Clamping device for supporting a reel having a tubular core

Abstract

A clamping device ( 18 ) for supporting a reel having a tubular core is described. The clamping device ( 18 ) comprises a base body ( 20 ) with a mounting interface ( 22 ) for fixing the base body ( 20 ) on a machine frame. Additionally, it has a carrier body ( 36 ) configured for being placed inside the tubular core of the reel. The carrier body ( 36 ) is rotatably supported on the base body ( 20 ) such that the carrier body ( 36 ) can rotate with respect to the base body ( 20 ) about an axis ( 38 ) of rotation. Moreover, a plurality of clamping elements ( 42 ) are coupled with an actuation mechanism ( 76 ) such that the clamping elements ( 42 ) can selectively protrude from an outer circumference of the carrier body ( 36 ) and selectively be retracted to be at least flush with the outer circumference of the carrier body ( 36 ). Furthermore, a brake mechanism is arranged between the base body ( 20 ) and the carrier body ( 36 ) for selectively decelerating or blocking the rotation of the carrier body ( 36 ) with respect to the base body ( 20 ).

1 . A clamping device for supporting a reel—having a tubular core, the clamping device comprising:
 a base body with a mounting interface for fixing the base body on a machine frame, 
 a carrier body configured for being placed inside the tubular core of the reel, wherein the carrier body is rotatably supported on the base body such that the carrier body can rotate with respect to the base body about an axis of rotation, 
 a plurality of clamping elements being coupled with an actuation mechanism such that the plurality of clamping elements can selectively protrude from an outer circumference of the carrier body and selectively be retracted to be at least flush with the outer circumference of the carrier body, and 
 a brake mechanism being arranged between the base body and the carrier body for selectively decelerating or blocking the rotation of the carrier body with respect to the base body, wherein the brake mechanism is integrated into the clamping device so that the brake mechanism is a functional and structural unit of the clamping device. 
 
     
     
         2 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier body is supported on the base body via at least two separate bearing members, especially two separate roller bearing members. 
     
     
         3 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier body is sleeve-shaped or cup-shaped, wherein a portion of the base body extends into an interior of the carrier body. 
     
     
         4 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the brake mechanism comprises a loading arrangement for generating and/or adjusting a brake torque to be effective between the base body and the carrier body. 
     
     
         5 . The clamping device according to  claim 4 , wherein the brake mechanism comprises a plurality of disks forming a stack which generally extends along the axis of rotation, wherein the plurality of disks are rotationally fixed on the base body or on the carrier body respectively in an alternating manner. 
     
     
         6 . The clamping device according to  claim 5 , wherein the loading arrangement comprises a compression member for compressing the stack of disks in order to generate a brake torque. 
     
     
         7 . The clamping device according to  claim 6 , wherein the compression member is a compression ring—cooperating with the base body via a screw thread and acting on the stack of disks via at least one spring element. 
     
     
         8 . The clamping device according to  claim 5 , wherein a cantilevered end of the carrier body and the loading arrangement are arranged opposite each other. 
     
     
         9 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping elements are positioned closer to a first, cantilevered end of the carrier body than to a second end of the carrier body, being arranged opposite the first end. 
     
     
         10 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuation mechanism—comprises a push member and the clamping elements are arranged between the carrier body and the push member along the axis of rotation, wherein the push member is selectively movable with respect to the carrier body—along the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         11 . The clamping device according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the clamping elements abuts against the carrier body and the push member via respective contact faces which are inclined with respect to the axis of rotation and with respect to a corresponding radial direction such that the clamping elements can be pushed radially outward if the push member approaches the carrier body and can be retracted if the push member departs from the carrier body. 
     
     
         12 . The clamping device according to  claim 10 , wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a screw member connecting the carrier body and the push member and generally extending along the axis of rotation in order to selectively move the push member. 
     
     
         13 . The clamping device according to  claim 12 , wherein the screw member is accessible from an end of the clamping device being opposed to a cantilevered end of the carrier body. 
     
     
         14 . The clamping device according to  claim 12 , wherein, along the axis of rotation, a tool interface of the screw member is arranged in an axial section being defined by an axial extension of the brake mechanism.