Independently Pivotable Conveyor Sections for Slab Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pivoting ferry transport devices for slabs suffer from decreased precision in slab guidance at the entrance of the V-shaped switch element, requiring wider rollers that compromise guidance accuracy and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The transport device features two independently pivotable linear conveyor sections arranged about a vertical axis outside their longitudinal extension, allowing precise slab guidance and direction change without increasing roller width, with optional heating, insulation, and descaling features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a V-shaped switch element is used to pivot conveyor sections, then flexibility in slab transport direction is improved, but guidance precision at the entrance of the switch element deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is divided into multiple linear conveyor sections (first, second, third, fourth) that can independently pivot about a common pivot point. This segmentation allows each section to be controlled separately, enabling flexible direction changes while maintaining precise guidance through coordinated movement of individual sections rather than relying on a single V-shaped switch element.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor sections are designed to be dynamically pivotable about a vertical axis through the pivot point. This dynamic configuration allows the sections to change orientation as needed for different transport directions while maintaining linear geometry during operation, thus preserving guidance precision while achieving transport flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the width of the switch element is increased to handle bifurcation, then the ability to guide the slab laterally deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single wide V-shaped switch element, the system segments the bifurcation function into multiple narrower linear conveyor sections that pivot independently. Each section maintains a width suitable for precise lateral guidance while the collective arrangement of sections provides the necessary bifurcation capability through coordinated pivoting about the common pivot point.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wider rollers are used in the inlet area of the switch element, then the guidance accuracy deteriorates due to increased roller deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet area is divided into multiple linear conveyor sections with standard-width rollers rather than using fewer wider rollers. This segmentation allows the use of narrower rollers with less deflection while achieving the same overall width through parallel arrangement of multiple sections, thereby maintaining guidance accuracy.
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
This configuration enhances slab guidance precision and flexibility, reduces roller deflection, and allows for efficient temperature control and maintenance, increasing system capacity and throughput in casting-rolling plants.
Implementation Method 1
the at least two linear, pivotable conveyor sections are arranged to be pivotable about a vertical axis independently of one another, with the at least two linear, pivotable conveyor sections being arranged to be pivotable about a pivot point which is outside the longitudinal extension of the conveyor sections
Implementation Method 2
The linear conveying sections are advantageously designed as roller table elements
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transport device (1) for slabs (2) which is arranged between at least two casting machines (3, 4, 5) and at least one rolling mill (6), wherein the transport device (1) has at least two linear and stationary conveying sections (7, 8, 9) on which a slab (2) can be conveyed in a conveying direction (F), and wherein the transport device (1) has at least two linear conveying sections (10, 11) which are arranged in a pivoting manner in order to convey a slab (2) at an angle (α) relative to the conveying direction (F). In order to enable improved guidance of the slabs (2) and flexible transport of the slabs (2) from the casting machines (3, 4, 5) to the rolling mill (6), according to the invention the at least two linear, pivotable conveying sections (10, 11) are arranged such that they can pivot independently of each other.