Circular Rolling Mill Pinion Rack Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circular rolling mills face reliability and maintenance challenges due to the use of hydraulic jacks, which require complex maintenance, risk oil leaks, and pose a fire hazard, while also compromising the quality and robustness of the rolling process.
Innovation Solution
A circular rolling mill design featuring a pair of rollers with pinion and rack mechanisms driven by electrically operated geared motors, articulated to absorb irregularities and torque, and equipped with damping systems to manage pivoting movements and distribute forces effectively, ensuring reliable operation and simplified maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic jacks are used to move rollers, then considerable forces can be generated over paths of relatively small amplitude, but the system requires complex maintenance, risks oil leaks, and poses a fire hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic jack system with an electric motor-driven screw mechanism. The electric motor rotates a screw that moves the roller along a guided path, eliminating hydraulic fluid and associated safety risks while providing precise control over the shaping force applied to the workpiece.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the hydraulic system entirely from the rolling mill design. By eliminating the hydraulic jack, hydraulic fluid reservoir, and control valves, the design removes the source of oil leaks and fire hazards while simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Force
If hydraulic jacks are used to move rollers, then shaping forces can be exerted on workpiece faces, but complex maintenance operations and periodic checks are required
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor and screw mechanism replace the hydraulic jack system, eliminating the need for hydraulic fluid changes, seal replacements, and pressure system maintenance. The electric drive system requires only standard motor maintenance and is significantly easier to service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, more replaceable mechanical components in the electric drive system compared to the complex hydraulic assembly. If wear occurs, individual components like the screw or motor can be replaced independently rather than requiring complex hydraulic system overhaul.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rollers are displaced using hydraulic jacks, then dimensional variations can be accommodated, but the system complexity increases due to hydraulic power units and control distributors
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor with screw mechanism provides a simpler alternative to hydraulic jacks for accommodating dimensional variations. The screw mechanism can be easily adjusted to different positions and forces, providing the same adaptability with far less system complexity and without requiring hydraulic power units or control distributors.
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 provides reliable force transmission under heavy loads, absorbs energy from irregularities without overloading the geared motor, and facilitates efficient shaping of annular workpieces with reduced maintenance needs, enhancing the robustness and reliability of the rolling process.
Implementation Method 1
the transmission of force between the electrically operated geared motor and the working or shaping roller is achieved in a reliable manner, even under a great load, thanks to the use of a linkage of the pinion/rack type
Implementation Method 2
the fact that the geared motor is mounted on a support which is articulated with respect to the frame of the rolling mill is such that, in the case of an irregularity of the surface with which the roller interacts, the temporary overload transmitted to the rack due to this irregularity can be transferred without damage to the pinion
Implementation Method 3
damping means are provided for damping the pivoting movement of the support about its articular axis. These damping means make it possible to absorb the corresponding energy, without an excessively large load on the geared motor
Data Source
AI summary
This circular rolling mill (1), used for shaping annular workpieces (100), comprises a pair of rollers, an inner one (12) and an outer one (10), capable of working (F1+F2) the radial inner (102) and outer (101) faces of a workpiece, and a pair of conical rollers, an upper one (22) and a lower one (20), capable of working (F4+F5) the front faces (103, 104) of the workpiece, and also means (66) for moving some of these rollers (22) with respect to a frame (41) of the rolling mill (1). The means for moving at least one of the rollers (22) comprise at least one pinion (54, 55) and at least one rack (26, 28) which is secured to a member for the movement (F3) of the roller. This pinion (54, 55) is rotated by the output shaft of an electrically operated geared motor (66) mounted on a support (72) which is articulated with respect to the frame about the axis (X56) parallel to the axis of rotation of the pinion. Damping means (76) are provided for damping the pivoting movement of the support (72) about its articular axis (X56).