Automated locking and unlocking device for bearings

Abstract

The invention relates to an automated locking and unlocking device (1) of a roller (2) of a coating installation for mobile metal strips, characterized in that the automated locking and unlocking device (1) has: - a support arm (3) having a rolling bearing seat (4) adapted to support a rolling bearing (5) connected to one end of the roller (2); - a mobile retaining arm (6) retaining the rolling bearing (5), the mobile retaining arm (6) being pivotally mounted on the support arm (3) about an axis parallel to the roller (2) so that the mobile retaining arm (6) disengages the rolling bearing (5) laterally when it is pivoted; - an actuator (7) allowing, in use, the mobile retaining arm (6) to pass from a locked position of the roller (2), in which the roller (2) is in use, to an unlocked position, in which the roller (2) is removed from the automated locking and unlocking device (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated locking and unlocking device of the rolling bearings of the rollers used in the coating plants of metal strips. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the field of coating of metal strips, in particular of metallurgical metal strips, rollers are used to coat various liquid substances on the moving strip in order to cover the strip with the desired coating layer. The coating type can be various, for example paints, lacquers, varnishes, surface chemical treatments, glues, or any other substance with variable viscosity. The variety of uses of the coated finished product makes the configuration of these coating plants very varied. A large number of rollers are used in such plants, which can be of different types, for example coating rollers, tensioning rollers, angle transmission rollers, or support rollers (or gripping rollers) on the applicator roller.

[0003] In order to ensure the final quality result, the rollers, and in particular the coating rollers and the gripping rollers, must have impeccable surface finishing quality so that no appearance defects appear on the coated strip. This surface quality requirement of the rollers implies a frequent change of the rollers.

[0004] The change of the rollers therefore causes the plant to be stopped, usually for half an hour, which greatly reduces production. The disassembly of the rollers implies opening the bearings of the shafts on which the rollers are mounted. This operation requires manual intervention. In addition, it requires the operator to be very careful, in particular to avoid damaging or breaking the delicate moving parts. Furthermore, this operation is therefore sometimes tedious, to be carried out manually, in addition to putting the operator in a dangerous situation, since he must approach the production line with potentially moving parts.

[0005] Document CN209370299U proposes a bearing housing for a color steel strip production line winder. The bearing housing has an upper housing and a lower housing that surround the bearing in order to lock it when the roller is in use. When the roller must be changed, the upper housing of the bearing housing is vertically raised by a driving mechanism in order to release the bearing by sliding. More precisely, the upper housing is fixed on sliding means and the raising of the upper housing is actuated by a screw. The upper housing cannot be completely removed from the mechanism and, according to whether the roller is in use or the bearing must be operated, the upper housing is simply lowered or vertically lowered. The defect of this solution is that it does not completely free the space for easy unlocking of the roller.

[0006] In document CN212564098U, the upper part of the bearing cage is also raised, guided by a telescopic plate, in order to release the roller. However, this solution is always unsatisfactory because it requires manual handling and puts delicate mechanical elements in a potentially harsh environment. Depending on the use, the maintenance of these components can be problematic.

[0007] Document CN209772603U proposes a support for a supporting roller, which has a lower support seat and an upper support seat that, in use, lock the rolling bearings of the roller. The support also has a quick fixing device, which has mechanical elements, such as a screw, a fixing screw and a locking handle. A screw hole is arranged in the lower part of the lower support seat, while a vertical slot is arranged in the upper support seat, all the components cooperating for the removable fixing of the upper support seat to the lower support seat. SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a solution that, by means of the easy release and fixing of the rolling bearings, allows easy maintenance and quick replacement of the roller.

[0009] The present invention also aims to provide an automated solution, which therefore allows the locking and unlocking of the bearings to be remotely controlled by the operator, thus ensuring the safety of the operations.

[0010] The present invention also aims to provide a device that, by means of the considerable reduction in the time required for roller maintenance, allows an increase in production capacity and a reduction in the costs of the bearing locking / unlocking operations.

[0011] Main feature parts of the invention

[0012] The present invention relates to an automated locking and unlocking device of a roller of a coating plant for moving metal strips, characterized in that it has:

[0013] - a support arm, which has a rolling bearing seat adapted to support a rolling bearing connected to one end of the roller;

[0014] - a mobile retaining arm that retains the rolling bearing, said mobile retaining arm being pivotally mounted on the support arm about an axis parallel to the roller, so that the mobile retaining arm, when it is pivoted, disengages the rolling bearing laterally;

[0015] - an actuator that, in use, allows the mobile retaining arm to pass from a locked position of the roller, in which the roller is in use, to an unlocked position, in which the roller is removed from the automated locking and unlocking device.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the automated locking and unlocking device also has one or a suitable combination of the following characteristics:

[0017] - the mobile retaining arm is housed inside the support arm;

[0018] - The rolling bearing is supported on the rolling bearing housing of the support arm. Under normal use, the rolling bearing does not make any contact with the movable retaining arm, thereby defining a minimum space between the rolling bearing and the movable retaining arm. If the rolling bearing abnormally leaves the rolling bearing housing, the movable retaining arm allows the rolling bearing to be retained.

[0019] - The angular travel of the active retaining arm during its pivoting is limited on the one hand by the angular position defined by the minimum space, and on the other hand by the angular position corresponding to the unlocking position;

[0020] - The movable retaining arm has an upper portion that is adjacent to the rolling bearing when in use. The upper portion is arc-shaped and does not at least cover the upper section of the rolling bearing so as to allow the roller to be removed when the movable retaining arm is laterally pivoted in the unlocked position.

[0021] - The movable retaining arm has a geometry and weight distribution that allows it to naturally be in the unlocked position by gravity; and the actuator is adapted to press on the movable retaining arm so that it swings from its unlocked position to its locked position during use.

[0022] - A reset spring is provided to assist gravity and ensure complete unlocking;

[0023] - The actuator is single-acting or double-acting, preferably remote-controlled, and is a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator.

[0024] - A pad is provided on the movable retaining arm, the pad being adjusted to allow the movable retaining arm to rest against the support arm and to prevent or limit contact between the movable retaining arm and the rolling bearing;

[0025] - The pad is fixed to the movable retaining arm by means of a threaded rod, which passes through the pad and fixes the pad in a hole provided on the movable retaining arm. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bearing locking and unlocking device of the present invention, with the retaining arm in the locked position.

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The perspective view of the embodiment shown shows the arm in the unlocked position.

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The side view of the embodiment shown indicates that the retaining arm is in the locked position.

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The side view of the embodiment shown shows the arm in the unlocked position.

[0030] Figure 5 is Figure 1 a longitudinal section view of the embodiment shown, the retaining arm being in the locked position.

[0031] Figure 6 is Figure 1 a longitudinal section view of the embodiment shown, the retaining arm being in the unlocked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention solves the above technical problem, providing a fixing device for fixing the roller, which is practical, fast and reliable.

[0033] Contrary to the systems of the prior art, the rolling fixing system of the present invention is fixed from below, and not from above.

[0034] The present invention relates to a dimensionally reduced locking device, which is calculated in volume, which keeps the coating roller in place at any time of use required, and is easily unlocked by simple external automatic control. Each rolling bearing is placed in a seat, the shape of which allows to limit the efforts to which the locking mechanism is subjected. The greatest efforts come from the gripping roller against the coating roller. The locking device requires an actuator, which is supported on a lever, the rotation axis of which is eccentric. This eccentricity ensures that the weight of the roller is placed on the base, and not on the closing system. In addition, a retaining plate, which is known per se in its function, limits the possible lateral movements of the roller.

[0035] An embodiment of the bearing locking and unlocking device 1 of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 6 . is an automated locking and unlocking device for the rollers of coating plants for moving metal strips.

[0036] As mentioned above, the rollers, for example coating rollers, must be periodically replaced to ensure the best coating quality.

[0037] The rollers are held at their ends by rolling bearings. Rolling bearings are known per se in the prior art, which are held by rolling bearing seats, which are devices that support the rolling from the outside by fixing the rolling outer ring (in small size machines, the rolling directly contacts the bearing seat, without intermediate bearings). In this way, the inner ring is free to rotate and drives the roller, while the outer ring remains stationary.

[0038] In order to be able to replace the roller, the operator must access the rolling bearing. The device of the present invention can automatically release the bearing. It should be noted that the process of locking and unlocking the bearing does not require direct human intervention, but is carried out by means of mechanical means.

[0039] To this end, the locking and unlocking device has a support arm 3, the upper part of which forms a rolling bearing seat 4. The rolling bearing seat 4 is intended to support a rolling bearing 5, which is connected to one of the ends of the roller 2, in order to hold the roller during the surface coating operation.

[0040] Within the scope of the application, the mobile retaining arm 6 is housed in the support arm 3, as shown in Figure 1 and 2 . This retaining arm 6 is intended to ensure the position of the rolling bearing 5 in the rolling bearing seat 4. More precisely, the retaining arm 6 is pivotally mounted in the support arm 3 about an axis parallel to the roller 2. In this way, the retaining arm 6 can pass from a locking position of the rolling bearing 5, as shown in Figure 1 , 3 and 5, to an unlocking position of the rolling bearing 5, as shown in Figure 2 , 4 and 6.

[0041] In the locking position, the roller 2 is also in the position of use. Thus, the roller is held at the ends by the rolling bearing 5, which is positioned in the rolling bearing seat 4 of the support arm 3. The retaining arm 6 closes the rolling bearing seat 4 from the side, in order to tighten the locking device 1 of the roller 2. In this configuration, the rolling bearing 5 is supported on the rolling bearing seat 4 of the support arm 3. In normal use, i.e. when the roller is positioned in the rolling bearing seat 4, the rolling bearing 5 does not come into contact with the mobile retaining arm 6. In fact, if the rolling bearing 5 were to come away from the rolling bearing seat 4, the mobile retaining arm 6 can hold the rolling bearing 5, thus having a safety / retention effect. When the mobile retaining arm 6 is in the locking position, there can be a space of at least one hundredth of a millimetre between the retaining arm 6 and the rolling bearing 5. In this way, the rolling bearing 5 is not placed on the mobile retaining arm 6 but on the support arm 3.

[0042] However, this 0.01 mm gap is not restrictive, the contact being acceptable if it is a surface contact without deformation of the bearing.

[0043] In the unlocking position, the mobile retaining arm 6 is in the open position, i.e. the retaining arm is pivoted about its axis of rotation in order to be remote from the rolling bearing seat 4. In this configuration, the rolling bearing 5 is accessible and the roller is easily removed from the device. There is no obstruction of the vertical passage above the rolling bearing seat, thus facilitating the handling of the roller. Preferably, the upper part 8 of the mobile retaining arm 6 is an abutment part which abuts the rolling bearing 5, is rounded and is at least partially located under and / or to the side of the rolling bearing 5, thus the locking of the roller 2 being performed from the side Figure 5 . Thus, the upper part 8 of the mobile retaining arm 6 does not cover the rolling bearing 5 from above in any case, but only from below and from the side.

[0044] The device of the present invention is automated, having an actuator 7 which, in use, can bring the retaining arm 6 from the locked position to the unlocked position. Figure 5 and 6 The actuator 7 is shown pushing the retaining arm 6, which thus swings from its unlocked position to its locked position, and vice versa. In the embodiment shown, the active retaining arm 6 has a geometry and a distributed weight such that it naturally assumes the unlocked position by means of gravity, and in use the actuator 7 is supported on the active retaining arm 6 to make it swing from its unlocked position to its locked position. A return spring (not shown) can be provided to ensure complete unlocking by means of gravity. The actuator 7 can be a single- or double-acting, pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator. The actuation button 11 of the actuator 7 can be arranged on the support arm 3 and can be remotely controlled by the operator.

[0045] The spacer 9 is arranged on the active retaining arm 6 to bring the active retaining arm 6 against the support arm 3, thus avoiding contact between the active retaining arm 6 and the rolling bearing 5. The spacer 9 is fixed to the active retaining arm 6 by means of a threaded rod 9' which passes through the spacer 9 to be fixed in a hole 10 made in the active retaining arm 6. Preferably, the hole 10 is made in situ in the active retaining arm 6 to ensure the precise position of the active retaining arm 6, the spacing between the active retaining arm and the rolling bearing 5 being precisely adjusted.

[0046] To automate the locking and unlocking system of the bearing, one of the guarantees of the present invention is to be able to arrange all the functional components inside the support arm 3. The aim is thus to avoid locking the bearing 5 from above, to ensure easy access to the bearing 5, to the geometry of the retaining arm 6 and to all the mechanical components located inside the support arm 3 to lock the bearing from below, which constitutes the actual technical problem solved by the present invention.

[0047] Legend of the figures

[0048] 1 Locking and unlocking device

[0049] 2 Roller

[0050] 3 Support arm

[0051] 4 Rolling bearing seat

[0052] 5 Rolling bearing

[0053] 6 Retaining arm

[0054] 7 Actuator

[0055] 8 Upper part of the retaining arm

[0056] 9 Spacer

[0057] 9' Threaded rod

[0058] 10 hole of pad

[0059] 11 operating button

Claims

1. Automation locking and unlocking device (1) of a roller (2) of a coating plant of a moving metal strip, said locking and unlocking device (1) having: - a support arm (3) having a rolling bearing seat (4) suitable for supporting a rolling bearing (5) connected to one end of the roller (2); - a mobile retaining arm (6) of the rolling bearing (5) pivotally mounted on the support arm (3) about an axis parallel to the roller (2) so that the mobile retaining arm (6) laterally disengages the rolling bearing (5) when it is pivoted; - an actuator (7) which, in use, allows the mobile retaining arm (6) to pass from a locking position of the roller (2) to an unlocking position, the locking position being the position in which the roller (2) is in use, the unlocking position being the position which allows the removal of the roller (2) from the automation locking and unlocking device (1); the automation locking and unlocking device (1) of a roller (2) of a coating plant of a moving metal strip being characterized in that the rolling bearing (5) is supported on the rolling bearing seat (4) of the support arm (3) and, in normal use, does not make any contact with the mobile retaining arm (6) so as to define a minimum space of at least one hundredth of a millimeter between the rolling bearing (5) and the mobile retaining arm (6), said mobile retaining arm (6) allowing to retain the rolling bearing (5) if it abnormally departs from the rolling bearing seat (4).

2. The automatic locking and unlocking device (1) of the roller (2) of the coating plant of the moving metal strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mobile retaining arm (6) is housed inside the support arm (3).

3. The automatic locking and unlocking device (1) of the roller (2) of the coating plant of the moving metal strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angular travel of the mobile retaining arm (6) when it is pivoted is defined on the one hand by the angular position defined by said minimum space and on the other hand by the angular position corresponding to the unlocking position.

4. The automatic locking and unlocking device (1) of the rollers (2) of the coating plant of a moving metal strip according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The mobile retaining arm (6) has an upper portion (8) which, in use, abuts against the rolling bearing (5), the upper portion being shaped as a circular arc and covering at least a section of the upper part of the rolling bearing (5) so as to allow the removal of the roller (2) when the mobile retaining arm (6) is pivoted laterally in the unlocking position.

5. The automatic locking and unlocking device (1) of the roller (2) of the coating plant of the moving metal strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mobile retaining arm (6) has a geometry and a weight distribution such that it is naturally in the unlocking position by means of gravity; and the actuator (7) is suitable for pressing on the mobile retaining arm (6) so as to swing it, in use, from its unlocking position to its locking position.

6. The automatic locking and unlocking device (1) of the roller (2) of the coating plant of a moving metal strip according to claim 5, characterized in that, A return spring is provided for assisting the gravity to ensure complete unlocking.

7. The automatic locking and unlocking device (1) of the roller (2) of the coating plant of the moving metal strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuator (7) is a single- or double-acting pneumatic, hydraulic or electric type actuator.

8. The automatic locking and unlocking device (1) of the roller (2) of the coating plant of the moving metal strip according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pad (9) is provided on the mobile retaining arm (6), said pad (9) being adjusted so as to allow the mobile retaining arm (6) to abut against the support arm (3) and to avoid or limit the contact force between the mobile retaining arm (6) and the rolling bearing (5).

9. The automatic locking and unlocking device (1) of the roller (2) of the coating plant of a moving metal strip according to claim 8, characterized in that, The pad (9) is fixed to the mobile retaining arm (6) by means of a threaded rod which passes through the pad (9) and is fixed in a hole (10) provided in the mobile retaining arm (6).

10. The automatic locking and unlocking device (1) of the roller (2) of the coating plant of the moving metal strip according to claim 7, characterized in that, The single- or double-acting pneumatic, hydraulic or electric type actuator is remote-controlled.

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