Rolling machine

Abstract

A rolling machine (1) comprises: work rolls (10) that extend in a left-right direction (Y) and come into contact with a material (K) to be rolled; backup rolls (20) that extend in the left-right direction and support the work rolls; a housing (30) that accommodates the work rolls and the backup rolls and supports the work rolls; beam members (60) that extend in the left-right direction around the work rolls; displacement sensors (70) that are provided on the beam members; and beam support members (80) that support the beam members.

Description

rolling mill

[0001] The present disclosure relates to rolling mills.

[0002] There are known rolling mills for rolling materials. For example, a rolling mill disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses a roll shift function to join strip-shaped preceding and succeeding materials having different widths, and performs continuous rolling by changing the roll shift position from a normal position for the preceding material to a normal position for the succeeding material near the joining point.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-263651

[0004] This type of rolling mill is equipped with work rolls that come into contact with the material to be rolled, and backup rolls that support the work rolls.

[0005] In this type of rolling mill, if the work rolls become tilted for some reason, the tilt of the work rolls is transferred to the material being rolled, causing the material to be rolled in a tilted state, resulting in a meandering phenomenon.Meandering of the material being rolled is undesirable from the standpoint of quality.

[0006] In particular, when the rolling mill has a roll shift function as in Patent Document 1, the distribution of the support force acting from the backup roll to the work roll changes, so the support position of the backup roll for the work roll shifts from the center of the work roll, making the work roll prone to tilt.

[0007] Even if the rolling mill does not have a roll shift function, it is quite possible that the work rolls may tilt.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to suppress tilt of work rolls in a rolling mill.

[0009] The rolling mill according to the present disclosure comprises a work roll extending in a first direction and contacting the material to be rolled, a backup roll extending in the first direction and supporting the work roll, a housing that accommodates the work roll and the backup roll and supports the work roll, a beam member extending in the first direction around the work roll, a displacement sensor provided on the beam member, and a beam support member that supports the beam member, wherein the displacement sensor measures the displacement of the work roll in a second direction that intersects the first direction and in which the work roll and the material to be rolled face each other, and the beam support member and the housing are separate and independent of each other.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, tilt of the work rolls in a rolling mill can be suppressed.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a rolling mill according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a front cross-sectional view of the rolling mill according to the first embodiment taken along line II-II. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the rolling mill according to the first embodiment as viewed from arrow III. FIG. 4 shows a front view of the positional relationship between the work rolls and backup rolls according to the first embodiment as viewed from arrow IV. FIG. 5 shows a side view of the backup roll chock according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a side view of the work roll chock according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a side view of the bending plate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a side view of the positional relationship between the beam member, work rolls, and backup rolls according to the first embodiment as viewed from arrow VIII. FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a tilt actuator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 shows the tilt of the work roll according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a view equivalent to FIG. 2 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a view equivalent to FIG. 5 according to the second embodiment.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or its uses.

[0013] <First embodiment> (Rolling mill) A rolling mill 1 according to a first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the rolling mill 1. Fig. 2 shows a front cross-sectional view of the rolling mill 1 taken along line II-II. Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the rolling mill 1 as viewed from the arrow III.

[0014] In Fig. 1, the X direction is referred to as the front-rear direction as the third direction, the Y direction is referred to as the left-right direction as the first direction, and the Z direction is referred to as the up-down direction as the second direction. In the up-down direction, the upper side in Fig. 2 is simply referred to as the upper side, and the lower side in Fig. 2 is simply referred to as the lower side. In the left-right direction, the left side in Fig. 2 is simply referred to as the left side, and the right side in Fig. 2 is simply referred to as the right side. In the front-rear direction, the lower side in Fig. 3 is referred to as the front side, and the upper side in Fig. 3 is referred to as the rear side. The front-rear direction (third direction), the left-right direction (first direction), and the up-down direction (second direction) intersect with each other (orthogonal in this example).

[0015] The side of the rolled material K described below in the front-to-back direction is referred to as the inner side in the front-to-back direction, and the side opposite the rolled material K in the front-to-back direction is referred to as the outer side in the front-to-back direction. In the left-to-right direction, the side of the body 11 in the axial direction of the work roll 10 described below is referred to as the inner side in the left-to-right direction, and the side of the shaft 12 in the axial direction of the work roll 10 in the left-to-right direction is referred to as the outer side in the left-to-right direction. The side of the rolled material K described below in the up-to-down direction is referred to as the inner side in the up-to-down direction, and the side opposite the rolled material K in the up-to-down direction is referred to as the outer side in the up-to-down direction.

[0016] The rolling mill 1 rolls a material K to be rolled. The material K is made of, for example, metal, resin, or powder. In this example, the material K is plate-shaped. The material K is transported from the rear side to the front side in the front-rear direction by a transport mechanism, and passes through the rolling mill 1 along the way.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the rolling mill 1 includes work rolls 10, backup rolls 20, a housing 30, a pressure actuator 50, a bending actuator 55, a beam member 60, a displacement sensor 70, a vibration sensor 75, a flatness sensor 78, a beam support member 80, and a tilt actuator 90.

[0018] (Work Roll) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, there are a pair (two) of work rolls 10. The work rolls 10 are cylindrical. The axial direction (axial center) of the work rolls 10 extends in the left-right direction (first direction). The work rolls 10 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. The work roll 10 has a body portion 11 and two shaft portions 12.

[0019] The barrel portion 11 constitutes the axial middle portion of the work roll 10. The shank portions 12 constitute both axial end portions of the work roll 10. The outer diameter of the barrel portion 11 is larger than the outer diameter of the shank portions 12. A gap is provided between the outer peripheral surfaces of the barrel portions 11 of each work roll 10 to allow the rolled material K to pass through.

[0020] The direction in which the work rolls 10 and the material K to be rolled face each other is the vertical direction (second direction). As described above, the vertical direction (second direction) intersects (more specifically, is perpendicular to) the left-right direction (first direction) and the front-rear direction (third direction). The body 11 of the work roll 10 contacts the material K to be rolled in the vertical direction. The pair of work rolls 10 sandwich the material K to be rolled in the vertical direction and apply pressure to the material K to be rolled in the vertical direction.

[0021] (Backup Rolls) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, there are two pairs (four) of backup rolls 20. The axial directions (axial centers) of the backup rolls 20 extend in the left-right direction (first direction). The backup rolls 20 are arranged above and below the work rolls 10. The backup rolls 20 are arranged on the outer side in the up-down direction (opposite the rolled material K) of the work rolls 10.

[0022] The backup roll 20 has a body portion 21 and two shaft portions 22. The body portion 21 constitutes the middle portion of the backup roll 20 in the axial direction. The shaft portions 22 constitute both end portions of the backup roll 20 in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the body portion 21 is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portions 22. The body portion 21 of the backup roll 20 is in contact with the body portion 11 of the work roll 10. The body portion 21 of the backup roll 20 supports the body portion 11 of the work roll 10. The body portion 21 of the backup roll 20 presses the body portion 11 of the work roll 10 inward in the vertical direction (towards the rolled material K).

[0023] Figure 4 is a front view of the positional relationship between the work roll 10 and the backup roll 20 as viewed from the arrow IV. As shown in Figure 4, a tapered portion 21a is formed on the body portion 21 of the backup roll 20. The tapered portion 21a is provided at either end of the body portion 21 in the axial direction (left-right direction). In the upper backup roll 20, the tapered portion 21a is provided at the right end of the body portion 21 in the axial direction (left-right direction). In the lower backup roll 20, the tapered portion 21a is provided at the left end of the body portion 21 in the axial direction (left-right direction). The tapered portion 21a is a portion whose outer diameter decreases toward the end in the axial direction.

[0024] The rolling mill 1 has a roll shift function. The backup rolls 20 are movable (shiftable) in the axial direction (left and right direction, first direction) relative to the work rolls 10 by driving a roll shift actuator (not shown). The roll shift function changes the distribution of the support force acting from the backup rolls 20 to the work rolls 10. This changes the distribution of the pressure force acting from the work rolls 10 to the rolled material K, thereby fine-tuning the flatness of the rolled material K.

[0025] The flatness of the rolled material K is measured by a flatness sensor 78 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The flatness sensor 78 is disposed in front of the work rolls 10. The flatness sensor 78 is, for example, a known optical sensor. The flatness sensor 78 measures the flatness of the rolled material K after it has been rolled by the work rolls 10.

[0026] 3 shows the upper backup roll 20. The upper backup rolls 20 include a first backup roll 20a and a second backup roll 20b. The first backup roll 20a and the second backup roll 20b are adjacent to each other in the front-to-rear direction (third direction). As described above, the front-to-rear direction (third direction) intersects (specifically, is perpendicular to) the left-to-right direction (first direction) and the up-to-down direction (second direction).

[0027] A gap is provided between the first backup roll 20a and the second backup roll 20b in the front-to-rear direction. The backup rolls 20 (first backup roll 20a and second backup roll 20b) are not arranged directly behind the work rolls 10 (directly opposite, directly above or below, the work rolls 10 in the vertical direction (second direction) across the material K to be rolled), but are arranged offset, for example, by 45° in the front-to-rear direction from the back of the work rolls 10 (see FIG. 8). The lower backup roll 20 is similar to the upper backup roll 20.

[0028] 1 to 3, the housing 30 accommodates the work rolls 10 and the backup rolls 20. The housing 30 supports the work rolls 10 and the backup rolls 20.

[0029] The housing 30 includes a housing-side sole plate 31, an upper plate 32, a post 33, a backup roll chock 34, a self-aligning bearing 35, a backup roll support bearing 36, a work roll chock 37, a work roll support bearing 38, a bending plate 39, and an auxiliary bearing 40.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 1 , the housing side sole plate 31 is a rectangular plate. The housing side sole plate 31 extends in the left-right and front-rear directions. The housing side sole plate 31 is placed on a foundation G. The foundation G extends in the left-right and front-rear directions. The foundation G is, for example, the floor surface of a floor or the support surface of a table.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 1, the upper plate 32 is disposed above the housing-side sole plate 31. The upper plate 32 is a rectangular plate. The upper plate 32 extends in the left-right and front-rear directions. The upper plate 32 faces the housing-side sole plate 31 in the up-down direction.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1, the posts 33 are disposed between the housing-side sole plate 31 and the upper plate 32 in the vertical direction. The posts 33 are rectangular pillars extending in the vertical direction. There are four posts 33. The posts 33 connect the four corners of the housing-side sole plate 31 and the four corners of the upper plate 32.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, four backup roll chocks 34 are arranged above and below the work roll 10 and near the left and right ends of the backup roll 20. The backup roll chocks 34 are arranged between the housing-side sole plate 31 and the upper plate 32 in the vertical direction. The backup roll chocks 34 are rectangular plate-shaped. The backup roll chocks 34 extend in the front-rear and vertical directions.

[0034] The upper backup roll chock 34 is connected to the upper plate 32 and extends downward from the upper plate 32. The lower backup roll chock 34 is connected to the housing-side sole plate 31 via a pressure actuator 50 (described later). The lower backup roll chock 34 extends upward from the pressure actuator 50.

[0035] 5 is a side view of the backup roll chock 34 as viewed from the outside in the left-right direction. An arc-shaped cutout 34a is formed in the center in the front-to-rear direction of the inner edge in the up-down direction of the backup roll chock 34. A beam support hole 34b is formed in the center in the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions of the backup roll chock 34. In the up-to-down direction, two backup roll support holes 34c are formed in the backup roll chock 34 between the cutout 34a and the beam support hole 34b. The two backup roll support holes 34c are aligned in the front-to-rear direction.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the work roll 10 passes through the cutout 34a in the left-right direction. A self-aligning bearing 35, which will be described later, is fitted into the beam support hole 34b. A backup roll support bearing 36 is fitted into the backup roll support hole 34c (see Figure 1). The shaft 22 of the backup roll 20 is supported by the backup roll chock 34 by the backup roll support bearing 36 fitted into the backup roll support hole 34c.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, four work roll chocks 37 are arranged above and below the rolled material K and to the left and right of the backup roll chocks 34. The work roll chocks 37 are arranged between the housing-side sole plate 31 and the upper plate 32 in the vertical direction. The work roll chocks 37 are rectangular plates. The work roll chocks 37 extend in the front-rear and up-down directions. The work roll chocks 37 connect two posts 33 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction (see Figure 1).

[0038] 6 is a side view of the work roll chock 37 as seen from the outside in the left-right direction. A work roll support hole 37a is formed in the center of the work roll chock 37 in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0039] 2, work roll support bearings 38 are fitted into the work roll support holes 37a. The shafts 12 of the work rolls 10 are supported by the work roll chocks 37 by the work roll support bearings 38 fitted into the work roll support holes 37a.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, four bending plates 39 are arranged above and below the rolled material K and to the left and right of the work roll chocks 37. The bending plates 39 are arranged between the housing-side sole plate 31 and the upper plate 32 in the up-down direction. The bending plates 39 are in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate. The bending plates 39 extend in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0041] The upper bending plate 39 is connected to the upper plate 32 via a bending actuator 55, which will be described later. The upper bending plate 39 extends downward from the bending actuator 55. The lower bending plate 39 is connected to the housing-side sole plate 31 via the bending actuator 55. The lower bending plate 39 extends upward from the bending actuator 55.

[0042] 7 shows a side view of the bending plate 39 as seen from the outside in the left-right direction. An arc-shaped bulging seat portion 39a is provided on the inner edge of the bending plate 39 in the up-down direction. An auxiliary support hole 39b is formed in the seat portion 39a of the bending plate 39. A beam through-hole 39c is formed in the approximate center of the bending plate 39 in the front-rear and up-down directions. The beam through-hole 39c is oval in shape, with its short sides in the front-rear direction and its long sides in the up-down direction.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, an auxiliary bearing 40 is fitted into the auxiliary support hole 39b. The shaft portion 12 of the work roll 10 is supported by the bending plate 39 in an auxiliary manner by the auxiliary bearing 40 fitted into the auxiliary support hole 39b. A beam member 60, which will be described later, passes through the beam through hole 39c in the left-right direction.

[0044] (Pressure Actuator) As shown in Fig. 2, the pressure actuator 50 pushes the lower backup roll chock 34 upward, thereby pushing the lower backup roll 20 supported by the lower backup roll chock 34 upward. The pressure actuator 50 pushes the lower work roll 10 upward toward the material K to be rolled via the lower backup roll chock 34 and the lower backup roll 20, causing the lower work roll 10 to pressurize the material K upward. The material K to be rolled is pressed in the vertical direction by the upper work roll 10 and the lower work roll 10. The pressure actuator 50 may be, for example, a pneumatic, electric, hydraulic, or electromagnetic type.

[0045] 2, the bending actuator 55 pushes downward the upper bending plate 39 and pulls downward the lower bending plate 39. The bending actuator 55 pushes downward the shank 12 of the upper work roll 10 supported by the upper bending plate 39 and pulls downward the shank 12 of the lower work roll 10 supported by the lower bending plate 39.

[0046] The bending actuator 55 applies a force to the shaft portion 12 of the work roll 10 in the direction opposite to the upward pressure force applied by the pressure actuator 50. The bending actuator 55 suppresses deflection of the work roll 10 caused by pressure applied by the pressure actuator 50. The bending actuator 55 may be, for example, a pneumatic, electric, hydraulic, or electromagnetic type.

[0047] (Beam Member) As shown in Figure 2, the beam member 60 extends in the left-right direction (first direction) beside the work roll 10. Two beam members 60 are arranged above and below the work roll 10. The beam members 60 are cylindrical and extend in the left-right direction. The beam members 60 are also rod-shaped. The beam members 60 penetrate the housing 30 in the left-right direction.

[0048] Figure 8 is a side view of the beam member 60, the work roll 10, and the backup roll 20 as viewed from the arrow VIII. As shown in Figure 8, the beam member 60 is disposed outward (above or below) from the work roll 10 in the vertical direction. In other words, the beam member 60 is disposed on the opposite side in the vertical direction (second direction) from the work roll 10 with respect to the material K to be rolled.

[0049] Specifically, the beam member 60 is disposed directly behind (directly above or directly below) the work roll 10. In other words, the beam member 60 is disposed on the exact opposite side (180° opposite side) of the work roll 10 in the up-down direction (second direction) relative to the material K to be rolled.

[0050] The beam member 60 is disposed between the first backup roll 20a and the second backup roll 20b of the backup roll 20 in the front-rear direction (third direction).

[0051] 2, the housing 30 is provided with a self-aligning bearing 35. More specifically, the self-aligning bearing 35 is fitted into the beam support hole 34b of the backup roll chock 34 in the housing 30. The beam member 60 is supported by the backup roll chock 34 of the housing 30 by the self-aligning bearing 35.

[0052] The self-aligning bearing 35 has a structure in which balls (or rollers) are incorporated between an outer ring with a spherical raceway and an inner ring with a double-row raceway. The balls (or rollers) and inner ring can rotate with a certain degree of freedom inclination relative to the outer ring. In the self-aligning bearing 35, the center of curvature of the outer ring raceway coincides with the center of the bearing, so it has self-aligning properties.

[0053] Since the beam member 60 is supported by the backup roll chocks 34 of the housing 30 via the self-aligning bearings 35, even if the backup roll chocks 34 of the housing 30 tilt or bend, the tilt or bend is absorbed by the self-aligning bearings 35. Since the tilt or bend of the backup roll chocks 34 of the housing 30 does not affect the beam member 60, the beam member 60 does not tilt or bend together with the backup roll chocks 34 of the housing 30.

[0054] The beam member 60 passes through the beam through-hole 39c of the bending plate 39 in the left-right direction of the housing 30. Both ends of the beam member 60 are located outward of the housing 30 in the left-right direction.

[0055] (Displacement Sensor) As shown in Fig. 2, the displacement sensor 70 is provided on the beam member 60. More specifically, the displacement sensor 70 is fixed to the beam member 60. The displacement sensor 70 is arranged on the inner side in the vertical direction (the side of the material to be rolled K) of the beam member 60. There are two sets of displacement sensors 70, one for each of the beam members 60 on both sides in the vertical direction.

[0056] The displacement sensor 70 includes a first displacement measuring unit 71 and a second displacement measuring unit 72. In the displacement sensor 70, the first displacement measuring unit 71 and the second displacement measuring unit 72 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction (first direction). The first displacement measuring unit 71 and the second displacement measuring unit 72 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction (first direction) by a separation distance L.

[0057] As shown in Figure 8, the displacement sensor 70 is disposed directly behind (directly above or directly below) the work roll 10. In other words, the displacement sensor 70 is disposed on the opposite side (180° opposite) in the up-down direction (second direction) of the material K to be rolled, with the work roll 10 in between. The displacement sensor 70 faces the work roll 10 in the up-down direction from directly behind the work roll 10.

[0058] 2, the first displacement measuring portion 71 of the displacement sensor 70 faces the left end of the barrel portion 11 of the work roll 10. The second displacement measuring portion 72 of the displacement sensor 70 faces the right end of the barrel portion 11 of the work roll 10.

[0059] The displacement sensor 70 is, for example, an optical sensor. The displacement sensor 70 measures the displacement of the work roll 10 in the up-down direction (second direction). The first displacement measuring portion 71 of the displacement sensor 70 measures a first distance δ1 between the tip of the first displacement measuring portion 71 and the outer peripheral surface of the left end of the barrel portion 11 of the work roll 10. The second displacement measuring portion 72 of the displacement sensor 70 measures a second distance δ2 between the tip of the second displacement measuring portion 72 and the outer peripheral surface of the right end of the barrel portion 11 of the work roll 10.

[0060] (Vibration Sensor) As shown in Figure 2, the vibration sensor 75 is provided on the beam member 60. More specifically, the vibration sensor 75 is fixed to the beam member 60. The vibration sensor 75 is arranged on the outer side in the vertical direction (opposite the side of the material to be rolled K) of the beam member 60. There are two sets of vibration sensors 75, one for each of the beam members 60 on both sides in the vertical direction.

[0061] The vibration sensor 75 is disposed at the same position in the front-rear direction as the displacement sensor 70. The displacement sensor 70 and the vibration sensor 75 are disposed on the same straight line extending in the up-down direction.

[0062] The vibration sensor 75 includes a first vibration measurement unit 76 and a second vibration measurement unit 77. In the vibration sensor 75, the first vibration measurement unit 76 and the second vibration measurement unit 77 are separated from each other by a separation distance L in the left-right direction (first direction).

[0063] The first vibration measurement unit 76 of the vibration sensor 75 corresponds to the first displacement measurement unit 71 of the displacement sensor 70 (they are arranged on the same line extending in the vertical direction). The second vibration measurement unit 77 of the vibration sensor 75 corresponds to the second displacement measurement unit 72 of the displacement sensor 70 (they are arranged on the same line extending in the vertical direction).

[0064] The vibration sensor 75 is, for example, an acceleration sensor. Examples of acceleration sensors include piezoelectric, piezo-resistive, and capacitive sensors. The vibration sensor 75 measures vibration in the vertical direction (second direction) of the displacement sensor 70 fixed to the beam member 60. More specifically, the vibration sensor 75 measures the vibration acceleration of the displacement sensor 70 in the vertical direction. The vibration sensor 75 calculates the vibration displacement of the displacement sensor 70 in the vertical direction based on the measured vibration acceleration.

[0065] The first vibration measurement unit 76 of the vibration sensor 75 obtains the vibration displacement δ1' in the vertical direction of the first displacement measurement unit 71 of the displacement sensor 70. The second vibration measurement unit 77 of the vibration sensor 75 obtains the vibration displacement δ2' in the vertical direction of the second displacement measurement unit 72 of the displacement sensor 70.

[0066] 2, the beam support member 80 supports the beam member 60. The beam support member 80 includes a beam support member-side sole plate 81, an extension member 82, and a slide member 83.

[0067] As shown in Figure 1, the beam support member side sole plate 81 is a rectangular plate. Two beam support member side sole plates 81 are arranged on both left and right outer sides of the housing side sole plate 31 of the housing 30. The beam support member side sole plate 81 extends in the left and right directions and the front and rear directions. The beam support member side sole plate 81 is placed on the foundation G.

[0068] The beam support member-side sole plate 81 of the beam support member 80 and the housing-side sole plate 31 of the housing 30 are not connected to each other, and a gap C is provided between them (see FIG. 2). In other words, the beam support member-side sole plate 81 of the beam support member 80 and the housing-side sole plate 31 of the housing 30 are separate and independent from each other. In detail, the beam support member-side sole plate 81 of the beam support member 80 and the housing-side sole plate 31 of the housing 30 are placed on the foundation G independently from each other.

[0069] As shown in Figure 2, the extension member 82 is connected to the beam support member side sole plate 81. The extension member 82 extends upward in the vertical direction (second direction) from the beam support member side sole plate 81. The extension member 82 is a linear guide. Rails are provided on the inner side of the extension member 82 in the left-right direction.

[0070] The extension member 82 supports the beam member 60. More specifically, the upper beam member 60 is fixed to the extension member 82 and is thereby directly supported by the extension member 82. The slide member 83 is able to slide up and down along the inner rails of the extension member 82 in the left-right direction. The lower beam member 60 is fixed to the slide member 83 and is thereby indirectly supported by the extension member 82. The lower beam member 60 and slide member 83 move up and down along the extension member 82 to follow the up and down movement of the lower backup roll chock 34.

[0071] 1, four tilt actuators 90 are arranged at the four corners of the housing-side sole plate 31 of the housing 30. The tilt actuators 90 are configured by, for example, a screw mechanism.

[0072] 9 shows a schematic diagram of the tilt actuator 90. The tilt actuator 90 tilts the housing 30 relative to the foundation G. The tilt actuator 90 includes a rod member 91 and a motor 92 as a drive unit.

[0073] The rod member 91 is rod-shaped and extends in the vertical direction. The rod member 91 is also cylindrical. A thread is formed on the outer periphery of the rod member 91. Through holes 31a that penetrate in the vertical direction are provided at the four corners of the housing-side sole plate 31. The inner periphery of the through holes 31a is threaded. The rod member 91 passes through the through holes 31a of the housing-side sole plate 31 in the vertical direction.

[0074] The motor 92 is disposed on the upper surface side of the housing-side sole plate 31. The axial direction of the motor 92 faces the vertical direction. The drive shaft (not shown) of the motor 92 is coupled to the rod member 91. By rotating the rod member 91 in one direction, the motor 92 causes the rod member 91 to protrude downward in the vertical direction (second direction) from the lower surface of the housing-side sole plate 31 toward the foundation G. By rotating the rod member 91 in the other direction, the motor 92 retracts the rod member 91 upward toward the interior of the housing-side sole plate 31.

[0075] The tilt actuator 90 tilts the housing 30 relative to the foundation G by causing a rod member 91 to protrude downward from the lower surface of the housing side sole plate 31 toward the foundation G using a motor 92.

[0076] The manner in which the housing 30 tilts varies depending on which of the four tilt actuators 90 is driven and how much the rod member 91 is protruded.

[0077] When the work roll 10 extends straight in the left-right direction, if the housing 30 is tilted (inclined) relative to the foundation G by the tilt actuator 90, the work roll 10 supported by the backup roll chock 34 of the housing 30 also tilts (inclines) relative to the foundation G.

[0078] The two tilt actuators 90 are separated in the left-right direction (first direction) by a separation distance E. The rod member 91 of the left tilt actuator 90 does not protrude vertically from the underside of the housing-side sole plate 31 toward the foundation G (protrusion amount: zero). The rod member 91 of the right tilt actuator 90 protrudes downward in the vertical direction from the underside of the housing-side sole plate 31 toward the foundation G by a protrusion amount λ.

[0079] The difference in the protrusion amount between the protrusion amount (=0) of the rod member 91 of the left tilt actuator 90 and the protrusion amount λ of the rod member 91 of the right tilt actuator 90 is λ (λ−0).

[0080] The inclination angle τ of the housing side sole plate 31 of the housing 30 with respect to the base G is expressed as τ=Sin ―１ (λ / E).

[0081] (Tilt of Work Roll) Figure 10 shows the tilt of the work roll 10. A first corrected distance (δ1 - δ1') is obtained by subtracting a first vibration displacement δ1' of the first displacement measuring unit 71 of the displacement sensor 70 itself in the vertical direction, obtained by the first vibration measuring unit 76 of the vibration sensor 75, from a first distance δ1 between the first displacement measuring unit 71 of the displacement sensor 70 and the work roll 10. A second corrected distance (δ2 - δ2') is obtained by subtracting a second vibration displacement δ2' of the second displacement measuring unit 72 of the displacement sensor 70 itself in the vertical direction, obtained by the second vibration measuring unit 77 of the vibration sensor 75, from a second distance δ2 between the second displacement measuring unit 72 of the displacement sensor 70 and the work roll 10 in the vertical direction.

[0082] The first corrected distance (δ1-δ1') is corrected by subtracting the noise of the first vibration displacement δ1' from the first distance δ1. The second corrected distance (δ2-δ2') is corrected by subtracting the noise of the second vibration displacement δ2' from the second distance δ2.

[0083] The first corrected distance (δ1-δ1') is subtracted from the second corrected distance (δ2-δ2') to obtain the difference distance δ = {(δ2-δ2')-(δ1-δ1')}. As described above, the first displacement measuring unit 71 and the second displacement measuring unit 72 in the displacement sensor 70 are separated by the separation distance L in the left-right direction.

[0084] The inclination angle θ of the work roll 10 with respect to the base G is calculated by using the separation distance L and the difference distance δ as follows: θ = Sin ―１ (δ / L).

[0085] The tilt actuator 90 simply tilts the housing 30 with respect to the base G by the tilt angle θ of the work roll 10 with respect to the base G in the opposite direction to the tilt direction of the work roll 10 with respect to the base G. Specifically, the tilt angle τ of the housing-side sole plate 31 of the housing 30 with respect to the base G should be set to the same magnitude as, but opposite to, the tilt angle θ of the work roll 10 with respect to the base G (τ=−θ).

[0086] (Operation and Effect) In the rolling mill 1 according to this embodiment, the beam support member 80 that supports the beam member 60 and the housing 30 that supports the work roll 10 are separate and independent from each other. Therefore, even if the work roll 10 tilts up or down for some reason, the beam member 60 is prevented from tilting up or down together with the work roll 10.

[0087] Since the beam member 60 does not tilt up and down together with the work roll 10, the displacement sensor 70 provided on the beam member 60 can measure the pure displacement of the work roll 10 in the up and down direction.

[0088] Based on the vertical displacement of the work roll 10 measured by the displacement sensor 70 supported by the beam member 60, the housing 30 supporting the work roll 10 is tilted in the opposite direction to and by the same amount as the tilt of the work roll 10. This makes it possible to suppress tilt of the work roll 10 in the rolling mill 1.

[0089] The housing 30 supporting the work roll 10 can be simply tilted by means of a tilt actuator 90 .

[0090] Since the first displacement measuring portion 71 and the second displacement measuring portion 72 of the displacement sensor 70 are separated from each other in the left-right direction, this is advantageous in measuring the inclination of the work roll 10.

[0091] The beam member 60 is supported by the backup roll chock 34 of the housing 30 via the self-aligning bearing 35. The tilt and deflection of the housing 30 is absorbed by the self-aligning bearing 35. By employing the self-aligning bearing 35, it is possible to prevent the beam member 60 from tilting or deflecting together with the housing 30, even though the beam member 60 is supported by the housing 30.

[0092] By measuring the vibration of the displacement sensor 70 itself with the vibration sensor 75, noise caused by the vibration of the displacement sensor 70 itself can be removed from the displacement of the work roll 10 obtained by the displacement sensor 70.

[0093] Since the beam member 60 is arranged on the opposite side in the vertical direction from the work roll 10 to the material K to be rolled, interference between the beam member 60 and the material K to be rolled can be suppressed.

[0094] In particular, since the beam member 60 is positioned on the opposite side (180° opposite) in the vertical direction from the work roll 10 with the work roll 10 in between, it becomes easy to measure the displacement of the work roll 10 in the vertical direction using the displacement sensor 70 provided on the beam member 60.

[0095] The beam member 60 is disposed in the front-rear direction between the first backup roll 20a and the second backup roll 20b of the backup roll 20. This makes it possible to suppress interference between the beam member 60 and the backup roll 20.

[0096] The beam support member 80 and the housing 30 are placed independently of each other on the foundation G. This allows the beam support member 80 and the housing 30 to be easily constructed separately and independently.

[0097] The housing 30 can be tilted relative to the foundation G simply by a tilt actuator 90 including a rod member 91 and a motor 92 .

[0098] Since the beam support member side sole plate 81 and the housing side sole plate 31 are placed on the foundation G independently of each other, the beam support member 80 and the housing 30 can be constructed independently and more simply.

[0099] The backup rolls 20 can be moved axially (left and right, first direction) relative to the work rolls 10 by a roll shift function. The roll shift function changes the distribution of the support force acting from the backup rolls 20 to the work rolls 10. This changes the distribution of the pressure force acting from the work rolls 10 to the rolled material K, making it possible to fine-tune the flatness of the rolled material K.

[0100] When the roll shift function is used, the work rolls 10 tend to tilt, but even if the work rolls 10 do tilt, the tilt of the work rolls 10 can be suppressed by the tilt actuators 90.

[0101] <Second embodiment> A rolling mill 1 according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 12 is a view corresponding to Fig. 5 according to the second embodiment. In the following description, the same components as those in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0102] In this embodiment, a beam support hole 41 is formed in the backup roll chock 34, which serves as a wall portion of the housing 30. The beam support hole 41 is configured to be long in the front-rear direction and short in the up-down direction. The beam member 60 is configured to be long in the front-rear direction and short in the up-down direction. The beam member 60 is inserted into the beam support hole 41 in the left-right direction. A gap H is formed between the beam member 60 and the beam support hole 41 in the up-down direction.

[0103] A spring 42 serving as an elastic member is connected to the lower beam member 60. A support member 43 is fixed to the outer surface of the lower backup roll chock 34 in the left-right direction. The lower beam member 60 is connected to the lower backup roll chock 34 via the spring 42 and the support member 43. The spring 42 pulls (biases) the lower beam member 60 downward so that the lower beam member 60 contacts the lower inner surface of the beam support hole 41.

[0104] The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0105] According to this embodiment, the gap H between the beam member 60 and the beam support hole 41 exerts the same function as the self-aligning bearing 35 according to the first embodiment.

[0106] Other Embodiments The present disclosure has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, but these descriptions are not limiting and various modifications are possible.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the backup roll 20 is positioned 45° in the front-to-rear direction from the back of the work roll 10 (directly opposite, directly above or below the work roll 10 in the vertical direction (second direction) with the work roll 10 sandwiched between them) but this is not limited to this and the backup roll 20 may be positioned at an angle other than 45° from the back of the work roll 10, or may even be positioned directly behind the work roll 10.

[0108] The displacement sensor 70 is not limited to an optical sensor, and may be a contact type, an eddy current type, an ultrasonic type, or the like, in addition to an optical type.

[0109] The vibration sensor is not limited to an acceleration sensor, but may be, for example, a velocity sensor or a displacement sensor.

[0110] The tilt actuator 90 is not limited to a screw mechanism, but may be, for example, a piston-cylinder mechanism, in which case the piston-cylinder mechanism may be of a pneumatic, electric, hydraulic, or electromagnetic type.

[0111] The housing 30 may be tilted manually without using the tilt actuator 90 .

[0112] The number of backup rolls 20 is not limited to two pairs (four), but may be one pair (two) or three or more pairs (six or more). Note that the backup rolls 20 in this specification are a concept that also includes intermediate rolls.

[0113] The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction may not be perpendicular to each other but may intersect at a slight angle.

[0114] The beam support member 80 and the housing 30 may be fixed to, for example, a vertical wall portion instead of being placed on the foundation G. Also, for example, one of the two may be fixed to the foundation G, and the other of the two may be fixed to the vertical wall portion.

[0115] The feed direction of the material K to be rolled does not have to be the front-rear direction, but may be, for example, the left-right direction or the up-down direction. The material K to be rolled does not have to be in a plate shape. In particular, when the material K to be rolled is made of powder, it often has a shape other than a plate shape.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the first direction is the left-right direction, the second direction is the up-down direction, and the third direction is the front-rear direction, but this is not limitative. The direction may be selected as appropriate depending on the configuration of the rolling mill 1.

[0117] The present disclosure is applicable to rolling mills and is therefore extremely useful and has high industrial applicability.

[0118] X: Front-rear direction (third direction) Y: Left-right direction (first direction) Z: Up-down direction (second direction) K: Rolled material G: Foundation C: Gap L: Separation distance E: Separation distance δ: Differential distance λ: Protrusion amount difference θ: Tilt angle τ: Tilt angle H: Gap 1: Rolling mill 10: Work roll 20: Backup roll 20a: First backup roll 20b: Second backup roll 30: Housing 31: Housing side sole plate 34: Backup roll chock (wall portion) 35: Self-aligning bearing 37: Work roll chock 41: Beam support hole (support hole) 60: Beam member 70: Displacement sensor 71: First displacement measurement unit 72: Second displacement measurement unit 75: Vibration sensor 76: First vibration measurement unit 77: Second vibration measurement unit 80: Beam support member 81: Beam support member side sole plate 82: Extension member 90 Inclination actuator 91 Rod member 92 Motor (drive unit)

Claims

1. A rolling mill comprising: a work roll extending in a first direction and in contact with the material being rolled; a backup roll extending in said first direction and supporting said work roll; a housing that accommodates said work roll and said backup roll and supports said work roll; a beam member extending in said first direction around said work roll; a displacement sensor provided on said beam member; and a beam support member supporting said beam member, wherein said displacement sensor measures the displacement of said work roll in a second direction that intersects with said first direction and in which said work roll and said material being rolled face each other, and wherein said beam support member and said housing are separate and independent of each other.

2. The rolling mill of claim 1, further comprising an actuator for tilting said housing.

3. A rolling mill according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the displacement sensor includes a first measuring portion and a second measuring portion spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

4. A rolling mill as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing is provided with a self-aligning bearing, and the beam member is supported by the housing by the self-aligning bearing.

5. A rolling mill as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a support hole is provided in a wall of said housing, said beam member is inserted into said support hole, and a gap is formed between said beam member and said support hole.

6. A rolling mill according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the beam member is provided with a vibration sensor for measuring vibration of the displacement sensor.

7. A rolling mill as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the beam member is arranged on the opposite side of the work roll from the material to be rolled in the second direction.

8. A rolling mill as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the backup rolls include a first backup roll and a second backup roll adjacent to each other in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and the beam member is disposed between the first backup roll and the second backup roll in the third direction.

9. A rolling mill as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the beam support member and the housing are placed on a foundation independently of each other.

10. A rolling mill as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an actuator for tilting the housing, the housing including a housing side sole plate placed on the foundation, the actuator including: a rod member passing through a hole provided in the housing side sole plate; and a drive unit for causing the rod member to protrude in the second direction from the housing side sole plate towards the foundation, the actuator tilting the housing relative to the foundation.

11. A rolling mill as described in claim 10, wherein the beam support member includes a beam support member side sole plate placed on the foundation, and an extension member extending from the beam support member side sole plate in the second direction and supporting the beam member, and the beam support member side sole plate and the housing side sole plate are placed on the foundation independently of each other.

12. A rolling mill as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the backup rolls are movable in the first direction relative to the work rolls.

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