Rolling apparatus for flat-rolled metal materials

Abstract

[Object] To provide a rolling apparatus capable of accurately detecting a rolling direction force applied to a work roll chock. [Solution] A rolling apparatus for flat-rolled metal materials includes a pair of upper and lower work rolls 1 and 2, and a pair of upper and lower backup rolls 3 and 4. The rolling apparatus includes a pair of work roll chocks 5 and 6 configured to hold the respective work rolls, housings 10 configured to hold the work roll chocks, and load detection devices 21 to 24 provided in the work roll chocks, the load detection devices each detecting a load acting on one of the housings from one of the work roll chocks on an entry side in a rolling direction or on an exit side in the rolling direction. The load detection devices are each disposed so as to face one of the housings 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 moment generated by counterforce against the rotation moment.

Claims

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 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 project blocks, 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 on each surface facing the housing or the project block in the rolling direction, the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that a roll axis of a corresponding one of the work rolls is located within a range in which the load detection devices are each in contact with the housing or the project block in a draft direction when one load detection device is disposed on each surface of the pair of work roll chocks facing the housing or the project block in the rolling direction, the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that the roll axis of the corresponding one of the work rolls is located within a range between two load detection devices or a range defined by connecting at least three of load detection devices, the range including the surface that is in contact with the housing or the project block in the draft direction, when the plurality of load detection devices are disposed on each surface of the pair of work roll chocks facing the housing or the project block in the rolling direction, 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 by disposing the load detection devices.

2. The rolling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of load detection devices are disposed on each surface of the pair of work roll chocks, 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 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 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.

3. The rolling apparatus according to claim 1, 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.

4. The rolling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of load detection devices are disposed on each surface of the pair of work roll chocks, 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 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.

5. The rolling apparatus according to claim 4, 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 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.

6. The rolling apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: 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.

7. 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 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 project blocks, 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 on each surface facing the housing or the project block in the rolling direction, the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that a center of a radial bearing provided to one of the work roll chocks is located within a range in which the load detection devices are each in contact with the housing or the project block in a roll axis direction, when one load detection device is disposed on each surface of the pair of work roll chocks, the load detection devices are disposed in a manner that the center of the radial bearing provided to one of the work roll chocks is located within a range between the two load detection devices or a range defined by connecting at least three of load detection devices, the range including the surface that in contact with the housing or the project block in the roll axis direction, when the plurality of load detection devices are disposed on each surface of the pair of work roll chocks, 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 by disposing the load detection devices.

8. The rolling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of load detection devices are disposed on each surface of the pair of work roll chocks, 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 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.

9. The rolling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of load detection devices are disposed on each surface of the pair of work roll chocks, 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 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 position with each other in the roll axis direction.

10. The rolling apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: 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 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.

11. The rolling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the load detection devices each transmit a detection signal via radio to a load calculation device.

12. The rolling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 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 direction force is located within a range in which one of the housings or one of the project blocks faces the cover.

13. The rolling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the load detection devices each transmit a detection signal via radio to a load calculation device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

(1) FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a rolling apparatus having load detection devices of prior art.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing work roll chocks having load detection devices of prior art and a periphery thereof.

(3) 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 detection devices in a draft direction and in which an upper work roll chock tilts.

(4) 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. 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.

(6) FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a rolling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a side view schematically showing a main body of the rolling apparatus according to the same embodiment.

(8) 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.

(9) 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.

(10) FIG. 10 is a view schematically showing a rolling apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of an upper work roll chock of the rolling apparatus shown in FIG. 10 and a periphery thereof.

(12) FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating functions and effects in measuring a rolling direction force by a rolling apparatus according to the same embodiment.

(13) 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 thereof.

(14) 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.

(15) 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 and a periphery thereof.

(16) 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.

(17) FIG. 17 is a side view showing a first modified example of a rolling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(18) 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.

(19) FIG. 19 is an enlarged side view showing a fourth modified example 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.

(20) 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 an upper work roll chock and a periphery thereof having a construction in which a cover is provided over one load detection devices.

(21) 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.

(22) 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

(23) Hereinafter, referring to the appended drawings, preferred embodiments of the 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.

(24) 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 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.

(25) 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 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 of detecting the rolling direction force with high accuracy.

1. First Embodiment

(26) FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a rolling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view schematically showing a main body of the rolling apparatus. In the same manner as the rolling apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the rolling apparatus shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 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 roll 4 supported by a lower backup roll chock 8. Further, the rolling apparatus shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 includes a screw down device 9 that controls a gap between the upper and lower work rolls, and an upper drive electric motor 35 and a lower drive electric motor 36 that drive the upper and lower work rolls, respectively. A flat-rolled metal material M to be rolled by the rolling apparatus moves in a rolling direction F. Though FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 basically show only the apparatus construction on the operator side, similar devices exist on the driving side, too.

(27) As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, 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.

(28) Further, in the same manner as the rolling apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the rolling apparatus shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 includes load detection devices detecting loads acting on the housing 10 or the project blocks 11, 12 at the time of rolling a flat-rolled metal material.

(29) As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the rolling apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with four load detection devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 on the operator side. Note that the load detection devices are also provided on the driving side, the number of the detection devices being the same as the number of the detection devices on the operator side.

(30) An upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21 is provided in the upper work roll chock 5 on an exit side in the rolling direction in a manner that the upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21 faces the housing 10 on the exit side in the rolling direction. The upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21 detects a force acting between the housing 10 on the exit side and the upper work roll chock 5, that is, the upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21 detects a rolling direction force acting on the upper work roll chock 5 in the rolling direction toward the exit side. An upper work roll chock entry side load detection device 22 is provided in the upper work roll chock 5 on an entry side in the rolling direction in a manner that the upper work roll chock entry side load detection device 22 faces the housing 10 on the entry side in the rolling direction. The upper work roll chock entry side load detection device 22 detects a force acting between the housing 10 on the entry side and the upper work roll chock 5, that is, the upper work roll chock entry side load detection device 22 detects a rolling direction force acting on the upper work roll chock 5 in the rolling direction toward the entry side.

(31) In the same manner, a lower work roll chock exit side load detection device 23 is provided in the lower work roll chock 6 on an exit side in the rolling direction in a manner that the lower work roll chock exit side load detection device 23 faces the exit side project block 11 of the housing 10 on the exit side in the rolling direction. The lower work roll chock exit side load detection device 23 detects a force acting between the exit side project block 11 and the lower work roll chock 6, that is, the lower work roll chock exit side load detection device 23 detects a rolling direction force acting on the lower work roll chock 6 in the rolling direction toward the exit side. A lower work roll chock entry side load detection device 24 is provided in the lower work roll chock 6 on an entry side in the rolling direction in a manner that the lower work roll chock entry side load detection device 24 faces the entry side project block 12 of the housing 10 on the entry side in the rolling direction. The lower work roll chock entry side load detection device 24 detects a force acting between the entry side project block 12 and the lower work roll chock 6, that is, the lower work roll chock entry side load detection device 24 detects a rolling direction force acting on the lower work roll chock 6 in the rolling direction toward the entry side.

(32) FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic side view of an upper work roll chock 5 of the rolling apparatus shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 and a periphery thereof. As seen in FIG. 8, the positions (heights) in the draft direction of the respective load detection devices 21 and 22 for the upper work roll chock 5 are the same as the position (height) in the draft direction of a roll axis A1 of the upper work roll 1 held by the upper work roll chock 5, and the positions (heights) in the draft direction of the respective load detection devices 23 and 24 for the lower work roll chock 6 are the same as the position (height) in the draft direction of a roll axis A2 of the lower work roll 2 held by the lower work roll chock 6.

(33) The thus disposed load detection devices 21, 22, 23, and 24 can directly detect the rolling direction forces applied to the respective work roll chocks 5 and 6. That is, the load detection devices 21 and 22 for the upper work roll chock 5 detect a rolling direction force applied to the upper work roll chock 5 toward the exit side and a rolling direction force applied to the upper work roll chock 5 toward the entry side, respectively. Further, the load detection devices 23 and 24 for the lower work roll chock 6 detect a rolling direction force applied to the lower work roll chock 6 toward the exit side and a rolling direction force applied to the lower work roll chock 6 toward the entry side, respectively.

(34) Next, functions and effects of the thus constructed rolling apparatus will be described.

(35) Taking the upper work roll chock 5 as an example, as described above, the heights of the load detection devices 21 and 22 for the upper work roll chock 5 in the draft direction are the same as the height of the roll axis A1 of the upper work roll 1 in the draft direction. Accordingly, the height at which a load is applied from the upper work roll 1 to the upper work roll chock 5 is the same as the height at which a load is applied from the upper work roll chock 5 to the housing 10.

(36) For this reason, no moment is generated on the upper work roll chock 5, and hence, 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 each accurately detect the rolling direction force applied to the upper work roll chock 5.

(37) Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, there is a case where the upper work roll 1 moves upward and a gap between the work rolls 1 and 2 increases. Alternatively, the work rolls 1 and 2 and the backup rolls 3 and 4 may worn away, and thus decrease in the roll diameters. Even in those cases, since the relative position in the draft direction between the load detection device 21 and 22 for the upper work roll chock 5 and the roll axis A1 of the upper work roll 1 does not change, the height of the load detection devices 21 and 22 for the upper work roll chock 5 remains the same as the height of the roll axis A1 of the upper work roll 1. Accordingly, even in this case, no moment is generated on the upper work roll chock 5. As a result, the load detection devices 21 and 22 can each accurately detect the rolling direction force applied to the upper work roll chock 5.

(38) Note that, although in the present embodiment the heights of the load detection devices in the draft direction of the work roll are the same as the height of the roll axis in the draft direction of the work roll, the heights 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 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 chock 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 entry sides of each work roll chock in the rolling direction.

2. Second Embodiment

(39) Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, a second 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 first embodiment. However, while the rolling apparatus according to the first embodiment includes load detection devices provided to each work roll chock at one certain height, the rolling apparatus according to the present embodiment includes multiple load detection devices provided in the draft direction.

(40) 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 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 first load detection device 21a and the second load detection 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 particular, 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 extending in the rolling direction and including a roll axis A1, which is a point of effort of the rolling direction force of the upper work roll 1 in the draft direction of the upper work roll 1, is interposed between the load detection devices 21a and 21b.

(41) For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the load 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.

(42) 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 toward the exit side.

(43) 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 a force acting between the housing 10 on the entry 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 21b.

(44) The thus constructed load detection devices 22a and 22b are connected to an upper work roll chock entry 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 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.

(45) In the same manner, a first load detection device 23a and a second load 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 above the other, in the same manner as the above-described load detection devices 21a and 21b.

(46) 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 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.

(47) In the same manner, a first load detection device 24a and a second load detection device 24b on the entry 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 a force acting between the entry 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.

(48) 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.

(49) Next, functions and effects of the thus constructed rolling apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described.

(50) Taking the upper work roll chock 5 as an example, as described above, both of 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 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.

(51) 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 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.

(52) Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, even in the case where the upper 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 direction forces applied to the upper work roll chock 5.

(53) 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, 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 from 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 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.

3. Third Embodiment

(54) 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 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).

(55) As shown in FIG. 13, the rolling apparatus according to the present embodiment includes four load detection devices and four dummy blocks. An upper 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 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, the load detection device 21 and the dummy block 51 are disposed so as to be shifted from each other in the draft direction, one above the other.

(56) 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.

(57) In the same manner, an upper work roll chock entry side load detection device 22 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. Further, a lower work roll chock exit side load detection device 23 and a lower work roll chock exit side dummy block 53 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.

(58) Taking the upper work roll chock 5 as an example, in the present embodiment, 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 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.

(59) Next, functions and effects of the thus constructed rolling apparatus will be described taking the upper work roll chock 5 as an example.

(60) 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 and the length in the draft direction from the dummy block 51 to the roll axis A1 are fixed. In other words, a moment arm 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 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 detected/estimated. As a result, the rolling direction force applied from the upper work roll chock 5 to the housing 10 can be measured.

(61) Further, in the same manner as the rolling apparatus according to the second 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 shown in the second embodiment, the manufacturing cost can also be reduced.

(62) 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 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.

(63) 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 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.

(64) Accordingly, for example, the upper work roll chock exit side load calculation 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 51.

4. Fourth Embodiment

(65) 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 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.

(66) FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view of the upper work roll chock 5 according to the 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 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.

(67) 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 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.

(68) Note that, although in the present embodiment the position of the load detection device is the 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 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 chock 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 entry sides of each work roll chock in the rolling direction.

(69) 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, 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.

5. Fifth Embodiment

(70) 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 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 from each other in the roll axis direction.

(71) As shown in FIG. 15, in the present embodiment, four load detection devices 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 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 particular, the load detection devices 21a and 21b are arranged in the roll axis direction.

(72) In particular, in the present embodiment, the load detection device 21a is 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.

(73) 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 a force acting between the housing 10 on the entry side and the upper work roll chock 5. In particular, the 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.

(74) 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 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 manner, even if 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 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.

(75) 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 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.

(76) 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 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 shifted from each other in the roll axis direction.

(77) 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 multiple rows in the draft direction on each of the exit and entry sides of each work roll chock in the rolling direction.

6. Sixth Embodiment

(78) 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 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 the same manner as the third embodiment.

(79) 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 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 to the center C of the radial bearing 5a in the roll axis direction. In FIG. 16, the 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 manner, an upper work roll chock entry side load detection device 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.

(80) 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 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 from 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 protrusion of the load detection device 22a.

(81) Taking the upper work roll chock 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 the position 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 disposed such that the position in the roll axis direction of the upper work roll chock 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.

(82) 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 connected to the upper work roll chock exit side load detection device 21a 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.

7. Modified Example

(83) The rolling apparatuses according to the embodiments may also have the following constructions.

Modified Example 1

(84) 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 necessarily have such a 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.

(85) In this case, for example, in the second embodiment described above, it is effective to arrange three or more load detection devices in the draft direction on each of the exit and entry sides of each work roll chock in the rolling direction.

(86) FIG. 18 shows a rolling apparatus in which three load detection devices 21a, 21b, and 21c are disposed in the upper work roll chock 5 on the exit side of the upper work 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 load detection devices 22a, 22b, and 22c are arranged in the draft direction.

(87) 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 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 by the load detection devices facing the project blocks 11 and 12. That is, the thus constructed rolling apparatus can accurately measure the rolling direction force even if the roll gap increases.

Modified Example 2

(88) 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 entry 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 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 rolling direction.

Modified Example 3

(89) In addition, in the embodiments described above, the load detection devices are connected to the respective load calculation devices through wire. However, a detection 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 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.

(90) 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 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 helpful for improving operation environment and reducing cost.

Modified Example 4

(91) 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 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 supported by the cover 27 covering the load detection devices 23a and 23b and the cover 28 covering the load detection devices 24a and 24b.

(92) 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 increase, and sufficient contact lengths with the work roll chocks 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.

(93) 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, 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.

Modified Example 5

(94) 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 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.

(95) 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 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.

(96) When the load detection devices 22a, 22b, 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 of interposing therebetween the point of effort of the rolling direction force, and thus, the tilt of the work roll chock 5 can be prevented.

(97) 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 load detection devices 22a, 22b, and 22c. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the area may be 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 this way, the shape may be a trapezium, a rhombus, or other polygons, that can be formed by disposing multiple load detection devices.

8. Method of Controlling Rolling Apparatus

(98) Next, there will be described a method of controlling a rolling apparatus on the basis of the thus detected rolling direction force.

(99) 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 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.

(100) On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the upper work roll chock exit side load calculation 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 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.

(101) In the same manner, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the lower work roll chock 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 detection device 24, and, on the basis of the calculation result, calculates the rolling direction force acting on the lower work roll chock 6.

(102) On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the lower work roll chock 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 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 the calculation result, calculates the rolling direction force acting on the lower work roll chock 6.

(103) 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 force calculation device 43.

(104) 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 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 entirely the same device construction (not shown), and the rolling direction resultant force 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.

(105) After that, an operator side/driving 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 direction forces acting on the upper and lower work roll chocks between the operator side and the driving side is calculated.

(106) 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 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 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.

(107) 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 side/driving side rolling direction force calculation device 45 is obtained. Therefore, the sequence of calculation processing described above may 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 to finally calculate the difference between the entry side and the exit side.

(108) 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 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 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 side/driving side rolling direction force calculation device 45 totalizer 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 difference of the rolling direction forces acting on the work roll chocks between the upper side and the lower side is calculated.

(109) 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 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.

(110) 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 extremely slight warp can be accomplished.

(111) 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 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.

(112) In the case of zero point adjustment, after going through the same processes as the calculation processes of the zigzag movement and camber control described above, the operator side/driving 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.

(113) 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.

(114) 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 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 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.

(115) Note that, as described above, the difference of the rolling direction forces 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.

(116) Heretofore, preferred 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.

(117) 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.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(118) 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 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) 43 operator side work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device 44 driving side work roll chock rolling direction force calculation device 45 operator side/driving 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 entry 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 entry side load detection device 141 upper work roll rolling direction force calculation device 142 lower work roll rolling direction force calculation device