Snout control system and hot-dip galvanizing equipment including the same

Abstract

A snout control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a snout device having one end immersed in a coating tank containing a hot-dip galvanizing solution for coating a steel sheet during a production process of the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet, and introducing the steel sheet into the coating tank; a first sensor formed on any part of the coating tank and capable of measuring a first water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution; and a processor that controls the snout device and the first sensor, wherein the snout device includes a snorkel portion formed to surround the steel sheet flowing into the coating tank, and guiding the steel sheet so that the steel sheet can be introduced into the hot-dip galvanizing solution contained in the coating tank through an opening formed at a lower end immersed in the hot-dip galvanizing solution of the coating tank; and a processor that is physically connected to an outer wall portion of the snorkel portion in a detachable structure and is capable of being driven along the outer wall surface of the snorkel portion in response to first water level information of the hot-dip galvanizing solution in conjunction with the first sensor, and the first sensor is configured to move the first sensor in the opening portion of the snorkel portion. the molten zinc plating solution is provided in a molten zinc plating solution container that includes a first dam wall portion separated by a predetermined distance from an inner wall portion of a snorkel portion and formed along an inner periphery of the snorkel portion to protrude to a predetermined height in a height direction of the snorkel portion; and a second dam wall portion separated by a predetermined distance from the first dam wall portion and exposed above a surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution, the first dam wall portion being exposed above a surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution, the first dam wall portion being exposed above a surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution container that has flowed in through the opening and then overflowed from the first dam wall portion; and a pump unit provided outside the snorkel portion and pumping the hot-dip galvanizing solution contained in the containing space of the dam unit to the coating tank, the processor automatically controlling a position of the dam unit in accordance with a difference in the gap such that a gap G between the first water level measured by the first sensor and the first dam wall portion is maintained constant.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a snout control system and a hot-dip galvanizing facility including the same, and more particularly to a snout control system and a hot-dip galvanizing facility including the same that can automatically remove dross floating in a snout device during a production process of hot-dip galvanized steel sheets. [Background technology]

[0002] Hot-dip galvanizing equipment is a molten metal equipment that melts zinc ingots to a molten state at temperatures above 450°C to plate a zinc coating on the surface of hot steel sheets. Hot-dip galvanizing equipment constantly generates dross, an intermetallic compound with a Fe2Al structure, due to thermal and chemical instability, such as zinc oxidation caused by temperature differences with the outside air and contact with the wiping air discharged from the air knife that flows over the molten metal after impacting the surface of the vertical strip. In particular, as various alloying elements such as aluminum, manganese, and silicon are added to strengthen the corrosion resistance and improve the surface quality of coated steel sheets, the amount of dross generated by external factors (such as temperature differences and oxidation due to contact with wiping gas) increases significantly.

[0003] This dross adheres to the surface of the steel sheet and can cause various problems during secondary processing, such as cracks during processing, coating peeling, and reduced paintability. In particular, stricter dross management is required when galvanized steel sheets are supplied for use as exterior panels for automobiles. Many steel manufacturers are conducting extensive research into emissions management, such as minimizing dross generation by ensuring the thermal and chemical stability of the galvanizing bath to prevent dross defects and installing dam-structured equipment inside the snout, where one end of the steel sheet is immersed in the galvanizing bath and introduced, to prevent not only dross but also foreign matter such as ash (ZnO oxide) defects and floating particles on the surface of the molten metal, including all of these, from adsorbing to the steel sheet.

[0004] Generally, many steel manufacturers use a snout control system to remove dross floating in the snout device, which uses a dam-shaped structure and metal pump equipment inside the snorkel of the snout device to discharge the dross that has exceeded the dam to the rear of the galvanizing tank.

[0005] The background art of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0085175. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, such conventional snout control systems and hot-dip galvanizing equipment including the same have had problems such as foreign matter adhering to the steel sheet and causing defects, as the level in the galvanizing tank is often too high during operation, filling the dam to its full capacity, or conversely, the level is too low, preventing foreign matter such as dross from being discharged out of the dam. Furthermore, such problems require operators to manually check and manage the current status of the dam management inside the snout device at all times, making it difficult to address dross management issues since operators are unable to monitor the dam management inside the snout device in real time in response to real-time changes in the molten metal level in the galvanizing tank.

[0007] In addition, the snorkel connected to the snout device is integrally welded to the dam. This requires cutting the steel plate to replace the snorkel, which increases equipment maintenance time and reduces productivity. Another structural issue is that precision machining of the dam surface is difficult. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a snout control system and hot-dip galvanizing equipment including the same that address the above issues by using a detachable dam and a detachable dam that responds to real-time changes in the molten metal level in the galvanizing tank, and automatically controlling the load of the detachable dam and pump unit according to the molten metal level using a machine vision camera and sensors. This system can address these issues and ensure operational convenience and stable quality.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a snout control system and method that can automatically analyze the current real-time operation status inside the snout device to ensure operational convenience and quality stability.

[0009] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A snout control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a snout device having one end immersed in a coating tank containing a hot-dip galvanizing solution for coating a steel sheet during a production process of the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet, and introducing the steel sheet into the coating tank; a first sensor formed on any part of the coating tank and capable of measuring a first water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution; and a processor that controls the snout device and the first sensor, wherein the snout device includes a snorkel portion formed to surround the steel sheet flowing into the coating tank, and guiding the steel sheet so that the steel sheet can be introduced into the hot-dip galvanizing solution contained in the coating tank through an opening formed at a lower end immersed in the hot-dip galvanizing solution surface of the coating tank; and a processor that is detachably connected to an outer wall of the snorkel portion and is drivable along the outer wall surface of the snorkel portion in response to information on the first water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution in conjunction with the first sensor, and the snorkel tank includes: a first dam wall portion separated by a predetermined distance from an inner wall portion of the snorkel portion and formed along an inner periphery of the snorkel portion to protrude to a predetermined height in a height direction of the snorkel portion; and a second dam wall portion separated by a predetermined distance from the first dam wall portion and exposed above a surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution, the dam unit forming a storage space between the inner wall portion of the snorkel portion and the first dam wall portion capable of storing the hot-dip galvanizing solution that flows in through the opening and then overflows from the first dam wall portion; and a pump unit installed outside the snorkel portion and pumping the hot-dip galvanizing solution stored in the storage space of the dam unit into the coating tank, wherein the processor automatically controls a position of the dam unit according to a difference in the gap G between the first water level measured by the first sensor and the first dam wall portion so that the gap G is maintained constant.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a snout control system including: a snout device having one end immersed in a coating tank containing a hot-dip galvanizing solution for coating a steel sheet during a production process of the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet, and introducing the steel sheet into the coating tank; a first sensor formed on any part of the coating tank and capable of measuring a first water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution; and a processor for controlling the snout device and the first sensor, wherein the snout device is formed to surround the steel sheet flowing into the coating tank, and a snorkel portion that guides the steel sheet so that it can be introduced into the hot-dip galvanizing solution contained in the coating tank through an opening formed at a lower end thereof immersed in the hot-dip galvanizing solution surface of the coating tank; and a detachable structure that is physically connected to an outer wall portion of the snorkel portion and that is capable of moving along the outer wall surface of the snorkel portion in response to first water level information of the hot-dip galvanizing solution surface in cooperation with the first sensor, the snorkel portion being separated from an inner wall portion of the snorkel portion by a predetermined distance at the opening of the snorkel portion and having a predetermined height direction of the snorkel portion. a first dam wall portion formed along an inner periphery of the snorkel portion so as to protrude to a certain height; and a second dam wall portion spaced a predetermined distance from the first dam wall portion and exposed above the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution, the dam unit forming a storage space between the inner wall portion of the snorkel portion and the first dam wall portion capable of storing the hot-dip galvanizing solution that has flowed in through the opening and then overflowed the first dam wall portion; a camera module provided inside the snorkel portion and formed on any part of the dam unit, and capable of recognizing foreign matter floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution; and a pump unit provided outside the snorkel portion and pumping the hot-dip galvanizing solution stored in the storage space of the dam unit into the coating tank, wherein the processor controls a position of the dam unit or adjusts a load of the pump unit to suppress intrusion of the foreign matter moving to the steel sheet based on information obtained by image learning of the foreign matter using the camera module.

[0012] In the present invention, the processor receives a sensing signal from the first sensor, and controls the gap to be constant by raising or lowering the dam unit so as to adjust the depth of immersion of the dam unit in the coating bath according to the sensing signal, or controls the gap to be constant by adjusting the load of the pump unit so as to control the flow rate of the hot-dip galvanizing solution pumped by the pump unit.

[0013] In the present invention, the processor combines first water level information of the hot-dip galvanizing solution surface and position information of the dam unit using the first sensor to derive gap G information between the protrusion protruding from the first dam wall portion and the hot-dip galvanizing solution surface, and controls the position of the dam unit based on the derived gap information and load information of the pump unit, thereby maintaining the gap constant.

[0014] In the present invention, the dam unit is configured in the form of a sliding rail and is physically connected to an outer wall of the snorkel, and a driving device for driving the dam unit is connected to any part of the snout device to minimize the influence of thermal energy transferred from the plating bath.

[0015] In the present invention, when the gap information is lower than a preset reference level, the processor lowers the dam unit to increase the depth to which the first dam wall portion of the dam unit is immersed in the plating tank, and when the gap information is higher than a preset reference water level, the processor raises the dam unit to decrease the depth to which the first dam wall portion of the dam unit is immersed in the plating tank.

[0016] In the present invention, the snout device further includes a second sensor provided on either side of the inner space of the snorkel portion and configured to detect position information of the dam unit or measure a second water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution that has overflowed from the dam wall portion and is accommodated in the accommodation space of the dam unit.

[0017] In the present invention, the processor is characterized in that the second sensor controls a gap between the second water level and the first water level to always be equal to or greater than a set value so as to prevent the hot-dip galvanizing solution from flowing back from the accommodation space of the dam unit to the opening of the snorkel portion.

[0018] In the present invention, the pump unit includes: a housing portion provided outside the snorkel portion at a position corresponding to the dam unit, having an internal pumping space connected to the accommodation space of the dam unit so as to communicate with the accommodation space of the dam unit, and having an outlet formed on one side to discharge the hot-dip galvanizing solution flowing into the pumping space from the accommodation space to the coating tank; an impeller portion rotatably provided in the pumping space of the housing portion and rotatingly driving the hot-dip galvanizing solution flowing into the pumping space toward the outlet; and a drive motor provided on one side of the housing portion and connected to a rotation shaft of the impeller portion to rotate the impeller portion.

[0019] In the present invention, the camera module includes a gas supply unit formed on one side of the camera module and a gas suction unit formed on the other side of the camera module to prevent zinc vapor generated from the hot-dip galvanizing solution from adhering to the lens of the camera module, and an inert gas is moved onto the surface of the lens through the gas supply unit and then sucked into the gas suction unit to remove the zinc vapor.

[0020] In the present invention, in order to prevent zinc vapor generated from the hot-dip galvanizing solution from adhering to the lens of the camera module, a swirling flow is added to the inert gas moving over the surface of the lens of the camera module, thereby removing the zinc vapor.

[0021] A snout control system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a snout device that is immersed in a plating tank containing a hot-dip galvanizing solution and introduces a steel sheet into the plating tank, and a processor connected to the snout device, wherein the processor recognizes the height difference between the water level measured by a sensor that measures the water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution and a dam unit of the snout device, recognizes at least one of a structure inside a snorkel section and a foreign object on the hot-dip galvanizing solution surface based on an image captured by a camera device provided in the snout device, and controls the snout device based on the recognized height difference, the structure inside the snorkel section, and the foreign object on the hot-dip galvanizing solution surface.

[0022] In the present invention, the processor applies optical flow to the image to recognize the flow of foreign matter floating on the molten metal surface inside the snorkel and approaching the steel sheet.

[0023] In the present invention, the processor displays in a first color when a foreign object enters the hot water surface inside the snorkel section, and in a second color when a foreign object is expelled from the hot water surface inside the snorkel section to the outside of the dam unit, thereby making it possible to monitor the current state of operation inside the snorkel section in real time.

[0024] In the present invention, the processor maintains the height of the snout device when the height difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, a predetermined structure is present in the image at a predetermined ratio or greater, and the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in a forward direction.

[0025] In the present invention, when the height difference is equal to or greater than a preset reference value, a predetermined structure is present in the image at a certain ratio or more, and the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the reverse direction, the processor raises the height of the snout device so that the foreign matter on the molten metal surface is discharged outside the dam unit.

[0026] In the present invention, when the height difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value and the structure is not present in the image by a certain ratio or more, the processor raises the snout device so that the structure is present in the image by a certain ratio or more.

[0027] In the present invention, the processor maintains the height of the snout device when the height difference is less than a preset reference value, the structure is present in the image at a certain ratio or more, and the flow of the foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in a forward direction.

[0028] In the present invention, when the height difference is less than a reference value, the structure is present in the image at a certain ratio or more, and the flow of the foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the reverse direction, the processor lowers the height of the snout device so that the foreign matter on the molten metal surface is discharged outside the dam unit.

[0029] In the present invention, when the height difference is less than a reference value and the structure is not present in the image at a certain ratio or more, the processor lowers the snout device so that the structure is present at a certain ratio or more. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention as described above, the flow of foreign matter near the dam unit physically connected to the outside of the snorkel portion of the snout device is detected in real time, and the difference in water level between the inside and outside of the dam unit is recognized by a sensor. When foreign matter near the dam unit approaches the steel sheet, the dam unit of the snout device is raised or lowered to automatically control the depth to which the lower end of the dam unit is immersed in the coating tank, thereby preventing the foreign matter from entering the steel sheet. The load on the pump unit is automatically adjusted in accordance with the difference in water level between the inside and outside of the dam unit to maintain an appropriate load, thereby making it possible to easily discharge foreign matter floating inside the snorkel portion and increasing the life of the pump unit.

[0031] In this way, by utilizing a sensor capable of detecting the real-time water level of the galvanizing tank, the management of the dam unit physically connected to the outer surface of the snout device can be automatically controlled, thereby realizing a snout control system and hot-dip galvanizing equipment including the same, which can have the effect of ensuring operational convenience and quality stability.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the current state of operation inside the snorkel section can be monitored in real time by automatically controlling the snout device based on at least one of the water level measured by the sensor, the structure inside the snorkel section based on the image taken by the camera, and foreign objects on the water surface, thereby achieving the effect of ensuring operational convenience and quality stability.

[0033] Furthermore, by monitoring fluctuations in the water level on the molten metal surface in real time using a sensor and analyzing images captured by a camera to monitor the current status of operations inside the snorkel in real time, and controlling the raising or lowering of the snout device based on the monitoring results, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the steel sheet during the hot-dip galvanizing process, as well as to prevent process troubles and human error.

[0034] Meanwhile, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, but include various effects that are obvious to those skilled in the art from the contents described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a process diagram schematically illustrating a manufacturing process of a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a hot-dip galvanizing facility in a manufacturing process of the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet of FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a side view of a snout control system provided in the hot-dip galvanizing facility of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the front of a snout control system provided in the hot-dip galvanizing facility of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of a snorkel portion of the snout device of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the front of a snout control system provided in the hot-dip galvanizing facility of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of a snorkel portion of the snout device of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement for protecting a lens of a machine vision camera from zinc vapor according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement for protecting a lens of a machine vision camera from zinc vapor according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exemplary view illustrating the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a snout control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Hereinafter, various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] The following examples of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and the following examples can be modified in various different forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples. Rather, these examples are provided to make the present disclosure more complete and complete, and to fully convey the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, which schematically show ideal embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] [Example 1] 1 is a process diagram that schematically shows a manufacturing process of a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view that schematically shows hot-dip galvanizing equipment in the manufacturing process of the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a side view of a snout control system provided in the hot-dip galvanizing equipment of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a front view of the snout control system provided in the hot-dip galvanizing equipment of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a perspective view that schematically shows the inside of a snorkel portion of the snout device of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the front view of the snout control system provided in the hot-dip galvanizing equipment of FIG. 2, FIG. 7 is a perspective view that schematically shows the inside of the snorkel portion of the snout device of FIG. 6, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams that schematically show a configuration for protecting the lens of a machine vision camera from zinc vapor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] First, as shown in FIG. 1 , a manufacturing process equipment for a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention may broadly include welding equipment 600, heating equipment 700, rolling equipment 800, and post-treatment equipment 900. The hot-dip galvanizing equipment may also include a galvanizing tank 300, a snout device 100, a processor 200 for controlling the snout device 100, and an air knife 500. The processor 200 may be implemented as a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or a system on chip (SoC), and may be configured to run an operating system or application to control multiple hardware or software components connected to the processor 200, perform various data processing and calculations, execute at least one instruction stored in a memory (not shown), and store the execution result data in the memory (not shown).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, after cold rolling or hot rolling, the coiled steel sheet 1 is attached to a payoff reel C1, welding between the preceding and succeeding steel sheets 1 is completed using welding equipment 600, and the steel sheet 1 can be heat-treated in heating equipment 700 to ensure the desired material strength and coating adhesion during hot-dip galvanizing.

[0041] Next, the heat-treated steel sheet 1 may be drawn into a coating tank 300 of a hot-dip galvanizing facility while being maintained at a temperature appropriate for the hot-dip galvanizing process. At this time, the steel sheet 1 may be drawn through a snout device 100, which is a steel sheet guiding facility, to prevent oxidation of the surface of the steel sheet 1 and the resulting peeling of the coating that occurs when the steel sheet 1 heat-treated at high temperature is exposed to the atmosphere.

[0042] More specifically, one side of the snout device 100 is connected to a heating facility 700, and the other side is immersed in the surface of the molten metal in the coating tank 300, so that the steel sheet 1 heat-treated in the heating facility 700 can be introduced into the coating tank 300 containing the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2. The inside of the snout device 100 can be filled with an inert gas (NHx) to prevent peeling of the coating due to oxidation of the surface of the steel sheet 1.

[0043] Next, the steel sheet 1 that has passed through the snout device 100 is hot-dip galvanized in a plating tank 300 containing a hot-dip galvanizing solution 2, and the coating amount can then be adjusted to a preset thickness by an air knife 500 that is installed above the plating tank 300 and adjusts the thickness of the molten zinc that has adhered to the steel sheet 1.

[0044] The steel sheet 1 that has been plated in this way can be produced with a beautiful surface by undergoing rough rolling in the rolling equipment 800, and then passes through the post-processing equipment 900, which includes a shape straightening machine and a post-processing and cutting machine to ensure corrosion resistance, and is then wound up on a tension reel C2 to be made into a final product.

[0045] To explain the hot-dip galvanizing equipment in the manufacturing process of such hot-dip galvanized steel sheet in more detail, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the steel sheet 1 can be introduced into the coating tank 300 containing the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 by using a snout device 100 connected to a heating device 700 and one end of which is immersed in the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 contained in the coating tank 300, a first sensor 160 formed on any part of the coating tank 300 and capable of measuring a first water level of the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2, and a processor 200 that controls the first sensor 160.

[0046] A sink roll R1 immersed in the coating tank 300 and a stabilizing roll R2 provided directly above the sink roll R1 enable the steel sheet 1 to be continuously conveyed while its pass line is changed to a vertical position directly above the coating tank 300. Through this process, the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 contained in the coating tank 300 can be attached to the surface of the steel sheet 1.

[0047] Thereafter, the steel sheet 1 that has passed through the sink roll R1 passes between a pair of stabilizing rolls R2 provided directly above it, whereby the warp is corrected, and passes through an air knife 500, whereby the amount of molten zinc deposited on the surface can be adjusted.

[0048] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, in such hot-dip galvanizing equipment, the snout device 100 mainly includes a snorkel portion 110, a detachable dam unit 120, a pump unit 130, and a first sensor 160 capable of measuring the water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2, and can be controlled by a processor 200 linked to the first sensor 160.

[0049] The snout device 100 is formed to surround the steel sheet 1, and the internal space A3 is filled with an inert gas (NHx), thereby preventing the surface oxidation of the steel sheet 1 that has been heat-treated at high temperature in the heating equipment 700, which would otherwise occur if the steel sheet 1 were exposed to the atmosphere. In addition, the snout device 100 may have a structure that prevents ash formed by condensation of vapor from the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 contained in the coating tank 300 from adhering to the surface of the steel sheet 1 as foreign matter, thereby causing surface defects.

[0050] A snorkel portion 110, part of which is immersed in the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 contained in the coating tank 300, may be provided on the lower side of such snout device 100. More specifically, the snorkel portion 110 is formed to surround the steel sheet 1 flowing into the coating tank 300, and can guide the steel sheet 1 so that it can be introduced into the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 contained in the coating tank 300 through an opening portion 111 formed at the lower end immersed in the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 in the coating tank 300.

[0051] The snorkel further includes a detachable dam unit 120, which is physically coupled to an outer wall portion of the snorkel portion 110, is interlocked with a first sensor 160, and is operable along the outer wall surface of the snorkel portion 110 in response to first water level information of the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2. The detachable dam unit 120 is spaced a predetermined distance from an inner wall portion 112 of the snorkel portion 110 at an open portion of the snorkel portion 110 and includes a first dam wall portion 121 and a second dam wall portion 122 formed along the inner periphery of the snorkel portion 110 so as to protrude to a predetermined height in the height direction of the snorkel portion 110. The detachable dam unit 120 forms a storage space capable of storing the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 that flows in through the open portion between the first dam wall portion 121 and the second dam wall portion 122 spaced from the inner wall portion 112 of the snorkel portion 110 and then overflows from the first dam wall portion 121.

[0052] For example, the snorkel 110 may be formed in a rectangular pipe shape having a rectangular cross section and may be coupled to the lower end of the snout device 100, which is also formed in the same rectangular pipe shape. Although not shown, the dam unit 120 coupled to the outer wall of the snorkel 110 may be driven up and down relative to the water surface of the coating tank 300 by a driving device such as an actuator so that the depth to which the lower end is immersed in the coating tank 300 can be adjusted. The dam unit 120 may be configured in the form of a sliding rail and physically coupled to the outer wall of the snorkel 110. A driving device (not shown) for driving the dam unit 120 may be connected to any part of the snout device 100 to minimize the influence of thermal energy transferred from the coating tank 300. In this case, a cooling pipe (not shown) for water cooling may be formed along the outer periphery of a motor (not shown) included in the driving device (not shown) to prevent the motor from overheating.

[0053] 3 to 5, the dam unit 120 includes a first dam wall portion 121 and a second dam wall portion 122 formed along the inner periphery of the snorkel portion 110 at the opening 111 of the snorkel portion 110, spaced a predetermined distance from the inner wall portion 112 of the snorkel portion 110, and protruding to a predetermined height in the height direction of the snorkel portion 110. An accommodation space A1 capable of accommodating the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 that has flowed in through the opening 111 and overflowed from the first dam wall portion 121 may be formed between the first dam wall portion 121 and the second dam wall portion 122 spaced from the inner wall portion 112 of the snorkel portion 110. Here, the height of the second dam wall portion 122 is formed relatively higher than the height of the first dam wall portion 121. This may cause a problem in the lifting and lowering drive of the dam unit 120 when the foreign object D approaching the steel sheet 1 moves toward the outer wall of the second dam wall portion 122 and the snorkel portion 110. Therefore, by forming the height of the second dam wall portion 122 higher than the water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2, the foreign object D approaching the steel sheet 1 can be physically blocked so as not to approach the drive portion of the dam unit 120.

[0054] For example, the dam unit 120 is coupled to an outer wall of the snorkel part 110 and defines an accommodating space A1 defined by a first dam wall part 121 that is bent inwardly of the opening part 111 of the snorkel part 110. A part of the dam unit 120 may be formed at the same height as or at a relatively lower level than the level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 that flows in through the opening part 111 of the snorkel part 110 when the snorkel part 110 is immersed in the coating tank 300 or is formed at a position relatively higher than the level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2. As a result, when the lower end of the dam unit 120 is immersed in the coating tank 300, the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 that flows in through the opening part 111 of the snorkel part 110 can overflow from the first dam wall part 121 and be contained in the accommodating space A1 of the dam unit 120.

[0055] The pump unit 130 is provided outside the snorkel part 110 and is capable of pumping and discharging the hot dip galvanizing solution 2 contained in the containing space A1 of the dam unit 120 into the plating tank 300.

[0056] More specifically, the pump unit 130 is installed outside the snorkel part 110 at a position corresponding to the dam unit 120, and the pumping space A2 therein is connected to the accommodation space A1 of the dam unit 120 so that it communicates with the accommodation space A1 of the dam unit 120. The pump unit 130 includes a housing part 131 having an outlet 131a formed on one side thereof so that the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 flowing from the accommodation space A1 into the pumping space A2 can be discharged into the coating tank 300. The pump unit 130 includes an impeller part 132 rotatably installed in the pumping space A2 of the housing part 131 and rotatingly driving the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 flowing into the pumping space A2 toward the outlet 131a, and a drive motor installed on one side of the housing part 131 by a bracket B installed on a side of the dam unit 120, the drive motor having a rotation shaft 133a connected to a rotation shaft 132a of the impeller part 132 to rotate the impeller part 132.

[0057] The pump unit 130 discharges the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2, which flows in through the opening 111 of the snorkel part 110 and then overflows from the first dam wall part 121 and is contained in the containing space A1 of the dam unit 120, to the hot-dip galvanizing solution surface side of the coating tank 300 outside the snorkel part 110, thereby enabling the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 in the coating tank 300 to continuously flow in through the opening 111 of the snorkel part 110.

[0058] In this way, the pump unit 130 discharges the molten zinc plating solution 2 contained in the storage space A1 of the dam unit 120 to the surface of the plating tank 300 outside the snorkel part 110, and induces foreign matter D such as dross contained in the molten zinc plating solution 2 to float on the surface of the plating tank 300, thereby preventing the foreign matter D from mixing with the molten zinc plating solution 2 in the plating tank 300 and re-contaminating the molten zinc plating solution 2, or from re-entering through the open part 111 of the snorkel part 110, the lower end of which is immersed below the surface of the plating tank 300.

[0059] At this time, foreign matter D such as dross that is discharged by the pump unit 130 to the surface side of the plating tank 300 and floats on the surface of the plating tank 300 can be removed from the surface of the plating tank 300 by a separate removal device or by an operator.

[0060] Furthermore, the configuration of the pump unit 130 is not necessarily limited to that shown in Figures 3 to 5, and various configurations are applicable that can discharge the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 contained in the accommodation space A1 of the dam unit 120 to the molten metal surface side of the plating tank 300 outside the snorkel portion 110.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the snout device 100 may further include second sensors 140, 150 provided on either side of the inner space of the snorkel portion 110, measuring a second water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 that has flowed into the opening portion 111, overflowed the first dam wall portion 121, and been accommodated in the accommodation space A1 of the dam unit 120, and detecting foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 that has flowed into the snorkel portion 110 through the opening portion and approaching the steel sheet 1.

[0062] Such second sensors 140, 150 can measure the second water level of the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 flowing into the open portion 111 using any one of an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, and a radar sensor. Furthermore, the second sensors 140, 150 may detect foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2, or any one of the second sensors 140, 150 may be a vision sensor that detects foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 using a camera image sensor in addition to the above sensor. Alternatively, the type of sensor can be selectively changed so that any one of the second sensors 140, 150 measures the second water level of the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 using any one of an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, and a radar sensor, and the other one detects foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 using a vision sensor. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, one of the second sensors 140, 150 may be arranged between one side of the steel plate 1 and the inner wall surface of the snorkel portion 110, and the other one of the second sensors 140, 150 may be arranged between the other side of the steel plate 1 and the inner wall surface of the snorkel portion 110.

[0063] When a laser sensor is used as the second sensor 150, the reflectance of the foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 is compared with the reflectance of the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 in a normal state, and if the recognized values ​​due to the difference in reflectance values ​​differ, the presence of the foreign matter D can be recognized and detected. Here, the normal state means a state in which only pure hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 is present without the foreign matter D.

[0064] Specifically, by comprehensively considering information on the gap G between the first water level measured by the first sensor 160 and the dam wall 121 and information on the load of the pump unit 10, if the amount of overflow increases due to the lowering of the dam unit 120, the flow velocity moving from inside to outside the dam unit 120 is increased. Alternatively, the RPM of the pump unit 130 may be increased in response to the increase in the amount of overflow, thereby automatically controlling the gap G between the first water level measured by the first sensor 160 and the first dam wall 121 to a constant value.

[0065] Meanwhile, as described above, any one of the second sensors 140, 150 may be realized as a camera module, i.e., a vision sensor having an autofocus function or an elevation function. In this case, the second sensor 150 other than the camera module may be realized as any one of an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, and a radar sensor (the second sensor 150 will be referred to below with a reference numeral to clearly distinguish it from the second sensor other than the camera module 140). The above function of the camera module 140 can improve the recognition rate of foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2. Images of foreign matter D measured by the camera module 140 are repeatedly learned, and an image signal according to the size and shape of the foreign matter D is transmitted to the processor 200, and the position of the dam unit 120 is adjusted or the load of the pump unit 130 is controlled based on the image.

[0066] Specifically, an image library of foreign matter D on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 is constructed by prior image learning using the camera module 140, and each image is stored in the data storage of the processor 200. Real-time information on foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 is received based on the learning data of the constructed image library of foreign matter D. At the same time, information on the gap G between the first water level and the dam wall 121 measured by the first sensor 160 and information on the load of the pump unit 10 are comprehensively taken into consideration, and when the amount of overflow due to the lowering of the dam unit 120 increases, the flow rate moving from inside to outside the dam unit 120 is increased. Alternatively, the RPM of the pump unit 130 can be increased in response to an increase in the amount of overflow, thereby automatically controlling the gap G between the first water level measured by the first sensor 160 and the first dam wall 121 to be constant.

[0067] The camera module 140 and the second sensor 150 can function in a mutually complementary manner to detect foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2. For this mutually complementary function, the camera module 140 and the second sensor 150 may have an arrangement structure as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. That is, the camera module 140 and the second sensor 150 may be positioned on the same level line and may be positioned in any order between the steel sheet 1 and the inner wall surface of the snorkel portion 110. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the camera module 140 may be formed adjacent to the steel sheet 1, and the second sensor 150 may be formed a predetermined distance apart on the same level line as the camera module 140. Alternatively, the second sensor 150 may be formed adjacent to the steel sheet 1, and the camera module 140 may be formed a predetermined distance apart on the same level line as the second sensor 150.

[0068] In addition, the processor 200 is electrically connected to the first sensor 160 and the second sensors 140, 150, and receives sensing signals from the first sensor 160 and the second sensors 140, 150, and can raise or lower the dam unit 120 to adjust the depth to which the dam unit 120 is immersed in the coating tank 300 based on the sensing signals, or can adjust the load of the pump unit 130 to control the flow rate of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 pumped by the pump unit 130.

[0069] For example, when the second sensor 140, 150 detects that a foreign object D is approaching the steel sheet 1, the processor 200 can lower the dam unit 120 to increase the depth to which the lower end of the dam unit 120 is immersed in the plating tank 300.

[0070] More specifically, when the second sensors 140, 150 detect that a foreign object D floating on the surface of the molten zinc plating solution 2 that has flowed into the inside of the snorkel portion 110 through the opening 111 of the snorkel portion 110 is approaching the steel sheet 1, the processor 200 lowers the dam unit 120 to increase the depth to which the lower end of the dam unit 120 is immersed in the plating tank 300, thereby controlling the upper end of the first dam wall portion 121 of the dam unit 120 coupled to the outer surface of the snorkel portion 110 to be lower than the surface of the molten zinc plating solution 2 that has flowed into the inside of the snorkel portion 110.

[0071] At this time, since the position of the dam unit 120 must be adjusted so that the gap G between the first water level measured by the first sensor 160 and the dam wall portion 121 is maintained constant, the size of the gap G may momentarily increase significantly when the dam unit 120 is lowered to the lower end of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 due to the detection of the foreign object D. In consideration of this case, the processor 200 controls the load of the pump unit 130 to quickly allow a portion of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 to quickly escape to the outside through the accommodation space A2 of the pump unit 130, thereby maintaining the gap G constant.

[0072] This allows the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 that has flowed into the snorkel section 110 through the opening 111 of the snorkel section 110 to be guided to overflow from the first dam wall section 121 more quickly, and the flow of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 inside the snorkel section 110 to be quickly guided from the opening 111 to the accommodation space A1 side of the dam unit 120, so that the foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 moves away from the steel sheet 1 along with the flow of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2, overflows from the dam wall section 121, is accommodated on the accommodation space A1 side of the dam unit 120, and is then guided to be discharged onto the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution in the coating tank 300 by the pump unit 130.

[0073] In this way, the second sensors 140, 150 and the processor 200 can automatically control the immersion depth of the dam unit 120 or control the load of the pump unit 130 when the foreign matter D approaches the steel sheet 1, thereby preventing the foreign matter D from adhering to the steel sheet 1 during the hot-dip galvanizing process.

[0074] The processor 200 also derives information about a gap G between the protrusion protruding from the first dam wall 121 and the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 by combining the first level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 detected by the first sensor 160 with position information about the first dam wall 121 of the dam unit 120. The processor 200 controls the position of the dam unit 120 based on the derived gap information and load information about the pump unit 130, thereby maintaining a constant gap. The gap may be within a range of 10 mm to 20 mm. When foreign matter D approaches the steel sheet 1, the flow velocity of the foreign matter D must exceed a critical point in order to be discharged to the outside through the dam unit 120. However, if the gap is less than 10 mm, it is difficult to achieve a flow velocity sufficient for the foreign matter D to be discharged to the outside, and the foreign matter D cannot be effectively discharged. On the other hand, if the gap is greater than 20 mm, the flow velocity of the foreign matter D becomes so fast that it exceeds the load on the pump unit 130. Therefore, to solve this problem, the gap must be maintained at 10 mm to 20 mm.

[0075] More specifically, as the water level difference H between the first water level and the position information of the dam unit 120 becomes smaller, the height of the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 flowing into the snorkel portion 110 and the upper end of the first dam wall portion 121 become similar, and therefore the flow of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 flowing into the snorkel portion 110 through the opening 111 of the snorkel portion 110 overflowing from the first dam wall portion 121 and flowing into the accommodation space A1 of the dam unit 120 may become weaker. In this case, the flow of foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 inside the snorkel portion 110 also becomes weaker, and the time spent floating around the steel sheet 1 increases, thereby increasing the probability that the foreign matter D will adhere to the steel sheet 1 and cause defects.

[0076] Therefore, by controlling the water level difference H between the first water level and the position information of the first dam wall portion 121 of the dam unit 120 while the dam unit 120 is raised or lowered so that the water level difference H can be maintained constant, foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 inside the snorkel portion 110 can be prevented from adhering to the steel sheet 1, and an appropriate load on the pump unit 130 can be maintained, thereby increasing the life of the pump unit 130.

[0077] Here, the water level difference H between the first water level and the position information of the first dam wall portion 121 of the dam unit 120 may be preset by an operator and stored in the processor 200, and the processor 200 may control the load of the pump unit 130 so that the first water level and the position information of the dam unit 120 can be maintained constant at the preset and input water level difference H.

[0078] In addition, the processor 200 may work in conjunction with the second sensors 140, 150 to control the immersion depth of the dam unit 120 in addition to controlling the load of the pump unit 130, thereby guiding the water level difference H between the first water level and the position of the dam unit 120 to be maintained constant.

[0079] For example, if the position of the dam unit 120 is lower than a preset reference, the processor 200 may lower the dam unit 120 to increase the depth to which the lower end of the dam unit 120 is immersed in the plating tank 300, and if the position of the dam unit 120 is higher than the reference, the processor 200 may raise the dam unit 120 to decrease the depth to which the lower end of the dam unit 120 is immersed in the plating tank 300.

[0080] As a result, when the position of the dam unit 120 becomes lower than a preset reference and a large water level difference H occurs between the first water level and the position of the dam unit 120, the dam unit 120 is lowered to increase the depth to which the upper end of the dam wall portion 121 is immersed from the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 flowing into the snorkel portion 110, thereby increasing the flow of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 flowing in through the opening portion 111 overflowing from the first dam wall portion 121, thereby reducing the water level difference H. Conversely, when the position information of the dam unit 120 becomes higher than the preset reference and the water level difference H between the first water level and the position of the dam unit 120 is almost eliminated, the dam unit 120 is raised to decrease the depth at which the upper end of the first dam wall portion 121 is immersed from the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 flowing into the snorkel portion 110, thereby reducing the flow of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 flowing in through the opening portion 111 overflowing from the first dam wall portion 121, thereby inducing an increase in the water level difference H.

[0081] Therefore, according to the snout control system and hot-dip galvanizing equipment including the same according to one embodiment of the present invention, the flow of foreign matter D near the dam unit 120 inside the snorkel portion 110 of the snout device 100 and the first water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 are recognized using the first sensor 160, and the water level difference H based on the position information of the dam unit 120 is recognized by the second sensors 140, 150. As a result, when the foreign matter D near the dam unit 120 approaches the steel sheet 1, the dam unit 120 of the snout device 100 is raised or lowered, thereby automatically controlling the depth to which the lower end of the dam unit 120 is immersed in the coating tank 300, thereby suppressing the intrusion of the foreign matter D into the steel sheet 1. Furthermore, the load of the pump unit 130 is automatically adjusted according to the position of the dam unit 120 to maintain an appropriate load, thereby easily discharging the foreign matter D floating inside the snorkel portion 110 and increasing the life of the pump unit 130.

[0082] Further, the second sensors 140, 150 can measure a second water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 that has overflowed the first dam wall portion 121 and is contained in the accommodation space A1 of the dam unit 120. Here, the processor 200 can control the gap G between the second water level and the first water level to be always 80 mm or more using the second sensors 140, 150 so that the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 does not flow back from the accommodation space A1 of the dam unit 120 to the opening 111 of the snorkel portion 110. If the gap G between the first water level and the second water level is less than 80 mm, a load is generated on the pump unit 130, making it impossible to effectively discharge the foreign matter D. As a result, the foreign matter D and the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 that cannot be discharged to the outside flow back through the first dam wall portion 121 to the opening 111 of the snorkel portion 110. Therefore, in order to effectively control this, the gap between the first water level and the second water level must be controlled to a minimum of 80 mm or more, taking into consideration the load on the pump unit 130.

[0083] In this way, by utilizing the second sensors 140, 150 capable of detecting foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot water inside the snorkel portion 110 of the snout device 100, and the first sensor 160 capable of detecting the position of the dam unit 120, and the first sensor 160 capable of detecting the first water level of the hot water surface of the molten zinc plating solution 2, the water level difference H between the first water level and the position information of the dam unit 120 is detected, and thereby automatically controlling the dam management inside the snout device 100, it is possible to achieve the effect of ensuring operational convenience and quality stability.

[0084] Meanwhile, zinc vapor evaporating from the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2 contaminates the lens of the camera module 140 disposed inside the snorkel part 110, adversely affecting the recognition of foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2. To solve this problem, the present invention prevents the contamination of the lens by using the methods shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0085] 8 and 9 are diagrams that schematically illustrate an arrangement for protecting a lens of a machine vision camera from zinc vapor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] 8, the snout device 100 of the present invention further includes a gas supply unit 142 and a gas intake unit 144 for supplying an inert gas capable of adsorbing and removing zinc vapor or a reactive gas capable of reacting with the zinc vapor. The snout device 100 also includes a gas supply pipe 143 and a gas intake pipe 145 for supplying gas to the periphery of the camera module 140 and for supplying and inhaling the gas onto the surface of a lens provided on one side of the camera module 140. The gas supply may be performed continuously during galvanization, or the gas supply pipe 143 and the gas intake pipe 145 may be located outside the sensing area of ​​the lens so as not to affect the camera module 140's ability to detect foreign matter D floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2.

[0087] 9, the snout device 100 of the present invention is filled with an inert gas to prevent plating peeling due to oxidation of the surface of the steel sheet 1, and may further include a swirling flow generating device (not shown) that can generate a swirling flow by rotating the inert gas supplied to the inside of the snout on the surface of the lens of the camera module 140. The zinc vapor is adsorbed by the inert gas due to the swirling flow and can be removed by a separate pipe (not shown).

[0088] According to the first embodiment, the dam unit 120, which is integrally formed with the snorkel part 110, is manufactured in a detachable form and physically coupled to the outer surface of the snorkel part 110, allowing for replacement even while the process line is running, which is expected to improve maintainability and productivity. In addition, the introduction of the detachable dam unit 120 allows workers to more easily precision-machine the surface of the dam unit 120, which is expected to reduce the occurrence of poor surface quality due to flow rate deviations between the front and back surfaces caused by improper machining of the dam unit 120.

[0089] In addition, in the past, an operating environment in which an operator controlled the position of the dam unit 120 through constant monitoring carried a high risk of mass defects. However, by having the processor 200 automatically control the position of the dam unit 120 according to the water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution 2, operator errors can be prevented, thereby achieving the effect of reducing the resulting surface quality defects.

[0090] [Example 2] Fig. 10 is an illustrative diagram for explaining the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a snout control method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Example 2 focuses on the automatic control configuration of the snout device by the processor 200, and the structure and detailed configuration of the hot-dip galvanizing equipment on which Example 2 is based are the same as those of Example 1.

[0091] In Example 2, the processor 200 recognizes the height difference between the water level measured by the first sensor 160 and the dam unit 120, recognizes at least one of the structures inside the snorkel section 110 and foreign objects on the water surface based on the image captured by the camera module 140, and can control the snout device 100 based on the recognized height difference, the structures inside the snorkel section 110, and at least one of the foreign objects on the water surface.

[0092] The processor 200 monitors the fluctuations in the water level on the surface of the water in real time using the first sensor 160, analyzes the images captured by the camera module 140 to monitor the current state of operation inside the snorkel section 110 in real time, and controls the raising or lowering of the snout device 100 based on the monitoring results, thereby preventing process troubles and human error.

[0093] The operation of the processor 200 will now be described in detail.

[0094] The processor 200 can receive the water level measured by the first sensor 160 and the image captured by the camera module 140.

[0095] The processor 200 recognizes the height difference between the molten metal surface and the dam unit 120, and compares the height difference between the molten metal surface and the dam unit 120 with a preset reference value. Here, the reference value may be a preset value, for example, 2 mm. The height difference between the molten metal surface and the dam unit 120 may refer to the height difference between the molten metal surface and the first dam wall portion 121. Specifically, the height difference between the molten metal surface and the dam unit 120 may refer to the height difference between the molten metal surface and the upper end of the first dam wall portion 121.

[0096] Thereafter, the processor 200 applies computer vision technology to the image captured by the camera module 140 to observe the flow of the molten metal surface in and out of the dam unit 120 inside the snout device 100. In other words, the processor 200 utilizes the image captured by the camera module 140 to analyze the flow of internal structures and floating foreign matter on the molten metal surface depending on the water level, thereby monitoring the operating status inside the snout device 100.

[0097] Specifically, the processor 200 may apply an object recognition algorithm to the image captured by the camera module 140 to recognize a preset structure inside the snorkel unit 110. That is, the processor 200 may apply the object recognition algorithm to recognize the submersion degree of the structure or the recognition (presence) ratio of the structure. Here, the preset structure is a structure set by learning, and may include, for example, a support platform.

[0098] The processor 200 may determine whether the number of structures recognized by the object recognition algorithm is equal to or greater than a predetermined percentage, where the predetermined percentage may be any value, such as 90%.

[0099] The processor 200 then applies optical flow to the image captured by the camera module 140 to recognize foreign matter floating on the molten metal surface inside the snorkel unit 110 and approaching the steel sheet 1. That is, the processor 200 can use optical flow, an image processing technology, to observe the flow of floating foreign matter on the molten metal surface. Optical flow is a vector map that indicates the motion of each pixel between two consecutive frames, and is a technology that can recognize optical flow within an image. Utilizing optical flow has the advantage that it allows observation of the movement of objects in images captured by CCTV or general cameras without the need for an expensive machine vision camera. Optical flow is mainly expressed using a color map, where H (color) represents direction and S (saturation) represents magnitude.

[0100] Therefore, the processor 200 displays in a first color when foreign matter enters the dam unit 120, and in a second color when foreign matter is discharged to the outside of the dam unit 120, thereby enabling real-time monitoring of the current state of operation inside the snorkel section 110. In other words, the optical flow can indicate that foreign matter has entered the dam unit 120 when the flow of floating foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the reverse direction, and can indicate that foreign matter has been discharged to the outside of the dam unit 120 when the flow of floating foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the forward direction.

[0101] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the processor 200 can display in red when foreign matter enters the molten metal surface inside the dam unit 120, and can display in green when foreign matter is expelled from the dam unit 120.

[0102] The processor 200 also converts the vector sum of the foreign matter entering and leaving the molten metal surface inside the snorkel 110 into data in real time, thereby enabling real-time analysis of the current state of operation inside the snorkel 110. At this time, the processor 200 can generate a graph of the vector sum of the foreign matter entering and leaving the molten metal surface inside the snorkel 110, as shown in FIG.

[0103] The processor 200 can control the snout device 100 based on at least one of the height difference between the water surface and the dam unit 120, a structure inside the snorkel portion 110, and a foreign object on the water surface.

[0104] For example, if the height difference between the water level on the surface of the water and the dam unit 120 is equal to or greater than a reference value, if a predetermined structure is present in the image captured by the camera module 140 at a predetermined ratio or greater, and if the flow of foreign matter on the surface of the water is in the forward direction, the processor 200 determines that the current internal operation of the snorkel section 110 is normal and can maintain the height of the snout device 100.

[0105] Furthermore, if the height difference between the molten metal surface and the dam unit 120 is equal to or greater than a reference value, if a certain proportion of structures are present in the image, and if foreign matter on the molten metal surface is flowing in the opposite direction, the processor 200 determines that foreign matter on the molten metal surface has entered the dam unit 120, and can raise the height of the snout device 100. In this case, since foreign matter on the molten metal surface is flowing into the dam unit 120, the processor 200 can raise the height of the snout device 100 so that the foreign matter on the molten metal surface is discharged to the outside of the dam unit 120. In other words, when the height of the snout device 100 is raised, the dam unit 120 is also raised, thereby reducing the depth to which the lower end of the dam unit 120 is immersed in the coating tank 10, and thereby allowing the foreign matter on the molten metal surface inside the dam unit 120 to be discharged to the outside of the dam unit 120.

[0106] Furthermore, if the height difference between the water level of the molten metal surface and the dam unit 120 is equal to or greater than a reference value and the image does not include a certain percentage or more of the structure, the processor 200 can raise the snout device 100 so that the structure is included in the image in a certain percentage or more. The image not including the structure in the image in a certain percentage or more means that a large portion of the structure is submerged in the molten metal surface, which means that the water level inside the dam unit 120 is high, and therefore the molten metal surface inside the dam unit 120 needs to be discharged to the outside. For this reason, the processor 200 can raise the snout device 100 to discharge the molten metal surface inside the dam unit 120 to the outside of the dam unit 120.

[0107] Furthermore, if the height difference between the water surface and the dam unit 120 is less than the reference value, a certain proportion or more of structures are present in the image, and the flow of floating foreign matter on the water surface is in the forward direction, the processor 200 determines that the current internal operation of the snorkel section 110 is normal and can maintain the height of the snout device 100.

[0108] Furthermore, if the height difference between the water level on the molten metal surface and the dam unit 120 is less than a reference value, if a certain proportion or more of structures are present in the image, and if the flow of floating foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the opposite direction, the processor 200 can lower the height of the snout device 100. In this case, floating foreign matter on the molten metal surface has become mixed inside the dam unit 120, and since the dam unit 120 is high, the processor 200 can lower the snout device 100 to expel the foreign matter on the molten metal surface to the outside of the dam unit 120. In other words, when the snout device 100 is lowered, the dam unit 120 also descends, so that the foreign matter on the molten metal surface inside the dam unit 120 can be expelled to the outside of the dam unit 120.

[0109] Furthermore, if the height difference between the molten metal surface and the dam unit 120 is less than a reference value and the image does not include a certain percentage or more of structures, the processor 200 can lower the snout device 100 so that the image includes a certain percentage or more of structures. The image does not include a certain percentage or more of structures, which means that a large portion of the structures is submerged in the molten metal surface, which means that the water level inside the dam unit 120 is high, and therefore the molten metal surface inside the dam unit 120 needs to be discharged to the outside. Since the dam unit 120 is high at this time, the processor 200 can lower the snout device 100 to discharge foreign matter on the molten metal surface to the outside of the dam unit 120. This allows the foreign matter inside the dam unit 120 to be discharged to the outside of the dam unit 120.

[0110] As described above, the processor 200 controls the snout device 100 based on at least one of the height difference between the molten metal surface and the dam unit 120, the structure inside the snorkel unit 110, and the foreign matter on the molten metal surface, and automatically controls the depth to which the lower end of the snout device 100 is immersed in the coating tank 10, thereby enabling real-time monitoring of the current state of operation inside the snorkel unit 110, thereby ensuring operational convenience and quality stability. In addition, the processor 200 automatically controls the immersion depth of the snout device 100 when foreign matter approaches the steel sheet 1, thereby preventing the foreign matter from adhering to the steel sheet 1 during the hot-dip galvanizing process.

[0111] The processor 200 monitors the fluctuations in the water level of the molten metal in real time using the first sensor 160, and by utilizing computer vision technology, analyzes the current state of the internal operation of the snorkel section 110 in real time to detect the degree of risk. Based on the detection results, the processor 200 automatically controls the snout device 100, thereby preventing process troubles and human errors and ultimately realizing process automation.

[0112] The snout control system according to an embodiment of the present invention can suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the steel plate 1 by raising or lowering the snout device 100 based on at least one of the height difference between the water level on the molten metal surface and the dam unit 120 of the snout device 100, the structure inside the snorkel section 110, and the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface.

[0113] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a snout control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 11, the processor 200 receives the water level measured by the first sensor 160 and the image captured by the camera module 140 (S602).

[0115] When step S602 is performed, the processor 200 calculates the height difference between the water level of the hot water surface and the dam unit 120, and determines whether the calculated height difference is equal to or greater than a reference value (S604).

[0116] If the height difference is equal to or greater than the reference value as a result of the determination in step S604, the processor 200 recognizes a predetermined structure using the image captured by the camera module 140 (S606), and determines whether the recognized structure is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio (S608). At this time, the processor 200 can recognize the structure inside the snorkel unit 110 by applying an object recognition algorithm to the image.

[0117] If the recognized structure is present at a certain ratio or more as a result of the determination in step S608, the processor 200 recognizes the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface based on the image (S610) and determines whether the flow of the foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the forward direction (S612). At this time, the processor 200 can recognize the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface that is floating on the molten metal surface inside the snorkel part 110 and approaching the steel sheet 1 by applying optical flow. The flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface in the forward direction can mean that foreign matter floating on the molten metal surface is being discharged, and the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface in the reverse direction can mean that foreign matter is being mixed into the molten metal surface.

[0118] If the determination result of step S612 is that the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the forward direction, the processor 200 maintains the height of the snout device 100 (S614). That is, if the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the forward direction, it means that the foreign matter on the molten metal surface is being normally discharged to the outside of the dam unit 120, so the processor 200 can maintain the height of the snout device 100.

[0119] If the determination result in step S612 is that the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the reverse direction, the processor 200 raises the height of the snout device 100 (S616). That is, if the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the reverse direction, foreign matter has entered the molten metal surface, and the entered foreign matter needs to be discharged to the outside of the dam unit 120. For this reason, the processor 200 can raise the height of the snout device 100. When the height of the snout device 100 rises, the height of the dam unit 120 also rises, thereby allowing the foreign matter on the molten metal surface to be discharged to the outside of the dam unit 120.

[0120] If the result of the determination in step S608 is that the recognized structures are not present at a certain ratio or more, the processor 200 raises the snout device 100 so that the structures are present at a certain ratio (S618). The absence of the structures at a certain ratio or more in the image means that a large amount of the structures is submerged in the molten metal surface, which means that the water level inside the dam unit 120 is high, and therefore the molten metal surface inside the dam unit 120 needs to be discharged to the outside. For this reason, the processor 200 raises the snout device 100 to discharge the molten metal surface to the outside of the dam unit 120.

[0121] If the result of the determination in step S604 is that the height difference is not equal to or greater than the reference value, the processor 200 determines whether the height difference is less than the reference value (S620).

[0122] If the height difference is less than the reference value as a result of the determination in step S620, the processor 200 recognizes a predetermined structure using the image captured by the camera module 140 (S622) and determines whether the structure is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio (S624). At this time, the processor 200 can recognize the structure inside the snorkel unit 110 by applying an object recognition algorithm to the image.

[0123] If the recognized structure is present at a certain ratio or more as a result of the determination in step S624, the processor 200 recognizes the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface based on the image (S626) and determines whether the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the forward direction (S628). At this time, the processor 200 can recognize the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface floating on the molten metal surface inside the snorkel part 110 and approaching the steel sheet 1 by applying optical flow.

[0124] If the result of the determination in step S628 is that the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the forward direction, the processor 200 maintains the height of the snout device 100 (S630). In this case, the processor 200 determines that the current internal operation of the snorkel part 110 is normal, and can maintain the height of the snout device 100.

[0125] If the determination result of step S628 shows that the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in the reverse direction, the processor 200 lowers the height of the snout device 100 (S632). In this case, foreign matter floating on the molten metal surface has entered the dam unit 120, and since the dam unit 120 is high, the processor 200 can lower the snout device 100 to discharge the foreign matter on the molten metal surface to the outside of the dam unit 120. Then, the foreign matter inside the dam unit 120 can be discharged to the outside of the dam unit 120.

[0126] If the determination result of step S624 shows that the recognized structures are not present at a certain ratio or more, the processor 200 lowers the snout device 100 so that the structures are present at a certain ratio (S634). The absence of the structures at a certain ratio or more in the image means that the structures are submerged in the molten metal surface, which means that the water level inside the dam unit 120 is high, and therefore the molten metal surface inside the dam unit 120 needs to be discharged to the outside. At this time, since the dam unit 120 is high, the processor 200 can lower the snout device 100 to discharge foreign matter on the molten metal surface to the outside of the dam unit 120. As a result, the foreign matter inside the dam unit 120 can be discharged to the outside of the dam unit 120.

[0127] According to Example 2, by automatically controlling the snout device based on at least one of the water level measured by the sensor, the structure inside the snorkel based on the image taken by the camera, and foreign objects on the water surface, the current state of operation inside the snorkel can be monitored in real time, thereby achieving the effect of ensuring operational convenience and quality stability.

[0128] In addition, the sensor monitors the fluctuations in the water level on the molten metal surface in real time, and the image captured by the camera is analyzed to monitor the current state of operation inside the snorkel in real time. Based on the monitoring results, the system controls the raising or lowering of the snout device, which not only prevents foreign matter from adhering to the steel sheet during the hot-dip galvanizing process, but also helps prevent process troubles and human error.

[0129] Furthermore, the implementations described herein may be implemented as, for example, a method or process, an apparatus, a software program, a data stream, or a signal. Even if discussed only in the context of a single implementation (e.g., discussed only as a method), the implementation of the discussed features may also be implemented in other forms (e.g., an apparatus or a program). An apparatus may be implemented in appropriate hardware, software, firmware, etc. A method may be implemented in an apparatus such as, for example, a processor, which generally refers to a processing device including, for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device. Processors also include communication devices such as computers, mobile phones, portable / personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), and other devices that facilitate communication of information between end users.

[0130] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, these are merely examples, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. a snout device having one end immersed in a coating tank containing a hot-dip galvanizing solution for coating the steel sheet during a production process of the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet, and introducing the steel sheet into the coating tank; a first sensor formed on any part of the coating tank and capable of measuring a first water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution; a processor for controlling the snout device and the first sensor; The snout device a snorkel portion formed to surround the steel sheet flowing into the coating tank and to guide the steel sheet so that the steel sheet can be introduced into the hot-dip galvanizing solution contained in the coating tank through an opening formed at a lower end immersed in the molten zinc surface of the coating tank; a dam unit that is physically coupled to an outer wall portion of the snorkel portion with a detachable structure, that is drivable along the outer wall surface of the snorkel portion in response to first water level information of the hot-dip galvanizing solution in conjunction with the first sensor, that includes: a first dam wall portion that is spaced a predetermined distance from an inner wall portion of the snorkel portion in the open portion of the snorkel portion and formed along an inner periphery of the snorkel portion so as to protrude to a predetermined height in a height direction of the snorkel portion; and a second dam wall portion that is spaced a predetermined distance from the first dam wall portion and exposed above the hot-dip galvanizing solution, and that forms a storage space between the inner wall portion of the snorkel portion and the first dam wall portion to store the hot-dip galvanizing solution that has flowed in through the open portion and then overflowed from the first dam wall portion; a pump unit provided outside the snorkel portion and configured to pump the hot-dip galvanizing solution accommodated in the accommodation space of the dam unit into the coating tank, The processor: automatically controlling, by the processor, a position of the dam unit in accordance with a difference in the gap G between the first water level measured by the first sensor and the first dam wall portion so that the gap G is maintained constant; The processor: receiving a sensing signal from the first sensor; the dam unit is raised or lowered in response to the sensing signal to adjust the depth of immersion of the dam unit in the coating bath, thereby controlling the gap to be constant, or the pump unit is adjusted to control the flow rate of the hot-dip galvanizing solution pumped by the pump unit, thereby controlling the gap to be constant; the snout device further includes a second sensor provided on either side of the inner space of the snorkel portion and configured to detect position information of the dam unit or measure a second water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution that has overflowed from the dam wall portion and is accommodated in the accommodation space of the dam unit, The dam unit is configured in the form of a sliding rail and is physically connected to an outer wall of the snorkel part; and A snout control system, characterized in that a driving device for driving the dam unit to minimize the influence of thermal energy transferred from the plating tank is connected to any part of the snout device.

2. a snout device having one end immersed in a coating tank containing a hot-dip galvanizing solution for coating the steel sheet during a production process of the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet, and introducing the steel sheet into the coating tank; a first sensor formed on any part of the coating tank and capable of measuring a first water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution; a processor for controlling the snout device and the first sensor; The snout device a snorkel portion formed to surround the steel sheet flowing into the coating tank and to guide the steel sheet so that the steel sheet can be introduced into the hot-dip galvanizing solution contained in the coating tank through an opening formed at a lower end immersed in the molten zinc surface of the coating tank; a dam unit that is physically coupled to an outer wall portion of the snorkel portion with a detachable structure, that is drivable along the outer wall surface of the snorkel portion in response to first water level information of the hot-dip galvanizing solution in conjunction with the first sensor, that includes: a first dam wall portion that is spaced a predetermined distance from an inner wall portion of the snorkel portion in the open portion of the snorkel portion and formed along an inner periphery of the snorkel portion so as to protrude to a predetermined height in a height direction of the snorkel portion; and a second dam wall portion that is spaced a predetermined distance from the first dam wall portion and exposed above the hot-dip galvanizing solution, and that forms a storage space between the inner wall portion of the snorkel portion and the first dam wall portion to store the hot-dip galvanizing solution that has flowed in through the open portion and then overflowed from the first dam wall portion; a camera module provided inside the snorkel portion and formed on any part of the dam unit, the camera module being capable of recognizing foreign matter floating on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution; a pump unit provided outside the snorkel portion and configured to pump the hot-dip galvanizing solution accommodated in the accommodation space of the dam unit into the coating tank, The processor: using the camera module, based on information obtained by image learning of the foreign matter, to control the position of the dam unit or adjust the load of the pump unit so as to suppress the intrusion of the foreign matter moving onto the steel plate; the snout device further includes a second sensor provided on either side of the inner space of the snorkel portion and configured to detect position information of the dam unit or measure a second water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution that has overflowed from the dam wall portion and is accommodated in the accommodation space of the dam unit, a snout control system for removing zinc vapor generated from the hot-dip galvanizing solution from adhering to the lens of the camera module by: i) using an inert gas that moves onto the surface of the lens through a gas supply unit formed on one side of the camera module and is taken into a gas intake unit formed on the other side of the camera module; or ii) adding a swirling flow to the inert gas that moves onto the surface of the lens of the camera module.

3. The processor:

3. The snout control system according to claim 2, wherein the snout control system receives a sensing signal from the first sensor, and raises or lowers the dam unit to adjust the depth of immersion of the dam unit in the coating tank in response to the sensing signal, thereby controlling the gap to be constant, or adjusts a load on the pump unit to control a flow rate of the hot-dip galvanizing solution pumped by the pump unit, thereby controlling the gap to be constant.

4. The processor: deriving information on a gap G between a protrusion protruding from the first dam wall portion and the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution by combining first water level information on the surface of the hot-dip galvanizing solution and position information on the dam unit using the first sensor; The snout control system of claim 3 , wherein the gap is maintained constant by controlling the position of the dam unit based on the derived gap information and load information of the pump unit.

5. The dam unit is configured in the form of a sliding rail and is physically connected to an outer wall of the snorkel part; and 5. The snout control system according to claim 4, wherein a driving device for driving the dam unit is connected to any part of the snout device in order to minimize the influence of thermal energy transferred from the plating tank.

6. The processor: If the gap information is lower than a preset reference, the dam unit is lowered to increase the depth to which the first dam wall portion of the dam unit is immersed in the plating bath; 5. The snout control system according to claim 4, wherein when the gap information is higher than a preset reference water level, the dam unit is raised to reduce the depth to which the first dam wall portion of the dam unit is immersed in the plating tank.

7. The processor:

3. The snout control system according to claim 1, wherein the second sensor controls a gap between the second water level and the first water level to always be equal to or greater than a set value so as to prevent the hot-dip galvanizing solution from flowing back from the accommodation space of the dam unit to the open portion of the snorkel portion.

8. The pump unit comprises: a housing part provided outside the snorkel part at a position corresponding to the dam unit, the housing part having a pumping space therein connected to the accommodation space of the dam unit so as to communicate with the accommodation space, and the housing part having a discharge port formed on one side thereof so as to discharge the hot-dip galvanizing solution flowing from the accommodation space to the pumping space into the coating tank; an impeller portion rotatably provided in the pumping space of the housing portion and configured to cause the hot-dip galvanizing solution flowing into the pumping space to flow toward the discharge port by being rotationally driven; The snout control system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a drive motor provided on one side of the housing portion and connected to a rotary shaft of the impeller portion to rotate the impeller portion.

9. a snout device that is immersed in a coating tank containing a hot-dip galvanizing solution and introduces a steel sheet into the coating tank; a processor coupled to the snout device; The processor: a height difference between a water level measured by a sensor for measuring the water level of the hot-dip galvanizing solution and a dam unit of the snout device is recognized, at least one of a structure inside a snorkel portion and a foreign object on the hot-dip galvanizing solution surface is recognized based on an image captured by a camera device provided in the snout device, and the snout device is controlled based on at least one of the recognized height difference, the structure inside the snorkel portion and the foreign object on the hot-dip galvanizing solution surface; The processor applies optical flow to the image to recognize a flow of foreign matter floating on the molten metal surface inside the snorkel portion and approaching the steel plate.

10. The processor:

10. The snout control system of claim 9, wherein the current state of operation inside the snorkel section can be monitored in real time by displaying a first color when a foreign object enters the hot water surface inside the snorkel section and a second color when a foreign object is discharged from the hot water surface inside the snorkel section to the outside of the dam unit.

11. The processor:

10. The snout control system according to claim 9, wherein the height of the snout device is maintained when the height difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, a predetermined structure is present in the image at a predetermined ratio or greater, and the flow of foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in a forward direction.

12. The processor:

10. The snout control system according to claim 9, wherein, when the height difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, when a predetermined structure is present in the image at a certain ratio or more, and when foreign matter on the molten metal surface flows in a reverse direction, the height of the snout device is raised so that the foreign matter on the molten metal surface is discharged to the outside of the dam unit.

13. The processor: The snout control system of claim 9, characterized in that, when the height difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value and the structure is not present in the image by a certain ratio or more, the snout device is raised so that the structure is present by the certain ratio or more.

14. The processor:

10. The snout control system according to claim 9, wherein the height of the snout device is maintained when the height difference is less than a preset reference value, the structure is present in the image at a certain ratio or more, and the flow of the foreign matter on the molten metal surface is in a forward direction.

15. The processor:

10. The snout control system according to claim 9, wherein, when the height difference is less than a reference value, the structure is present in the image at a certain ratio or more, and the foreign matter on the molten metal surface flows in the opposite direction, the height of the snout device is lowered so that the foreign matter on the molten metal surface is discharged outside the dam unit.

16. The processor: The snout control system of claim 9, characterized in that, when the height difference is less than a reference value and the structure is not present in the image at a certain ratio or more, the snout device is lowered so that the structure is present at a certain ratio or more.

Images