Winding device, particularly for winding tubes, wires or the like

Abstract

Winding device, particularly for winding tube or wire, comprising a shaft (3) on which there is coaxially mounted a winding support (5) which can be rotated about an individual rotation axis (X), the winding support (5) comprising a housing (6) for the tube or wire which is suitable for being wound on the support, a spiral return spring (10) for the tube or wire being wound on the support (5), the spiral spring (10) having a first end (10a) which is fixedly joined to the winding support (5) and a second opposite end (10b) which is configured to engage with a seat (15) which is provided on the shaft (3) so that the spiral spring (10) is resiliently loaded following the rotation of the support (5) relative to the shaft (3) about the rotation axis (X), wherein the seat (15) comprises at least one recess (20, 21) which is open at an external cylindrical covering (16) of the shaft (3), in the region of an opening (15a) of the seat (15), and which runs axially along at least one axial portion of the shaft (3) with a cross-section with a constant magnitude, and wherein the at least one first recess (20, 21) comprises a first surface (22, 22') which is contiguous with the external covering of the shaft (3) and which extends inside the recess in a manner inclined with respect to a corresponding radial plane (P) of the shaft (3) which intercepts the opening (15a) of the seat (15).

Description

[0001] Winding device, particularly for winding tubes, wires or the like

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a winding device, particularly for winding tubes, wires or the like.

[0004] Technological background

[0005] The invention is used particularly to wind flexible tubes of the hydraulic type, electrical wires or other types of tubes or wires or other similar products which can, as a result of their flexibility, be wound in coils overlaid on a rotatable winding support. Typically, in order to ensure rapid rewinding of the tube on the winder, there is provision for the winder to be provided with a resilient return system, for example, configured as a spiral spring, which is received in a spring-carrying box secured to the winder support. One external end of the spiral spring is fixed to the winder support while the opposite internal end of the spring is connected to a fixed shaft, on which the winder support is rotatably mounted.

[0006] A known solution provides for a channel or notch which is intended to be engaged by the internal end of the spring, which is advantageously bent, for example, in a hooklike manner, to be formed in the shaft. In this manner, the internal end of the spring is retained on the shaft during the rotation of the winder support in one direction of rotation, this rotation therefore allowing the spring to be loaded resiliently. In the opposite rotation direction, however, the internal end of the spring is intended to become disengaged from the shaft.

[0007] During use of this solution, a number of limitations and disadvantages may be encountered.

[0008] For example, since for reasons of safety there is provision for the winding device to be provided with an unloaded return spring, the object of preloading the spring is left to the operator during the assembly of the winder. If the operator, during the resilient preloading action to be carried out by constraining the spring towards the centre of the helix, mistakes the direction of rotation, the bent end of the spring tends to leave the engagement seat which is formed on the shaft and is subjected to deformation, and in particular the core of the spring becomes deformed.

[0009] The same disadvantage may occur even if the resilient preloading operation is carried out correctly if the wound tube or wire is released too rapidly during the rewinding phase. In this instance, it may be the case that, following the resilient preloading, the first spring expands and then rotates again in the opposite direction, this last rotation bringing the core of the spring into a deformed state and causing the internal end of the spring to leave the engagement seat, particularly in the case in which the opening defined by the seat is directed downwards.

[0010] Description of the invention

[0011] A main object of the present invention is to provide a winding device which is structurally and functionally configured to overcome the limitations set out above with reference to the cited prior art.

[0012] This object and other objects which will be appreciated more clearly below are achieved by a winding device having the features defined in the appended claim 1. Additional features which may refer to exemplary embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, a winding device, particularly for winding tube or wire, comprises a shaft on which there is coaxially mounted a winding support which can be rotated about an individual rotation axis, the winding support comprising a housing for the tube or wire which is suitable for being wound on the support, a spiral return spring for the tube or wire being wound on the support, the spiral spring having a first end which is fixedly joined to the winding support and a second opposite end which is configured to engage with a seat which is provided on the shaft so that the spiral spring is resiliently loaded following the rotation of the support relative to the shaft about the rotation axis, wherein the seat comprises at least one first recess which is open at an external cylindrical covering of the shaft, in the region of an opening of the seat, and which runs axially along at least one axial portion of the shaft with a cross-section with a constant magnitude, and wherein the at least one first recess comprises a first surface which is contiguous with the external covering of the shaft and which extends inside the recess in a manner inclined with respect to a corresponding radial plane of the shaft which intercepts the opening of the seat.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first recess comprises a second surface which is spaced apart from the first surface, the first and second surfaces being connected with a base surface of the recess which is arranged at the opposite side to the opening of the seat.

[0015] Preferably, the first surface is planar.

[0016] Preferably, the second surface is planar and parallel with the first surface with a spaced-apart relationship therefrom.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the seat comprises a second recess which is connected to the first recess in the region of the opening of the seat in the external covering of the shaft.

[0018] Preferably, the first and second recesses extend perpendicularly to each other.

[0019] Preferably, the first and second recesses extend in a specularly symmetrical manner relative to each other with respect to a radial plane of the shaft which centrally intercepts the opening of the seat in the external covering so as to be the centre plane of the profile of the external covering in which the opening of the seat is defined. Preferably, the first and second recesses extend in respective directions which are angled at 45° with respect to the radial centre plane.

[0020] Preferably, the first and second recesses extend in communication with each other in the region of the opening of the seat in the external covering of the shaft.

[0021] Preferably, the second end of the spiral spring is formed in a hook-like manner in order to be engaged in the seat with a substantial surface connection, with limited connection play, with the first surface of the recess and with the cylindrical surface of the covering which is contiguous therewith.

[0022] Brief descriotion of the drawings

[0023] The features and advantages of the invention will be better appreciated from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0024] - Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a winding device constructed according to the present invention,

[0025] - Figure 3 is an exploded, partial perspective view with reference to a number of structural details of the winding device of Figures 1 and 2,

[0026] - Figure 4 is a perspective view, drawn to an enlarged scale, of a detail of Figure 3,

[0027] - Figure 5 is a front view, drawn to a further enlarged scale, of the detail of Figure 4,

[0028] - Figure 6 is a view corresponding to the one of Figure 5 of the detail of Figure 4 depicted in conjunction with a return spring which is only partially depicted.

[0029] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0030] With reference to the cited Figures, there is generally designated 1 a winding device, particularly for a tube 2 of the hydraulic type, which is constructed according to the present invention.

[0031] In Figure 1, the tube 2 is only partially depicted with a broken line, and it will be understood that the winding device 1 can in any case be arranged in order to wind electric wires or other types of tubes or wires.

[0032] The winding device 1 has a substantially axially symmetrical formation with respect to an axis X which coincides with the rotation axis of the device. The winding device 1 comprises a fixed shaft 3 having a main axis X' which is coaxial with the rotation axis X, along which the shaft develops between one end 3a and an axially opposite end 3b.

[0033] The end 3a of the shaft is configured to be fixed to a plate-like base 4 which is suitable for connecting the device, for example, to a stationary bearing or support structure (not illustrated) while the end 3b is provided to be connected to a rotary joint (not illustrated) for connection to the tube 2 to be wound / unwound with the winding device.

[0034] There is mounted on the shaft 3 a winding support 5 which is rotatable about the rotation axis X, which comprises a housing 6 which is suitable for containing the tube 2 to be wound / unwound in a configuration with overlaid turns.

[0035] The housing 6 is axially delimited by a pair of plates 7, 8, between which a casing 9 on which the innermost turns of the tube 2 are supported is interposed.

[0036] The winding device 1 further comprises a resilient return system for drawing the tube in a winding manner, the system including a spiral spring 10 which is made, for example, from sheet metal, and which has an external end 10a and an opposite internal end 10b.

[0037] The external end 10a of the spring is fixed to a plate 11 which is in turn fixedly joined to the plate 8 of the winding support, for example, by means of a spring-loaded pin (not shown) and the internal end 10b is configured for connection to the shaft 3, as described in detail below.

[0038] There is designated 12 a bell-like cover which defines with the plate 8 a springcarrying compartment for receiving the spring 10.

[0039] There is designated 13 an additional cover which is configured to be connected to the plate 7, at the side of the rotary joint and in a position axially opposite the cover 12. The internal end 10b of the spring is configured to engage, with relative engagement, a seat 15 which is provided on the shaft 3 so that the spiral spring 10 is resiliently loaded following the rotation of the winding support 5 relative to the shaft about the rotation axis X.

[0040] The seat 15 is formed along an axial portion of the shaft 3 and extends axially in the shaft from an opening 15a which is provided on an external cylindrical covering 16 of the shaft. The seat has a cross-section with a constant magnitude which runs in the direction of axial development.

[0041] The seat comprises a first and a second recess which are designated 20 and 21 and which are connected to each other and open in the covering 16 of the shaft in the region of the opening 15a. The recesses 20, 21 extend in a specularly symmetrical manner relative to each other with respect to a radial plane of the shaft which is identified by the axis P in the front view of Figure 5, which centrally intercepts the opening 15a (in Figure 5, at the central point of the circular profile which identifies the opening) so as to be the centre plane of the profile portion of the external covering in which the opening of the seat is defined.

[0042] As a result of the symmetry of the recesses 20, 21 and the structural identity of a number of the construction details thereof, details of the recess 21 similar to those of the recess 20 will be denoted by the same reference numeral followed by a prime mark

[0043] Each recess 20, 21 comprises a first respective surface 22, 22' which is contiguous with the external covering of the shaft and which extends from the opening inside the corresponding recess and which is inclined with respect to the radial plane P which centrally intercepts the opening.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the surfaces 22, 22' are in the form of planar surfaces and extend in the respective recesses at an angle of inclination of 45° with respect to the radial plane P. The angle of inclination is designated A in Figure 5.

[0045] In this preferred configuration, therefore, the recesses 20, 21 extend in the shaft perpendicularly to each other (that is to say, arranged in a state angled at 90° with respect to each other), as will be clearly appreciated from the front view of Figure 5. Each recess 20, 21 further comprises a second respective surface 23, 23' which is spaced apart from the corresponding surface 22, 22', the first and second surfaces of each recess being connected to a respective base surface 24, 24' of the corresponding recess which is arranged at the opposite side to the opening of the seat.

[0046] In each recess 20, 21, the respective second surface 23, 23' is also planar and extends parallel with the corresponding first surface 22, 22' with a spaced-apart relationship therefrom.

[0047] As a result of this configuration, the first and second recesses 20, 21 extend so as to communicate with each other in the region of the opening of the seat in the external covering of the shaft. Such a formation of the seat allows the insertion of the internal end of the spring inside the seat through the opening, in order to be engaged with the first or alternatively second recess in order to arrange the spring, during the assembly phase, with the preferred winding direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) on the basis of the specific requirement needed in the final application of the winder. To this end, in a preferred form, the internal end of the spring is of hook-like form and has an end portion 10c which is folded with respect to the circular profile of the spring, as shown in Figure 6.

[0048] The extent of the portion 10c, the substantially flattened formation thereof and the folding angle for causing it to take up the hook-like shape are selected so that the spring is brought into engagement with the corresponding recess by means of a substantially surface connection. In other words, the spring engages with limited connection play between the coupled surfaces, in a configuration in which the end portion 10c of the spring is in abutment against the respective surface 22, 22' of the corresponding recess, and the spring portion adjacent to the portion 10c is in abutment against the cylindrical covering of the shaft which develops in a state contiguous with the surface 22, 22'.

[0049] Furthermore, the relative angulation at 90° between the recesses allows freedom of movement of the spring end towards and away from the preselected recess without bringing about any relative disturbance action, further facilitating the engagement of the spring with the shaft following the rotation of the winding support, including following any disengagements of the spring which may occur during the resilient preloading operations of the spring or during rapid rewinding actions of the tube on the winder, at the same time preserving the spring from undesirable deformations during the disengagement phases.

[0050] It may be observed that each surface 23, 23' forms a type of "ramp" along which the hook-like end of the spring can slide during the step of disengagement from the shaft, when the spring is caused to rotate in the opposite direction, for example, after the preloading has been cancelled. In this case, the ramps which are defined by the surfaces 23, 23' ensure that the spring is disengaged without becoming excessively deformed as a result of the fact that the hook-like end of the spring slides by sliding on the inclined surface 23, 23' without encountering any obstacles or interference with the shaft, consequently leaving the recess without excessively deforming the spring.

[0051] In a first typical case, if, while the spring is being loaded with a preselected number of preloading turns, the drum should escape from the operator, then as a result of inertia the spring with the preselected preloading turns being completed will continue the movement thereof in a reverse direction becoming disengaged from the recess of the shaft, thereby avoiding the risk of generating possible deformations of the central core of the spring. Another typical case is the one in which the operator turns the drum in the wrong direction in order to provide the preloading. In this case, the formation of the recesses also causes the engagement end of the spring to slide without interfering with the shaft, avoiding the spring being destroyed when it is caused to rotate in the opposite direction by the same operator.

[0052] In both above-mentioned cases, the spring is therefore preserved from possible damage resulting from excessive deformations. Then, when the spring reverts to being rotated in the correct direction, as a result of the hook-like form of the end of the spring, it can be correctly re-engaged with the shaft. The insertion of the internal end of the spring inside the recess is carried out in fact in a substantially automatic manner as soon as the seat comes into contact with the spring end during the rotation.

[0053] The invention thereby achieves the objects proposed, achieving the advantages set out with respect to the known solutions.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A winding device, particularly for winding tube or wire, comprising:- a shaft (3) on which there is coaxially mounted a winding support (5) which can be rotated about an individual rotation axis (X),- the winding support (5) comprising a housing (6) for the tube or wire which is suitable for being wound on the support,- a spiral return spring (10) for the tube or wire being wound on the support (5),- the spiral spring (10) having a first end (10a) which is fixedly joined to the winding support (5) and a second opposite end (10b) which is configured to engage with a seat (15) which is provided on the shaft (3) so that the spiral spring (10) is resiliently loaded following the rotation of the support (5) relative to the shaft (3) about the rotation axis (X), characterized in that the seat (15) comprises at least one first recess (20, 21) which is open at an external cylindrical covering (16) of the shaft (3), in the region of an opening (15a) of the seat (15), and which runs axially along at least one axial portion of the shaft (3) with a cross-section with a constant magnitude, and in that the at least one first recess (20, 21) comprises a first surface (22, 22') which is contiguous with the external covering of the shaft (3) and which extends inside the recess in a manner inclined with respect to a corresponding radial plane (P) of the shaft (3) which intercepts the opening (15a) of the seat (15).

2. A winding device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first recess (20, 21) comprises a second surface (23, 23') which is spaced apart from the first surface (22, 22'), the first and second surfaces being connected with a base surface (24, 24') of the recess which is arranged at the opposite side to the opening (15a) of the seat (15).

3. A winding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first surface (22, 22') is planar.

4. A winding device according to claim 2 and 3, wherein the second surface (23, 23') is planar and parallel with the first surface (22, 22') with a spaced-apart relationship therefrom.

5. A winding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seat comprises a second recess (20, 21) which is connected to the first recess in the region of the opening (15a) of the seat (15) in the external covering of the shaft (3).

6. A winding device according to claim 6, wherein the first and second recesses (20, 21) extend perpendicularly to each other.

7. A winding device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first and second recesses(20, 21) extend in a specularly symmetrical manner relative to each other with respect to a radial plane (P) of the shaft which centrally intercepts the opening (15a) of the seat (15) in the external covering so as to be the centre plane of the profile of the external covering (16) in which the opening of the seat is defined.

8. A winding device according to claim 7, wherein the first and second recesses (20,21) extend in respective directions which are angled at 45° with respect to the radial centre plane (P).

9. A winding device according to claim 5, wherein the first and second recesses (20,21) extend in communication with each other in the region of the opening (15a) of the seat (15) in the external covering (16) of the shaft (3).

10. A winding device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second end (10b) of the spiral spring (10) is formed in a hook-like manner in order to be engaged in the seat (15) with a substantial surface connection, with limited connection play, with the first surface (22, 22') of the recess and with the cylindrical surface of the covering (16) which is contiguous therewith.

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