Hexagonal Rolling Mill Stand Housing for Flexible Media Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling mill stand housings require extensive modifications for different adjustment configurations and peripheral device attachments, particularly affecting water and compressed air routing, limiting flexibility and efficiency in rolling mill operations.
Innovation Solution
A stand housing with a regular hexagonal shape and six side faces, featuring water inlet and outlet openings on non-adjacent sides, allowing for flexible positioning and configuration within the rolling mill, along with integrated air connections and a compact design that supports both Y-arrangement and anti-Y-arrangement of rolls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rectangular stand housing is used with traditional water routing, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flexibility for different positions and configurations in the rolling block is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The stand housing is designed with a regular hexagonal cross-section that can be positioned in multiple orientations (Y-arrangement and anti-Y-arrangement) while maintaining functional equivalence. The three non-adjacent side faces are symmetrically equipped with water inlet openings, allowing the housing to be rotated by 180° or 120° and still connect to water supply lines in the same manner, enabling universal use in different stand positions without modification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs symmetric asymmetry by using a regular hexagon shape that appears asymmetric in specific orientations but maintains rotational symmetry. The water inlet openings are positioned on non-adjacent side faces (e.g., faces 1, 3, 5) which creates a pattern that repeats every 120° rotation, allowing the housing to function identically in multiple rotational positions while having a specific asymmetric appearance from any single viewpoint
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive modifications are made to the stand housing for different adjustment configurations and peripheral devices, then the adaptability to different configurations is improved, but the time and complexity of modifications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stand housing is pre-designed and pre-manufactured with multiple water inlet openings positioned on three non-adjacent side faces, along with integrated air connections and bearing surfaces. This preliminary configuration allows the housing to be directly installed in different positions (Y-arrangement or anti-Y-arrangement) without requiring any field modifications, cutting rooms, or re-routing of water lines, thereby eliminating modification time entirely
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stand housing is designed to support multiple arrangements (Y and anti-Y), then the versatility is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stand housing is designed as an integrated monoblock structure combining multiple functional elements that would traditionally require separate components: the hexagonal housing body, water inlet openings, air connections, and bearing surfaces are all formed as a single unified structure. This composite design achieves multiple arrangements capability without the complexity of assembling separate modular components, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling versatility
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
Facilitates easier repositioning and configuration of rolling stands, enhancing operational flexibility and maintaining a compact design while ensuring efficient water and air supply, thus improving the overall efficiency and versatility of the rolling mill.
Implementation Method 1
water inlet openings (43.1, 43.2, 43.3) on three non-adjacent side surfaces (14.1, 14.3, 14.5), designed to direct water through the interior of the stand housing (10) to a water outlet opening (42.1, 42.2, 42.3)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The present application relates to a stand housing (10) for a rolling mill stand (1) for rolling metallic bars, wires, or tubes along a rolling axis, wherein the stand housing (10) has an outer surface (12) with six side faces (14.1-14.6) which, viewed along the rolling axis, form edges of a regular hexagon, an inlet side, and an outlet side (13). At least one water inlet opening is arranged on three of the non-adjacent side faces (14.1, 14.3, 14.5), which is configured to direct water through the interior of the stand housing (10) to a water outlet opening (42.1, 42.2, 42.3) in the outlet side (13) or in the inlet side.