Name of Document] DESCRIPTION
[Title of the Invention] ROLLING APPARATUS FOR FLAT-ROLLED METAL
MATERIALS
[Technical Field]
5 [OOOl]
The present invention relates to a rolling apparatus for flat-rolled metal
materials.
[Background Art]
[0002]
10 In a rolling process of a flat-rolled metal material, it is very important to roll a
sheet material in a form free from camber, or in a form not having bend in the left-right
direction, in order to avoid not only a plane shape defect and a dimensional accuracy defect
of the rolled material but also to avoid sheet pass troubles such as a zigzag movement and
a tail crash.
15 [0003]
Further, a warp that occurs at the time of rolling a sheet material also has a
large influence on productivity of products, such as reduction in rolling efficiency and
increase in the number of refining processes. For example, as for the refining processes,
there are cases where it is t..ecessary to correct camber or a warp using a leveler or by
20 performing pressing or the like, and in an extreme case, a defect part may have to be cut.
Still further, in the case where camber or a warp occurred to a large extent, the rolling
facility may be damaged due to the collision of the sheet. In this case, it is not only that
the sheet itself loses the product value, but that it brings about tremendous damages such as
production interruption and repairing of the rolling facility.
25 (00041
In addition, in order to control the above camber with high accuracy, it is also
important to perform an initial setting called zero point adjustment. The zero point
adjustment is performed as follows: kiss-roll tightening is conducted by operating a screw
down device in a roll-rotating state; and, a point in which a measurement value of a rolling
load corresponding to a preset zero point adjustment load (preset to rated load of 15% to
5 85%) is set as a zero point of a reduction position, and the reduction position is set as a
starting point (reference) in reduction control. In this case, the difference between left
and right reduction positions, that is, the zero point of reduction leveling is often adjusted
simultaneously. Also, as for the zero point adjustment of the reduction leveling, the
measurement values of the rolling load on the time of kiss-roll tightening on the operator
10 side and the driving side we adjusted such that the measurement values correspond to the
preset zero point adjustment load. Note that the kiss-roll tightening means that, under the
state that a rolled material is not present, the upper and lower work rolls are brought into
contact with each other and a load is applied between the rolls.
[0005]
15 Incidentally, to simplify expressions, the operator side and the driving side of
the rolling mill, as the right and left sides when the rolling mill is seen from the fsont of the
rolling direction, will be referred to as "right and left", respectively.
[0006]
In view of the problems attributed to such camber, Patent Document 1 suggests
20 a rolling method and a rolling apparatus capable of stably producing a flat-rolled metal
material free from camber or having an extremely light cambes. Specifically, in the
rolling method and the rolling apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a load detection
device measures a rolling direction force acting on roll chocks on an operator side and a
driving side of a work roll, and a calculation device calculates a difference of the rolling
25 direction forces between the operator side and the driving side. Then, a control device
controls a left-right swivelling component of a roll gap of a rolling mill such that the
difference becomes zero.
[0007]
In view of the problem of a warp, Patent Document 2 suggests a rolling method
and a rolling apparatus capable of stably producing a flat-rolled metal material having an
5 extremely light warp. Specifically, in the rolling method and the rolling apparatus
described in Patent Document 2, load detection devices provided on both entry side and
exit side of upper and lower roll chocks of work rolls measure rolling direction forces
acting on the upper and lower work roll chocks. Then, a calculation device calculates a
difference between the rolling direction force on the upper side and the rolling direction
10 force on the lower side, that is, an upper and lower rolling direction force difference.
After that, upper and lower asymmetric components of the rolling apparatus is controlled
such that the upper and lower rolling direction force difference is decreased.
[OOOS]
In view of the problem of zero point adjustment, in Patent Document 3, it is
15 discovered that a rolling direction force occurs even with zero point adjustment by the kiss
roll state, pointed out that the rolling direction force does not affect a roll thrust force, and
accordingly, there is proposed a method enabling more precise initial reduction position
adjustment (reduction zero point adjustment) of a rolling mill.
[0009]
20 Further, in order to produce a flat-rolled metal material free from camber, in a
rolling method and a rolling apparatus described in Patent Document 4, rolling direction
forces acting on roll chocks on an operator side and a driving side of a work roll are
measured, a difference of the rolling direction forces between the operator side and the
driving side is calculated, a left-right swivelling component of a roll gap of the rolling mill
25 is controlled by using control gain such that the difference become a con~rotla rget value,
and the control gain is changed depending on a condition during rolling.
[OO 101
Still further, Patent Document 5 suggests a rolling mill and a rolling method
capable of producing a flat-rolled metal material free from camber or warp, achieving zero
point adjustment with high accuracy, and easily achieving application of a strong roll
5 bending force. In the rolling mill and the rolling method described in Patent Document 5,
a work roll chock is pressed against a contact surface with a housing window or a project
block of the rolling mill in a rolling direction. Then, a load detection device measures
rolling direction forces acting on roll chocks on an operator side and a driving side of a
work roll, and a calculation device a calculation device calculates a difference of the
10 rolling direction forces between the operator side and the driving side. A control device
calculates left-right swivelling component control quantity of a roll gap of the rolling mill
such that the difference become a control target value, and controls the roll gap on the basis
of the calculated value of the left-right swivelling component control quantity of the roll
gap.
15 [OOll]
Here, in any of the rolling methods and the rolling apparatuses described in the
above Patent Documents 1 to 5, the rolling direction forces are measured. Accordingly,
with reference to FIG. 1, the measurement of the rolling direction forces according to
Patent Documents 1 to 5 will be descri&d specifically. FIG 1 is a view schematically
20 showing a rolling apparatus.
[0012]
The rolling apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes an upper work roll 1 supported
by an upper work roll chock 5, an upper backup roll 3 supported by an upper backup roll
chock 7, a lower work roll 2 supported by a lower work roll chock 6, and a lower backup
25 roll 4 supported by a lower backup roll chock 8. The upper backup roll 3 is disposed on
the upper side of the upper work roll 1 in contact with the upper work roll I. In the same
manner, the lower backup roll 4 is disposed on the lower side of the lower work roll 2 in
contact with the lower work roll 2. Further, the rolling apparatus shown in FIG. 1
includes a screw down device 9 that applies a rolling load to the upper work roll 1. A
flat-rolled metal material M to be rolled by the rolling apparatus moves in a rolling
5 direction F between the upper work roll 1 and the lower work roll 2.
[0013]
Though FIG. 1 basically shows only the apparatus construction on the operator
side, similar devices exist on the driving side, too.
[00 141
10 The rolling direction force acting on the upper work roll 1 of the rolling
apparatus is basically supported by the upper work roll chock 5. Between the upper work
roll chock 5 and a housing or a project block, there are provided an upper work roll chock
exit side load detection device 121 on an exit side of the upper work roll chock 5 in the
. .
rolling direction, and an upper work roll chock entry side load detection device 122 on an
15 entry side of the upper work roll chock 5 in the rolling direction. The upper work roll
chock exit side load detection device 121 can detect the force acting between the member
such as the housing or the project block and the upper work roll chock 5 on the exit side of
the upper work roll chock 5 in the rolling direction. The upper work roll chock entry side
load detection device 122 can detect the force acting between the member such as the
20 project block and the upper work roll chock 5 on the entry side of the upper work roll
chock 5 in the rolling direction. To simplify the device construction, those load detection
devices 121 and 122 preferably and ordinarily have a construction for measuring a
compressive force.
[0015]
25 The upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 121 and the upper
work roll chock entry side load detection device 122 are connected to an upper work roll
rolling direction force calculation device 141. The upper work roll rolling direction force
calculation device 141 calculates a difference between a load detected by the upper work
roll chock exit side load detection device 121 and a load detected by the upper work roll
chock entry side load detection device 122, and, on the basis of the calculation result,
5 calculates the rolling direction force acting on the upper work roll chock 5.
[0016]
In the same manner, as for the lower work roll 2, between the lower work roll
chock 6 and the housing or the project block, there are provided an lower work roll chock
exit side load detection device 123 on an exit side of the lower work roll chock 6 in the
10 rolling direction, and a lower work roll chock entry side load detection device 124 on an
entry side of the lower work roll chock 6 in the rolling direction. The lower work roll
chock exit side load detection device 123 and the lower work roll chock entry side load
detection device 124 are connected to a lower work roll rolling direction force calculation
device 142. The lower work roll rolling direction force calculation device 142 calculates,
15 on the basis of measurement values obtained by those load detection devices 123 and 124,
the rolling direction force acting on the lower work roll chock 6 in the same manner as in
the upper work roll 1.
[Prior Art Document(s)]
[Patent Document(s)]
20 [0017]
[Patent Document 11 W02004/082860
[Patent Document 21 JP 2007-260775A
[Patent Document 31 W02011/129453
[Patent Document 41 JP 2006-82118A
25 [Patent Document 51 JP 2012-148339A
[Summary of the Invention]
[Problem(s) to Be Solved by the Invention]
[0018]
Here, taking into consideration the drawings on the figures in Patent
Documents 1 to 5 and technical common knowledge in the field of rolling, a load detection
5 deviceis normally a load cell. Considering that work roll chocks are moved and changed
during working, the load cell is generally attached to a member that faces the work roll
chock in a rolling direction, such as a project block or a housing.
[0019]
FIG 2 is an enlarged side view of the work roll chocks of the rolling apparatus
10 shown in FIG. 1 and a periphery thereof, and shows an example in which load detection
devices are attached to project blocks. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a housing 10 is
provided with an exit side project block 11 and an entry side project block 12. The exit
side project block 11 and the entry side project block 12 are formed so as to protrude from
the housing 10 towards the inner side of the rolling apparatus.
15 [0020]
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the upper work roll chock exit side load
detection device 121 and the lower work roll chock exit side load detection device 123 are
provided on the exit side project block 11. On the other hand, the upper work roll chock
ent~y side load detection device 122 and the lower work roll chock entry side load
20 detection device 124 are provided on the entry side project block 12. Note that, although
a protection cover or waterproofing for preventing water or the like entering inside the
device is generally provided on the surface of the load detection device, they are not shown
in the figure.
[0021]
25 FIG. 2 also shows an example of a kiss-roll tightening state. As shown in FIG.
2, each of the load detection devices 121, 122, 123, and 124 has a small size in an
opening/closing direction, that is, a draft direction (also referred to as height direction) of
the rolls. Accordingly, the distances that the load detection devices 121 and 122 are in
contact with side surfaces of the work roll chock 5 and the distances that the load detection
devices 123 and 124 are in contact with side surfaces of the work roll chock 6 are small.
5 [0022]
Here, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the positions (heights) of the respective
load detection devices 121 and 122 in the draft direction are the same as the position
(height) of a roll axis A1 of the work roll 1 held by the work roll chock 5 in the draft
direction, and the positions (heights) of the respective load detection devices123 and 124 in
10 the draft direction are the same as the position (height) of a roll axis A2 of the work roll 2
held by the work roll chock 6 in the draft direction. In this case, rolling direction forces
applied to the work roll chocks 5 and 6 are appropriately detected by the load detection
devices 121, 122, 123, and 124.
[0023]
15 However, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, when the upper work roll 1 moves
upward in the draft direction and a gap between the work rolls 1 and 2 increases, the height
of the position of the roll axis A1 of the upper work roll 1 in the draft direction is larger
than the heights of the positions of the upper work roll chock exit side load detection
device 121 and the upper work roll chock entry side load 8etection device 122 in the draft
20 direction. Accordingly, when the rolling direction force is applied to the upper work roll
chock 5 from the upper work roll 1, the moment acts on the upper work roil chock 5, and
thus, the upper work roll chock 5 rotates in a direction indicated by the awow shown in FIG.
3. As a result, the upper work roll chock 5 tilts, and parts on the side surfaces of the
upper work roll chock 5 come into contact with the project blocks 11, 12, and the like.
25 [0024]
In this way, when parts on the side surfaces of the upper work roll chock 5
come into contact with the project blocks 11, 12, and the like, some of the rolling direction
force applied to the upper work roll chock 5 from the upper work roll 1 is applied to the
parts at which the upper work roll chock 5 comes into contact with the project blocks 11
and 12. Accordingly, it may not be possible for the load detection devices 121 and 122 to
5 accurately detect the rolling direction force.
[0025]
Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the work rolls 1 and 2 and the
backup rolls 3 and 4 are worn away, and thus decrease in the roll diameters, the upper work
roll chock 5 and the lower work roll chock 6 move downward in the draft direction.
10 When the upper work roll chock 5 and the lower work roll chock 6 move downward, the
height of the position of the axis A1 of the work roll 1 in the draft direction is smaller than
the heights of the positions of the work roll chock exit side load detection device 121 and
the work roll chock entry side load detection device 122, and the height of the position of
the axis A2 of the work roll 2 in the &aft direction is smaller than the heights of the
15 positions of the work roll chock exit side load detection device 123 and the work roll chock
entry side load detection device 124. Also in this case, in the same manner as the case
shown in FIG. 3, the work roll chocks 5 and 6 tilt, and parts on the side surfaces of the
work roll chocks 5 and 6 come into contact with the project blocks 11 and 12. As a result,
it may not possible for the load detection devices 121, 122, 123, and 124 to accurately
20 detect the rolling direction force.
[0026]
Further, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along the line VI-VI of FIG.
2, showing the work roll chocks and a periphery thereof. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the
load detection devices 121 and 122 have sizes whose widths in the roll axis direction are
25 small. Accordingly, the load detection devices 121 and 122 come into contact only with
parts on the side surfaces of the work roll chocks 5 and 6 also in the roll axis direction.
That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the lower work roll 2 moves
owing to roll shifting for a shift quantity D in the roll axis direction, it means that the
center of a bearing (hereinafter, also referred to as "radial bearing") 5a to which force in a
5 radial direction of the upper work roll chock 5 is applied shifts in the roll axis direction
with respect to the positions of the load detection devices 121 and 122. Note that, in FIG.
5, a line C shows a line of the center of the radial bearing 5a of the upper work roll chock 5.
Accordingly, the moment acts on the upper work roll chock 5, and thus, the upper work
roll chock 5 rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the
10 upper work roll chock 5 tilts, and pasts on the side surfaces of the upper work roll chock 5
come into contact with the project blocks 11 and 12.
[0028]
In this way, when parts on the side surfaces of the upper work roll chock 5
come into contact with the project blocks 11, 12, and the like, some of the rolling direction
15 force applied to the upper work roll chock 5 from the upper work roll 1 is applied to the
pasts at which the upper work roll chock 5 comes into contact with the project blocks 11
and 12. Accordingly, it may not be possible for the load detection devices 121 and 122 to
accurately detect the rolling direction force.
[0029]
20 The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described
above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rolling apparatus capable of
accurately detecting a rolling direction force applied to a work roll chock.
[Means for Solving the Problem(s)]
[0030]
25 The inventors of the present invention have conducted studies on rolling
apparatuses having various structures, with regard to detection of the rolling direction force
applied to the work roll chock.
[003 11
As a result, the inventors have found that in the case where a load detection
device, that is, a load cell, is provided not on a housing but on a work roll chock, the work
5 roll chock is less likely to tilt. Note that a load detection device according to the present
invention mainly represents a load cell, and may also be a device of a strain gauge, a
magnetostriction type, a capacitance type, a gyro type, a hydraulic type, a piezoelectric
type, or the like.
[0032]
10 The present invention has been achieved on the basis of the above findings, and
the summaly is as follows.
(1)
A rolling apparatus for a flat-rolled metal material, the rolling apparatus having
at least a pair of upper and lower work rolls and a pair of upper and lower backup rolls, the
15 rolling apparatus including:
a pair of work roll chocks configured to hold the respective work rolls;
housings or project blocks configured to hold the work roll chocks; and
one or more load detection devices provided in one of the work roll chocks, the
load detection devices each detecting a load acting on one of the wor.1. roll chocks on at
20 least one of an entry side in a rolling direction and an exit side in the rolling direction,
wherein the load detection devices are each disposed so as to face one of the
housings or one of the project blocks using a point of effort of a rolling direction force of
one of the work rolls as a reference, such that a rotation moment generated on each of the
work roll chocks caused by the rolling direction force is equal to a counter rotation
25 moment generated by counterforce against the rotation moment.
(2)
The rolling apparatus according to (I),
wherein the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that heights of the
load detection devices in a draft direction are identical to a height of a roll axis of a
corresponding one of the work rolls in the draft direction, the roll axis being the point of
5 effort of the rolling direction force of the work roll, or that the load detection devices are
located within a range in which the load detection devices are each in contact with one of
the housings or one of the project blocks.
(3)
The rolling apparatus according to (I),
10 wherein the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that, on all
occasions, a line extending in the rolling direction and including a roll axis of one of the
work rolls is interposed between at least two of the load detection devices in a draft
direction of the work roll, the roll axis being the point of effort of the rolling direction
force of the work roll, and that the load detection devices each face one of the housings or
15 one of the project blocks.
(4)
The rolling apparatus according to (3),
wherein at least one of a plurality of the load detection devices is disposed at a
position higher that^ a position of a roll axis of one of the work rcllls held by a
20 corresponding one of the work roll chocks, the load detection devices being arranged in a
manner that the load detection devices are shifted from each other in the draft direction of
the work roll, and
wherein at least one of the plurality of the load detection devices is disposed at
a position lower than the position of the roll axis of the one of the work rolls held by the
25 corresponding one of the work roll chocks, the load detection devices being axranged in a
manner that the load detection devices are shifted from each other in the draft direction of
the work roll.
(5)
The rolling apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), further including:
a load calculation device configured to calculate a rolling direction force by
5 adding up loads detected by a plurality of the load detection devices provided on the entry
side in the rolling direction or the exit side in the rolling direction.
(6)
The rolling apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4),
wherein the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that the load
10 detection devices each protrude from a side surface of a corresponding one of the work roll
chocks facing one of the housings or one of the project blocks, and
wherein, on the side surface of the work roll chock fsom which each of the load
detection devices protrude, a protn~dingp art is provided at a position shifted fsom the load
detection device in the draft direction of the work roll.
15 (7)
The rolling apparatus according to (6),
wherein a load detection device disposed on the entry side in the rolling
direction and a load detection device disposed on the exit side in the rolling direction are
located at an ident'ical height with each other in the draft direction of the work roll, and
20 wherein a protruding part disposed on the entry side in the rolling direction and
a protruding part disposed on the exit side in the rolling direction, the protruding parts
being disposed in a corresponding manner to the respective load detection devices, are
located at an identical height with each other in the draft direction of the work roll.
(8)
25 The rolling apparatus according to (6) or (7), further including:
a load calculation device configured to calculate a rolling direction force on a
basis of a load detected by each of the load detection devices, an interval in the draft
direction between an axis of a corresponding one of the work rolls held by a corresponding
one of the work roll chocks and the load detection device, and an interval in the draft
direction between the axis of the work roll and a corresponding one of the protruding parts.
5 (9)
The rolling apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8),
wherein the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that positions of
the load detection devices in a roll axis direction are identical to a center of a radial bearing
provided to one of the work roll chocks, the center being the point of effort of the rolling
10 direction force of a corresponding one of the work rolls, or that the load detection devices
are located within a range in which the load detection devices are each in contact with one
of the housings or one of the project blocks.
(1 0)
The rolling apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8),
15 wherein the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that, on all
occasions, a center of a radial bearing provided to one of the work roll chocks is interposed
between at least two of the load detection devices in the roll axis direction of the work roll,
and that the load detection devices each face one of the housings or one of the project
blocks.
20 (11)
The rolling apparatus according to any one of (1) to (lo),
wherein the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that the load
detection devices each protrude from a side surface of a corresponding one of the work roll
chocks facing one of the housings or one of the project blocks, and
25 wherein, on the side surface of the work roll chock from which each of the load
detection devices protrude, a protruding pa~its provided at a position shifted from the load
detection device in the roll axis direction.
(12)
The rolling apparatus according to (ll),
wherein a load detection device disposed on the entry side in the rolling
5 direction and a load detection device disposed on the exit side in the rolling direction are
located at an identical position with each other in the roll axis direction, and
wherein a protruding part disposed on the entry side in the rolling direction and
a protruding part disposed on the exit side in the rolling direction, the protruding parts
being disposed in a co~~espondinmga nner to the respective load detection devices, are
10 located at an identical position with each other in the roll axis direction.
(13)
The rolling apparatus according to (11) or (12), further including:
a load calculation device configured to calculate a rolling direction force on a
basis of a load detected by each of the load detection devices, an interval in the roll axis
15 direction between a center of a radial bearing provided to a corresponding one of the work
roll chocks and the load detection device, and an interval in the roll axis direction between
the center of the radial bearing and a corresponding one of the protruding parts.
(14)
The rolling apparatus according to (I),
20 wherein at least three load detection devices are provided in one of the work
roll chocks, and, in order that a point of effort of the rolling direction force of a
corresponding one of the work rolls is included within an area defined by connecting the
load detection devices, the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that the load
detection devices shift in at least one of the draft direction and the roll axis direction of the
25 work roll.
(15)
The rolling apparatus according to any one of (1) to (14),
wherein the load detection devices each transmit a detection signal via radio to
a load calculation device.
(1 6)
5 The rolling apparatus according to any one of (1) to (1 5), further including:
a cover configured to cover the load detection devices, the cover being
provided between one of the housings or one of the project blocks and the load detection
devices,
wherein the cover is provided in a manner that the point of effort of the rolling
10 direction force is located within a range in which one of the housings or one of the project
blocks faces the cover.
[Effect(s) of the Invention]
[0033]
According to the present invention, there is provided a rolling apparatus
15 capable of accurately detecting a rolling direction force applied to a work roll chock.
[Brief Description of the Drawing(s)]
[0034]
[FIG. 11 FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a rolling apparatus having load
detection devices of prior art.
20 [FIG. 21 FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing work roll chocks having
load detection devices of prior art and a periphery thereof.
[FIG. 31 FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a problem to be solved in measuring
rolling direction forces by rolling load detection devices of prior art, and shows a state in
which a roll axis of an upper work roll shifts with respect to positions of the rolling load
25 detection devices in a draft direction and in which an upper work roll chock tilts.
[FIG. 41 FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a problem to be solved in measuring
rolling direction forces by rolling load detection devices of prior art, and shows a state in
which a roll axis of an upper work roll and a roll axis of a lower work roll shift with
respect to positions of the rolling load detection devices in a draft direction and in which an
upper work roll chock and a lower work roll chock tilt.
5 [FIG 51 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view illustrating a problem to be solved
in measuring a rolling direction force by rolling load detection devices of prior art, and
shows a state in which a center of a radial bearing shifts with respect to positions of the
rolling load detection devices in a roll axis direction and in which a work roll chock tilts.
[FIG. 61 FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a rolling apparatus according
10 to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 71 FIG. 7 is a side view schematically showing a main body of the rolling
apparatus according to the same embodiment.
[FIG. 81 FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of an upper work roll chock of the
rolling apparatus shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 and a periphery thereof.
15 [FIG. 91 FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating functions and effects in measuring a
rolling direction force by a rolling apparatus according to the same embodiment.
[FIG. 101 FIG. 10 is a view schematically showing a rolling apparatus
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 111 FIG.11 is an enlarged side view of an upper work roll chock of the
20 rolling apparatus shown in FIG 10 and a peripheiy thereof.
[FIG. 121 FIG.12 is a side view illushating functions and effects in measuring a
rolling direction force by a rolling apparatus according to the same embodiment.
[FIG. 131 FIG.13 is an enlarged side view of an upper work roll chock of a
rolling apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention and a periphery
25 thereof.
[FIG. 141 FIG.14 is an enlarged plan view similar to FIG. 5 of an upper work
roll chock of a rolling apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention
and a periphery thereof.
[FIG. 151 FIG.15 is an enlarged plan view similar to FIG. 14 of an upper work
roll chock of a rolling apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention
5 and a periphery thereof.
[FIG 161 FIG.16 is an enlarged plan view similar to FIG. 14 of an upper work
roll chock of a rolling apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention
and a periphery thereof.
[FIG. 171 FIG.17 is a side view showing a first modified example of a rolling
10 apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 181 FIG.18 is an enlarged side view showing another construction
example of the rolling apparatus according to the first modified example shown in FIG. 17,
and showing an upper work roll chock and a periphery thereof.
[FIG. 191 FIG.19 is an enlarged side view showing a fourth modified example
15 of a rolling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and showing
an upper work roll chock and a periphery thereof having a construction in which a cover is
provided over a plurality of load detection devices.
[FIG. 201 FIG.20 is an enlarged side view showing a fourth modified example
of a rolling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and showing
20 an upper work roll chock and a periphery thereof having a construction in which a cover is
provided over one load detection devices.
[FIG. 211 FIG. 21 is an elevational view showing an arrangement example in a
case where a rolling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has
three load detection devices.
25 [FIG. 221 FIG. 22 is an elevational view showing an arrangement example in a
case where a rolling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has
four load detection devices.
[Mode(s) for Carrying out the Invention]
[0035]
Hereinafter, referring to the appended drawings, preferred embodiments of the
5 present invention will be described in detail. It should be noted that, in the above
description with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and the following description, structural
elements that have substantially the same function and structure are denoted with the same
reference numerals.
[0036]
10 A rolling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to be
described below includes, in work roll chocks, load detection devices that detect loads in a
rolling direction acting on the work roll chocks. In this case, the load detection devices
are disposed so as to face housings or project blocks using a point of effort of one of the
work rolls in a rolling direction force as a reference, such that a rotation moment generated
15 on one of the work roll chocks caused by the rolling direction force is equal to a counter
rotation moment generated by counterforce against the rotation moment. Here, the point
of effort of the work roll in the rolling direction force is a roll axis of the work roll in a
draft direction of the work roll, and is a center of a radial bearing provided on the work roll
chock in a roll axis direction.
20 [0037]
The rolling apparatus according to the present embodiment prevents the tilts of
the work roll chocks by disposing each of the load detection devices in a manner that a
point of effort in the rolling direction force is included within a range defined by one or
multiple load detection devices. For example, each of the load detection devices is
25 disposed in a manner that the point of effort of the rolling direction force is included within
a range in which the housing or the project block faces the load detection device in the
draft direction or in the roll axis direction. Alternatively, each of the load detection
devices is disposed in a manner that a line extending in the rolling direction and including
a point of effort of the rolling direction force of the work roll is interposed between at least
two load detection devices all the time. In this way, the load detection device is capable
5 of detecting the rolling direction force with high accuracy.
[0038]

Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, a second embodiment of the present
invention will be described. A const~uctiono f a rolling apparatus according to the present
embodiment is basically the same as the constxuction of the rolling apparatus according to
the first embodiment. However, while the rolling apparatus according to the first
25 embodiment includes load detection devices provided to each work roll chock at one
ceitain height, the rolIing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes multiple
load detection devices provided in the draft direction.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the rolling apparatus according to the present
embodiment includes eight load detection devices on the operator side. Note that the
5 detection devices are also provided to the driving side, the number of the detection devices
being the same as the number of the detection devices on the operator side. A first load
detection device 21a and a second load detection device 21b on the exit side of the upper
work roll chock are provided in the upper work roll chock 5 on the exit side in the rolling
direction in a manner that the fist load detection device 21a and the second load detection
10 device 21b face the housing 10 on the exit side in the rolling direction. The load
detection devices 21a and 21b each detect a force acting between the housing 10 on the
exit side and the upper work roll chock 5. In palticular, the load detection device 21a and
the load detection device 21b are disposed in the draft direction, one above the other. In
this case, the load detection devices 21a and 21b are disposed in a manner that a line
15 extending in the rolling direction and including a roll axis Al, which is a point of effort of
the rolling direction force of the upper work roll 1 in the draft direction of the upper m~ork
roll 1, is interposed between the load detection devices 21a and 21b.
[0053]
For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the load
20 detection device 21a is disposed above (at a position higher than the position of) the roll
axis A1 of the upper work roll 1 in the draft direction, and the load detection device 21b is
disposed below (at a position lower than the position of) the roll axis A1 of the upper work
roll 1 in the draft direction.
[0054]
25 The thus constructed load detection devices 21a and 21b are connected to an
upper work roll chock exit side load calculation device 31 as shown in FIG. 10. The load
calculation device 31 adds up a load detected by the load detection device 21a and a load
detected by the load detection device 21b. The total value of those detected loads
corresponds to a rolling direction force applied to the housing 10 on the exit side from the
upper work roll chock 5, that is, a rolling direction force of the upper work roll chock 5
5 toward the exit side.
[0055]
In the same manner, a first load detection device 22a and a second load
detection device 22b on the entry side of the upper work roll chock are provided in the
upper work roll chock 5 on the entry side in the rolling direction in a manner that the first
10 load detection device 22a and the second load detection device 22b face the housing 10 on
the entry side in the rolling direction. The load detection devices 22a and 22b each detect
a force acting between the housing 10 on the entty side and the upper work roll chock 5.
In particular, the load detection devices 22a and 22b are disposed in the draft direction, one
above the other, in the same manner as the above-described load detection devices 21a and
15 21b.
[0056]
The thus constructed load detection devices 22a and 22b are connected to an
upper work roll chock ently side load calculation device 32 as shown in FIG. 10. The
load calculation device 32 adds up loads detected by the load detection devices 22a and
20 22b. In this way, a rolling direction force applied to the housing 10 on the entry side from
the upper work roll chock 5, that is, a rolling direction force of the upper work roll chock 5
toward the entry side is calculated.
[0057]
In the same manner, a first load detection device 23a and a second load
25 detection device 23b on the exit side of the lower work roll chock are provided in the lower
work roll chock 6 on the exit side in the rolling direction in a manner that the first load
detection device 23a and the second load detection device 23b face the housing 10 on the
exit side in the rolling direction. The load detection devices 23a and 23b each detect a
force acting between the exit side project block 11 and lower work roll chock 6. In
particular, the load detection devices 23a and 23b are disposed in the draft direction, one
5 above the other, in the same manner as the above-described load detection devices 21a and
21b.
[005S]
The load detection devices 23a and 23b are connected to a lower work roll
chock exit side load calculation device 33 as shown in FIG. 10. The load calculation
10 device 33 adds up loads detected by the load detection devices 23a and 23b. In this way,
a rolling direction force applied to the exit side project block 11 from the lower work roll
chock 6, that is, a rolling direction force of the lower work roll chock 6 towards the exit
side is calculated.
[0059]
15 In the same mannel; a first load detection device 24a and a second load
detection device 24b on the ently side of the lower work roll chock are provided in the
lower work roll chock 6 on the entry side in the rolling direction in a manner that the first
load detection device 24a and the second load detection device 24b face the housing 10 on
the entry side in the rolling direction. The load detection devices 24a and 24b each detect
20 a force acting between the ently side project block 12 and the lower work roll chock 6. In
particular, the load detection devices 24a and 24b are disposed in the draft direction, one
above the other, in the same manner as the above-described load detection devices 21a and
21b.
[0060]
25 The load detection devices 24a and 24b are connected to a lower work roll
chock entry side load calculation device 34 as shown in FIG. 10. The load detection
device 34 adds up loads detected by the load detection devices 24a and 24b. In this way,
a rolling direction force applied to the entry side project block 12 from the lower work roll
chock 6, that is, a rolling direction force of the lower work roll chock 6 towards the entry
side is calculated.
5 [0061]
Next, hnctions and effects of the thus constructed rolling apparatus according
to the second embodiment will be described.
[0062]
Taking the upper work roll chock 5 as an example, as described above, both of
10 the load detection devices 21a and 21b are disposed in the upper work roll chock 5 on the
exit side in the rolling direction. Accordingly, a side surface of the exit side of the upper
work roll chock 5 is supported at multiple points in the draft direction, particularly at both
above and below the roll axis A1 of the upper work roll 1. In the same manner, both of
the load detection devices 22a and 22b are disposed in the upper work roll chock 5 on the
15 entry side in the rolling direction. Accordingly, a side surface of the entry side of the
upper work roll chock 5 is supported at multiple points in the draft direction, particularly at
both above and below the roll axis A1 of the upper work roll 1.
[0063]
Accordingly, even if a rolling direction force is applied to the upper work roll
20 chock 5 from the upper work roll 1, the upper work roll chock 5 does not rotate or tilt. As
a result, the load detection devices 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b can each accurately detect the
rolling direction force applied to the upper work roll chock 5.
[0064]
Fuher, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, even in the case where the upper
25 work roll 1 moves upward and a gap between the work rolls 1 and 2 increases, or where
the work rolls 1 and 2 and the backup rolls 3 and 4 worn away, and thus decrease in the roll
diameters, the relative position relationship between the load detection devices 21a, 21b,
22a, and 22b and the roll axis A1 of the upper work roll 1 does not change. Therefore,
even in such a case, no moment is generated on the upper work roll chock 5. As a result,
the load detection devices 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b can each accurately detect the rolling
5 direction forces applied to the upper work roll chock 5.
[0065]
Note that the rolling apparatus according to the present embodiment is
provided with two load detection devices in the draft direction, one above the other, on
each of the exit and entry sides of each work roll chock in the rolling direction. However,
10 the number of the load detection devices is not necessarily two, and, on each of the exit
and entry sides of each work roll chock in the rolling direction, there may be provided
three or more load detection devices disposed in a manner that the three or more load
detection devices are shifted fiom each other in the draft direction. In this case, it is
preferred that, out of those multiple load detection devices, at least one of the load
15 detection devices be disposed above a roll axis of the corresponding work roll in the draft
direction and at least one of the load detection device be disposed below a roll axis of the
corresponding work roll in the draft direction all the time.
[0066]
13. Third embodiment>
20 Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a third embodiment of the present invention
will be described. A construction of a rolling apparatus according to the third
embodiment is basically the same as the construction of the rolling apparatus according to
the second embodiment. However, while the rolling apparatus according to the second
embodiment includes two load detection devices provided on each of the exit and entry
25 sides of each work roll chock in the rolling direction, the rolling apparatus according to the
present embodiment includes one load detection device and one dummy block (protruding
part>.
LO0671
As shown in FIG. 13, the rolling apparatus according to the present
embodiment includes four load detection devices and four dummy blocks. An upper
5 work roll chock exit side load detection device 21 and an upper work roll chock exit side
dummy block 51 are provided on the exit side of the upper work roll chock 5 in the rolling
direction. In this case, one of the load detection device 21 and the dummy block 51 is
disposed above a roll axis A1 of the upper work roll 1 in the draft direction, and the other is
disposed below the roll axis A1 in the draft direction. In FIG. 13, the dummy block 51 is
10 disposed above the roll axis A1 of the upper work roll 1 in the draft direction, and the load
detection device 21 is disposed below the roll axis A1 in the draft direction. That is, tlie
load detection device 21 and the dummy block 51 ase disposed so as to be shifted from
each other in the draft direction, one above the other.
[0068]
15 Further, as seen in FIG 13, the load detection device 21 is slightly protruded
from the side surface of the exit side of the upper work roll chock 5, and the dummy block
51 is also slightly protruded from the side surface of the exit side of the upper work roll
chock 5, the amount of protrusion being the same as the amount of protrusion of the load
detection device 21.
20 [0069]
In the same manner, an upper work roll chock entty side load detection device
22 and an upper work roll chock entry side dummy block 52 are provided on the ent~ysi de
of the upper work roll chock 5 in the rolling direction. Further, a lower work roll chock
exit side load detection device 23 and a lower work roll chock exit side dummy block 53
25 are provided on the exit side of the lower work roll chock 6 in the rolling direction. A
lower work roll chock entry side load detection device 24 and a lower work roll chock
entry side dummy block 54 are provided on the entry side of the lower work roll chock 6 in
the rolling direction.
[0070]
Taking the upper work roll chock 5 as an example, in the present embodiment,
5 the upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21 and the upper work roll chock
entry side load detection device 22 in particular are disposed such that the height in the
draft direction of the upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21 and the
height in the draft direction of the upper work roll chock entry side load detection device
22 are the same as each other. In the same manner, the upper work roll chock exit side
10 dummy block 51 and the upper work roll chock entry side dummy block 52 are disposed
such that the height in the draft direction of the upper work roll chock exit side dummy
block 51 and the height in the draft direction of the upper work roll chock entry side
dummy block 52 are the same as each other.
[0071]
15 Next, functions and effects of the thus constructed rolling apparatus will be
described taking the upper work roll chock 5 as an example.
[0072]
In the thus constructed rolling apparatus, it is known in advance that the length
in the draft direction from the load detection device 21 to the roll axis A1 of the work roll 1
20 and the length in the draft direction from the dummy block 51 to the roll axis A1 are fixed.
In other words, a moment a m in the upper work roll chock 5 is fixed and is known in
advance. Accordingly, in the case where a force is applied from the upper work roll 1 to
the upper work roll chock 5 on the exit side in the rolling direction, for example,
distribution of the loads applied to the load detection device 21 and the dummy block 51 is
25 also fixed and is also known in advance. Therefore, by detecting only the load applied to
the load detection device 21, both the loads applied to the load detection device 21 and the
dummy block 51 can be detectedestimated. As a result, the rolling direction force
applied from the upper work roll chock 5 to the housing 10 can be measured.
[0073]
Further, in the same manner as the rolling apparatus according to the second
5 embodiment, even if a rolling direction force is applied to the upper work roll chock 5
from the upper work roll 1, the upper work roll chock 5 does not rotate or tilt.
Accordingly, the load detection devices 21 and 22 can each accurately detect the rolling
direction force applied to the upper work roll chock 5. In addition, since the number of
load detection devices can be reduced to half of the number of load detection devices
10 shown in the second embodiment, the manufacturing cost can also be reduced.
[0074J
Note that, in the present embodiment, the exit side load detection devices 21
and 23 and the entry side load detection devices 22 and 24 are disposed such that the
height of the exit side load detection device 21 and the height of the entry side load
15 detection device 22 are the same as each other, and the height of the exit side load
detection device 23 and the height of the entry side load detection device 24 are the same
as each other. However, the load detection devices can each appropriately measure a
rolling direction force even if the heights in the draft direction are shifted, and hence are
not necessarily disposed at the same height.
20 [0075]
Further, in the example shown in FIG. 13, each load detection device and the
corresponding dummy block are disposed such that the interval between the height of the
load detection device and the height of the roll axis is equal to the interval between the
height of the dummy block and the height of the roll axis. However, even if the intervals
25 are not equal to each other, the respective intervals (moment arms) are known in advance
and the rolling direction forces can be appropriately estimated on the basis of the outputs
of the load detection devices, and hence, the intervals are not necessarily be equal to each
other.
LO0761
Accordingly, for example, the upper work roll chock exit side load calculation
5 device 31 connected to the upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21
calculates a rolling direction force on the basis of a load detected by the load detection
device 21, an interval in the draft direction between the axis A1 of the upper work roll 1
and the load detection device 21, and an interval in the draft direction between the axis A1
of the upper work roll 1 and the dummy block 5 1.
10 roo771
<4. Fourth embodimenp
Next, with reference to FIG. 14, a fourth embodiment of the present invention
will be described. A construction of a rolling apparatus according to the present
embodiment is basically the same as the construction of the rolling apparatus according to
15 the first embodiment. However, in the rolling apparatus according to the present
embodiment, each load detection device is disposed on the center of the radial bearing 5a
of each work roll chock in the roll axis direction.
[0078]
FIG.14 is an enlarged plan view of the upper work roll chock 5 according to the
20 present embodiment and a periphery thereof, which is similar to the cross-sectional plan
view of FIG. 5. As seen in FIG. 14, the load detection devices 21 and 22 for the upper
work roll chock 5 are disposed in a manner that the positions of the load detection devices
21 and 22 in the roll axis direction are located on the center of the radial bearing 5a of the
upper work roll chock 5. Note that, although only the upper work roll chock 5 is shown
25 in the example of FIG. 14, the lower work roll chock 6 may also have the load detection
devices 23 and 24 arranged therein in the similar manner.
roo791
In the thus constructed rolling apparatus according to the present embodiment,
even if the upper work roll chock 5 moves for a shift quantity D in the roll axis direction,
the relative position between the load detection devices 21 and 22 and the radial bearing 5a
does not change. That is, the load detection devices 21 and 22 are located on the center of
5 the radial bearing 5a of the upper work roll chock 5 in the roll axis direction. Therefore,
no moment is generated within a horizontal plane in the upper work roll chock 5.
Accordingly, the rotation and the tilt of the upper work roll chock 5 can be prevented. As
a result, the load detection devices 21 and 22 can accurately detect the rolling direction
forces applied to the upper work roll chock 5.
10 [OOSO]
Note that, although in the present embodiment the position of the load
detection device is tile same as the position of the center of the radial bearing in the roll
axis direction of the work roll, the positions may not be exactly the same. In this case, the
point of effort of the rolling direction force may be located within a range in which the
15 load detection device is in contact with the housing or the project block. Further, in the
present embodiment, only one load detection device is provided on each of the exit and
entry sides of each work roll cliock in the rolling direction. However, multiple load
detection devices may also be disposed in a manner that the load detection devices are
shifted from each other in the roll axis direction on each of the exit and ent~ysi des of each
20 work roll chock in the rolling direction.
[OOSI]
Further, the rolling apparatus according to the present embodiment can be
combined with the rolling apparatuses according to the first to third embodiments. For
example, in the case where the first embodiment is combined with the fourth embodiment,
25 the position in the draft direction of each of the load detection devices is the same as the
position in the draft direction of the roll axis of a corresponding one of the work rolls
supported by a corresponding one of the work roll chocks, the roll axis being the center of
the radial bearing of the work roll chock in the roll axis direction.
[0082]
<5. Fifth embodimenp
5 Next, with reference to FIG 15, a fifth embodiment of the present invention
will be described. A construction of a rolling apparatus according to the present
embodiment is basically the same as the construction of the rolling apparatus according to
the fourth embodiment. However, while the rolling apparatus according to the fourth
embodiment includes only one load detection device on the center of the radial bearing of
10 the work roll chock in the roll axis direction, the rolling apparatus according to the present
embodiment includes multiple load detection devices disposed in a manner that the load
detection devices are shifted fiom each other in the roll axis direction.
[0083]
As shown in FIG. 15, in the present embodiment, four load detection devices
15 are provided with respect to the upper work roll chock 5. A first load detection device
21a and a second load detection device 21b on the exit side of the upper work roll chock
are provided in the upper work roll chock 5 on the exit side in the rolling direction in a
manner that the first load detection device 21a and the second load detection device 21b
face the housing 10 on the exit side in tlie rolling direction. The load detection devices
20 21a and 21b each detect a force acting between the housing 10 on the exit side and the
upper work roll chock 5. In particular, the load detection devices 21a and 21b are
a~rangedin the roll axis direction.
[0084]
In particular, in the present embodiment, the load detection device 21a is
25 disposed at an inner side (to which the work roll 1 extends) with respect to the center C of
the radial bearing 5a of the upper work roll chock 5 in the roll axis direction. On the
other hand, the load detection device 21b is disposed at an outer side (opposite to which
the work roll 1 extends) with respect to the center C of the radial bearing 5a in the roll axis
direction.
[OOS5]
5 In the same manner, a first load detection device 22a and a second load
detection device 22b on the entry side of the upper work roll chock are provided in the
upper work roll chock 5 on the entry side in the rolling direction in a manner that the first
load detection device 22a and the second load detection device 22b face the housing 10 on
the entry side in the rolling direction. The load detection devices 22a and 22b each detect
10 a force acting between the housing 10 on the entry side and the upper work roll chock 5.
In ~atticulart,h e load detection device 22a and the load detection device 22b are arranged
in the roll axis direction. Note that, although only the upper work roll chock 5 is shown
in FIG. 15, the lower work roll chock 6 may also have load detection devices 23a, 23b, 24a,
and 24b disposed therein in the similar manner.
15 [0086]
In the thus constructed rolling apparatus according to the present embodiment,
even if the upper work roll chock 5 moves in the roll axis direction, a side surface of the
exit side of the upper work roll chock 5 is supported all the time at multiple points in the
roll axis direction in a manner that the center C of the radial bearing 5a, which is a point of
20 effort of the rolling direction force in the roll axis direction, is interposed between the
points. In the example of FIG. 15, the side surface of the exit side of the upper work roll
chock 5 is supported by the load detection devices 21a and 21b in a manner that the center
C of the radial bearing 5a of the upper work roll chock 5 in the roll axis direction is
interposed between the load detection devices 21a and 21b. In the same mannel; even if
25 the upper work roll chock 5 moves in the roll axis direction, a side surface of the entry side
of the upper work roll chock 5 is also supported all the time at multiple points in the roll
axis direction in a manner that the center C of the radial bearing 5a, which is a point of
effort of the rolling direction force in the roll axis direction, is interposed between the
points. In the example of FIG. 15, the side surface of the entry side of the upper work roll
chock 5 is supported by the load detection devices 22a and 22b in a manner that the center
5 C of the radial bearing 5a of the upper work roll chock 5 in the roll axis direction is
interposed between the load detection devices 22a and 22b.
[0087]
Accordingly, even if a rolling direction force is applied to the upper work roll
chock 5 from the upper work roll 1, the upper work roll chock 5 does not rotate or tilt. As
10 a result, the load detection devices 21a, 21b, 22a, and 22b can each accurately detect the
rolling direction force applied to the upper work roll chock 5.
[OOSS]
Note that the rolling apparatus according to the present embodiment is
provided with two load detection devices in the roll axis direction on each of the exit and
15 entry sides of each work roll chock in the rolling direction. However, the number of the
load detection devices is not necessarily be two, and, on each of the exit and entry sides of
each work roll chock in the rolling direction, there may be provided three or more load
detection devices disposed in a manner that the three or more load detection devices are
shikd from each other in the roll axis direction.
20 [0089]
Further, the rolling apparatus according to the present embodiment can be
combined with the rolling apparatuses according to the first to third embodiments. For
example, in the case where the second embodiment is combined with the fifth embodiment,
multiple load detection devices are disposed in multiple rows in the roll axis direction and
25 multiple rows in the draft direction on each of the exit and entry sides of each work roll
chock in the rolling direction.
[0090]
<6. Sixth embodiment>
Next, with reference to FIG. 16, a sixth embodiment of the present invention
will be described. A construction of a rolling apparatus according to the present
5 embodiment is basically the same as the construction of the rolling apparatus according to
the fifth embodiment. However, while the rolling apparatus according to the fifth
embodiment includes two load detection devices on each of the exit and entry sides of each
work roll chock in the rolling direction, the rolling apparatus according to the present
embodiment includes one load detection device and one dummy block (protruding part) in
10 the same manner as the third embodiment.
[0091]
As shown in FIG. 16, the rolling apparatus according to the present
embodiment includes two load detection devices and two dummy blocks in each work roll
chock. In FIG. 16, an upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21a and an
15 upper work roll chock exit side dummy block 51 are provided on the exit side of the upper
work roll chock 5 in the rolling direction. In this case, one of the load detection device
21a and the dummy block 51 is disposed at one side with respect to the center C of the
radial bearing 5a in the roll axis direction, and the other is disposed at the other side with
respect $3 the center C of the radial bearing 5a in the roll axis direction. In FIG. 16, the
20 load detection device 21 is disposed at an inner side with respect to the center C of the
radial bearing 5a in the roll axis direction, and the dummy block 51 is interposed at an
outer side with respect to the center C of the radial bearing 5a in the roll axis direction.
That is, the load detection device 21a and the dummy block 51 are arranged in the roll axis
direction. In the same mannel; an upper work roll chock entry side load detection device
25 22a and an upper work roll chock entry side dummy block 52 are provided on the entry
side of the upper work roll chock 5 in the rolling direction.
[0092]
Further, as seen in FIG. 16, the load detection device 21a is slightly protruded
from the side surface of the exit side of the upper work roll chock 5, and the dummy block
51 is also slightly protruded from the side surface of the exit side of the upper work roll
5 chock 5, the amount of protrusion being the same as the amount of protrusion of the load
detection device 21a. Further, the load detection device 22a is slightly protruded from the
side surface of the entry side of the upper work roll chock 5, and the dummy block 52 is
also slightly protruded fsom the side surface of the entry side of the upper work roll chock
5, the amount of protrusion being the same as the amount of protlusion of the load
10 detection device 22a.
[0093]
Taking the upper work roll cliock 5 as an example, in the present embodiment,
the upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21a and the upper work roll
chock entry side load detection device 22a in particular are disposed such that tlie position
15 in the roll axis direction of the upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21a
and the position in the roll axis direction of the upper work roll chock entry side load
detection device 22a are the same as each other. In the same manner, the upper work roll
chock exit side dummy block 51 and the upper work roll chock entry side dummy block 52
are dispose& such that the position in the roll axis direction of the upper work roll chock
20 exit side dummy block 51 and the position in the roll axis direction of the upper work roll
chock entry side dummy block 52 are the same as each other.
[0094]
Further, in the present embodiment, in the same manner as the third
embodiment for example, the upper work roll chock exit side load calculation device 31
25 connected to the upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 2ia calculates a
rolling direction force on the basis of a load detected by the load detection device 21a, an
interval in the roll axis direction between the center C of the radial bearing 5a provided to
the upper work roll chock 5 and the load detection device 21a, and an interval in the draft
direction between the center C of the radial bearing 5a provided to the upper work roll
chock 5 and the dummy block 51.
5 [0095]
<7. Modified example>
The rolling apparatuses according to the embodiments may also have the
following constructions.
[0096]
10 [Modified example 11
In the embodiments described above, the side surfaces of the upper work roll
chock 5 face the housing 10 on which the project blocks 11 and 12 are not disposed, and
the side surfaces of the lower work roll chock 6 face the project blocks 11 and 12.
However, the main body of the rolling apparatus may not necessariIy have such a
15 construction. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the side surfaces of both the work roll
chocks 5 and 6 may have the construction in which the side surfaces of both the work roll
chocks 5 and 6 face the project blocks 11 and 12.
[0097]
In this case, for example, in the second embodiment described above, it is
20 effective to arrange thee or more load detection devices in the draft direction on each of
the exit and ent~ysi des of each work roll chock in the rolling direction.
[0098]
FIG. 18 shows a rolling apparatus in which three load detection devices 21a,
21b, and 21e are disposed in the upper work roll chock 5 on the exit side of the upper work
25 roll chock 5 in the rolling direction, and three load detection devices 22a, 22b, and 22c are
disposed in the upper work roll chock 5 on the entry side of the upper work roll chock 5 in
the rolling direction. The load detection devices 21a, 21b, and 21c on the exit side in the
rolling direction are disposed in a manner that the load detection devices 21a, 21b, and 21c
are arranged in the draft direction, and in the same manner, the load detection devices 22a,
22b, and 22c on the entry side in the rolling direction are disposed in a manner that the
5 load detection devices 22a, 22b, and 22c are arranged in the draft direction.
[0099]
In the thus constructed rolling apparatus, when the roll gap between the upper
work roll 1 and the lower work roll 2 is small, all load detection devices face the project
blocks 11 and 12. Accordingly, a rolling direction force is calculated on the basis of the
I0 loads detected by all those load detection devices. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18,
when the roll gap increases, the load detection devices 21a and 22a, which are disposed
uppermost, do not face the project blocks 11 and 12 anymore. However, even in this case,
the load detection devices 21b, 21c, 22b, and 22c still face the project blocks 11 and 12.
Consequently, the rolling direction force can be calculated on the basis of the load detected
15 by the load detection devices facing the project blocks 11 and 12. That is, the thus
constlucted rolling apparatus can accurately measure the rolling direction force even if the
roll gap increases.
[OlOO]
[Modifie& example 21
20 Further, in the embodiments described above, one or more load detection
devices are provided on each of the entry and exit sides of the upper and lower work roll
chocks 5 and 6 in the rolling direction. However, one or more load detection devices may
not be provided on each of all the ently and exit sides of the upper and lower work roll
chocks 5 and 6 in the rolling direction. For example, one or more load detection devices
25 may be provided only on the exit side of the upper work roll chock 5 in the rolling
direction, or one or more load detection devices may be provided only on the exit side of
the lower work roll chock 6 in the rolling direction. Alternatively, one or more load
detection devices may be provided only on the entry side and the exit side of the upper
work roll chock 5 in the rolling direction, or one or more load detection devices may be
provided only on the entry side and the exit side of the lower work roll chock 6 in the
5 rolling direction.
[OlOl]
[Modified example 31
In addition, in the embodiments described above, the load detection devices are
connected to the respective load calculation devices through wire. However, a detection
10 signal of each load detection device may be transmitted via radio. In this case, each load
detection device is connected to an antenna provided to each work roll chock, and the load
calculation device is connected to a receiver. The detection signal of the load detection
device is subjected to appropriate modulation processing and is input to the antenna. The
detection signal is sent as a radio wave to the outside of the work roll chock from the
15 antenna, and the radio wave is received by the receiver. As a result, the detection signal is
transmitted to the load calculation device. Note that the type of radio communication
may be any. Examples of the radio communication means include communication based
on a near field communication standard, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and
communication performed using a wireless LAN, infrared data communication, or the like.
20 [or021
In this way, the load detection device transmits the detection signal via radio,
and thus, the detection signal of the load detection device can be transmitted easily at high
speed on a real-time basis, with a simple and small construction. In addition, with such a
construction, limitations related to device arrangement are reduced, such as position
25 relationship between devices (load detection devices, bending devices, and the like)
provided to the roll chocks and the project blocks. That is, the wiring for connecting each
load detection device to a load calculation device is not necessary, and hence, wire routing
that complicatedly passing around the wiring in order not to interfere the rolling
apparatus-in-operation is not necessary. Those are extremely helphl for improving
operation environment and reducing cost.
5 [0103]
[Modified example 41
Further, as shown in FIG 19, the second embodiment and the fifth embodiment
may be provided with covers 25, 26, 27, and 28 each covering surfaces of two adjacent
load detection devices. Note that parts for fixing the covers and waterproofing treatment
10 for preventing water from entering into the inner side of the load detection device are not
shown in FIG 19. In this case, for example, the upper work roll chock 5 is supported by
the cover 25 covering the load detection devices 21a and 21b and the cover 26 covering the
load detection devices 22a and 22b. In the same manner, the lower work roll chock 6 is
suppoled by the cover 27 covering the load detection devices 23a and 23b and the cover
15 28 covering the load detection devices 24a and 24b.
[0 1041
In this case, with increase in lengths L of the covers 25, 26, 27, and 28 in the
draft direction, the areas being in contact with the side surfaces of the work roll chock 5
and the project block 12 incrase, and sufficient contact lengths with the work roll chocks
20 can be always maintained. For example, there may be a case where there is no sufficient
space between two load detection devices in the draft direction depending on the shape and
structure (including inner structure) of the housing and the project block. In this case, the
same effect of the work roll chock-tilt prevention can be obtained by providing a cover
having a length sufficient to cover the surfaces of two load detection devices.
25 [0105]
Note that, as shown in FIG. 20, the covers 25, 26, 27, and 28 may also be
provided to the load detection devices 21, 22, 23, and 24, respectively, as in the first
embodiment. Also in this case, with increase in the lengths of the covers, the areas being
in contact with the side surfaces of the roll chock 5 and the project block 12 increase.
Accordingly, even in the case where the positions of the load detection devices 21,22,23,
5 and 24 shift in the draft direction with respect to the position of the roll axis A1 of the work
roll 1 or the position of the roll axis 2A of the work roll 2, the same effect of the work roll
chock-tilt prevention can be obtained by providing the covers to the load detection devices.
[0106]
[Modified example 51
10 With combination of the embodiments, there can be constructed a rolling
apparatus which includes at least three load detection devices on at least one of the entry
side in the rolling direction and the exit side of the rolling direction, and in which the at
least three load detection devices are disposed in a manner that they shift in at least one of
the draft direction and the roll axis direction of the work rolls. In this case, each load
15 detection device is disposed so as to be shifted in one of the draft direction and the roll axis
direction of the work rolls, in a manner that the point of effort of the rolling direction force
of each of the work rolls is located within an area defined by connecting the load detection
devices.
[0107]
20 For example, as shown in FIG. 21, three load detection devices 22a, 22b, and
22c are disposed in a triangular shape, and thus, a movement in a tilting manner of the
work roll chock 5 can be prevented and the rolling direction force can be detected with
high accuracy. To be specific, two load detection devices 22a and 22c are disposed above
the roll axis A1 of the work roll 1 in the draft direction, and the load detection device 22b
25 is disposed below the roll axis A1 of the work roll 1 in the draft direction. Further, two
load detection devices 22a and 22c disposed above the roll axis A1 are disposed in a
manner that the center C of a radial bearing 5a, which is a point of effort of the rolling
direction force in the roll axis direction, is interposed between the load detection devices
22a and 22c.
[0108]
5 When the load detection devices 22a, 22h, and 22c are arranged in this manner,
the point of effort of the rolling direction force is located within an area S having a
triangular shape defined by connecting the three load detection devices 22a, 22b, and 22c.
Accordingly, even if the work roll 1 moves in the draft direction or in the roll axis direction,
at least two load detection devices are always supporting the work roll chock 5 in the state
10 of inte~posingth erebetween the point of effort of the rolling direction force, and thus, the
tilt of the work roll chock 5 can be prevented.
[0 1091
Note that the area in which the point of effort of the rolling direction force is to
be located is not limited to the area having a triangular shape formed by disposing three
15 load detection devices 22a, 22b, and 22c. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the area may
he an area S having a quadrilateral shape formed by four load detection devices 22a, 22b,
22c, and 22d, in which the roll axis is interposed between two load detection devices in the
draft direction and the center of the radial bearing is interposed between two load detection
devices in the roll axis direction. In '.his way, the shape may be a trapezium, a rhombus,
20 or other polygons, that can be formed by disposing multiple load detection devices.
[OI 101
<8. Method of controlling rolling apparatus>
Next, there will be described a method of controlling a rolling apparatus on the
basis of the thus detected rolling direction force.
25 [Olll]
In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper work roll chock exit side load
detection device 21 and the upper work roll chock entry side load detection device 22 are
connected to an upper work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device 41. The
upper work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device 41 calculates a difference
between a load detected by the upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21
5 and a load detected by the upper work roll chock entry side load detection device 22, and,
on the basis of the calculation result, calculates the rolling direction force acting on the
upper work roll chock 5.
[0112]
On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the upper work roll chock
10 exit side load caIculation device 31 and the upper work roll chock entry side load
calculation device 32 are connected to an upper work roll chock rolling direction force
calculation device 41. The upper work roll chock rolling direction force calculation
device 41 calculates a difference between a calculation result obtained by the upper work
roll chock exit side load calculation device 31 and a calculation result obtained by the
15 upper work roll chock entry side load calculation device 32, and, on the basis of the
calculation result, calculates the rolling direction force acting on the upper work roll chock
5.
[0113]
In the same manner, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the lower work roll chock
20 exit side load detection device 23 and the lower work roll chock entry side load detection
device 24 are connected to a lower work roll chock rolling direction force calculation
device 42. The lower work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device 42
calculates a difference between a load detected by the lower work roll chock exit side load
detection device 23 and a load detected by the lower work roll chock entry side load
25 detection device 24, and, on the basis of the calculation result, calculates the rolling
direction force acting on the lower work roll chock 6.
[0114]
On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the lower work roll cllock
exit side load calculation device 33 and the lower work roll chock entry side load
calculation device 34 are connected to a lower work roll chock rolling direction force
5 calculation device 42. The lower work roll chock rolling direction force calculation
device 42 calculates a difference between a calculation result obtained by the lower work
roll chock exit side load calculation device 33 and a calculation result obtained by the
lower work roll chock entry side load calculation device 34, and, on the basis of t'he
calculation result, calculates the rolling direction force acting on the lower work roll chock
10 6.
[0115]
As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 10, the upper work roll chock rolling direction
force calculation device 41 and the lower work roll chock rolling direction force
calculation device 42 are connected to an operator side work roll chock rolling direction
15 force calculation device 43.
[0116]
In the case of controlling a zigzag movement and a camber, the operator side
work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device 43 calculates the sum of the
calculation result of the upper work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device 41
20 and the calculation result of the lower work roll chock rolling direction force calculation
device 42, to calculate the rolling direction resultant force acting on the upper work roll 1
and the lower work roll 2 on the operator side. The calculation processing described
above is conducted not only for the operator side but also for the driving side by using
entireIy the same device construction (not shown), and the rolling direction resultant force
25 acting on the upper work roll 1 and the lower work roll 2 on the driving side is calculated
by a driving side work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device 44.
[0117]
After that, an operator sideldriving side rolling direction force calculation
device 45 calculates the difference between the calculation results on the operator side and
the calculation results on the driving side, and in this way, the difference of the rolling
5 direction forces acting on the upper and lower work roll chocks between the operator side
and the driving side is calculated.
[0118]
Next, a control quantity calculation device 46 sets the difference of the rolling
direction forces acting on the work roll chocks 5 and 6 between the operator side and the
10 driving side to a suitable target value and calculates a left-right swivelling component
control quantity of the roll gap of the rolling mill on the basis of the calculation result of
the difference of the rolling direction forces between the operator side and the driving side
for preventing the camber. Here, the control quantity is calculated by PID calculation that
takes a proportional (P) gain, an integration (I) gain, and a differential (D) gain into
15 consideration, for example, on the basis of the left-right difference of the rolling direction
force. A control device 47 controls the left-right swivelling component of the roll gap of
the rolling mill on the basis of this control quantity calculation result. In this way, rolling
free from the occurrence of camber or having extremely slight camber can be
accomplished.
20 [0119]
Note that, in the calculation processing described above, only addition and
subtraction are basically done on the outputs of load detection devices before the
calculation result of the operator sideldriving side rolling direction force calculation device
45 is obtained. Therefore, the sequence of calculation processing described above may
25 be arbitrarily changed. For example, it is possible to first add the outputs of the upper and
lower exit side load detection devices, then to calculate the difference from the addition
result on the entry side and to finally calculate the difference between the operator side and
the driving side. Alternatively, it is possible to first calculate the difference between the
operator side and the driving side of the outputs of the load detection devices at the
respective positions, then to calculate the sum of the upper and lower detection devices and
5 to finally calculate the difference between the entry side and the exit side.
[0120]
In the case of controlling a warp, the operator side work roll chock rolling
direction force calculation device 43 calculates the difference between the calculation
result of the upper work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device 41 and the
10 calculation result of the lower work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device 42,
to calculate the difference of the rolling direction forces acting on the work roll chocks on
the operator side between the upper side and the lower side. The calculation processing
described above is conducted not only for the operator side but also for the driving side by
using entirely the same device construction (not shown), and the difference of the rolling
15 direction forces acting on the work roll chocks on the driving side between the upper side
and the lower side is calculated by the driving side work roll chock rolling direction force
calculation device 44. The operator sideldriving side rolling direction force calculation
device 45 totalizes the calculation results on the operator side and the calculation results of
the driving side (difference between the upper side and the lower side), and in this way, the
20 difference of the rolling direction forces acting on the work roll chocks between the upper
side and the lower side is calculated.
[0121]
Next, the control quantity calculation device 46 sets the difference of the
rolling direction forces acting on the work roll chocks between the upper side and the
25 lower side to a suitable target value and calculates an upper side-lower side swivelling
component control quantity of a roll speed of the rolling mill on the basis of the calculation
result of the difference of the rolling direction forces between the upper side and the lower
side for preventing the warp. Here, the control quantity is calculated by PID calculation
that takes a proportional (P) gain, an integration (I) gain, and a differential (D) gain into
consideration, for example, on the basis of the upper side-lower side rolling direction force.
5 [0122]
Then, the control device 47 controls the upper side-lower side swivelling
component control quantity of the roll speed of the upper drive electric motor 35 and the
lower drive electric motor 36 of the rolling mill on the basis of this control quantity
calculation result. In this way, rolling free from the occurrence of warp or having
10 extremely slight warp can be accomplished.
[0123]
Note that, although the roll speed of the rolling mill is used here as the upper
side-lower side swivelling component control quantity, a frictional coefficient between a
rolling roll and a material to be rolled, a difference in temperature of a material to be rolled
15 between the upper surface and the lower surface, an angle of incidence of a material to be
rolled, a position of the work roll chock in the horizontal direction, top and bottom rolling
torques, or the like may be also used.
[0124]
In the case of zero point adjustment, after going through the same processes as
20 the calculation processes of the zigzag movement and camber control described above, the
operator sideldriving side rolling direction force calculation device 45 calculates the
difference between the calculation results on the operator side and the calculation results
on the driving side, and in this way, calculates the difference of the rolling direction forces
acting on the work roll chocks between the operator side and the driving side.
25 [0125]
Then, the hydraulic screw down devices 9 are operated simultaneously on the
operator side and on the driving side and are tightened until the sum of right and left
counterforces of a backup roll is equal to a preset value (zero point adjustment load), and,
under that state, leveling operation for rendering the difference of the rolling direction
forces between the operator side and the driving side zero is executed.
5 [0126]
Subsequently, the control quantity calculation device 46 calculates the control
quantity of the hydraulic screw down device 9 such that the difference of the rolling
direction forces acting on the work roll chocks 5 and 6 between the operator side and the
driving side become zero and that the zero point adjustment load is maintained, on the
10 basis of the results of the difference of the rolling direction forces between the operator
side and the driving side (difference between the operator side and the driving side)
calculated by the operator side/driving side rolling direction force calculation device 45.
Then, the control device 47 controls the reduction position of a roll of the rolling mill on
the basis of the control quantity calculation result. In this way, the difference of the
15 rolling direction forces acting on the work roll chocks between the operator side and the
driving side is set to zero, and the reduction position at that point is set as the zero point of
the reduction position of the operator side and the driving side individually.
[O 1271
Note that, as described above, the difference of the rolling direction forces
20 acting on the work roll chocks (upper work roll chock 5 and lower work roll chock 6)
between the operator side and the driving side is not influenced by a roll thrust force.
Therefore, even if a thrust force occurs between the rolls, the zero point setting of the
reduction leveling can be accomplished with extremely high accuracy.
[0128]
25 Heretofore, prefessed embodiments of the present invention have been
described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, but the present invention is
not limited thereto. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various
changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
appended claims.
[0129]
5 Note that, in the embodiments described above, there has been used a four high
rolling mill having only the work rolls and the backup rolls for the description, but the
present invention is not limited thereto. The technology according to the present
invention can be also applied to a six high rolling mill which has intermediate rolls, for
example.
10 [Reference Signs List]
[0130]
1 upper work roll
2 lower work roll
3 upper backup roll
4 lower backup roll
5 upper work roll chock (operator side)
6 lower work roll chock (operator side)
7 upper backup roll chock (operator side)
8 lower backup roll chock (operator side)
9 screw down device
10 housing
11 exit side project block (operator side)
12 entry side project block (operator side)
21 upper work roll chock exit side load detection device (operator side)
21a first load detection device on exit side of upper work roll chock
21b second load detection device on exit side of upper work roll chock
53
22 upper work roll chock entry side load detection device (operator side)
22a first load detection device on entry side of upper work roll chock
22b second load detection device on entry side of upper work roll chock
23 lower work roll chock exit side load detection device (operator side)
23a first load detection device on exit side of lower work roll chock
23b second load detection device on exit side of lower work roll chock
24 lower work roll chock entry side load detection device (operator side)
24a first load detection device on entry side of lower work roll chock
24b second load detection device on entry side of lower work roll chock
31 upper work roll chock exit side load calculation device (operator side)
32 upper work roll chock entry side load calculation device (operator side)
33 lower work roll chock exit side load calculation device (operator side)
34 lower work roll chock entry side load calculation device (operator side)
35 upper drive electric motor
36 lower drive electric motor
41 upper work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device (operator
side)
42 lower work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device (operator
side)
20 43 operator side work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device
44 driving side work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device
45 operator sideldriving side rolling direction force calculation device
46 control quantity calculation device
47 control device
51 upper work roll chock exit side dummy block
52 upper work roll chock entry side dummy block
53 lower work roll chock exit side dummy block
54 lower work roll chock ently side dummy block
121 upper work roll chock exit side load detection device
122 upper work roll chock entry side load detection device
123 lower work roll chock exit side load detection device
124 lower work roll chock ently side load detection device
141 upper work roll rolling direction force calculation device
142 lower work roll rolling direction force calculation device
[Name of Document] CLAIMS
[Claim 1] (Amended)
A rolling apparatus for a flat-rolled metal material, the rolling apparatus having
at least a pair of upper and lower work rolls and a pair of upper and lower backup rolls, the
5 rolling apparatus comprising:
a pair of work roll chocks configured to hold the respective work rolls;
housings or project blocks configured to hold the work roll chocks; and
one or more load detection devices provided in one of the work roll chocks in a
manner that the one or more load detection devices face one of the housings or one of the
10 project bhcks, the load detection devices each detecting a load acting on one of the work
roll chocks on at least one of an entry side in a rolling direction and an exit side in the
rolling direction,
wherein each of the work roll chocks has at least one of the load detection
devices disposed in a manner that a point of force of each of the work rolls in a rolling
15 direction force is included within a range defined by the load detection devices such that a
rotation moment generated on each of the work roll chocks caused by the rolling direction
force is equal to a counter rotation moment generated by counterforce against the rotation
moment.
[Claim 2]
20 The rolling apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that heights of the
load detection devices in a draft direction are identical to a height of a roll axis of a
corresponding one of the work rolls in the draft direction, the roll axis being the point of
effort of the rolling direction force of the work roll, or that the load detection devices are
25 located within a range in which the load detection devices are each in contact with one of
the housings or one of the project blocks.
[Claim 3]
Y 5-6

The rolling apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that, on all
occasions, a line extending in the rolling direction andincluding a roll axis of one of the
work rolls is interposed between at least two of the load detection devices in a draft
5 direction of the work roll, the roll axis being the point of effort of the rolling direction
force of the work roll, and that the load detection devices each face one of the housings or
one of the project blocks.
[Claim 4]
The rolling apparatus according to claim 3,
10 wherein at least one of a plurality of the load detection devices is disposed at a
position higher than a position of a roll axis of one of the work rolls held by a
corresponding one of the work roll chocks, the load detection devices being arranged in a
manner that the load detection devices are shifted from each other in the draft direction of
the work roll, and
15 wherein at least one of the plurality of the load detection devices is disposed at
a position lower than the position of the roll axis of the one of the work rolls held by the
co~~espondinogn e of the work roll chocks, the loaddetection devices being arranged in a
manner that the load detection devices are shifted from each other in the draft direction of
the work roll.
20 [Claim 5]
The rolling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:
a load calculation device configured to calculate a rolling direction force by
adding up loads detected by a plurality of the load detection devices provided on the entry
side in the rolling direction or the exit side in the rolling direction.
25 [Claim 6] (Amended)
The rolling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein one or more load detection devices other than at least one of the load
detection devices out of the plurality of load detection devices are replaced with respective
protruding parts, and
wherein the at least one of the load detection devices and the protruding parts
5 are disposed in a manner that the at least one of the load detection devices and the
protruding parts are shifted in the draft direction so as to be protruded from one of side
surfaces that face one of the housings or one of the project blocks of one of the work roll
chocks.
[Claim 7]
10 The rolling apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein a load detection device disposed on the entry side in the rolling
direction and a load detection device disposed on the exit side in the rolling direction are
located at an identical height with each other in the draft direction, and
wherein a protruding part disposed on the entry side in the rolling direction and
15 a protruding part disposed on the exit side in the rolling direction, the protruding parts
being disposed in a corresponding manner to the respective load detection devices, are
located at an identical height with each other in the draft direction.
[Claim 8]
The rolling apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, hrther comprising:
20 a load calculation device configured to calculate a rolling direction force on a
basis of a load detected by each of the load detection devices, an interval in the draft
direction between an axis of a corresponding one of the work rolls held by a corresponding
one of the work roll chocks and the load detection device, and an intesval in the draft
direction between the axis of the work roll and a corresponding one of the protruding parts.
25 [Claim 9]
The rolling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
wherein the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that positions of
the load detection devices in a roll axis direction are identical to a center of a radial bearing
provided to one of the work roll chocks, the center being the point of effort of the rolling
direction force of a corresponding one of the work rolls, or that the load detection devices
5 are located within a range in which the load detection devices are each in contact with one
of the housings or one of the project blocks.
[Claim 10]
The rolling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
wherein the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that, on all
10 occasions, a center of a radial bearing provided to one of the work roll chocks is interposed
between at least two of the load detection devices in the roll axis direction of the work roll,
and that the load detection devices each face one of the housings or one of the project
blocks.
[Claim 11] (Amended)
15 The rolling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
wherein one or more load detection devices other than at least one of the load
detection devices out of the plurality of load detection devices are replaced with respective
protluding parts, and
wherein the at least one of the load detection devices and the protruding parts
20 are disposed in a manner that the at least one of the load detection devices and the
protruding parts are shifted in the roll axis direction so as to be protruded from one of side
surfaces that face one of the housings or one of the project blocks of one of the work roll
chocks.
[Claim 12]
25 The rolling apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein a load detection device disposed on the entry side in the rolling
direction and a load detection device disposed on the exit side in the rolling direction are
located at an identical position with each other in the roll axis direction, and
wherein a protruding past disposed on the entry side in the rolling direction and
a protruding past disposed on the exit side in the rolling direction, the protruding parts
5 being disposed in a corresponding manner to the respective load detection devices, are
located at an identical position with each other in the roll axis direction.
[Claim 13]
The rolling apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising:
a load calculation device configured to calculate a rolling direction force on a
10 basis of a load detected by each of the load detection devices, an inte~valin the roll axis
direction between a center of a radial bearing provided to a corresponding one of the work
roll chocks and the load detection device, and an interval in the roll axis direction between
the center of the radial bearing and a corresponding one of the protruding pasts.
[Claim 14] (Amended)
15 The rolling apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein at least thee load detection devices are provided in each of the work
roll chocks, and, in order that a point of effort of the rolling direction force of a
corresponding one of the work rolls is included within an area defined by connecting the
load detection devices, the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that the load
20 detection devices shift in at least one of the draft direction and the roil axis direction of the
work roll.
[Claim 15]
The rolling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
wherein the load detection devices each transmit a detection signal via radio to
25 a load calculation device.
[Claim 16]
The rolling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further
comprising:
a cover codigured to cover the load detection devices, the cover being
provided between one. of the housings or one of the project blocks and the load detection
5 devices,
wherein the cover is provided in a manner that the point of effort of the rolling
direction force is located within a range in which one of the housings or one of the project
blocks faces the cover.