Sealed Measuring Roller Surface for Accurate Strip Force Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring rollers for determining the properties of strip-shaped products, such as metal strips, face challenges including ineffective force transmission due to gaps between force sensors and the measuring roller body, leading to measurement inaccuracies and potential contamination of the strip-shaped product.
Innovation Solution
A measuring roller design featuring a layer application that covers recesses containing force sensors, forming a firm connection with the measuring roller body, thereby minimizing gaps and ensuring effective force transmission while preventing contamination, using methods like 3D printing to create a closed peripheral surface that spans the recesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If force sensors are arranged in recesses with gaps from the roller surface, then contamination of the strip-shaped material is prevented, but force transmission and measurement accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A seal element is introduced as an intermediary component between the force sensor and the roller surface. The seal element fills the gap completely, allowing force transmission from the roller surface through the seal to the force sensor while preventing contamination. The seal acts as a mediator that transmits mechanical forces (normal and shear forces) while maintaining the protective gap structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element functions as a flexible thin film structure that can deform under load while maintaining its sealing function. The seal element is designed to be compressible and flexible enough to transmit forces from the roller surface to the force sensor while preventing particles and lubricant from entering the gap region.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealing materials are used to fill the circumferential gap, then contamination is prevented, but force transmission to the force sensor is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The seal element serves as a specialized intermediary that differs from conventional sealing materials. It is specifically designed to transmit forces while sealing, with properties that allow it to function as both a barrier against contamination and a force transmission medium to the force sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element's material parameters are optimized to balance sealing and force transmission functions. The seal is designed with specific mechanical properties (compressibility, shear strength) that enable it to maintain the seal under varying operational conditions while transmitting forces effectively to the force sensor.
3Measurement precision
If the measuring roller body expands thermally faster than the casing, then measurement sensitivity changes, but the connection between casing and roller body loosens
Solution Approach 1:
The design accounts for differential thermal expansion between the roller body and casing by allowing controlled relative movement. The shrink-fit connection is designed to accommodate expansion differences without loosening, and the force sensor arrangement compensates for thermal effects on measurement sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shrink-fit connection between the casing and roller body is designed with predetermined clearance and interference fit characteristics that anticipate thermal expansion. This pre-engineered connection maintains reliability under thermal cycling by accommodating expansion before loosening can occur.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a measuring roller (1) for determining a property of a strip-type product, in particular a metal strip, guided over the measuring roller (1), comprising a measuring roller body (2) having a circumferential surface, at least one recess (4) in the measuring roller body (2), a force sensor (5) which is arranged in the recess (4), and a cover by which the force sensor (5) is braced in the recess (4), wherein a layer (10) is applied above the recess (4) and the cover (6).