A cold-rolled steel coil hoisting intelligent damage prevention system and method

Abstract

The application discloses a cold-rolled steel coil hoisting intelligent damage prevention system and method, and belongs to the technical field of hoisting equipment. A front-positioned opposite-acting switch is arranged at the opening end of a C-shaped jaw, and a smart algorithm is combined to realize non-blocking closed jaw determination. An end face detection opposite-acting switch is additionally arranged on the inner side of the vertical surface of the jaw, and is matched with automatic back-off logic to avoid rigid scraping between the end face of the steel coil and the vertical surface of the jaw. A pressure spring and a proximity switch are arranged on the upper part of the C-shaped jaw to realize load bearing interlocking. A control module constructs a closed loop logic, only allows lifting when the clamping is in place, allows opening of the jaw when the landing is reset, and allows hooking after delay disengagement determination. The application is convenient and reliable to operate, is safe and interlocking, can effectively avoid damage to the end face of the steel coil and hoisting safety accidents, is suitable for upgrading of various cold-rolled steel coil electric clamps, and has practicability and economy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lifting and hoisting equipment technology, and in particular to an intelligent anti-damage system and method for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils. Background Technology

[0002] As an important intermediate product in the metallurgical industry, the safety of hoisting operations and the protection of product quality have always been key issues in the production process of cold-rolled steel coils. Among the hoisting equipment for cold-rolled steel coils, C-type electric clamps are widely used due to their simple structure and strong load-bearing capacity. This type of equipment realizes the opening and closing action of the jaws through an electric drive mechanism, and works with lifting machinery to complete the gripping and transfer of steel coils.

[0003] Existing C-type electric clamps generally adopt a two-stage mechanical limit design, namely the maximum opening limit and the minimum opening limit. The actual clamping and loosening operation of the jaws depends entirely on the operator's visual observation and experience judgment. This traditional control method has a significant defect of insufficient ability to prevent misoperation.

[0004] Specifically, the lack of effective obstacle detection methods in the jaw closure path means that when foreign objects or personnel accidentally enter the workspace, the clamps will still perform the closing action according to the preset program, which can easily lead to accidental clamping accidents. This can cause minor equipment damage or even serious safety accidents such as steel coils falling. At the same time, the clamp face and the end face of the steel coil are in rigid direct contact. During hoisting, due to the slight sway of the hoisting mechanism or the starting and stopping inertia of the traveling mechanism, relative slippage and friction can easily occur between the two, causing surface quality defects such as scratches and indentations on the edges of the cold-rolled steel coils, which directly affect the downstream processing accuracy. This affects the product yield; furthermore, existing clamps cannot accurately identify the actual force state between the jaws and the steel coil, making it difficult to distinguish between empty clamps, half-clamps, and effective clamping. Operators rely solely on subjective judgment to control the crane operation, posing a risk of crane loss of control in empty or half-clamped states. More significantly, during the unloading operation, the clamp release signal after the steel coil lands triggers the main hook lifting permission. If the jaws at both ends or one end fail to completely detach from the steel coil due to uneven ground, steel coil deformation, or other factors, the main hook lifting action will directly drag the steel coil, causing displacement, resulting in secondary damage to the steel coil end face or even equipment overturning accidents.

[0005] The root cause of the above defects lies in the fact that existing electric clamps lack sensing and detection components and closed-loop intelligent control logic, making it impossible to achieve real-time perception and intelligent decision-making regarding clamp status, environmental obstacles, and work processes.

[0006] Therefore, developing an intelligent electric clamp that integrates automatic detection, flexible contact, status recognition, and safety interlocking functions is of significant engineering value for improving the inherent safety level and product quality assurance capabilities of cold-rolled steel coil hoisting operations. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of this, the present invention provides an intelligent anti-damage system and method for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils. By making intelligent safety modifications to the electric clamps for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils, adding sensor detection components and a closed-loop intelligent control system, the system solves the industry pain points of traditional clamps that are prone to causing steel coils to be mis-clamped, scratched, dragged, and subject to high risks of misoperation. It is applicable to cold-rolled steel coil hoisting operations in metallurgy, cold rolling processing, steel storage and other fields.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0009] On one hand, the present invention provides an intelligent anti-damage system for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils, comprising: C-type jaws include a cross arm, side arms at both ends of the cross arm, and jaws at the end of each side arm; A disengagement end face reflective switch is respectively set on the disengagement end face of each jaw, and a reflective plate corresponding to the disengagement end face reflective switch is set on the cross arm; A clamping end face reflective switch is respectively set on the end face of each clamping jaw, and a reflective plate corresponding to the clamping end face reflective switch is set on the cross arm; Each side arm has a front-mounted photoelectric switch installed at a preset height; A pressure spring is installed on the end face of each clamping jaw, and a proximity switch is installed inside the base of each pressure spring; The control module is electrically connected to the release end face reflective switch, the clamping end face reflective switch, the front-mounted through-beam switch, the proximity switch, the jaw drive motor, and the crane main hook control circuit. It controls the motor forward and reverse rotation circuit and the crane control circuit to realize front-mounted obstruction detection, anti-scratch flexible clamping control, load-bearing double interlock, and delayed safety release control.

[0010] Furthermore, the front-mounted photoelectric switch is fixed to the side arm by a stainless steel bracket, and the preset height is aligned with the center of the steel coil clamp.

[0011] Furthermore, the disengagement end face reflective switch is embedded in the disengagement end face of the jaws, with the installation depth flush with the disengagement end face; the clamping end face reflective switch is embedded in the clamping end face of the jaws, with the installation depth flush with the clamping end face.

[0012] Furthermore, the pressure spring is fixed to the clamping end face of the jaws by bolts, and the pressure spring points downwards toward the top of the inner diameter of the steel coil.

[0013] Furthermore, the control module adopts a PLC controller and is connected to the motor forward and reverse rotation circuit and the vehicle control circuit.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention also provides an intelligent damage prevention method for cold-rolled steel coil hoisting operations, employing the aforementioned system and including the following steps: Front-end obstruction detection: During the lowering of the clamp by the main hook of the crane, the front-end photoelectric switch detects the optical path status; when the optical path is blocked, the control module prohibits the clamp closing command and alarms; when the optical path is unobstructed, the control module obtains the rising edge signal and falling edge signal of the front-end photoelectric switch, combines the physical position data of the front-end photoelectric switch in the clamp, calculates the size and position coordinates of the obstacle, controls the lifting and lowering of the main hook and the movement of the trolley, and allows the clamp to close after confirming that there is no obstruction in the clamp closing path; Scratch-resistant flexible clamping control: During the clamping jaw closing process, when the edge of the steel coil completely blocks the light path of the reflection switch on the clamping end face, the control module triggers a signal and immediately stops the clamping action. Then, the drive motor reverses to make the jaws retract a preset distance and lock, maintaining the clamping state. Double interlock for load-bearing: During the main hook lifting process, the steel coil's own weight compresses two pressure springs. When the two proximity switches are triggered simultaneously, the control module outputs a load-bearing valid signal, controlling the crane to enter the loaded mode and allowing normal hoisting. Delayed safety release control: After the steel coil lands, the pressure spring resets, the proximity switch outputs a reset signal, and the control module allows the jaws to open after the main hook continues to descend for a first preset time; during the jaw opening process, when the light path of the release position end face reflector switch gradually becomes conductive, the control module determines that the jaws have reached the jaw opening safety position after a second preset time delay, and releases the locking of the main hook lifting.

[0015] Furthermore, the preset distance is 2mm to 5mm.

[0016] Furthermore, the second preset time is 1 second to 5 seconds.

[0017] Furthermore, the first preset time is 1 second to 3 seconds.

[0018] Advantages and positive effects of the present invention: This invention constructs a complete closed-loop safety logic chain by adding a sensing and control module to the original clamp without damaging the original structure and with simple construction. It realizes automatic interlocking of the entire process of unobstructed clamping, hook lifting with qualified load, clamp opening after landing and resetting, and complete release and lifting to eliminate human error. At the same time, it uses flexible control logic of return to position to isolate the friction between the clamp jaw surface and the end face of the steel coil from the mechanical structure to ensure the appearance quality of the steel coil, thereby replacing manual visual judgment. It significantly improves the stability and efficiency of hoisting operations while reducing labor intensity, and can be adapted to the upgrade and transformation of various types of C-type electric clamps. Attached Figure Description

[0019] 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 some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an intelligent anti-damage system for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partial enlarged view of one jaw of a clamp in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a partial enlarged view of one side of the cross arm in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partial enlarged view of the other side of the cross arm in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a partial enlarged view of another jaw in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a partial enlarged view of one of the side arms in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged view of another side arm in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. 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 should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0023] This invention is based on the upgrade and modification of the existing conventional electric clamp body. While retaining the original main mechanical structure, a new sensing and detection unit and control module are added. Through intelligent detection and control technology, the entire process of hoisting cold-rolled steel coils is protected.

[0024] like Figures 1-7 As shown in the figure, this embodiment of the invention provides an intelligent anti-damage system for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils, comprising three main components: a C-type clamp structure, a sensing and detection unit, and a control module.

[0025] The C-type clamp structure consists of a horizontal arm, side arms, and jaws. The horizontal arm is a horizontal load-bearing component made of high-strength alloy steel, with a side arm welded to each end. The side arms adopt a box-shaped structure design, with cable routing channels arranged inside. Each side arm has a jaw at its end, made of high-strength wear-resistant alloy, with a polyurethane buffer layer on the surface.

[0026] The sensing and detection unit includes: a disengagement end face reflective switch and its matching reflector, a clamping end face reflective switch and its matching reflector, a front-mounted through-beam switch, a pressure spring and its matching proximity switch.

[0027] The disengagement end-face reflective switch includes a first disengagement end-face reflective switch 1 embedded in the disengagement end-face of one jaw and a second disengagement end-face reflective switch 11 mounted on the disengagement end-face of the other jaw. It employs an infrared reflection principle, with the installation depth flush with the disengagement end-face. A first reflective plate 5, matching the first disengagement end-face reflective switch 1, and a second reflective plate 7, matching the second disengagement end-face reflective switch 11, are respectively installed at corresponding positions on the lower surface of the cross arm, and are made of high-reflectivity stainless steel. The positions of the first reflective plate 5 and the second reflective plate 7 are precisely calculated to ensure that a complete optical path is formed with the disengagement end-face reflective switch when the jaws are fully open. The detection distance between the disengagement end-face reflective switch and its matching reflective plate is set to 50±2mm, with the angular deviation controlled within ±1°.

[0028] The clamping position end face reflective switch includes a first clamping position end face reflective switch 2 embedded in the clamping position end face of one jaw and a second clamping position end face reflective switch 10 mounted in the clamping position end face of the other jaw. It employs the infrared reflection principle and is installed at a depth flush with the clamping position end face. A third reflective plate 4, matching the first clamping position end face reflective switch 2, and a fourth reflective plate 8, matching the second clamping position end face reflective switch 10, are respectively mounted at corresponding positions on the lower surface of the cross arm, their positions matching the movement trajectory of the clamping position end face reflective switches. The detection sensitivity of the clamping position end face reflective switches can be adjusted according to the reflective characteristics of the steel coil surface, ensuring accurate identification of the steel coil edge position under various working conditions.

[0029] The front-mounted through-beam switch includes a first transmitting switch 3, fixedly mounted on one side arm via a stainless steel bracket, and a second receiving switch 9, mounted on the other side arm. The bracket adopts an L-shaped structure and is fixed to the side arm with four M8 stainless steel bolts. The mounting height H of the front-mounted through-beam switch is precisely calculated to align its optical path with the theoretical clamping center line C of the steel coil. In practical applications, the mounting height H can be adjusted according to different specifications of steel coils. The front-mounted through-beam switch adopts a laser through-beam design with a beam divergence angle of less than 0.1° and a maximum detection distance of 500mm.

[0030] The pressure spring includes a first spring 6 fixed to the clamping end face of one jaw by high-strength bolts and a second spring 12 fixed to the clamping end face of the other jaw. The first spring 6 and the second spring 12 are symmetrically distributed. A first proximity switch 13 is installed inside the base of the first spring 6, and a second proximity switch 14 is installed inside the base of the second spring 12. Both are M12 cylindrical inductive proximity switches with a sensing distance of 4mm. The positions of the first proximity switch 13 and the second proximity switch 14 are precisely adjusted to ensure that the signal is triggered when the spring is compressed to 80% of its working stroke.

[0031] The control module uses an industrial-grade PLC controller as the main control unit, which is installed in a waterproof control box on the crossarm. The control module is connected to the disengagement end face reflector switch, the clamping end face reflector switch, the front-mounted photoelectric switch, and the proximity switch via an industrial bus, and simultaneously controls the jaw drive motor and the crane main hook control circuit.

[0032] In another embodiment, a smart damage prevention method for cold-rolled steel coil hoisting operations using the above system includes the following steps: The first step is to assemble the sensing unit. The assembly process includes: The front-mounted through-beam switch is fixed to the side arms on both sides with a stainless steel bracket to ensure that the transmitter and receiver are coaxial and the detection height is aligned with the center of the steel coil clamp.

[0033] The reflex switch is embedded in the disengagement end face of the two jaws, with the installation depth flush with the vertical surface to prevent scratching the steel coil.

[0034] The clamping end face reflective switch is embedded in the clamping end face of the two jaws.

[0035] Fix the pressure spring to the clamping end face of the two jaws respectively with high-strength bolts. The pressure spring points downwards toward the top of the inner diameter of the steel coil. Install the proximity switch inside the pressure spring base and adjust the gap so that it is triggered when the spring is compressed by 5mm.

[0036] The control module uses a PLC controller, which is connected to the motor forward and reverse rotation circuit and the trolley control circuit. The safe retraction distance is set to 3mm and the delay time is 2 seconds.

[0037] The work process is as follows: Pre-blocking detection: During the lowering of the clamp by the main hook, the front-mounted photoelectric switch detects the optical path status and forms an infrared detection barrier. When the optical path is blocked, the control module prohibits the clamp closing command and sounds an alarm. When the optical path is unobstructed, the control module obtains the rising and falling edge signals of the front-mounted photoelectric switch, combines them with the physical position data of the front-mounted photoelectric switch in the clamp, calculates the size and position coordinates of the obstacle, controls the lifting and lowering of the main hook and the movement of the trolley, and allows the clamp to close after confirming that there is no obstruction in the clamp closing path, thus preventing accidental clamping from the source.

[0038] Scratch-resistant flexible clamping control: During the clamping process, when the jaws close to the point where the edge of the steel coil completely blocks the light path of the reflective switch on the clamping end face, the control module triggers a signal and immediately stops the clamping action. Subsequently, the drive motor reverses to retract the jaws by a preset distance of 2-5mm and locks them. At this time, the switch is still blocked, maintaining the clamping state. This design eliminates the rigid compression between the vertical surface and the end face of the steel coil, avoiding scratches.

[0039] Double interlock for load-bearing capacity: During the main hook lifting process, the steel coil's own weight compresses two pressure springs. When the two proximity switches are triggered simultaneously, the control module outputs a load-bearing valid signal, controlling the crane to enter the loaded mode and allowing normal hoisting. Only when the load is confirmed can the crane be allowed to lift, preventing empty hoisting or unilateral hoisting.

[0040] Delayed safety release control: After the steel coil hits the ground, the pressure spring resets, the proximity switch outputs a reset signal, and the main hook continues to descend for 1-3 seconds before the control module allows the jaws to open. During the jaw opening process, as the light path of the reflective switch on the release end face gradually becomes conductive, the control module delays for 1-5 seconds to determine that the jaws have reached the jaw-open safety position, releasing the main hook lifting lock to ensure complete release. The delay time can be adjusted based on lifting efficiency and the space outside the jaws.

[0041] This invention is not only applicable to cold-rolled steel coils, but can also be extended to the modification of safe hoisting equipment for other round coils.

[0042] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A smart anti-damage system for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils, characterized in that, include: C-type jaws include a cross arm, side arms at both ends of the cross arm, and jaws at the end of each side arm; A disengagement end face reflective switch is respectively set on the disengagement end face of each jaw, and a reflective plate corresponding to the disengagement end face reflective switch is set on the cross arm; A clamping end face reflective switch is respectively set on the end face of each clamping jaw, and a reflective plate corresponding to the clamping end face reflective switch is set on the cross arm; Each side arm has a front-mounted photoelectric switch installed at a preset height; A pressure spring is installed on the end face of each clamping jaw, and a proximity switch is installed inside the base of each pressure spring; The control module is electrically connected to the release end face reflective switch, the clamping end face reflective switch, the front-mounted through-beam switch, the proximity switch, the jaw drive motor, and the crane main hook control circuit. It controls the motor forward and reverse rotation circuit and the crane control circuit to realize front-mounted obstruction detection, anti-scratch flexible clamping control, load-bearing double interlock, and delayed safety release control.

2. The intelligent anti-damage system for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front-mounted photoelectric switch is fixed to the side arm by a stainless steel bracket, and the preset height is aligned with the center of the steel coil clamp.

3. The intelligent anti-damage system for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils according to claim 1, characterized in that, The disengagement end face reflective switch is embedded in the disengagement end face of the jaws, and the installation depth is flush with the disengagement end face; the clamping end face reflective switch is embedded in the clamping end face of the jaws, and the installation depth is flush with the clamping end face.

4. The intelligent anti-damage system for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure spring is fixed to the clamping end face of the jaws by bolts, and the pressure spring points downwards toward the top of the inner diameter of the steel coil.

5. The intelligent anti-damage system for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module uses a PLC controller and is connected to the motor forward and reverse rotation circuit and the vehicle control circuit.

6. A smart anti-damage method for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils, characterized in that, The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 includes the following steps: Front-end obstruction detection: During the lowering of the clamp by the main hook of the crane, the front-end photoelectric switch detects the optical path status; when the optical path is blocked, the control module prohibits the clamp closing command and alarms; when the optical path is unobstructed, the control module obtains the rising edge signal and falling edge signal of the front-end photoelectric switch, combines the physical position data of the front-end photoelectric switch in the clamp, calculates the size and position coordinates of the obstacle, controls the lifting and lowering of the main hook and the movement of the trolley, and allows the clamp to close after confirming that there is no obstruction in the clamp closing path; Scratch-resistant flexible clamping control: During the clamping jaw closing process, when the edge of the steel coil completely blocks the light path of the reflection switch on the clamping end face, the control module triggers a signal and immediately stops the clamping action. Then, the drive motor reverses to make the jaws retract a preset distance and lock, maintaining the clamping state. Double interlock for load-bearing: During the main hook lifting process, the steel coil's own weight compresses two pressure springs. When the two proximity switches are triggered simultaneously, the control module outputs a load-bearing valid signal, controlling the crane to enter the loaded mode and allowing normal hoisting. Delayed safety release control: After the steel coil lands, the pressure spring resets, the proximity switch outputs a reset signal, and the control module allows the jaws to open after the main hook continues to descend for a first preset time; during the jaw opening process, when the light path of the release position end face reflector switch gradually becomes conductive, the control module determines that the jaws have reached the jaw opening safety position after a second preset time delay, and releases the locking of the main hook lifting.

7. The intelligent damage prevention method for cold-rolled steel coil hoisting operation according to claim 6, characterized in that, The preset distance is 2mm to 5mm.

8. The intelligent damage prevention method for hoisting cold-rolled steel coils according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second preset time is 1 second to 5 seconds.

9. The intelligent damage prevention method for cold-rolled steel coil hoisting operation according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first preset time is 1 second to 3 seconds.

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