Rolling Mill Sensor Detects Fiber Band Irregularities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rolling mills for slivers face challenges in detecting operational irregularities efficiently, as current monitoring systems require high control technology efforts and cannot reliably detect deviations across the width of the rollers, leading to potential sliver jams or breaks.

Innovation Solution

A rolling mill design featuring at least one fixed roller and one adjustable roller, mounted in left and right frames, equipped with a sensor that detects operational irregularities across the width, allowing for simultaneous monitoring of roller position and sliver jams, eliminating the need for proximity switches and ground contacts, and enabling detection of small deviations with a single sensor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sensors (one per frame side) are used to monitor operational irregularities, then monitoring coverage is improved, but device complexity and control effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoidnumber of sensors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple monitoring functions into a single sensor system. One sensor mounted on the frame monitors both the relative position between frames and the presence of fiber strips across the entire rolling mill width, replacing what would traditionally require multiple sensors per frame side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single sensor performs multiple functions: detecting relative frame position, monitoring fiber strip presence, and identifying operational irregularities across the full width of the rolling mill, making it a multi-functional monitoring solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are positioned to detect deviations across the width of the rolling mill, then detection precision is improved, but control technology effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidcontrol technology effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is positioned to sequentially detect different sections across the width of the rolling mill as the fiber strip passes through, dividing the monitoring task into temporal segments rather than requiring simultaneous multi-point measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber strip itself acts as an intermediary that carries information about positional deviations across the width to the single sensor, which detects irregularities as they pass by during the rolling process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If traditional monitoring systems with multiple sensors are used, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but cost-effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring comprehensivenessVSAvoidcost-effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple monitoring functions into a single sensor system, reducing component costs and simplifying installation while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage across the rolling mill width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single sensor performs multiple monitoring tasks including frame position detection and fiber strip presence monitoring across the entire width, providing comprehensive coverage at lower cost than multiple specialized sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution simplifies the control system, reduces the number of sensors required, and allows for the detection of small deviations across the roller width, preventing sliver jams and breaks, while being adaptable to different roller widths and suitable for retrofitting various machine types.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor is designed as a light barrier and can therefore be easily adapted to the different widths of the roller arrangements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight barrier detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2950994B1Rolling mill for fibre bands and device for monitoring a rolling mill for fibre bands
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 TRUETZSCHLER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2950994B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a rolling mill for fibre bands, comprising at least one fixed roller (2) and one adjustable roller (4), said rollers (2, 4) being arranged respectively in a first left frame (3, 5) and a second right frame (3', 5'), also comprising a sensor for monitoring operational irregularities. The invention is characterized in that the sensor recognizes operational irregularities over the width of the rolling mill.