Coiler Mandrel Carriage With Retaining Arms for Small-Diameter Coils
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coil-transporting carriages struggle with the reliable handling of metal coils with external diameters smaller than a limit diameter and sleeves on coiler mandrels, as these can be mechanically unstable and prone to springing open or falling during transport, due to insufficient stabilization and handling capabilities in prior art solutions.
Innovation Solution
A coil-transporting carriage with a vertically displaceable coil saddle and pivotable retaining arms, which are actuated by rotary drives to stabilize coils or sleeves, combined with a control unit for automated operation and data interface for synchronized movement and stabilization, allowing for safe handling and transport of coils or sleeves with external diameters up to a limit diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coil-transporting carriage is used for residual coils with external diameter below the maximum limit diameter d0, then the carriage can handle smaller coils, but the coils become mechanically unstable and tend to spring open due to low dead weight and high inherent strength
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining arms are positioned to apply a retaining force on the external peripheral surface of the coil before the coil can spring open. This preliminary counteracting force prevents the harmful springing open effect from occurring by opposing the residual elastic tension in the metal strip.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining arms act as an intermediary facility between the coil saddle and the coil, providing additional stabilization. The retaining arms transfer the stabilizing force from the carriage structure to the coil, enabling safe handling of unstable small-diameter coils without requiring fundamental changes to the carriage design.
2Reliability
If two separately displaceable retaining arms are used to stabilize high-strength coils, then the coils can be stabilized, but the structural complexity increases and the transport range is limited due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The two retaining arms are merged into a single pivotable assembly that moves together as one unit. This combining of previously separate facilities reduces the control system complexity by eliminating the need for independent synchronization of two arms, while still providing effective stabilization through the combined retaining force.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining arms are designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, allowing them to adapt their position dynamically during the coil handling process. This dynamic capability enables the retaining arms to maintain effective contact with the coil throughout transport while simplifying the overall structure compared to multiple independently controlled components.
3Reliability
If a clamping facility is extended in the coil saddle to press against the coil eye, then the coil can be stabilized in position, but the coil cannot be transferred directly onto the carriage from the coiler mandrel without collision
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is first stabilized by the retaining arms before the clamping facility is activated. This preliminary stabilization allows the coil to be safely positioned on the carriage, and only after the coil is securely retained does the clamping facility engage to provide additional position stability, enabling direct transfer from the mandrel.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining arms provide dynamic stabilization during the transfer process, allowing the coil to be moved onto the carriage while maintaining stability. This dynamic retaining capability complements the static clamping facility, enabling both direct transfer and stable positioning without collision or instability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a coil-transporting carriage with adjustable retaining arms and to a method for the reliable handling of metal coils of small external diameter, or of sleeves, on a coiler mandrel. The coil-transporting carriage has a vertically displaceable coil saddle for accommodating a coil or a sleeve, also has two retaining arms for stabilizing the coil or the sleeve, the retaining arms being arranged opposite one another on the coil saddle and being pivotable by means of rotary drives, and additionally has a second drive unit for moving the coil-transporting carriage. For pulling off from a coiler mandrel, the coil saddle is positioned against a coil located on the coiler mandrel and the retaining arms are pivoted onto the coil. For pushing onto a coiler mandrel, first a sleeve is placed on the coil saddle of the coil-transporting carriage and is thereby guided by the retaining arms.