Support for rolling metal rod, wire or tube along rolling axis

Abstract

The present application relates to a stand (1) for rolling a metal bar, wire or tube along a rolling axis (19), comprising a stand housing (10), an outer portion (12) of the stand housing, viewed along the rolling axis (19), comprising at least six side surfaces (14.1 to 14.6) arranged so as to rotate in each case about 60 DEG offset about the rolling axis, the two side surfaces in each case form a pair of side surfaces positioned parallel to each other. It further comprises: three rollers (20.1 to 20.3) positioned in each case on a roller axis, surrounding the rolling axis in a star-shaped manner and together forming a bore (21), the three rollers being settable for setting the bore based on the radial position of the rolling axis; and an adjustment connector (30) arranged on the exterior and intended for introducing an adjustment torque for setting the aperture. In this case, the adjustment connector includes a gear shaft parallel to a pair of mutually parallel side surfaces.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a stand for rolling a metal rod, wire or tube along a rolling axis, comprising three rollers, which in each case are positioned on a roller shaft and surround the rolling axis in a star-shaped manner and together form a caliber, and which can be set for setting the caliber by means of an adjustment connector arranged externally for introducing an adjustment torque, based on the radial position of the rolling axis. BACKGROUND

[0002] Stands comprising three or more rollers for rolling rod-shaped material to be rolled are known in principle in the production of metal tubes, rods or wires. In this case, the material to be rolled can be rolled to the desired diameter, since the caliber is set accordingly. In order to set the caliber of the stand, it is customary to change the distance of the rollers from the rolling axis. The technical solution for setting the position of the rollers relative to the rolling axis is an eccentric adjustment member.

[0003] A stand of the aforementioned technical field is known, for example, from DE 100 15 340 A1. The known stand allows the caliber to be set by means of an eccentric mechanism, which can be actuated by an adjustment connector arranged externally for introducing an adjustment torque. By rotating the eccentric bushing, the rollers can be adjusted radially relative to the rolling axis, so that the caliber of the stand can be set in a stepless manner and materials to be rolled having different diameters can be produced. In DE 100 15 340 A1, synchronous adjustment of all roller shafts and thus of all rollers can be achieved by driving only one eccentric bushing, the adjustment taking place via an adjustment connector provided on the side surface of the stand housing.

[0004] Generally, a plurality of stands are arranged in succession in a rolling mill. Thus, the material to be rolled can be stretched in particular by the difference between the roller speeds of the individual stands and rolled to a smaller diameter.

[0005] Furthermore, the roundness of the material to be rolled is generally not sufficient after passing through one stand, since due to the star-shaped arrangement of the rollers and their relatively small number, the cross section assumes a polygonal shape, the number of sides of the polygon corresponding to the number of rollers of the stand. For example, the material to be rolled rolled by a single three-roller stand has a cross-sectional shape which is not ideally circular but approximately triangular.

[0006] In order to improve the roundness of the material to be rolled, the successive stands are preferably arranged such that in each case a corner of the cross section of the material to be rolled, which leaves the stand, comes into contact with the center of a roller of the next stand and thus rounds the cross section of the material to be rolled.

[0007] Thus, in each case, for example, the three rollers of the first and third stands of a rolling mill with four stands are usually positioned in a so-called "Y arrangement", and in each case the rollers of the stands arranged behind them, for example the second and fourth stands, are arranged in a so-called "inverted Y arrangement" Due to the alternating arrangement of the rollers and stands in Y arrangements and inverted Y arrangements, in each case the corners of the cross section of the material to be rolled are rolled through the rollers using the lower stands, and thus the cross section of the material to be rolled is rounded.

[0008] In the Y arrangement, the lower rollers are oriented such that their roller axes are positioned horizontally, i.e. the diameter of the lower rollers extends perpendicularly in the viewing direction of the rolling axis. Conversely, in the inverted Y arrangement, it is the roller axes of the upper rollers that are positioned horizontally, i.e. the diameter of the upper rollers extends perpendicularly in the viewing direction of the rolling axis. In both cases, the roller axes of the other two rollers are positioned at an angle of 120° with respect to the horizontal roller axes in each case. Of course, the arrangement with respect to the horizontal is generally arbitrary, since for the effects described herein it is only important that the rollers are arranged relatively to the adjacent stands.

[0009] The arrangement of the stands one after the other to form a rolling mill is usually carried out using stand bases into which the stands are introduced and held by means of which the stands are held. This makes it possible to exchange the stands from the rolling mill, for example for maintenance that is required at regular intervals.

[0010] The stand known from DE 100 15 340 Al makes it possible to switch between the Y arrangement and the inverted Y arrangement by rotating about 180° about a horizontal axis, and allows insertion into the stand base in both orientations. The upper and lower side surfaces of the rectangular stand housing serve as contact surfaces in the stand base.

[0011] The stand positions of the Y arrangement and the inverted Y arrangement can be selected such that when the side surfaces are the side surfaces that delimit the stand horizontally, i.e. are oriented vertically, the adjustment connectors of the eccentric adjustment members arranged on the side surfaces of the stand housing remain on the same side. The torque-introducing couplings for the drive train with the electric motor and, if necessary, also with the gear box for driving the rollers with horizontally oriented roller axes are then positioned on the opposite side surface.

[0012] While the above-described arrangement of the adjustment connectors allows good accessibility of the adjustment connectors for manual operation from this side, the adjustment connectors cannot be easily, i.e. automatically, operated and actuated by so-called remote adjustment, since in order not to hinder access to the stand, the electric motors required for this can not be provided on this side. SUMMARY

[0013] Against this background, it is the object of the invention to provide a support of the aforementioned kind which allows a particularly advantageous, uniform absorption of the rolling torque and which can be easily switched between different orientations during the process, so that it can be used in different configurations and at different positions in the support bed in a modular manner.

[0014] In other words, it is the object to develop a support of the aforementioned kind which can be arranged in a modular manner in a rolling mill, at different positions and in different positions in the support bed in as universal a manner as possible, so that the radial spacing, i.e. the adjustment, between the rollers and the rolling axis can be adjusted in a plurality of different ways, in different adjustment configurations.

[0015] This object is achieved by a support according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

[0016] The support of the invention for rolling a metal rod, wire or tube along a rolling axis comprises a support housing whose exterior, viewed along the rolling axis, comprises at least six side surfaces which are arranged so as to be rotated in each case by approximately 60° about the rolling axis, two side surfaces in each case forming a pair of side surfaces which are positioned parallel to one another. The support further comprises three rollers which are positioned on a roller shaft in each case and surround the rolling axis in a star-shaped manner and together form a caliber, and which can be set for setting the caliber on the basis of the radial position of the rolling axis. Furthermore, the support comprises adjustment connectors which are arranged on the exterior and are intended for introducing an adjustment torque for setting the caliber, the adjustment connectors comprising a gear shaft which is parallel to a pair of mutually parallel side surfaces.

[0017] In the context of the invention, a side surface is a surface of the support housing which laterally bounds a front surface and a rear surface through which the rolling axis extends. Viewed along the rolling axis, they together form the lateral outer surface of the support housing. Since the side surfaces are arranged in pairs parallel to one another, the projection of the support housing along the rolling axis can define a polygon having at least six edges and corners. The side surfaces can have different lengths.

[0018] The side surfaces of the support housing can serve as contact surfaces, comprise contact surfaces or extend parallel to one contact surface or a plurality of contact surfaces, for example formed by skids, on which the support can be placed in a stable manner, in particular in the support bed. The side surfaces do not have to be flat, but can also comprise steps, protrusions or recesses and also openings and can also be formed in multiple parts.

[0019] The fact that in the context of the invention the side surfaces are arranged so as to be rotated in each case by approximately 60° about the rolling axis means that the side surfaces arranged so as to be offset in this way also enclose angles of 60° and 120° with respect to one another. The side surfaces offset by approximately 60° rotation are preferably adjacent, but not necessarily adjacent. It is also possible to provide rounded corners, extended chamfers, etc. between the adjacent side surfaces, rather than sharp corners.

[0020] The fact that the rollers are in each case positioned on one roller shaft also means, for example, rollers clamped axially between two partial shafts of an axially split roller shaft. In particular, the rollers are arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the roller shaft, for example frictionally connected, i.e. not mounted on the roller shaft by means of bearings. This is also associated with the fact that the rollers can be driven by their roller shaft. To this end, each of the roller shafts can have its own drive connection and an end projecting outside the stand. Then, by means of suitable coupling, one motor can apply a torque on each of the roller shafts, respectively, and thus on the associated rollers. A plurality of roller shafts can also be coupled together via a gearbox outside the stand and driven by a common motor. Since the rolling forces acting in the stands of the technical field of the invention amount to several thousand tons, the rolling motors must be powerful and thus large. The rolling motors and their peripherals should not prevent access to the rolling mill and the stand, so as not to hinder the regular replacement of the stands for maintenance reasons.

[0021] It is therefore important for the entire rolling mill that the drive connections of the roller shafts are positioned at specific locations in the rolling mill and in the same position and in the same orientation, so that the replaced stand can be connected to the drives of the rollers as quickly and reliably as possible, and that access to the rolling mill, in particular to the stand, is as little impeded as possible for these points and orientations.

[0022] The star-shaped arrangement of the rollers about the rolling axis means that the rollers or their planes of rotation are in each case arranged at an angle of 120° with respect to two adjacent rollers or their planes of rotation. This also applies to the roller shafts, the axes of which intersect in addition to the planes of rotation of the rollers, but not in the caliber. However, within the stand, each roller shaft is in each case at an angle of 120° with respect to the other two roller shafts.

[0023] In the context of the invention, the caliber means the opening between three rollers through which the material to be rolled is guided and in the process is rolled. It extends over the cross-sectional surface orthogonally to the rolling axis of the channel formed by the star-shaped arrangement of the three rollers within the rolling surface. The caliber is not identical to the target or production diameter of the material to be rolled, since the stand widens due to the material to be rolled and is not elastically deformed during the rolling process, and since the material to be rolled is not only influenced by the rollers themselves, but also, for example, elastically and plastically by the forces between the adjacent stands. However, the caliber significantly influences the production diameter.

[0024] In the case of the present stand, the distance of the rollers from the rolling axis can be set for setting the caliber by means of adjusting the torque via the adjustment connectors arranged on the outside.

[0025] The fact that the gear shaft is parallel to a pair of mutually parallel side surfaces allows the space of the stand housing to be optimally used for the adjustment mechanism of the rollers via the adjustment connectors arranged on the outside. This in turn allows the stand to have a particularly advantageous flexibility in different arrangements and in different configurations in the stand base, which is particularly advantageous over the flexibility of a rectangular stand housing.

[0026] The number and arrangement of the side surfaces of the present stand compared to the rectangular stand housing known in the prior art having four side surfaces yields the advantage that the stand can be used in different positions at different positions in the rolling mill in a modular manner and in different configurations in terms of the adjustability of the radial distance of the rollers from the rolling axis. Thus, the number of stands that remain available for the operator of the rolling mill is reduced, since the same stand can be used universally throughout the rolling mill even after modifications in terms of the adjustability of the radial distance of the rollers from the rolling axis of the rolling mill. Thus, the present invention enables a more flexible use within the rolling mill and, in particular, in the case of a simultaneously compact design of the rolling mill, a more flexible selection of both the position in the rolling mill and the adjustment configuration.

[0027] The present invention also allows a flexible attachment of additional components arranged on or in the stand housing. In addition to the connection of the adjustment members, such components can be, for example, operating material connections, guides, such as funnel guides or roller guides, as inlet guides or outlet guides, sliding elements, bearing elements and fastening elements. However, in this respect too, the present invention allows a very significant modularization of the rolling mill.

[0028] The limitation of the complexity of the roller arrangement is advantageous insofar as the arrangement of the drive for the roller shafts within the rolling mill is thus simplified. In particular, three different arrangements of the stand are created, in which, viewed from the rolling axis, three identical angles of the rotational axis of the roller shafts are always created. When using structurally essentially identical rollers and roller shafts that can be driven by any of the provided drive devices, only a translational displacement, for example, of the drive devices or gearboxes and coupling components, needs to be provided, which can compensate for the translational offset of the roller shafts. This reduces the complexity and design effort of the rolling mill.

[0029] Preferably, the distance of the gear shaft, which is perpendicular when viewed along the rolling axis, from the rolling axis is not greater than 10% of the perpendicular distance of the rolling axis from the side surface. In other words, the gear shaft is positioned substantially in the center of the stand housing, between the side surfaces parallel thereto, more precisely, in the center positioned around the rolling axis of the stand housing in the range of 10% of the extension of the stand housing between the side surfaces.

[0030] This arrangement of the gear shafts means that the carrier housing can be used particularly flexibly, since the carrier housing, around the oblique axis parallel to the gear shafts and passing through the rolling axis, for example for switching between a Y arrangement and an inverted Y arrangement, is hardly subject to any translational displacement that adjusts the position of the connectors. Thus, a high level of symmetry, and therewith a high level of modularity, can be achieved.

[0031] Preferably, the three rollers and the three roller shafts are arranged so as to be rotated in each case in a rotationally symmetrical manner about the rolling axis offset by approximately 120°, and the roller shafts extend parallel to the gear shafts. In this context, "parallel" means that the gear shaft, viewed along the rolling axis, i.e. the projection of the gear shaft onto a plane perpendicular to the rolling axis, extends parallel to one of the roller shafts or to the projection of one of the roller shafts onto the plane perpendicular to the rolling axis. There can also be an inclination along the rolling axis. Particularly preferably, the gear shafts and the roller shafts are positioned in the same plane perpendicular to the rolling axis, and in this plane the gear shafts and one of the roller shafts are parallel to one another.

[0032] The fact that one of the roller shafts extends parallel to the gear shafts is a further advantageous embodiment of the carrier, since this makes possible a compact design of the carrier housing, since the symmetry of the rollers and the roller shafts matches the shape of the carrier housing, in particular the relative arrangement of the side surfaces matches one another. This allows a high strength, uniform load distribution and high flexibility of the use of the carrier in the rolling mill.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the carrier comprises only one adjustment connector for introducing an adjustment torque for setting the caliber. This has the advantage of a higher flexibility of use of the carrier. In this preferred embodiment, in the configuration with remote adjustment, only one drive of the adjustment connector is required, which simplifies the overall configuration. In the configuration with manual adjustment, one single point is sufficient at which all rollers can be actuated simultaneously and in a matching manner to one another. Thus, in both configurations, a simple design of the carrier exterior with high flexibility and high adjustment accuracy can be achieved.

[0034] Particularly preferably, the adjustment connector is operatively connected to an eccentric mechanism having an eccentric bushing in which the roller shafts are mounted, the eccentric bushing is rotatably mounted in the carrier housing, and the rotational position of the eccentric bushing can be set by means of a gear box. This embodiment of the adjustment mechanism known from the prior art in combination with the geometry of the carrier housing is particularly suitable for achieving the adjustment of the rollers via a single adjustment connector. By means of the eccentric mechanism, high forces can be absorbed and a high accuracy can be achieved without occupying a large amount of installation space in the process.

[0035] Advantageously, the exterior of the holder housing has exactly six side surfaces forming a regular hexagon, viewed in the direction of the rolling axis. This particularly preferred embodiment of the holder housing makes it possible for the holder housing to be used in a particularly flexible manner. The symmetry of the holder housing associated with the regular hexagon is particularly suitable for a star-shaped arrangement of the three rollers and roller shafts. Thus, the three rollers and roller shafts within the holder housing can be arranged in the holder housing in a particularly symmetrical manner, so that the holder fits into the holder base in a plurality of different orientations and the rollers can be coupled to the motor of the rolling mill in each of said orientations. Alternatively, however, the holder housing can also be of a different shape. For example, one short outer side can be provided between the six long outer sides, so that a dodecagon is formed by the side surfaces, viewed in the direction of the rolling axis.

[0036] Advantageously, the adjustment connector can be actuated both manually and automatically by means of a motor. In this case, "manually actuable" means that the adjustment connector in this connection can be actuated manually by an operator using suitable tools. In contrast, "actuable via an external motor" means that the adjustment connector can be actuated without manual operation and tool assistance, but for example using a suitable coupling, for example rotation. This means that the adjustment connector must be arranged and designed in such a way that it is compatible with both configurations of the drive for roller adjustment. Thus, the holder can be used directly in both configurations without having to modify the adjustment connector for one or the other configuration, i.e. manual adjustment or automatic adjustment by means of a motor. However, it is also possible to design the adjustment connector for automatic adjustment only or for manual adjustment only. In this case, a modification of the adjustment connector would still be necessary to change the configuration of the adjustment, although this means an increased complexity compared to the preferred embodiment, but does not substantially impair the high flexibility of the holder as a whole.

[0037] Advantageously, the holder housing is closed and non-segmented and in particular is manufactured in one piece. In other words, the holder housing is preferably manufactured integrally and thus can be manufactured, for example, by a casting method, so that advantageous mechanical properties for absorbing the loads acting in the rolling process as well as a high efficiency of manufacture are possible.

[0038] Preferably, each of the three roller shafts or rollers can be driven individually by its own motor associated therewith. Thus, for example, three relatively small-sized motors can be used, since they only need to exert one third of the rolling torque. This makes it possible to design the motors to be smaller, which significantly reduces the overall size of the rolling mill.

[0039] In this case, the three roller shafts preferably each comprise a drive-side end for individual driving, which protrudes outward at one of the side surfaces of the holder housing. In this way, it can be ensured that the roller shafts are driven via the side surfaces, so that the corners of the holder housing are not occupied by the drive-side ends of the roller shafts.

[0040] Other advantages and developments of the invention will appear from the following description of the drawings and all technical solutions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1A is a view along the rolling axis of the preferred bracket in a first adjustment configuration in an inverted Y arrangement.

[0042] Figure 1B is a view along the rolling axis of the bracket from Figure 1A in a first adjustment configuration in a Y arrangement.

[0043] Figure 1C is a view along the rolling axis of the bracket from Figure 1A in a second adjustment configuration in an inverted Y arrangement.

[0044] Figure 1D is a view along the rolling axis of the bracket from Figure 1A in a second adjustment configuration in a Y arrangement.

[0045] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the bracket from Figure 1A from a first perspective.

[0046] Figure 2B is another perspective view of the bracket from Figure 1A from a second perspective.

[0047] Figure 3A is a side view of the bracket from Figure 1A showing the adjustment connector.

[0048] Figure 3B is another side view of the bracket from Figure 1A showing the side opposite the adjustment connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In the following description of the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numerals, and a repeated description is largely avoided.

[0050] Figure 1Ais a view along a rolling axis 19 extending in Z-direction of a preferred stand 1 for rolling a metal rod, wire or tube. The stand 1 comprises a stand housing 10 which in the embodiment shown here has a regular hexagonal shape when viewed along the rolling axis 19. The exterior 12 of the stand housing 10 is provided with six side surfaces 14.1 to 14.6 of equal length which are arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner around the rolling axis 19. Adjacent side surfaces 14.1 to 14.6 merge into one another in regions referred to as corners 16.1 to 16.6. In this case, the corners 16.1 to 16.6 can be marked differently. It comprises the adjoining edges between adjacent side surfaces 14.1 to 14.6 which merge into one another in the corners 16.1 to 16.6, which can be sharp-edged, but are preferably chamfered or rounded. Small intermediate surfaces between adjacent side surfaces 14.1 to 14.6 are also possible in the sense of a significantly oppositely wide chamfer and are still understood as corners 16.1 to 16.6 in the context of the present invention. An entry side 15 (not shown in Figure 1A but shown in Figure 1B and an exit side 13 shown in Figure 1A have a regular hexagonal shape in general as the stand housing 10 of the embodiments of the present invention, which is characterized, inter alia, in that it has three pairs of side surfaces 14.1, 14.4, 14.2, 14.5, 14.3, 14.6 which are positioned parallel to one another in each case. The stand housing 10 is manufactured as a unit.

[0051] The preferred stand 1 is designed such that the entry side 15 (not shown in Figure 1A is similar to the exit side 13 shown in Figure 1A so that all features described below for the exit side 13 are found at the same or corresponding positions on the opposite side of the stand housing 10, as is also shown below with reference to the other figures.

[0052] The stand 1 further comprises three rolls 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 which are arranged in a star-like manner around the rolling axis 19. The rolls 20.1 to 20.3 in each case delimit a rotation plane which is angled at 120° with respect to one another and intersects in the rolling axis 19. The rotation planes of the rolls 20.1 to 20.3 are arranged in each case orthogonally to one pair of side surfaces 14.1 to 14.6 of the stand housing 10. In the region of the rolling axis 19, the rolls 20.1 to 20.3 form a caliber 21 therebetween. The caliber 21 is in particular surrounded by a rolling surface 22 of each of the rolls 20.1 to 20.3 which is formed centrally along the periphery of the respective roll 20.1 to 20.3 as an inwardly recessed groove in order to provide the material to be rolled with an outer contour which is as round as possible. However, depending on the material to be rolled, the rolling surfaces 22 can also be designed differently, in particular as flat surfaces or convex surfaces.Figure 1A It can be seen that the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are arranged in an inverted Y arrangement, since the upper roller 20.1 is positioned vertically and the two remaining lower rollers 20.2, 20.3 are in each case positioned at an angle of 120° with respect to the vertical orientation of the upper roller 20.1.

[0053] The rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are in each case fixedly positioned on roller shafts via which they are driven. The rotational axis of the roller shafts in each case extends parallel to a pair of side surfaces 14.1, 14.4, 14.2, 14.5, 14.3, 14.6. Furthermore, the rotational axis is arranged transversely to the rolling axis 19 and in a rotationally symmetrical or star-shaped manner about said axis. Figure 1A The rotational axis of the roller shaft of the upper roller 20.1 in the X-Y plane is oriented in the X direction. The rotational axes of the other two roller shafts are in each case inclined by an angle of 120° and 240°, respectively, with respect to the rotational axis of the upper roller shaft. In the roller shafts, in each case, Figure 1A In the X-Y plane, only the drive-side ends 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 are shown, which protrude outwards at one of the side surfaces 14.2, 14.4, 14.6 of the holder housing 10. The roller shafts can thus each adjoin an external drive, which can thus transmit its rolling torque to the roller shafts, and thus to the rollers 20.1 to 20.3, via a coupling.

[0054] The roller shafts extend inside the holder housing 10, wherein also eccentric adjustment members (not shown) for adjusting the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 via them are positioned. The eccentric adjustment members make it possible to change the eccentricity of the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 in the X-Y plane. Figure 1A In the X-Y plane, it is possible to change the spacing between the roller shafts and thus the spacing between the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 on the one hand and the rolling axis 19 on the other hand. Thus, for a constant caliber 21, different sizes of the caliber 21 can be set, and also wear of the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 can be compensated. The eccentric adjustment members form an adjustment mechanism of the rollers 20.1 to 20.3.

[0055] The adjustment mechanism of the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 can be actuated from the outside, since an adjustment connector 30, which protrudes outwards near the corner 16.1, is rotated. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1A In the embodiment shown in the X-Y plane, the adjustment connector 30 is designed such that it can be actuated both manually and automatically by a motor. The adjustment connector 30 is preferably connected to a rotatably mounted gear shaft, which extends inside the holder housing 10, and to a bevel gear, which engages in a tooth segment of an eccentric bushing of the eccentric adjustment members, which in turn is able to transmit the rotational movement transmitted to it via the bevel gear to the other two eccentric bushings and thus to allow a synchronous adjustment of the rollers. The adjustment mechanism is not shown in detail outside the adjustment connector 30 in the X-Y plane. Figure 1A In the embodiment shown in the X-Y plane, the adjustment connector 30 is designed such that it can be actuated both manually and automatically by a motor. The adjustment connector 30 is preferably connected to a rotatably mounted gear shaft, which extends inside the holder housing 10, and to a bevel gear, which engages in a tooth segment of an eccentric bushing of the eccentric adjustment members, which in turn is able to transmit the rotational movement transmitted to it via the bevel gear to the other two eccentric bushings and thus to allow a synchronous adjustment of the rollers. The adjustment mechanism is not shown in detail outside the adjustment connector 30 in the X-Y plane.

[0056] The adjustment connector 30 is positioned near the corner 16.1, and the gear shaft connected to the adjustment connector 30 extends parallel to the upper roller shaft in the Figure 1A , i.e. in the X direction, the drive-side end 24.1 of which protrudes on the opposite side out of the cradle housing 10. The adjustment connector 30 is thus essentially positioned opposite the drive-side end 24.1 of the roller shaft extending parallel to the gear shaft. This opposite arrangement implies that the adjustment connector 30 is not covered by the roller motor arranged flush with the drive-side end 24.1 of one of the roller shafts, since the drive-side ends 24.2, 24.3 of the roller shafts adjacent to the adjustment connector 30 are in each case oriented approximately 60° upwards and downwards relative to the adjustment connector 30 and its gear shaft, so that a large free space is formed therebetween for the motor coupled thereto, which makes the adjustment connector 30 freely accessible.

[0057] In Figure 1A , the adjustment connector 30 is arranged near the corner 16.1 and slightly offset upwards relative to the imaginary horizontal centre plane of the cradle housing 10. In this case, the spacing between the adjustment connector 30 and the centre plane extending parallel to the gear shaft, i.e. in the X direction in Figure 1A , is less than 10% of the extension of the cradle housing 10 in the Y direction, i.e. between the two opposite side surfaces 14.2, 14.5 of the cradle housing 10. Figure 1A

[0058] Figure 1A Three mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 are shown for a guide for the material to be rolled (not shown in Figure 1A ). The guide can be mounted on the outlet side 13 of the cradle housing 10, which is shown in Figure 1A . The mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 can also be arranged on the inlet side 15 (not visible in Figure 1B ), so that a guide for the material to be rolled can be mounted there.

[0059] The guide for the material to be rolled can be, for example, a roller guide, in particular a roller guide 60, as shown by way of example in Figure 1A , or a funnel guide. The mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 are positioned in a star-like manner around the rolling axis 19 and in each case opposite one of the rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 relative to the rolling axis 19. The three mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 are arranged in each case at an angular spacing of 120° around the rolling axis 19.

[0060] In addition, three coupling piece clamping regions 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 are arranged in​Figure 1A On the outlet side 13 of the cradle housing 10 shown in the middle, in the cradle housing 10 adjacent corners 16.1, 16.2, 16.6. The coupling piece clamping region 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 is delimited in each case by two clamping rails 52. The three adjacent corners 16.1, 16.2, 16.6 in which the coupling piece clamping region 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 is arranged are the corner 16.1 in which also the adjustment connector 30 is arranged and the two corners 16.2, 16.6 adjacent thereto. The coupling piece clamping region 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 serves for fastening the roller guide adjustment connector 64 (in Figure 1B not shown in the middle, but in Figure 1A shown in the middle) firmly on the cradle housing 10. The relative arrangement of the coupling piece clamping region 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 in the corner 16.1 of the adjustment connector 30 and in the two corners 16.2, 16.6 surrounding these makes it possible for the arrangement and configuration of the cradle 1 in combination with the roller guide and thus transferred to the specific flexibility of the entire system consisting of the cradle 1 and the roller guide.

[0061] Figure 1A The cradle housing 10 shown comprises four slide rails 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, 40.5 on the outlet side 13, which rails are arranged parallel to the four adjacent side surfaces 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5. The slide rails 40.2 to 40.5 adjoin one another and extend along the periphery of the hexagonal cradle housing 10 from the corner 16.2 comprising the coupling piece clamping region 50.2 to the corner 16.6 comprising the coupling piece clamping region 50.6. In the description of Figure 1A , the slide rails 40.2 to 40.5 are not arranged on the side surfaces 14.2 to 14.5, but are offset inward in the direction of the rolling axis 19. The slide rails 40.2 to 40.5 form slide surfaces which on the one hand extend in the peripheral direction along the side surfaces 14.2 to 14.5 and on the other hand extend outward from the paper plane parallel to the rolling axis 19 and the side surfaces 14.1 to 14.6, i.e. in the Z direction in Figure 1A . The slide rails 40.2 to 40.5 can thus be used as contact surfaces in four orientations of the cradle 1 and are intended in particular for facilitating the reception of the cradle 1 in a cradle base (not shown), since the cradle 1 can be pushed onto the slide rails 40.2 to 40.5 into the cradle base and in this case the slide rails 40.2 to 40.5 can also be used as sealing elements. On the opposite inlet side 15 Figure 1A (not shown in the middle) the four slide rails 40.2 to 40.5 are also positioned opposite the slide rails 40.2 to 40.5 shown, so that in each case a pair of slide rails 40.2 to 40.5 on the opposite side can be used for stably mounting the cradle 1 in the cradle base.

[0062] The stent 1 further includes Figure 1A The image shows three outlets 42.1, 42.2, and 42.3 on the outlet side 13. Therefore, cooling water, for example intended for use with roller guides, can be supplied through the inlet (…). Figure 1A (Not shown) It is introduced into the support housing 10 at one of the side surfaces 14.1, 14.3, 14.5, guided through the support housing 10 and guided out through one of the outlets 42.1, 42.2, 42.3, and from there fed to the roller guide.

[0063] In addition, Figure 1B On the outlet side 13 and inlet side 15 (not shown in this figure), there are a total of five clamping points 44.2, 44.3, 44.4, 44.5, and 44.6 positioned at the corners 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, and 16.6 of the side surface 14 along which the defining slide rails 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, and 40.5 are arranged. These clamping points can absorb the clamping force from the bracket base used to fix the bracket 1.

[0064] Figure 1A The display is in a position relative to Figure 1A The orientation is achieved by tilting the support 1 about 180° around the horizontal axis K (i.e., its extension in the X direction), resulting in a position derived from... Figure 1B The support 1. Therefore. Figure 1A It is based on Figure 1A The rear view of bracket 1, showing the entrance side 15. In this position of bracket 1, with... Figure 1A The positions described in the text are reversed, with rollers 20.1 to 20.3 arranged in a Y arrangement.

[0065] Roller shaft relative to from Figure 1B The position of the support 1 is parallel to the displacement, and therefore its drive-side ends 24.1 to 24.3 protrude beyond the support housing 10 in the same direction, but are mirrored in different positions, particularly at the corresponding corners 16.2, 16.4, and 16.6. Thus, due to the aforementioned tilt, the illustrated support 1 allows for use in rolling mills with both Y-arrangements and inverted Y-arrangements of rollers 20.1 to 20.3 in the same support base, with the drive-side ends 24.1 to 24.3 of the roller shaft only translated. This allows for a high degree of flexibility in the use of the support 1 in compact rolling mills. The rolling actuators coupled to the drive-side ends 24.1 to 24.3 of the roller shaft in both positions of the support 1 can be arranged on the same side of the rolling axis 19 for each support position with alternating Y-arrangements and inverted Y-arrangements, resulting in relatively small space requirements for the entire rolling mill.

[0066] Due to its tilt around axis K, the adjusting connector 30 is still positioned near corner 16.1 of the bracket housing 10. It is arranged in a manner that is slightly offset downward relative to the horizontal center plane of the bracket housing 10, particularly mirror-image at corner 16.1. However, also in this position of the bracket 1, i.e., in the Y arrangement, the adjusting connector 30 can be easily reached from the same side, and is therefore particularly suitable for efficient manual operation of the bracket 1 adjacent to the eccentric adjusting member.

[0067] Figure 1A Further shown is the roller guide 60, which is fastened to the bracket housing 10 via mounting elements 26.1 to 26.3, which have been referenced above. Figure 1B Described and also exists Figure 1B The roller guide 60 is shown on the inlet side 15 of the support housing 10. The roller guide 60 is also adjustable because the rollers of the roller guide 60 can be positioned closer to or further away from the rolling axis 19 by means of a roller adjustment mechanism. For the roller adjustment mechanism, the roller guide 60 is connected to the roller adjustment connector 64 via a universal joint 62, through which torque can be applied to the roller adjustment mechanism.

[0068] The roller guide 64 is attached to the coupling clamping area 50.1 and the associated clamping rail 52 on the bracket 1. Due to the arrangement of the mounting elements 26.1 to 26.3 and the coupling clamping areas 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 on the bracket housing 10, the roller guide 60 can be securely, accurately and quickly attached to the bracket housing 10.

[0069] In addition, the water pipe 66 of the roller guide 60 is in Figure 1B As can be seen, water line 66 is connected to outlet 42.3, through which cooling water for guiding the rollers of roller guide 60 exits the bracket 10. When the bracket is received in the bracket base and connected to the water connector of the bracket base, cooling water flows through inlet 43.3. Figure 1C (Not shown in the image) is fed to the support 10.

[0070] Figure 1A The display is in relation to the source Figure 1A The position of the rolling axis 19 rotated approximately 120° clockwise from the position of the rolling axis 19 Figure 1A The preferred support 1. Due to the geometry of support 1, rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are oriented in accordance with... Figure 1A The same inverted Y arrangement is shown in the diagram, and the three drive-side ends 24.1 to 24.3 also extend in the same direction and are positioned at the same location, allowing them to be coupled to an external motor for use with... Figure 1A The rolling torque is applied in the same manner at the same location. However, withFigure 1C The adjustment connector 30 is, in contrast, arranged to rotate clockwise about 120°.

[0071] This arrangement is preferably used for implementing remote adjustment of the adjustment mechanism of the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 by means of an external motor. The positioning of the adjustment connector 30 in the position of the support 1 shown in Figure 1A enables an external adjustment coupling of an external adjustment motor to engage in a support base (not shown) with the adjustment connector 30 and to actuate said adjustment connector 30 in order to activate the rollers 20.1 to 20.3. This is different from the case in the positions shown in Figures 1A to 1D and 1B .

[0072] The support 1 must be able to be pushed into and pulled out of the support base transversely to the rolling axis 19 in order to be able to be serviced quickly. This requirement in turn means that the support in Figure 1A must be pushed to the right into the support base in order to enable the rolling motor of the vertical roller 20.1 in Figure 1C and 1B or of 20.2 in Figure 1A and 1D to engage with the respective drive-side end 24.1 and 24.2, respectively, since the rolling motor of the roller 20.1 is arranged to the right next to the rolling axis 19 in Figure 1C and 1B and for 20.2 to the right next to the rolling axis 19 in Figures 1A to 1D and 1D in order to be coupled to the drive-side end 24.1 and 24.2, respectively.

[0073] This in turn means that in Figure 1A no external adjustment motor can be positioned next to the left side of the rolling axis 19 and thus also next to the left side of the support 1, i.e. in front of the rolling axis 19 in the insertion direction. Thus, the positions from Figure 1C and 1B are configured for manual adjustment, i.e. the adjustment connector 30 is actuated by a person, and in this configuration the adjustment connector 30 cannot be actuated by an automatic remote adjustment means or can only be actuated with excessive effort. The positions from Figure 1C and 1D , in which the adjustment connector is positioned behind the rolling axis 19 in the insertion direction, are configured for remote adjustment, i.e. the adjustment connector 30 is actuated by means of an external motor.

[0074] In the position of the support 1 shown in Figure 1D , the support is positioned on the slide rail 40.4, while the roller 20.2 is a roller with a vertical rotation plane, and the coupling clamp region 50.6 is positioned next to the rolling axis 19 in horizontal direction.

[0075] Figure 1C The preferred holder in the configuration from Figure 1D , namely the configuration with remote adjustment of the adjustment connector 30 in the upper right corner. The holder 1 in Figure 1C position can be presented relative to the position in Figure 1A by tilting the holder 1 about an axis K which extends through the corners 16.1 and 16.4 by about 180° relative to the position in Figure 1B . Similar to the transition between the position of the holder 1 from Figure 1C and the position of the holder 1 from Figure 1D , also after the transition between the position of the holder 1 from Figure 1C and the position of the holder 1 from Figure 1D , a tilting about an axis K takes place by about 180°, which extends essentially parallel to the gear shaft of the adjustment connector 30. Thus, after this tilting, the orientation of the adjustment connector 30 is not changed, and the rollers 20.1 to 20.3 are transitioned from the inverted Y arrangement shown in Figure 1D to the Y arrangement shown in

[0076] Figure 1B As in Figure 1B , the entry side 15 of the holder 1 is shown. Also as in Figure 1D , the roller guide 60 comprising the cardan shaft 62 and the roller adjustment connector 64 is attached to the holder housing 10 using the clamping rails 52 via the mounting elements 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 and the coupling clamping area 50.2.

[0077] In the position of the holder 1 shown in Figures 1A to 1D , the holder is positioned on the slide rail 40.3, while the roller 20.3 is a roller with a vertical rotation plane, and the coupling clamping area 50.2 is positioned next to the rolling axis 19 in horizontal direction.

[0078] Due to the hexagonal shape of the holder housing 10, the holder 1 can be arranged in the four positions shown in Figure 2A , which are all compatible with a similar arrangement of the rolling motor in a rolling mill with a holder base. Thus, both the Y arrangement and the inverted Y arrangement of the rollers can be presented, and likewise two different configurations in the sense of different orientations and arrangements of the adjustment connector 30, one for manual adjustment and one for remote adjustment. With known square holder housings, this flexibility is not achieved, since these are firmly seated and can only be displaced on or along one side surface of the holder housing, which fixes the orientation of the adjustment connector in a constant orientation of the rolling motor.

[0079] Figure 2A It is a perspective view of the inlet side 15 of the preferred bracket 1, wherein the three rollers 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 are arranged in an inverted Y arrangement, and the adjustment connector 30 of the eccentric adjustment member is horizontally oriented to the side.

[0080] Recesses and drilled holes are visible along the outer 12 of the support housing 10, said recesses and drilled holes being provided for receiving roller shafts (in Figure 2A In this configuration, only the drive-side end 24.2 of the roller shaft belonging to roller 20.2 is directly identifiable, along with the adjustment connector 30. Furthermore, it is evident that the clamping point 44.6 on the viewer-facing inlet side 15 is bolted to the opposite clamping point on the outlet side 13, allowing the clamping force applied to the clamping points 44.6 to be directly and stably transmitted between them, thus securing the bracket 1 within its bracket housing without causing severe deformation or even damage to sensitive components of the bracket housing 10 due to excessive localized forces. Clamping points 44.2 to 44.5 are designed in the same manner and connected to each other.

[0081] and Figure 2B Same, Figure 2A From and Figure 3A The inlet side 15 of the bracket 1 is shown from different perspectives, in which the drive side end 24.1 of the roller shaft of roller 20.1 is visible.

[0082] Figure 3A and 3B Each is a side view of the bracket, in which three rollers are oriented in an inverted Y arrangement. Figure 3A The corner 16.1 and side surfaces 14.1 and 14.6 are shown, as well as the drive side ends 24.2 and 24.3 of the roller shafts of the adjusting connector 30 and rollers 20.2 and 20.3.

[0083] Figure 3A Further shown are two water inlets 43.2, which can be connected to water fittings in the bracket base to receive water from the bracket housing 10 and discharge it via outlet 42.2, for example, to feed it to water line 66 of roller guide 60. Figure 3B In the middle, next to the drive side end 24.2, an air connector 41.2 is also visible. Compressed air can be fed to the bracket housing 10 through the air connector 41.2 so as to protect the interior of the bracket housing 10 (especially the gearbox components located therein, such as the eccentric adjustment member) from water leakage by overpressure.

[0084] Figure 3A Showcase and from Figure 3Bthe corner 16.1 opposite the corner 16.4, and the side surfaces 14.3 and 14.4 opposite the side surfaces 14.1 and 14.6. Furthermore, the slide rails 40.3 and 40.4 are visible on both the inlet side 15 and the outlet side 13. In ​ In the perspective view, the drive side end 42.1 of the roller shaft of the roller 20.1 is visible at the end face, as is one air connection 41.1 and two water supply openings 43.3.

[0085] Reference numeral list

[0086] 1 holder

[0087] 10 holder housing

[0088] 12 outer

[0089] 13 outlet side

[0090] 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6 side surface

[0091] 15 inlet side

[0092] 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, 16.6 corner

[0093] 19 rolling axis

[0094] 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 roller

[0095] 21 bore

[0096] 22 rolling surface

[0097] 24.1, 24.2, 24.3 drive side end

[0098] 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 mounting element

[0099] 30 adjustment connector

[0100] 40.2, 40.3, 40.4, 40.5 slide rail

[0101] 41.1, 41.2, 41.3 air connection

[0102] 42.1, 42.2, 42.3 water outlet

[0103] 43.1, 43.2, 43.3 water supply opening

[0104] 44.2, 44.3, 44.4, 44.5, 44.6 clamping point

[0105] 50.1, 50.2, 50.6 coupling piece clamping region

[0106] 52 clamping rail

[0107] 60 roller guide

[0108] 62 universal shaft

[0109] 64 roller adjustment connector

[0110] 66 water line

[0111] K tilt axis for shifting between Y and inverted Y arrangement.

Claims

1. A support (1) for rolling a metal rod, wire, or tube along a rolling axis (19), comprising: The support housing (10), viewed along the rolling axis (19), has an exterior (12) comprising at least six side surfaces (14.1 to 14.6) arranged to rotate about 60° off the rolling axis in each case, wherein in each case two side surfaces (14.1, 14.4, 14.2, 14.5, 14.3, 14.6) form a pair of side surfaces (14.1 to 14.6) positioned parallel to each other; Three rollers (20.1 to 20.3), each positioned on a roller shaft and surrounding the rolling axis (19) in a star shape, together forming a diameter (21), wherein the three rollers (20.1 to 20.3) can be configured to set the diameter (21) based on the radial position of the rolling axis (19); and Adjusting connector (30), which is arranged on the outside (12), is used to introduce adjusting torque for setting the diameter (21). The adjustment connector (30) includes a gear shaft that is parallel to the pair of mutually parallel side surfaces.

2. The bracket (1) according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the gear shaft perpendicular to the rolling axis (19) when viewed along the rolling axis (19) is not greater than 10% of the vertical distance between the rolling axis (19) and the side surface (14.1 to 14.6).

3. The bracket (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the three rollers (20.1 to 20.3) and the three roller shafts are arranged to rotate about 120° off the rolling axis (19) in each case in a rotationally symmetrical manner, and the roller shafts extend parallel to the gear shaft.

4. The bracket (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bracket (10) includes only one adjustment connector (30) for introducing the adjustment torque for setting the aperture (21).

5. The bracket (1) according to claim 4, wherein the adjusting connector (30) is operatively connected to an eccentric mechanism having an eccentric bushing in which the roller shaft is mounted, wherein the eccentric bushing is rotatably mounted in the bracket housing (10), and the rotational position of the eccentric bushing can be set by means of a gearbox.

6. The bracket (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the exterior (12) of the bracket housing (10) comprises exactly six side surfaces (14.1 to 14.6) forming a regular hexagon.

7. The bracket (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjusting connector (30) is manually and automatically actuated by a motor.

8. The bracket (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bracket housing (10) is closed and non-divided, and in particular is manufactured as a single unit.

9. The bracket (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the three roller shafts or rollers (20.1 to 20.3) is individually driven, in particular, by its own motor.

10. The bracket (1) according to claim 9, wherein each of the three roller shafts includes a drive side end (24.1 to 24.3) for individual driving, the drive side end (24.1 to 24.3) protruding toward the exterior (12) of the bracket housing (10) at one of the side surfaces (14.2, 14.4, 14.6) of the regular hexagon.

Images