Dynamic Roller Guide for Hot Stock Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller guides in rolling mills experience heavy wear due to large forces when guiding hot stock, leading to reduced tool life of guide rollers.
Innovation Solution
A roller guide with detection means to adjust the lateral distance between guide rollers dynamically during operation, allowing the guide rollers to move between open and closed positions, and primary guiding means that adjust between guiding and non-guiding positions to minimize contact and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the lateral distance between guide rollers is set slightly smaller than the lateral dimension of the stock to achieve efficient and accurate guiding, then the guiding accuracy is improved, but the guide rollers are heavily worn due to large forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lateral distance between guide rollers variable rather than fixed. The positioning means adjusts the lateral distance dynamically during operation - setting it slightly smaller than the stock dimension when stock is present for accurate guiding, and larger when no stock is present to eliminate forces and prevent wear. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining guiding accuracy and preventing roller wear.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lateral distance between guide rollers is adjusted before operation to accommodate different stock dimensions, then the adaptability is improved, but the distance remains constant during operation causing high forces on rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static positioning system into a dynamic one by introducing detection means and positioning means that automatically adjust the lateral distance during operation. The system detects when stock is present and adjusts the lateral distance accordingly - maintaining slight contact for guiding accuracy when stock is present, and increasing the distance to eliminate forces when no stock is present. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between adaptability and force reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using detection means to monitor the presence of stock and automatically adjusting the lateral distance between guide rollers through positioning means. The detection means provides feedback about stock presence, and the positioning means responds by adjusting the roller distance - decreasing it when stock is detected for accurate guiding, and increasing it when no stock is detected to eliminate forces. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the contradiction between maintaining guiding contact and preventing excessive forces.
3Productivity
If the guide rollers press on the surface portions of the stock, then the stock guiding is efficient and accurate, but the tool life of the guide rollers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the guide roller positioning dynamic rather than static. The lateral distance is adjusted in real-time based on stock presence detection - maintaining slight contact when stock is present for efficient guiding at high feeding rates, and increasing the distance when no stock is present to eliminate wear forces. This dynamic adjustment preserves both high productivity and extended tool life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through cyclic adjustment of the guide roller lateral distance. The detection means periodically detects stock presence, and the positioning means periodically adjusts the roller distance between contact and non-contact positions. This periodic adjustment pattern ensures that guide rollers experience contact forces only when necessary for guiding, thereby extending tool life while maintaining high feeding rates during actual operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A roller guide (1) for guiding stock in a longitudinal feeding direction (A) toward a pair of rolls for shaping the stock. The roller guide comprises a frame arrangement (2), a pair of guide rollers (3, 4) configured to, in a closed position, engage opposite surface portions of the stock,and positioning means for adjusting a lateral distance between the guide rollers. The roller guide further comprises detection means (13) configured to detect a longitudinal position of a piece of stock (20) with respect to the guide rollers. The positioning means is configured to adjust the lateral distance between the guide rollers in response to said detection.