Loading and holding device for level wound coils and method for transporting level wound coils

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a load-holding and support structure for level-wound coils. [Solution] The level-wound coil stacking and holding body according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of coil layers formed by winding tubes in an aligned manner are stacked such that the tubes of one adjacent coil layer are fitted into the recesses between the tubes of the other coil layer, and the level-wound coils, which are unwound from the inside, are placed on a support base so that their coil axis direction is vertical, and the support base has an inclined support surface or a concave curved surface on its upper side that descends radially inward of the level-wound coil and supports the bottom outer circumference of the level-wound coil from the bottom inner circumference side to the bottom outer circumference side, or an inclined support surface and a horizontal support surface, or a concave curved surface, an inclined support surface and a horizontal support surface, and the bottom inner circumference side to the bottom outer circumference side of the level-wound coil are in contact with the inclined support surface or concave curved surface, or the inclined support surface and the horizontal support surface of the support base and support the bottom inner circumference side to the bottom outer circumference side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a loading holder for a level-wound coil and a method for transporting a level-wound coil.

Background Art

[0002] A heat exchanger used in a household air conditioner or the like is composed of an aluminum fin and a copper heat transfer tube. However, from the viewpoints of the volatile price of copper and resource depletion, material substitution to an aluminum heat transfer tube has been attracting attention. The heat transfer tube is loaded and held as a level-wound coil, and when used, it is paid out upward from the inside of the level-wound coil. In the level-wound coil of an aluminum heat transfer tube, due to adhesion or entanglement between tubes depending on the manufacturing method, a problem of poor pay-out occurs, and productivity decreases due to the resulting bending or breakage. Therefore, it has been necessary to smooth the pay-out of the aluminum heat transfer tube in the level-wound coil.

[0003] As a conventional technique, as described in Patent Document 1 below, in a structure in which a level-wound coil is placed on a support plate so that its coil axis direction is vertical, a support base having an inclined support surface that slopes inward in the radial direction is circularly arranged at the upper surface portion of the support plate located at the outer peripheral portion of the level-wound coil. A loading holder is known. This loading holder is known as a structure in which the lower part of the outer peripheral portion of the level-wound coil is brought into contact with the inclined support surface of the support base, and the bottom surface of the level-wound coil is supported in a state separated from the support plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a technique is proposed as an effective method when the level-wound coil is positioned so that its axial direction is perpendicular, and the coil is fed out from the inner circumference side. This technique of feeding out the level-wound coil from the inner circumference side is generally called the ETS (eye to the sky) method. Further improvements are needed in the technology of smoothly unwinding the tube from the level-wound coil and unwinding the level-wound coil using this ETS method.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology for smoothly unwinding a level-wound coil by feeding out a tube without causing bending or breaking. Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a method for transporting level wound coils. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A stacking and holding body for a level-wound coil in one embodiment of the present invention is a stacking and holding body for a level-wound coil that is unwound from the inside and placed on a support base such that the coil axis direction is perpendicular, wherein a plurality of coil layers formed by winding tubes in an aligned manner are stacked such that the tubes of one adjacent coil layer are fitted into the recesses between the tubes of the other coil layer, and the support base has an inclined support surface or a concave curved surface on its upper side that descends radially inward of the level-wound coil and supports the bottom outer circumference of the level-wound coil from the bottom inner circumference side to the bottom outer circumference side, or an inclined support surface and a horizontal support surface, or a concave curved surface, an inclined support surface and a horizontal support surface, and the bottom inner circumference side to the bottom outer circumference side of the level-wound coil is in contact with the inclined support surface or concave curved surface, or the inclined support surface and the horizontal support surface of the support base to support the bottom inner circumference side to the bottom outer circumference side.

[0008] (2) In the level wound coil loading and holding body according to (1) of the present invention, it is preferable that the height of the support base is greater than or equal to the pipe diameter and less than 80 mm. (3) In the level-wound coil loading and holding body according to (1) or (2) of the present invention, it is preferable that the difference in height between any row of pipes arranged on the inclined support surface and the pipe located one row outside of it is 35% or more and 57% or less of the outer diameter of the pipe.

[0009] (4) In a level-wound coil loading and holding body according to one embodiment of the present invention (1) or (2), it is preferable that the support base has an integral circular shape corresponding to the outer circumference of the level-wound coil, is continuously arranged in the circumferential direction of the level-wound coil from the inner circumference side of the bottom to the outer circumference side of the bottom, and the inclined support surface is a tapered surface. (5) In a level-wound coil loading and holding body according to one embodiment of the present invention (1) or (2), it is preferable that a plurality of support bases are intermittently arranged at predetermined gaps so as to have a circular shape corresponding to the outer circumference of the level-wound coil, and that the inclined support surfaces of the plurality of intermittently arranged support bases form a tapered surface as a whole. (6) In a level-wound coil loading and holding body according to one embodiment of the present invention (1) or (2), it is preferable that a cushioning material layer of a predetermined thickness is provided on the inclined support surface of the support base.

[0010] (7) The method for transporting level wound coils according to the present invention is characterized by using a level wound coil loading and holding body as described in (1) or (2), and transporting the level wound coils, whose shape is constrained by a restraining body, by placing them on the support base.

[0011] (8) The method for transporting a level wound coil according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the method for transporting a level wound coil described in (7), the restraining body is cut to release the restrained state of the level wound coil when it is to be used after transport, and the level wound coil is placed on the inclined support surface of the support base. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This invention employs a structure in which the axial direction of the level-wound coil is vertical, and the level-wound coil is supported by an inclined support surface or a support base having both an inclined support surface and a horizontal support surface, which contacts the inner and outer bottom circumferences of the level-wound coil. As a result, the level-wound coil can be unwound without bending or breaking. Therefore, when the tube is an aluminum heat transfer tube, the aluminum heat transfer tube can be smoothly unwound from the level-wound coil. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram showing a loading and holding body in which a level wound coil is placed in a restrained state on a support base according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the state in which the restraints on the level-wound coil are released and the level-wound coil is placed on a support base. [Figure 3] An explanatory diagram showing a first example of a level-wound coil formed by winding a tube in an aligned manner around a bobbin. [Figure 4] A partial cross-sectional view showing another winding method for a level-wound coil formed by winding a tube in an aligned manner on a bobbin, where (a) is a partial cross-sectional view showing a second example and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view showing a third example. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the form of unwinding a level-wound coil and removing a tube using conventional technology, where (a), (b), and (c) are diagrams illustrating forms using level-wound coils with different winding configurations. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing a level wound coil placed on a support base in a restrained state by a restraining body. [Figure 7] A partial cross-sectional view showing the shape of the support base. [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram showing a modified example of a support stand on which a level-wound coil is mounted. [Figure 9] A perspective view showing the support base of the modified example. [Figure 10]Explanatory drawing showing a level wound coil loading and holding body in which a level wound coil is placed in a constrained state on a support base according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] Explanatory drawing showing a state in which the constrained state of the level wound coil shown in FIG. 10 is released and the level wound coil is placed on the support base. [Figure 12] Schematic diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the inclined support surface of the support base and the tube of the level wound coil. [Figure 13] Schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the dimensions of a 1 / 2 model of the level wound coil and the length of the inclined support surface of the support base. [Figure 14] Explanatory drawing showing a state in which a level wound coil is placed in a constrained state on a support base according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] Explanatory drawing showing a state in which the constrained state of the level wound coil shown in FIG. 14 is released and the level wound coil is placed on the support base. [Figure 16] It is a diagram for explaining the inclination angle in the case where the support surface is a concave curved surface. (a) is a configuration diagram showing the case where the whole is a concave curved surface, (b) is a configuration diagram showing the case of a combination of a concave curved surface and an inclined surface, and (c) is a configuration diagram showing the case of a combination of a concave curved surface and a flat surface. [Figure 17] Explanatory drawing showing a state in which a level wound coil is placed in a constrained state on a support base according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] Explanatory drawing showing a state in which the constrained state of the level wound coil shown in FIG. 17 is released and the level wound coil is placed on the support base. [Figure 19] Explanatory drawing showing a state in which a level wound coil is placed in a constrained state on a support base according to a conventional example (Comparative Example 1). [Figure 20] Explanatory drawing showing a state in which the constrained state of the level wound coil shown in FIG. 19 is released and the level wound coil is placed on the support base. [Figure 21] Explanatory drawing showing a state in which a level wound coil is placed in a constrained state on a support base according to Comparative Example 2. [Figure 22]This is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the restraints on the level wound coil shown in Figure 21 are released and the level wound coil is placed on the support base. [Figure 23] This is an explanatory diagram showing a level wound coil placed in a restrained state on a support base according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 24] This is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the restraints on the level wound coil shown in Figure 23 have been released and the level wound coil has been placed on the support base. [Figure 25] This is an explanatory diagram showing a level wound coil placed in a restrained state on a support base according to Comparative Example 3. [Figure 26] This is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the restraints on the level wound coil shown in Figure 25 have been released and the level wound coil has been placed on the support base. [Figure 27] A schematic diagram showing the combination of level-wound coil and support base used in Test Example 2. [Figure 28] This is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the restraints on the level wound coil shown in Figure 27 have been released and the level wound coil has been placed on the support base. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] An example of an embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that, for convenience, the drawings used in the following description may show enlarged versions of key features to make them easier to understand. Figure 1 shows a level-wound coil loading and holding body A in which a level-wound coil 7, restrained by a restraining body 1 such as a belt, is installed above a support base 4 on a support plate 3. Figure 2 shows the state in which the restraining state by the restraining body 1 is released and the level-wound coil 7 is installed on the support base 4. Figure 1 shows the state in which the level-wound coil 7 is installed on the support base 4 with its coil axis direction (center axis direction) vertical. The level-wound coil 7 is formed by winding a tube 2, such as an aluminum tube, in an aligned manner around a bobbin 5, as shown in Figure 3 (for simplicity of illustration, the cross-section of the tube is shown as a circle here. The same applies hereafter). The coil is stacked in multiple layers (rows). As an example of an aluminum tube, an aluminum heat transfer tube such as a tube with an internal spiral groove can be used.

[0015] More specifically, a bobbin 5 consisting of a removable inner cylinder 6 and side plates 8, as shown in Figure 3, is used and mounted on a predetermined rotating device so that its axial direction is horizontal or vertical, and the bobbin 5 is rotated. First, on the outer surface of the inner cylinder 6 of the bobbin 5, the first coil layer, which exhibits a cylindrical shape, is formed by winding in an aligned manner toward the opposite end (here, toward the right) starting from the position on one end side in the axial direction of the bobbin (the left end in Figure 1) as the starting point 2a. Then, in Figure 3, after the tube 2 has reached the right end and the winding of the first layer is completed, the second coil layer is wound from the right end toward the left end. At this time, the portion of the tube 2 of the second layer is wound tightly and in contact with each other on the first coil layer so that it fits into the recess formed between adjacent portions of the tube 2 in the first coil layer, thereby forming the second coil layer. After that, the tube 2 is wound in an aligned manner in the reverse direction to form the third coil layer.

[0016] The winding process is repeated in the same manner to form multiple layers of coil. This traverse winding method forms the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 3. Figure 1 shows the level-wound coil 7 being restrained by a restraining body 1 such as a belt, with the inner cylinder 6 and side plate 8 separated and placed on a support base 4 on a support plate 3 placed on the installation surface at the site. Note that the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 3 and the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 1 differ in the number of turns and layers, but the winding pattern of the first and second layers of tube 2 is the same for both coils, and Figure 3 is used to explain the method of winding tube 2 onto bobbin 5. Also, the coil axis (central axis) of the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 3 is horizontal, but the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 1 corresponds to the coil axis oriented vertically.

[0017] On the other hand, a coil unwinding method called the ETS (eye to the sky) method has been known as one example of a method for unwinding the tube 2 from the level-wound coil 7 mentioned above. The ETS method will be explained below. The ETS method is a method of unwinding a level-wound coil by taking out tube 2 from the inner circumference side. When unwinding the level-wound coil 7 obtained in Figure 3 using the ETS method, for example, as shown in Figure 5(a), when unwinding tube 2 of the second coil layer from the first coil layer, tube 2c, which is located directly above the bottommost tube 2b, gets in the way. The pressing action of this obstructing tube 2c increases the unwinding resistance, which can cause problems such as kinking (breaking) of tube 2.

[0018] Therefore, instead of making the number of turns (n) of the coil (tube 2) in each layer (each row) the same, as in the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 3, a level-wound coil 12 is being considered in which, as shown in Figure 4(a), when the number of turns of the coil in the odd-numbered layer is n, the number of turns of the coil in the even-numbered layer is (n-1). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(b), the use of a level-wound coil 14 in which, when the number of turns of the coil in the odd-numbered layer is n, the number of turns of the coil in the even-numbered layer is (n+1) is being considered.

[0019] However, in the case of the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 3 or the level-wound coil 14 shown in Figure 4(b), as shown in Figure 5(a) or (b), when unwinding the tube 2 of the second coil layer from the first coil layer, the tube 2c located directly above the bottom tube 2b gets in the way. The pressing action of this obstructing tube 2c increases the unwinding resistance, which may cause problems such as kinking (breaking) of the tube 2. In the case of the level-wound coil 12 shown in Figure 4(a), when the second coil is unwound after the first coil is unwound as shown in Figure 5(c), the tube 2b (coil) located at the bottom of the second layer has a space of half a tube below it. Therefore, it is not affected by the coil (tube 2c) located above it, and thus can be unwound without resistance, which is thought to effectively eliminate problems such as kinking.

[0020] In this regard, the aforementioned problem can be avoided if the pipe 2 is extended using the level-wound coil 7 and support base 4 as described below, so that it is in the state shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the present application.

[0021] The support base 4 used in this embodiment has a cross-section as shown in Figure 1 and is an annular (ring-shaped) support base 4 in plan view as shown in Figure 6. On its upper surface, an inclined support surface 4a is formed such that the thickness of the support base 4 gradually increases from the inner circumference to the outer circumference. When the support base 4 is installed horizontally, the inclined support surface 4a can be described as an inclined surface that slopes downward radially inward of the level wound coil 7. In order to support the level wound coil 7, the inclined support surface 4a of this support base 4 is arranged as a tapered surface continuously in the circumferential direction. In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the horizontal length of the support base 4 is formed to be approximately the same as the horizontal length of the level wound coil 7. Since Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the support base 4, the cross-section of the support base 4 is depicted as two right triangles. Each of these right triangles has a base 4b, a hypotenuse 4c drawn by a part of the inclined support surface 4a, and an adjacent side 4d indicating the height of the right triangle. The intersection angle of the base 4b and the adjacent side 4d is 90°. The length of the base 4b corresponds to the horizontal length of the inclined support surface 4a on the support base 4.

[0022] It is preferable that the outer diameter of the support base 4 be such that it can securely hold the outermost tube 2 of the level-wound coil 7, so the outer diameter of the support base 4 may be larger than the outer diameter of the level-wound coil 7. It is also acceptable for the outer diameter of the support base 4 to be significantly larger than the outer diameter of the level-wound coil 7, but in order to facilitate transportation and avoid unnecessary increases in overall weight, it is desirable that the outer diameter of the support base 4 be only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the level-wound coil 7. In other words, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the support base 4 correspond to the outer diameter of the level-wound coil 7. In the structure shown in Figure 1, of the tubes 2 that make up the level-wound coil 7, the outermost tube 2 has its bottom surface positioned slightly inward from the outermost circumference of the inclined support surface 4a. Of the tubes 2 that make up the level-wound coil 7, the innermost tube 2 has its bottom surface positioned slightly inward from the innermost circumference of the inclined support surface 4a.

[0023] In the case where the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 6 is restrained by restraints 1 to maintain the shape of the level-wound coil 7, the restraint positions by the restraints 1 are indicated by dashed lines. In this example, the support base 4 is annular, and four restraints 1 are provided at 90° intervals around the circumference of the support base 4 or the level-wound coil 7. The four restraints 1 are provided so as to circle the level-wound coil 7 from the inner circumference to the outer circumference at their respective positions. In this configuration, the shape of the level-wound coil 7 is maintained by four restraints 1, but the number of restraints 1 used and their restraint positions are not limited to the example shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the shape of tube 2 is omitted, and only the general shape of the level-wound coil 7 is shown by a dashed line. In addition, Figure 6 shows the inner circle 2d drawn by the general shape of tube 2 located at the innermost circumference of the level-wound coil 7, and the outer circle 2e drawn by the general shape of tube 2 located at the outermost circumference of the level-wound coil 7, indicating the relative position of the support base 4 and tube 2.

[0024] In this embodiment, the support base 4 may have a buffer layer 4B of uniform thickness made of a soft material covering the inclined support surface 4a, as shown in Figure 7. The inclination angle θ of the inclined support surface 4a can be selected from 15° to 30°, but is preferably 19.3° to 29.7°, and more preferably 20° to 29°. The inclination angle θ of the inclined support surface 4a refers to the angle between the hypotenuse 4c (inclined support surface 4a) and the base 4b in the right triangle representing the cross-section of the support base 4. The inclination angle θ is shown in Figure 7. Note that the buffer layer 4B shown in Figure 7 is omitted from Figures 1 and 2.

[0025] (Transportation method) As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the level-wound coil load holder A, with the level-wound coil 7 restrained by the restraining body 1 and placed on the support base 4, can be transported to the necessary factory or other site. To unwind the level-wound coil 7 at the site, the restraining body 1, such as a belt, is cut in the state shown in Figure 1, and the restrained level-wound coil 7 is unpacked. This process separates the pipe 2 of the level-wound coil 7, and it is placed on the support base 4 as shown in the cross-section in Figure 2.

[0026] In the level-wound coil 7, all of the bottommost pipes 2 descend so that they contact the upper surface of the inclined support surface 4a. Here, the pipes 2 of the second layer from the bottom do not entirely contact the bottommost pipes 2, but are positioned slightly above and separated from them. The magnitude of the distance between the second layer pipes 2 and the bottommost pipes 2 is proportional to the inclination of the inclined support surface 4a of the support base 4. In other words, in the level-wound coil 7, the amount of descent of the pipes 2 is greater towards the inner circumference of the bottom layer than towards the outer circumference of the bottom layer. For example, as is clear from comparing Figure 1 and Figure 2, the amount of descent of the outermost pipe 2 in the bottom layer is almost negligible or extremely small. In contrast, the amount of descent of the pipes 2 increases towards the inner circumference of the bottom layer, with the innermost pipe 2 having the largest descent.

[0027] Furthermore, as the lowest pipe 2 of the constrained level-wound coil 7 descends toward the inclined support surface 4a, the spacing between these pipes is stretched, causing the pipe 2 half a layer above the lowest pipe 2 to descend in a way that it fits between the pipes of the lowest layer. In the constrained level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 1, multiple coil layers formed by winding tubes 2 in an aligned manner are stacked such that the tubes 2 of one adjacent coil layer fit into the recesses between the tubes of the other coil layer. Therefore, the pipe 2 half a layer above the lowest pipe 2 is not directly above the lowest pipe 2, but is wound with a radial displacement around the level wound coil 7, which causes this downward movement.

[0028] In Figure 2, to make it easier to understand the state in which the pipe 2 half-layer above the lowest layer is inserted between the pipes 2 of the lowest layer as it descends, the pipe 2 of the lowest layer is shown as a white circle, and the pipe 2 half-layer above the lowest layer is shown as a shaded circle. When the level wound coil 7 is unpacked, the pipes 2 of the next layer and the pipe 2 half-layer above it are aligned sequentially as the lowest layer and the pipe 2 half-layer above it overlap. However, as you move towards the upper layers of the level-wound coil 7, the amount by which the pipe 2 descends gradually decreases. As a result, the amount by which the pipe 2 half a layer above the pipe 2 in the corresponding layer of the level-wound coil 7 intersects with the pipe 2 in the uppermost layer decreases, and the state in Figure 1 and the state in Figure 2 remain the same. This state is shown in Figure 2.

[0029] Once the situation shown in Figure 2 is reached, the tube end of the tube 2 located at the innermost lower end of the level-wound coil 7 is extended upwards. By pulling the tube 2 upwards from the innermost lower end of the tube 2 in this operation, the tube 2 can be smoothly extended and the level-wound coil 7 can be unwound without causing any bending or kinking of the tube 2. In order to perform such smooth unwinding, the inclination angle θ of the inclined support surface 4a can be selected from 15° to 30°, but 19.3° to 29.7° is preferred, and 20° to 29° is more preferred.

[0030] "Variations" In the first embodiment, the support base used in the present invention was a single, integrated circular support base with an annular shape in plan view. However, as shown in the modified example in Figure 8, a plurality of support bases 15 may be used, arranged with predetermined gaps between them in the circumferential direction of the level-wound coil 7. In this modified example, a configuration is adopted in which the level-wound coil 7, shown by the dashed line in Figure 8, is supported by eight (or more) support bases 15. The support base 15 consists of a main body 15A, which is a triangular plate with a certain width and a right-angled triangular shape when viewed from the side, and a cushioning material layer 15B attached to its upper surface. The inclined upper surface of the cushioning material layer 15B becomes the inclined support surface 15a. If the cushioning material layer 15B is omitted, the upper surface of the main body 15A becomes the inclined support surface. The angle θ between the base 15b and the hypotenuse 15c in the right-angled triangle formed by the side of the main body 15A is the inclination angle. The height of the support base 15 corresponds to the length of the adjacent side 15d of the right-angled triangle shown on the side plus the thickness of the cushioning material layer 15B. Multiple upper surfaces of the main body 15A are arranged to form a tapered surface, which becomes the inclined support surface.

[0031] In this example, eight support bases 15 are provided around the bottom surface of the level-wound coil 7 at equal intervals. The eight support bases 15 are positioned so that their respective cushioning layers 15B face diagonally upward, and their adjacent sides 15d are located on the outer circumference of the level-wound coil 7. The eight support bases 15 are arranged radially around the circumference of the circle traced by the level-wound coil 7 in plan view. By arranging them in this way, the inclined support surfaces 15a of the eight support bases 15 constitute an inclined support surface that performs the same function as the inclined support surface 4a of the support base 4 in the first embodiment. The eight support bases 15 can be fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 3 as shown in Figure 1, and together with the support plate 3, they can constitute a single support base. By using the support base 15 shown in Figures 8 and 9, the level-wound coil 7 can be supported in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Also, similar to the first embodiment, the level-wound coil 7 can be transported, brought to the site, the restraining body 1 can be cut, and the innermost tube 2 can be unwound by pulling it upwards.

[0032] "Second Embodiment" Figure 10 shows a partial cross-section of the support base 20 for supporting the level wound coil 7. In this configuration, the support base 20 has an annular (ring-shaped) form in plan view, and has a horizontal support surface 20b in addition to an inclined support surface 20a on its upper side. The inclined support surface 20a is similar to the inclined support surface 4a of the support base 4 in the first embodiment in that it is sloped so that the thickness of the support base 20 gradually increases from the inner circumference to the outer circumference. Figure 10 shows the load-holding structure B for the level-wound coil. In the first embodiment, the inclined support surface 4a reached the outermost circumference of the support base 4. In contrast, the second embodiment is characterized in that, although the inclined support surface 20a reaches near the outer circumference of the support base 20, a horizontal support surface 20b is formed from a position slightly before the outermost circumference to the outermost circumference. The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0033] As shown in Figure 10, the support base 20 has a base 20c and a second side 20d on the left side of the base 20c (the outer circumference side of the level wound coil 7). Furthermore, it has an inclined side 20f on the upper side which is formed by a part of the inclined support surface 20a, and a top side 20g which is parallel to the base 20c. In the support base 20, it is preferable that the width of the radially inclined support surface 20a is 80% or more of the radial length of the support base 20. The width shown by the radially inclined support surface 20a is equivalent to the width along the radial direction of the level wound coil 7. Therefore, it is preferable that the width W1 of the inclined support surface 20a along the radial direction of the support base 20 is 30% or more of the distance (radial width) from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side of the bottom of the level wound coil 7. As an example, in the example shown in Figure 10, the length of the top 20g, that is, the radial length of the horizontal support surface 20b on the support base 20, is set to be equal to the outer diameter of two pipes 2.

[0034] The support base 20 of the second embodiment can also achieve the same effects and advantages as the support base 4 of the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, a level-wound coil loading and holding unit, equipped with level-wound coils 7 restrained by restraints 1, is transported to a factory or other site where it is needed. To unwind the level-wound coils 7 at the transport site, the restraints 1, such as belts, are cut, and the restrained level-wound coils 7 are unpacked. This process separates the level-wound coils 7, and they are placed on the support base 20 as shown in the cross-section in Figure 11.

[0035] When the situation shown in Figure 11 is reached, the tube end of the tube 2 located at the innermost lower end of the level-wound coil 7 is extended upward. By pulling the tube 2 upward from the innermost lower end of the tube 2 in this operation, the tube 2 can be smoothly extended and the level-wound coil 7 can be unwound without causing any bending or kinking of the tube 2. Furthermore, in order to perform such smooth unwinding, the inclination angle θ of the inclined support surface 20a can be selected from 15° to 30°, and is preferably 20° to 29°.

[0036] The reason why the inclination angles of the inclined support surfaces 4a and 20a in the first and second embodiments are preferably 20° to 29° is explained below. Figure 12 shows the state in which the pipes 2 are placed adjacent to each other on the inclined support surface 4a in the support base 4 of the first embodiment. In Figure 12, the step height h between adjacent pipes was calculated using the formula TANθ × (D / 2 + D / 2), and the rate of change in height P with respect to the pipe diameter was calculated using h / D × 100. Here, D represents the pipe diameter and θ represents the inclination angle of the inclined support surface. The height difference between adjacent pipes h (mm) = TANθ × D = angle of the inclined support surface × pipe diameter The rate of change in height relative to the pipe diameter P(%) = h ÷ D × 100 = difference in height between adjacent pipes ÷ pipe diameter × 100 The results of the above calculations are shown in Table 1 below.

[0037] [Table 1]

[0038] As shown in Table 1, we were able to obtain the calculation results. Furthermore, if the inclination angle of the inclined support surface is less than 15°, the gap between the base and the separated pipes 2 will be small, increasing friction between the inclined support surface and the pipes 2, which is undesirable as it makes snagging more likely. As shown in the calculation results in Table 1, it is preferable to set the inclination angle of the inclined support surface to a range of 15° to 30°. Furthermore, at inclination angles exceeding 30°, when the restraint body is cut and unpacked, the pipes 2 tend to separate and become entangled with each other, potentially causing snagging. For these reasons, a range of 19.3° to 29.7° is more preferable, and a range of 20° to 29° is even more preferable. The step difference between the inner pipe 2 shown in Figure 12 and the pipe 2 in the row immediately outside it can be selected from the results in Table 1 to be between 26% and 58% of the outer diameter of pipe 2, preferably between 35% and 57%, and more preferably between 36% and 55%. In other words, it is preferable that the step difference between any row of pipes arranged on the inclined support surface and the pipe located in the row immediately outside it is between 35% and 57% of the outer diameter of the pipe.

[0039] Figure 13 shows a 1 / 2 cross-sectional model of a level-wound coil 7, which is constructed using tube 2 with 4 turns in the axial direction of the bobbin and 8 turns in the radial direction of the bobbin. The actual size of the level wound coil 7 is, for example, a radius of 550 mm (outer diameter φ1100 mm) as shown in Figure 13. A 1 / 2 model of this coil was used to determine the required length of the inclined support surface. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0040] [Table 2]

[0041] In the level-wound coil 7, if the coil outer diameter is φ1100 mm and the coil inner diameter is 560 mm, the total width of the coil will be 270 mm. While it is preferable that the horizontal length of the inclined support surface extends across the entire width of the level-wound coil 7, it may also be partially flat, as in the structure of the second embodiment. Therefore, Figure 13 shows two examples of inclined support surface length patterns with dashed lines. Of the support bases shown by the dashed lines in Figure 13, the upper support base 4D is designed to support the entire bottom surface of the level-wound coil 7 with its inclined support surface. The lower support base 4E is designed to support most of the bottom surface of the level-wound coil 7 with its inclined support surface, and the remaining portion with a flat surface. Assuming a coil width of 270 mm and a pipe outer diameter of 7 mm, the radial length of the support area that supports the pipe on a flat surface is thought to be limited to about twice the pipe diameter. If the radial length of the support area on the flat surface becomes larger than this, snagging is likely to occur. Considering the test results of the embodiments described later, the inclined surface height (H) is in the range of at least greater than or equal to the pipe diameter and at least less than 80 mm. Therefore, the horizontal length of the inclined surface can be estimated to be 270 mm at its maximum and 12 mm at its minimum. Support bases 4D and 4E of this size are considered to be sufficiently practical for the level wound coil 7.

[0042] "Third Embodiment" Figure 14 shows a partial cross-section of the support base 30 for supporting the level wound coil 7. In this configuration, the support base 30 has an annular (ring-shaped) form in plan view, but has a concave curved inclined support surface 30a on its upper side. The concave curved inclined support surface 30a is similar to the inclined support surface 4a of the support base 4 in the first embodiment in that it is sloped so that the thickness of the support base 30 gradually increases from the inner circumference to the outer circumference. Therefore, Figure 14 shows the stacking and holding body C for the level wound coil. In the first embodiment, the inclined support surface 4a was formed from a flat surface. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, the concave curved inclined support surface 30a consists of a concave curved surface that extends to the outer edge of the support base 30. The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0043] The support base 30 of the third embodiment can also achieve the same effects and advantages as the support base 4 of the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 14, a level-wound coil loading and holding unit, equipped with level-wound coils 7 restrained by restraints 1, is transported to a factory or other site where it is needed. To unwind the level-wound coils 7 at the transport site, the restraints 1, such as belts, are cut, and the restrained level-wound coils 7 are unpacked. This process separates the level-wound coils 7, and they are placed on the support base 30 as shown in the cross-section in Figure 15.

[0044] When the situation shown in Figure 15 is reached, the tube end of the tube 2 located at the innermost lower end of the level-wound coil 7 is extended upwards. By pulling the tube 2 upwards from the innermost lower end of the tube 2 in this operation, the tube 2 can be smoothly extended and the level-wound coil 7 can be unwound without causing any bending or kinking of the tube 2.

[0045] "Definition of the inclination angle in a support base having a concave curved inclined support surface" Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating the definition of a concave curved inclined support surface in a support base having a concave curved inclined support surface. Regarding the support base 30 shown in Figures 14 and 5, Figure 16(a) shows a cross-section of the support base 30, with a concave curved inclined support surface 30a on the upper side, a base 30b on the lower side, and an upright side 30c on the side. Point A is defined as the intersection of the concave curved inclined support surface 30a and the upright side 30c, point B is defined as the intersection of the base 30b and the upright side 30c, and point C is defined as the intersection of the concave curved inclined support surface 30a and the base 30b. In the support base 30, the aforementioned inclination angle can be defined as the angle between the line segment AC connecting point A and point C and the base 30b.

[0046] Furthermore, as another example of a support base 31, a shape may be adopted in which a concave curved inclined support surface 31a and an inclined surface 31d are arranged on the upper side, a base 31b is arranged on the lower side, and an upright side 31c is arranged on the side, as shown in the cross section of Figure 16(b). The intersection of the inclined surface 31d and the upright side 31c is defined as point A, the intersection of the inclined surface 31d and the concave curved inclined support surface 31a is defined as point A', the intersection of the base 31b and the upright side 31c is defined as point B, the position obtained by dropping a perpendicular line from point A' to the base 31b is defined as point B', and the intersection of the concave curved inclined support surface 31a and the base 31b is defined as point C. In the support base 31, if we denote the line segment connecting point A' and point C as A'C, then the angle between line segment A'C and the base 31b (the angle between line segment A'C and line segment B'C) can be defined as the inclination angle.

[0047] Furthermore, as another example of a support base 32, a shape may be adopted in which a concave curved inclined support surface 32a and a horizontal support surface 32d are arranged on the upper side, a base 32b is arranged on the lower side, and an upright side 32c is arranged on the side, as shown in the cross section of Figure 16(c). The intersection of the horizontal support surface 32d and the upright side 32c is defined as point A, the intersection of the horizontal support surface 32d and the concave curved inclined support surface 32a is defined as point A'', the intersection of the base 32b and the upright side 32c is defined as point B, the position obtained by dropping a perpendicular line from point A'' to the base 32b is defined as point B'', and the intersection of the concave curved inclined support surface 32a and the base 32b is defined as point C. In the support base 32, if we denote the line segment connecting point A'' and point C as A''C, then the angle between line segment A''C and the base 32b (the angle between line segment A''C and line segment B''C) can be defined as the inclination angle.

[0048] "Fourth Embodiment" Figure 17 shows a partial cross-section of the support base 40 for supporting the level wound coil 7. In this configuration, the support base 40 has an annular (ring-shaped) form in plan view, and on its upper surface, it has a concave curved inclined support surface 40a and a horizontal support surface 40b. The concave curved inclined support surface 40a is similar to the concave curved inclined support surface 30a of the support base 30 in the third embodiment in that it is inclined so that the thickness of the support base 30 gradually increases from the inner circumference to the outer circumference. Therefore, Figure 17 shows the stacking and holding body E for the level wound coil. In the third embodiment, the concave curved inclined support surface 30a extended almost to the outermost circumference of the support base 4. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, although the concave curved inclined support surface 40a extends close to the outer circumference of the support base 40, a horizontal support surface 40b of a predetermined width is formed from a position slightly before the outermost circumference to the outermost circumference. The other configurations are the same as in the third embodiment.

[0049] The support base 40 of the fourth embodiment can also achieve the same effects and advantages as the support base 30 of the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 17, the level-wound coil loading and holding body E, which includes level-wound coils 7 restrained by restraints 1, is transported to the required factory or other site. To unwind the level-wound coils 7 at the transport site, the restraints 1, such as belts, are cut, and the restrained level-wound coils 7 are unpacked. This process separates the level-wound coils 7, and they are placed on the support base 40 as shown in the cross-section in Figure 18.

[0050] When the situation shown in Figure 18 is reached, the tube end of the tube 2 located at the innermost lower end of the level-wound coil 7 is extended upwards. By pulling the tube 2 upwards from the innermost lower end of the tube 2 in this operation, the tube 2 can be smoothly extended and the level-wound coil 7 can be unwound without causing any bending or kinking of the tube 2.

[0051] "Conventional examples" Figure 19 shows a state in which a level-wound coil 7 is placed on a support plate 3 via a conventional support base 50. The support base 50 is a triangular cross-section and an annular (ring-shaped) support base in plan view, with multiple layers of width extending from the outermost layer side to the innermost layer side of the level-wound coil 7. This support base 50 has the same structure as the support base described in Patent Document 1. An inclined support surface 50a is formed on the upper surface of the support base 50, increasing the thickness of the support base 50 from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side.

[0052] When unwinding the tube 2 from the inner circumference side of the level-wound coil 7 placed on the support base 50 according to the ETS method, the restraining body 1 that is holding the level-wound coil 7 is cut and the level-wound coil 7 is unpacked onto the support plate 3 and support base 50. This process separates the level wind coil 7, and the parts are placed on the support plate 3 and support base 50 as shown in the cross-section in Figure 20.

[0053] In the state shown in Figure 20, to make it easier to understand that the pipe 2 above the lowest half of the layer descends and inserts itself between the pipes 2 of the lowest layer, the pipe 2 of the lowest layer is shown as a white circle, and the pipe 2 above the lowest half of the layer is shown as a shaded circle. When the level-wound coil 7 is unpacked, the bottom layer and the tube 2 half a layer above it overlap, and as the coil descends, the next layer and the tube 2 half a layer above it are aligned in sequence. As the tube 2, shown as a shaded circle, overlaps the innermost tube 2 by two layers. This can cause problems when unwinding tube 2 from the tube end at the lower inner circumference of the level wound coil 7 using the ETS method, potentially leading to breakage or bending of tube 2.

[0054] "Comparative Example" Figure 21 shows the level-wound coil 7 placed on the support plate 3 via a support base 76 of the comparative example structure. The support base 76 has a trapezoidal cross-section with multiple layers of width extending from the outermost layer side to the innermost layer side of the level-wound coil 7, and is annular (ring-shaped) in plan view. An inclined support surface 76a is formed on the upper surface of the support base 76, increasing the thickness of the support base 76 from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side.

[0055] When unwinding the tube 2 from the inner circumference side of the level-wound coil 7 placed on the support base 76 according to the ETS method, the restraining body 1 that is holding the level-wound coil 7 is cut and the level-wound coil 7 is unpacked onto the support plate 3 and support base 76. This process separates the level wind coil 7, and the parts are placed on the support plate 3 and support base 76 as shown in the cross-section in Figure 22.

[0056] In the state shown in Figure 22, when the level-wound coil 7 is unpacked, the friction with the support base 76 increases due to the small amount of descent of the pipe 2. This can cause problems when unwinding tube 2 from the tube end at the lower inner circumference of the level wound coil 7 using the ETS method, potentially leading to breakage or bending of tube 2.

[0057] "Fifth Embodiment" Figure 23 shows a partial cross-section of the support base 45 for supporting the level wound coil 7. In this configuration, the support base 45 has an annular (ring-shaped) form in plan view, and on its upper surface, it has a concave curved inclined support surface 45a in addition to an inclined support surface 45b. The concave curved inclined support surface 45a is similar to the concave curved inclined support surface 30a of the support base 30 in the third embodiment in that it is sloped so that the thickness of the support base 30 gradually increases from the inner circumference to the outer circumference. Therefore, Figure 23 shows the stacking and holding body F for the level wound coil. In the third embodiment, the concave curved inclined support surface 30a reached almost to the outermost circumference of the support base 4. In contrast, in the fifth embodiment, although the concave curved inclined support surface 45a reaches near the outer circumference of the support base 45, a feature is that an inclined support surface 45b of a predetermined width is formed from a position slightly before the outermost circumference to the outermost circumference. The other configurations are the same as in the third embodiment.

[0058] The support base 45 of the fifth embodiment can also achieve the same effects and advantages as the support base 30 of the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 23, a level-wound coil loading and holding body F, equipped with level-wound coils 7 restrained by restraints 1, is transported to a factory or other site where it is needed. To unwind the level-wound coils 7 at the transport site, the restraints 1, such as belts, are cut, and the restrained level-wound coils 7 are unpacked. This process separates the level-wound coils 7, and they are placed on a support base 45 as shown in the cross-section in Figure 24.

[0059] When the situation shown in Figure 24 is reached, the tube end of the tube 2 located at the innermost lower end of the level-wound coil 7 is extended upwards. By pulling the tube 2 upwards from the innermost lower end of the tube 2 in this operation, the tube 2 can be smoothly extended and the level-wound coil 7 can be unwound without causing any bending or kinking of the tube 2.

[0060] Figure 25 shows the level-wound coil 7 placed on the support plate 3 via a support base 73 of the comparative example structure. The support base 73 is a trapezoidal cross-section with multiple layers of width extending from the outermost layer to the innermost layer of the level-wound coil 7, and is annular (ring-shaped) in plan view.

[0061] When unwinding the tube 2 from the inner circumference side of the level-wound coil 7 placed on the support base 73 according to the ETS method, the restraining body 1 that is holding the level-wound coil 7 is cut and the level-wound coil 7 is unpacked onto the support plate 3 and support base 76. This process separates the level wind coil 7, and the parts are placed on the support plate 3 and support base 76 as shown in the cross-section in Figure 26.

[0062] In the state shown in Figure 26, similar to the state shown in Figure 2, the lowest layer's half-layer pipe 2 is shown as a white circle, and the lowest layer's half-layer pipe 2 is shown as a shaded circle, making it easier to understand that the pipe 2 is positioned between the pipes of the lowest layer as it descends. When the level-wound coil 7 is unpacked, the pipe 2 of the next layer and the pipe 2 further up are aligned in a way that the lowest layer and the pipe 2 of the half-layer above it overlap. As the pipe 2 shown as a shaded circle overlaps with the innermost pipe 2, a state is created where the pipe 2 is positioned between the pipes of the innermost circumference. This can cause problems when unwinding tube 2 from the tube end at the lower inner circumference of the level wound coil 7 using the ETS method, potentially leading to breakage or bending of tube 2.

[0063] In contrast, with the support base 4 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support base 20 of the second embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 11, the support base 30 of the third embodiment shown in Figures 14 and 15, the support base 40 of the fourth embodiment shown in Figures 17 and 18, and the support base 45 of the fifth embodiment shown in Figures 23 and 24, the pipe 2 shown by the shaded circle will not be interrupted by the innermost pipe 2. Therefore, by supporting the level-wound coil 7 using the support base of these embodiments, the tube 2 can be extended without bending or kinking. [Examples]

[0064] A prototype level-wound coil 7 with the dimensions shown in Figure 13 (outer coil diameter φ1100mm, inner coil diameter 560mm) was fabricated by winding an aluminum tube (φ7mm) onto a bobbin and then disassembling the bobbin. Using this prototype coil, a test was conducted in which the tube was unwound from the lower inner end of the level-wound coil 7 using the ETS method. The total weight of the level-wound coil 7 used in this example was 200kg.

[0065] In Test Example 1, a support base 4 with the structure shown in Figure 1 was used as the support base for the level wound coil 7. The height H of the support base 4 shown in Figure 13 was 78 mm. Three types of support bases were prepared with inclination angles (θ) of 20°, 25°, and 29°, and each was tested. When deploying the Level Wound Coil 7, it was possible to extend its entire length without any snagging. For comparison, support stands with inclination angles of 1°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, and 45° were also prepared, and similar tests were conducted for each. The results above are summarized in Table 3 below.

[0066] In Test Example 2, a support base 62 with the structure shown in Figure 27 was used as the support base for the level wound coil 7. The height H of the support base 62 was set to 78 mm, and the base height was set to 10 mm. The base height refers to the height equivalent to the thickness of the ring plate 63 when the shape of the support base 62 shown in Figure 27 is used as a base for the support base 4 shown in Figure 1, making the cross-sectional shape of the support base trapezoidal by using a ring plate 63 of a certain thickness as a base. Three types of support bases with inclination angles (θ) of the inclined support surface of 20°, 25°, and 29° were prepared and tested. When the restraining body constraining the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 27 was cut, and the level-wound coil 7 was released, the state shown in Figure 28 was obtained. When deploying the Level Wound Coil 7, it was possible to extend its entire length without any snagging. For comparison, support stands with inclination angles of 1°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, and 45° were also prepared, and similar tests were conducted for each. The results above are summarized in Table 3 below.

[0067] In Test Example 3, a support stand 30 equivalent to the structure shown in Figure 14 was used as the support stand for the level wound coil 7. The height H of the support stand shown in Figure 14 was 78 mm. Three types of support stands were prepared with inclination angles (θ) of 20°, 25°, and 29°, and each was tested. When the restraining body constraining the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 14 was cut, and the level-wound coil 7 was released, the state shown in Figure 15 was obtained. When deploying the Level Wound Coil 7, it was possible to extend its entire length without any snagging. For comparison, support stands with inclination angles of 1°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, and 45° were also prepared, and similar tests were conducted for each. The results above are summarized in Table 3 below.

[0068] In Test Example 4, a support stand with a raised base was used as the support base for the level-wound coil 7, compared to the support stand 30 with the structure shown in Figure 14. The height of the support stand on which the level-wound coil 7 was placed was 78 mm, and the raised base height was 10 mm. Three types of support stands were prepared with inclination angles (θ) of the inclined support surface of 20°, 25°, and 29°, and each was tested. When deploying the Level Wound Coil 7, it was possible to extend its entire length without any snagging. For comparison, support stands with inclination angles of 1°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, and 45° were also prepared, and similar tests were conducted for each. The results above are summarized in Table 3 below.

[0069] In Test Example 5, a support stand 20 with the structure shown in Figure 10 was used as the support stand for the level-wound coil 7. The height H of the support stand 71 on which the level-wound coil 7 is placed is 78 mm, and the width of the horizontal support surface is 28 mm. Three types of support stands were prepared with inclination angles (θ) of the inclined support surface of 20°, 25°, and 29°, and each was tested. When the restraining body constraining the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 10 was cut, and the level-wound coil 7 was released, the state shown in Figure 11 was obtained. When extending the Level Wound Coil 7, it was possible to extend its entire length with only two snags. For comparison, support stands with inclination angles of 1°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, and 45° were also prepared, and similar tests were conducted for each. The results above are summarized in Table 3 below.

[0070] In Test Example 6, a support stand with a raised base was used for the level-wound coil 7, compared to the support stand 20 with the structure shown in Figure 10. The height of the support stand on which the level-wound coil 7 was placed was 78 mm, and the width of the horizontal support surface was 28 mm. Three types of support stands were prepared with inclination angles (θ) of the inclined support surface of 20°, 25°, and 29°, and each was tested. When extending the Level Wound Coil 7, it was possible to extend its entire length with only two snags. For comparison, support stands with inclination angles of 1°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, and 45° were also prepared, and similar tests were conducted for each. The results above are summarized in Table 3 below.

[0071] In Test Example 7, a support stand 45 with the structure shown in Figure 23 was used as the support base for the level-wound coil 7. The height H of the support stand 72 on which the level-wound coil 7 is placed is 78 mm, and the horizontal width of the inclined support surface is 28 mm. Three types of support stands with inclination angles (θ) of the inclined support surface of 20°, 25°, and 29° were prepared and tested. When the restraining body constraining the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 23 was cut, and the level-wound coil 7 was released, the state shown in Figure 24 was obtained. When deploying the Level Wound Coil 7, it was possible to extend its entire length without any snagging. For comparison, support stands with inclination angles of 1°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, and 45° were also prepared, and similar tests were conducted for each. The results above are summarized in Table 3 below.

[0072] In Test Example 8, a support stand with a raised base was used as the support base for the level-wound coil 7, compared to the support stand 72 with the structure shown in Figure 23. The height of the support stand on which the level-wound coil 7 is placed is 78 mm, the horizontal width of the inclined support surface is 28 mm, and the height of the raised base is 10 mm. Three types of support stands were prepared with inclination angles (θ) of the inclined support surface of 20°, 25°, and 29°, and each was tested. When deploying the Level Wound Coil 7, it was possible to extend its entire length without any snagging. For comparison, support stands with inclination angles of 1°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, and 45° were also prepared, and similar tests were conducted for each. The results above are summarized in Table 3 below.

[0073] In Test Example 9, a support stand 40 with the structure shown in Figure 17 was used as the support base for the level-wound coil 7. The height H of the support stand 40 on which the level-wound coil 7 is placed is 78 mm, and the width of the horizontal support surface is 28 mm. Three types of support stands were prepared with inclination angles (θ) of the inclined support surface of 20°, 25°, and 29°, and each was tested. When the restraining body constraining the level-wound coil 7 shown in Figure 17 was cut, and the level-wound coil 7 was released, the state shown in Figure 18 was obtained. When extending the Level Wound Coil 7, it was possible to extend its entire length with only two snags. For comparison, support stands with inclination angles of 1°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, and 45° were also prepared, and similar tests were conducted for each. The results above are summarized in Table 3 below.

[0074] In Test Example 10, a support stand with a raised base structure was used as the support stand for the level wound coil 7, compared to the support stand 40 with the structure shown in Figure 17. The support base for the level-wound coil 7 has a height of 78 mm, a horizontal support surface width of 28 mm, and a base elevation of 10 mm. Three types of support bases with inclination angles θ of 20°, 25°, and 29° were prepared and tested. When extending the Level Wound Coil 7, it was possible to extend its entire length with only two snags. For comparison, support stands with inclination angles of 1°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, and 45° were also prepared, and similar tests were conducted for each. The results above are summarized in Table 3 below.

[0075] In Comparative Example 1, a support stand 50 with the structure shown in Figure 19 was used as the support base for the level wound coil 7. The support stand 50 shown in Figure 19 was tested with a height H of 80 mm and inclination angles θ of 10° and 45°. When extending the level-wound coil 7, it got stuck multiple times, which interfered with the process of extending the entire length of the level-wound coil 7.

[0076] In Comparative Example 2, a support stand with the structure shown in Figure 21 was used as the support stand for the level wound coil 7. The height H of the support stand 50 shown in Figure 27 was 6.5 mm, and the inclination angle θ was set to 10° and 45° for testing. When extending the level-wound coil 7, it got stuck multiple times, which interfered with the process of extending the entire length of the level-wound coil 7.

[0077] In Comparative Example 3, a support base 73 with the structure shown in Figure 25 was used as the support base for the level wound coil 7. The width L of the support base 73 shown in Figure 25 is 160 mm and the height H is 80 mm. During the extension of the level-wound coil 7, it got stuck 11 times, which interfered with the process of extending the entire length of the level-wound coil 7.

[0078] The results of Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 described above are summarized in Table 3 below. In the evaluation shown in Table 3, a rating of A was given if the number of snagging occurrences was 0, a rating of B if it occurred 1 to 2 times, a rating of C if it occurred 3 to 9 times, and a rating of D if it occurred 10 or more times. The results are recorded. An A rating indicates an ideal evaluation, and a B rating indicates sufficient practicality.

[0079] [Table 3]

[0080] From a comparison of Examples 1-10 and Comparative Examples 1-3, it was found that by using support bases with evaluations of A and B, the pipes can be extended from the level-wound coil 7 using the ETS method without entanglement or snagging between the pipes.

[0081] The results shown in Table 3 suggest that it is not necessary for the entire width of the level-wound coil 7 to be supported by an inclined support surface; it is sufficient if the inclined support surface covers at least 90% of the distance from the outer circumference to the inner circumference of the bottom of the level-wound coil. Furthermore, it is assumed that the height of the inclined support surface should be less than 80 mm. Based on the results shown in Table 3, it can be considered that a tilt angle in the range of 10° to 30° is desirable, and a range of 20° to 29° is even more desirable.

[0082] The dispensing performance was evaluated when the ratio of flat surfaces to inclined or concave surfaces was varied. The results are shown in Table 4 below. The evaluation criteria were as follows: Excellent A: 0 times, Good B: 1-2 times, Needs Improvement C: 3-9 times, Poor D: 10 times or more.

[0083] [Table 4]

[0084] The results shown in Table 4 indicate that when using a pipe with an outer diameter of 7 mm, increasing the horizontal support surface width beyond 28 mm increases the number of snags. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1...Restraint body, 2...Tube, 4...Support base, 4a...Inclined support surface, 5...Bobbin 7...Level wound coil, 15...Support base, 15a...Inclined support surface, 15B...Cushioning layer, 20...Support stand, 20a...Slanted support surface, 20b...Horizontal support surface, 30...Support stand, 30a, 31a, 32a...Concave curved inclined support surface, 32d...Horizontal support surface, 40...Support stand, 40a...Concave curved inclined support surface, 40b...Horizontal support surface, A, B, C, E, F... Loading and holding bodies for level wound coils, θ... Inclination angle.

Claims

1. A stacking and holding body for a level-wound coil, which is unwound from the inside, is placed on a support base such that the coil axis direction is perpendicular, and is formed by stacking multiple coil layers, in which the tubes of one adjacent coil layer are fitted into the recesses between the tubes of the other coil layer, and the coil axis direction is perpendicular. The support base has an inclined support surface or a concave curved surface on its upper side that descends radially inward of the level wound coil and supports the bottom outer circumference of the level wound coil from the bottom inner circumference to the bottom outer circumference, or an inclined support surface and a horizontal support surface, or a concave curved surface, an inclined support surface and a horizontal support surface, A level-wound coil loading and holding body characterized in that the level-wound coil is supported by bringing the bottom outer circumference of the level-wound coil into contact with the inclined support surface or concave curved surface of the support base, or with the inclined support surface and the horizontal support surface.

2. The level wound coil loading and holding body according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the support base is greater than or equal to the pipe diameter and less than 80 mm.

3. The level-wound coil stacking and holding body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the difference in height between any row of pipes arranged on the inclined support surface and the pipe located one row to the outside of it is 35% or more and 57% or less of the outer diameter of the pipe.

4. The level-wound coil loading and holding body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support base has an integral circular shape corresponding to the outer circumference of the level-wound coil, is continuously arranged in the circumferential direction of the level-wound coil from the inner circumference side of the bottom to the outer circumference side of the bottom, and the inclined support surface is a tapered surface.

5. The level-wound coil loading and holding body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of the support bases are intermittently arranged at predetermined gaps so as to have a circular shape corresponding to the outer circumference of the level-wound coil, and the inclined support surfaces of the plurality of intermittently arranged support bases form a tapered surface as a whole.

6. The level-wound coil loading and holding body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a cushioning material layer of a predetermined thickness is provided on the inclined support surface of the support base.

7. A method for transporting level-wound coils, characterized by using a level-wound coil loading and holding body according to claim 1 or claim 2, and transporting the level-wound coils, whose shape is constrained by a restraining body, by placing them on the support base.

8. A method for transporting a level-wound coil according to claim 7, wherein, when using the coil after transport, the restraining body is cut to release the restrained state of the level-wound coil, and the level-wound coil is placed on the inclined support surface of the support base.

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