Ring Rolling Mill Roll Positioning With Fluid Overload Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circular rolling mills require bulky hydraulic units for roller movement, increasing complexity and maintenance costs due to the need for a swivel bracket-mounted electric geared motor, which complicates the system and raises the risk of motor damage from surface irregularities.
Innovation Solution
A circular rolling mill design where the electric geared motor is fixedly mounted relative to the auxiliary frame, with a fluid discharge mechanism in the kinematic chain to absorb transient overloads, eliminating the need for a swivel bracket and enhancing precision control of the rack and pinion assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic cylinders are used to move the rollers, then the rollers can be moved to adapt to workpiece dimensions, but a large quantity of pressurized oil is required, necessitating a relatively large hydraulic power unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic cylinder system with an electric geared motor connected through a rack and pinion assembly. This substitution eliminates the need for large quantities of pressurized oil and a bulky hydraulic power unit, while maintaining the ability to move rollers to adapt to different workpiece dimensions.
2Reliability
If the electric geared motor is mounted on an articulated support to limit breakage risk, then the risk of motor breakage is reduced, but the rolling mill becomes more complex, increasing cost and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluidic discharge mechanism as an intermediary between the rack and the roller. This mechanism absorbs transient overloads from surface irregularities, protecting the motor without requiring a complex articulated support structure. The fluidic mechanism serves as a simpler mediator that provides the necessary protection while reducing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If the electric geared motor is fixedly mounted, then the structure is simplified and precision control is improved, but the motor is more vulnerable to damage from surface irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic discharge mechanism acts as a protective intermediary in the force transmission chain between the fixed motor and the roller. It absorbs transient overloads generated by surface irregularities, allowing the motor to remain fixedly mounted for simplicity and precision control while still protecting against damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic discharge mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-configured to absorb transient overloads. This cushioning effect is prepared in advance to protect the motor from potential damage due to surface irregularities, allowing the use of a simple fixed mounting structure.
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
Simplifies the rolling mill structure, reduces maintenance, and prevents motor damage from surface irregularities by allowing precise control and fluidic absorption of overloads, thereby improving operational reliability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a fluidic discharge mechanism which comprises at least one chamber of variable volume supplied with pressurized fluid, the volume of which varies according to the relative position of the roller and the rack
Implementation Method 2
At least one rack and pinion assembly is provided for the translational movement of a roller relative to the supporting auxiliary frame, and at least one electric geared motor for driving the pinion of this rack and pinion assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This circular rolling mill (2) comprises a fixed main frame (4), a pair of cylindrical rollers (62), respectively internal and external, intended to shape internal and external radial faces of an annular part (P) and supported by a first secondary frame (46) mounted on the main frame, as well as a pair of conical rollers (82, 84), respectively upper and lower, intended to shape opposite front faces of the part (P) and supported by a second secondary frame (48) mounted on the main frame. At least one rack and pinion assembly (272-273, 274-275) is provided to move a roller in translation relative to one of the secondary frames (44, 48). At least one electric geared motor (172, 176, 178) is provided to drive the pinion (273, 275) of the rack and pinion assembly. The electric geared motor (172-178) is fixedly mounted relative to one of the auxiliary frames (46, 48). A fluid discharge mechanism (M72, M74) is interposed in a kinematic chain for transmitting force between the rack (272, 274) and the roller moved by this rack. The fluid discharge mechanism (M72, M74) comprises at least one variable volume chamber (C72, C74), which is supplied with pressurised fluid (73) and the volume of which varies as a function of the relative position of the roller and of the rack (272, 274).