Telescopic Drive Shaft Snap-Action Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drive shaft solutions for rolling mills are heavy, require numerous operations for maintenance, and have limited shortening stroke, making maintenance times lengthy and laborious.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic drive shaft with a snap-action locking mechanism, an elastic device for preloading, and a remotely controlled release mechanism, allowing for a long shortening stroke and simplified maintenance operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a conventional drive shaft is used, then the structure is simple, but the weight is heavy and maintenance operations are numerous
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shaft is divided into two telescopic members (inner and outer cylinders) that can slide relative to each other. This segmentation allows the drive shaft to shorten during maintenance operations, reducing weight and simplifying handling without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire drive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive shaft transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic telescopic structure that can change its length. The telescopic members slide within each other to provide a long shortening stroke, enabling the drive shaft to adapt its configuration for easier maintenance while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
2Ease of repair
If the drive shaft is made telescopic with long shortening stroke, then maintenance operations are simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A snap-action locking mechanism with an elastic device is pre-installed within the telescopic structure. The elastic device automatically engages the locking mechanism to secure the telescopic members at their working length, eliminating the need for complex manual locking procedures during maintenance while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-action locking mechanism with elastic device provides automatic locking and unlocking functionality. The elastic device exerts a preloading force that automatically engages the locking mechanism when the telescopic members reach their working length, reducing the need for external intervention and simplifying maintenance operations.
3Length of moving object
If a snap-action locking mechanism with elastic device is added, then the shortening stroke is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism and elastic device are nested within the existing telescopic structure of the drive shaft. The elastic device is positioned inside the hollow cylinder, and the locking mechanism is integrated into the telescopic members, allowing the long shortening stroke to be achieved without adding significant external complexity to the overall device.
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 a lightweight, easy-to-handle drive shaft with a longer shortening stroke, reducing the number of operations needed for maintenance and expediting the extraction and reassembly of rolls in rolling stands.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic device exerting a preloading force axially directed along the two telescopic members
Data Source
AI summary
A drive shaft (5) for transmitting motion to a roll (1) of a tube rolling stand comprising a telescopic body (51), a slide (50) and a support base (53). The telescopic body (51) is fixed by one end with a cardan joint (56) to the drive shaft of the gearbox, and on the other end has a fitting (12) for attaching the roll (1). The slide (50) is hinged to the support base (53) and may rotate under the bias of a jack (57) to either engage or release the telescopic body (51). A snap-action locking device (61), contained within the telescopic body (51), comprises a cylinder (64), on which two rocker arms (62', 62") are hinged, and a spring (63) which spreads the rocker arms (62', 62") making the two teeth fit into two holes in the wall of the cylinder (54), when the drive shaft (5) is at its maximum working length. The carriage has two pistons (66', 66") to work on the two rocker arms (62', 62") thus freeing the locking device (61) and allowing the telescopic sliding of the cylinder (55) in the cylinder (54) and the downward rotation of the drive shaft (5).