Rolling Mill Lubrication Line Resilient Link Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rolling mills of the '20 High' type face issues with strip breakage due to excessive force on lubrication/cooling lines, requiring precise assembly adjustments and frequent maintenance, as well as difficulties in cylinder and roller removal due to friction-based torque limitations.

Innovation Solution

A rolling mill design incorporating resilient mechanical links connected to the frame, allowing lines to retract from operational positions when excessive force is applied, utilizing springs or Belleville washers for deformation and retraction, and hydraulic cylinders for position adjustment, eliminating the need for precise friction torque adjustments and reducing maintenance requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If friction-based assembly is used between ring and rotating shaft to limit torque, then breakage is prevented, but precise assembly adjustment is required and maintenance is frequent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreakage preventionVSAvoidassembly precision requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the friction-based mechanical assembly with a keyed mechanical connection. The key fits into a keyway on the shaft and engages with the ring, providing deterministic torque transmission without relying on friction. This eliminates the need for precise friction adjustment while maintaining breakage prevention through the key's mechanical engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The key acts as an intermediary element between the ring and the rotating shaft. Instead of directly relying on friction between the ring and shaft surfaces, the key mediates the torque transmission, providing a reliable mechanical connection that is insensitive to assembly precision variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If friction-based assembly is used to allow line separation by rotation, then excessive force is limited, but maintenance intervention is required after sliding occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline separation capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the friction-based torque limiting mechanism with a keyed connection that provides deterministic torque transmission. The key prevents relative rotation between the ring and shaft under normal operating conditions, eliminating the need for maintenance intervention that would otherwise be required after sliding occurs in friction-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If lines are rigidly connected to frame, then structural stability is maintained, but line breakage occurs under excessive force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidline resistance to excessive force

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic element (the key) that allows the connection between the line and frame to adapt under excessive force. The key can shear or disengage under abnormal loads, providing a controlled failure mode that protects the line from breakage while maintaining structural stability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution effectively prevents strip breakage by allowing lines to separate and retract without excessive torque, simplifies maintenance by eliminating the need for precise adjustments, and facilitates easy removal and replacement of cylinders and rollers without disturbing the mechanical links.

Implementation Method 1

resilient means forcing said line into at least one operational position, toward the plane of the strip, and allowing, in the event that a force on said line tends to separate the line, greater than a threshold value, the deformation of the resilient means against the return force thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10518308B2Rolling mill such as, for example, a cold rolling mill

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 FIVES DMS

AI summary

A rolling mill includes a frame, at least one pair of working cylinders capable of defining the air gap of the strip to be rolled, as well at least one line for spraying a lubricant and/or coolant fluid, arranged next to the plane of the strip to be rolled. The line is rigidly connected to the frame via a hinged mechanical link, the mechanical link including a resilient unit forcing the line into at least one operational position, toward the plane of the strip, and allowing, in the event that a force on the line tends to separate the line, greater than a threshold value, the deformation of the resilient unit against the return force thereof, and thus the retraction of the line toward a position separated from the at least one operational position.