Brush Placement Device With Feedback Control for Constant Contact Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for adjusting brushes on rollers fail to maintain a constant contact force across varying roller diameters, working positions, and brush wear without requiring complex adjustments or additional control systems.

Innovation Solution

A device with a rotatable adjusting element connected to a pivoting lever via a force transmission element, monitored by a sensor to maintain a constant contact force using an actuator, which adjusts the angle of rotation to compensate for changes in parameters such as roller diameter and brush wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of stops is used, then the device structure remains simple, but it cannot maintain constant contact force with different roller diameters and working positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact force consistencyVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where a sensor detects the actual contact force between the brush and roller, and a controller adjusts the brush holder position to maintain the desired contact force. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables constant contact force across varying roller diameters and positions without requiring complex manual adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the brush holder position is continuously variable through actuation. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt to different roller diameters and working positions while maintaining optimal contact force, replacing static manual stops with a controllable dynamic system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders are used to produce constant contact force, then contact force control is achieved, but the device requires additional medium, seals, and becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact force controlVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex pneumatic or hydraulic control systems with a simpler electromechanical actuation system. The brush holder is positioned using an actuator controlled by an electronic controller that receives feedback from a sensor, eliminating the need for additional pneumatic/hydraulic media, seals, and associated complex infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment through the feedback control loop, where the sensor monitors contact force and the controller automatically adjusts the actuator position to maintain desired force levels. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for external complex control systems or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of moving object

If pivotable brush holder with hydraulic cylinder is used, then space-saving design is achieved, but relative movement between components causes changing contact pressure forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrush holder spaceVSAvoidcontact pressure force
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a feedback control system with a sensor to detect actual contact force and a controller to adjust the actuator position accordingly. This compensates for any relative movement between the brush holder and roller, maintaining constant contact force despite the compact pivotable design and changes in stand rise or roller position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables a simple and effective control of contact force independently of roller diameters and brush wear, eliminating the need for additional pneumatic or hydraulic controls, ensuring consistent performance across different conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the force transmission element (4) between the adjusting element (5) and the rotating brush device (1) is designed as a compression spring (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1909982B1Device for placing a brush against a roller
Publication Date: 2008.11.05 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP1909982B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1909982B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for placing a brush (1) against rollers (2), for example in roll stands, in particular against the working and/or support roller of a roll stand for the hot rolling of aluminium, wherein the brush (1) is mounted on a pivot lever and can be placed in contact against the roller (2) by means of a placement device (3) which exerts a placement force. It is provided here according to the invention that the placement device (3) for the brush (1) comprises at least one adjusting element (5) which is arranged so as to be rotatable with respect to the pivot lever (12) and which is operatively connected to the pivot lever by means of a force transmission element (4). A regulating circuit (6) is designed to regulate the placement force to be constant, proceeding from a nominal force F0, in such a way that, by means of a monitoring device (7) for the rotational angle of the adjusting element (5) with respect to the pivot lever, the placement force can be regulated to be constant by means of at least one actuating element (8).