20) to the receiver (120), and is movable away from the receiver (120) together with the rolled material part (20) during storage to release the rolled material part (20).

10. The removal device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the receiver (120) is positioned substantially horizontally and transversely to the conveying direction (F) of the conveying device (30) in the region of the removal position (A) of the material component (20) from the conveying device (30), and / or oriented horizontally, obliquely or vertically in the storage position (B).

11. The removal device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the receiver (120) is capable of moving upward from the conveying plane after the material component (20) adheres to the receiver (120), and the winding process of the receiver (120) occurs at a predetermined distance from the conveying plane.

12. The removal device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the winding device (110) includes at least one connector (141, 142, 143, 144) that allows the receiver (120) to position and pivot and / or adjust the height of the winding device (110) to rise from the transport plane or from the removal position (A), and after pivoting, to move to the level of the transport container (151) or the storage position (B).

13. The removal device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the receiver (120) is configured as a removal roller.

14. The removal device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the material component (20) is flexible, has one or more layers, or is an airbag or OPW fabric, and includes craft textiles, fiber-reinforced fabrics, nonwovens, carbon fibers, paper, glass fibers, seat covers, coated or uncoated single or multiple layers of metal or plastic foil.

15. A removal system comprising the removal device (100) according to claim 1, and further comprising at least one transport container (151) capable of receiving at least one rolled-up material component (20a) and positioned in an area of ​​a storage location (B) to receive the rolled-up material component (20a) from a receiver (120).

16. The removal system of claim 15, wherein the transport container (151) has a partition structure (153) for receiving rolled material components (20a) in storage areas (152) formed by the partition structure (153); and / or wherein the transport container (151) has a plurality of storage areas (152), each storage area (152) having a depth greater than the diameter or width of the storage area (152) and / or the depth of the storage area (152) corresponds to at least 50% of the width of the material component (20).

17. The removal system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the storage location (B) is located on the side of the conveying device (30), and / or further includes a conveyor belt (154) on which one or more transport containers (151) can be conveyed to the storage location (B) and, after being filled with one or more rolled material components (20a), can be removed from the storage location (B).

18. A system (1000) for transporting a fabric material component (20), comprising: A conveying device (30) having a horizontally set conveying plane, on which at least one fabric material component (20) is conveyed; The removal device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

19. A facility (2000) for cutting and transporting fabric material components (20), comprising: The removal system and processing unit (200) according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the processing unit (200) is used to cut material components (20) from material fabric placed on a conveying device (30).

20. A method for removing a material component (20) placed on a conveying device (30), comprising the steps of: At least one material component (20) is adhered (S10) to the rotatable receiver (120) of the removal device (100) in the area of ​​the removal location (A). By rotating the receiver (120), the adhered material component (20) is wound (S20) onto the receiver (120); Move (S30) the receiver (120) and the rolled-up material component (20a) to the storage location (B); The rolled-up material component (20a) in the rolled-up state is stored (S40) in the transport container (151) at the storage location (B).

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