EP1918036B1 - Device for straightening a metal strip - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the invention is a tensile planing device for a metal strip and is especially applicable to leveling devices used in the different sectors of metallurgy, in order to improve the mechanical characteristics and the flatness of the metal strips produced. in a rolling plant.

In general, a leveling device comprises means for controlling the movement of a metal strip placed under tension, along a longitudinal axis, by passing over a certain number of rollers placed respectively above and below the plane. running the strip so as to define a corrugated path, the strip thus being subjected alternately, on both sides, to deformations under traction to planing.

For this purpose, the device comprises, inside a frame forming a cage with two amounts spaced apart on either side of the longitudinal axis of travel, at least two bending units offset longituditunalement, respectively a higher unit and a lower unit respectively placed above and below the strip and separate control means for the vertical displacements of each bending unit for adjusting the nesting of the rollers.

Each bending unit comprises a working roll on which the strip is applied along an angular sector. To achieve the desired leveling effect, this working roller must have a small diameter and thus bears laterally on rollers or support rollers. These rollers are rotatably mounted about axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of travel, on bearings carried by a support frame extending transversely between two ends placed on either side of the strip. Vertical displacement means such as cylinders, resting on the frame, allow to vary the level of the working rollers between a rest position separated from the band and a working position at an adjustable nesting level allowing apply to the band the desired tensile-flexion effects.

At least one of the work rolls must be rotated about its axis by control means which are usually placed on a lateral side of the frame, said drive side, the operator being placed, with his console. command, on the other side said operator side.

It is necessary, during operation, to move the bending units outside the cage for cleaning, maintenance or replacement of the rollers.

For this purpose, each bending unit usually forms a removable cassette which, on the one hand, has to be moved vertically for adjustment of the nesting and, on the other hand, can be withdrawn as a whole from the frame of the machine. towards the operator side, by transverse displacement, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of travel of the strip.

For this, usually, the cassette is provided at its two ends, respectively front and rear, of rollers rolling on guide rails which extend between the two uprights of the frame, transversely to the axis of travel of the strip.

It is necessary, however, to allow, on the one hand the vertical displacements of the cassette for adjusting the nesting and, on the other hand, its transverse displacement by rolling on the rails for its withdrawal outside the frame.

Various provisions have been devised for this purpose.

For example, in the layout of the document EP-A-0 298 852 , the guide rails are fixed at a predetermined level on the two amounts of the frame. In this case, the support frame of all the rollers forms a transverse beam which is removably connected to the vertical adjustment cylinders and rests on the guide rails by two pairs of rollers, each carried by an arm pivotally mounted against the action of a spring so as to allow the vertical displacement of the cassette thus produced, in the working position, the beam being biased upwardly by the springs, in a high position at the level of the rails; which allows the transverse displacement of the cassette.

On the other hand, to facilitate the withdrawal, outside the frame, the cassette, it is advantageous that it is carried, at its front end turned on the operator side, by a dismounting carriage provided with a means removable support of an external support member of the cassette of which only the rear end rests on the guide rails, by an internal support member.

Such an arrangement is described, for example, in the document JP-A-10-34236 . In this case, the transverse beam forming the support frame of the rollers is removably attached at both its front and rear ends to the adjustment cylinders of the nesting bearing on the two uprights of the frame. To allow the removal of the cassette, it is lowered to a disassembly level for which its rear end is supported by pebbles on the rails fixed guide, its front end coming to rest on a disassembly carriage movable transversely. The nesting adjustment cylinders are then disconnected from the cassette which can be removed from the frame, its front end being driven by the dismounting carriage and its sliding rear end on the transverse guide rails which are fixed on the frame, at the level of the frame. desired.

Furthermore, to facilitate maintenance or replacement of the rollers, in particular of the upper bending unit, it is advantageous that the support frame of the rollers is pivotally mounted about an axis, between a planing position for which the rollers are facing downwards and a maintenance position for which the rollers are facing up, which facilitates maintenance or replacement operations.

The document US Patent 5,184,492 , for example describes an arrangement of this type in which the two uprights of the frame are connected by an upper cross member forming a plate pivotable about a transverse axis and carrying all the upper flexion units, that is to say say not only the planing sets but also the larger diameter rolls.

Such a plateau is very heavy and bulky and difficult maneuver. In addition, such an arrangement requires stopping the tape running since all the bending units are open and returned at the same time for maintenance.

To avoid these disadvantages, in the layout of the document JP-A-10-34236 , the support frame of the rollers is pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of travel, rotating on two aligned bearings placed, respectively, at the front on an external support member resting on the carriage of disassembly and, at the rear, on an internal support member resting on the guide rails.

It is thus possible to separate the upper bending unit separately from the cage and to return the support frame of the rollers to facilitate their maintenance, the other bending units remaining inside the frame.

However, as indicated above, to allow removal and reversal of the cassette, it must first of all, it is disconnected from the adjustment cylinders of the nesting, which requires a fairly complex operation and, even, relatively dangerous in that it must intervene on the tape when it is inside the frame.

To avoid this, the document EP-A-0 446 130 proposes a simpler layout, partly incorporating that of the document EP-0 298 852 . In this case, in fact, the internal bearing member carrying the rear end of the support frame of the rollers rests on the fixed guide rails by means of rollers mounted on a pivoting arm so as to allow the nesting settings and recalled by a spring in the high position allowing disassembly. On the other hand, as in the layout of the document JP-10-34236 , the front end of the chassis rests on a disassembly carriage movable transversely.

The disconnection between the nesting adjusting jacks and the support frame of the rollers can then be done by simple transverse sliding, inasmuch as this movement takes place at the upper level, rolling on fixed rails. However, it is then necessary that the disassembly frame is equipped with a removable means, movable vertically, supporting the external support member placed at the front end of the support frame of the rollers.

In other known arrangements, to solve this problem of adjustment of the nesting and transverse displacement, the guide rails move vertically under the action of adjustment cylinders of the nesting. The document EP-A-1 162 008 for example, describes an arrangement of this type in which the transverse rails are formed on both sides of a frame on which support the adjustment cylinders of the nesting. The support frame of the rollers is then carried by a transverse beam resting at its two ends, by rollers, on the rails formed on both sides of said frame. As before, this beam is provided at its front end with an external support member which can be supported by a dismounting carriage, its rear end rolling on the guide rails.

Thus, it is no longer necessary to removably connect the adjustment cylinders to the support frame of the rollers which is simply placed below said cylinders in its working position between the two amounts of the frame.

Insofar as it is necessary to allow, on the one hand, a vertical displacement of the bending unit for the nesting adjustment in the working position, on the other hand a transverse displacement between this working position and a maintenance position. , laterally spaced, and finally a possibility of reversal of all the upper rollers for disassembly and maintenance, known provisions to solve all of these problems are quite complex;

Therefore, not to complicate the device yet, it was planned, until now, to manually turn the cassette, after withdrawal in the maintenance position

In the layout, for example, of the document JP-A-10-34236 , the external support member, carrying the front end of the cassette, forms a trunnion defining the axis of pivoting of the support frame of the rollers and rotating in a bearing formed on an auxiliary frame which bears on the trolley of disassembly when the cassette is lowered by the nest adjustment jacks.

The reversal of the cassette is controlled by a pinion wedged on the trunnion forming the external support member and controlled manually, by means of a worm gear, by means of a flywheel rotatably mounted on said frame auxiliary support on the disassembly trolley. Such an arrangement, quite bulky, significantly increases the front end of the cassette which is thus unbalanced.

In contrast, in the layout of the document EP-A-0 446 130 , the two support members, respectively internal and external, of the support frame of the rollers, define a pivot axis which can pass substantially through the center of gravity of the frame. The reversal of it can be done manually, without the need to use a mechanical gear reduction device.

In the layout of the document EP-A-1 162 008 the cassette is carried, as we have seen, by a transverse beam taking a sliding support on the guide rails which move vertically under the action of nesting adjustment cylinders. In this case, the support frame of the rollers is pivotally mounted on this sliding beam but the pivot axis must be shifted laterally so that, in the inverted position, all the rollers are placed next to the sliding beam so that to facilitate maintenance. This pivoting movement can be controlled manually but must, however, be assisted by a pneumatic cylinder that balances the weight of the roll support frame and holds it in the upside down position.

After maintenance, it is necessary to return the support frame to its working position below the sliding beam and lock it on it.

It therefore appears that, in all the known arrangements, an operator must manually intervene on the machine for the withdrawal and overturning of the bending units.

However, in such installations, which currently operate preferably in a continuous line, efforts are made not to stop scrolling the band and all the space in the vicinity thereof remains dangerous.

However, for some time, regulations have become increasingly stringent and, in particular, a European directive now requires the use of the safest techniques in order to avoid as much as possible the risks for the personnel. Manufacturers are therefore led, not only to impose safety instructions, but also to modify their facilities to avoid such risks. In the case, for example, of a leveling installation, it is possible to envisage the use of removable protective covers which can be placed, on the maintenance side, along the leveling machine, in order to allow operators to approach of it safely. Devices can also be provided to stop the scrolling in case of danger. However, such protective devices impede access to the various parts of the machine and one can always fear that, for maneuvers that he does not consider dangerous, an operator neglects to implement the devices and safety procedures provided. .

The object of the invention is therefore to avoid such drawbacks by means of improvements to the demountable cassette leveling devices, making it possible to fully automate the withdrawal and turning operations of all the rollers, in particular of the unit. greater bending, so that the manual maintenance or replacement operations are performed only after turning, away from the frame of the machine.

The invention thus makes it possible to avoid, as far as possible, the access of an operator to the vicinity of the machine, in particular when the latter remains in operation and when the running of the tape is continued.

The invention therefore applies, in general, to a planing device of a metal strip according to claim 1.

In a preferred embodiment, the two support members, respectively external and internal, define a pivot axis around which the support frame of the set of rollers and the member, in particular of the motor, control of the pivoting is carried by the dismounting carriage and comes to engage removably, in the disassembly position of the bending unit, on a control part of the pivot, centered on said pivot axis and set in rotation on the support frame.

Advantageously, the drive member actuates a toothed piece in the form of a rack that is displaceable longitudinally and on which, in the disassembly position of the bending unit, meshing with a toothed gear, centered on the pivot axis of the frame of support rolls and rotated on it.

But the drive member can also directly control the pivoting of the support frame of the rollers by means of a removable coupling means.

For example, the drive member may comprise a pinion gear or a worm gear driven in rotation about its axis by a motor and on which meshing, by displacement parallel to a meshing plane, a toothed gear conjugate wedged in rotation on the support frame of the rollers and centered on the pivot axis thereof.

According to another preferred feature, the device comprises a removable means for supporting the bending unit, mounted movably on the disassembly carriage, orthogonal to the axis of pivoting of the set of rollers, between a spaced position allowing the vertical displacement of the bending unit inside the frame and an engagement position of the support means on the external support member.

Particularly advantageously, this removable means for supporting the bending unit is carried by an auxiliary frame movably mounted on the disassembly carriage, orthogonal to the axis of pivoting of the set of rollers, between a remote position allowing the vertical displacement of the bending unit inside the frame and an engagement position of the support means on the external support member of the support frame of the rollers.

In this case, the drive member is mounted on the auxiliary frame and is engaged removably on a control part integral in rotation of the support frame of the rollers, in the disassembly position of the cassette.

In the case where the leveling machine comprises at least two pairs of bending units, respectively upper and lower, centered on at least two successive leveling planes, the machine comprises at least one dismounting carriage on which are mounted at least two auxiliary frames each centered on a leveling plane, and each carrying means for handling the corresponding upper bending unit, as well as means for controlling the pivoting of all the rollers of the bending unit.

According to another preferred feature, the means for handling the front end of a cassette and the external support member thereof comprise two pieces of conjugate shapes engaging one into the other by displacement orthogonal to the axis of the working roller, for centering the pivot control means in a meshing plane with the conjugated pinion wedged on the support frame of the rollers.

But the invention can also be applied to another type of leveling device in which the support frame of the set of rollers is carried by a beam slidably mounted transversely on rails movable vertically between a raised position and a lowered position. planing, and on which bears the disassembly carriage for the transverse displacement of the flexion unit. According to the inventor, this sliding beam can carry, then a autonomous motor unit for controlling the pivoting of the chassis between the working position of the rollers and an inverted position.

In particular, the autonomous motor unit may be a remotely actuated cylinder, bearing in one direction on the sliding beam and in the other direction on a rotationally integral part of the support frame of the set of rollers.

But the self-operating pivotal control unit can also be mounted on the disassembly carriage and be connected by a removable coupling means to a chassis pivot control member, when the sliding beam is supported by the carriage. dismantling.

Furthermore, according to another preferred feature, the support frame of the rollers of the upper bending unit is rotatably mounted about an axis perpendicular to the axis of travel, on two opposite journals, respectively an external journal rotating in a bearing bearing releasably on the disassembly carriage and an inner journal rotating in a bearing bearing on a guide path, the center of gravity of the entire flexion unit is placed substantially on the axis of the two pivot pins. In these cases, the outer trunnion may carry a toothed pinion integral in rotation with the support frame of the rollers and on which the drive member for controlling the pivoting of said frame into the disassembly position of the bending unit engages.

Other advantageous features of the invention will appear in the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings.

The figure 1 is a side view of a leveling cage provided with a disassembly system of the flexion units according to the invention.

The figure 2 is a partial view showing the disassembly of an upper bending unit, in section along the line AA of the figure 1 .

The leveling machine shown, in side view, on the figure 1 , is of the type described in the document EP-A-0 446 130 and therefore comprises a leveling cage comprising a frame 1 having two uprights 10 spaced apart on either side of a longitudinal axis of travel of the strip to be glide, parallel to the plane of the figure 1 , between which are placed several sets of planing as well as, if necessary, a decambrage unit and a roll called "tile corrector".

In the example shown, the machine is equipped with two identical leveling assemblies E, E 'each having two bending units placed on each side. and on the other hand, a planar plane P of the band to be hovered, respectively an upper bending unit 20, 20 ', placed above the plane of displacement P and a lower bending unit, placed below said plane and not shown in the drawings.

Each bending unit centered on a vertical median plane Q, Q 'can be withdrawn from the cage, by transverse displacement, through an opening 11, 11' formed at least in the upright 10 of the frame 1 placed on the disassembly that is to say, normally, the operator side of the machine, right on the figure 2 .

For that purpose, according to a provision similar to that of the document EP-A-0 446 130 each bending unit forms a cassette 20 displaceable in block, perpendicular to the axis of travel of the strip, and provided, at its front end, in the direction of withdrawal, an external support member 5 which can be supported by a disassembly carriage 3 and, at its rear end, an internal support member 6 which, for the displacement of the cassette 20 rolls on guide rails 7 extending transversely between the two uprights 10 of the cage. Each cassette 20 comprises a frame 21 for supporting a set of leveling rollers 22 comprising, as usual, a working roller, at least two lateral support rollers and, where appropriate, three rows of support rollers.

The support frame 21 for the rollers extends transversely to the axis of travel between a front end, on the operator side, provided with an external support member 5 resting on the dismounting carriage 3 and a rear end, on the side opposite, provided with an internal support member 6 resting, by means of rollers 61, on guide rails 12, extending transversely between the two amounts of the cage and extended slightly outside the it by a portion 12a allowing the complete removal of the cassette 20.

The dismounting carriage 3 is slidably mounted perpendicularly to the axis of travel, on rails R fixed to the foundation and, consequently, perpendicular to the plane of the figure 1 , the displacement of the carriage 3 being controlled by a jack 13 extending below the carriage 3 and whose rod 13a is articulated on a yoke fixed to the lower part of the carriage 3.

According to a provision similar to that of the document EP-A-0 446 130 , the dismounting carriage 3 is equipped with separate means for supporting the various bending units to allow the dismantling of a single unit, or of a complete planing unit with an upper unit and a lower unit and comprises for this purpose, a removable support means carried by an auxiliary frame 4 movable vertically relative to the main frame of the dismounting carriage 3, between a raised position of support and a lowered position allowing the vertical displacement of the bending unit 20 for adjusting the planing.

So, in the case represented on the figure 1 of a machine comprising two planing assemblies E, E ', the dismounting carriage 3 comprises a main frame carrying an easel 31 on which are mounted vertically sliding two auxiliary frames 4, 4' respectively carrying separate means of support of each of the upper bending units 20, 20 'of the two sets E, E', for the withdrawal thereof outside the cage 1.

In the example shown, the bridge 31 comprises a horizontal cross and a transverse support plate 32 connected by uprights 33 to the crossbar 31 and on which are fixed two pairs of vertical rails 34 centered on the median planes Q, Q 'of the two bending units 20, 20 '.

Each auxiliary frame 4, 4 'comprises a guide portion 41 mounted vertically sliding on a pair of slides 34, and carrying, at its upper part, a horizontal flange 42 on which is mounted a means of support 40 of the unit bending 20.

The figure 1 shows, by a partial tear, the support means 40 of the bending unit 20 'of the leveling assembly E' but the auxiliary frame 4 corresponding to the other bending unit 20 is equipped in the same way .

This pick-up means 40 is simply constituted by an upwardly open V-shaped piece fixed to the horizontal flange 42 of the auxiliary frame.

A jack 34 whose body bears, by a hinge, on the support plate 32 and whose rod is articulated on a yoke attached to the auxiliary frame 4, can control the sliding of the latter upwards, so as to engage the V-shaped part 40 on a piece 53 having a conjugate V-shaped profile and provided, at its lower part, with a hole into which a pin 43 associated with the V-piece 40 and centered on the median plane Q engages. (Q ') of the bending unit.

This centering piece 53 is part of the external support member 5 which, in the example shown, comprises a shaft end 50 formed projecting on the front end of the cassette 20.

As indicated above, in its working position inside the frame 1, the bending unit 20 must be able to move vertically for the adjustment of the nesting and the cage 1 is provided, for this purpose, with cylinders 14 each having a body fixed on the cage, for example on a part 10a in the form of a console fixed to the upper part of the upright 10 of the cage, and a rod 14a which is connected to the bending unit 20 to allow the vertical movement thereof in both directions, respectively downwards for adjusting the nesting at the desired level and upwards to bring the cassette back to its desired position. level of disassembly.

To allow its transverse displacement, the cassette 20 must be removably connected to the rods of the cylinders 14.

As mentioned above, in the layout of the document EP-A-0 446 130 , the guide rails are fixed on the amounts of the cage, at a constant level. The cassette is thus provided with sliding fastening means which, by transverse displacement, are engaged on the rods of the cylinders provided, for this purpose, conjugate parts attachment by translation. On the other hand, to allow the vertical movements of the cassette, the internal support member placed at the rear end thereof, consists of rollers mounted on a pivoting arm against the action of a spring so to allow, by pivoting the arm, the lowering of the cassette in the planing position and its return, by the springs, in the upper disassembly position. The invention can be applied to such an arrangement.

However, this pivoting mounting of the rear rollers can be avoided if the guide rails can move vertically under the action of the adjustment cylinders of the nesting and, for example, the figure 2 shows a disposition of this kind.

In this case, in fact, the two guide rails on which the rollers 61 constituting the internal support member 6, at the rear end of the cassette 20, are constituted by the lateral sides of a plate 12 on which support, directly, the cylinders 14 for adjusting the nesting. For example, the rod 14a of each cylinder 14 can be screwed onto a connecting piece 15 passing through an orifice of the plate 12 and clamped thereto by a counter-nut, the plate 12 can thus move vertically towards the up and down, under the action of the two cylinders 14.

In this case, the cassette 20 rests on the guide plate 12, not only at its rear end, by the rollers 61 of the internal support member 6 but also, at its front end, by rollers 51 rotatably mounted to the end of arms 51 fixed on the frame 21 of the cassette, the latter being provided at its two ends with lubricated guide plates 23a, 23b which can slide along vertical rails 11 provided on each upright 10 of the cage, on each side of the opening 11 for passage of the cassette.

In a known manner, moreover, to facilitate the maintenance of the upper flexion unit, according to a provision similar to that which is the subject of the document EP-0 446 130 , the support frame 21 of the rollers is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis x ', x, parallel to the axes of the rollers. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, this pivot axis is defined by the two support members, respectively external 5 and internal 6 of the frame 21.

For this purpose, as shown in figure 2 , the shaft end 50 forming the internal support member 5 constitutes a journal rotatably mounted about its axis x ', x, on a bearing body housed in the V-shaped part 53 which can engage removably in the support part 40 of the dismounting carriage 3, as indicated above.

Similarly, at its rear end, the frame 21 for supporting the rollers is pivotally mounted about the axis x'x on a pin 60 centered on the same horizontal axis x'x as the external pin 50 and rotating in a bearing 63 carried by the internal support body 6.

Thus, it is possible, after removal of the cassette 20 outside the cage 1, to rotate about the x'x axis to return all the rollers 22 upwards, which facilitates their maintenance or their replacement.

After this operation, the cassette 20 is brought inside the cage 1 by the carriage 3 by rolling on the two edges of the plate 12.

The cassette is then suspended from this plate by the two pairs of rollers, respectively rear 61 and before 51, the guide plates 23a, 23b being centered on the rails of the two uprights 10 of the cage 1.

Moreover, the upper face 20a of the cassette is provided with two studs 24 which are centered on the axes of the two cylinders 14 of vertical displacement, the thickness of these studs 24 being determined so as to leave, between the stud 24 and the lower end of the connecting piece 15, a simple clearance necessary for the transverse sliding of the cassette on the lateral edges of the guide plate 12.

The cassette 20 is thus suspended from the plate 12, the external support member 5 can be released by lowering the auxiliary frame 4 of the dismounting carriage 3.

The double-acting cylinders 14 can then control the vertical displacements of the cassette 20, downwards for the adjustment of the nesting, by pressing on the studs 24 and upwards for the return to the high position by means of the plate 12 on which bear the rollers 51, 61.

For disassembly of one or the other of the two cassettes 20, 20 ', the corresponding frame 4, 4' is raised so that the support part 40 engages on the conjugate part 41 of the body 5, by slightly lifting the cassette which can then be removed from the cage 1 by means of the dismounting carriage 3, rolling on the rollers 61 placed at its rear end.

According to the invention, each auxiliary chassis 4, 4 'carries means 7 mounted on the upper flange 42, for controlling the pivoting of the cassette around the axis x'x defined by the two bearings, respectively before 53 and rear 63.

In the embodiment shown on the figures 1 and 2 , the means 7 for controlling the reversal of the cassette comprises a horizontal rack 71 slidable, perpendicular to the axis x'x, on a slideway 43, under the action of a jack 72 supported, by a hinge, on a horizontal extension of the upper flange 42 of the auxiliary chassis 4.

When this auxiliary frame 4 is raised for the support of the external support member 5, this rack 71 engages a toothed gear 54 centered on the x'x axis and rotated at the end of the pin 50.

Thus, by sliding of the rack 71, the jack 72 can control the pivoting 180 ° of the support frame 21 of the rollers 22 which are then turned upwards, in the position shown, on the figure 1 for the cassette 20 centered on the vertical plane Q, the rear rollers 61 of the internal support member 6 resting on the guide plate 12.

Advantageously, the x'x axis of rotation on which are centered the two pads 55, 63, passes through the center of gravity of the entire support frame 21 of the rollers, which is thus balanced so that the pivoting does not occur. asks for a relatively weak couple.

According to another essential characteristic of the invention, the actuators 72 for controlling the pivoting of the cassette, as well as the jacks 34 for operating the auxiliary chassis 4, 4 'and the jack 13 for operating the dismounting carriage 3 can be controlled remotely. Thus, all the operations of disassembling a cassette and turning it can be done safely, by an autonomous motor unit, controlled remotely, without no staff intervention near the machine. In addition, the duration of the intervention may be limited to the time simply necessary for a check of the condition of the rollers 22, their cleaning or their replacement, or for the attachment of slings allowing the transfer of the flexion unit to a workshop using a hoist.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the details of the embodiment which has just been described as a simple example but also encompasses variants using equivalent means.

Thus, the rack 71 controlled by the jack 72 could be replaced by a screw forming a helical rack engaging, by vertical displacement of the frame 4, on a helical gear pinion wedged on the pin 50, this screw being driven in rotation about its axis by a motor carried by the sole 42.

But the pivoting of the support frame 21 of the rollers can also be controlled directly by a motor member associated with a removable coupling means.

For example, it could be placed on the auxiliary frame 4 a motor rotating about an axis parallel to the x'x pivot axis of the cassette and axially slidably mounted on the sole 42 of the frame 4, this motor can drive a pinion which is engaged on the pinion 54 to conjugate toothing by axial displacement, parallel to the plane of engagement. The engine could also be centered directly on the pivot axis x'x and connected to the journal 50 by a system with grooves and grooves or by any other removable coupling system.

Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment described above by way of example, the transverse guide rails for removal of the cassette move vertically therewith under the action of the adjustment cylinders of the nesting.

But the invention can also be applied to the other known arrangements described, for example, in the documents EP-0 446 130 or JP-10-34236 , in which the cassette comes to rest, in the retracted position, on rails fixed at a constant level on the two uprights of the frame.

In the case, indeed, of the document EP-0 446 130 , the driving member of the pivoting of the cassette could be mounted on the auxiliary frame movable vertically on the dismounting carriage and carrying the means removable support that is engaged on the trunnion forming the external support member of the frame in the upper position thereof, at the disassembly rails.

Similarly, in the layout of the document JP-10-34236 , the pinion mounted on the trunnion forming the external support member of the support frame of the rollers could be engaged, in the low position of the frame, on a conjugated control means, driven by a motor member mounted on the frame dismantling.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to turn the entire cassette by rotating it on two aligned trunnions, respectively before 50 and rear 60 defining a pivot axis x 'passing substantially through the center of gravity of the assembly. of the support frame 21 of the rollers but the pivot axis could also be shifted.

For example, the invention can also be applied to a layout of the type described in the document EP-A-1 162 008 , in which the two external and internal support members 5 are formed at the ends of a transverse beam on which is pivotally mounted the support frame of the rollers, the latter then being pivotally mounted on two journals rotating in spaced apart bearings mounted at both ends of this beam. In this case, the pivoting of the support frame of the rollers could still be controlled by a motor member mounted on said transverse beam. For example, the cylinder provided in the document EP-A-1 162 008 to balance the weight of the support frame of the rollers could control the rotation thereof.

However, to avoid placing hydraulic control circuits on this sliding beam which is placed in the working position, inside the frame, the pivot control motor member could thus be mounted on the dismounting carriage and actuating a detachable coupling means meshing, in the disassembly position, with a control part centered on the pivot axis of the frame and set in rotation thereon.

Claims (16)

1. Flattening device for a metal strip travelling along a longitudinal axis, comprising, inside a support framework (1) having two uprights (10) apart on either side from the strip travel axis, at least a flattening set comprising two bending units disposed respectively above and below a plane (P) of travel of the strip, respectively an upper bending unit (20) and a lower bending unit, at least the upper bending unit forming a removable cassette (20) comprising a set of rolls (22), respectively a work roll (22a) and support rolls (22b), assembled rotating around axes perpendicular to the travel axis, on a support frame (21) extending transversally between the two uprights (10) of the framework (1), said framework carrying means comprising two control cylinders (14) of the vertical moving of the bending unit (20) between an up position above the strip travel plane (P) and a down position of so-called interlock for the flattening, and removal means (3), at least of the upper bending unit (20), by transversal moving between its work position inside the framework (1) and an apart maintenance position outside the framework (1) on a maintenance side, comprising a removal truck (3) displaceable transversally to the travel axis and on which can rest the bending unit (20), through an external rest unit (5) placed towards the maintenance side, said bending unit (20) being carried, on the side opposite its back end, by an internal rest unit (6) resting on a guiding lane (12) comprising two guiding rails extending transversally between the two uprights (10) of the framework (1), the support frame (21) of the rolls set (22) being able to revolve around an axis (x'x) parallel to the rolls axes, in the maintenance position, between the work position for which the rolls are turned downwards and a turned around position for which the rolls are turned upwards, the swivelling of the support frame (21) of the rolls set (22) being controlled by an autonomous unit (7) displaceable transversally with the removal truck (3) and cooperating with a mating means (54) interdependent in rotation with the rolls support frame (21) and centred around the swivelling axis (x'x) of said support frame, said autonomous unit (7) being able to be remotely controlled after setting the bending unit (20) in its maintenance position characterized by the fact that

   - the two guiding rails on which are rolling guide rollers (61) forming the internal rest unit (6), at the back end of the cassette (20), are made up of lateral sides of a plate (12) on which are resting, directly, cylinders (14) adjusting the interlock,

   - the plate (12) being thus able to move vertically, upwards and downwards, under the action of the two cylinders (14),

   - an upper face (20a) of the cassette is supplied with two support studs (24) that are coming to centre themselves around the axes of the two vertical moving cylinders (14),

   - the support studs (24) thickness being determined in order to leave a simple clearance required for the transversal sliding motion of the cassette on the lateral edges of the plate (12),

   - so the cylinders (14) present a double effect by controlling the vertical movings of the cassette (20), downwards for the adjustment of the interlock, by resting on support studs (24) and upwards for the return in up position by means of the plate (12) on which are resting the guide rollers.
2. Flattening device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that two rest units, respectively external (5) and internal (6) define a swivelling axis (x'x) around which can turn as a whole the support frame (21) of the rolls set (22) and that the unit, in particular the driving type one (7), of swivelling control is carried by the removal truck (3) and is coming to fit in a removable way, in the removal position of the bending unit (20), on a piece (54) of swivelling control, centred around said swivelling axis (x'x) and locked in rotation on the support frame (21).
3. Flattening device according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the driving unit (7) operates a toothed piece (71) in the shape of a rack longitudinally displaceable and on which is coming to mesh, in the removal position of the bending unit (20), a mating toothed pinion (54), centred around the swivelling axis (x'x) of the rolls support frame (21) and locked in rotation on said frame.
4. Flattening device according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the driving unit (7) directly controls the swivelling of the rolls support frame (21) through a removable coupling means.
5. Flattening device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the driving unit (7) comprises a toothed pinion driven in rotation around its axis by a motor and on which is coming to mesh, by moving parallel to a gear mesh plane, a mating toothed pinion locked in rotation on the rolls support frame (21) and centred around the swivelling axis (x'x) of said frame.
6. Flattening device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the driving unit (7) comprises a worm driven in rotation around its axis by a motor and on which is coming to mesh, by moving parallel to a gear mesh plane, a mating toothed pinion locked in rotation on the rolls support frame and centred around the swivelling axis (x'x) of said frame.
7. Flattening device according to anyone of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a removable means (40) in charge of managing the bending unit (20), assembled displaceable on the removal truck (3), orthogonally to the swivelling axis (x'x) of the rolls set, between an apart position allowing the vertical moving of the bending unit (20) inside the framework and an interlock position of the management means (40) on the external rest unit (5).
8. Flattening device according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the removable means (40) in charge of managing the bending unit (20) is carried by an auxiliary frame (4) assembled displaceable on the removal truck (3), orthogonally to the swivelling axis (x'x) of the rolls set, between an apart position allowing the vertical moving of the bending unit (20) inside the framework and an interlock position of the management means (40) on the external rest unit (5) of the support frame (21) of the rolls (22).
9. Flattening device according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the driving unit (7) is assembled on the auxiliary frame (4) and is coming to mesh in a removable way on a control piece (54) interdependent in rotation with the rolls support frame (21), in the removal position of the cassette (20).
10. Flattening device according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the driving unit (7) comprises a cylinder (72) operating a rack (71) assembled sliding, on the auxiliary frame (4), perpendicularly to the swivelling axis (x'x) and on which is coming to mesh, by moving of the auxiliary frame (4), a mating toothed pinion (54) centred around the swivelling axis (x'x) and locked in rotation on the rolls support frame (21).
11. Flattening device according to anyone of claims 8 to 10, comprising at least two pairs of bending units (20, 20'), respectively upper and lower, centred around at least two successive flattening planes (Q, Q') apart from each other in the strip travel direction, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least a removal truck (3) on which are assembled at least two auxiliary frames (4, 4') each centred around a flattening plane (Q, Q'), and each carrying a means (40) in charge of managing the corresponding upper bending unit (20), as well as control means (7) of the rolls set swivelling.
12. Flattening device according to anyone of claims 7 to 11, characterized by the fact that the managing means (40) and the external rest unit (5) of the cassette (20) comprise two pieces of mating shapes (40, 53) fitting into each other by moving orthogonal to the work roll axis, for the centring of the swivelling control means around a gear mesh plane, one of said mating pieces (40, 53) carrying an axial interlocking means with the truck (3) for the moving of the cassette.
13. Flattening device according to claim 1, wherein the support frame (21) of the rolls set (22) is carried by a girder assembled sliding transversally on vertically displaceable rails between an up position and a down position of flattening, and on which is resting the removal truck for the transversal moving of the bending unit (20), characterized by the fact that the autonomous driving unit (7) of swivelling control is carried by the sliding girder.
14. Flattening device according to claim 13, characterized in that the autonomous driving unit (7) is a remotely controlled cylinder, resting in one direction on the sliding girder and in the other direction on a piece interdependent in rotation with the support frame (21) of the rolls set (22).
15. Flattening device according to claim 1, wherein the support frame (21) of the rolls set (22) is carried by a girder assembled sliding transversally on vertically displaceable rails between an up position and a down position of flattening, and on which is resting the removal truck for the transversal moving of the bending unit (20), characterized by the fact that the autonomous unit (7), in particular the driving type one, of swivelling control is carried by the removal truck and is linked by a removable coupling means with a control piece centred around the swivelling axis of the rolls support frame and locked in rotation with said frame.
16. Flattening device according to anyone of previous claims, characterized by the fact that the support frame (21) of the rolls of the upper bending unit (20) is assembled rotating around an axis (x'x) perpendicular to the travel axis, on two opposite trunnions (50, 60), respectively an external trunnion (50) spinning in a bearing (55) resting in a removable way on the removal truck (3) and an internal trunnion (60) spinning in a bearing (63) resting on a guiding lane (12), that the centre of gravity of the set of the bending unit (20) is placed approximately on the axis (x'x) of the two swivelling trunnions (50, 60) and that the external trunnion (50) carries a toothed pinion (54) interdependent in rotation with the rolls support frame (21) and on which meshes the unit (7), in particular the driving type one, of swivelling control of said frame (21) in the removal position of the bending unit (20).

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