Rolling Stand Backup Roll Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate rolling stands lack a reliable and accessible mechanism to mechanically lock the backup roll balancing system in both roll change positions, especially during work roll and backup roll changes, which poses safety risks and maintenance challenges due to concealed lock bolts and varying roll gap heights.
Innovation Solution
A backup roll locking mechanism featuring a piston rod with a yoke that engages brackets and a rotating sleeve, allowing for visual inspection and easy maintenance, which secures the balancing system independently of roll gap height by using a single locking cylinder and rotating sleeve with adjustable slots for different positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lock bolts are used to mechanically lock the backup roll balancing system, then the locking function is achieved, but the lock bolts are concealed by brackets and visual inspection is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
A mirror is introduced as an intermediary element between the concealed lock bolts and the observer. The mirror reflects the hidden locking mechanism, making it visible for inspection without moving the lock bolts themselves. This allows maintenance personnel to visually confirm the locked state while maintaining the original concealed locking structure.
2Force
If four hydraulic cylinders with lock bolts are used, then the locking capacity is sufficient, but the device complexity increases and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple hydraulic cylinders are merged into a single hydraulic cylinder design. The single cylinder incorporates features that provide sufficient locking capacity for the backup roll balancing system, reducing the number of separate components from four to one. This simplifies the overall device structure and reduces maintenance requirements while maintaining adequate locking force.
Solution Approach 2:
The single hydraulic cylinder is designed to perform multiple functions: providing locking force, enabling visual inspection through integrated mirror mounting, and simplifying maintenance access. This multi-functional design replaces the specialized four-cylinder system, reducing complexity while maintaining or enhancing overall system capability.
3Force
If brackets are mounted on the upper column crosshead, then the locking mechanism is positioned correctly, but the loading capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure transitions from being constrained to the two-dimensional surface of the column crosshead to utilizing three-dimensional space by extending downward to the column base. This vertical dimension change allows the locking mechanism to be positioned at the base rather than the crosshead, fundamentally changing the load path and enabling the mechanism to handle higher loading capacities through the more robust base structure.
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 enhanced safety and reliability by ensuring secure locking of the rolling stand area during roll changes, reduces maintenance costs, and allows for universal application across different roll gap heights, with visual confirmation of the locked state and potential for electric monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a single locking cylinder and rotating sleeve with adjustable slots
Data Source
AI summary
In a rolling stand (1), especially a plate rolling stand, with a right housing column (2), a left housing column (3), an upper column crosshead (4) that connects them, at least one pair of work rolls and one pair of backup rolls and associated chocks, a balancing device with brackets (5, 6) and a piston rod (7) that extends upward through the column crosshead (4) beyond the upper surface (8) of the column crosshead (4), the piston rod (7) has a yoke (10) at its outer end (9), which yoke (10) is oriented in the rolling direction and engages the brackets (5, 6) of the balancing device, and a rotating sleeve (11), which encloses the piston rod (7), is arranged between the upper edge (12) of the balancing cylinder (22) and the lower edge (13) of the yoke (10), is supported on the column crosshead (4), and has at least one open slot (14) into which the yoke (10) can drop.