Self-propelled winding machine

The self-propelled winding machine with modular design and independent drive control system solves the problem of difficult and flexible replacement and installation of unwinding units in the existing technology, realizes the rapid replacement of unwinding units and flexible use of the machine, and reduces production costs and time.

CN117916156BActive Publication Date: 2026-07-24ROBOPAC SPA
View PDF 4 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
ROBOPAC SPA
Filing Date
2022-07-20
Publication Date
2026-07-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing self-propelled winding machines are difficult to install flexibly and replace different types of film unwinding units quickly, resulting in increased production time and costs, and they cannot be flexibly constructed according to user needs.

Method used

A modular, self-propelled winding machine was designed, employing a reversibly connected unwinding unit and an independent drive and control system. The unwinding unit is quickly connected and disassembled from the machine body via a connector device, and the unwinding unit can be quickly replaced and flexibly used through the interconnection of the main and auxiliary drive control systems.

Benefits of technology

It enables rapid installation and replacement of the unwinding unit, improves the flexibility and versatility of the self-propelled winding machine, reduces production time and cost, and meets different usage needs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN117916156B_ABST
    Figure CN117916156B_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A self-propelled winding machine (1) is movable around a load to wind a plastic film around the load. The self-propelled winding machine includes: a self-propelled carrier (2); an upright (3) fixed to the carrier (2) and slidably supporting a movable slider (4) movable along the upright (3) and provided with a connecting device (6); first actuator devices (21, 22) for correspondingly moving the carrier (2) around the load and moving the movable slider (4) along the upright (3); and an unwinding unit (5, 15) provided with a roll (101) of film (100) and a rolling device (18, 19) for at least guiding and unwinding the film (100) and including a quick-connect device (7) connectable to the connecting device. 6) Connecting or disconnecting the connection; a main drive and control system (31) associated with the carrier (2) and / or the upright (3) and configured to operate and control at least the first actuator device (21, 22); and an auxiliary drive and control system (32) associated with the unwinding unit (5, 15) and configured to operate and control the second actuator device (23) and / or the third actuator device (24, 25, 26) acting on the rolling element device (18, 19), and / or to receive and process signals relating to the operating parameters of the unwinding unit from the sensor device (28) of the unwinding unit (5, 15); the main drive and control system (31) and the auxiliary drive and control system (32) are reversibly electrically connected to each other via connector devices (38, 39) to exchange control signals and transmit power supply.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile or self-propelled winding machine arranged to wind a film of stretchable plastic material around a loading member comprising one or more products arranged on a slide or tray. Background Technology

[0002] Also known as a self-propelled winding robot, a self-propelled winding machine is typically used for winding loads with variable shapes and sizes and limited throughput. These machines are often used in environments or rooms where fixed or static winding machines cannot be used due to overall size and / or available space. Loads are typically formed from slides or trays on which multiple products and / or items of different sizes and specifications are arranged in a more or less regular manner.

[0003] In other cases, wrapping, typically used for protective purposes, directly involves products that are usually large in size.

[0004] The self-propelled winding machine includes a vehicle or carrier that supports a vertical upright or columnar member, and a film unwinding or dispensing unit that can move along the vertical upright or columnar member in an alternating linear motion. The film unwinding or dispensing unit contains a plastic film roll and is provided with multiple rolling elements to unwind the film and may pre-stretch or elongate the film.

[0005] The carrier typically features a mobile rear drive wheel and a front guide device, which includes one or more steering wheels operated by a steering element. The steering element can be operated by an operator via a guide rod for manual drive in a maneuvering configuration, or by a sensing element capable of following the contour or external shape of the carrier in a working configuration where the self-propelled machine autonomously and automatically rotates around the carrier to wrap it with a membrane.

[0006] The combination of the alternating linear motion of the unwinding unit along the vertical upright member and the rotation of the self-propelled machine around the loading member allows the film to be wound around the loading member to form a series of intertwined strips or belts. The plastic film is wound to wrap all sides of the loading member.

[0007] Different types of unwinding units can be installed on self-propelled winding machines according to specific applications and user requirements.

[0008] In addition to supporting the film roll, it is known that an unwinding unit is provided with multiple rolling elements, and the film unwound from the roll is wound around the multiple rolling elements before leaving the unwinding unit in the direction of the loading element to be wound.

[0009] One of the rolling elements (the adjusting rolling element) is equipped with an adjustable brake that allows for calibration of the film winding tension, i.e., the tension or force applied to the loading element during winding. The brake acting on the adjusting rolling element can be a manually adjustable mechanical brake or an electromagnetic brake controlled by the control unit of the self-propelled winding machine.

[0010] Unwinding units including a pair of pre-stretched rollers and one or more guide rollers are also known. The pair of pre-stretched rollers are slow and fast rollers located upstream and downstream of the reference film, respectively. The pair of pre-stretched rollers are arranged to stretch and unwind the film. The one or more guide rollers are used to turn the film toward the loading device during unwinding.

[0011] By appropriately adjusting the difference in rotational speed between the two pre-stretched rollers, a predetermined amount of film stretching or elongation from the unwinding device can be achieved based on a fixed pre-stretch or elongation percentage before the film is wound onto the loading device. The film winding tension around the loading device can also be adjusted by appropriately adjusting the speed of the pre-stretched rollers.

[0012] The aforementioned unwinding unit is equipped with an electric motor that drives one of the two pre-stretching rolling elements, which serves as the motor rolling element (typically a fast rolling element), in a rotary manner, and drives the other pre-stretching rolling element, which serves as the driven rolling element (typically a slow rolling element), via a motion transmission assembly. Thus, a fixed transmission ratio is applied between the fast and slow rolling elements, the value of which is a function of the pre-stretch or elongation value or percentage to be obtained on the film. The mechanical drive assembly is essentially a speed reducer that connects the shaft of the fast rolling element to the shaft of the slow rolling element, thereby reducing the angular rotational speed of the slow rolling element relative to the angular rotational speed of the fast rolling element.

[0013] Unwinding units including two electric motors are also known, which drive two pre-stretched rolling elements separately and independently, thereby allowing the drive ratio to be changed quickly and easily during operation, i.e., the percentage of pre-stretch to be applied to the film.

[0014] The unwinding unit described above may also be provided with means for completely or partially narrowing the film in the transverse direction to reduce the width or strip width, thereby forming a narrow strip that will be tightly wound around the loading device and pallet, or a collected and compressed portion, essentially forming a roll or group of film as a rope or cord. In fact, the narrow strip obtained by gradually folding the longitudinal edge of the film transversely to the unwinding direction (so-called film creases) allows for higher winding force and lower elastic elongation relative to a film with a full-width strip.

[0015] Shrinking or folding devices typically include folding elements, such as rollers, which are moved linearly and laterally to the film by an electric motor to intercept and abut the longitudinal edge of the film and push that longitudinal edge toward the opposite longitudinal edge, thereby reducing the width of the film strip leaving the unwinding device.

[0016] Therefore, different types of unwinding units that can be installed on self-propelled winding machines have different numbers and types of drive devices (electric motors, electromagnetic brakes).

[0017] Therefore, the relevant electrical panels and control units must be appropriately configured according to the unwinding unit to be installed on the self-propelled winding machine. More specifically, the electrical panels must include all drives capable of controlling the motors / brakes present on the unwinding unit, and the control units must be appropriately programmed to control these drives.

[0018] Therefore, during the construction of the self-propelled winding machine, the type of winding unit that must be installed on the self-propelled winding machine during the assembly of the electrical panel must be known and defined. In other words, the self-propelled winding machine, its electrical panel, and the unwinding unit to be installed on the self-propelled winding machine have already been combined in the early steps of assembly.

[0019] In cases of errors or additional requirements such as assembling different types of unwound units (which vary depending on market needs), the programming of the electrical panel and control unit must be modified and adjusted, thereby increasing production time and costs.

[0020] Similarly, unless the entire self-propelled winding machine is repaired at the factory, it is not possible to make any subsequent replacement of the unwinding unit, for example, at the user's request.

[0021] EP 2974642 discloses a self-propelled winding machine 10 that is movable around a loading member to be wound with plastic film and includes a self-propelled carrier 32 supporting an upright member 16, a movable carrier member being movable along the upright member 16, and a roll retainer unit 14 that can be removably fixed to the movable carrier member for easy replacement by other suitable roll retainer units suitable for receiving rolls of film of, for example, different sizes, or for maintenance operations.

[0022] WO 2020 / 012327 describes a self-propelled winding machine capable of moving around a load to wind the load with film. The self-propelled winding machine includes a winding device comprising a support base, a columnar member fixed to the support base, and an unwinding unit slidably supported by the columnar member and adapted to feed unwound film from the roll. The winding machine also includes a movable, automatically driven vehicle arranged to reversibly and automatically engage with the support base in the assembled state of the self-propelled winding machine to support the winding device and move the winding device around the load, allowing the film to be wound onto the load.

[0023] CN 202481348 U describes a self-propelled winding machine equipped with an upright member that slidably supports an unwinding unit and is reversibly fixed to a self-propelled carrier member, the latter having a battery-driven drive wheel at one of its rear ends. Summary of the Invention

[0024] The object of the present invention is to improve upon known self-propelled winding machines that are arranged to wrap a loading component with a film made of stretchable plastic material.

[0025] Another objective is to create a self-propelled winding machine that allows for the installation and use of a variety of different types of film unwinding units.

[0026] Another objective is to create a self-propelled winding machine that allows for easy and rapid replacement of film unwinding units with different types of unwinding units.

[0027] Another objective is to create a flexible and economical self-propelled winding machine that can be easily constructed to meet the needs of users.

[0028] These and other objectives are achieved by the machine as described in any one of the following claims.

[0029] According to the present invention, a self-propelled winding machine is configured for winding a load with a plastic film. The self-propelled winding machine includes: a self-propelled carrier; an upright member fixed to the carrier and slidably supporting a movable slider, the movable slider being movable along the upright member and provided with a connecting device; a first actuator device for correspondingly moving the carrier member around the load and moving the movable slider along the upright member; and an unwinding unit provided with a film roll and a rolling element device, the rolling element device being at least for guiding and unwinding the film and including a quick-connect device that can be engaged and disengaged from the connecting device to accordingly mount the unwinding unit onto the movable slider in an assembly configuration and detach the unwinding unit from the movable slider in a disassembly configuration. The unwinding unit is one of a plurality of unwinding units reversibly connected to the movable slider of the self-propelled winding machine.

[0030] The self-propelled winding machine according to the invention further includes a main drive and control system and an auxiliary drive and control system. The main drive and control system is associated with the carrier and / or the upright member and is configured to operate and control at least a first actuator device. The auxiliary drive and control system is associated with the unwinding unit and is configured to operate and control a second and / or a third actuator device acting on the rolling member device and / or to receive and process signals relating to operating parameters of the unwinding unit transmitted from the sensor device of the unwinding unit. The first drive and control system and the auxiliary drive and control system are reversibly electrically connected to each other via connector devices to exchange control signals and transmit power supply.

[0031] With the aid of this invention, unwinding units can be easily and quickly installed and secured to a self-propelled winding machine. Unwinding units already installed on the self-propelled winding machine can also be quickly and easily replaced with another different unwinding unit. Therefore, the self-propelled winding unit of this invention is of the "modular" type, meaning that it includes unwinding units that can be easily replaced and changed among themselves without altering the main drive and control system of the self-propelled winding machine. Thus, the self-propelled winding unit of this invention is particularly flexible and versatile in use. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

[0033] - Figure 1This is a rear perspective view of a self-propelled winding machine with a film-equipped unwinding device according to the present invention.

[0034] - Figure 2 This is another rear perspective view of the self-propelled unwinding machine of the unwinding device without film of the present invention;

[0035] - Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The enlarged details show a movable slider of the self-propelled winding machine, equipped with a connecting device and adapted to support the unwinding unit.

[0036] - Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first unwinding unit that can be installed on the self-propelled winding machine of the present invention;

[0037] - Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The magnified details show the first connecting device of the first unwinding unit;

[0038] - Figure 6 It can be installed Figure 1 A perspective view of the second unwinding unit on a self-propelled winding machine;

[0039] - Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The enlarged details show the second connecting device of the second unwinding unit;

[0040] - Figure 8 It is a schematic front view of the first unwinding unit including the first rolling element device;

[0041] - Figure 9 This is a schematic front view of a variant of the first unwinding unit;

[0042] - Figure 10 This is a schematic front view of the second unwinding unit, including the second rolling element device;

[0043] - Figure 11 This is a schematic front view of the first variant of the second unwinding unit;

[0044] - Figure 12 This is a schematic front view of the second variant of the second unwinding unit;

[0045] - Figure 13 This is a schematic front view of the third variant of the second unwinding unit;

[0046] - Figure 14 This is a front view of the first electrical panel that can be mounted on the first unwinding unit;

[0047] - Figures 15 to 17These are front views of the second electrical panel, the third electrical panel, and the fourth electrical panel, which can be installed on the second unwinding unit and its variants.

[0048] - Figure 18 yes Figure 1 Simplified electrical diagram of the self-propelled winding machine body and its installation Figure 8 On the first unwinding unit Figure 14 A simplified electrical diagram of the first electrical panel;

[0049] - Figure 19 yes Figure 1 Simplified electrical diagram of the self-propelled winding machine body and its installation Figure 9 The first unwinding unit variant Figure 14 A simplified electrical diagram of the first electrical panel;

[0050] - Figure 20 yes Figure 1 Simplified electrical diagram of the self-propelled winding machine body and Figure 15 A simplified electrical diagram of the second electrical panel;

[0051] - Figure 21 yes Figure 1 Simplified electrical diagram of the self-propelled winding machine body and Figure 16 Simplified electrical diagram of the third electrical panel;

[0052] - Figure 22 yes Figure 1 Simplified electrical diagram of the self-propelled winding machine body and Figure 17 A simplified electrical diagram of the fourth electrical panel. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Reference Figures 1 to 2 The invention illustrates a self-propelled winding machine 1, which is capable of moving around a loading member to wind the loading member with a plastic film 100, particularly a cold-stretching type plastic film.

[0054] The self-propelled winding machine 1 includes: a self-propelled carrier 2; an upright member 3, which is generally vertical and is fixed to the carrier 2 and supports a movable slider 4 in a slidable manner, the movable slider 4 being movable along the upright member 3 and provided with a connecting device 6; and first actuator devices 21 and 22, which respectively move the carrier 2 around the loading member and move the movable slider 4 along the upright member 3.

[0055] The first actuator devices 21 and 22 include a first electric motor 21 and a second electric motor 22. The first electric motor 21 is arranged to drive at least one drive wheel 12 of the self-propelled carrier 2 to rotate, and the second electric motor 22 is used to move the movable slider 4 along the upright 3. The self-propelled winding machine 1 also includes an unwinding unit, which is provided with a roll 101 of film 100 and rolling devices 18 and 19, which are configured to at least guide the film and unwind the film from the roll.

[0056] The unwinding unit is one of several different unwinding units 5, 15 that can be installed on the winding machine 1.

[0057] Each of the plurality of unwinding units 5, 15 includes a quick-connect device 7, which can be connected and disconnected from the connecting device 6 of the movable slider 4, so as to install the unwinding unit 5, 15 on the movable slider 4 in the assembly configuration A and to remove and take off the unwinding unit 5 from the movable slider 4 in the disassembly configuration B.

[0058] Each unwinding unit 5, 15 includes a second actuator device 23 and / or a third actuator device 24, 25, 26 acting on the rolling element devices 18, 19.

[0059] Each unwinding unit 5, 15 includes a corresponding support device 51, 52, which is adapted to rotatably support the film roll 101, the rolling device 18, 19 and the connecting device 7.

[0060] More precisely, the plurality of unwinding units 5, 15 that can be reversibly mounted on a self-propelled winding machine, i.e., reversibly connected to the movable slider 4, include a first unwinding unit 5 and a second unwinding unit 25.

[0061] The first unwinding unit 5 includes a first rolling element device 18, which is provided with a tensioning rolling element 40. The tensioning rolling element 40 can be braked by a manually adjustable first braking device 16 and an electromagnetic second braking device 17, which is operated by an electromagnetic actuator of the second actuator device 23.

[0062] The second unwinding unit 15 includes a second rolling element device 19, which is provided with a first pre-stretched rolling element 41 and a second pre-stretched rolling element 42. The first pre-stretched rolling element 41 and the second pre-stretched rolling element 42 are configured to unwind and pre-stretch the film 100, and are both rotated by a third electric motor 24 or independently by the third electric motor 24 and the fourth electric motor 25 of the third actuator devices 24 and 25, respectively.

[0063] exist Figure 4 and Figure 8 In the first unwinding unit 5 shown, the tensioning roller 40 of the first rolling device 18 can be braked by a first braking device 16 that can be manually adjusted by the operator to adjust the tension or winding force applied to the film when it is wound around the loading member.

[0064] exist Figure 4 and Figure 9 In a variant of the first unwinding unit 15 shown, the tensioning roller 40 of the first rolling element device 18 can be braked by an electromagnetic type second braking device 17, i.e., a second braking device 17 driven by an electromagnetic actuator 23, to adjust the tension or winding force applied to the film when it is wound around the loading element.

[0065] Figure 6 and Figure 10 The second unwinding unit 15 shown includes a third electric motor 24, which rotates the first pre-stretched rolling element 41 (fast rolling element) and rotates the second pre-stretched rolling element 42 (slow rolling element) by means of a reduction gear 29.

[0066] Figure 6 and Figure 11 The first variant of the second unwinding unit 15, schematically shown, includes a third electric motor 24 and a fourth electric motor 26 for independently rotating the first pre-stretched rolling element 41 and the second pre-stretched rolling element 42, respectively.

[0067] The second unwinding unit 15 may further include a narrowing device 55 for the film 100, which is configured to abut against the longitudinal edge of the film and push the film toward the opposite longitudinal edge to reduce the width of the film strip. The narrowing device 55 is driven by a fifth electric motor 26.

[0068] Figure 6 and Figure 12 The second variant of the second unwinding unit 15, schematically shown, is provided with a third electric motor 24 and a narrowing device 55 driven by a fifth electric motor 26. The third electric motor 24 rotates the first pre-stretched rolling element 41 (fast rolling element) and rotates the second pre-stretched rolling element 42 (slow rolling element) by means of a reduction gear 29.

[0069] exist Figure 13The diagram schematically illustrates a third variation of the second unwinding unit 15, which is equipped with a third electric motor 24, a fourth electric motor 25, and a fifth electric motor 26. The third electric motor 24 and the fourth electric motor 25 are used to independently rotate the first pre-stretched rolling element 41 and the second pre-stretched rolling element 42, respectively, and the fifth electric motor 26 is used to drive the film narrowing device 55.

[0070] exist Figure 1 The image shows a self-propelled winding machine 1 that supports the second unwinding unit 15.

[0071] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The connecting device 6 of the movable slider 4 includes an elongated connecting element 8, which is particularly longitudinal and parallel to the upright 3. The connecting element 8 is fixed to the movable slider 4 and protrudes outward from the upright 3. The connecting element 8 includes a corresponding upper end portion 8a, which is provided with an open transverse seating portion 9.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting element 8 is formed by a closed cross-sectional profile, while the lateral seating portion 9 is formed by two recesses formed on opposite circumferential edges of the upper end portion 8a.

[0073] The second unwinding unit 15 is shown in particular with reference to it. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The connecting device 7 includes an elongated cavity 11, which is longitudinally oriented and formed in the second support device 52 of the second unwinding unit 15 and has a shape complementary to that of the connecting element 8.

[0074] The second support device 52 includes a support frame 52a and a housing 52b. The support frame 52a rotatably supports the film roll 101 and the rolling element device 19. The housing 52b houses the second rolling element device 19 and includes a connecting device 7. More precisely, a cavity 11 is formed on the rear wall of the housing 52b of the support device 52 of the second unwinding unit 15.

[0075] The cavity 11 has a corresponding upper end 11a to which the transverse support pin 13 is fixed.

[0076] In the assembly configuration A of the second unwinding unit 15, the lateral seating portion 9 of the connecting element 8 receives and supports the lateral support pin 13, and the connecting element 8 is inserted and accommodated in the cavity 11.

[0077] The connecting device 7 also includes an additional lateral locking pin 14, which can be inserted into the corresponding lower end portion 11b of the cavity 11 and the corresponding lower end portion 8b of the connecting element 8. More precisely, in assembly configuration A, the additional lateral locking pin 14 can be inserted into a pair of parallel and opposing first through holes 48 formed on the lower end portion 8b of the connecting element 8 and a pair of parallel and opposing second through holes 49 formed on the lower end portion 11b of the cavity 11.

[0078] Specifically, the first unwinding unit 5 is shown with reference to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The cavity 11 of the connecting device 7, which has a shape complementary to that of the connecting element 8, is formed on the first support device 51 of the unwinding unit 15.

[0079] The first support device 51 includes a first support frame 51a and a first receiving housing 51b. The first support frame 51a rotatably supports the film roll 101 and the first rolling element device 18. The first receiving housing 51b houses the first rolling element device 19 and includes a connecting device 7. More precisely, the cavity 11 is formed in the open transverse cross-sectional profile 53 of the first receiving housing 51b.

[0080] Cavity 11 has a corresponding upper end 11a and a corresponding lower end 11b, a transverse support pin 13 is fixed to the upper end 11a, and a second through hole 49 is formed on the lower end 11b. The second through hole 49 is adapted to receive the transverse locking pin 14 on the self-propelled winding machine 1 in the assembly configuration A of the first unwinding unit 5.

[0081] Reference Figures 18 to 22 The self-propelled winding machine 1 of the present invention includes a main drive and control system 31 and an auxiliary drive and control system 32. The main drive and control system 31 is associated with the machine body including a carrier 2 and an upright member 3 and is configured to operate and control first actuator devices 21, 22, which move the carrier around the loading member and move the movable slider 4 along the upright member 3.

[0082] The auxiliary drive and control system 32 is associated with the unwinding units 5, 15 and is configured to: drive and control the second actuator device 23 and the third actuator devices 24, 25, 26 on the acting rolling elements 18, 19, and / or receive and process signals related to the operating parameters of the unwinding unit detected by the sensor device 28 of the unwinding unit.

[0083] The main drive and control system 31 and the auxiliary drive and control system 32 can be electrically connected in a reversible manner via connector devices 38 and 39 to exchange control signals and transmit power (the power supply is from the main drive and control system 31 to the auxiliary drive and control system 32).

[0084] Connector assemblies 38 and 39 include a first connector 38 and a second connector 39, which are reversibly connected to each other in assembly configuration A. The first connector 38 is associated with the main drive and control system 31 and is positioned on the connecting device 6 on the movable slider 4, and the second connector 39 is associated with the auxiliary drive and control system 32 and is positioned on the connecting device 7 on the unwinding units 5 and 15.

[0085] The main drive and control system 31 includes: a first control unit 33, such as a PLC or an industrial computer; first drive devices 34 and 35, which are used to power and control the first actuator devices 21 and 22 and are connected to and controlled by the first control unit 33; a control panel 37, which is connected to the first control unit 33; and at least one battery 30, which is used to power the entire self-propelled winding machine 1, i.e., the machine body and the unwinding units 5 and 15.

[0086] The first control unit 33 and the first drive units 34 and 35 are housed within the main electrical panel of the machine body, which is of a known type and is not shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0087] The main drive and control system 31, especially the first control unit 33, is also configured to receive and process signals related to the operating parameters of the machine body 10 detected by the corresponding sensor device 27.

[0088] The first actuator devices 21 and 22 include a first electric motor 21 and a second electric motor 22, and the first drive devices 34 and 35 include a first drive unit 34 and a second drive unit 35 adapted to supply power and control the first electric motor 21 and the second electric motor 22, respectively.

[0089] The auxiliary drive and control system 32 includes: a second control unit 43, such as a PLC, adapted to receive and process signals from the sensor device 28 based on the type of the first unwinding unit associated with the second control unit 43, and also powering and controlling a second actuator device 23, which includes an electromagnetic actuator of the electromagnetic braking device 17; or the second control unit 43 controls second drive devices 44, 45, 46, adapted to power and control third actuator devices 24, 25, 26, which include a third electric motor 24, a fourth electric motor 25, and a fifth electric motor 26.

[0090] Each of the plurality of unwinding units 5, 15 includes a corresponding electrical panel, which includes an auxiliary drive and control system 32. The electrical panel is fixed to the support devices 51, 52 of the unwinding units 5, 15, and in particular to the housings 51b, 52b.

[0091] The first unwinding unit 5, which is equipped with a tensioning rolling element 40 connected to a manually actuated and adjustable braking device 16, is provided with a first electrical panel 61. Figure 14 The first electrical panel 61 includes a corresponding auxiliary drive and control system 32. Figure 18 The auxiliary drive and control system 32 includes a second control unit 43 configured to receive and process signals detected and transmitted by the sensor device 28. The second control unit 43 then sends information related to the received and processed signals to the first control unit 33 of the main drive and control system 31.

[0092] A variant of the first unwinding unit 5, which is equipped with an electromagnetic braking device 17 capable of driving and adjusting to brake the tensioned rolling element 40, is provided with the same first electrical panel 61 and the same auxiliary drive and control system 32, wherein the second control unit 42 also controls the electromagnetic actuator 23 of the electromagnetic braking device 17. Figure 10 It provides power and control.

[0093] The second unwinding unit 15, which includes a third electric motor 24 that rotates the first pre-stretched rolling element 41 and the second pre-stretched rolling element 42, is provided with a second electrical panel. Figure 15 The second electrical panel includes a corresponding auxiliary drive and control system 32. Figure 20The auxiliary drive and control system 32, in addition to the second control unit 43, also includes a second drive unit 44, which is configured to power and control the third actuator device 24. In this embodiment, the second drive unit 44 includes a third drive unit 44 adapted to power and control the third electric motor 24. The second control unit 43 is configured to receive and process signals sent by the sensor device 28 and to control the second drive unit 44.

[0094] A first variant of the second unwinding unit 15, including a third electric motor 24 and a fourth electric motor 25 for independently rotating the first pre-stretched rolling element 41 and the second pre-stretched rolling element 42, is provided with a third electrical panel 63. Figure 16 The third electrical panel 63 includes a corresponding auxiliary drive and control system 32. Figure 21 The auxiliary drive and control system 32 includes a second control unit 43 and second drive devices 44 and 45, which are configured to power and control third actuator devices 24 and 25, namely, a third electric motor 14 and a fourth electric motor 15. In this embodiment, the second drive devices 44 and 45 include a third drive unit 44 and a fourth drive unit 45 adapted to power and control the third electric motor 24 and the fourth electric motor 25.

[0095] Each of the two drive units 44 and 45 can supply power and control either of the two electric motors 24 and 26.

[0096] The second control unit 43 is configured to receive and process signals sent by the sensor device 28 and to control the second drive devices 44 and 45.

[0097] A second variant of the second unwinding unit 15, which includes a third electric motor 24 that rotates both pre-stretched rolling elements 41 and 42 and a fifth electric motor 26 of a narrowing device 55, is provided with the same third electrical panel 63 and the same auxiliary drive and control system 32, wherein the third drive unit 44 and the fourth drive unit 45 of the second drive devices 44 and 45 are configured to supply power and control the third electric motor 24 and the fifth electric motor 25.

[0098] Each of the two drive units 44 and 45 can supply power and control either of the two electric motors 24 and 26.

[0099] The second control unit 43 is configured to receive and process signals sent by the sensor device 28 and to control the second drive devices 44 and 45.

[0100] A third variant of the second unwinding unit 15, including a third electric motor 24 and a fourth electric motor 25 for independently rotating the first pre-stretched rolling element 41 and the second pre-stretched rolling element 42, and a fifth electric motor 26 for driving the membrane narrowing device 55, is provided with a fourth electrical panel 64. Figure 17 The fourth electrical panel 64 includes a corresponding auxiliary drive and control system 32. Figure 22 The auxiliary drive and control system 32 includes a second control unit 43 and second drive devices 44, 45, and 46. The second drive devices 44, 45, and 46 are configured to power and control third actuator devices 24, 25, and 26, which are, respectively, a third electric motor 24, a fourth electric motor 25, and a fifth electric motor 26. In this embodiment, the second drive devices 44, 45, and 46 include third drive units 44, 45, and 46 adapted to power and control the third electric motor 24, the fourth electric motor 25, and the fifth electric motor 26.

[0101] Each of the three drive units 44, 45, and 46 can supply power and control any one of the three electric motors 24, 25, and 26.

[0102] The second control unit 43 is configured to receive and process signals sent by the sensor device 28 and to control the second drive devices 44, 45, and 46.

[0103] Therefore, in the assembly step of the self-propelled winding machine 1 of the present invention, one of the different unwinding units 5, 25 selected according to the user's requirements and needs can be quickly and easily installed on the movable slider 4.

[0104] With the aid of the connecting device 6 of the movable slider 4 and the connecting device 7 of the unwinding units 5, 15, the unwinding units 5, 15 can be easily and quickly installed and fixed to the self-propelled winding machine. Furthermore, since the unwinding units 5, 15 are provided with their own electrical panels 61, 62, 63, 64 including an auxiliary drive and control system 32 (which is configured to drive and control the second actuator device 23 or the third actuator devices 24, 25, 26 acting on the rolling elements 18, 19 and / or to receive and process signals related to the operating parameters of the unwinding units 5, 15 detected by the sensor device 28), it is not necessary to modify and / or combine with the main drive and control system 31 of the machine body, for example, by adding a drive unit and / or electrical connections to the third actuator device 23 and the fourth actuator devices 24, 25, 26.

[0105] In practice, it is sufficient to electrically connect the two drive and control systems 31 and 32 via connector devices 38 and 39 and select the type of the installed unwinding unit 5 and 15 from the control panel 37 to use the corresponding operating procedure. Alternatively, the specific operating procedure of the installed unwinding unit can be quickly installed on the first control unit 33 of the self-propelled winding machine.

[0106] In fact, the second control unit 43 of the auxiliary drive and control system 32 can command and control the operation of the unwinding unit based on the instructions received from the first control unit 33, so as to coordinate the operation of the first actuator devices 21, 22, the second actuator device 23 or the third actuator devices 24, 25, 26 according to the set winding cycle and the signals sent by the sensor device 27 of the machine body and the sensor device 28 of the unwinding unit.

[0107] It should be noted that the third electrical panel 63 with a corresponding auxiliary drive and control system 32 can be mounted on the second unwinding unit 15, which includes a third electric motor 24 and a fourth electric motor 25 for independently rotating the first pre-stretched rolling element 41 and the second pre-stretched rolling element 42, respectively, or it can be mounted on the second unwinding unit 15, which includes a third electric motor 24 for rotating both the pre-stretched rolling elements 41 and 42 and a fifth electric motor 26 for the narrowing device 55.

[0108] The self-propelled winding machine of the present invention allows for the quick and easy replacement of unwinding units already installed on a self-propelled winding machine, for example, in a user's field, with another different unwinding unit 5, 15, in response to changing product requirements, for example. Therefore, the self-propelled winding machine 1 is of a "modular" type, meaning that the self-propelled winding machine 1 includes unwinding units 5, 15 that can be easily replaced and changed among themselves without altering the main drive and control system 31 of the machine body of the self-propelled winding machine 1. Therefore, the self-propelled winding machine 1 is particularly flexible and versatile in use.

Claims

1. A self-propelled winding machine (1) capable of moving around a loading member to wind the loading member with a plastic film, the self-propelled winding machine (1) comprising: - A self-propelled carrier (2) that causes the self-propelled winding machine (1) to move around the loading member; - An upright member (3), which is fixed to the bearing member (2) and supports the movable sliding member (4) in a slidable manner. The movable sliding member (4) is movable along the upright member (3) and is provided with a connecting device (6). - First actuator device (21, 22), the first actuator device (21, 22) is used to move the carrier (2) around the loading member and to move the movable slider (4) along the upright member (3); - Unwinding unit (5, 15), the unwinding unit (5, 15) being provided with a roll (101) of film (100) and a rolling device (18, 19), the rolling device (18, 19) being at least used for guiding and unwinding the film (100), and the unwinding unit (5, 15) including a quick-connect device (7), the quick-connect device (7) being able to connect and disconnect with the connecting device (6) to respectively mount the unwinding unit (5, 15) on the movable slider (4) in the assembly configuration (A) and to remove the unwinding unit (5, 15) from the movable slider (4) in the disassembly configuration (B); The self-propelled winding machine (1) is characterized in that it includes a main drive and control system (31) and an auxiliary drive and control system (32), the main drive and control system (31) being associated with the carrier (2) and / or the upright member (3) and configured to operate and control at least the first actuator device (21, 22), the auxiliary drive and control system (32) being associated with the unwinding unit (5, 15) and configured to operate and control the second actuator device (23) and / or the third actuator device (24, 25, 26) acting on the rolling member device (18, 19), and / or to receive and process signals from the sensor device (28) of the unwinding unit (5, 15) relating to the operating parameters of the unwinding unit (5, 15), the main drive and control system (31) and the auxiliary drive and control system (32) being reversibly electrically connected to each other via connector devices (38, 39) to exchange control signals and transmit power supply.

2. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The unwinding unit (5, 15) is one of a plurality of unwinding units (5, 15) that can be reversibly connected to the movable slider (4) of the self-propelled winding machine (1).

3. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The main drive and control system (31) includes at least: a first control unit (33); a first drive device (34, 35) for powering and controlling the first actuator device (21, 22) and connected and controlled by the first control unit (33); a control panel (37) connected to the first control unit (33); and at least one battery (30) for powering the self-propelled winding machine (1).

4. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The first actuator device (21, 22) includes a first electric motor (21) and a second electric motor (22). The first electric motor (21) is used to rotate at least one drive wheel (12) of the self-propelled carrier (2). The second electric motor (22) is used to move the movable slider (4) along the upright (3). The first drive device (34, 35) includes a first drive unit (34) and a second drive unit (35) that respectively power and control the first electric motor (21) and the second electric motor (22).

5. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connector devices (38, 39) include a first connector (38) and a second connector (39) capable of reversibly connecting to each other in the assembly configuration (A), the first connector (38) being associated with the main drive and control system (31) and positioned on the movable slider (4) at the connecting device (6), and the second connector (39) being associated with the auxiliary drive and control system (32) and positioned on the unwinding unit (5, 15) at the quick-connect device (7).

6. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 2, wherein, Each of the plurality of unwinding units (5, 15) includes a corresponding electrical panel (61, 62, 63, 64), which includes the auxiliary drive and control system (32).

7. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The auxiliary drive and control system (32) includes at least a second control unit (43) for receiving and processing signals from the sensor device (28).

8. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The auxiliary drive and control system (32) includes a second control unit (43) for receiving and processing signals from the sensor device (28) and supplying and controlling the second actuator device (23).

9. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The auxiliary drive and control system (32) includes a second control unit (43) for powering and controlling the third actuator devices (24, 25, 26) and a second drive device (44, 45, 46). The second control unit (43) is configured to receive and process signals sent by the sensor device (28) and to control the second drive device (44, 45, 46).

10. The self-propelled winding machine according to claim 1, wherein the self-propelled winding machine comprises a plurality of unwinding units (5, 15), the plurality of unwinding units (5, 15) being reversibly connected to the movable slider (4) of the self-propelled winding machine (1), the plurality of unwinding units (5, 15) comprising: - First unwinding unit (5), the first unwinding unit (5) is provided with a first rolling element device (18) including a tension rolling element (40), the tension rolling element (40) can be braked by means of a manual braking device (16) that can be operated and adjusted manually or by means of an electromagnetic braking device (17) that can be operated and adjusted by the second actuator device (23); - Second unwinding unit (15), the second unwinding unit (15) is provided with a second rolling element device (19), the second rolling element device (19) includes a first pre-stretched rolling element (41) and a second pre-stretched rolling element (42) for unwinding and pre-stretching the film (100), and the third actuator device (24, 25, 26) includes a third electric motor (24) for rotating both the pre-stretched rolling elements (41, 42), or the third actuator device (24, 25, 26) includes a third electric motor (24) and a fourth electric motor (25) for rotating the first pre-stretched rolling element (41) and the second pre-stretched rolling element (42) respectively and independently.

11. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 10, wherein, Each of the second unwinding units (15) of the plurality of unwinding units (5, 15) further includes a narrowing device (55) of the membrane (100), the narrowing device (55) being configured to abut against the longitudinal edge of the membrane (100) and push the longitudinal edge toward the opposite longitudinal edge to reduce the tape width of the membrane (100), the narrowing device (55) being driven by a fifth electric motor (26) of the third actuator device (24, 25, 26).

12. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 11, wherein, The auxiliary drive and control system (32) includes a second drive device (44, 45, 46), which includes at least one drive unit for powering and controlling a corresponding electric motor among the third electric motor (24), the fourth electric motor (25), and the fifth electric motor (26).

13. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, The connecting device (6) includes an elongated connecting element (8) which is fixed to the movable slider (4) and protrudes outward from the upright (3), and the connecting element (8) includes a corresponding upper end (8a) provided with an open transverse seat (9), and wherein the quick-connect device (7) includes an elongated cavity (11) which is formed in the support device (51, 52) of the unwinding unit (5, 15) and has a shape complementary to the shape of the connecting element (8), and the cavity (11) is provided with a corresponding upper end (11a), and a transverse support pin (13) is fixed to the upper end (11a) of the cavity (11). In the assembly configuration (A) of the unwinding unit (5, 15), the transverse seat (9) of the connecting element (8) receives and supports the transverse support pin (13), and the connecting element (8) is inserted into and accommodated in the cavity (11).

14. The self-propelled winding machine (1) according to claim 13, wherein, The quick-connect device (7) includes an additional transverse locking pin (14) that can be inserted into the corresponding lower end (11b) of the longitudinal cavity (11) and the corresponding lower end (8b) of the connecting element (8).