Modular Center-Roller Drive for Continuous Edging Mill Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transfer roller tables in edging roll stands do not drive the middle rollers, leading to temporary cessation of transport for metallic products shorter than the center distance between inlet and outlet stand rollers, causing transport issues within the edging roll stand.

Innovation Solution

A modular roller unit with a separate drive motor for each center roller, eliminating the need for shock-sensitive gearing elements and allowing direct torque transmission, enabling efficient transport of short metallic products by ensuring each roller is driven independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If center rollers are not driven (prior art), then the structure is simpler, but transport of short metallic products is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive system structureVSAvoidtransport continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is segmented into individual drive units, each independently driving a single center roller. This segmentation allows each roller to be driven directly without complex mechanical linkages, enabling continuous transport of short products while keeping each drive unit relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A drive shaft serves as an intermediary component that transmits rotational motion from the drive motor to the center rollers. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient power transmission to multiple rollers without requiring complex direct-drive arrangements for each roller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a separate drive motor is used for each center roller, then transport of short products is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport continuityVSAvoidnumber of drive motors
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple drive motors are merged into a single integrated drive unit housing, sharing common structural support, mounting mechanisms, and control systems. This combining approach reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the benefit of independent drive capability for each center roller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive unit is designed as a universal module that can be applied to different positions and configurations of center rollers. This multi-functional design allows the same drive unit structure to serve multiple purposes across different parts of the transfer roller table, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Power

If gearbox with spur gears is used, then torque transmission is achieved, but shock-sensitive gear elements are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidgear element durability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional gearbox with spur gears is replaced by a direct-drive mechanism using a drive shaft that couples the motor directly to the center rollers. This substitution eliminates shock-sensitive gear elements while maintaining effective torque transmission through a simpler, more reliable mechanical connection.

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

4Device complexity

If multiple center rollers are driven by a single drive motor, then device complexity is reduced, but torque imbalances occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive system structureVSAvoidtorque distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is segmented into independent drive units for each center roller, allowing each roller to receive precisely controlled torque independently. This segmentation eliminates torque imbalances and distribution issues that would occur with a single motor driving multiple rollers through a gearbox.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Individual drive shafts serve as intermediaries between each drive motor and its corresponding center roller, enabling precise and balanced torque transmission to each roller. These intermediary shafts ensure uniform torque distribution while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3984662B1Transition rolling stand and edging rolling stand
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP3984662B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3984662B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3984662B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to a transfer roller table (1) for a upsetting rolling mill (2), comprising a transfer table and at least one center roller (10, 11) which is rotatably driven by a drive motor, wherein the at least one center roller (10, 11) and the drive motor are designed in the form of a modular roller unit; an upsetting rolling mill (2) for upsetting metallic products (5), in particular a rolled stock, comprising two upsetting rollers (3) adjustable relative to each other, which are adjustable to a minimum distance transversely to the transport direction (T); and the transfer roller table (1) arranged between the two upsetting rollers (3, 4).