A quartz tube pipe connecting device and method

Abstract

The application provides a quartz pipe connecting device and method, the connecting device comprising: a forklift unit, comprising a chassis, a frame vertically installed on the chassis and a fork arm moving up and down along the frame; and a connecting unit, comprising two groups of pulley assemblies respectively corresponding to the left and right fork arms of the forklift unit and a connecting rope wound between the pulley assemblies, each pulley assembly comprising: a first wheel set, a second wheel set and a steering wheel set; one end of the connecting rope is fixed to the frame, repeatedly passes through the first wheel set and the second wheel set on one side, is led out to the steering wheel set via the second wheel set, repeatedly passes through the steering wheel set on the other side, the second wheel set and the first wheel set, and the other end is fixed to the frame of the forklift unit, the steering wheel set turns the connecting rope led out from the second wheel set to be in a drooping state between the two steering wheel sets. The application can control the uniform speed of the pipe, improve the stability of the pipe connection, save manpower, improve work efficiency and operating environment, and reduce the risk of pipe connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of quartz product preparation technology, specifically to a quartz tube connection device and method. Background Technology

[0002] When producing large-diameter quartz tubes, after the quartz sand is 100% melted in the furnace, the liquid tube flows out through the forming device at the furnace mouth as a semi-solid hollow tube. At this time, the tube temperature is high and it is easily deformed by stress, so it cannot be directly drawn. It needs to go through a pipe-connecting process first, which catches the tube and protects it as it slowly descends to the tube-drawing machine.

[0003] The traditional method of pipe connection involves 3-4 workers using iron hooks to support the semi-solid pipe as soon as it comes out of the furnace. After the pipe is lowered a certain distance, manual clamps are used to hold it until the pipe pulling machine catches it.

[0004] However, during the automatic descent from the furnace mouth to the tube drawing machine, there are certain uncertain risks due to the uneven force of manual clamping and the high requirements for personnel to clamp for more than 4 hours. If the clamping force is too small, the quartz tube will slip, and if the clamping force is too large, the tube that just came out of the furnace will not have time to flow out and will block the furnace mouth. In addition, the long-term high-temperature work will also cause certain harm to the health of workers. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a quartz tube connection device and method that can control the tube to descend at a uniform speed, improve connection stability, save manpower, increase work efficiency, improve the operating environment, and reduce connection risks.

[0006] The first part of the present invention provides a quartz tube connector device, comprising: a forklift unit including a base frame, a frame vertically mounted on the base frame, and forks that move up and down along the frame; and a connector unit including two sets of pulley assemblies respectively corresponding to the left and right forks of the forklift unit and a connector rope wound between the pulley assemblies. Each pulley assembly includes: a first pulley assembly disposed on the base frame, including a plurality of first winding pulleys arranged in parallel; a second pulley assembly disposed on the forks, including a plurality of second winding pulleys arranged in parallel; and a steering pulley assembly disposed at the front end of the forks. One end of the connector rope is fixed to the frame, repeatedly passes through one of the first and second pulley assemblies, is led out through the second pulley assembly to the steering pulley assembly, and then repeatedly passes through the second and first pulley assemblies of the other side, and is fixed to the frame of the forklift unit. The steering pulley assembly causes the connector rope led out from the second pulley assembly to be drooping between the two steering pulley assemblies.

[0007] Furthermore, the number of turns of the take-up rope through each of the first and second sets is 3 to 6.

[0008] Furthermore, the first wheel assembly is located at the upper end of the underframe near the side of the frame, and a connecting rope is extended vertically upwards.

[0009] Furthermore, the second wheel assembly is located at the lower end of the fork arm on the side closest to the frame, and a connecting rope is extended to the front end of the fork arm.

[0010] Furthermore, the steering wheel assembly includes a longitudinal steering wheel and a reversing wheel disposed above the longitudinal steering wheel. The guide rope is led out through the second wheel assembly to the longitudinal steering wheel and then toward the outer edge of the reversing wheel. It then passes through the upper outer periphery of the reversing wheel and reverses direction to the inner edge of the reversing wheel, where it hangs down.

[0011] Furthermore, in the pulley assembly, each pulley is provided with a groove, and the connecting rope is wound inside the groove.

[0012] The second part of this invention provides a method for connecting quartz tubes, using the aforementioned connecting device to perform the connecting process, including the following steps: before the tube exits the furnace, the device is moved to a position below the furnace opening using a forklift unit; after the tube exits the furnace, the fork arm is controlled to descend, and the connecting rope at the middle of the steering wheel assembly at the front end of the fork arm catches the tube and descends; after the connecting rope catches the tube and descends to a specified height, a tube pulling machine supports and catches the tube, and a tool is used to remove the connecting rope from the side; the fork arm is controlled to rise until the connecting rope at the middle of the steering wheel assembly at the front end of the fork arm rises to a tightened state, and the connecting process is completed.

[0013] Furthermore, the relationship between the fork arm descent height S, the pipe descent height H, and the number of turns N of the connecting rope between the first and second wheel groups is H = S × 2 × N.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0015] While achieving precise and uniform pipe descent, it saves manpower, improves the working environment, increases the success rate of pipe pulling machine connection, and ensures the integrity of pipe quality during the connection process.

[0016] It should be understood that the description in the Summary of the Invention is not intended to limit the key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to restrict the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural view of a quartz tube connection device provided for an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of the central groove;

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the front side structure of the quartz pipe connection device;

[0021] in, Figures 1 to 3 The correspondence between the reference numerals and component names in the attached drawings is as follows:

[0022] 1. Base frame, 110 directional rollers, 2. Chassis, 210 swivel rollers, 220 sliding rails, 230 oil pump, 240 hydraulic rods, 250 fixed shaft, 251 sprockets, 260 drive chains, 3. fork arms, 4. first wheel set, 5. second wheel set, 6. longitudinal steering wheel, 7. reversing wheel, 8. connecting rope, 9. counterweight. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0024] Furthermore, the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0025] The first part of the present invention provides, as follows Figure 1A quartz tube connector device is shown, comprising a forklift unit and a connector unit. The forklift unit includes a base frame 1, a frame 2 vertically mounted on the base frame 1, and forks 3 that move up and down along the frame 2. The connector unit includes two sets of pulley assemblies respectively corresponding to the left and right forks 3 of the forklift unit, and a connector rope 8 wound between the pulley assemblies. Each pulley assembly includes: a first pulley set 4, which is disposed on the base frame 1 and includes a plurality of first winding pulleys arranged in parallel; a second pulley set 5, which is disposed on the fork 3 and includes a plurality of second winding pulleys arranged in parallel; and a steering pulley set, which is disposed at the front end of the fork 3. One end of the connector rope 8 is fixed to the frame 2, repeatedly passes through one of the first pulley sets 4 and the second pulley set 5, is led out through the second pulley set 5 to the steering pulley set, and then passes through the other steering pulley set, repeatedly passing through the second pulley set 5 and the first pulley set 4, and its other end is fixed to the frame 2 of the forklift unit. The steering pulley set causes the connector rope 8 led out from the second pulley set 5 to be drooping between the two steering pulley sets. By assembling the forklift unit and the connecting unit, a quartz tube connecting device is formed, which performs connecting operations on freshly produced quartz tubes, saving manpower and improving the stability of the connecting process while ensuring the tubes descend at a uniform speed.

[0026] In the above embodiment, the number of turns of the connecting rope 8 through each of the first and second pulley groups 4 and 5 is 3 to 6. If the number of turns is too few, the required height for connecting cannot be reached, and connecting cannot be performed; if the number of turns is too many, it will affect the continuity between the pulley assembly and the connecting rope 8, affecting the connecting effect.

[0027] In the above embodiment, the first wheel set 4 is disposed on the upper side of the base frame 1 near the frame 2, and the connecting rope 8 is led out vertically upward. By placing the first wheel set 4 on the base frame 1, the distance between the first wheel set 4 and the second wheel set 5 can be maximized, leaving sufficient descending length for the connecting rope 8 at the front end of the fork arm 3 to catch the pipe and descend.

[0028] In the above embodiment, the second wheel set 5 is disposed on the lower side of the fork arm 3 on the side closest to the frame 2, and a connecting rope 8 is led out towards the front end of the fork arm 3. By mounting the second wheel set 5 on the fork arm 3, the second wheel set 5 can move up and down with the fork arm 3. This allows the fork arm 3 to be lowered via the lifting control system, bringing the second wheel set 5 closer to the first wheel set 4, thereby reducing the distance between the first wheel set 4 and the second wheel set 5. Consequently, the length of the connecting rope 8 repeatedly passing between the first wheel set 4 and the second wheel set 5 becomes shorter, and correspondingly, the connecting rope 8 at the front end of the fork arm 3, at the turning wheel set, is extended so that the connecting rope 8 can catch the pipe and descend to a sufficient height.

[0029] In the above embodiment, the steering wheel assembly includes a longitudinal steering wheel 6 and a reversing wheel 7 disposed above the longitudinal steering wheel 6. The connecting rope 8 is led out from the second wheel assembly 5 to the longitudinal steering wheel 6, then faces the outer edge of the reversing wheel 7, and then, via the upper outer periphery of the reversing wheel 7, reverses direction to the inner edge of the reversing wheel 7, thus hanging down. The longitudinal steering wheel 6 causes the connecting rope 8 led out from the second wheel assembly 5 to change from a horizontal to a vertical direction, and the reversing wheel 7 causes the connecting rope 8, which is wound around the left and right fork arms 3, to connect to the pipe at the middle of the steering wheel assembly and hang down.

[0030] In the above embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, each pulley in the pulley assembly is provided with a groove, and the connecting rope 8 is wound in the groove to realize the linkage transmission between each pulley assembly and the connecting rope 8. The connecting rope 8 is wound in the groove at least once.

[0031] In the above embodiment, the forklift unit's base frame 1 is composed of two parallel iron rods, with a pair of directional rollers 110 at the lower front end of each parallel iron rod for moving the device. The frame 2 is a long rectangle, with a pair of universal rollers 210 at the bottom for moving the device and controlling its direction. A horizontal iron rod is fixedly connected to both sides of the frame 2 in the middle of the frame 2 for fixing the lifting control system. On the frame 2, the fork arms 3 are movably connected to the sliding rails 220 extending longitudinally along the sides of the frame 2, controlling the up-and-down movement of the fork arms 3 along the sliding rails 220. Therefore, commercially available forklift products can be used.

[0032] The fork arm 3 includes a horizontal connecting rod arranged horizontally near the side of the frame 2, and iron rods arranged at both ends of the connecting rod. The two iron rods are arranged in parallel and extend away from the side of the frame 2, with a distance of 350-800mm between them, which can be flexibly selected according to the size of the quartz tube to be processed. The front end of both the left and right fork arms 3 is provided with a square protrusion for fixing the reversing wheel 7 in the steering wheel assembly. By making the rotation surface of the reversing wheel 7 perpendicular to the extension direction of the two fork arms 3, the connecting rope 8 can be adjusted to a roughly vertical direction by the longitudinal steering wheel 6, pass outside the reversing wheel 7, turn around the upper edge of the reversing wheel 7 and extend downward, and extend downward from the inside of the reversing wheel 7, that is, extend downward from the inside of the two fork arms 3 respectively, so as to catch the tube and allow the tube to move slowly downward in the vertical direction.

[0033] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, the lifting control system is fixed on the frame 2 and includes an oil pump 230; a longitudinally arranged hydraulic rod 240 driven by the oil pump 230; a transversely arranged fixed shaft 250 arranged on the upper end of the hydraulic rod 240; sprockets 251 arranged at both ends of the fixed shaft 250; and a drive chain 260, one end of which is fixed to the frame 2, passes over the upper side of the sprocket 251, and the other end is connected to the fork arm 3. Figure 3The diagram shows that the oil pump 230 is operated manually with a crank, thus the oil pump 230 is obstructed by the manual crank. Alternatively, the oil pump 230 can be driven by an electric encoder and a motor.

[0034] The oil pump 230 is controlled by rotating a manual dial to pump or extract oil to the hydraulic rod 240, thereby driving the extension and retraction of the hydraulic rod 240. The transverse fixed shaft 250 at the top of the hydraulic rod 240 moves synchronously with the extension and retraction of the hydraulic rod 240. The sprockets 251 on both sides of the fixed shaft 250 rotate freely about the center of the fixed shaft 250. As described above, one end of each of the two drive chains 260 is fixedly connected to the transverse iron bar of the frame 2, and then passes upward over the sprockets 251 at both ends of the fixed shaft 250, with the other end fixedly connected to the side of the fork arm 3 near the frame 2. When the oil pump 230 drives the hydraulic rod 240 to shorten, the hydraulic rod 230 drives the fixed shaft 250 to descend. At this time, one end of the transmission chain 260 connected to the transverse iron bar on the frame 2 remains fixed, and the other end of the transmission chain 260 connected to the side of the fork arm 3 descends under the weight of the fork arm 3. That is, the fork arm 3 descends along the sliding track 220 of the frame 2. At this time, the distance between the first and second wheel sets decreases, and the lowest point of the connecting rope 8 at the middle of the steering wheel set at the front end of the fork arm 3 descends, that is, the pipe descends.

[0035] More specifically, the distance between the left and right fork arms 3 is 350-800mm, so that the device can catch quartz tubes with diameters within this range. If the distance is less than 350mm, the tube is too thin, the force-bearing area at the bottom of the tube is too small, the supporting force of the connecting rope 8 is uneven, and the stability of the connecting rope is poor; if the distance is greater than 800mm, the tube is too thick, the load-bearing capacity of the connecting rope 8 is limited, and there is a risk of rope breakage.

[0036] The second part of this invention provides a method for connecting quartz tubes, using the aforementioned connecting device to perform the connecting process, including the following steps: before the tube exits the furnace, the device is moved to a position below the furnace opening using a forklift unit; after the tube exits the furnace, the fork arm 3 is controlled to descend, and the connecting rope 8 at the middle of the steering wheel assembly at the front end of the fork arm 3 catches the tube and descends; after the connecting rope 8 catches the tube and descends to a specific height, a tube pulling machine supports and catches the tube, and a tool is used to remove the connecting rope 8 from the side; the fork arm 3 is controlled to rise until the connecting rope 8 at the middle of the steering wheel assembly at the front end of the fork arm 3 rises to a tightened state, and the connecting process is completed.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the relationship between the descent height S of the fork arm 3, the descent height H of the pipe, and the number of turns N of the connecting rope 8 between the first wheel group 4 and the second wheel group 5 is H = S × 2 × N. When the fork arm 3 descends to the same height, the more turns of winding, the greater the distance the pipe descends.

[0038] In the above embodiment, a counterweight 9 is suspended at the middle of the steering wheel assembly at the front end of the fork arm 3 to keep the connecting rope 8 in a taut state, so that the connecting rope 8 can pass through the bottom center of the pipe in a straight state during the connecting process, thus maintaining the stability of the connecting process; after the connecting process is completed, the counterweight 9 can also ensure that the connecting rope 8 can rise steadily to return to the taut state.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the quartz sand is 100% melted in the furnace. The liquid pipe flows out as a semi-solid hollow pipe through the forming device at the furnace mouth of the continuous melting furnace and falls vertically under the action of gravity. At this time, the connecting rope 8 is kept taut under the action of the counterweight 9, ensuring that the connecting rope 8 can accurately pass through the center of the bottom of the pipe and fall. As the quartz pipe at the upper furnace mouth continues to flow out, the quartz pipe at the lower end also falls simultaneously under the protection of the connecting rope 8. At this time, the entire quartz pipe is subjected to the tension from the upper furnace, the supporting force of the connecting rope 8 at the bottom of the pipe, and the protection of the connecting rope 8 on both sides of the pipe, ensuring the stability of the entire connecting process and reducing the risk of connecting.

[0040] The following description uses the manual crank method in this embodiment to illustrate the specific working process of the example.

[0041] In this embodiment, the connecting rope 8 is wound around the first and second wheel sets 4 and 5 six times. Before the pipe exits the furnace, the device is moved to a position below the furnace opening using the directional rollers 110 and universal rollers 210 at the bottom of the device, so that the center of the continuous melting furnace, the midpoint of the connecting rope 8 at the center of the steering wheel set, and the center of the pipe drawing machine are on the same vertical line. At this time, the fork arm 3 is located at the top of the frame 2, and the connecting rope 8 at the middle of the steering wheel set at the front end of the fork arm 3 is in a taut state. The connecting rope 8 can be made of steel wire, and a counterweight 9 is suspended on the connecting rope 8 to keep the connecting rope 8 taut at all times.

[0042] After the quartz tube is produced, the manual crank is turned. For every turn of the manual crank, the fork arm 3 descends 3mm along the sliding track 220 on the frame 2. At this time, the second wheel group 5 moves closer to the first wheel group 4. The distance between the first and second wheel groups 4 and 5 is shortened by 3mm. Therefore, the lowest point of the connecting rope 8 at the middle of the steering wheel group at the front end of the fork arm 3 descends by 36mm, that is, the tube descends by 36mm.

[0043] After the connecting rope 8 protects the pipe and continues to descend to the specified height, stop rotating the manual crank, and the connecting process is complete. The pipe pulling machine supports and catches the quartz pipe. At this time, the upper end of the pipe is connected to the melting furnace, and the lower end is connected to the pipe pulling machine. Use an iron hook to remove the connecting rope 8 from the bottom side of the quartz pipe. Then, rotate the manual crank in the opposite direction to make the fork arm 3 rise along the sliding rail 220 on the frame 2. The connecting rope 8 at the front end of the fork arm 3 returns to a taut state under the action of the counterweight 9, thus preparing to start the next connecting operation. The connecting process is complete.

[0044] According to the pipe connection device of this embodiment, the pipe connection device using a manual crank is flexible and controllable, and can cope with a variety of situations. Similarly, when using an electric control encoder to control the motor to drive the oil pump 230 to rotate, precise automated control can also be achieved, enabling precise and stable control of the pipe connection operation.

[0045] The quartz tube connection device and method provided by this invention achieves the following technical effects: The use of a forklift unit for moving the entire device and the fork arm 3 allows the device to quickly align with the furnace opening of the continuous melting furnace and catch the descending tube, reducing the failure rate of the connection process; the use of a connection rope 8 for tube connection and protection not only reduces costs but also simplifies operation and improves connection stability; the pulley assembly allows the device to connect large-diameter quartz tubes within a small range, achieving the connection of tubes several times longer with less force and a shorter descent distance of the fork arm 3, resulting in high efficiency, flexibility, and energy savings; the adjustable spacing of the fork arm 3 enables stable connection of quartz tubes with diameters of 350-800mm, making the device adaptable to various diameters and expanding its applicability; and the inclusion of both electric and manual control modes saves manpower and improves efficiency.

[0046] In the description of this specification, the terms "connection," "installation," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0047] In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0048] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A quartz tube joining apparatus characterized by comprising: The quartz tube connecting device comprises: a forklift unit, which comprises a chassis, a frame vertically installed on the chassis, and a fork arm moving up and down along the frame; and a connecting unit, which comprises two groups of pulley assemblies respectively arranged corresponding to the left and right fork arms of the forklift unit and a connecting rope wound between the pulley assemblies, each of the pulley assemblies comprises: a first wheel group, which is arranged on the chassis and comprises a plurality of first winding wheels arranged side by side; a second wheel group, which is arranged on the fork arm and comprises a plurality of second winding wheels arranged side by side; and a steering wheel group, which is arranged at the front end of the fork arm, the connecting rope, one end of which is fixed to the frame, repeatedly passes through one of the first wheel group and the second wheel group, is led out of the second wheel group to the steering wheel group, then repeatedly passes through the other of the steering wheel group, the second wheel group and the first wheel group, and the other end of which is fixed to the frame of the forklift unit, the steering wheel group turns the connecting rope led out of the second wheel group to be in a drooping state between the two steering wheel groups; wherein the second wheel group and the steering wheel group move up and down with the fork arm; the connecting rope moves up and down with the fork arm, so that the middle part of the connecting rope can be raised to a recovery state or be lowered to a drooping state.

2. The quartz tube connecting device according to claim 1, wherein: the number of winding turns of the connecting rope through each of the first and second wheel groups is 3-6 turns.

3. The quartz tube connecting device according to claim 1, wherein: the first wheel group is arranged at the upper end of the chassis near the side of the frame and leads the connecting rope upward in the vertical direction.

4. The quartz tube connecting device according to claim 1, wherein: the second wheel group is arranged at the lower side of the fork arm near the side of the frame and leads the connecting rope to the front end of the fork arm.

5. The quartz tube connecting device according to claim 1, wherein: the steering wheel group comprises a longitudinal steering wheel and a reversing wheel arranged above the longitudinal steering wheel, the connecting rope is led out of the second wheel group to the outer edge of the reversing wheel after passing through the longitudinal steering wheel, and then is reversed to the inner edge of the reversing wheel to be in a drooping state after passing through the upper outer periphery of the reversing wheel.

6. The quartz tube connecting device according to claim 1, wherein: each pulley of the pulley assembly is provided with a groove, and the connecting rope is wound in the groove.

7. A method for connecting a quartz tube using the quartz tube connecting device according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein: before the tube is discharged from the furnace, the device is moved to a position below the furnace opening by the forklift unit; after the tube is discharged from the furnace, the fork arm is controlled to be lowered, and the connecting rope in the middle of the steering wheel group at the front end of the fork arm catches the tube and is lowered; after the connecting rope catches the tube and is lowered to a specified height, the tube is held by a tube pulling machine, and the connecting rope is taken out from the side using a tool; the fork arm is controlled to be raised, and the connecting rope in the middle of the steering wheel group at the front end of the fork arm is raised to a recovery state, and the tube connecting process is completed.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The relation between the lowering height S of the fork arm, the lowering height H of the pipe and the number N of winding turns of the pipe connecting rope between the first wheel set and the second wheel set is H=S×2×N.

Images