A quick plug device for a cable connector of a continuous casting ladle slag detection system

Abstract

This invention provides a rapid insertion and removal device for cable connectors in a continuous casting ladle slag detection system, relating to the field of steel continuous casting automation technology. Through the separate design of the cable socket assembly and cable plug assembly, as well as the coordinated design of the socket protective cover, drive mechanism, and linkage components, the entire process of the protective cover opening and closing action and the connector insertion and removal action is synchronized. This perfectly adapts to the automated operation requirements of continuous casting on-site robot systems, enabling precise docking, automatic locking, and rapid separation of cable connectors under high-temperature and harsh working conditions, completely replacing traditional manual insertion and removal operations. Furthermore, with the assistance of positioning components, high-precision guiding positioning is achieved, effectively compensating for positioning deviations during robot operation and ensuring precise docking of the cable plug and cable socket. This device possesses strong practicality and industry promotion value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automation technology in continuous steel casting, and in particular to a quick plug-in / plug-out device for cable connectors in a continuous casting ladle slag detection system. Background Technology

[0002] Continuous casting is a core process in the steel production process, connecting steelmaking and rolling. The control of slag discharge during the casting process directly determines the internal quality and subsequent processing performance of the continuously cast billet. In existing technologies, the connection and disconnection of cable connectors in continuous casting ladle slag detection systems are generally performed manually: after the ladle is hoisted to the continuous casting ladle turntable, on-site operators manually connect and mechanically lock the slag discharge detection cable connectors; after the ladle casting operation is completed, the cable connectors are manually disassembled before the empty ladle can be transferred to the next process.

[0003] The shortcomings of the traditional manual insertion and removal operation mode are becoming increasingly prominent, and have become one of the core bottlenecks restricting the full-process automation upgrade of continuous casting. On the one hand, the working conditions at the continuous casting production site are extremely harsh. The area around the ladle is in a high-temperature, high-dust, and strong heat radiation environment for a long time, and there is a safety risk of slag splashing. Manual close-range operation faces extremely high personal safety hazards. At the same time, the labor intensity is high, and the operator's working condition directly affects the docking quality of the connectors, making it difficult to ensure the stability of the operation. On the other hand, manual docking operation relies on the operator's practical experience, and the docking accuracy is difficult to control stably. Problems such as improper docking and poor contact of connectors are very likely to occur. At best, it will cause the slag detection signal transmission to be interrupted and the detection data to be distorted. At worst, it will cause the slag detection system to fail and cause a major quality accident of slag overflow.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a quick plug-in / plug-out device for the cable connector of the continuous casting ladle slag detection system to solve or at least alleviate the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a quick plugging and unplugging device for cable connectors in a continuous casting ladle slag detection system, in order to solve the problems of poor safety and difficulty in controlling docking accuracy in the prior art due to manual operation.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a quick-plugging device for cable connectors in a continuous casting ladle slag detection system, comprising a cable socket assembly and a cable plug assembly; wherein, The cable socket assembly includes a housing, a socket protective cover, a drive mechanism, a socket positioning component, and a cable socket. The rear end of the housing is connected to a steel ladle. The cable socket is built into the housing. The socket protective cover is used to protect the cable socket and is rotatably connected to the housing. The drive mechanism is rotatably connected to the side of the housing and is driven by the socket protective cover to enable the socket protective cover to be opened and closed. The socket positioning component is connected to the front end of the housing and has a socket mounting hole for the cable socket to pass through. The cable plug assembly includes a plug mounting plate, a linkage component, a plug positioning component, and a cable plug. The plug mounting plate has a plug mounting hole, and the cable plug is installed through the plug mounting hole. The linkage component and the plug positioning component are both connected to the plug mounting plate. When the cable plug moves toward the cable socket, the linkage component moves with the plug mounting plate and drives the drive mechanism to rotate, thereby driving the socket protective cover to open. The plug positioning component and the socket positioning component cooperate with each other to lock the cable socket assembly and the cable plug assembly together.

[0007] Preferably, the housing includes an upper baffle, a lower baffle, and two connecting plate units arranged laterally opposite each other, the connecting plate units being connected between the upper baffle and the lower baffle; wherein, Each of the connecting plate units includes a support plate, a rear sealing plate, and a front sealing plate. The front end of the support plate is connected to the socket positioning assembly, the rear end of the support plate is connected to the ladle, and the support plate is used for the rotatable connection of the drive mechanism. The upper baffle, the lower baffle, and the two support plates together form an assembly space for placing the cable socket. The upper baffle is used for the rotatable connection of the socket protective cover. The rear sealing plate and the front sealing plate are spaced apart longitudinally and located outside the support plate.

[0008] Preferably, the driving mechanism includes two driving units arranged laterally opposite each other. Each driving unit includes a driving gear assembly, a driven gear assembly, and a rocker arm. The driving gear assembly and the driven gear assembly are rotatably connected to the support plate. The driving gear assembly and the driven gear assembly are meshed with each other. The rocker arm is fixedly connected to the driving gear assembly and rotates with it to cooperate with the pushing of the linkage component. The upper baffle has two longitudinal clearance holes arranged opposite each other in the transverse direction. The connecting end of the socket protective cover passes through the longitudinal clearance holes, and the connecting end of the socket protective cover is fixedly connected to the driven gear assembly to achieve opening and closing by following rotation.

[0009] Preferably, the linkage assembly includes two linkage rods arranged laterally at intervals. The linkage rods are connected to the plug mounting plate. Each front sealing plate has a through hole at its bottom. The linkage rods slide through the linkage rods to push the swing arm, thereby driving the drive gear assembly to rotate.

[0010] Preferably, the socket positioning assembly includes a socket positioning plate, and the plug positioning assembly includes a positioning pin. The socket positioning plate is connected to the front end of the upper baffle and the lower baffle. The socket positioning plate has a socket mounting hole for the cable socket to pass through and a positioning hole for the positioning pin to pass through. The positioning pin achieves the positioning effect by passing through the positioning hole.

[0011] Preferably, the socket positioning assembly further includes a locking pin, and the plug positioning assembly further includes a zero-point positioning chuck; wherein, The locking rivet is connected to the socket positioning plate, and the zero-point positioning chuck is connected to the plug mounting plate. The locking rivet is engaged in the zero-point positioning chuck to achieve a locking effect.

[0012] Preferably, the cable plug assembly further includes a plug base plate and a connecting post. The plug base plate and the plug mounting plate are spaced apart and connected by the connecting post. The plug base plate is used for clamping by a fixture and has a through hole coaxial with the plug mounting hole for the cable plug to pass through.

[0013] Preferably, the cable plug assembly further includes a plug cover, which is connected between the plug base plate and the plug mounting plate and covers the cable plug.

[0014] Preferably, the head of the positioning pin is tapered.

[0015] Preferably, each of the connecting plate units further includes a cover plate, which is sealed to the outside of the rear cover plate and the front cover plate to protect the drive mechanism.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The present invention provides a quick insertion and removal device for cable connectors in a continuous casting ladle slag detection system, comprising a cable socket assembly and a cable plug assembly. The cable socket assembly includes a housing, a socket protective cover, a drive mechanism, a socket positioning assembly, and a cable socket. The rear end of the housing is connected to the ladle, and the cable socket is built into the housing. The socket protective cover is used to protect the cable socket and is rotatably connected to the housing. The drive mechanism is rotatably connected to the side of the housing and is drivenly connected to the socket protective cover to enable the socket protective cover to be opened and closed. The socket positioning assembly is connected to the front end of the housing and has a socket mounting hole for the cable socket to pass through. The cable plug assembly includes a plug mounting plate, a linkage assembly, a plug positioning assembly, and a cable plug. The plug mounting plate has a plug mounting hole, and the cable plug passes through the plug mounting hole. The linkage assembly and the plug positioning assembly are both connected to the plug mounting plate. As the cable plug moves towards the cable socket, the linkage component moves along with the plug mounting plate, driving the drive mechanism to rotate and open the socket protective cover. The plug positioning component and the socket positioning component work together to lock the cable socket assembly and cable plug assembly together. Through the separate design of the cable socket and cable plug assemblies, and the coordinated design of the socket protective cover, drive mechanism, and linkage component, the entire process of opening and closing the protective cover and inserting / removing the connector is synchronized. This perfectly adapts to the automated operation requirements of continuous casting on-site robot systems, enabling precise docking, automatic locking, and rapid separation of cable connectors under high-temperature and harsh working conditions, completely replacing traditional manual insertion and removal operations. Furthermore, with the assistance of the positioning component, high-precision guiding positioning is achieved, effectively compensating for positioning deviations during robot operation and ensuring precise docking of the cable plug and cable socket. This design possesses strong practicality and industry promotion value. Attached Figure Description

[0017] 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 the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the overall structure after removing the cover plate in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the rear end of a cable socket assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a cable socket assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4This is a perspective view of a cable plug assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is an exploded view of a cable plug assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The objectives, features, and advantages of this invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Explanation of icon numbers: 10. Cable socket assembly; 110. Housing; 111. Upper baffle; 1111. Longitudinal clearance hole; 112. Lower baffle; 113. Support plate; 114. Rear sealing plate; 115. Front sealing plate; 1151. Through hole; 116. Cover plate; 120. Socket protective cover; 130. Drive mechanism; 131. Drive gear assembly; 132. Driven gear assembly; 133. Rocker arm; 140. Socket positioning assembly; 141. Socket positioning plate ; 1411, Socket mounting hole; 1412, Positioning hole; 142, Locking rivet; 150, Cable socket; 20, Cable plug assembly; 210, Plug mounting plate; 211, Plug mounting hole; 220, Linkage assembly; 221, Linkage rod; 230, Plug positioning assembly; 231, Positioning pin; 232, Zero-point positioning chuck; 240, Cable plug; 250, Plug base plate; 260, Connecting post; 270, Plug cover. Detailed Implementation

[0021] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0024] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this invention is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0025] Please see the appendix Figure 1-5 This invention provides a quick-plugging device for cable connectors in a continuous casting ladle slag detection system, comprising a cable socket assembly 10 and a cable plug assembly 20. First, it should be noted that in this application, "longitudinal" refers to the insertion / removal direction along the cable plug 240 and cable socket 150, and "lateral" refers to the width direction of the entire device. Please refer to the accompanying drawings for details; the specific design is as follows: The cable socket assembly 10 includes a housing 110, a socket protective cover 120, a drive mechanism 130, a socket positioning assembly 140, and a cable socket 150. The rear end of the housing 110 is connected to a steel ladle. The cable socket 150 is housed within the housing 110. The socket protective cover 120 protects the cable socket 150 and is rotatably connected to the housing 110. The drive mechanism 130 is rotatably connected to the side of the housing 110 and is drively connected to the socket protective cover 120 to allow the cover to be opened and closed. The socket positioning assembly 140 is connected to the front end of the housing 110 and has a socket mounting hole 1411 for the cable socket 150 to pass through. The cable plug... Component 20 includes a plug mounting plate 210, a linkage component 220, a plug positioning component 230, and a cable plug 240. The plug mounting plate 210 has a plug mounting hole 211, and the cable plug 240 is installed through the plug mounting hole 211. The linkage component 220 and the plug positioning component 230 are both connected to the plug mounting plate 210. When the cable plug 240 is inserted into the cable socket 150, the linkage component 220 moves with the plug mounting plate 210 and pushes the drive mechanism 130 to rotate, thereby driving the socket protective cover 120 to open. The plug positioning component 230 and the socket positioning component 140 cooperate with each other to lock the cable socket assembly 10 and the cable plug assembly 20 together.

[0026] Specifically, the quick-plug device is divided into two core modules: the cable socket assembly 10 and the cable plug assembly 20. The housing 110 provides a stable mounting base and basic protection for the built-in cable socket 150. The socket protective cover 120 is rotatably connected to the housing 110 to achieve open-close protection for the cable socket 150. Notably, in the closed state, the protective cover blocks the cable socket 150, closing it internally. This protects the cable socket assembly 10 from high temperatures, dust, and mechanical impacts as it moves through the converter, refining, hot repair, and continuous casting processes. In the open state, the protective cover does not block the cable socket 150, allowing the cable plug 240 to be easily inserted. Therefore, a drive mechanism 130 connected to the socket protective cover 120 is installed on the side of the housing 110. This, along with the linkage assembly 220 on the plug mounting plate 210, activates the drive mechanism 130 as the cable plug 240 moves towards the cable socket 150. The moving component 220 can be fed synchronously with the plug mounting plate 210, driving the drive mechanism 130 to rotate and automatically opening the socket protective cover 120. No additional independent drive source is needed for the protective cover, ensuring the fully enclosed protection of the cable socket 150 in non-working states without interfering with the robot's automated plugging and unplugging operations. Simultaneously, the cooperating socket positioning component 140 and plug positioning component 230 achieve precise guidance and positioning during docking, and reliably lock the cable socket component 10 and cable plug component 20 after docking. This split-structure design perfectly adapts to the robot's automated operation logic, enabling precise docking, locking, and separation of connectors without human intervention. It completely avoids the safety hazards of close-range manual operation under the high-temperature and high-risk conditions of continuous casting, effectively solving the problems of insufficient precision in manual docking and easy loosening of connectors. It ensures the stability of slag detection signal transmission and provides a reliable supporting solution for the unmanned upgrade of the entire continuous casting process.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing 110 includes an upper baffle 111, a lower baffle 112, and two connecting plate units arranged laterally opposite each other. The connecting plate units are connected between the upper baffle 111 and the lower baffle 112. Each connecting plate unit includes a support plate 113, a rear sealing plate 114, and a front sealing plate 115. The front end of the support plate 113 is connected to the socket positioning assembly 140, and the rear end of the support plate 113 is connected to the ladle. The support plate 113 is used for the drive mechanism 130 to rotate. The upper baffle 111, the lower baffle 112, and the two support plates 113 together form an assembly space for placing the cable socket 150. The upper baffle 111 is used for the socket protective cover 120 to rotate. The rear sealing plate 114 and the front sealing plate 115 are arranged longitudinally at intervals and located outside the support plate 113.

[0028] It should be noted that the enclosure 110 adopts an upper baffle 111, a lower baffle 112, and two sets of horizontally opposite connecting plate units to form a frame structure. The connecting plate unit uses the support plate 113 as the core load-bearing base. The front end of the support plate 113 is used to connect the socket positioning assembly 140, and the rear end is directly welded and fixed to the steel ladle. At the same time, it provides a rotation mounting point for the drive mechanism 130. The upper baffle 111, the lower baffle 112, and the two support plates 113 together form a closed assembly space for accommodating the cable socket 150. A rear sealing plate 114 and a front sealing plate 115 are arranged longitudinally at intervals on the outside of the support plate 113. 15. The drive mechanism 130 on the side of the housing 110 provides lateral protection. This split-type housing 110 structure ensures the overall structural strength and can withstand mechanical collisions and vibrations during the entire process of ladle handling, preventing deformation of the housing 110 from affecting the docking accuracy. At the same time, the modular splicing design facilitates the installation, debugging, and subsequent maintenance of the internal cable socket 150 and drive mechanism 130. The bracket plate 113 simultaneously realizes the multi-functional integration of ladle connection, internal component installation, and external drive mechanism 130 support, significantly reducing the overall size of the device and adapting to the limited installation space of the ladle.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive mechanism 130 includes two drive units arranged laterally opposite each other. Each drive unit includes a drive gear assembly 131, a driven gear assembly 132, and a rocker arm 133. The drive gear assembly 131 and the driven gear assembly 132 are rotatably connected to the support plate 113. The drive gear assembly 131 and the driven gear assembly 132 are meshed together. The rocker arm 133 is fixedly connected to the drive gear assembly 131 and rotates with it to cooperate with the push of the linkage component 220. The upper baffle 111 has two longitudinal clearance holes 1111 arranged laterally opposite each other. The connecting end of the socket protective cover 120 passes through the longitudinal clearance holes 1111, and the connecting end of the socket protective cover 120 is fixedly connected to the driven gear assembly 132 to achieve opening and closing by rotating with it.

[0030] It should be noted that the drive mechanism 130 adopts two sets of transversely arranged drive units. Each set of drive units forms a stable gear transmission pair with the driven gear assembly 132 through the meshing drive gear assembly 131. The rocker arm 133 is fixed on the drive gear assembly 131 and can drive the drive gear assembly 131 to rotate synchronously with the push of the linkage assembly 220. In turn, it drives the driven gear assembly 132 to rotate through meshing transmission. At the same time, a longitudinal clearance hole 1111 is opened in the upper baffle 111 to provide rotation clearance space for the connection end of the socket protective cover 120. This ensures the rotational freedom of the connection end of the protective cover and limits the maximum opening and closing angle of the protective cover through the hole, avoiding damage to the transmission mechanism caused by excessive rotation. The connection end of the socket protective cover 120 passes through the longitudinal clearance hole 1111. The 111 unit is fixedly connected to the driven gear assembly 132, and can complete the opening and closing action with the rotation of the driven gear assembly 132. This gear meshing transmission method has high transmission accuracy and stable transmission torque, and can accurately control the opening and closing angle and rhythm of the socket protective cover 120, ensuring that the opening and closing action of the protective cover and the feeding and retraction action of the plug are completely synchronized and there will be no action interference. The symmetrical arrangement of the dual drive units makes the force on both sides of the socket protective cover 120 even, and the rotation process is smooth and without jamming, avoiding the deformation and jamming problems of the protective cover caused by single-sided drive. At the same time, through the swing rod 133 as the power input component, only the linear feed thrust of the linkage assembly 220 is needed to complete the conversion of rotational power, without the need for additional power components. The structure is simple and reliable, and is suitable for the motion characteristics of automated robot operation.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the linkage assembly 220 includes two linkage rods 221 arranged laterally at intervals. The linkage rods 221 are connected to the plug mounting plate 210. Each of the front sealing plates 115 has a through hole 1151 at its bottom. The linkage rods 221 slide through the linkage rods 221 to push the swing arm 133, thereby driving the drive gear assembly 131 to rotate.

[0032] It is worth noting that the linkage assembly 220 uses two horizontally spaced linkage rods 221, which are vertically fixed to the plug mounting plate 210. These rods can move linearly in sync with the feed and retraction of the plug mounting plate 210. A through hole 1151 is provided at the bottom of each front sealing plate 115 to provide feed guidance and clearance space for the linkage rods 221. During plug docking feed, the linkage rods 221 can pass through the through hole 1151 and contact the swing arm 133 of the drive mechanism 130. With continuous feed, the swing arm 133 rotates, thereby driving the drive gear assembly 131 to rotate and open the protective cover. This type of direct-acting linkage rod 221 is designed... The design allows the linear feed motion of the robot gripping the plug assembly to be directly converted into the rotational power of the drive mechanism 130. This results in a short transmission path, direct and efficient power transmission, and eliminates the need for complex intermediate conversion mechanisms, further simplifying the overall structure and reducing the probability of failure. The two linkage rods 221 correspond one-to-one with the two sets of drive units, ensuring that the drive mechanisms 130 on both sides operate synchronously and avoiding docking interference caused by asynchronous opening of the protective cover on one side. In addition, the through hole 1151 on the front cover plate 115 provides precise feed guidance for the linkage rods 221 and can also compensate for minor positioning deviations in robot operation, ensuring precise contact between the linkage rods 221 and the swing arm 133.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the socket positioning assembly 140 includes a socket positioning plate 141, and the plug positioning assembly 230 includes a positioning pin 231. The socket positioning plate 141 is connected to the front end of the upper baffle 111 and the lower baffle 112. The socket positioning plate 141 has a socket mounting hole 1411 for the cable socket 150 to pass through and a positioning hole 1412 for the positioning pin 231 to pass through. The positioning pin 231 achieves the positioning effect by passing through the positioning hole 1412.

[0034] It is worth noting that the socket positioning assembly 140 uses a socket positioning plate 141 as the core positioning base, fixing the socket positioning plate 141 to the front end of the housing 110 to provide a fixed installation point for the cable socket 150. At the same time, a positioning hole 1412 adapted to the positioning pin 231 is opened on the plate. The positioning pin 231 of the plug positioning assembly 230 is vertically fixed on the plug mounting plate 210. During the docking process, the positioning pin 231 can be inserted into the positioning hole 1412 on the socket positioning plate 141 first, providing pre-guidance for the docking of the plug and the socket. Through the shaft hole mating structure of the positioning pin 231 and the positioning hole 1412, the pre-positioning of the plug assembly and the socket assembly can be completed before the cable plug 240 and the cable socket 150 come into contact. This effectively compensates for the positioning deviation during the robot operation, ensures the coaxiality of the cable plug 240 and the cable socket 150, avoids problems such as bent connector pins, poor contact, and incomplete docking caused by docking deviation, and greatly improves the docking success rate and docking accuracy.

[0035] Furthermore, the head of the positioning pin 231 is tapered.

[0036] Understandably, the diameter of the conical head gradually increases from the end towards the main body of the pin, forming a smooth guide cone surface. During the docking process, the conical head can first enter the positioning hole 1412 of the socket positioning plate 141. Through the guiding effect of the cone surface, the lateral and longitudinal deviations between the plug assembly and the socket assembly are corrected. This conical head guiding design significantly reduces the requirements for the robot's initial positioning accuracy during docking, effectively compensates for positioning deviations during robot operation, and avoids problems such as the pin not being able to insert into the positioning hole 1412 and docking jamming caused by positioning deviations. This improves the fault tolerance and docking success rate of automated docking. At the same time, the conical guiding structure makes the fit between the pin and the positioning hole 1412 smoother, avoiding wear and deformation of the pin and positioning hole 1412 caused by hard collisions, extending the service life of the positioning components, and ensuring stable docking positioning accuracy even after long-term use.

[0037] Furthermore, the socket positioning assembly 140 further includes a locking pin 142, and the plug positioning assembly 230 further includes a zero-point positioning chuck 232; wherein, the locking pin 142 is connected to the socket positioning plate 141, and the zero-point positioning chuck 232 is connected to the plug mounting plate 210, and the locking pin 142 achieves a locking effect by being engaged in the zero-point positioning chuck 232.

[0038] It should be noted that locking pins 142 are fixed on the socket positioning plate 141, and zero-point positioning chucks 232 are provided on the plug mounting plate 210. The locking pins 142 and zero-point positioning chucks 232 are matched one-to-one. During the docking process, after the plug and socket are precisely docked, the locking pins 142 are fully inserted into the locking cavity of the zero-point positioning chuck 232. The zero-point positioning chuck 232 can be pneumatically controlled to clamp and release the locking pins 142, thereby completing the mechanical locking of the plug assembly and socket assembly after docking. This mechanism of zero-point positioning chuck 232 and locking pins 142... The matching locking structure has a large locking force and high positioning accuracy, which can achieve rigid locking of the plug and socket components after docking. This effectively avoids the loosening and displacement of connectors caused by vibration and shaking during the ladle transfer and casting process, and ensures the long-term stability of slag detection signal transmission. At the same time, the pneumatically controlled locking and releasing method can be linked with the robot's operation. It releases air before docking and locks after docking. It unlocks air during disassembly. The control logic is simple and reliable, adapting to the control requirements of automated operation. There is no need for manual locking and unlocking, which further improves the automation level of the device.

[0039] Furthermore, the cable plug assembly 20 also includes a plug base plate 250 and a connecting post 260. The plug base plate 250 and the plug mounting plate 210 are spaced apart and connected by the connecting post 260. The plug base plate 250 is used for clamping by a fixture and has a through hole coaxial with the plug mounting hole 211 for the cable plug 240 to pass through.

[0040] It should be understood that the cable plug assembly 20 forms a rigid frame structure by connecting the plug mounting plate 210 and the plug base plate 250 at intervals through multiple connecting posts 260. The plug base plate 250 serves as the direct gripping base of the robot gripper. Through holes coaxial with the plug mounting holes 211 are opened on the plate to allow the cable plug 240 to pass through and achieve the orderly arrangement of the cable. At the same time, the plug base plate 250 can be directly used as the recognition reference of machine vision and the gripping point of the robot gripper. The standardized structural design can be adapted to different models of robot grippers without the need for additional customized grippers, which greatly improves the versatility and adaptability of the device.

[0041] Furthermore, the cable plug assembly 20 also includes a plug cover 270, which is connected between the plug substrate 250 and the plug mounting plate 210 and covers the cable plug 240.

[0042] It should be noted that a plug cover 270 is provided in the cable plug assembly 20. The plug cover 270 is fixed between the plug mounting plate 210 and the plug base plate 250, covering the cable plug 240 from the top and outside, forming a full-coverage protection for the main body and terminals of the cable plug 240. The plug cover 270 provides comprehensive mechanical protection for the cable plug 240 during the storage, transportation and docking operations of the plug assembly, avoiding the bending and damage of the plug pins caused by collisions and scratches during robot handling and storage. At the same time, it can effectively isolate the dust and slag splashes in the continuous casting site from corroding the plug connection face and terminals, avoiding problems such as poor contact and insulation failure of the connector, and extending the service life of the plug assembly. In addition, the cover adopts a detachable fixing method, which does not affect the later inspection and replacement of the cable plug 240, thus balancing protective performance and maintenance convenience.

[0043] Furthermore, each of the connecting plate units also includes a cover plate 116, which is connected to the outside of the rear sealing plate 114 and the front sealing plate 115 to protect the drive mechanism 130.

[0044] Understandably, a cover plate 116 is provided on the outside of each connecting plate unit, sealing and fixing the cover plate 116 to the outside of the rear cover plate 114 and the front cover plate 115. Together with the rear cover plate 114, the front cover plate 115, and the support plate 113, they form a closed protective cavity, completely enclosing the drive gear assembly 131, the driven gear assembly 132, and other transmission components inside the cavity. The cover plate 116 provides a fully enclosed protection for the gear transmission pair of the drive mechanism 130, completely isolating it from slag splashes, high-temperature dust, and oxygen at the continuous casting site. Impurities such as molten iron scale can be prevented from entering the transmission mechanism, effectively avoiding problems such as wear on the gear meshing surface, bearing jamming, and transmission failure. This significantly extends the service life of the drive mechanism 130 and reduces the frequency of equipment maintenance. At the same time, the cover plate 116 adopts a detachable bolt fixing method, which allows the drive mechanism 130 to be opened for lubrication, inspection, and replacement without disassembling the entire housing 110 structure. This greatly improves the convenience of later equipment maintenance. In addition, the closed cavity structure can also reduce noise during the transmission process and optimize the on-site working environment.

[0045] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the workflow is briefly described below: When plugging in: When a ladle filled with molten steel is hoisted onto the support arm of the continuous casting ladle turret to await casting, the connection between the slag discharge detection cable socket 150 and the cable plug 240 needs to be completed at the steel receiving position. Specifically, the robot starts, and machine vision detects the position of the cable plug assembly 20 in its storage location. The robot gripper then moves the cable plug assembly 20 to the front of the cable socket assembly 10, and machine vision detects the position of the cable socket assembly 10. Based on the position coordinates and orientation of the cable socket assembly 10 provided by the vision system, the robot clamps the cable plug assembly 20 and the cable socket assembly 10 for docking. As the cable plug assembly 20 is advanced, the linkage rod 221 pushes the swing arm 133, which drives the drive gear assembly 131 to rotate. The drive gear assembly 131 then drives the driven gear assembly 132 to rotate. The socket protective cover 120 follows the rotation of the driven gear assembly 132 to switch to the open state. At the same time, the zero-point positioning chuck 232 is opened for air supply. After the cable plug assembly 20 and the cable socket assembly 10 are docked, the zero-point positioning chuck 232 and the locking pin 142 are fully engaged, the air supply to the zero-point positioning device is disconnected, and the cable socket assembly 10 and the cable plug assembly 20 are locked together. The robot then returns to its original position.

[0046] When pulled out: After the molten steel is continuously cast, the ladle rotates from the casting position to the receiving position. It is necessary to separate the socket assembly and plug assembly of the slag detection system and return the empty ladle to the refining area of ​​the rotary kiln. The robot starts and moves to the position in front of the slag detection cable socket assembly 10. Machine vision detects the position of the cable plug assembly 20. Based on the position of the cable plug assembly 20 provided by vision, the robot moves and grips the cable plug assembly 20. The zero-point positioning chuck 232 of the cable plug assembly 20 is vented, and the zero-point positioning chuck 232 and the locking pin 142 change from the locked state to the released state and are pulled outwards. The entire drive mechanism 130 rotates in the opposite direction, and the socket protective cover 120 gradually closes to protect the front end of the cable socket 150, thus protecting the cable socket 150 within a sealed assembly space. The robot grips the cable plug assembly 20 and stores it in the cable plug assembly 20 storage position, completing the disassembly of the cable plug assembly 20.

[0047] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the patent. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the description and drawings of the present invention, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A quick-plugging device for cable connectors in a continuous casting ladle slag detection system, characterized in that, Includes cable socket assemblies and cable plug assemblies; wherein, The cable socket assembly includes a housing, a socket protective cover, a drive mechanism, a socket positioning component, and a cable socket. The rear end of the housing is connected to a steel ladle. The cable socket is built into the housing. The socket protective cover is used to protect the cable socket and is rotatably connected to the housing. The drive mechanism is rotatably connected to the side of the housing and is driven by the socket protective cover to enable the socket protective cover to be opened and closed. The socket positioning component is connected to the front end of the housing and has a socket mounting hole for the cable socket to pass through. The cable plug assembly includes a plug mounting plate, a linkage component, a plug positioning component, and a cable plug. The plug mounting plate has a plug mounting hole, and the cable plug is installed through the plug mounting hole. The linkage component and the plug positioning component are both connected to the plug mounting plate. When the cable plug moves toward the cable socket, the linkage component moves with the plug mounting plate and drives the drive mechanism to rotate, thereby driving the socket protective cover to open. The plug positioning component and the socket positioning component cooperate with each other to lock the cable socket assembly and the cable plug assembly together.

2. The quick-plug device for cable connectors in the continuous casting ladle slag detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes an upper baffle, a lower baffle, and two connecting plate units arranged laterally opposite each other, the connecting plate units being connected between the upper baffle and the lower baffle; wherein... Each of the connecting plate units includes a support plate, a rear sealing plate, and a front sealing plate. The front end of the support plate is connected to the socket positioning assembly, the rear end of the support plate is connected to the ladle, and the support plate is used for the rotatable connection of the drive mechanism. The upper baffle, the lower baffle, and the two support plates together form an assembly space for placing the cable socket. The upper baffle is used for the rotatable connection of the socket protective cover. The rear sealing plate and the front sealing plate are spaced apart longitudinally and located outside the support plate.

3. The quick-plug device for cable connectors in the continuous casting ladle slag detection system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving mechanism includes two driving units arranged laterally opposite each other. Each driving unit includes a driving gear assembly, a driven gear assembly, and a rocker arm. The driving gear assembly and the driven gear assembly are rotatably connected to the support plate. The driving gear assembly and the driven gear assembly are meshed with each other. The rocker arm is fixedly connected to the driving gear assembly and rotates with it to cooperate with the pushing of the linkage component. The upper baffle has two longitudinal clearance holes arranged opposite each other in the transverse direction. The connecting end of the socket protective cover passes through the longitudinal clearance holes, and the connecting end of the socket protective cover is fixedly connected to the driven gear assembly to achieve opening and closing by following rotation.

4. The quick-plug device for cable connectors in the continuous casting ladle slag detection system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The linkage assembly includes two linkage rods arranged laterally at intervals. The linkage rods are connected to the plug mounting plate. Each front cover plate has a through hole at its bottom. The linkage rods slide through the linkage rods to push the swing arm, thereby driving the drive gear assembly to rotate.

5. The quick-plug device for cable connectors in the continuous casting ladle slag detection system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The socket positioning assembly includes a socket positioning plate, and the plug positioning assembly includes a positioning pin. The socket positioning plate is connected to the front end of the upper baffle and the lower baffle. The socket positioning plate has a socket mounting hole for the cable socket to pass through and a positioning hole for the positioning pin to pass through. The positioning pin achieves the positioning effect by passing through the positioning hole.

6. The quick-plug device for cable connectors in the continuous casting ladle slag detection system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The socket positioning assembly further includes a locking pin, and the plug positioning assembly further includes a zero-point positioning chuck; wherein... The locking rivet is connected to the socket positioning plate, and the zero-point positioning chuck is connected to the plug mounting plate. The locking rivet is engaged in the zero-point positioning chuck to achieve a locking effect.

7. The quick-plug device for cable connectors in the continuous casting ladle slag detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cable plug assembly further includes a plug base plate and a connecting post. The plug base plate and the plug mounting plate are spaced apart and connected by the connecting post. The plug base plate is used for clamping by a fixture and has a through hole coaxial with the plug mounting hole for the cable plug to pass through.

8. The quick-plug device for cable connectors in the continuous casting ladle slag detection system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cable plug assembly also includes a plug cover, which is connected between the plug base plate and the plug mounting plate and covers the cable plug.

9. The quick-plug device for cable connectors in the continuous casting ladle slag detection system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The head of the positioning pin is tapered.

10. The quick-plug device for cable connectors in the continuous casting ladle slag detection system according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the connecting plate units also includes a cover plate that is sealed to the outside of the rear cover plate and the front cover plate to protect the drive mechanism.

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