Patent Description:
In a rolling mill facility for rolling a steel plate or the like, a spindle is provided between a motor and a mill roll in order to transmit the driving force of the motor to the mill roll. As such a spindle, in some cases, a gear-type spindle using a gear (gear spindle device) is used.

Patent Document <NUM> discloses a gear spindle including a spindle outer cylinder having an end portion connected to an output shaft or the like of a motor or a gear box and a spindle inner cylinder fitted with the spindle outer cylinder at an end portion opposite to the output shaft described above. At the fitting portion between the spindle outer cylinder and the spindle inner cylinder, an inner gear (inner circumferential gear) is provided for the spindle outer cylinder, and an outer gear (outer circumferential gear) is provided for the spindle inner cylinder so as to engage with the inner gear of the spindle outer cylinder. The torque from the motor is transmitted between the spindle outer cylinder and the spindle inner cylinder via the engaging portion between the inner gear and the outer gear. Furthermore, a lubricant oil chamber sealing a lubricant oil for lubricating the engagement portion between the inner gear and the outer gear described above is formed between the spindle outer cylinder and the spindle inner cylinder at the fitting portion, and the lubricant oil chamber is isolated from the exterior space by a seal member.

Further, a gear spindle device from which the precharacterizing part of claim <NUM> starts out is disclosed in <CIT>.

Meanwhile, heat is generated from friction or the like at the engaging portion between the inner circumferential gear and the outer circumferential gear of a gear spindle, and thus the gear spindle device may be cooled using a coolant in order to suppress deterioration of the performance of the lubricant oil or wear of the seal member due to the heat, for instance. However, depending on the manner of cooling, the coolant may scatter and cause a negative influence on devices disposed in the vicinity of the gear spindle device or the material to be rolled.

In view of the above, an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a gear spindle device or a rolling mill, a rolling mill facility, and a method of cooling a gear spindle device for a rolling mill capable of reducing the negative influence on the devices or the material to be rolled due to supply of the coolant.

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a gear spindle device for a rolling mill is as set forth in the appended claims.

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a rolling mill facility is as set forth in the appended claims.

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method for cooling a gear spindle device for a rolling mill is as set forth in the appended claims.

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a gear spindle device or a rolling mill, a rolling mill facility, and a method of cooling a gear spindle device for a rolling mill capable of reducing negative the influence on the devices and the material to be rolled due to supply of the coolant.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is intended, however, that unless particularly identified, dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions and the like of components described in the embodiments shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

<FIG> is a schematic configuration diagram of a rolling mill facility to which a gear spindle device according to some embodiments is applied. The rolling mill facility <NUM> depicted in the drawing is a facility for rolling a material to be rolled (steel or the like), and includes a pair of mill rolls (work rolls) <NUM>, a motor <NUM> for generating a driving force for driving the pair of mill rolls <NUM> to rotate, and a pair of gear spindle devices <NUM> disposed between the motor <NUM> and each one of the pair of the mill rolls <NUM>.

The pair of mill rolls <NUM> are disposed so as to sandwich the material to be rolled, and supported rotatably on a housing (not depicted) via an axle box (not depicted) disposed on axial end portions 6a, 6b of the mill roll <NUM>. Although not depicted, the rolling mill facility <NUM> may further include a pair of backup rolls disposed so as to sandwich the pair of mill rolls <NUM>. The pair of backup rolls may be rotatably supported on the above described housing via an axle box disposed on the axial end portions of the backup roll.

The pair of gear spindle devices <NUM> are configured to transmit the rotary driving force generated by the motor <NUM> to each of the pair of mill rolls <NUM>.

Each of the pair of the gear spindle devices <NUM> includes a middle shaft <NUM>, a spindle inner cylinder 14A and a spindle outer cylinder 16A disposed on an end portion of the middle shaft <NUM> at the side of the motor <NUM>, and a spindle inner cylinder 14B and a spindle outer cylinder 16B disposed on an end portion of the middle shaft <NUM> at the side of the mill roll <NUM>.

The middle shaft <NUM> of the gear spindle device <NUM> is coupled to the output shaft of the device at the side of the motor <NUM> via the spindle inner cylinder 14A and the spindle outer cylinder 16A. In the illustrative embodiment shown in the drawing, a gear box (transmission) <NUM> is disposed between the motor <NUM> and the gear spindle device <NUM>. The middle shaft <NUM> is coupled to the output shaft <NUM> of the gear box <NUM> via the spindle inner cylinder 14A and the spindle outer cylinder 16A. The gear box <NUM> is configured to shift the rotation speed of the rotary driving force generated by the motor <NUM>, and divide the rotary driving force into two. In another embodiment, a motor for driving the mill roll <NUM> may be connected to the gear spindle device <NUM> not via the gear box. That is, the middle shaft <NUM> of the gear spindle device <NUM> may be coupled to the output shaft of the motor via the spindle inner cylinder 14A and the spindle outer cylinder 16A.

Furthermore, the middle shaft <NUM> of the gear spindle device <NUM> is coupled to the axial end portion 6a of the mill roll <NUM> via the spindle inner cylinder 14B and the spindle outer cylinder 16B.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing an end portion of the gear spindle device <NUM> at the side of the motor <NUM> according to an embodiment. Herein, the coupling structure of the gear spindle device <NUM> and the output shaft of a device at the side of the motor <NUM> will be described. Nevertheless, a similar description is applicable to the coupling structure between the gear spindle device <NUM> and the axial end portion 6a of the mill roll <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the spindle outer cylinder 16A has a fitting hole <NUM> having an opening on the end surface at the side of the first end 16a in the axial direction (the direction of the center axis O of the spindle outer cylinder 16A), to which the end portion of the spindle inner cylinder 14A is fitted. Furthermore, the spindle outer cylinder 16A has an inner circumferential surface <NUM> at the side of the first end 16a (first end), and an inner circumferential gear <NUM> is disposed on the inner circumferential surface <NUM>. The fitting hole <NUM> is formed by the inner circumferential surface <NUM>. The spindle inner cylinder 14A has an outer circumferential surface <NUM> on which an outer circumferential gear <NUM> is disposed, at an end portion engaging with the fitting hole <NUM> of the spindle outer cylinder 16A. The end portion of the spindle inner cylinder 14A is fitted with the fitting hole <NUM> of the spindle outer cylinder 16A, such that the inner circumferential gear <NUM> of the spindle outer cylinder 16A and the outer circumferential gear <NUM> of the spindle inner cylinder 14A engage with one another. Accordingly, an engagement portion <NUM> is formed, which is a portion where the inner circumferential gear <NUM> of the spindle outer cylinder 16A and the outer circumferential gear <NUM> of the spindle inner cylinder 14A engage with one another. It should be noted that the inner circumferential gear <NUM> and the outer circumferential gear <NUM> are engageable in a state where the center axis P of the spindle inner cylinder 14A is oblique with respect to the center axis O of the spindle outer cylinder 16A.

A lubricant oil is supplied to the engagement portion <NUM> between the inner circumferential gear <NUM> of the spindle outer cylinder 16A and the outer circumferential gear <NUM> of the spindle inner cylinder 14A, via a non-depicted lubricant oil supply passage. A lubricant oil chamber <NUM> which stores the above described lubricant oil is formed between the inner circumferential surface <NUM> of the spindle outer cylinder 16A and the outer circumferential surface <NUM> of the spindle inner cylinder 14A. Furthermore, a seal member <NUM> for holding the lubricant oil at the engagement portion <NUM> (that is, for suppressing leakage of the lubricant oil from the lubricant oil chamber <NUM>) is disposed between the inner circumferential surface <NUM> of the spindle outer cylinder 16A and the outer circumferential surface <NUM> of the spindle inner cylinder 14A.

As depicted in <FIG>, the spindle outer cylinder 16A has a fitting hole <NUM> having an opening on the end surface at the side of the second end 16b opposite to the first end 16a in the axial direction. To the fitting hole <NUM>, an end portion of the output shaft of the device at the side of the motor <NUM> (in the illustrated example, the output shaft <NUM> of the gear box <NUM>) is fitted.

In the rolling mill facility <NUM> configured as described above, the rotary driving force generated by the motor <NUM> is transmitted to mill rolls <NUM> via the output shaft at the side of the motor <NUM>, the spindle outer cylinder 16A and the spindle inner cylinder 14A at the side of the motor <NUM> including the engagement portion <NUM>, the middle shaft <NUM>, and the spindle outer cylinder 16B and the spindle inner cylinder 14B at the side of the mill rolls <NUM> including the engagement portion.

Next, the gear spindle device <NUM> according to some embodiments will be described in more detail. As depicted in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the gear spindle device <NUM> includes a coolant supply unit 18A for supplying a coolant to the spindle outer cylinder 16A at the side of the motor <NUM>, or a coolant supply unit 18B for supplying a coolant to the spindle outer cylinder 16B at the side of the mill rolls <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG> for instance, the coolant supply unit 18A or the coolant supply unit 18B may be provided for each of the pair of gear spindle devices <NUM>.

In the following description, the spindle inner cylinders 14A and 14B will be collectively referred to as the spindle inner cylinder <NUM>, the spindle outer cylinders 16A and 16B will be collectively referred to as the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>, and the coolant supply units18A and 18B will be collectively referred to as the coolant supply unit <NUM>. Furthermore, in the following description, the gear spindle device <NUM> according to some embodiments will be described referring mainly to the drawings showing a portion of the gear spindle device <NUM> including the spindle outer cylinder 16A and the coolant supply unit 18A at the side of the motor <NUM>. Nevertheless, a similar description is applicable to the side of the mill rolls <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the coolant supply unit <NUM> is disposed at the opposite side to the seal member <NUM> across the engagement portion <NUM> in the axial direction of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> (hereinafter, also referred to as merely the axial direction) and configured to supply a coolant toward the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM>. The formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM> is a region in the axial direction where the inner circumferential gear <NUM> and the outer circumferential gear <NUM> engaging with each other overlap in the axial direction. Herein, as depicted in <FIG>, typically, the seal member <NUM> is disposed at a position offset from the engagement portion <NUM> in a direction from the second end 16b toward the first end 16a of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the axial direction. That is, the coolant supply unit <NUM> is disposed at a position offset from the engagement portion <NUM> in a direction from the first end 16a toward the second end 16b of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the axial direction. Alternatively, the coolant supply unit <NUM> has a coolant discharge port 18a at a position offset from the engagement portion <NUM> in a direction from the first end 16a toward the second end 16b of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the axial direction.

According to the above embodiment, it is possible to supply the coolant toward the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM> from the coolant supply unit <NUM> disposed at the opposite side to the seal member <NUM> across the engagement portion <NUM> between the inner circumferential gear <NUM> and the outer circumferential gear <NUM> disposed at the side of the first end 16a of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> (that is, the side opposite to the second end 16b engaged with the output shaft of the motor <NUM> or the gear box <NUM> or the axial end portion 6a of the mill roll <NUM>). Thus, it is possible to effectively suppress scattering of the coolant discharged toward the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> from the coolant supply unit <NUM>, or the coolant discharged accordingly and bounced back at the surface of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> toward the devices (e.g., the gear box <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, or the mill rolls <NUM>) coupled to the second end 16b side of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to reduce the negative influence on the devices or the material to be rolled due to supply of the coolant.

For instance, by providing the coolant supply unit 18A for supplying the coolant toward the spindle outer cylinder 16A at the side of the motor <NUM> of the gear spindle device <NUM>, it is possible to suppress breakdown of the gear box <NUM> or the motor <NUM> due to incorporation of the coolant. Alternatively, by providing the coolant supply unit 18B for supplying the coolant toward the spindle outer cylinder 16B at the side of the mill rolls <NUM> of the gear spindle device <NUM>, it is possible to suppress failure in the temperature management of the material to be rolled due to adhesion of the coolant to the material to be rolled, for instance.

<FIG> are each a partial cross-sectional diagram of the gear spindle device <NUM> according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a side view of a portion of the gear spindle device <NUM> at the side of the motor <NUM>. <FIG> is an A-A cross-sectional diagram of <FIG>. <FIG> is a B-B cross-sectional diagram of <FIG>.

In some embodiments, as depicted in <FIG>, and <FIG>, the gear spindle device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> housing the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the coolant supply unit <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM>.

In the illustrative embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> includes an upper wall portion <NUM> and a lower wall portion <NUM> disposed at the upper side and the lower side of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the coolant supply unit <NUM>, respectively, a pair of axial-direction end wall portions <NUM>, <NUM> disposed at both sides across the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the coolant supply unit <NUM> in the axial direction, and a pair of lateral wall portions <NUM>, <NUM> disposed at the lateral sides of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the coolant supply unit <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is supported on the base structure via a leg portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the housing <NUM> includes at least one of the upper wall portion <NUM>, the lower wall portion <NUM>, the axial-direction end wall portion <NUM>, the axial-direction end wall portion <NUM>, the lateral wall portion <NUM>, or the lateral wall portion <NUM>. For instance, the housing <NUM> may include the upper wall portion <NUM>, the lower wall portion <NUM>, and the pair of lateral wall portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and not the axial-direction end wall portion <NUM>.

It should be noted that the upper side and the lower side in the present specification refer to the upper side and the lower side in the vertical direction (top-bottom direction).

In the illustrative embodiment depicted in <FIG>, of the pair of axial-direction end wall portions <NUM>, <NUM>, on the axial-direction end wall portion <NUM> positioned at the side of the second end 16b of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>, a hole <NUM> is formed, into which the output shaft of the device at the side of the motor <NUM> fitting with the end portion of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> at the side of the second end 16b (in the drawing, the output shaft <NUM> of the gear box <NUM>) is inserted. Furthermore, of the pair of axial-direction end wall portions <NUM>, <NUM>, on the axial-direction end wall portion <NUM> positioned at the side of the first end 16a of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>, a hole <NUM> is formed, to which the middle shaft <NUM> connected to the spindle inner cylinder <NUM> is inserted.

According to the above described embodiment, the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the coolant supply unit <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM> are housed inside the housing <NUM>, and thus it is possible to effectively suppress scattering of the coolant to the devices (i.e., the motor <NUM> and the gear box <NUM>) coupled to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> at the side of the second end 16b.

In some embodiments, the housing <NUM> includes a first wall portion having a hole into which a shaft fitting to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> at the side of the second end 16b of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the axial direction is inserted, and the hole has a smaller diameter than the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> includes the above-described axial-direction end wall portion <NUM> as the first wall portion. The axial-direction end wall portion <NUM> has the above described hole <NUM> into which the output shaft <NUM> of the gear box <NUM> fitting to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> at the side of the second end 16b of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> is inserted. The diameter D3 of the hole <NUM> is smaller than the diameter D1 of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>. Furthermore, the diameter D3 of the hole <NUM> is greater than the diameter D2 of the output shaft <NUM> inserted into the hole <NUM>.

According to the above embodiment, the diameter D3 of the hole <NUM> disposed on the axial-direction end wall portion <NUM> (first wall portion) of the housing <NUM>, into which the output shaft <NUM> of the gear box <NUM> fitting to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> is inserted, is smaller than the diameter D1 of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>, and thus it is possible to effectively suppress scattering of the coolant to the gear box4.

In some embodiments, as depicted in <FIG> for instance, the coolant supply unit <NUM> is configured to inject the coolant toward the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> from a position above the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>. That is, the coolant discharge port 18a of the coolant supply unit <NUM> is positioned above the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> to be cooled by the coolant supply unit <NUM>.

According to the above described embodiment, the coolant supply unit <NUM> injects the coolant toward the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> from the position above the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>, and thus the injected coolant reaches the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> more reliably, compared to a case where the coolant is injected toward the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> from a position below the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to effectively suppress scattering of the coolant toward the devices (the gear box <NUM> or the mill rolls <NUM>, for instance) coupled to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> at the side of the second end 16b, while effectively cooling the cooling target portion (the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM>) of the gear spindle device <NUM>.

In the illustrative embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the coolant supply unit <NUM> includes a nozzle <NUM> configured to inject the coolant toward the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM>.

According to the above described embodiment, the coolant supply unit <NUM> includes the nozzle <NUM>, and thus it is easier to adjust the injection angle of the coolant from the nozzle <NUM> and the supply range of the coolant to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to effectively suppress scattering of the coolant toward the devices (the gear box <NUM> or the mill rolls <NUM>, for instance) coupled to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> at the side of the second end 16b, while cooling the cooling target portion of the gear spindle device <NUM> effectively.

In some embodiments, as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, in a planar view, a pair of nozzles <NUM> (the coolant supply units <NUM>) are disposed on either side of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> across the center axis O. Accordingly, it is possible to cool the cooling-target portion of the gear spindle device <NUM> more effectively.

In some embodiments, as depicted in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> for instance, the nozzle <NUM> (coolant supply unit <NUM>) is configured to inject the coolant in a direction from the second end 16b toward the first end 16a of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the axial direction.

According to the above-described embodiment, with the nozzle <NUM> (coolant supply unit <NUM>), the coolant is injected in a direction from the second end 16b (the side where the devices are coupled) toward the first end 16a (the side where the spindle inner cylinder <NUM> is disposed) of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>, and thus it is possible to effectively suppress scattering of the coolant toward the devices (the gear box <NUM> or the mill rolls <NUM>, for instance) coupled to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> at the side of the second end 16b.

In some embodiments, as depicted in <FIG> for instance, the nozzle <NUM> (the coolant supply unit <NUM>) is configured to supply the coolant to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM> from a position farther from the seal member <NUM> in the axial direction than the supply region A2 of the coolant of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>. That is, the coolant discharge port 18a of the nozzle (coolant supply unit <NUM>) is positioned at a position offset in a direction from the first end 16a toward the second end 16b in the axial direction from the supply region A2 of the coolant. The supply region A2 of the coolant is determined in accordance with the direction, angle, pressure, and the like of injection of the coolant by the nozzle <NUM> (coolant supply unit <NUM>).

According to the embodiment, the nozzle <NUM> (the coolant supply unit <NUM>) supplies the coolant toward the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM> from a position farther from the seal member <NUM> in the axial direction than the supply region A2 of the coolant, and thus it is possible to effectively suppress scattering of the coolant toward the devices (the gear box <NUM> or the mill rolls <NUM>, for instance) coupled to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> at the side of the second end 16b.

In some embodiments, when the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> is seen in a horizontal direction which is orthogonal to the center axis O of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> (see <FIG>), the angular degree α between the center axis L1 of the nozzle <NUM> and the center axis O of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> is not smaller than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

According to the above described embodiment, the above described angular degree α is not smaller than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and thus it is possible to ensure a large contact area between the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the coolant. Thus, it is possible to cool the cooling target portion of the gear spindle device <NUM> effectively. Furthermore, if the above described angular degree is not greater than <NUM> degrees, the coolant injected from the nozzle <NUM> and bounced back on the surface of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> is more likely to be oriented in a direction from the second end 16b (the side where the devices are coupled) toward the first end 16a (the side where the spindle inner cylinder <NUM> is disposed) of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to effectively suppress scattering of the coolant toward the devices (the gear box <NUM> or the mill rolls <NUM>, for instance) coupled to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> at the side of the second end 16b.

In some embodiments, when the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> is seen in the axial direction (see <FIG>), the angular degree β formed between the center axis L1 of the nozzle <NUM> and the horizontal direction (line LH in <FIG>) is not smaller than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

According to the above described embodiment, the above described angular degree β is not smaller than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and thus it is possible to ensure a large contact area between the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the coolant. Thus, it is possible to cool the cooling target portion of the gear spindle device <NUM> effectively.

In some embodiments, when the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> is seen in a planar view (see <FIG>), the angular degree γ between the center axis L1 of the nozzle <NUM> and the center axis O of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> is not smaller than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees.

According to the above described embodiment, the above described angular degree γ is not smaller than <NUM> degrees and not greater than <NUM> degrees, and thus it is possible to ensure a large contact area between the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the coolant. Thus, it is possible to cool the cooling target portion of the gear spindle device <NUM> effectively.

As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments, the gear spindle device <NUM> includes a temperature sensor <NUM> configured to measure the temperature of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM>.

According to the above described embodiment, it is possible to measure the temperature of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM> with the temperature sensor <NUM>, and thus it is possible to confirm if the cooling target portion (i.e., the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM>) is cooled appropriately on the basis of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to suppress scattering of the coolant toward the devices (the gear box <NUM> or the mill rolls <NUM>, for instance) coupled to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> at the side of the second end 16b effectively, while cooling the cooling target portion of the gear spindle device <NUM> more reliably.

In some embodiments, as depicted in <FIG> for instance, the temperature sensor <NUM> is disposed at a position offset from the coolant supply unit <NUM> in a direction from the second end 16b toward the first end 16a of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the axial direction of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>.

According to the above described embodiment, the temperature sensor <NUM> is disposed at a position offset from the coolant supply unit <NUM> in a direction from the second end 16b toward the first end 16a of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the axial direction, and thus it is possible to measure the temperature in the vicinity of the portion of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> to which the coolant is supplied (the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM>) with the temperature sensor <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to check if the cooling target portion is appropriately cooled more accurately, on the basis of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor <NUM> is configured to measure the temperature of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM> using infrared light. That is, the temperature sensor <NUM> has a light receiving portion for receiving infrared light discharged from the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM>, and is configured to obtain the temperature of the above described spindle outer cylinder <NUM> on the basis of the detection result of infrared light obtained by the light receiving portion.

In some embodiments, as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG> for instance, the gear spindle device <NUM> includes, between the temperature sensor <NUM> and the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>, a pipe <NUM> through which infrared light traveling toward the temperature sensor <NUM> from the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> in the formation region A1 of the engagement portion <NUM> is capable of passing. The pipe <NUM> extends along the light receiving direction of infrared light by the light receiving portion of the temperature sensor <NUM>.

In the above described embodiment, the above described pipe <NUM> is disposed between the temperature sensor <NUM> and the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>, and thus the pipe <NUM> prevents the coolant discharged from the coolant supply unit <NUM> or the coolant bounced back at the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> from reaching the temperature sensor <NUM>, which makes it easier to ensure a path of infrared light between the temperature sensor <NUM> and the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to measure the temperature of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> more accurately with the temperature sensor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as depicted in <FIG> for instance, the gear spindle device <NUM> includes a gas supply part <NUM> configured to supply gas to the pipe <NUM> so as to form a gas flow flowing from the temperature sensor <NUM> toward the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> inside the pipe <NUM>. The gas supply part <NUM> includes a gas supply pipe disposed between a gas supply source and the pipe <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the gas supply part <NUM> may be configured to supply gas toward the pipe <NUM> through a through hole <NUM> disposed on a sensor holding portion <NUM> holding the temperature sensor <NUM>.

In the above described embodiment, with the gas supply part <NUM>, it is possible to form a gas flow flowing from the temperature sensor <NUM> toward the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> inside the pipe <NUM>. Accordingly, the coolant discharged from the coolant supply unit <NUM> or the coolant bounced back at the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> is less likely to enter the inside of the pipe <NUM>. Furthermore, even if the coolant enters the inside of the pipe <NUM>, it is possible to let the coolant out the pipe <NUM> with the above described gas flow. Thus, it is possible to measure the temperature of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> more accurately with the temperature sensor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG> for instance, the housing <NUM> of the gear spindle device <NUM> includes a lateral wall portion <NUM> (second wall portion) having an opening portion <NUM>. Furthermore, the gear spindle device <NUM> includes a lid portion <NUM> capable of opening and closing the opening portion <NUM>. The above described temperature sensor <NUM> is supported on the lid portion <NUM>. In <FIG>, the lid portion <NUM>, the temperature sensor <NUM>, and the like in a state where the opening portion <NUM> is open are shown in two-dotted chain lines.

In the illustrative embodiment depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the temperature sensor <NUM> is supported on the lid portion <NUM> via a support portion <NUM> including support plates <NUM>, <NUM> fixed to the lid portion <NUM>. Furthermore, when the lid portion <NUM> closes the opening portion <NUM>, the lid portion <NUM> is fastened to the lateral wall portion <NUM> with a bolt <NUM>. Furthermore, when the opening portion <NUM> is opened, the lid portion <NUM> is removed from the lateral wall portion <NUM> by removing the bolt <NUM>.

According to the above described embodiment, the temperature sensor <NUM> is supported by the lid portion <NUM> capable of opening and closing the opening portion <NUM> disposed on the housing <NUM>, and thus it is possible to perform maintenance on the temperature sensor <NUM> together when performing maintenance on the gear spindle device <NUM> by opening the opening portion <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to perform maintenance efficiently on the gear spindle device <NUM>, where the coolant is supplied to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>.

In an embodiment, in addition to the temperature sensor <NUM>, the above described pipe <NUM> and/or the gas supply part <NUM> may be supported on the lid portion <NUM>.

In an embodiment, as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG> for instance, the pipe <NUM> may be inserted into a hole <NUM> disposed on the lid portion <NUM>. The pipe <NUM> may be fixed to the lid portion <NUM> by welding, for instance.

In an embodiment, as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG> for instance, an end portion of the gas supply pipe of the gas supply part <NUM> may be connected to the sensor holding portion <NUM> holding the temperature sensor <NUM>. As described above, the gas supply part <NUM> may be supported on the lid portion <NUM> via the support portion <NUM> with the sensor holding portion <NUM> and the temperature sensor <NUM>.

Accordingly, by supporting the pipe <NUM> and/or the gas supply part <NUM> with the lid portion <NUM>, it is possible to perform maintenance on the pipe <NUM> and/or the gas supply part <NUM> together when performing maintenance on the gear spindle device <NUM> by opening the opening portion <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to perform maintenance efficiently on the gear spindle device <NUM>, where the coolant is supplied to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the gas supply pipe of the gas supply part <NUM> may be formed of a flexible material. In this case, the gas supply pipe has flexibility, and thus it is possible to open and close the lid portion <NUM> easily without removing the gas supply pipe.

In some embodiments, as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG> for instance, the gear spindle device <NUM> includes an arm <NUM>, <NUM> for connecting the lid portion <NUM> and the lateral wall portion <NUM> (second wall portion), and a hinge <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for supporting the arm <NUM>, <NUM> to the lid portion <NUM> or the lateral wall portion <NUM> (second wall portion) rotatably. In the embodiment depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the arm <NUM>, <NUM> is supported on the lid portion <NUM> via the support portion <NUM>, and is supported on the lateral wall portion <NUM> via a protruding portion <NUM> protruding toward the lateral side from the lateral wall portion <NUM>. The arm <NUM>, <NUM> is rotatable by the hinge <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

With the above configuration, the arm <NUM>, <NUM> for connecting the lid portion <NUM> and the lateral wall portion <NUM> (second wall portion), and the hinge <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for supporting the arm <NUM>, <NUM> on the lid portion <NUM> or the lateral wall portion <NUM> (second wall portion) rotatably are provided, and thus it is possible to easily open and close the lid portion <NUM> having an increased weight from supporting the temperature sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic configuration diagram of the rolling mill facility <NUM> including the gear spindle device <NUM> according to an embodiment. In the illustrative embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the rolling mill facility <NUM> includes a coolant circulation device <NUM>. The coolant circulation device <NUM> is configured to circulate the coolant supplied to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the mill roll <NUM> of the gear spindle device <NUM>.

The coolant circulation device <NUM> depicted in <FIG> includes a coolant receiving portion <NUM> for receiving and collecting the coolant supplied to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the coolant supplied to the mill roll <NUM>, a first supply line <NUM> for supplying the coolant from the coolant receiving portion <NUM> to the coolant supply unit <NUM>, and a second supply line <NUM> for supplying the coolant from the coolant receiving portion <NUM> to the mill roll <NUM>.

The coolant circulation device <NUM> includes a tank <NUM> for storing the coolant. The coolant collected by the coolant receiving portion <NUM> is guided to the tank via a tank introduction line <NUM>.

The coolant circulation device <NUM> includes a first temperature adjustment part <NUM> for adjusting the temperature of the coolant inside the tank <NUM> to the temperature suitable for cooling the mill roll <NUM>. The first temperature adjustment part <NUM> may include a heater for heating the coolant inside the tank <NUM>. The coolant inside the tank <NUM> having a temperature adjusted by the first temperature adjustment part <NUM> is pumped to the first supply line <NUM> and the second supply line <NUM> via the pump <NUM>.

The coolant circulation device <NUM> includes a second temperature adjustment part <NUM> for adjusting the temperature of the coolant flowing through the first supply line <NUM> to the temperature suitable for cooling the spindle outer cylinder <NUM>. The second temperature adjustment part <NUM> may include a cooler for cooling the coolant flowing through the first supply line <NUM>. The first supply line <NUM> includes a branch line 90a and a branch line 90b. The coolant whose temperature is adjusted by the second temperature adjustment part <NUM> is supplied to the coolant supply unit 18A for cooling the spindle outer cylinder 16A at the side of the motor <NUM> via the branch line 90a, and to the coolant supply unit 18B at the side of the mill roll <NUM> via the branch line 90b.

The coolant supplied to the mill roll <NUM> and the coolant supplied to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> are each collected to the coolant receiving portion <NUM> via a non-depicted path. The coolant supplied to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> may be guided to the coolant receiving portion <NUM> via a discharge port <NUM> disposed on the housing <NUM> and a drain pipe (not depicted) connected to the discharge port <NUM>.

According to the above described embodiment, the coolant supplied to each of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the mill roll <NUM> is collected by the coolant receiving portion <NUM>, and the coolant is supplied to the coolant supply unit <NUM> via the first supply line <NUM> and to the mill roll <NUM> via the second supply line <NUM>, respectively. That is, in the above described embodiment, the coolant supplied to the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> is also used as the coolant supplied to the mill roll <NUM>. Thus, compared to a case where the cooling mechanism for the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> and the coolant mechanism for the mill roll <NUM> are provided separately, it is possible to effectively suppress scattering of the coolant toward the devices (the gear box <NUM> or the mill roll <NUM>, for instance) coupled to the side of the second end 16b of the spindle outer cylinder <NUM> while reducing the installation space and cost of the devices.

Hereinafter, configurations found in the gear spindle device for a rolling mill, the rolling mill facility, and the method of cooling a gear spindle device for a rolling mill disclosed herein will be described in summary.

Embodiments of the present invention were described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various amendments and modifications may be implemented within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Further, in the present specification, an expression of relative or absolute arrangement such as "in a direction", "along a direction", "parallel", "orthogonal", "centered", "concentric" and "coaxial" shall not be construed as indicating only the arrangement in a strict literal sense, but also includes a state where the arrangement is relatively displaced by a tolerance, or by an angle or a distance whereby it is possible to achieve the same function.

Claim 1:
A gear spindle device for a rolling mill, comprising:
a spindle outer cylinder (<NUM>) having, at a first end side (16a), an inner circumferential surface (<NUM>) provided with an inner circumferential gear (<NUM>);
a spindle inner cylinder (<NUM>) having an outer circumferential surface (<NUM>) provided with an outer circumferential gear (<NUM>) which engages with the inner circumferential gear (<NUM>);
a seal member (<NUM>) disposed between the spindle outer cylinder (<NUM>) and the spindle inner cylinder (<NUM>), for holding a lubricant oil at an engagement portion (<NUM>) between the inner circumferential gear (<NUM>) and the outer circumferential gear (<NUM>); and
a coolant supply unit (<NUM>) for supplying a coolant toward the spindle outer cylinder (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the coolant supply unit (<NUM>) is disposed at an opposite side to the seal member (<NUM>) across the engagement portion (<NUM>) in an axial direction of the spindle outer cylinder (<NUM>), for supplying the coolant toward the spindle outer cylinder (<NUM>) in a formation region of the engagement portion (<NUM>) where the engagement portion (<NUM>) is formed, and
the coolant supply unit (<NUM>) includes a nozzle (<NUM>) configured to inject the coolant toward the spindle outer cylinder (<NUM>) in the formation region of the engagement portion (<NUM>), wherein the nozzle (<NUM>) is configured to inject the coolant in a direction from a second end side (16b) toward the first end side (16a) of the spindle outer cylinder (<NUM>) in the axial direction, and the spindle outer cylinder (<NUM>) is configured for coupling a gear box, a motor, or a mill roll of the rolling mill to its second end side (16b).