Rack change system, change carriage, and switch for a rack change system and rolling mill with a rolling block and a rack change system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rack change system for changing of roller racks of a rolling block with a rail system along which change carriages can be moved, wherein the rail system includes a first track and a second track, which extend in different directions and are connected to one another via a switch, wherein the first track runs parallel to the rolling line of the rolling block, wherein a roller rack can be moved from the rolling block to the change carriage or a roller rack can be moved from the change carriage to the rolling block when the change carriage is standing on the first track and/or on the switch.

Claims

1. A rack change system for changing roller racks of a rolling block comprising a rail system for a change carriage, wherein the rail system includes at least a first track and a second track extending in different directions and connected to one another via a switch, wherein the first track extends parallel to a rolling line of the rolling block, wherein a roller rack is configured for movement from the rolling block onto the change carriage, or from the change carriage into the rolling block, when the change carriage is positioned on the first track and/or on the switch.

2. The rack change system according to claim 1, wherein a third track of the rail system extends at least in one direction different from the direction of the second track and is connected to the first track and/or the second track via a switch.

3. The rack change system according to claim 2, wherein the third track is aligned with the first track and is arranged on the opposite side of the switch with respect to the first track.

4. The rack change system according to claim 2, wherein the total length of the first track, the switch, and the third track corresponds to at least the length of three change carriages.

5. The rack change system according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a rotary switch with a number of rotary bodies that corresponds to the number of wheel sets of the change carriage, wherein one rotary body can accommodate one wheel set of a change carriage and the wheel set, rotatably mounted to the change carriage, is pivotable from a first orientation direction to a second orientation direction by rotation of the rotary body.

6. The rack change system according to claim 1, wherein a drive system for the change carriage is configured to move the change carriage along the first track and, independently thereof, move the change carriage along the second track.

7. The rack change system according to claim 6, wherein the drive system includes two independent cable systems, wherein the change carriage is movable along the first track by the first cable system and, independently thereof, the change carriage is movable along the second track by the second cable system.

8. The rack change system according to claim 1, wherein at least one recess is provided in a rail of one of the tracks for accommodating a wheel set of a change carriage.

9. The rack change system according to claim 1, wherein the change carriage includes locking elements in order to be locked in its position in front of the rolling block and for receiving the roller racks.

10. The rack change system according to claim 1, wherein the change carriage includes a receiving element for a coupling hook of another change carriage and an insertion recess opening into the receiving element, through which a coupling hook can be inserted along an insertion direction into the receiving element, and a stop adjacent to the receiving element for transferring longitudinal forces from the stop to the coupling hook and/or transferring longitudinal forces from the coupling hook to the stop, the stop comprising a stop surface having a surface normal at an angle to the insertion direction.

11. The rack change system according to claim 10, further comprising an insertion ramp, via which a coupling hook can be inserted into the receiving element, wherein the stop surface is adjacent to a surface of the insertion ramp.

12. A method for changing roller racks of a rolling block by means of a roller rack change system, comprising a rail system for one or more change carriages with at least a first track and a second track, each extending in different directions and being connected via a switch, wherein the first track extends parallel to a rolling line of the rolling block, comprising: positioning a first, empty change carriage on the switch, and a second change carriage, loaded with at least one roller rack to be fed into the rolling block, on the first track; moving via the rail system a roller rack from the rolling block onto the first change carriage; moving via the rail system the first change carriage onto the second track; moving via the rail system the second change carriage from the first track onto the switch, and a new roller rack from the second change carriage into the rolling block.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first change carriage is moved into a roller workshop along the second track.

14. A method for changing roller racks of a rolling block by means of a roller rack change system, comprising a rail system for one or more change carriages with a first track, a second track, and a third track, each extending in different directions and being connected via a switch, wherein the first track extends parallel to a rolling line of the rolling block, comprising: positioning a first, empty change carriage on the switch and a second change carriage, loaded with at least one roller rack to be fed into the rolling block, on the first track; moving via the rail system a roller rack from the rolling block onto the first change carriage; moving via the rail system the first change carriage onto the third track; moving via the rail system the second change carriage from the first track onto the switch and a new roller rack from the second change carriage into the rolling block.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second change carriage, after transferring the new roller rack to the rolling block, is moved onto the first track and the first change carriage is moved from the third track onto the switch and then moved from the switch onto the second track and moved to a rack workshop via the second track.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, in the roller workshop, the first change carriage is loaded with a new roller rack to be fed into the rolling block and is moved along the second track onto the switch and from the switch onto the third track.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, with the movement of the first change carriage from the switch onto the third track, the second change carriage is moved from the first track onto the switch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with reference to a drawing, merely illustrating embodiments. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of parts of a rolling mill according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of parts of a second embodiment of a rolling mill according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of a receiving element provided on the change carriage according to the invention for a coupling hook as well as a coupling hook of another change carriage held in the receiving element;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a top view of the arrangement according to FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective, schematic view of a receiving element for a coupling hook of a change carriage according to the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a top view of the rolling mill according to the invention with inserted schematic side views of the recesses for receiving a wheel set of a change carriage provided in the rails of the tracks;

(8) FIGS. 7a and b shows a rotating body of a switch of a rack change system according to the invention with a track extending over the rotating body in a schematic top view (FIG. 7a) and a schematic, partially cut-away perspective view, and

(9) FIGS. 8a and b shows the rotating body of a switch according to the invention with two tracks intersecting at an angle of 90 in a schematic top view (FIG. 8a) and a schematic, partially cut-away perspective view (FIG. 8b).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) Shown are a rolling block 1 with four roller racks 2 replaceably arranged in the rolling block 1. The roller racks 2 are arranged such that they can roll rolling goods, such as pipes, profiles, rods, or wire, along the rolling line 3.

(11) The rack change system 4 according to the invention for changing the roller racks 2 of the rolling block 1 includes a rail system 5, along which the change carriages 6, 7 can be moved. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the rail system includes a first track 8 and a second track 9. The first track 8 extends in a direction that that differs by 90 from the direction in which the second track 9 extends. The first track 8 and the second track 9 are connected to one another via a switch 10. The first track 8 extends parallel to the rolling line 3 of the rolling block 1.

(12) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the roller racks 2 can be moved from the rolling block 1 onto the change carriage 6, standing on the switch 10, by rack changing devices not shown in the figure. Similarly, in an alternative operating situation of FIG. 1, roller racks loaded on the change carriage 6 could be moved into the rolling block 1 by the changing device when a change carriage is standing on the switch.

(13) The switch is designed as a rotary switch. It includes four rotating bodies 11. The change carriage 6 as well as the change carriage 7 (not shown) include four wheel sets, whereby each wheel is mounted rotatably around its vertical axis on the change carriage. The rotating bodies 11 of the switch 10 can each accommodate one wheel set of a change carriage. By rotation of the respective rotary body 11, the respective wheel set of the change carriage accommodated by it can be pivoted from a first orientation direction, for example an orientation in which the wheels are aligned in the direction of the first track 8, to a second orientation direction, for example by 90, so that the wheel sets are oriented in the direction of the second track 9.

(14) The change carriage 6 and the change carriage 7 of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 are not coupled together. On the front and back of the respective change carriage 6, 7, hollow pawls 13 are provided. A fastening element of a cable system, not shown, of a drive system for the change carriages can be inserted in such a hollow pawl. Using this first cable system (not shown), which is coupled with a hollow pawl 13, a change carriage, standing on the first track 8, can be pulled onto the switch 10 or, when using the opposite hollow pawl of the respective change carriage, can be pulled from the switch 10 onto the first track 8. Furthermore, the change carriages 6 and 7 each include laterally arranged hollow pawls 14. These laterally arranged hollow pawls 14 can be coupled with a second cable system, associated with the drive system for the change carriages, with which the respective change carriage can be moved along the second track 9.

(15) Such a construction of a rack change system makes it possible for a first, empty change carriage 6 to be standing on the switch 10 and a second change carriage 7, loaded with at least one roller rack to be fed into the rolling block 1, to be standing on the first track 8; a roller rack 2 to be moved from the rolling block 1 onto the first change carriage 6; the first change carriage 6 to be moved onto the second track 9, and the second change carriage 7 to be moved from the first track 8 onto the switch 10 and the new roller rack to be moved from the second change carriage 7 into the rolling block 1.

(16) The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a third track 12 is provided, which extends in a direction different from the second track 9 and is connected with the first track 8 and the second track 9 via the switch 10. Like components in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(17) The third track 12 is arranged in alignment with the first track 8 and arranged on the opposite side of the switch 10 with respect to the first track 8. As apparent from FIG. 2, the total length of the first track 8, the switch 10, and the third track 12, corresponds to at least the length of three change carriages.

(18) Such a construction of a rack change system makes it possible for a first, empty change carriage 6 to be standing on the switch 10 and a second change carriage 7, loaded with at least one roller rack to be fed into the rolling block 1, to be standing on the first track 8; a roller rack 2 to be moved from the rolling block 1 onto the first change carriage 6; the first change carriage 6 to be moved onto the third track 12, and the second change carriage 7 to be moved from the first track 8 onto the switch 10 and the new roller rack to be moved from the second change carriage 7 into the rolling block 1.

(19) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the change carriage 6 includes a hollow pawl 13 on the side opposite the coupling, while the change carriage 7 includes a hollow pawl 13 on the side opposite the coupling. By coupling the change carriage 6 with the change carriage 7, the coupled change carriages 6, 7 can be moved in the direction of the first track 8 or in the direction of the third track 12 by a cable system, not shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, both, the change carriage 6 and the change carriage 7, include laterally arranged hollow pawls 14 to move the respective change carriage along the second track 9.

(20) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the change carriage 7 includes a receiving element 15 for a coupling hook 16 of the change carriage 6. The coupling hook 16 is pivotally connected with the change carriage 6 via a hinge 17. The change carriage 7 includes an insertion recess 18, opening into the receiving element 15. Similarly, the change carriage 7 includes an insertion recess 19, corresponding to the insertion recess 18, which is mirrored, however, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the change carriage 7. Through the insertion recesses 18, 19, the coupling hook 16 can be inserted into the receiving element 15 in the insertion direction A or B, respectively. Adjacent to the receiving element 15, a stop 20 for transferring longitudinal forces from the stop 20 to the coupling hook 16 or for transferring longitudinal forces from the coupling hook 16 to the stop 20 is provided. The stop surface of the stop 20 has a surface normal, which is at an angle of 90 to the insertion direction A or B.

(21) As shown in the top view of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, each insertion recess 18, 19 includes lateral walls, extending at an angle, which, due to their angled arrangement, form threading slopes 21. The threading slopes 21 allow the coupling hook 16 to be easily inserted through the insertion recess 18 or 19 into the receiving element 15, even if the coupling hook 16 and the receiving element 15 are not perfectly aligned. To support the lateral threading slopes 21, the coupling hook 16 includes outwardly tapered threading slopes 22 on its sides facing the direction of insertion.

(22) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the coupling hook also includes a handle 23, which facilitates pivoting the coupling hook 16 around the hinge 17.

(23) The change carriage 7 further includes a frontally arranged insertion ramp 24, via which the coupling hooks 16 can be inserted into the receiving element 15, wherein the stop surface is adjacent to the surface of the insertion ramp 24. The insertion ramp 24 is used in particular when the change carriage 6 and the change carriage 7 are pushed towards each other along their longitudinal axis in order to be coupled together.

(24) As shown in FIG. 6, the first track 8 includes two recesses 26 in its area distant from the switch 10. The third track 12 also includes recesses 27 for receiving a wheel set of a change carriage in the area of its rails, distant from the switch 10. The recesses 26 and 27 are arranged at the point at which the respective wheel set is located when a change carriage is standing on the first track 8 or the third track 12 in the desired position for the respective operating situation. As shown in the detailed view A and B, the respective recess 26, 27 respectively includes a ramp in the direction of the switch 10 with a lower ramp angle, for example, 2, while in the direction facing away from the switch 10, it includes a ramp with a steeper ramp angle, for example an angle of 10. The flat area, facing the switch 10, ensures that the wheel set rolls easily into the respective recess 26 and 27 and the respective change carriage is held in the respective position by the engagement of the wheel set in the recess, while, for example, another change carriage, coupled to it, is released. On the other hand, the flat ramp angle ensures that the respective change carriage can be pulled out from the recess in the direction of the switch 10 without applying excessive longitudinal forces. In contrast, the respective steeper ramp angle, distant from the switch 10, prevents the change carriage from rolling past the recess and away from the switch 10.

(25) FIGS. 7a, b show a rotating body, as used in a rack change system according to the invention, particularly preferably as used in the rack change system according to the invention described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6. The rotary body 11 includes a track 30, extending straight from one edge of the rotary body 11 to the opposite edge of the rotary body 11. As is apparent from the FIG. 7b, the track 30 is formed trough-shaped and, in the center of the rotary body 11, includes a trough 31, on which the track slopes upward at an angle of 2 to the edges of the rotating body 11. The trough holds the wheel set of the change carriage that entered into the switch securely in place, even during pivoting of the rotating body 11 around the rotation axis D. At the same time, the slopes are selected such that a passage through the switch or a rolling down of the change carriage from the switch after rotation of the rotary body 11 can be executed without excessive force.

(26) FIGS. 8a and b show a rotary body 11 of a switch according to the invention. Compared to the rotary body 11 shown in FIGS. 7a, b, it is apparent that the rotary body 11 of the switch according to the invention includes a first track 30 and a second track 32. The two tracks 30, 32 intersect at an angle of 90. As is particularly apparent from FIG. B, the second lane 32 is also trough-shaped. The base of the trough is formed overlapping with the base of the trough 31. The track 32 is also formed with an upward slope to the edges of the rotary body 11 at an angle of 2. The switch according to the invention can particularly preferably used in connection with the rack change system according to the invention described in more detail in FIG. 1. If at that point the change carriage 6, after receiving the roller racks 2 via the second track 9, is moved to the rack change workshop, then immediately after the switch 10 is cleared, the change carriage 7 can move onto the switch 10 without the rotating body 11 of the switch 10 having to be pivoted for receiving the change carriage 7. The change carriage 7 with its wheel sets simply moves into the respective track of each rotating body 11 that intersects with the respective track that the wheel sets of the change carriage 6 has left.