Coil spring damage prevention structure
The coil spring damage prevention structure addresses corrosion and breakage issues by using a water-resistant cylindrical member and lubricant to shield the coil spring from water vapor and vibrations, ensuring reliable operation in rolling stands.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JFE STEEL CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing coil springs in rolling stands are prone to corrosion and breakage due to water vapor generated from cooling water, which is not addressed by existing technologies.
A coil spring damage prevention structure using a cylindrical member made of water-resistant synthetic rubber and filled with lubricant, housing the coil spring to protect it from corrosion and vibration-induced damage.
Prevents corrosion and breakage of coil springs by allowing the coupler to follow vibrations and shielding the spring from water vapor, maintaining connection integrity and lubrication.
Smart Images
Figure 2026112834000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for preventing breakage of a coil spring.
Background Art
[0002] In hot rolling processes and cold rolling processes, for example, devices such as rolling stands that roll a work conveyed between a pair of work rolls to a predetermined thickness are generally used. In such a rolling stand, a supply path for supplying lubricating oil is provided for chucks and the like attached to both ends in the axial direction of the pair of work rolls. In such a rolling stand, when performing maintenance such as replacing the work rolls, it is necessary to separate the above-described supply path into a flow path provided in the chuck and a flow path provided in the housing. Therefore, a method is adopted in which couplers connected to the flow path provided in the chuck and the flow path provided in the housing are provided on the chuck and the housing, and these couplers are coupled or the coupling of the couplers is released.
[0003] By the way, in the rolling process in the rolling stand, vibration occurs in the work roll and the chuck due to the thickness of the work, the friction between the work and the work roll, and the like. The vibration generated in the work roll and the chuck affects the coupled coupler, causing breakage of the coupler, poor connection of the flow path, and fluid leakage caused by these.
[0004] Therefore, a first joint 1 detachably supported by a joint support portion 3 of a chuck 8c, a second joint 2 provided on the base (housing) side, a flow path M having one end held by the first joint 1, a flow path N having one end held by the second joint 2 are provided, and in a state where the first joint 1 and the second joint 2 are connected, by detaching the first joint 1 from the joint support portion 3 of the chuck 8c, it has been proposed to ensure the connection between a first connection port 101 provided in the flow path M and a second connection port 201 provided in the flow path N (see Patent Document 1).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-158794 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0006] The autocoupler disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses a coil spring 5 to hold a locking mechanism in a predetermined position for fixing or releasing a first coupling to the coupling support portion 3 of the chock 8c. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a structure to prevent damage to the coil spring used in the locking mechanism of the autocoupler in an environment where cooling water sprayed toward the workpiece or work roll turns into water vapor. In other words, when the coil spring used in the locking mechanism of the autocoupler disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used in an environment where the cooling water turns into water vapor, the coil spring may corrode due to the water vapor, and no measures to prevent damage to the coil spring due to such corrosion have been considered.
[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a technology that prevents the coil spring from corroding due to water vapor when used in an environment where cooling water sprayed toward a workpiece or work roll turns into water vapor, and prevents the coil spring from breaking due to such corrosion. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] A coil spring damage prevention structure from one perspective is used in a rolling mill having a chock that is attached to a roll and held in a housing, a first connecting portion provided on the chock, a second connecting portion that can be connected to the first connecting portion, and a supply passage that can supply lubricant toward the chock, and is capable of adjusting the position of the second connecting portion in accordance with the vibration of the roll or chock that occurs during the rolling process, and is characterized by comprising a cylindrical member that houses the coil spring and is expandable and contractible along the expansion and contraction direction of the coil spring, and a lubricant that is filled between the coil spring and the inner wall surface of the housing member.
[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable that the cylindrical member is made from a water-resistant synthetic rubber material, is a flexible tube with both ends open, and has shielding members at both ends of the cylindrical member that hold the ends of the coil springs in contact with each other.
[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the coil spring is manufactured using oil-tempered wire.
[0011] Furthermore, the roll is preferably one of the work rolls in a pair used to roll the material to be rolled. [Effects of the Invention]
[0012] According to this disclosure, when employing a configuration in which a coil spring or the like is used to allow the housing-side coupler to follow vibrations generated in the work roll or chock, it is possible to prevent corrosion of the surface of the coil spring due to water vapor, and furthermore, to prevent damage to the coil spring due to such corrosion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a rolling stand viewed from the downstream side in the conveying direction, and Figure 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 1(a). [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vicinity when the connection between the coupler on the chock and the coupler on the housing is disconnected. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is a top view of the position adjustment device, Figure 3(b) is a front view of the position adjustment device, and Figure 3(c) is a rear view of the position adjustment device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partial end view showing an example of the configuration of the biasing mechanism. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the coupler configuration when a coupler provided on the chock is connected to a coupler provided on the housing. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the biasing means side when a coupler provided on the chock and a coupler provided on the housing are connected. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the damage state of a coil spring when it is placed in its original position. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the state of the coil spring when it is arranged as an extension / retraction mechanism. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0014] The schematic configuration of a rolling stand according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the rolling stand as viewed from the downstream side in the conveying direction, and Figure 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 1(a).
[0015] One or more rolling stands 10 are installed in, for example, a hot rolling mill. For example, if there are multiple rolling stands 10, the material to be rolled S is rolled in stages by each of the multiple rolling stands 10 until it reaches the desired plate thickness.
[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the rolling stand 10 has a pair of work rolls 11, 12 and a pair of backup rolls 13, 14 that support them. Chocks 16, 16 are attached to both ends of the upper work roll 11 among the pair of work rolls 11, 12. Also, chocks 17, 17 are attached to both ends of the lower work roll 12.
[0017] Further, chocks 18, 18 are attached to both ends of the upper backup roll 13 among the pair of backup rolls 13, 14. Also, chocks 19, 19 are attached to both ends of the lower backup roll 14. The pair of work rolls 11, 12 and the pair of backup rolls 13, 14 are held by the housing 20 via the chocks 16, 17, 18, 19 attached to each roll.
[0018] In this embodiment, different chocks 16, 17 are attached to each of the work roll 11 and the work roll 12, and the chocks 16, 17 are held by the housing 20. However, it is also possible to hold them by the housing 20 using chocks that can be attached to both the work roll 11 and the work roll 12.
[0019] The rolling reduction device 21 is installed above the backup roll 13, which is the uppermost roll, and adjusts the positions of the backup roll 13 and the work roll 11 in the rolling reduction direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "rolling reduction position"). By this adjustment, the gap between the pair of work rolls 11, 12 is adjusted. The rolling reduction device 21 is constituted by a driving device such as a hydraulic cylinder, for example. Although not shown, a load detection device for detecting the load in the rolling reduction direction (i.e., the rolling load) is provided between the rolling reduction device 21 and the chock 18 located at the top.
[0020] The pair of work rolls 11 and 12 described above are connected to spindles 22 and 23, respectively. The driving force from the main motor 25, distributed by the pinion stand 24, is transmitted to the spindles 22 and 23. In response, the spindles 22 and 23 rotate each of the pair of work rolls 11 and 12. At this time, the rolling device 21 rolls the material to be rolled S with a predetermined pressure. As a result, the material to be rolled S is rolled to a predetermined thickness while passing in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1(b). The rolling position (roll gap) of the work rolls 11 and 12 is appropriately adjusted by the rolling device 21 according to the rolling conditions such as the target thickness of the material to be rolled S after rolling and the rolling ratio.
[0021] Couplers 30 are provided on the chocks 16, 16 attached to both ends of the upper work roll 11 of the pair of work rolls 11, 12. As shown in Figure 2, the couplers 30 are provided on the upper end of the side surface 16a of the chock 16. The side surface 16a is the side surface of the work roll 11 that is spaced apart from the work roll 11 in the axial direction (L1 direction). The couplers 30 are fixed to the side surface 16a of the chock 16 so as to be connected to a flow path 31 provided in the chock 16. The flow path 31 is a flow path for supplying lubricant between the chock 16 and the work roll 11.
[0022] In this embodiment, the flow path 31 is used as a flow path for supplying lubricant between the chock 16 and the work roll 11. However, the flow path 31 provided in the chock 16 may be connected to the flow path provided in the chock 17, so that lubricant can be supplied not only between the chock 16 and the work roll 11, but also between the chock 17 and the work roll 12.
[0023] When the work roll 11 is held in the housing 20, the coupler 30 of the chock 16 is connected to a coupler 35 provided in the housing 20. The coupler 35 has a fitting portion 35a at one end in the longitudinal direction (direction L2 in Figure 2) and a pipe insertion portion 35b at the other end. The fitting portion 35a has an insertion space A1 into which the coupler 30 of the chock 16 is inserted. An insertion opening 35c into which a supply pipe 38 is inserted is provided on the upper surface of the pipe insertion portion 35b. The insertion opening 35c and the insertion space A1 are connected by a substantially L-shaped flow path 35d. The supply pipe 38 described above has a flow path 38a for supplying lubricant. Therefore, when the coupler 30 and the coupler 35 are connected, the flow path 38a and the flow path 31 are connected (see Figure 5). Furthermore, when the coupler 35 moves in response to the vibrations of the work roll 11 and chock 16, the insertion amount of the supply pipe 38 that enters the roughly L-shaped flow path 35d changes.
[0024] The coupler 35 moves vertically by the position adjustment device 40. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the position adjustment device 40 includes a holding member 41, a guide member 42, an extension / retraction mechanism 43, and a bracket 44. Note that the configuration of the position adjustment device 40 in Figures 2 and 3 is an example and is not limited to this.
[0025] The retaining member 41 holds the coupler 35. The retaining member 41 has an annular portion 41a, a cylindrical portion 41b, and a tongue portion 41c. The annular portion 41a is a cylindrical portion having an internal space whose cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the L2 direction in Figure 2 matches the outer circumference shape of the fitting portion 35a of the coupler 35. That is, the annular portion 41a holds the coupler 35 when the fitting portion 35a of the coupler 35 is inserted through it. The cylindrical portion 41b is a portion that extends upward from the annular portion 41a. The upper end of the cylindrical portion 41b is inserted into a cylindrical portion 42a provided on the guide member 42.
[0026] The guide member 42 has a cylindrical portion 42a and support portions 42b and 42c. The cylindrical portion 42a is, for example, cylindrical in shape, and the cylindrical portion 41b of the retaining member 41 is inserted from one end (lower end) of the cylindrical portion 42a. By inserting the cylindrical portion 41b of the retaining member 41 from one end of the cylindrical portion 42a, the direction of movement of the retaining member 41 is restricted to the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 41b of the retaining member 41 (direction L3 in Figures 2 and 3). The support portions 42b and 42c are attached to the bracket 44 via, for example, pivot supports 51 and 52.
[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the telescopic mechanism 43 includes a coil spring 55, a cylindrical member 56, and a lubricant 57. The structure of the telescopic mechanism 43 constitutes the coil spring damage prevention structure described in the claim.
[0028] The coil spring 55 is produced, for example, using oil-tempered wire. Oil-tempered wire is produced by heating a wire that has been cold-drawn to the desired diameter to a temperature above its transformation temperature, and then performing heat treatments such as oil quenching and tempering. Oil-tempered wire has, for example, excellent tensile strength and toughness, but is unsuitable for pickling and plating. Examples of materials used for oil-tempered wire include silicon-chromium steel, chromium-vanadium steel, carbon steel, silicon-chromium steel, and silicon-manganese steel. As an example, oil-tempered wire with a Vickers hardness of around 500 is used.
[0029] A U-shaped hook 58 is fixed to one end (the lower end in Figure 4) of the coil spring 55 in the axial direction (direction L4 in Figure 4). The method of fixing the U-shaped hook 58 to the coil spring 55 is not particularly limited. The U-shaped hook 58 is locked to the tongue piece 41c.
[0030] A bolt 59 is fixed to the other end (upper end in Figure 4) of the coil spring 55 in the axial direction (direction L4 in Figure 4). The method of fixing the bolt 59 to the coil spring 55 is not particularly limited. The bolt 59 is inserted through an insertion hole (not shown) provided in the bent piece 44a provided in the bracket 44, and nuts 61 and 62 are tightened. Tightening these nuts 61 and 62 causes the coil spring 55 to extend.
[0031] The cylindrical member 56 is a flexible tube made from a synthetic rubber material with excellent water resistance, such as chloroprene rubber (CR-70). The cylindrical member 56 has open ends and a cross-sectional shape including the axial direction (direction L4 in Figure 4) is a wave shape in which peaks and valleys are alternately arranged in the axial direction (direction L4 in Figure 4). Figure 4 illustrates a case in which the cylindrical member 56 is bent so that it protrudes outward at predetermined intervals in the axial direction (direction L4 in Figure 4), and the tips of the bent parts are sewn together around the entire circumference to form multiple peaks. However, the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical member 56 including the central axis L3 is a wave shape in which peaks and valleys are alternately arranged in the direction of the central axis (L4), and the cross-sectional shape is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 4.
[0032] Flanges 65 and 66, made from the same material as the cylindrical member 56, are fixed to both ends of the cylindrical member 56 in the axial direction (direction L4 in Figure 4) by heat welding or the like. The flanges 65 and 66 are sandwiched between, for example, discs 67 and 68. Of the discs 67 and 68, disc 67 is held in contact with both ends of the coil spring 55. Disc 68 is used to fix disc 67 to the cylindrical member 56. Disc 67 corresponds to the shielding member described in the claim.
[0033] Lubricant 57 is a grease consisting of, for example, a thickener, additives, and a base oil, and possesses pressure resistance, water resistance, and pumpability. Here, lithium soap is used as the thickener, and mineral oil is used as the base oil. The grease used in lubricant 57 is one that has a consistency range of 280 to 370 in the consistency test specified in Japanese Industrial Standard JIS K 2220.7. Here, consistency is a value expressed as 10 times the depth to which a specified cone penetrates when dropped into the grease for 5 seconds. The grease used in lubricant 57 has excellent pressure resistance, water resistance, and pumpability.
[0034] The lubricant 57 is filled between the cylindrical member 56 and the coil spring 55 while the coil spring 55 is housed inside the cylindrical member 56. The lubricant 57 is filled between the coil spring 55 and the cylindrical member 56 by, for example, opening a fastener (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical member 56.
[0035] Returning to Figure 2 or Figure 3, the bracket 44 has a guide member 42 attached to one side 44b of the bracket 44. Also, the bracket 44 has an extension mechanism 43 attached to the back side 44c of the bracket 44, which is the back surface of the aforementioned side 44b. In this state, the retaining member 41 has its cylindrical portion 41b inserted into the tubular portion 42a of the guide member 42, and at the same time, the tongue piece 41c of the retaining member 41 is locked to the lower end of the coil spring 55 of the extension mechanism 43 by the U-shaped hook 58 fixed to the lower end of the coil spring 55 of the extension mechanism 43.
[0036] Furthermore, the lower end of the bracket 44 is provided with a groove 44d cut out upward from the lower edge of the bracket 44, and the tongue 41c of the retaining member 41 is inserted through the groove 44d, thereby locking the U-shaped hook 58.
[0037] In such a rolling stand 10, for example, when performing maintenance on the work rolls 11 and 12, removing the work roll 11 from the housing 20 disconnects the coupler 30 of the chock 16 attached to the work roll 11 from the coupler 35 held by the position adjustment device 40 provided on the housing 20. As a result, as shown in Figure 2, the flow path 38a of the supply pipe 38 and the flow path 31 of the chock 16 are separated.
[0038] Then, when the new work roll 11 is attached to the housing 20, the coupler 30 of the chock 16 attached to the new work roll 11 is connected to the coupler 35 held by the position adjustment device 40 (see Figure 5).
[0039] When the coupler 35 of the chock 16 is connected to the coupler 35 held by the position adjustment device 40, the flow path 38a of the supply pipe 38 and the flow path 31 provided in the chock 16 are connected. This makes it possible to supply lubricant to the chock 16.
[0040] In the rolling process using such a rolling stand 10, the work roll 11 and the chock 16 attached to the work roll 11 vibrate. As described above, the coupler 30 is fixed to the upper end of the side surface 16a of the chock 16. On the other hand, the coupler 35 on the housing 20 side is held in place by the position adjustment device 40. Therefore, when the work roll 11 and the chock 16 attached to the work roll 11 vibrate, the position of the coupler 35 is adjusted by the position adjustment device 40. That is, the coupler 35 moves in accordance with the vibration of the work roll 11 and the chock 16 attached to the work roll 11. As a result, the connection between the coupler 30 and the coupler 35 is maintained, preventing damage to the couplers 30 and 35, poor connection of the flow path 38a and the flow path 31, and resulting leakage of lubricant.
[0041] Furthermore, during the rolling process in the rolling stand 10, cooling water is sprayed toward the material to be rolled S and the work rolls 11 to cool them. As this cooling occurs, the cooling water turns into water vapor. In the position adjustment device 40 described above, a coil spring 55 is housed in a cylindrical member 56, and a lubricant 57 is filled between the cylindrical member 56 and the coil spring 55. As described above, the lubricant 57 is a water-resistant grease. Therefore, the coil spring 55 is protected from the water vapor mentioned above. As a result, corrosion of the coil spring 55 and damage to the coil spring 55 due to such corrosion can be prevented.
[0042] For example, when a coil spring was used without any corrosion protection measures, as shown in Figure 7, the coil spring broke after 8 months of installation. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8, when the coil spring was housed inside a cylindrical member and lubricant was filled into the area between the inner wall surface of the cylindrical member and the coil spring as an expansion / contraction mechanism, it was found that no corrosion or damage occurred to the coil spring. [Explanation of symbols]
[0043] 11 Work Roles 16 Chock 20 Housing 40 Position adjustment device 43 Telescopic mechanism 44 brackets 55 Coil spring 56 Cylindrical member 57 Lubricant 67. Circular disc (shielding member)
Claims
1. A coil spring damage prevention structure is used in a rolling mill having a chock held in a housing while attached to a roll, a first connecting portion provided on the chock, a second connecting portion connectable to the first connecting portion, and a supply passage capable of supplying lubricant to the chock, and is capable of adjusting the position of the second connecting portion in accordance with the vibration of the roll or the chock that occurs during the rolling process, A cylindrical member is provided which houses the coil spring and which is expandable and contractible along the direction of expansion and contraction of the coil spring, A lubricant is filled between the coil spring and the inner wall surface of the housing member, A coil spring damage prevention structure characterized by having the following features.
2. The cylindrical member is a flexible tube made from a water-resistant synthetic rubber material, with both ends open. A coil spring damage prevention structure characterized by providing shielding members at both ends of the cylindrical member, which hold the ends of the coil spring in contact with each other.
3. The coil spring breakage prevention structure is characterized in that the coil spring is manufactured using oil-tempered wire.
4. The coil spring damage prevention structure is characterized in that the roll is one of a pair of work rolls used to roll the material to be rolled.