Individual-Drive Wire Roll Stand Layout for Resonance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed wire rod mills face challenges in varying the overall deformation and cross-sectional reduction per pass, requiring complex gear systems and lengthy changeover times due to fixed gear ratios, leading to issues like overheating and uncontrollable wire deformation, and mechanical resonant frequencies.

Innovation Solution

Each rolling mill stand is equipped with its own drive unit and motor, allowing for a linear arrangement without bends, simplifying the gearbox structure and enabling flexible control of cross-sectional reductions and natural frequencies, with adjustable notch filters to counteract resonances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a common distribution gearbox with fixed gear ratios is used to drive multiple rolling stands, then the mechanical drive system is simplified, but the ability to vary cross-sectional reduction and control deformation becomes limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive system structureVSAvoidcross-sectional reduction control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the common drive system into individual drive units for each rolling stand. Each stand receives power from the longitudinal shaft through its own separate gearbox, allowing independent control of gear ratios and cross-sectional reduction for each stand while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If complex gearboxes with multiple bends are used to accommodate V-shaped or HV-shaped stand arrangements, then the rolling stands can be arranged in space-efficient configurations, but the gearbox structure becomes more complex and prone to mechanical resonances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverolling block footprintVSAvoidgearbox structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the drive system into modular units where each rolling stand has its own gearbox connected directly to the longitudinal shaft. This eliminates the need for complex multi-bend gearboxes while maintaining the spatial arrangement, as each stand's drive is independently configured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single centralized gearbox serving multiple stands to individual gearboxes distributed along the longitudinal shaft. This dimensional distribution along the length of the mill allows each gearbox to be simpler while achieving the same spatial configuration efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If fixed gear ratios are used in the drive system, then the mechanical structure is simpler, but the wire rod mill must shut down for lengthy changeover times when cross-sectional reduction needs to be changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegear systemVSAvoidchangeover time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of gear ratios through individually controllable gearboxes at each rolling stand. This allows the wire rod mill to change cross-sectional reduction settings without shutdowns by adjusting the gear ratios of individual stands while the system remains operational.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows continuous variation of gear ratios and cross-sectional reduction parameters for each rolling stand independently. This parametric flexibility enables quick changes in production settings without mechanical reconfiguration or shutdowns, significantly reducing changeover time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If a single common motor drives all rolling stands through a distribution gearbox, then the power system is simpler, but mechanical resonant frequencies cannot be effectively controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution systemVSAvoidvibration control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single common motor system into multiple independent drive units, each with its own motor or independently controlled gearbox. This segmentation allows individual vibration control and damping for each rolling stand, effectively managing mechanical resonances while maintaining power system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2493634B2Wire roll stand with individual drive as part of a group of rolling mill stands in a high speed wire rolling mill line
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP2493634B2 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2493634B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2493634B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a roll stand (1) as a constituent part of a roll stand group (2) in a high-speed wire mill, having at least one roll pair or roll ring pair (5) and a drive shaft (7) which is connected to a motor (6), characterized in that each roll stand (1) of this roll stand group (2) is assigned a motor (6) and a drive shaft (7), and the motor (6), the drive shaft (7) and the at least one roll pair or roll ring pair (5) are arranged linearly with respect to one another.