Torque Support Linkage for Bearing-Accurate Roller Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque supports for calender or rolling mill drives introduce retroactive forces into the drive system, affecting the accuracy and position of the roll bearing, and restrict the movement of the drive relative to other rollers.
Innovation Solution
A torque support design featuring two first force-conducting elements rotatably fixed to the shaft drive and a support element, with two second force-conducting elements rotatably fixed to the support element and a stationary element, allowing only tensile and compressive forces to be transmitted, thereby preventing retroactive forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a one-sided torque support is used to absorb drive torques, then the torque can be intercepted by the torque support acting as a lever arm, but retroactive forces are introduced into the drive system affecting bearing position accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The torque support is divided into two separate force-conducting elements (first and second force-conducting elements) that independently conduct forces from opposite sides of the drive. This segmentation allows each element to handle torque without creating unbalanced retroactive forces on the bearing, resolving the contradiction between torque absorption and position accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The force-conducting elements are arranged asymmetrically on opposite sides of the drive axis, with each element positioned to create balanced force vectors. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that when torque is absorbed, the retroactive forces from both elements cancel each other out, preventing bearing position errors while maintaining effective torque interception.
2Manufacturing precision
If two external points are used to absorb torque on opposite sides of the drive, then no retroactive forces are introduced, but the drive position is fixed both rotationally and linearly preventing movement compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The force-conducting elements are designed with rotatable connections at both ends (to the drive and to the fixed element), making the torque support dynamic rather than rigid. This allows the drive to move freely to compensate for positioning errors while the force-conducting elements continuously adjust to maintain force transmission, resolving the contradiction between position accuracy and movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable connections change the geometric parameters of the force-conducting elements dynamically as the drive moves. This allows the elements to maintain their force-conducting function while accommodating positional adjustments, enabling both high bearing position accuracy and drive movement adaptability.
3Force
If the torque support is externally connected to a fixed element, then torque can be absorbed, but the roll bearing can only move freely to a limited extent
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable connections in the force-conducting elements create a dynamic system that adapts to bearing movement. The elements can rotate at their connections, allowing the bearing to move freely within operational limits while maintaining effective torque absorption, thus resolving the contradiction between torque absorption capability and movement freedom.
Data Source
AI summary
A torque support for absorbing drive torques of at least one shaft drive, having two first force-conducting elements, each of which is rotatably fixed to the shaft drive at a distance from one another by a first end, and having a support element arranged at a distance from the shaft drive, to which support element the first force-conducting elements are each fixed rotatably and at a distance from one another by a second end opposite the first end, and spaced apart from one another, and having two second force-conducting elements which are each fixed at a first end to the support element in a rotatable manner and spaced apart from one another and are each fixed at a second end, opposite the first in each case, to a fixed element which is independent of the shaft drive in a rotatable manner and spaced apart from one another. A corresponding roller arrangement is further disclosed.