Device for replacing coil or winding core, assembly and method for replacing coil or winding core

Abstract

To provide a device for replacing a coil or a winding core, in particular an assembly comprising such a device and a winding station, and a method for replacing a coil or a winding core.SOLUTION: In an assembly and a method, there is provided a device (1) for replacing a coil (2) or a core (3), in which the coil (2) comprises a sleeve-shaped winding core (3) and a film wound around the winding core (3); the device (1) is arranged in a fixed position relative to a winding station (5) at which a film can be unwound from the coil (2) or wound onto the core (3); the device (1) has at least one stand (6) and a support arm (7) movably arranged on the stand (6); the support arm (7) extends along a first axis extending horizontally; and the coil (2) or the winding core (3) is slidably positionable on the support arm (7) along a first axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for replacing a coil or a winding core, in particular to an assembly comprising this device and a winding station, as well as to a method for replacing a coil or a winding core.

[0002] The devices, assemblies and methods are particularly used for unwinding and winding electrode films, especially coated and / or uncoated electrode films.

[0003] Batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, are increasingly being used in motor vehicle drives. These batteries are usually formed from a number of battery cells. Each battery cell has a stack of anode, cathode and separator films, possibly present in the form of layers or material layers. At least a portion of the anode and cathode films are formed as current collectors for conducting the current provided by the battery cell towards consumers arranged outside the battery cell. In the following, the individual elements of the stack are also called electrodes or films.

[0004] The individual films are provided in particular as endless materials, and are optionally coated, for example with active material, and wound up again. The film thus produced is then fed as a wound coil to a process for producing battery cells. In this process, the coil with the optionally coated electrode film is unwound and, for example, cut or separated or divided into individual layers, so that the individual layers can be arranged one on top of the other. The uncoated areas of the coated film can be used as current collectors.

[0005] The coil is in particular equipped with a so-called winding sleeve (called winding core in this document) onto which the film is wound and from which it is later unwound again.

[0006] In view of the increasing automation of the production chain in factories for manufacturing (lithium-ion) battery cells, there is a compelling need to improve the coordination between the individual machines. Such a production chain includes, in particular, electrode manufacturing (i.e., in particular, coating of the carrier material with active material, calendaring, slitting and notching) and stacking (stacking of individual layers of films). These processes include, in particular, multiple splicing operations (i.e., bonding processes for joining electrode films together to form an endless material) and cutting operations (for cutting or separating individual layers of the electrode film from the endless material). In particular, it is required that these processes or processes enable a continuous manufacturing process.

[0007] The splicing process is used in particular when unwinding and winding endless material from a coil. When the first film has been fully unwound from the coil, a new second film from a new coil already provided in the machine is automatically spliced ​​to the end of the first film. This connection between the first and second film is called the splice or joint. Subsequently or beforehand, the end of the first film must be separated from the coil or winding sleeve, so that the empty winding sleeve is disconnected from the process and moved away from the machine. The empty winding sleeve can then be replaced by a new coil.

[0008] In particular, the endless material of the first film is rewound onto a (different) winding sleeve after the process has been carried out, for example after coating the first film. After the splice has passed through the process (i.e. after coating the film for example), the first film must be separated again from the second film so that the coil with the first film can be removed from the machine. The end of the second film is then spliced ​​again onto a new or empty winding sleeve, which makes it possible to ensure defect-free winding.

[0009] The separation of the endless material, i.e. the production of the separation points, is carried out industrially in particular by cutter or roll cutter cutting and is distinguished by complex automation technology.

[0010] The bonding of the film material to the winding sleeve is carried out industrially primarily as a gluing process and is likewise distinguished by its laborious automation.

[0011] For the handling of coils or cores, fully automated processes do not yet exist at present: in particular AGVs (automated guided vehicles) are practically impractical due to the high precision required during the transfer of the coils or cores, especially with only one-sided supports (support arms / cantilevers) of receiving devices for the cores or coils.

[0012] From DE 10 2013 110 944 A1 a method and a device are known for changing carrier units with a surface-shaped packaging material wound up on a stock roll inside a packaging machine.

[0013] From WO 03 / 006355 an assembly device for assembling roll material and a carriage for selectively transporting it is known.

[0014] A system and a method for replacing a material coil for producing an electrical energy store are known from EP 4119475. The known system comprises a self-propelled vehicle which can approach a winding station to remove or supply the coil.

[0015] The object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with respect to the prior art, in particular to improve the handling or handling process of coils and / or cores, so that a high degree of automation of the production chain can be ensured.

[0016] The solution to this problem is provided by a device according to the features of the independent claim 1. Advantageous refinements are the subject of the dependent claims. The features individually recited in the claims can be combined with one another in a technically significant manner and can be supplemented by the details given in the description and / or the drawings, in which case further embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0017] A device for replacing a coil or a winding core is proposed. The coil comprises a sleeve-shaped winding core and a film wound on the winding core. The device is arranged in a fixed position relative to a winding station, where the film can be unwound from the coil or wound onto the winding core. The device has at least one stand and a support arm arranged on the stand, the support arm extending along a horizontally extending first axis, the hollow winding core or coil being positionable or arranged on the support arm so as to be slidable along the first axis. The stand together with the support arm is at least rotatable relative to the winding station about a rotation axis extending along a vertical first direction.

[0018] The films described herein are particularly electrode films for battery cells.

[0019] The battery cells are in particular lithium-ion battery cells or other types of battery cells. The battery cells are electrical accumulators that are used to store electrical energy, for example in motor vehicles. In particular, for example motor vehicles have an electric machine (traction drive) for driving the motor vehicle. The electric machine can be driven by the electrical energy stored in the battery cells.

[0020] A battery cell includes, among other things, a housing enclosing a volume, and disposed within the volume, at least one electrode film of a first type of electrode (e.g., an anode), an electrode film of a second type of electrode (e.g., a cathode), a separator material disposed therebetween, and an electrolyte, e.g., a liquid or solid electrolyte.

[0021] The individual films are arranged one on top of the other, in particular forming a stack, and the electrode films are each assigned to a different type of electrode, i.e. configured as anodes or cathodes, which are arranged alternately and separated from one another by a separator material.

[0022] The film comprises in particular a carrier material for an electrode film, an electrode film with at least one active material or a separator film, each of which is used as a component of a battery cell, the carrier material in particular comprising a metallic material, for example a material or alloy comprising copper or aluminum.

[0023] Both the sleeve-shaped winding core and the coil (i.e. the winding core on which the film is wound) are in particular of known design and are basically known. The winding core has in particular a sleeve-shaped cavity. The circumferential surface of the winding core is in particular of cylindrical design. The winding core extends starting from a first end to a second end. A film is or can be arranged on the circumferential surface located between the ends.

[0024] The proposed device allows in particular a high degree of automation and at the same time a high reproducibility of the method steps to be carried out according to the invention, in particular making it unnecessary to provide a costly sensor system, which is necessary when using AGVs, since the invention proposes a stationary arrangement of the device.

[0025] Stationary in this context means, in particular, that the position of the device is invariable relative to the winding station, i.e., in particular, no AGVs are provided with a freely programmable and not exactly permanently fixed travel path.

[0026] The stand in particular extends substantially along a first direction, and the support arm is connected to the stand or (movably) arranged on the stand.

[0027] The support arm is in particular rotatable together with the stand about a rotation axis and can also be rotated relative to the stand, which then makes it possible to rotate the support arm relative to the stand along a circumferential direction extending about the rotation axis.

[0028] In particular, the support arm is displaceable along a first axis relative to the stand.

[0029] In particular, the device additionally comprises a first sliding unit for sliding the coil or winding core arranged on the support arm along a first axis, this first sliding unit being arranged in particular on the support arm or on the stand.

[0030] Via the sliding unit, in particular the coil or winding core can be slid relative to the support arm until it can be placed over the outer mandrel of the winding station.

[0031] The support arm can in particular extend through a sleeve-like winding core (possibly of a coil) or be pressed into a sleeve-like hollow space.

[0032] In particular, the stand is arranged stationary or movable relative to the winding station, the mechanism for moving the stand being a component of the device, and the path of travel of the stand being invariable relative to the winding station.

[0033] The stand is in particular arranged stationarily relative to the winding station, where stationary means in this context that the position of the stand is invariable relative to the winding station, although rotation of the stand about a pivot axis is possible.

[0034] If the stand is arranged to be movable relative to the winding station, a mechanism is provided, which allows the travel path of the stand to remain constant relative to the winding station. For example, the mechanism comprises a rail system or a similar guide mechanism that is arranged in a fixed position relative to the winding station. In this case, the travel path of the stand is possible in particular only in one spatial dimension, i.e. along the travel path. The mechanism ensures a high repeatability of the movement of the stand, which cannot generally be achieved by an AGV.

[0035] Furthermore, an assembly for replacing a coil or a winding core is proposed. The coil comprises a sleeve-shaped winding core and a film wound on said winding core. The assembly comprises at least the above-mentioned device and a winding station. The winding station has at least one outer mandrel. The outer mandrel extends along a horizontally extending second axis, and the coil or hollow winding core can be or is arranged on the outer mandrel so as to be slidable along the second axis. The support arm of the device and the outer mandrel of the winding station can be suitably arranged with respect to each other (e.g. with mutually aligned axes) for transferring the coil or winding core (from the support arm to the outer mandrel and / or vice versa).

[0036] For a suitable arrangement for transport, for example an arrangement of mutually aligned axes, in particular (exclusively) the stand and / or the support arm and / or the mechanism must be moved relative to the winding station.

[0037] For the transfer of the coil or winding core (from the support arm to the outer mandrel and / or vice versa), the axes are in particular arranged relative to one another in such a way that the coil or winding core can slide along the direction of the axis and thus be exchanged from the support arm to the outer mandrel (or vice versa). In particular, it may be specified that for this, the support arm and the outer mandrel are brought into contact with one another. In particular, contact between the support arm and the outer mandrel is not necessary (since precision can be guaranteed by the fixed arrangement or mechanism of the stand).

[0038] In particular, the assembly additionally comprises a second sliding unit for sliding the coil or winding core arranged on the outer mandrel along a second axis.

[0039] Via the second sliding unit, in particular the coil or winding core can be slid relative to the outer mandrel until it can be placed over the support arm of the device.

[0040] In particular, the assembly additionally comprises a first mounting device for the coil or winding core, which is arranged relative to the apparatus in such a way that the support arm can at least be inserted into or removed from the sleeve-shaped winding core within the range of movement along the first axis.

[0041] The loading device is used in particular to receive the coil or winding core when it is not located at the winding station or support arm, and in particular to store or transport the coil or winding core towards and away from the device or assembly.

[0042] In particular, the placement device has a receiving part, via which only the winding core can be contacted, so that the possibly wound film is not contacted by the placement device. In particular, for example, the end of a sleeve-shaped winding core can be supported by the receiving part. Alternatively, the receiving part can be formed in the form of a cantilever beam onto which the winding core or coil can be placed (similar to a support arm of the device or an outer mandrel of the winding station).

[0043] In particular, the assembly additionally comprises a second mounting device for a coil or a winding core, the first mounting device being suitably configured for receiving at least a winding core and the second mounting device being suitably configured for receiving at least a coil.

[0044] In particular, each mounting device is suitably configured for receiving a winding core and for receiving a coil, the configurations for the first mounting device also being applicable in particular to the second mounting device and vice versa.

[0045] Furthermore, a method for replacing a coil or a winding core by means of the above-mentioned assembly is proposed, which in a starting state is arranged on an outer mandrel of a winding station. Starting from the starting state, the method comprises: a) moving the support arm towards the mandrel, thereby properly positioning the axes relative to one another (e.g., aligned) to slide the coil or core; b) sliding the coil or core away from the mandrel along an axis towards the support arm of the device; c) moving the support arm towards a first placement device for the coil or core; d) placing the coil or winding core on a first placement device; e) moving the support arm towards a second placement device for the core or coil; f) placing a new core or coil on the support arm; g) moving the support arm towards the mandrel, thereby properly positioning the axes relative to one another (e.g., in alignment) to slide the core or coil; h) sliding the winding core or coil away from the support arm along the axis toward the mandrel; i) operating a winding station and winding the film onto a core to form a coil or unwinding the film from the coil; Contains at least:

[0046] The above (not definitive) classification of the method steps into a) to i) is used only for preferential differentiation and does not impose a sequence and / or relationship. The frequency of the method steps may also vary. It is also possible for the method steps to overlap each other at least partially in time. In particular, each step may be performed below as a first step and a subsequent step. In particular, steps a) to i) are performed in the stated order.

[0047] In particular, the support arm or stand (or device) is placed prior to step a) in a starting position in which interactions (e.g. collisions or obstructions of the freedom of movement) with, for example, a winding station or an optionally provided resting device can be precluded.

[0048] Within step a), a movement of the support arm (starting from a starting position) towards the mandrel is performed, whereby the axes are arranged relative to one another (e.g. in alignment) so that within step b), a sliding of the coil or winding core can be performed. In particular, the movement only involves a rotation of the stand about the rotation axis or a movement of the support arm along the circumferential direction around the stand. Possibly, additionally, a movement of the support arm along a first direction is required. Possibly, additionally, a movement of the support arm along a first axis relative to the stand is required.

[0049] Within the scope of step b), a sliding of the coil or winding core along the axis starts from the mandrel towards the support arm of the device, in particular by means of a second sliding unit (mentioned above) which is provided at the winding station. In particular within the scope of step b), the coil or winding core is pushed away from the mandrel and is placed on the support arm.

[0050] Within step c), a movement of the support arm towards a first resting device for coils or cores is performed. In particular, the movement only involves a rotation of the stand about a rotation axis or a movement of the support arm along a circumferential direction around the stand. Possibly, a movement of the support arm along a first direction is additionally required. Possibly, a movement of the stand along a defined travel path by a mechanism is performed.

[0051] Within step d), the coil or winding core is placed on the first placement device. In particular, this placement only involves a movement of the support arm along a first direction (i.e. in particular along the stand or vertical direction). In particular, the support arm is moved away from the sleeve-like cavity of the winding core after placement of the coil or winding core on the placement device. The support arm is in particular moved exclusively along the first axis. This movement is in particular performed by a mechanism relative to the stand or together with the stand. Alternatively, only a sliding of the coil or winding core along the first axis is required. The sliding can be performed, for example, via a first sliding unit.

[0052] Within step e), a movement of the support arm towards a second placement device for the winding core or coil is performed. In particular, the movement only involves a rotation of the stand about a rotation axis or a movement of the support arm around the stand along a circumferential direction. Alternatively or additionally, the movement involves (exclusively) a sliding of the support arm along a first axis. This movement is in particular performed by a mechanism relative to or together with the stand. Possibly, additionally, a movement of the support arm along a first direction is required. Possibly, a movement of the stand along a defined travel path is performed by a mechanism.

[0053] Within step f), a new winding core or coil is placed on the support arm. In particular, this step involves pushing the support arm along a first axis into the (exclusively) sleeve-like winding core. Possibly, additional movement of the support arm along the first axis relative to the stand is required.

[0054] Within step g), a movement of the support arm towards the mandrel is performed, whereby the axes are arranged relative to one another (e.g. in alignment) so that a sliding of the winding core or coil can be performed within step h). In particular, the movement only involves a rotation of the stand about the rotation axis or a movement of the support arm around the stand in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, the movement additionally involves a sliding of the support arm along the first axis. This movement is in particular performed by a mechanism relative to or together with the stand. Optionally, a movement of the stand along a defined travel path is performed by the mechanism.

[0055] Within the scope of step h), a sliding of the winding core or coil along the axis starts from the support arm towards the mandrel, in particular by a first sliding unit (mentioned above) provided on the device. In particular within the scope of step h), the coil or winding core is pushed away from the support arm and onto the mandrel.

[0056] Within step i), the operation of the winding station and the winding of the film onto a core to form a coil or the unwinding of the film from the coil takes place.

[0057] In particular, at least in step e), the support arm is exclusively displaced along the first axis relative to the stand. Alternatively, at least in step e), at least the stand is moved along a travel path. The mechanism for moving the stand is a component of the device, and the travel path of the stand is invariant relative to the winding station.

[0058] The method can in particular be implemented by a system for data processing, for example a control device, which system comprises means suitably equipped, configured or programmed for carrying out the steps of the method or means for implementing the method. Operation of the winding station, Operation of the equipment, Driving assemblies, Provision of mounting equipment or closed loop control / open loop control.

[0059] The device or assembly may in particular comprise a system for processing data.

[0060] The means of the system comprise, for example, a processor, a memory in which instructions to be executed by the processor are stored, and data lines or transmission devices enabling the transmission of instructions, measurements, data or the like between the described elements.

[0061] Furthermore, a computer program is proposed comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the above-mentioned method or steps of the above-mentioned method.

[0062] Further proposed is a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause said computer to perform the above mentioned method or steps of the above mentioned method.

[0063] Descriptions of apparatus may be transferred to, among other things, assemblies, methods, battery cells, systems for processing data, and computer-implemented methods (ie, computers or processors, computer-readable storage media), and vice versa.

[0064] The use of the indefinite articles ("ein", "eine", "einer" and "eines"), in particular in the claims and in the description which reproduces the claims, does not mean a numeral per se and therefore means that an accordingly introduced concept or element is present at least once, but may in particular also be present several times.

[0065] For the sake of clarity, the numerals used herein ("first", "second", ...) are used (only) to preferentially distinguish between a plurality of similar objects, sizes or processes, and do not necessarily establish a relationship and / or order between these objects, sizes or processes in particular. If a relationship and / or order is required, this will be obvious to one of skill in the art upon inspection of the features explicitly described herein or specifically illustrated. To the extent that components may appear multiple times ("at least one"), a description of one of these components applies equally to all or some of the multiple components, although this is not required.

[0066] The present invention and related technologies will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. In particular, unless otherwise specified, it is possible to extract some aspects of the actual objects shown in the drawings and combine them with other elements and findings based on this specification. It should be noted that the drawings and especially the scales of the drawings are merely approximate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0067] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of multiple winding stations. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an assembly. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of a winding station for the assembly shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a side view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2 according to method step b). [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the assembly shown in FIG. 4 according to method step c). [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the assembly shown in FIG. 5 according to method step d). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows the assembly shown in FIG. 6 according to method step e). [Figure 8]8 shows the assembly shown in FIG. 7 immediately following step f) of the method. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows the assembly shown in FIG. 8 during step g) of the method. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the assembly shown in FIG. 9 according to method step h). [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows the assembly shown in FIG. 10 immediately after method step h). [Figure 12] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the assembly and step d) of the method. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates step e) of the assembly and method illustrated in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the assembly and step c) of the method. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 illustrates step e) of the assembly and method illustrated in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 illustrates the assembly and step g) of the method illustrated in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 illustrates step h) of the assembly and method illustrated in FIG. 16.

[0068] 1 shows a side view of several winding stations 5. Each winding station 5 is appropriately designed to receive a winding core 3 or coil 2. Within the scope of step i) of the method, the operation of the winding stations 5 and the winding of the film 4 onto the winding core 3 to form a coil 2 (right-hand winding station 5) and the unwinding of the film 4 from the coil 2 (left-hand winding station 5) take place. Between the winding stations 5, processing of the film 4 can take place, for example coating or cutting.

[0069] In Fig. 2 a first embodiment of the assembly 14 is shown. In Fig. 3 a winding station 5 for the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 2 is shown in a side view. In Fig. 4 the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 2 is shown in a side view according to method step b). In Fig. 5 the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 4 is shown in a side view according to method step c). In Fig. 6 the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 5 is shown in a side view according to method step d). In Fig. 7 the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 6 is shown in a side view according to method step e). In Fig. 8 the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 7 is shown immediately after method step f). In Fig. 9 the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 8 during method step g). In Fig. 10 the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 9 is shown in a side view according to method step h). In Fig. 11 the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 10 is shown immediately after method step h). In the following Figs. 2 to 11 are explained together. See the description for Fig. 1.

[0070] The assembly 14 comprises an apparatus 1 and a winding station 5. The apparatus 1 is arranged in a fixed position relative to the winding station 5, where the film 4 can be unwound from a coil 2 or wound onto a winding core 3. The apparatus 1 has a stand 6 and a support arm 7 arranged on the stand 6. The support arm 7 extends along a first axis 8 extending horizontally. The hollow winding core 3 or coil 2 can be arranged or is arranged on the support arm 7 so as to be slidable along the first axis 8. The stand 6 together with the support arm 7 is rotatable relative to the winding station 5 about a rotation axis 10 extending along a first vertical direction 9.

[0071] Both the sleeve-shaped core 3 and the coil 2 (i.e. the core 3 with the film 4 wound thereon) are designed in a known manner. The core 3 has a sleeve-shaped cavity. The circumferential surface of the core 3 is designed cylindrically. The core 3 starts from a first end 20 and extends to a second end 21. The film 4 is arranged or can be arranged on the circumferential surface 22 located between the ends 20, 21.

[0072] The winding station 5 has an outer mandrel 15 which extends along a horizontally extending second axis 16. The coil 2 or the hollow winding core 3 can be or is arranged on the outer mandrel 15 so as to be slidable along the second axis 16. The support arm 7 of the device 1 and the outer mandrel 15 of the winding station 5 are suitable for the transfer of the coil 2 or the hollow winding core 3 (from the support arm 7 to the outer mandrel 15 and vice versa) and can be arranged, for example, with mutually aligned axes 8, 16.

[0073] The stand 6 extends substantially along a first direction 9. A support arm 7 is connected to the stand 6 or is movably arranged thereon.

[0074] The support arm 7 is rotatable about a rotation axis 10 together with the stand 6 or independently from the stand 6. Furthermore, the support arm 7 is displaceable along a first axis 8 and a first direction 9 relative to the stand 6.

[0075] The device 1 additionally comprises a first sliding unit 11 for sliding the coil 2 or the winding core 3 arranged on the support arm 7 along a first axis 8. This first sliding unit 11 is arranged on the support arm 7.

[0076] Via the first sliding unit 11, the coil 2 or the winding core 3 can be slid relative to the support arm 7, in particular until the coil 2 or the winding core 3 can be placed over the outer mandrel 15 of the winding station 5.

[0077] The support arm 7 can extend through the sleeve-like winding core 3 (of the coil 2 if necessary) or can be pressed into the sleeve-like hollow space.

[0078] The stand 6 is stationary relative to the winding station 5. Stationary means in this specification that the position of the stand 6 remains unchanged relative to the winding station 5. However, rotation of the stand 6 about a pivot axis 10 is possible.

[0079] The support arm 7 or stand 6 (or device 1) is placed in a starting position prior to step a) (see for example FIG. 2) in which interactions (for example collisions or obstructions of the degrees of freedom of movement) with, for example, the winding station 5 or with the provided resting devices 18, 19 can be precluded.

[0080] Within the scope of step a), a movement of the support arm 7 (starting from a starting position) takes place towards the mandrel 15, whereby the axes 8, 16 are arranged relative to one another (e.g. aligned) so that the coil 2 can slide towards the support arm 7 (see FIG. 4). The movement only involves a rotation of the stand 6 or the support arm 7 about the rotation axis 10.

[0081] Within the scope of step b), a sliding of the coil 2 along the axis 8, 16 takes place starting from the mandrel 15 towards the support arm 7 of the device 1 (see FIG. 4). This sliding is carried out by a second sliding unit 17 arranged in the winding station 5. Within the scope of step b), the coil 2 is pushed off the mandrel 15 and is placed over the support arm 7 (see FIG. 5).

[0082] Within the scope of step c), a movement of the support arm 7 takes place towards a first rest device 18 for the coil 2. This movement only involves a rotation of the stand 6 or of the support arm 7 about the rotation axis 10 (see FIG. 6).

[0083] Within the scope of step d), the coil 2 is placed on the first placement device 18. This placement only involves a movement of the support arm 7 along the first direction 9 (see FIG. 6).

[0084] The loading device 18 has a receiving part 23 via which only the winding core 3 can be contacted, so that the wound film 4 is not contacted by the loading device 18. The ends 20, 21 of the sleeve-shaped winding core 3 are supported by the receiving part 23.

[0085] The support arm 7 is moved away from the sleeve-like cavity of the winding core 3 after the coil 2 has been placed on the first placement device 18. The support arm 7 is moved relative to the stand 6 exclusively along a first axis 8 (see FIG. 7).

[0086] Within the scope of step e), a movement of the support arm 7 towards the second rest device 19 for the winding core 3 takes place. This movement involves exclusively sliding of the support arm 7 along the first axis 8 relative to the stand 6 (see FIG. 8).

[0087] Within step f), the (new) winding core 3 is placed on the support arm 7. This step involves pushing the support arm 7 along the first axis 8 into the sleeve-shaped winding core 3. For this purpose, the holding devices 18, 19 are arranged in such a way that the winding cores 3 placed on them are arranged coaxially with respect to one another.

[0088] Within the scope of step g), a movement of the support arm 7 towards the outer mandrel 15 takes place, so that the axes 8, 16 are arranged relative to one another (e.g. aligned) and the winding core 3 can slide towards the outer mandrel 15. This movement involves a rotation of the stand 6 or of the support arm 7 about the rotation axis 10. In this case, additionally, a movement of the support arm 7 along the first direction 9 is required in order to remove the winding core 3 from the second rest device 19 (see Figures 9 and 10).

[0089] Within the scope of step h), a sliding of the winding core 3 along the coaxially arranged axes 8, 16 starting from the support arm 7 towards the outer mandrel 15 takes place. This sliding is carried out by a first sliding unit 11 provided on the device 1. Within the scope of step h), the winding core 3 is pushed away from the support arm 7 and placed onto the outer mandrel 15 (see FIG. 11).

[0090] Within the scope of step i), the operation of the winding station 5 and the winding of the film 4 onto the core 3 to form the coil 2 or the unwinding of the film 4 from the coil 2 take place (see FIG. 1).

[0091] In Fig. 12 a second embodiment of the assembly 14 and step d) of the method are shown. Within the scope of this step d), the coil 2 is placed on a first placement device 18. In this embodiment, the placement device 18 is configured in such a way that the coil 2 (or the winding core 3) can be transferred by simply sliding it from the support arm 7 towards the placement device 18 along the first axis. For this purpose, the receiving part 23 of the placement device 18 is made in the form of a cantilever beam onto which the coil 2 can be placed (analogous to the support arm 7 of the device 1 or the outer mandrel 15 of the winding station 5). This placement only involves a rotation of the support arm 7 about the rotation axis 10, whereby after this rotation the first axis 8 is arranged (substantially) coaxially with respect to the receiving part 23 of the placement device 18.

[0092] Figure 13 shows the assembly 14 shown in figure 12 and step e) of the method. Within the scope of this step e), a movement of the support arm 7 takes place towards a second rest device 19 for the winding core 3. After the coil 3 has been placed (not necessarily), the support arm 7 is moved relative to the stand 6 along the first direction 9, and the stand 6 is pivoted about the pivot axis 10 towards the second rest device 19.

[0093] In Fig. 14 a third embodiment of the assembly 14 and method step c) is shown. In Fig. 15 the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 14 and method step e). In Fig. 16 the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 15 and method step g). In Fig. 17 the assembly 14 shown in Fig. 16 and method step h) is shown. In the following Figs. 14 to 17 are described together. See the description for Figs. 1 to 13.

[0094] Within the scope of step c), a movement of the support arm 7 takes place towards a first rest device 18 for the coil 2. This movement involves a rotation of the stand 6 or of the support arm 7 about a rotation axis 10. In addition, a movement of the support arm 7 along a first direction 9 is required (see FIG. 14).

[0095] Within the scope of step d), the coil 2 is placed on the first placement device 18, which requires only a movement of the support arm 7 along the first direction 9 (see FIG. 14).

[0096] The support arm 7 is moved away from the sleeve-like cavity of the winding core 3 after the coil 2 has been placed on the placement device 18. This movement is effected by the mechanism 12 together with the stand 6 (see FIG. 15). Optionally, the support arm 7 is moved along the first axis 8.

[0097] Within the scope of step e), a movement of the support arm 7 towards the second rest device 19 for the winding core 3 takes place. This movement possibly involves a rotation of the stand 6 about the pivot axis 10 and a movement together with the stand 6 by the mechanism 12 along a defined travel path 13 (see FIG. 15).

[0098] Within the scope of step f), the placement of the new winding core 3 on the support arm 7 takes place. This step involves pushing the support arm 7 into the sleeve-like winding core 3 exclusively along the first axis 8. This movement is carried out by the mechanism 12, possibly together with the stand 6 (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

[0099] Within the scope of step g), a movement of the support arm 7 towards the mandrel 15 takes place, whereby the axes 8, 16 are arranged relative to one another (e.g. in alignment) so that a sliding can take place within the scope of step h). The movement involves a rotation of the stand 6 about the rotation axis 10 and a movement together with the stand 6 by the mechanism 12 along a defined travel path 13 (see FIG. 16).

[0100] Within the scope of step h), a sliding of the winding core 3 along the axis 8, 16 starting from the support arm 7 towards the outer mandrel 15 takes place. This sliding is effected by a first sliding unit 11 provided on the device 1. Within the scope of step h), the winding core 3 is pushed away from the support arm 7 and onto the outer mandrel 15. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1 device 2 Coil 3 core 4. Film 5. Winding Station 6 Stand 7 Support Arm 8 1st Axis 9 First Direction 10 Rotation axis 11 First slide unit 12 Mechanism 13 Travel route 14 Assembly 15 External mandrel 16 Second Axis 17 Second Slide Unit 18 First placement device 19 Second placement device 20 First end 21 Second end 22 Peripheral surface 23 Receiving Department

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus (1) for replacing a coil (2) or a winding core (3), the coil (2) comprising a sleeve-shaped winding core (3) and a film (4) wound on the winding core (3), the apparatus (1) being arranged in a fixed position relative to a winding station (5) at which the film (4) can be unwound from the coil (2) or wound onto the winding core (3), the apparatus (1) having at least one stand (6) and a support arm (7) arranged on the stand (6), the support arm (7) extending along a first axis (8) extending horizontally, the coil (2) or the winding core (3) being positionable on the support arm (7) slidably along the first axis (8), and the stand (6) together with the support arm (7) being at least rotatable relative to the winding station (5) about a rotation axis (10) extending along a first vertical direction (9).

2. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the support arm (7) is displaceable along the first axis (8) relative to the stand (6).

3. 3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first sliding unit (11) for sliding the coil (2) or the winding core (3) arranged on the support arm (7) along the first axis (8).

4. 4. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stand (6) is arranged stationary or movable relative to the winding station (5), a mechanism (12) for moving the stand (6) is a component of the device (1), and the travel path (13) of the stand (6) is invariable relative to the winding station (5).

5. Assembly (14) for replacing a coil (2) or a winding core (3), the coil (2) comprising a sleeve-shaped winding core (3) and a film (4) wound on the winding core (3), the assembly (14) comprising at least one device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the winding station (5), the winding station (5) having at least one outer mandrel (15), the outer mandrel (15) extending along a horizontally extending second axis (16), the coil (2) or the winding core (3) being positionable on the outer mandrel (15) so as to be slidable along the second axis (16), the support arm (7) of the device (1) and the outer mandrel (15) being suitably positionable relative to one another for transporting the coil (2) or the winding core (3).

6. 6. The assembly (14) according to claim 5, additionally comprising a second sliding unit (17) for sliding the coil (2) or the winding core (3) arranged on the outer mandrel (15) along the second axis (16).

7. 7. The assembly (14) according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a first support device (18) for the coil (2) or the winding core (3), which is arranged relative to the device (1) in such a way that the support arm (7) can at least move into or out of the sleeve-shaped winding core (3) within the range of movement along the first axis (8).

8. Assembly (14) according to claim 7, further comprising a second resting device (19) for the coil (2) or the winding core (3), the first resting device (18) being suitably configured for receiving at least the winding core (3) and the second resting device (19) being suitably configured for receiving at least the coil (2).

9. 9. A method for replacing a coil (2) or a winding core (3) by means of an assembly (14) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, in which in a starting state the coil (2) or the winding core (3) is arranged on the outer mandrel (15) of the winding station (5), starting from the starting state: a) moving the support arm (7) towards the mandrel (15) and thereby positioning the axes (8, 16) appropriately relative to each other in order to slide the coil (2) or the winding core (3); b) sliding said coil (2) or said winding core (3) starting from said mandrel (15) along said axis (8, 16) towards said support arm (7) of said device (1); c) moving said support arm (7) towards a first resting device (18) for said coil (2) or said core (3); d) placing the coil (2) or the winding core (3) on the first placement device (18); e) moving the support arm (7) towards a second rest device (19) for the core (3) or the coil (2); f) placing a new winding core (3) or coil (2) on said support arm (7); g) moving the support arm (7) towards the mandrel (15), thereby properly positioning the axes (8, 16) relative to one another in order to slide the core (3) or the coil (2); h) sliding said winding core (3) or said coil (2) starting from said support arm (7) along said axis (8, 16) towards said outer mandrel (15); i) operating the winding station (5) and winding a film (4) onto the core (3) to form the coil (2) or unwinding the film (4) from the coil (2); The method includes at least the following steps.

10. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein at least in step e), a mechanism (12) for displacing the support arm (7) along the first axis (8) relative to the stand (6) or for moving the stand (6) along a path of travel (13), is a component of the device (1), and wherein the path of travel (13) of the stand (6) is invariable relative to the winding station (5).

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