Rotary head with rotor-side control device, device comprising the rotary head and method for controlling an energy supply to a working element of the rotary head

Abstract

Rotary head (1), in particular for packaging and / or sealing machines, comprising: a stator (2), a rotor (3) with at least one energy-consuming working element (6), and a transmission device (7) for energy and signal transmission between the stator (2) and the rotor (3), wherein the rotor (3) has at least one rotor-side control device (8) coupled to the transmission device (7) for controlling the energy supply to the working element (6), characterized in that the working element (6) has at least one individually controllable heating element for heat sealing of heat-sealable packaging material.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary head, particularly for packaging machines, comprising: a stator; a rotor with at least one energy-consuming working element; a transmission device for transferring energy from the stator to the rotor; and a control device for regulating the energy supply to the working element. The present invention also relates to a device comprising the rotary head and a method for regulating the energy supply to a working element of the rotary head.

[0002] According to the current state of the art, the energy consumed by the working element is transferred from the stator to the rotor via slip ring transmission. The advantages of this design lie in its relatively simple construction, mature technology, and low cost.

[0003] However, slip ring transmission also has some disadvantages: particularly with more complex rotary heads featuring multiple individually controllable working elements, the number of transmission channels required for energy and signal transmission, and thus the installation space for the corresponding energy transmission devices, increases considerably. This hinders machine cleaning, which is especially detrimental because open systems require maintenance and cleaning. Slip ring transmission is energy-intensive due to high contact resistance, and there is a risk of sparking. The sliding contact naturally results in high wear of the components rubbing against each other. Overall, this conventional solution with slip ring transmission is also not aesthetically pleasing.

[0004] The present invention is based on the objective of solving problems known from the prior art and providing a more compact and less wear-prone rotary head.

[0005] To solve the problem defined above, the present invention discloses the rotary head according to claim 1. As related aspects, the present invention also discloses the device for packaging and / or sealing small articles using such a rotary head according to claim 11, as well as a method for controlling an energy supply to the energy-consuming working element of such a rotary head according to claim 12.

[0006] A rotary head according to the invention with a plurality of individually controllable working elements and contactless energy and signal transmission between stator and rotor is manufactured in cooperation with the company KONTENDA GmbH in Magdeburg.

[0007] The rotary head disclosed herein is intended in particular for use in packaging and / or sealing machines and comprises: a stator, a rotor with at least one energy-consuming working element, and a transmission device for energy and signal transmission between the stator and the rotor, wherein the rotor has at least one control device coupled to the transmission device for regulating the energy supply to the working element. The regulation of the energy supply to the working element consists, for example, of supplying energy to the working element until a value measured at the working element (actual value) reaches a desired target value (setpoint). In the simplest case, the setpoint is fixed or is set or adjusted directly at the working element or the control device (cf. thermostat controller). Alternatively, the setpoint can also be set on the stator side (e.g., with a stator-side input device) and, if necessary,The setpoint can be adjusted, with the target value being transmitted as a signal via the transmission device to the rotor or to the rotor-side control device. For example, the stator of the rotary head can be connected to an input device (e.g., a computer with a display) on which the setpoint can be adjusted and, if necessary, the actual value measured at the working element is displayed. According to the invention, the energy supply to the working element is controlled on the rotor side, i.e., the control device is arranged on the rotor. This has the advantage that the energy requirement of the working element to achieve a setpoint can be determined particularly easily. A signal can be generated based on the actual value measured at the working element and transmitted to the stator to calculate the energy requirement. Based on this signal, the stator can determine and provide a corresponding amount of energy / power (= energy per unit of time) and transmit it to the rotor.With multiple energy-consuming working elements, this has the advantage that only one signal, based on the actual values ​​measured at the working elements, needs to be generated on the rotor side and transmitted to the stator. The total energy / power calculated by the stator is then transmitted to the rotor and the corresponding working elements via the control devices. In contrast to the conventional solution, which required a large number of parallel sliding contacts to individually control a large number of working elements, the energy and signal transmission in the solution according to the invention with rotor-side control is significantly simpler and can also be implemented much more compactly thanks to the preferably contactless (e.g., inductive) transmission technology. However, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to accomplish the energy and signal transmission through contact between the stator and the rotor, e.g.,via slip ring transmission, because, unlike the conventional solution, the rotor-side control only requires a signal to be transmitted from the rotor to the stator and the total amount of energy to be transmitted from the stator to the rotor, so that the number of slip ring contacts is much lower compared to conventional solutions.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] It can be advantageous for the control device to have at least one sensor for detecting at least one actual value of the working element, where the actual value is preferably a temperature value and / or a state value (ON / OFF). In the simplest case, the control device is designed as a thermostat controller. A target temperature of the working element is specified as the setpoint, and the current temperature of the working element is detected as the actual value. The energy input heats or cools the working element, so that the measured temperature (actual value) approaches the target temperature (setpoint) until it reaches the target temperature (setpoint). It is also possible, in particular, for each working element to have several control devices and several individually controllable sections. Likewise, it is also possible for one control device to control several working elements or a group of working elements.

[0010] It can be advantageous if the transmission device is configured to transmit an input signal, generated based on at least one actual value, from the rotor to the stator. Particularly when acquiring multiple actual values, generating a single input signal can significantly reduce the amount of data to be transmitted from the rotor to the stator. Especially with multiple actual values, generating a single input signal can significantly reduce the amount of data to be transmitted to the stator because the actual values ​​do not need to be transmitted to the stator individually.

[0011] It can be helpful if the transmission device is configured to transfer a calculated amount of energy from the stator to the rotor based on the input signal (and, if applicable, an adjustable setpoint or characteristic curve). This ensures that the rotor receives a precisely calculated amount of energy, which is then passed on to the working elements via the rotor-side control devices. Here, too, the number of energy transmission channels can be reduced, since the distribution of the total transmitted energy only occurs at the rotor level via the control device.

[0012] It can prove practical if the control device is configured to regulate the energy supply to the associated working element depending on the amount of energy transferred. This allows the energy supply to the working element to be optimized.

[0013] It can be advantageous if the stator has a stator-side control device and the rotor has a rotor-side control device coupled to the control device, wherein the transmission device is configured for (unidirectional or bidirectional, preferably contactless) energy and signal transmission between the stator-side control device and the rotor-side control device, wherein the rotor-side control device is configured to generate the input signal based on the at least one actual value and supply this input signal to the transmission device for transmission to the stator-side control device, and wherein the stator-side control device is configured to calculate the amount of energy based on the input signal and supply this amount of energy to the transmission device for transmission to the rotor-side control device and to the control device.In this embodiment, the generation of the input signal and the calculation of the amount of energy are carried out internally within the system, i.e., on the rotor and stator sides.

[0014] It can be advantageous if the stator-side control unit is configured to supply the transmission unit with at least one setpoint for controlling the working element, preferably a temperature setpoint and / or state value, for transmission to the rotor-side control unit and, if applicable, the control unit. This allows, for example, the setpoint for all working elements to be set or adjusted via a single stator-side input device.

[0015] It can be advantageous if the rotary head has several energy-consuming working elements, preferably with a common control unit or each with at least one separate control unit, wherein the transmission unit is preferably configured to transmit at least one input signal generated based on the actual values ​​of all working elements from the rotor to the stator, and more preferably to transmit an amount of energy calculated based on all input signals from the stator to the rotor, wherein each control unit is particularly preferably configured to regulate the energy supply to the associated working element depending on the amount of energy. The advantages of the rotary head according to the invention are particularly evident with a plurality of working elements. In particular, the rotor-side control unit can significantly reduce the number of energy and signal transmission channels compared to conventional slip ring transmission.However, it can also be advantageous if each working element has at least two individually controllable sections, or if a group of working elements is controlled by a single control device.

[0016] It can be advantageous if the stator has at least one interface for energy and signal transmission to an external device, whereby a setpoint for controlling the working element can preferably be entered via this interface and transferred to the control device via the transmission device. For example, an input device can be connected to the stator via this interface, allowing the setpoints to be adjusted and, if necessary, the actual values ​​to be read.

[0017] It can be practical if the working element has at least one individually controllable heating element for heat-sealing heat-sealable packaging material; preferably, each working element has two or four individually controllable heating elements. In an advantageous embodiment, the rotary head, designed as a sealing head for small items in heat-sealable packaging material, has a total of eight working elements, each with four individually heatable holding jaws. In this embodiment, the temperatures of all 32 holding jaws are individually controlled by their own control unit. Thus, there are a total of 32 control units. The setpoints for all 32 holding jaws can be individually set, for example, via an input device connected to the stator interface. Preferably, the setpoints for all 32 holding jaws are the same.

[0018] It can prove advantageous if the transmission device is designed for contactless, preferably inductive, energy and / or signal transmission between the stator and the rotor. This results in minimized wear and a reduction in the number of channels required for signal / energy transmission, enabling a compact design for high power transmission.

[0019] It can be advantageous for the transmission device to have at least one contact for energy and / or signal transmission between the stator and the rotor, preferably at least one slip ring contact. The advantage of this technology lies in its technical maturity and high reliability.

[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to a packaging machine for packaging and / or sealing small items in heat-sealable packaging material, comprising at least one rotary head according to one of the preceding embodiments.

[0021] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling an energy supply to the energy-consuming working element of the rotary head according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein an actual value of the working element is detected by means of the control device and an input signal generated on the basis of the actual value is transmitted from the rotor to the stator by means of the transmission device (preferably contactlessly), wherein an amount of energy is calculated on the basis of the input signal and transmitted (preferably contactlessly) from the stator to the rotor, and wherein the energy supply to the working element is controlled as a function of the amount of energy.

[0022] Further preferred embodiments of the present invention result from combinations of the features disclosed in the claims, the description and the drawings. Terms and definitions Working body

[0023] The working element can be any energy consumer, such as an actuator, e.g. a servo motor, piezo drive, or a heating device. Brief description of the characters

[0024] They show: Fig. 1 a side section view of a rotary head according to the first embodiment of the invention with section direction along the axis of rotation of the rotary head and viewing direction radial to the axis of rotation, wherein the rotary head has four working elements with a common control device to jointly control an energy supply to the working elements. Fig. 2 a schematic frontal view of a rotary head according to the second embodiment of the invention with a view along the axis of rotation of the rotary head, wherein the rotary head has four working elements, each with its own control device, in order to individually control the energy supply to the working elements. Fig. 3 A schematic view of a transmission device for contactless energy and signal transmission by means of induction. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0025] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] First, the essential features of the rotary head 1 according to the invention are explained using the first embodiment as an example. Then, possible modifications are shown using further embodiments, whereby identical features are provided with identical reference numerals in order to refer to the preceding description and to avoid repetition.

[0027] The inventive principle is applicable to all types of rotary heads 1. Disclosed are therefore a rotary head 1 for packaging and / or sealing machines, as well as a rotary head 1 for other applications with the exception of packaging and / or sealing machines. First embodiment (Fig. 1): Rotary head with a rotor-side control device

[0028] The rotary head 1 according to the invention is designed as a sealing head for packaging machines and comprises a stator 2 with a stator-side control unit 4, a rotor 3 with a rotor-side control unit 5, and four energy-consuming working elements 6, which are designed here as sealing elements or as heated holding jaw pairs. A transmission device 7 serves for bidirectional and preferably contactless (inductive) energy and, if applicable, signal transmission between the stator 2 and the rotor 3 or between the stator-side control unit 4 and the rotor-side control unit 5.

[0029] The structure and operating principle of an exemplary transmission device 7 for contactless energy and signal transmission by means of induction will be described later with reference to Fig. 3 described.

[0030] The rotor 3 has a control device 8 coupled to the rotor-side control device 5 or the transmission device 7 for regulating the energy supply to the working element 6. In practice, a spatial differentiation between the rotor-side control device 5 and the (rotor-side) control device 8 is not necessary. Within the scope of this invention, this differentiation serves only to illustrate the different functions of these devices.

[0031] In the first embodiment, a control device 8 regulates the energy supply to all working elements 6 based on an actual value measured at, for example, one of the working elements 6, so that this actual value reaches a predetermined target value (setpoint). The individual control device 8 therefore controls a group of working elements 6.

[0032] The rotor 3 forms a housing with a substantially cylindrical body 11 and a circular cover 12, which is rotatably mounted on the stator 2 via a rolling bearing. The housing encloses the stator-side and rotor-side electronics, namely the stator-side and rotor-side control units 4, 5 and the rotor-side regulating unit 8, as well as the stator-side and rotor-side parts of the transmission unit 7. In the case of contactless energy and signal transmission, the stator-side and rotor-side parts of the transmission unit 7 preferably face each other with a gap 10.

[0033] Furthermore, the control device 8 has at least one sensor for each working element 6 for detecting the actual value of at least one working element 6. The actual value is, for example, a temperature value and / or status value (ON / OFF) of the working element 6. Alternatively, a single sensor may be provided to detect the temperature of all working elements 6, or several temperature sensors may be provided on each working element 6.

[0034] Based on the actual values, the rotor-side control unit 5 generates an input signal, which is transmitted to the stator-side control unit 4 via the transmission unit 7. The actual value can be calculated as the difference to a setpoint, but can also be used as an absolute value if, for example, the setpoint is constant and the energy quantity is calculated according to a predefined characteristic curve. With multiple actual values, an input signal can be generated based on, for example, an average or total value.

[0035] The transmission device 7 transmits the input signal generated on the basis of the actual value from the rotor 3 to the stator 2 or from the rotor-side control device 5 to the stator-side control device 4 via contactless signal transmission.

[0036] The stator-side control unit 4 calculates the total energy requirement of all working elements 6 based on this input signal and transmits this energy quantity contactlessly to the rotor-side control unit 5 via the transmission unit 7. The energy quantity can be calculated as a function of the difference between the actual value and a predefined setpoint, or read from a stored characteristic map. The setpoint can be entered into the stator-side control unit 4 via an energy and / or data interface 9 and stored there. The setpoint can also be transmitted via the transmission unit 7 to the rotor-side control unit 5 and the coupled control unit 8.

[0037] Finally, in the control unit 8, the energy transferred to the rotor 3 is distributed to the working elements 6. The control unit 8 regulates the energy supply to the corresponding working element 6 until the actual value reaches the specified setpoint.

[0038] The invention principle can be well explained using the following numerical example, which is based on the first embodiment with four individually temperature-controlled working elements 6: - First working element: Actual +49.8°C; Target: +50°C, Difference: 0.2K - Second working element: Actual +49.7°C; Target: +50°C, Difference: 0.3K - Third working element: Actual +49.9°C; Target: +50°C, Difference: 0.1K - Fourth working element: Actual +49.6°C; Target: +50°C, Difference: 0.4K - Actual average: +49.75 °C (actual value), target average: +50 °C (actual value)

[0039] The actual values ​​correspond to the temperature measured at the respective working element 6. The specified setpoint corresponds to the target temperature of the working elements 6.

[0040] Insofar as the temperature of the working elements is regulated on the basis of a temperature average of the working elements, the distribution of the amount of energy transferred from the stator 2 to the rotor 3 to the working elements 6 can be carried out in equal parts (E = unit of energy), as is explained in the following numerical example: - First working element: Actual +49.8°C; Target: +50°C, Difference: 0.2 K, Energy requirement: 2.5 E - Second working element: Actual +49.7°C; Target: +50°C, Difference: 0.3 K, Energy requirement: 2.5 E - Third working element: Actual +49.9°C; Target: +50°C, Difference: 0.1 K, Energy requirement: 2.5 E - Fourth working element: Actual +49.6°C; Target: +50°C, Difference: 0.4 K, Energy requirement: 2.5 E - Total difference: 1 K, total energy requirement: 10 E

[0041] Since the average temperature of all working elements 6 is regulated to a setpoint as the actual value, and not the individually measured temperatures of the individual working elements 6, the same amount of energy (one energy unit E) is supplied to all working elements 6, even though the determined temperature difference between the measured temperature (actual) and the target temperature (setpoint) differs at all four working elements 6. With comparatively small temperature differences between the working elements 6, which are likely to be expected in practice, this type of temperature control at the working elements 6 is sufficiently accurate. Second embodiment (Fig. 2): Rotary head 1 with several rotor-side control devices 8

[0042] In the second embodiment according to Fig. In the second embodiment, the rotating head 1 also comprises four energy-consuming working elements 6, which, unlike the first embodiment, each have their own control unit 8 to individually regulate the energy supply to each working element 6. The total amount of energy to be supplied to the working elements 6 is calculated based on the individually measured actual values ​​and transferred from the stator 2 to the rotor 3. Finally, the energy supply to each of the working elements 6 is individually regulated by the respective control unit 8 so that the actual value and the specified setpoint are achieved, as illustrated by the following numerical example: - First working element: Actual temperature +48°C; Target temperature: +50°C, Difference: 2K, Energy requirement: 20 E - Second working element: Actual temperature +47°C; Target temperature: +50°C, Difference: 3K, Energy requirement: 30 E - Third working element: Actual temperature +49°C; Target temperature: +50°C, Difference: 1K, Energy requirement: 10 E - Fourth working element: Actual temperature +46°C; Target temperature: +50°C, Difference: 4K, Energy requirement: 40 E - Actual average: 47.5 °C; Total energy requirement: 100 E (e.g. 1 E = 1 watt-second)

[0043] To calculate the amount of energy to be transferred from stator 2 to rotor 3, only the total energy requirement is initially relevant. It is assumed that the total energy requirement is proportional to the total difference between the actual and setpoint values ​​of all working elements 6. Therefore, to calculate the total amount of energy, only an input signal generated based on the actual value—in this case, based on the total difference between the actual and setpoint values ​​of all working elements 6—needs to be transferred from rotor 3 to stator 2. After the transfer of the total amount of energy from stator 2 to rotor 3, the transferred energy is distributed among the working elements 6 by means of the rotor-side control devices 8.The total amount of energy is distributed among the working elements 6 by means of the individual control devices 8 in proportion to the difference between the actual and setpoint values, such that the third working element receives the least amount of energy, and the first working element (temperature difference 2 K), second working element (temperature difference 3 K) and fourth working element 6 (temperature difference 4 K) receive a correspondingly higher amount of energy in ascending order.

[0044] If the actual temperature is above the setpoint temperature, the energy requirement of the respective working element is 0 E. Therefore, only those working elements (6) where the actual temperature is lower than the setpoint temperature are effectively included in the energy requirement calculation. Without energy input, the respective working element (6) cools down to the setpoint by releasing energy into the environment. If the actual temperature falls below the setpoint, the energy requirement of this working element becomes positive again, as illustrated by the following numerical example: - First working element: Actual +52°C; Target: +50°C, Difference: -2K, Energy requirement: 0 E - Second working element: Actual temperature +47°C; Target temperature: +50°C, Difference: 3K, Energy requirement: 30 E - Third working element: Actual temperature +49°C; Target temperature: +50°C, Difference: 1K, Energy requirement: 10 E - Fourth working element: Actual +51°C; Target: +50°C, Difference: -1K, Energy requirement: 0 E - Actual average: 47.5 °C; Total energy consumption: 40 E (e.g. 1 E = 1 Watt)

[0045] Through the individual control of all working elements 6, temperature differences between the working elements 6 can be optimally balanced.

[0046] In an alternative numerical example, the target values ​​of the working components 6 are individually set: - First working organ: Actual +48°C; Target: +51°C, Difference: 3 K, Energy input: 30 E - Second working element: Actual temperature +47°C; Target temperature: +52°C, Difference: 5 K, Energy input: 50 E - Third working element: Actual temperature +49°C; Target temperature: +50°C, Difference: 1 K, Energy input: 10 E - Fourth working organ: Actual +46°C; Target: +49°C, Difference: 3 K, Energy input: 30 E - Total difference: 12 K, total energy consumption: 120 E

[0047] The working elements 6 can not only be heated individually, but also regulated to different temperatures. Third embodiment: Sealing head with 32 rotor-side control devices

[0048] In the third embodiment (not shown), the rotary head 1 is designed as a sealing head for sealing small items in heat-sealable packaging material. The sealing head 1 comprises a total of eight working elements 6, each with four individually heatable holding jaws. The packaging material enclosing the item is clamped between these jaws and heat-sealed by applying heat to the holding jaws. Before sealing the packaging material, a rectangular blank of packaging material, for example, is first applied to the item using a known method and wrapped around it in a tube-like shape. The ends of the packaging material tube, which extend beyond the item on both sides, are clamped between the pairs of holding jaws arranged on either side of the item.During a preferably continuous rotation of the rotary head 1 about its axis of rotation R, heat energy is supplied to each holding jaw to transfer the heat conductively to the packaging material via pressure contact. Upon reaching an activation temperature, the packaging material melts in the overlapping and compressed sealing areas to ideally seal the item airtight or hermetically within the packaging material.

[0049] Due to the individual temperature control of all 32 clamping jaws, a total of 32 rotor-side control units 8 are required. The temperatures of the clamping jaws are measured as actual values. Based on these measured values, an input signal is generated and transmitted to the stator 2. Based on this input signal, a total energy quantity for all 32 clamping jaws is calculated and transferred to the rotor 3. Using the 32 rotor-side control units 8, the total energy quantity transferred to the rotor is distributed among the 32 clamping jaws, so that the measured temperature of each clamping jaw (actual value) approaches the target temperature (setpoint). Inductive energy and signal transmission (Figure 3)

[0050] An exemplary device for inductive energy and signal transmission or transmission device 7 is described below with reference to the Fig. 3 explained.

[0051] A primary coil L1 (on the stator side) carries an alternating current Us to generate a periodically changing magnetic field B. This magnetic field B induces a voltage in the secondary coil L2 (on the rotor side), which can be used for energy or signal transmission. An oscillator O is located between a voltage source Q and the primary coil L1. A rectifier G is arranged between the secondary coil L2 and the working element 6. Thus, the alternating current Us generated on the primary side is applied as a direct current to the working element 6 on the secondary side.

[0052] There is no mechanical wear and the encapsulated design does not hinder cleaning. With clever design, such a transmission device 7 can be integrated relatively "invisibly." High data transmission rates and greater mobility become possible.

[0053] The core concept of the invention is the rotor-side control device 6. This enables only a temperature setpoint and, if necessary, control commands to be transmitted from the stator 2 to the rotor 3 ("forward transmission") in one direction, while in the opposite direction ("return transmission") only a signal, e.g., based on all 32 actual temperature values ​​of the holding jaws as well as status messages, etc., is transmitted as a signal from the rotor 3 to the stator 2, and subsequently only the amount of energy of all working elements 6 determined on the basis of the input signal is transmitted to the rotor 3 and then distributed to the working elements 6 by means of the control device 6.

[0054] The advantage of contactless signal / power transmission results primarily from minimizing wear and tear and reducing the number of channels for signal / power transmission, which enables a compact design for transmitting high power. Reference symbol list 1 rotating head 2 Stator 3 Rotor 4 Control unit (stator side) 5 Control unit (rotor side) 6 Working organ 7 Transmission device 8 Control device (rotor side) 9 connection 10 air gap 11 cases 12 lids 13 warehouses B Magnetic field G rectifier L1 coil L2 coil O oscillator Q voltage source R axis of rotation S swivel axis US alternating current

Claims

[1] Rotary head (1), in particular for packaging and / or sealing machines, comprising: a stator (2), a rotor (3) with at least one energy-consuming working element (6), and a transmission device (7) for energy and signal transmission between the stator (2) and the rotor (3), wherein the rotor (3) has at least one rotor-side control device (8) coupled to the transmission device (7) for controlling the energy supply to the working element (6). characterized by , that the working element (6) has at least one individually controllable heating element for heat sealing of heat-sealable packaging material. [2] Rotary head (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the control device (8) has at least one sensor for detecting at least one actual value of the working element (6), wherein the actual value is preferably a temperature value and / or state value. [3] Rotary head (1) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the transmission device (7) is configured to transmit an input signal generated on the basis of at least one actual value from the rotor (3) to the stator (2). [4] Rotary head (1) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the transmission device (7) is configured to transfer an amount of energy calculated on the basis of the input signal from the stator (2) to the rotor (3). [5] Rotary head (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the control device (8) is configured to regulate the energy supply to the associated working element (6) depending on the amount of energy transferred. [6] Rotary head (1) according to claim 5, characterized by, that the stator (2) has a stator-side control device (4) and the rotor (3) has a rotor-side control device (5) coupled to the control device (8), wherein the transmission device (7) is configured for energy and signal transmission between the stator-side control device (4) and the rotor-side control device (5), wherein the rotor-side control device (5) is configured to generate the input signal based on the at least one actual value and to supply this input signal to the transmission device (7) for transmission to the stator-side control device (4), and wherein the stator-side control device (4) is configured to calculate the amount of energy based on the input signal and to supply this amount of energy to the transmission device (7) for transmission to the rotor-side control device (5) and to the control device (8). [7] Rotary head (1) according to claim 6, characterized by, that the stator-side control device (4) is configured to supply the transmission device (7) with at least one setpoint for controlling the working element (6), preferably a temperature setpoint and / or state value, for transmission to the rotor-side control device (5) and, if applicable, the control device (8). [8] Rotary head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the rotating head (1) has several energy-consuming working elements (6), preferably with a common control device (8) or each with at least one separate control device (8), wherein preferably the transmission device (7) is configured to transmit at least one input signal generated on the basis of the actual values ​​of all working elements (6) from the rotor (3) to the stator (2), and further preferably to transmit an amount of energy calculated on the basis of all input signals from the stator (2) to the rotor (3), wherein particularly preferably each control device (8) is configured to regulate the energy supply to the associated working element (6) depending on the amount of energy. [9] Rotary head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the stator (2) has at least one interface (9) for energy and signal transmission with an external device, wherein a setpoint for controlling the working element (6) can preferably be entered via this interface and transferred to the control device (8) via the transmission device (7). [10] Rotary head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that each working element (6) has two or four individually controllable heating elements. [11] Rotary head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the transmission device (7) is designed for contactless, preferably inductive, energy and / or signal transmission between the stator (2) and the rotor (3). [12] Rotary head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by, that the transmission device (7) has at least one contact for energy and / or signal transmission between the stator (2) and the rotor (3), preferably at least one slip ring contact. [13] Packaging machine for packaging and / or sealing small articles (A) in heat-sealable packaging material (V) comprising at least one rotary head (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [14] Method for controlling an energy supply to the energy-consuming working element (6) of the rotary head (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein an actual value of the working element (6) is detected by means of the control device (8) and an input signal generated on the basis of the actual value is transmitted from the rotor (3) to the stator (2) by means of the transmission device (7), wherein an amount of energy is calculated on the basis of the input signal and transmitted from the stator (2) to the rotor (3), and wherein the energy supply to the working element (6) is controlled by means of the control device (8) as a function of the amount of energy.

Images