Rolling Mill Cardan Shaft Layout for High-Torque Joint Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling mill assemblies face challenges in transmitting high torques due to limitations in the design of cardan shafts, particularly at the rolling mill-side joints, which are prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
The proposed rolling mill assembly features cardan shafts with rolling mill-side joints positioned at different distances from the working rollers, allowing for the use of larger joints and incorporating devices for length change and support devices to enhance torque transmission and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the rolling mill-side joints are arranged directly above one another, then the overall height is reduced, but the joint diameter is limited to the same size as the working rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging the rolling mill-side joints at different vertical positions (different heights) rather than directly above one another. This asymmetric arrangement creates sufficient vertical clearance for both joints to have larger diameters while maintaining a compact overall height. The first joint is positioned at a first height and the second joint at a second height, with the height difference being less than the sum of their radii, enabling both joints to accommodate larger torque transmission requirements.
2Strength
If spacers are used to create space for joints in an offset arrangement, then the joint diameter can be increased, but the overall length of the roller arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal offset arrangement (which would increase overall length) to a vertical arrangement at different heights. By utilizing the vertical dimension and positioning joints at different elevations with a height difference less than the sum of their radii, the patent achieves larger joint diameters without increasing the overall horizontal length of the roller arrangement.
3Power
If larger joints are used to transmit high torques, then the torque capacity is improved, but the risk of failure at the rolling mill-side joints increases due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric vertical positioning of joints at different heights enables both joints to achieve larger diameters, which directly improves torque capacity. The sufficient vertical clearance allows for robust joint design with adequate material thickness and stronger construction, thereby reducing the risk of failure while transmitting high torques from the drive to the working rollers.
Data Source
AI summary
A rolling mill assembly includes: a first cardan shaft including a first rolling mill-side joint and a first drive-side joint, a second working roller being connected to a second cardan shaft, which in turn is connected to a second drive device, the second cardan shaft including a second rolling mill-side joint and a second drive-side joint, the first rolling mill-side joint being located at a first distance to the first working roller, the second rolling mill-side joint being located at a second distance to the second working roller, the first distance and the second distance differing by 0.5 m to 4 m, the first cardan shaft further including a first device configured for length change between the first rolling mill-side joint and the first drive-side joint, the second cardan shaft further including a second device configured for length change between the second rolling mill-side joint and the second working roller.