Adaptive Loop Cable Support Vehicle and Loop Cable Support System

Abstract

This invention relates to an adaptive looper cable support vehicle and a looper cable support system. The support vehicle includes a vehicle body, a support frame, and two swing frames. The support frame is equipped with two outgoing contact members for adaptive contact with the cable during its outgoing journey. Each swing frame is equipped with a state switching unit, allowing it to switch between a free state and a locked state. Each swing frame has one return contact member and one follower contact member. The two return contact members are used for adaptive contact with the cable on the locked swing frame during its return journey, while the two follower contact members are used for adaptive contact with the cable on the free swing frame. This invention utilizes the natural angle between the two cables of the looper cable in the design of the outgoing and return contact members on the support vehicle, enabling the support vehicle to automatically stop or follow the cable's movement, ensuring adaptive support position, high positioning accuracy, high operational reliability, and requiring no additional power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of strip steel production technology, and relates to the looper system on strip steel production lines, specifically to an adaptive looper cable support vehicle and a looper cable support system. Background Technology

[0002] Steel companies' continuous strip production lines are developing towards high speed. On cold rolling continuous annealing production lines, in order to meet the normal production requirements of the unit, the speed of the process section cannot be arbitrarily adjusted. However, the strip is running continuously, the strip head must be welded, and the strip tail must be spun. There must be a looper to store the strip to adapt to the speed changes caused by the welding of the strip head and the spun of the strip tail.

[0003] The higher the speed of the process section, the greater the required looper capacity. Looping cars are a type of looper device with good flexibility. Currently, looping cars are driven by wire rope traction. The longer the entire travel of the looper, the longer the wire rope, and the greater the maximum sag of the wire rope, which can lead to collisions between the wire rope and other equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to an adaptive looper cable support vehicle and a looper cable support system, which can at least solve some of the defects of the prior art.

[0005] This invention relates to an adaptive looper cable support vehicle, comprising a vehicle body, a support frame, two swing frames, two outgoing contact elements, two returning contact elements, and two follower contact elements.

[0006] The vehicle body is equipped with wheels at the bottom; the support frame is mounted on the vehicle body;

[0007] Two outgoing contact pieces are set on the support frame, and the arrangement direction between the two outgoing contact pieces is parallel to the axis of the traveling wheel; the cable spacing at the target support position of the looper cable is L, the cable diameter is d, the contact positions of the two outgoing contact pieces are opposite each other and the distance between them is equal to L+2d.

[0008] Two swing frames are rotatably mounted on the support frame, with the axis of rotation parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle body; the swing frame is equipped with a state switching unit for switching between a free state and a locked state;

[0009] Each swing frame is provided with a return contact and a follower contact, with the two return contacts located between the two follower contacts; when the swing frame is in the locked state, the two return contacts are adapted to contact the inner sides of the two cables respectively.

[0010] As one embodiment, the state switching unit includes a check ratchet, a pawl, and a constraint spring. The check ratchet is connected in series with the swing frame via the same pivot, the pawl is hinged to the support frame, and the constraint spring is located between the pawl hinge seat and the check ratchet and is connected to the pawl.

[0011] As one implementation method, the end of the pawl away from the check ratchet is provided with a contact roller, the contact rollers of the two pawls are close to each other and the distance between them is adapted to the width of the peripheral action.

[0012] As one embodiment, the support frame is movably mounted on the vehicle body and its direction of movement is parallel to the axis of the traveling wheels.

[0013] As one embodiment, the outgoing contact member includes a first mounting bracket disposed on the support frame and an outgoing contact roller rotatably mounted on the first mounting bracket, wherein the axis of the outgoing contact roller is parallel to the vertical.

[0014] As one embodiment, the return contact member includes a second mounting bracket disposed on the swing frame and a return contact roller rotatably mounted on the second mounting bracket. When the swing frame is in a locked state, the axis of the return contact roller is parallel to the vertical.

[0015] As one embodiment, the follower contact includes a third mounting bracket disposed on the swing frame and a follower wheel rotatably mounted on the third mounting bracket.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a looper cable support system, comprising:

[0017] The adaptive looper cable support vehicle described above;

[0018] The vehicle body is mounted on the travel track.

[0019] As one implementation method, the travel track includes a parking section and a working section, and the parking section is provided with an action component for cooperating with the state switching unit.

[0020] As one implementation method, there are multiple adaptive looper cable support vehicles, all of which are set on the travel track.

[0021] The present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0022] This invention utilizes the natural angle between the two ropes of a slip-on steel cable to design the outgoing and returning contact parts on the support vehicle. This enables the support vehicle to automatically stop or follow the movement of the steel cable, ensuring the adaptive positioning of its support position. It has high positioning accuracy, high operational reliability, and requires no additional power, resulting in low equipment and maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a front view structural diagram of a steel cable support vehicle (with the swing frame in a locked state) provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 A front view structural schematic diagram of a steel cable support vehicle (with the swing frame in a free state) provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 A rear view structural schematic diagram of the steel cable support vehicle provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a side view of the steel cable support vehicle provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 A top view of the steel cable support vehicle (with pawl and anti-return ratchet) provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a top view of the steel cable support vehicle (with the pawl and check ratchet separated) provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] like Figures 1-6 This invention provides an adaptive looper cable support vehicle, including a vehicle body 1, a support frame 2, two swing frames 3, two outgoing contact members 4, two returning contact members 5, and two follower contact members 6.

[0032] The vehicle body 1 is equipped with wheels at its bottom, enabling it to travel on tracks. Preferably, as follows... Figures 1-3 as well as Figure 5 and Figure 6The bottom of the vehicle body 1 is equipped with two sets of traveling mechanisms to facilitate travel on two steel rails. Each set of traveling mechanisms includes one or more traveling wheels. For example, each set of traveling mechanisms includes two pairs of traveling wheels. Each pair of traveling wheels is coaxially arranged opposite each other, which can achieve high traveling stability.

[0033] Two rails are symmetrically arranged with respect to a baseline, and correspondingly, the two cables 100 of the slip loop cable are symmetrical with respect to the baseline.

[0034] The supporting frame 2 is mounted on the vehicle body 1.

[0035] Two outgoing contact pieces 4 are disposed on the support frame 2, and the arrangement direction between the two outgoing contact pieces 4 is parallel to the axial direction of the traveling wheel; the cable 100 spacing at the target support position of the slip-on steel cable is L, the diameter of the cable 100 is d, the contact positions of the two outgoing contact pieces 4 are opposite each other and the spacing between them is equal to L+2d.

[0036] Among them, the two outgoing contact elements 4 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the above-mentioned baseline.

[0037] like Figures 2-4 In one embodiment, the outgoing contact 4 includes a first mounting bracket 42 disposed on the support frame 2 and an outgoing contact roller 41 rotatably mounted on the first mounting bracket 42, the axis of the outgoing contact roller 41 being parallel to the vertical.

[0038] The first mounting bracket 42 is preferably detachably mounted on the support frame 2, including but not limited to being fixed with bolts.

[0039] The outgoing contact element 4 adopts an outgoing contact roller 41. The friction between the contact roller and the steel cable is small, which can reduce wear.

[0040] Preferably, such as Figures 2-4 The top of the outgoing contact roller 41 has a cap-shaped end with a gradually increasing diameter from bottom to top. This structure can limit the steel cable to a certain extent and prevent the steel cable from separating from the outgoing contact element 4.

[0041] Two swing frames 3 are rotatably mounted on the support frame 2, and the axis of rotation is parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle body 1; the swing frame 3 is equipped with a state switching unit for switching between a free state and a locked state.

[0042] Among them, the two swing frames 3 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the above-mentioned baseline.

[0043] In one embodiment, such as Figures 4-6The state switching unit includes a check ratchet 71, a pawl 72, and a constraint spring 73. The check ratchet 71 is connected to the swing frame 3 via the same pivot. The pawl 72 is hinged to the support frame 2. The constraint spring 73 is located between the hinge seat of the pawl 72 and the check ratchet 71 and is connected to the pawl 72. Under the constraint of the constraint spring 73, the check end of the pawl 72 engages with the check ratchet 71, which can lock the check ratchet 71 in one direction, thereby locking the swing frame 3. When a force is applied to the pawl 72 to overcome the constraint force of the constraint spring 73, the pawl 72 can separate from the check ratchet 71, allowing the check ratchet 71 to rotate freely and the swing frame 3 to swing freely.

[0044] In one embodiment, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 The end of the pawl 72 furthest from the check ratchet 71 is provided with a contact roller 721. The contact rollers 721 of the two pawls 72 are close to each other, and the distance between them is adapted to the width of the peripheral actuator, for example, the same as or slightly smaller than the width of the peripheral actuator. By using the contact rollers 721 to contact the peripheral actuator, the contact force between the two is small, which can reduce wear.

[0045] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 Each swing frame 3 is provided with a return contact 5 and a follower contact 6, with the two return contact 5 located between the two follower contact 6; when the swing frame 3 is in the locked state, the two return contact 5 are adapted to contact the inner side of the two cables 100 respectively.

[0046] Among them, the two return contact members 5 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the above-mentioned baseline; the two follower contact members 6 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the above-mentioned baseline.

[0047] When the swing frame 3 is in the locked state, both return contact members 5 are located between the two cables 100, and are therefore suitable for contacting the inner side of the two cables 100 respectively. The contact positions of the two return contact members 5 are opposite to each other, and the distance between the two contact positions is L.

[0048] In this embodiment, the contact position refers to the position of the contact part when it comes into contact with the cable 100.

[0049] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 The return contact 5 includes a second mounting bracket 52 disposed on the swing frame 3 and a return contact roller 51 rotatably mounted on the second mounting bracket 52. When the swing frame 3 is in the locked state, the axis of the return contact roller 51 is parallel to the vertical.

[0050] The second mounting bracket 52 is preferably detachably mounted on the swing frame 3, including but not limited to being fixed with bolts. The return contact element 5 adopts a return contact roller 51, which has low friction between the contact roller and the steel cable, thus reducing wear.

[0051] Preferably, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 The top of the return contact roller 51 has a cap-shaped end with a gradually increasing diameter from bottom to top. This structure can play a certain role in limiting the movement of the steel cable.

[0052] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 The follower contact 6 includes a third mounting bracket 62 disposed on the swing frame 3 and a follower wheel 61 rotatably mounted on the third mounting bracket 62. The third mounting bracket 62 is preferably detachably mounted on the swing frame 3, including but not limited to being fixed with bolts. The use of the follower wheel 61 reduces friction between it and the steel cable, thus minimizing wear.

[0053] Preferably, a limiting part is provided on the support frame 2 to limit the upward swing stroke of the swing frame 3. For example, based on the limiting part, the upward swing stroke end of the swing frame 3 is at a position where the axis of the return contact member 5 is parallel to the vertical.

[0054] In one embodiment, the support frame 2 is movably mounted on the vehicle body 1 and its direction of movement is parallel to the axial direction of the traveling wheels. Thus, under the radial component of the steel cable force, the support frame 2 can move on the vehicle body 1, enabling automatic centering of the support vehicle and ensuring simultaneous contact with both cables 100. This improves the smoothness of the support vehicle's movement and operational reliability, and reduces the accuracy requirement for the collinearity of the trolley track center (i.e., the aforementioned baseline) and the steel cable centerline. Preferably, a groove is provided on the vehicle body 1 to slidably accommodate the support legs of the support frame 2.

[0055] This invention also provides a looper cable support system, comprising:

[0056] The adaptive looper cable support vehicle described above;

[0057] The vehicle body 1 is mounted on the travel track.

[0058] In one embodiment, the travel track includes a parking section and a working section, with an actuator arranged in the parking section for cooperating with the state switching unit. Preferably, the interaction is generated by the relative movement between the support vehicle and the actuator during its movement, which can save on the arrangement of external power sources.

[0059] In one embodiment, the aforementioned actuating element is a parking pin 8, which is preferably mounted on the structural base. Taking the state switching unit, which includes a check ratchet 71, a pawl 72, and a constraint spring 73, as an example, when the vehicle body 1 moves, the pawl 72 can contact or separate from the parking pin 8, thereby realizing the switching of the swing frame 3 state. Preferably, the front end of the parking pin 8 (i.e., the end closer to the working section) is provided with two inclined guide surfaces. The front ends of the two inclined guide surfaces intersect, and the pawl 72 moves first on the inclined guide surface on the corresponding side, which can lift the pawl 72 and release the check ratchet 71.

[0060] In one embodiment, there are multiple adaptive looper cable support vehicles, all of which are set on the travel track. The number of cable support vehicles can be increased or decreased according to the length of the cable, which is highly flexible and can reliably support the cable.

[0061] The working process of the aforementioned support vehicle generally includes:

[0062] (1) Standby mode:

[0063] With the support vehicle in the standby position, the parking pin 8 passes through the support vehicle frame 2, actuating the pawl 72. This causes the pawl 72 to overcome the force of the constraint spring 73 and release the check ratchet 71. At this time, the check ratchet 71 and the swing cam frame coaxially mounted with it can rotate freely.

[0064] Under the influence of gravity, the follower contact 6 installed on the swing cam frame comes into contact with the steel cable, and the swing frame 3 is driven to swing by the steel cable through the follower contact 6 before reaching the design position.

[0065] (2) Outward support (i.e., the movement of the steel cable to the distant end):

[0066] When the steel cable is conveyed forward to the designed length, the outgoing contact member 4 installed on the support frame 2 contacts the steel cable and transmits the axial and radial components of the steel cable to the support frame 2. The axial component causes the vehicle body 1 to follow the steel cable; the radial component causes the support frame 2 to move on the vehicle body 1, thereby achieving automatic centering of the support vehicle.

[0067] After the support vehicle leaves the parking area, the parking pin 8 disengages from the support frame 2, releasing the pawl 72. Under the action of the constraint spring 73, the pawl 72 returns to its original position, and the one-way locking check ratchet 71 is engaged. The steel cable falls onto the idler roller due to its own deflection.

[0068] (3) Return support

[0069] When the steel cable is pulled backward and the support vehicle has not entered the parking area, the check ratchet 71 is locked in one direction by the pawl 72, and the swing frame 3, which is coaxially mounted with it, cannot swing inward. The return contact 5 contacts the steel cable and transmits the axial and radial components of the steel cable to the support frame 2. The axial component causes the vehicle body 1 to follow the steel cable, and the radial component causes the support frame 2 to move on the vehicle body 1, thereby achieving automatic centering of the support vehicle.

[0070] When the vehicle enters the parking area, the parking pin 8 passes through the support frame 2, pushes the pawl 72 to release the anti-return ratchet 71, and the support vehicle returns to the standby state.

[0071] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adaptive looper cable support vehicle, characterized in that: This includes the car body, supporting frame, two swing frames, two outgoing contact components, two returning contact components, and two follower contact components. The vehicle body is equipped with wheels at the bottom; the support frame is mounted on the vehicle body; Two outgoing contact pieces are set on the support frame, and the arrangement direction between the two outgoing contact pieces is parallel to the axis of the traveling wheel; the cable spacing at the target support position of the looper cable is L, the cable diameter is d, the contact positions of the two outgoing contact pieces are opposite each other and the distance between them is equal to L+2d. Two swing frames are rotatably mounted on the support frame, with the axis of rotation parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle body; the swing frame is equipped with a state switching unit for switching between a free state and a locked state; Each swing frame is provided with a return contact and a follower contact, with the two return contacts located between the two follower contacts; when the swing frame is in the locked state, the two return contacts are adapted to contact the inner sides of the two cables respectively.

2. The adaptive looper cable support vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The state switching unit includes a check ratchet, a pawl, and a constraint spring. The check ratchet is connected in series with the swing frame via the same pivot, the pawl is hinged to the support frame, and the constraint spring is located between the pawl hinge seat and the check ratchet and is connected to the pawl.

3. The adaptive looper cable support vehicle as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The end of the pawl furthest from the check ratchet is provided with a contact roller. The contact rollers of the two pawls are close to each other and the distance between them is adapted to the width of the external actuator.

4. The adaptive looper cable support vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The support frame is movably mounted on the vehicle body and its direction of movement is parallel to the axis of the traveling wheels.

5. The adaptive looper cable support vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The outgoing contact component includes a first mounting bracket disposed on the support frame and an outgoing contact roller rotatably mounted on the first mounting bracket, the axis of the outgoing contact roller being parallel to the vertical.

6. The adaptive looper cable support vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The return contact element includes a second mounting bracket disposed on the swing frame and a return contact roller rotatably mounted on the second mounting bracket. When the swing frame is in the locked state, the axis of the return contact roller is parallel to the vertical.

7. The adaptive looper cable support vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The follower contact includes a third mounting bracket disposed on the swing frame and a follower wheel rotatably mounted on the third mounting bracket.

8. A looper cable support system, characterized in that, include: Adaptive looper cable support vehicle as described in any one of claims 1 to 7; The vehicle body is mounted on the travel track.

9. The loose-loop steel cable support system as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The travel track includes a parking section and a working section, and the parking section is equipped with a component for cooperating with the state switching unit.

10. The loose-loop steel cable support system as described in claim 8, characterized in that: There are multiple adaptive looper cable support vehicles, all of which are mounted on the travel track.

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