Roll Stand Safety Assembly Preventing Inadvertent Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current roll stand assemblies lack effective safety mechanisms to prevent unintended closure of the gap between rolls, posing a risk of operator injury due to hydraulic drive failures or inadvertent activation, with no commercially viable solution that is both safe and non-obtrusive.
Innovation Solution
A safety assembly is integrated into the roll stand assembly, featuring a chuck component that can be moved between a running and lockout position to prevent rolls from changing from an open to an operating relationship, using a disabling assembly to prevent drive operation and acting as a physical barrier to maintain the open gap, ensuring operator safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic drives are used to control roll gap, then roll gap can be adjusted and rolls can be opened for operator access, but hydraulic drive failure or inadvertent activation can cause unintended gap closure posing safety risk
Solution Approach 1:
The safety assembly applies preliminary anti-action by positioning the chuck component between the rolls in advance, creating a mechanical barrier that prevents unintended gap closure before it can occur. The chuck component is designed to engage with the rolls and physically block their movement toward each other, counteracting any forces that might cause inadvertent closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The chuck component serves as an intermediary element between the rolls, acting as a mechanical mediator that prevents direct contact and unintended closure. It introduces a third body into the system that mediates the interaction between the rolls, ensuring they cannot close the gap unless the chuck is deliberately repositioned.
2Reliability
If safety assembly is added to prevent gap closure, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The safety assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the chuck component that directly interfaces with the rolls, the mounting mechanism that attaches to the frame, and the positioning system that allows movement between running and lockout positions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety assembly incorporates dynamic elements that allow the chuck component to move between a running position (where it does not interfere with roll operation) and a lockout position (where it prevents gap closure). This dynamic capability allows the safety device to adapt its function based on operational requirements, reducing complexity when safety is not needed while maintaining protection when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A roll stand assembly for processing a sheet product with a plurality of rolls on a frame. A first roll has a first sheet engaging surface and a first shaft assembly. A second roll has a second sheet engaging surface and a second shaft assembly. The first and second rolls are relatively movable between: a) an operating relationship; and b) an open relationship. A safety assembly prevents inadvertent changing of the first and second rolls from the open relationship into the operating relationship. The safety assembly includes a first chuck component mounted for movement relative to the frame between: a) a running position wherein the safety assembly is in a disengaged state; and b) a lockout position.