Feeding device and method for long members

Abstract

To provide a long-length member feed apparatus and an advance / retreat method therefor which are effective for advancing / retreating a long-length member having a step on an outer circumferential face with space saving.SOLUTION: A feed apparatus 1 comprises: a rotary drive roller 110 which comes into contact with an outer circumferential face 91 of a long-length member 90 and advances / retreats the long-length member 90; a presser roller 120 for sandwiching the long-length member 90 with the rotary drive roller 110; and a roller presser part 130 for pressing the presser roller 120 against the outer circumferential face 91. The roller presser part 130 comprises: a stationary part 131 which is located away from the outer circumferential face 91; a bearing part 132 which is located between the stationary part 131 and the outer circumferential face 91 and holds the presser roller 120; and a plate spring 133 which is bent so as to be convex toward an extension direction D11 as an advance direction or a retreat direction of the long-length member 90 and is connected with the stationary part 131 and the bearing part 132 from the extension direction D11 to generate reaction force in accordance with a deviation of the bearing part 132 in a direction toward the stationary part 131.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a feeding device and a forward and backward movement method for a long member.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an oxygen lance opening device including a coiled pipe storage reel that stores an oxygen lance in a coiled shape, and a pipe correction feeding device that straightens and feeds out the oxygen lance from the coiled pipe storage reel linearly. The pipe correction feeding device feeds out the oxygen lance by the rotation of pinch rollers.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The pipe correction feeding device described in Patent Document 1 feeds out a continuous coiled pipe having no step on the outer peripheral surface, and does not assume feeding out a pipe having a step on the outer peripheral surface by pinch rollers. In the actual field where oxygen lance opening is performed, it is often done to connect and effectively utilize the remaining pipes. As long as it cannot adapt to the step on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe, it is difficult to feed out the pipe by pinch rollers. For this reason, it has a structure in which a long pipe is stored in a coiled shape in a coiled pipe storage reel. Compared with using a pipe that has been cut to the required length in advance, it can be continuously fed out without connection, but the coiled pipe storage reel requires a reel diameter of a size corresponding to the pipe diameter, and it is difficult to secure an installation space.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a feeding device and a forward and backward movement method for a long member that are effective for advancing and retreating a long member having, for example, a step or a change in cross-sectional shape on the outer peripheral surface for connection with a simple structure and in a space-saving manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A feeding device for a long member according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a device for moving a long member forward and backward, comprising: a rotary drive roller that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the long member and rotates about a first axis perpendicular to the direction of forward and backward movement of the long member to move the long member forward and backward; a press roller that sandwiches the long member between itself and the rotary drive roller and rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the long member; and a roller press portion that presses the press roller against the outer circumferential surface of the long member while allowing displacement of the press roller in a displacement direction perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface of the long member, wherein the roller press portion comprises: a fixed portion located away from the outer circumferential surface of the long member; a bearing portion located between the fixed portion and the outer circumferential surface of the long member and holding the press roller; and a leaf spring that is bent so as to be convex toward the extension direction which is the forward or backward direction of the long member, connected to the fixed portion and the bearing portion from the extension direction, and generates a reaction force corresponding to the displacement of the bearing portion toward the fixed portion.

[0007] In a configuration that moves a long member forward and backward using a rotating drive roller and a pressing roller in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the long member, it is possible to apply the driving force for moving the long member forward and backward at a fixed position. Furthermore, by using a leaf spring that is bent so as to be convex in the extension direction and connected to the fixed part and the bearing part from the extension direction, the overall length of the leaf spring can be increased in a limited space, and changes in the reaction force with respect to the displacement of the bearing part can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to maintain a reaction force suitable for the movement of the long member forward and backward, while flexibly adapting to steps or changes in the cross-sectional shape of the outer circumferential surface of the long member with a simple structure. Moreover, by making the extension direction the forward or backward direction, the roller pressing part can be made slimmer. Therefore, a long member with steps on its outer circumferential surface can be moved forward and backward in a space-saving manner.

[0008] In the forward and backward directions, the positions of the first axis and the second axis may be different from each other. Compared to the case where the positions of the first axis and the second axis coincide in the forward and backward directions, the displacement of the retaining roller when passing over a step at the joint of a long member can be reduced.

[0009] The device further comprises: a guide roller positioned alongside the rotational drive roller along the direction of movement, in contact with the outer surface of the elongated member, and rotating around a third axis perpendicular to the direction of movement in accordance with the movement of the elongated member; a second pressing roller that sandwiches the elongated member between itself and the guide roller and rotates around a fourth axis perpendicular to the direction of movement in accordance with the movement of the elongated member; and a second roller pressing portion that presses the second pressing roller against the outer surface of the elongated member while allowing displacement of the second pressing roller in the displacement direction. The second roller pressing portion may further comprise: a second fixing portion located away from the outer surface of the elongated member; a second bearing portion located between the second fixing portion and the outer surface of the elongated member and holding the second pressing roller; and a second leaf spring that is bent so as to be convex toward a second extension direction intersecting the direction of movement, connected to the second fixing portion and the second bearing portion from the second extension direction, and generating a reaction force corresponding to the displacement of the second bearing portion toward the second fixing portion. This allows the elongated member to be fixed in directions other than the direction of movement.

[0010] The extension direction is from the retaining roller towards the second retaining roller, and the second extension direction may be from the second retaining roller towards the retaining roller. Further space savings can be achieved by housing the leaf spring and the second leaf spring between the retaining roller and the second retaining roller.

[0011] The system may further include a casing that houses and integrates the rotary drive roller, the press roller, the roller press section, the guide roller, the second press roller, and the second roller press section. The rotary drive roller, press roller, roller press section, guide roller, second press roller, and second roller press section, which are arranged in a space-saving manner, can be housed in a compact casing, making handling easier.

[0012] The system may further include a holding part for holding the casing and a force sensor for detecting the reaction force acting from the casing to the holding part. This allows for a simple configuration and reliable reaction force information to be obtained.

[0013] The system may further include a control unit that controls the rotational torque of the rotary drive roller based on the reaction force detected by a force sensor. By effectively utilizing highly reliable reaction force information, a higher level of automation can be achieved.

[0014] The rotary drive roller has grooves along the circumferential direction on its outer surface, and the grooves have a first inner surface and a second inner surface that are inclined to move away from each other as they move away from the first axis, and both the first inner surface and the second inner surface may be in contact with the outer surface of the elongated member. A greater driving force can be transmitted to the elongated member.

[0015] The angle between the first inner surface and the second inner surface may be 60 to 120 degrees. This allows for both the transmission of greater driving force to the long member and the suppression of vertical movement of the retaining roller when it passes over steps at the joints of the long member.

[0016] The system may further include an auxiliary part that supports a long member extending in the retraction direction through the space between the rotating drive roller and the retaining roller, and moves in accordance with the movement of the long member. This allows the long member to move more smoothly.

[0017] The elongated member is an oxygen lance pipe that burns inside the melting furnace while supplying oxygen to it, and the rotary drive roller may move the oxygen lance pipe, which is inserted into the outlet of the melting furnace, forward and backward.

[0018] The elongated member is a poking rod used to break up solidified material at the outlet of the melting furnace, and the rotary drive roller may move the poking rod back and forth toward the outlet of the melting furnace.

[0019] The device may further include a rotary drive roller, a pressing roller, and a holding part for holding the roller pressing part, which move along the conveying direction passing through a position opposite to the hot water outlet and a position not opposite to the hot water outlet, and which is attached to another device that performs work separate from the advancement and retraction of the long member relative to the hot water outlet, and which is aligned with the other device along the conveying direction. The conveying device of the other device can also be effectively used for conveying the rotary drive roller and the pressing roller.

[0020] The other device may be a punching device that punches a closed water outlet.

[0021] The other device may be a closing device that closes an open water outlet.

[0022] The method for advancing and retracting the long member according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes causing a long member with joints connected by sleeves to move along the advancing and retracting direction, bringing a rotation driving roller into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the long member, bringing a pressing roller into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the long member, sandwiching the long member between the pressing roller and the rotation driving roller, a fixing portion located away from the outer peripheral surface of the long member, a bearing portion that is located between the fixing portion and the outer peripheral surface of the long member in a displacement direction perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the long member and holds the pressing roller, a leaf spring that is bent so as to be convex toward the extending direction that is the forward or backward direction of the long member, is connected from the extending direction to the fixing portion and the bearing portion, and generates a reaction force corresponding to the displacement of the bearing portion in the direction approaching the fixing portion, pressing the pressing roller against the outer peripheral surface of the long member by a roller pressing portion having the leaf spring, advancing and retracting the long member along the advancing and retracting direction by rotating the rotation driving roller around a first axis perpendicular to the advancing and retracting direction, rotating the pressing roller around a second axis parallel to the first axis following the advancement and retraction of the long member, and displacing the pressing roller according to the step of the sleeve due to the deformation of the leaf spring when the sleeve passes between the rotation driving roller and the pressing roller.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a feeding device and an advancing and retracting method for a long member that are effective for advancing and retracting a long member having a step or a change in cross-sectional shape on the outer peripheral surface with a simple structure and in a space-saving manner.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a plan view illustrating a feeding device for a long member. [Figure 2] It is a side view of the feeding device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]It is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the forward and backward driving device along the line III-III in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram showing the displacement of the pressing roller caused by the sleeve when the positions of the first axis and the second axis coincide. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram showing the displacement of the pressing roller caused by the sleeve when the positions of the first axis and the second axis are different. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram exemplifying the case where the deviation between the positions of the first axis and the second axis is enlarged. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the forward and backward driving device along the line VII-VII in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram exemplifying the anti-slip groove. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the forward and backward driving device along the line IX-IX in FIG. 3. [Figure 10] It is a side view of the forward and backward driving device. [Figure 11] It is a schematic diagram exemplifying the configuration of the force sensor. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart explaining the operating mechanism of the long member.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements or elements having the same function, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0026] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a feeding device 1 for a long member 90. Figure 2 is a side view of the feeding device 1 in Figure 1. The feeding device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a device that moves a long member 90 forward and backward along its longitudinal direction. For example, the feeding device 1 moves the long member 90 forward and backward relative to the outlet 3 of a melting furnace 2. The outlet 3 is provided at the bottom of the melting furnace 2 and sends the molten material inside the melting furnace 2 out of the melting furnace 2. The melting furnace 2 is, for example, a waste melting furnace, but is not limited to this. The melting furnace 2 may also be a melting furnace for steel materials. Hereinafter, the direction from the feeding device 1 toward the outlet 3 will be referred to as the "forward direction," and the direction from the outlet 3 toward the feeding device 1 will be referred to as the "backward direction."

[0027] The elongated member 90 is, for example, a pipe or rod with a circular outer shape. An example of a pipe is an oxygen lance pipe that burns inside the melting furnace 2 while supplying oxygen into the furnace 2 (including the runner of the outlet 3). In the final stages of molten material discharge from the outlet 3, highly viscous molten material may stagnate inside the melting furnace 2. The oxygen lance pipe burns inside the melting furnace 2 due to the supplied oxygen, generating combustion heat. This combustion heat reduces the viscosity of the molten material, eliminating the stagnation of the molten material.

[0028] An example of a rod-shaped component is a poking rod used to break up solidified material at the outlet 3 of a melting furnace 2. For example, a poking rod is used to break up high-viscosity molten or undissolved material that clogs the outlet 3 during molten metal discharge and obstructs the flow.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the feed device 1 comprises a forward / backward drive device 10 and an auxiliary unit 20. The forward / backward drive device 10 moves the long member 90 forward and backward along its longitudinal direction by applying a frictional force to the outer surface of the long member 90 along the longitudinal direction of the long member 90. Hereinafter, the direction in which the forward / backward drive device 10 moves the long member 90 forward and backward is referred to as the forward / backward direction D1.

[0030] The auxiliary part 20 supports the elongated member 90 (the elongated member 90 extending in the backward direction from the forward / backward drive device 10 via the rotary drive roller 110 and the retaining roller 120 described later) and moves in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the elongated member 90. For example, the feed device 1 further includes a rail 21 arranged along the forward / backward direction D1, and the auxiliary part 20 moves along the rail 21. For example, the auxiliary part 20 has a slide block 22 and a connecting and holding part 23. The slide block 22 is attached to the rail 21 so that it can move along the forward / backward direction D1. The connecting and holding part 23 is fixed to the slide block 22 and supports the elongated member 90. Because the slide block 22 is movable along the rail 21, the connecting and holding part 23 moves in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the elongated member 90. If the elongated member 90 is an oxygen lance pipe, the connecting and holding part 23 may be configured to connect an oxygen supply hose to the elongated member 90.

[0031] The rail 21 may be configured to be foldable. For example, the rail 21 may be foldable around a vertical axis by a hinge portion 24 or the like. This allows for space saving of the feed device 1 during periods when it is not in use.

[0032] In the illustration, the rail 21 and slide block 22 are positioned above the connecting and holding part 23, but this is not limited to this. The rail 21 and slide block 22 may be positioned below the connecting and holding part 23. Also, the auxiliary part 20 may be a trolley that is in contact with the floor surface and moves in accordance with the movement of the long member 90. In this case, the rail 21 can be omitted.

[0033] The feeding device 1 may be configured to move together with other devices 50 that perform operations other than the advancement and retraction of the long member 90. The other devices 50 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 are opening and closing devices that combine an opening section 51 and a closing section 52. The opening section 51 is configured to open a closed hot water outlet 3. The closing section 52 is configured to close the open hot water outlet 3 with the mud.

[0034] Other devices 50 do not necessarily have to include both the opening portion 51 and the closing portion 52. For example, other devices 50 may be an opening device that includes the opening portion 51 but does not include the closing portion 52, or a closing device that includes the closing portion 52 but does not include the opening portion 51.

[0035] The other devices 50 are transported by the transport device 60 along the transport direction D3, which passes through a position facing the hot water outlet 3 and a position not facing the hot water outlet 3. In the illustration, the transport direction D3 is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the forward / backward direction D1, but is not limited to this.

[0036] To move together with other devices 50, the feeder 1 further comprises a holding section 30 and a rail holding section 40. The holding section 30 is attached to the other devices 50 and holds the reciprocating drive device 10 so that it is aligned with the other devices 50 along the transport direction D3. Because the holding section 30 holds the reciprocating drive device 10 so that it is aligned with the other devices 50 along the transport direction D3, it is possible to move the reciprocating drive device 10 between a position facing the hot water outlet 3 and a position not facing the hot water outlet 3 using the transporter 60.

[0037] The rail holding section 40 is attached to another device 50 and holds the rail 21. This makes it possible to use the transport device 60 to move the rail 21 and the auxiliary section 20 as well.

[0038] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the reciprocating drive device 10 along the line III-III in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the elongated member 90 may be constructed by connecting multiple elongated members with a cylindrical joint member such as a sleeve 93. In this case, the outer diameter of the elongated member 90 becomes locally larger at the sleeve 93. The reciprocating drive device 10 has a configuration that is effective in flexibly responding to the change in the outer diameter of the elongated member 90 due to the sleeve 93, etc., while applying sufficient frictional force to the elongated member 90. Note that the elongated member 90 may be constructed by connecting multiple members by a method other than connecting with a joint member. For example, it may be connected by welding. Also, the change in the outer shape of the elongated member 90 may be a step or a stepless (abrupt) cross-sectional shape. The magnitude of the change in outer shape is, for example, an increase of about 20-30% compared to the outer shape of the elongated member 90 excluding the connecting part (joint). For example, if the outer diameter of the long members before joining them is 20-22 mm, it is expected that the size will increase by 2-3 mm around the entire circumference, corresponding to the thickness of the sleeve 93.

[0039] For example, the forward / backward drive device 10 includes a rotary drive roller 110, a pressing roller 120, a roller pressing part 130, and a rotary drive device 140. The rotary drive roller 110 contacts the outer circumferential surface 91 of the elongated member 90 and rotates around a first axis 111 perpendicular to the forward / backward direction D1 to move the elongated member 90 forward and backward. For example, the rotary drive roller 110 rotates around the first axis 111 and applies a frictional force along the forward / backward direction D1 to the outer circumferential surface 91, causing the elongated member 90 to move forward and backward. As an example, the first axis 111 is located below the elongated member 90, and the rotary drive roller 110 contacts the outer circumferential surface 91 from below.

[0040] The press roller 120 sandwiches the elongated member 90 between itself and the rotary drive roller 110, and rotates around a second axis 121 parallel to the first axis 111, following the movement of the elongated member 90. For example, the second axis 121 is located above the elongated member 90, and the press roller 120 contacts the outer circumferential surface 91 from above. Alternatively, the rotary drive roller 110 may be positioned to contact the outer circumferential surface 91 from above, and the press roller 120 may be positioned to contact the outer circumferential surface 91 from below. As shown in Figure 7, a recess 120c may be formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the press roller 120. The recess 120c may have a shape that follows the outer circumferential surface 91 of the elongated member 90 (for example, an arc-shaped cross-section). However, the press roller 120 may not have a recess 120c and its outer circumferential surface may be flat.

[0041] The roller pressing section 130 presses the pressing roller 120 against the outer circumferential surface 91 while allowing displacement of the pressing roller 120 in a displacement direction D2 perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface 91. For example, when the second axis 121 is located above the elongated member 90, the roller pressing section 130 presses the pressing roller 120 downwards against the outer circumferential surface 91. When the second axis 121 is located below the elongated member 90, the roller pressing section 130 presses the pressing roller 120 upwards against the outer circumferential surface 91. The elongated member 90 is pressed against the rotational drive roller 110 by the force exerted by the roller pressing section 130 on the pressing roller 120 against the outer circumferential surface 91. This generates a frictional force between the rotational drive roller 110 and the elongated member 90.

[0042] The roller retaining portion 130 has a fixed portion 131, a bearing portion 132, and a leaf spring 133. The fixed portion 131 is located away from the outer circumferential surface 91. "Fixed" of the fixed portion 131 means that its relative position with respect to the first axis 111 is constant. The fixed portion 131 may be movable with respect to its constant relative position with respect to the first axis 111. For example, the fixed portion 131 is rotatable about a fixed axis 136 that is parallel to the first axis 111 and the second axis 121 and whose relative position with respect to the first axis 111 is constant. When the second axis 121 is located above the elongated member 90, the fixed portion 131 is located above the outer circumferential surface 91. When the second axis 121 is located below the elongated member 90, the fixed portion 131 is located below the outer circumferential surface 91.

[0043] The bearing portion 132 is located between the fixed portion 131 and the outer circumferential surface 91 and holds the retaining roller 120 so as to rotate around the second axis 121. The leaf spring 133 is bent so as to be convex toward the extension direction D11, which is either the forward or backward direction, and is connected to the fixed portion 131 and the bearing portion 132 from the extension direction D11, generating a reaction force corresponding to the displacement of the bearing portion 132 toward the fixed portion 131. In the illustrated example, the extension direction D11 is the forward direction.

[0044] The fixed portion 131 has a connecting plate 134 that extends in the extension direction D11 from the fixed axis 136. The bearing portion 132 has a bearing plate 135 that extends in the extension direction D11 from the second axis 121. The leaf spring 133 has a transverse U-shaped cross-section that is bent so as to be convex toward the extension direction D11, and is connected to the connecting plate 134 and the bearing plate 135, respectively.

[0045] As described above, by using a leaf spring 133 that is bent convex toward the extension direction D11 and connected from the extension direction D11 to the fixed part 131 and the bearing part 132, the overall length of the leaf spring 133 can be increased in a limited space, and changes in the reaction force with respect to the displacement of the bearing part 132 can be suppressed. This makes it possible to flexibly adapt to the step on the outer circumferential surface 91 while maintaining a reaction force suitable for the movement of the long member 90. Furthermore, by making the extension direction D11 the forward or backward direction, the roller holding part 130 can be made slimmer. Therefore, the long member 90 having a step on the outer circumferential surface 91 can be moved forward and backward in a space-saving manner.

[0046] The rotary drive device 140 rotates the rotary drive roller 110 around the first axis 111. The power source for the rotary drive device 140 is, for example, an air motor. The power source for the rotary drive device 140 may also be an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. With the long member 90 pressed against the rotary drive roller 110, the rotary drive device 140 rotates the rotary drive roller 110, causing a frictional force along the forward / backward direction D1 to act from the rotary drive roller 110 to the long member 90, causing the long member 90 to move forward and backward.

[0047] In the forward / backward direction D1, the positions of the first axis 111 and the second axis 121 may be different. For example, in Figure 3, the second axis 121 is located in the forward direction relative to the first axis 111. The second axis 121 may also be located in the backward direction relative to the first axis 111. With a configuration in which the positions of the first axis 111 and the second axis 121 are different in the forward / backward direction D1, the displacement of the retaining roller 120 when the step on the outer circumferential surface 91 passes can be reduced compared to the case where the positions of the first axis 111 and the second axis 121 coincide.

[0048] Figure 4 shows the displacement of the retaining roller 120 caused by the sleeve 93 when the positions of the first axis 111 and the second axis 121 coincide. Figure 5 shows the displacement of the retaining roller 120 caused by the sleeve 93 when the positions of the first axis 111 and the second axis 121 are different. As shown in Figure 4, when the positions of the first axis 111 and the second axis 121 coincide, the displacement of the long member 90 caused by the sleeve 93 riding up on the rotational drive roller 110 and the displacement of the retaining roller 120 caused by the retaining roller 120 riding up on the sleeve 93 occur simultaneously. Therefore, in order to follow the step caused by the sleeve 93, it is necessary to displace the retaining roller 120 all at once by a displacement amount S corresponding to the increase in the diameter of the long member 90 caused by the sleeve 93.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, when the positions of the first axis 111 and the second axis 121 are different, the timing of the displacement of the long member 90 caused by the sleeve 93 riding up onto the rotary drive roller 110 and the timing of the displacement of the retaining roller 120 caused by the retaining roller 120 riding up onto the sleeve 93 are different. For example, when the second axis 121 is located in a forward direction than the first axis 111, the displacement of the long member 90 caused by the sleeve 93 riding up onto the rotary drive roller 110 occurs first, followed by the displacement of the retaining roller 120 caused by the retaining roller 120 riding up onto the sleeve 93. As a result, the displacement of the retaining roller 120 is divided into two stages, and the amount of displacement in each stage is half of the above-mentioned displacement amount S. In this way, the displacement of the central axis 92 per cycle can be reduced. As a result, the impact when the sleeve 93 enters the space between the rotary drive roller 110 and the retaining roller 120 can be mitigated.

[0050] It is also possible to reduce the total displacement of the retaining roller 120 to half of the above displacement amount S by increasing the positional misalignment between the first axis 111 and the second axis 121 so that the period during which the sleeve 93 rides onto the rotary drive roller 110 and the period during which the retaining roller 120 rides onto the sleeve 93 do not overlap. For example, in the example shown in Figure 6, the sleeve 93 passes over the rotary drive roller 110 before reaching the retaining roller 120, so that the displacement of the long member 90 caused by the sleeve 93 riding onto the rotary drive roller 110 is eliminated, and then the displacement of the retaining roller 120 caused by the retaining roller 120 riding onto the sleeve 93 occurs, so the total displacement of the retaining roller 120 is half of the above displacement amount S.

[0051] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the reciprocating drive device 10 along the line VII-VII in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 7, the rotary drive roller 110 may have a groove 112 on its outer surface that runs circumferentially. The groove 112 may have a first inner surface 113 and a second inner surface 114 that are inclined to move away from each other as they move away from the first axis 111. The groove 112 may be configured such that both the first inner surface 113 and the second inner surface 114 are in contact with the outer surface 91.

[0052] With a configuration in which both the first inner surface 113 and the second inner surface 114 are in contact with the outer surface 91, the frictional force acting from the rotary drive roller 110 to the outer surface 91 can be increased. For example, when the rotary drive roller 110 is in contact with the outer surface 91 at a single point directly below the long member 90, the frictional force F acting from the rotary drive roller 110 to the outer surface 91 is expressed by the following equation. F = μ·P···(1) P: The force exerted by the roller pressing part 130 against the pressing roller 120 on the outer surface 91. μ: coefficient of static friction

[0053] In contrast, when both the first inner surface 113 and the second inner surface 114 are in contact with the outer surface 91, the frictional force F acting from the rotary drive roller 110 to the outer surface 91 is expressed by the following equation. F=μ·P / (cos((π-θ) / 2))···(2) θ: Angle between the first inner surface 113 and the second inner surface 114

[0054] As can be seen from a comparison of equations (1) and (2), the frictional force F can be increased by adopting a configuration in which both the first inner surface 113 and the second inner surface 114 are in contact with the outer surface 91. As is clear from equation (2), the frictional force increases as the angle θ decreases. On the other hand, as the angle θ decreases, the amount of displacement of the long member 90 when the sleeve 93 rides up onto the rotational drive roller 110 increases. From the viewpoint of increasing the frictional force without making the amount of displacement of the long member 90 excessive, the angle θ between the first inner surface 113 and the second inner surface 114 may be 60 to 120° or 80 to 100°.

[0055] As shown in Figure 8, a plurality of anti-slip grooves 115 arranged along the circumferential direction may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotary drive roller 110. Each of the plurality of anti-slip grooves 115 is formed to cross the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the rotary drive roller 110. These plurality of anti-slip grooves 115 suppress rotational slippage that occurs between the rotary drive roller 110 and the elongated member 90, and the driving force (rotational torque) of the rotary drive roller is appropriately transmitted to the elongated member 90.

[0056] Returning to Figure 3, the forward / backward drive device 10 may further include a guide roller 150, a second pressing roller 160, and a second roller pressing portion 170. The guide roller 150 is positioned alongside the rotary drive roller 110 along the forward / backward direction D1, contacts the outer circumferential surface 91, and rotates around a third axis 151 perpendicular to the forward / backward direction D1, following the forward / backward movement of the elongated member 90. For example, the third axis 151 is located below the elongated member 90, and the guide roller 150 contacts the outer circumferential surface 91 from below.

[0057] The second pressing roller 160 sandwiches the elongated member 90 between itself and the guide roller 150, and rotates around a fourth axis 161 perpendicular to the direction of movement D1, following the movement of the elongated member 90. For example, the fourth axis 161 is located above the elongated member 90, and the second pressing roller 160 contacts the outer circumferential surface 91 from above. Alternatively, the guide roller 150 may be positioned to contact the outer circumferential surface 91 from above, and the second pressing roller 160 may be positioned to contact the outer circumferential surface 91 from below. Similar to the pressing roller 120, a recess 160c may be formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the second pressing roller 160, as shown in Figure 9. The recess 160c may be shaped to follow the shape of the outer circumferential surface 91 of the elongated member 90 (for example, the cross-sectional shape may be arc-shaped). However, the second pressing roller 160 may not have a recess 160c and its outer circumferential surface may be flat.

[0058] The second roller pressing section 170 presses the second pressing roller 160 against the outer circumferential surface 91 while allowing displacement of the second pressing roller 160 in the displacement direction D2. For example, when the fourth axis 161 is located above the elongated member 90, the second roller pressing section 170 presses the second pressing roller 160 downwards against the outer circumferential surface 91. When the fourth axis 161 is located below the elongated member 90, the second roller pressing section 170 presses the second pressing roller 160 upwards against the outer circumferential surface 91.

[0059] The second roller retaining portion 170 includes a second fixing portion 171, a second bearing portion 172, and a second leaf spring 173. The second fixing portion 171 is located away from the outer circumferential surface 91. Similar to the fixing portion 131, the second fixing portion 171 may be movable with respect to a constant relative position with respect to the third axis 151. For example, the second fixing portion 171 is rotatable about a second fixing axis 176 that is parallel to the third axis 151 and the fourth axis 161 and whose relative position with respect to the third axis 151 is constant. When the fourth axis 161 is located above the elongated member 90, the second fixing portion 171 is located above the outer circumferential surface 91. When the fourth axis 161 is located below the elongated member 90, the second fixing portion 171 is located below the outer circumferential surface 91.

[0060] The second bearing portion 172 is located between the second fixed portion 171 and the outer circumferential surface 91 and holds the second retaining roller 160 so as to rotate around the fourth axis 161. The second leaf spring 173 is bent so as to be convex toward the second extension direction D12, which is the forward or backward direction, and is connected to the second fixed portion 171 and the second bearing portion 172 from the second extension direction D12, generating a reaction force corresponding to the displacement of the second bearing portion 172 toward the second fixed portion 171.

[0061] The second fixed portion 171 has a second connecting plate 174 that extends in the second extension direction D12 from the second fixed axis 176. The second bearing portion 172 has a second bearing plate 175 that extends in the second extension direction D12 from the fourth axis 161. The second leaf spring 173 has a transverse U-shaped cross-section that is bent so as to be convex toward the second extension direction D12, and is connected to the second connecting plate 174 and the second bearing plate 175, respectively.

[0062] By further providing a guide roller 150, a second pressing roller 160, and a second roller pressing section 170, movement of the elongated member 90 in directions other than forward and backward is restricted, and only linear motion is permitted, thereby making the elongated member 90 more stable.

[0063] The extension direction D11 of the leaf spring 133 is in the direction from the retaining roller 120 toward the second retaining roller 160, and the second extension direction D12 of the second leaf spring 173 may be in the direction from the second retaining roller 160 toward the retaining roller 120. For example, in Figure 3, the guide roller 150 and the second retaining roller 160 are located in the forward direction compared to the rotational drive roller 110 and the retaining roller 120, so the extension direction D11 is the forward direction and the second extension direction D12 is the backward direction. The bent portion of the leaf spring 133 and the bent portion of the second leaf spring 173 face each other between the retaining roller 120 and the second retaining roller 160. With this configuration, further space saving can be achieved by housing the leaf spring 133 and the second leaf spring 173 between the retaining roller 120 and the second retaining roller 160.

[0064] In the forward / backward direction D1, the positions of the third axis 151 and the fourth axis 161 may be different from each other. For example, in Figure 3, the fourth axis 161 is located in the backward direction relative to the third axis 151. The fourth axis 161 may also be located in the forward direction relative to the third axis 151. Just as the displacement of the press roller 120 when the step on the outer circumferential surface 91 passes can be reduced by the misalignment of the first axis 111 and the second axis 121, the displacement of the second press roller 160 when the step on the outer circumferential surface 91 passes can be reduced by the misalignment of the third axis 151 and the fourth axis 161.

[0065] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the reciprocating drive device 10 along the line IX-IX in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 9, the guide roller 150 may have a groove 152 along the circumferential direction on its outer surface, similar to the rotary drive roller 110. The groove 152 may have a first inner surface 153 and a second inner surface 154 that are inclined to move away from each other as they move away from the third axis 151. The groove 152 may be configured such that both the first inner surface 153 and the second inner surface 154 are in contact with the outer surface 91. The angle between the first inner surface 153 and the second inner surface 154 may be 60 to 120° or 80 to 100°, similar to the angle between the first inner surface 113 and the second inner surface 114.

[0066] Figure 10 is a side view of the forward / backward drive device 10. As shown in Figure 10, the forward / backward drive device 10 may further have a casing 180. The casing 180 houses and integrates the rotary drive roller 110, the retaining roller 120, the roller retaining portion 130, the guide roller 150, the second retaining roller 160, and the second roller retaining portion 170. The casing 180 has an opening 181 in the forward direction and an opening 182 in the backward direction. This makes it possible to pass the long member 90 through the casing 180.

[0067] The casing 180 is divided into a lower casing 183 and an upper casing 184. The lower casing 183 houses the rotary drive roller 110 and the guide roller 150. For example, the lower casing 183 has a bottom plate P11, a front plate P12, a rear plate P13, and a pair of side plates P14. The bottom plate P11 faces downward, the front plate P12 faces in the forward direction, and the rear plate P13 faces in the backward direction. The pair of side plates P14 face each other in directions perpendicular to the forward / backward direction D1 and the displacement direction D2, and hold the rotary drive roller 110 and the guide roller 150.

[0068] The upper casing 184 houses the retaining roller 120, the roller retaining section 130, the second retaining roller 160, and the second roller retaining section 170. For example, the upper casing 184 has an upper plate P21, a front plate P22, a rear plate P23, and a pair of side plates P24. The upper plate P21 faces upward, the front plate P22 faces in the forward direction, and the rear plate P23 faces in the backward direction. The pair of side plates P24 face each other in directions perpendicular to the forward / backward direction D1 and the displacement direction D2, and hold the retaining roller 120, the roller retaining section 130, the second retaining roller 160, and the second roller retaining section 170.

[0069] For example, a pair of side plates P24 hold a fixed portion 131 so as to rotate around the aforementioned fixed axis 136, and a second fixed portion 171 so as to rotate around a second fixed axis 176. Furthermore, the pair of side plates P24 hold a bearing portion 132 and a second bearing portion 172 so as to be displaceable along the displacement direction D2. For example, each of the pair of side plates P24 has guide slits SL1 and SL2 aligned in the forward / backward direction D1. Each of the guide slits SL1 and SL2 extends along the displacement direction D2 and is open downwards. The bearing portion 132 has a pair of projections 137 that protrude in opposite directions in directions perpendicular to the forward / backward direction D1 and the displacement direction D2. The pair of projections 137 are inserted into the guide slits SL1 of the pair of side plates P24, respectively. This guides the bearing portion 132 to displace along the displacement direction D2. Similarly, the second bearing portion 172 has a pair of projections 177 that protrude in opposite directions to each other in directions perpendicular to the forward / backward direction D1 and the displacement direction D2. The pair of projections 177 are respectively inserted into guide slits SL2 of a pair of side plates P24. This guides the second bearing portion 172 to displace along the displacement direction D2.

[0070] The casing 180 further includes a pair of retainers 185 and a pair of retainers 186. The pair of retainers 185 are attached to a pair of side plates P24, respectively, so as to keep each of the pair of projections 137 within the guide slit SL1. The leaf spring 133 may be configured to maintain a reaction force until the pair of projections 137 protrude downward from the guide slit SL1. In this case, the pair of retainers 185 deform the leaf spring 133 relative to its natural state, keeping each of the pair of projections 137 within the guide slit SL1. In this configuration, where the retaining roller 120 and the roller retaining portion 130 are housed within the guide slit SL1 with the leaf spring 133 initially deformed, the force with which the roller retaining portion 130 presses the retaining roller 120 against the outer surface 91 can be freely adjusted depending on the magnitude of the initial deformation.

[0071] Similarly, a pair of retainers 186 are attached to a pair of side plates P24, respectively, so as to keep each of the pair of projections 177 within the guide slit SL2. The second leaf spring 173 may be configured to maintain a reaction force until the pair of projections 177 protrude downward from the guide slit SL1. In this case, the pair of retainers 186 deform the second leaf spring 173 relative to its natural state, keeping each of the pair of projections 177 within the guide slit SL2. In this configuration, where the second press roller 160 and the second roller press portion 170 are housed within the guide slit SL2 with the second leaf spring 173 in an initial state, the force with which the second roller press portion 170 presses the second press roller 160 against the outer surface 91 can be freely adjusted depending on the magnitude of the initial deformation.

[0072] The casing 180 may further include a hinge 187 and a clamp 188. The hinge 187 connects one of a pair of side plates P24 to one of a pair of side plates P14 such that the lower casing 183 and the upper casing 184 are rotatable relative to each other around an axis parallel to the forward / backward direction D1. Hereinafter, of the pair of side plates P24, the side plate P24 to which the hinge 187 is connected will be referred to as the "movable side plate P24," and the side plate P24 to which the hinge 187 is not connected will be referred to as the "fixed side plate P24." Similarly, of the pair of side plates P14, the side plate P14 to which the hinge 187 is connected will be referred to as the "movable side plate P14," and the side plate P14 to which the hinge 187 is not connected will be referred to as the "fixed side plate P14."

[0073] The hinge 187 allows the inside of the casing 180 to be opened and closed by rotating the movable side plate P24 relative to the movable side plate P14. By opening the inside of the casing 180, the long member 90 can be easily set inside the casing 180.

[0074] The clamp 188 switches between a locked state, in which the fixed side plate P24 is fixed to the fixed side plate P14 to maintain a closed state inside the casing 180, and an unlocked state, in which the fixed side plate P24 is released to allow the inside of the casing 180 to be opened.

[0075] When used in a melting furnace, the casing 180 will be exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, the forward / backward drive device 10 may further include a heat shield 190. The heat shield 190 is made of a heat-resistant material and covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the casing 180. For example, the heat shield 190 has a front plate 191 that covers the front surface (the surface facing the forward direction) of the casing 180 and a bottom plate 192 that covers the bottom surface of the casing 180. The front plate 191 has an opening 193 through which the elongated member 90 passes.

[0076] The feeding device 1 may be configured to detect the reaction force acting on the long member 90 from the melting furnace 2. For example, the holding part 30 described above holds the casing 180, and the feeding device 1 may be equipped with a force sensor 70 that detects the reaction force acting on the holding part 30 from the casing 180. The reaction force acting on the holding part 30 from the casing 180 correlates with the reaction force acting on the long member 90 from the melting furnace 2. Therefore, the force sensor 70 can easily detect the reaction force acting on the long member 90 from the melting furnace 2. The holding part 30 holds the rotary drive roller 110, the press roller 120, the roller press part 130, the guide roller 150, the second press roller 160, and the second roller press part 170 by holding the casing 180.

[0077] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the force sensor 70. As shown in Figure 11, the holding unit 30 has a first arm 31 and a second arm 32. The first arm 31 is fixed to the other device 50 described above and extends from the other device 50 toward the casing 180 along the transport direction D3. The second arm 32 is connected to the first arm 31 so as to be rotatable about a vertical connecting axis 33, extends further from the first arm 31 along the transport direction D3 and is fixed to the casing 180. The first arm 31 and the second arm 32 each have a first protrusion 34 and a second protrusion 35 that project in the forward direction. When the second arm 32 rotates backward relative to the first arm 31, the second protrusion 35 moves away from the first protrusion 34.

[0078] The force sensor 70 is stretched between the first protrusion 34 and the second protrusion 35 to counteract the displacement of the second protrusion 35 away from the first protrusion 34, and detects the tensile force acting between the first protrusion 34 and the second protrusion 35. The tensile force acting between the first protrusion 34 and the second protrusion 35 correlates with the reaction force acting from the casing 180 to the second arm 32. Therefore, the force sensor 70 can detect the reaction force acting from the casing 180 to the holding part 30.

[0079] The feed device 1, which is equipped with a force sensor 70, may further include a control unit 80. The control unit 80 controls the rotational torque of the rotary drive roller 110 based on the reaction force detected by the force sensor 70. For example, if the reaction force detected by the force sensor 70 is greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 80 controls the rotary drive device 140 to reduce the rotational torque of the rotary drive roller 110. The control unit 80 may also increase or decrease the rotational torque of the rotary drive roller 110 using the rotary drive device 140 so that the reaction force detected by the force sensor 70 is kept within a predetermined range.

[0080] [Procedure for moving long members forward and backward] Next, as an example of a method of moving forward and backward, the procedure for advancing a long member by the feeding device 1 is illustrated. For example, as shown in Figure 12, the advancement procedure includes steps S01, S02, S03, S04, S05, and S06. Step S01 includes aligning the long member 90, whose joint is connected by the sleeve 93, along the forward and backward direction D1. Step S02 includes opening the inside of the casing 180 and bringing the rotary drive roller 110 and the guide roller 150 into contact with the outer circumferential surface 91. Step S03 includes closing the inside of the casing 180. As a result, the press roller 120 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface 91, the long member 90 is sandwiched between the press roller 120 and the rotary drive roller 110, and the press roller 120 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface 91 by the roller press portion 130. Furthermore, the second pressing roller 160 contacts the outer circumferential surface 91, the elongated member 90 is sandwiched between the second pressing roller 160 and the guide roller 150, and the second pressing roller 160 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface 91 by the second roller pressing portion 170. Step S04 includes rotating the rotary drive roller 110 around the first axis 111 with the rotary drive device 140 to start the elongated member 90 moving forward along the forward / backward direction D1, and following the forward movement of the elongated member 90, rotating the pressing roller 120 around the second axis 121, rotating the guide roller 150 around the third axis 151, and rotating the second pressing roller 160 around the fourth axis 161. Step S05 includes displacing the pressing roller 120 according to the step of the sleeve 93 due to the deformation of the leaf spring 133 as the sleeve 93 passes between the rotary drive roller 110 and the pressing roller 120. Step S06 includes displacing the second presser roller 160 in accordance with the step of the sleeve 93 due to the deformation of the second leaf spring 173 as the sleeve 93 passes between the guide roller 150 and the second presser roller 160.

[0081] 〔summary〕 The embodiments described above include the following configurations. (1) A device for moving a long member 90 forward and backward, comprising: a rotary drive roller 110 that contacts the outer circumferential surface 91 of the long member 90 and rotates around a first axis 111 perpendicular to the direction of movement D1 of the long member 90 to move the long member 90 forward and backward; a pressing roller 120 that sandwiches the long member 90 between itself and the rotary drive roller 110 and rotates around a second axis 121 parallel to the first axis 111 in accordance with the movement of the long member 90; and a device for pressing the pressing roller 120 against the outer circumferential surface 91 of the long member 90 while allowing displacement of the pressing roller 120 in a displacement direction D2 perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface 91 of the long member 90. A feeding device for a long member 90, comprising: a roller pressing portion 130, wherein the roller pressing portion 130 has a fixed portion 131 located away from the outer circumferential surface 91 of the long member 90; a bearing portion 132 located between the fixed portion 131 and the outer circumferential surface 91 of the long member 90 and holding the pressing roller 120; and a leaf spring 133 that is bent so as to be convex toward the extension direction D11, which is the forward or backward direction of the long member 90, and is connected to the fixed portion 131 and the bearing portion 132 from the extension direction D11, and generates a reaction force corresponding to the displacement of the bearing portion 132 toward the fixed portion 131. With a configuration in which the elongated member 90 is moved forward and backward by a rotary drive roller 110 and a pressing roller 120 that contact the outer circumferential surface 91 of the elongated member 90, it is possible to apply the driving force for moving the elongated member 90 forward and backward at a fixed position. Furthermore, with a leaf spring 133 that is bent so as to be convex toward the extension direction D11 and connected from the extension direction D11 to the fixing part 131 and the bearing part 132, the overall length of the leaf spring 133 can be increased in a limited space, and changes in the reaction force with respect to the displacement of the bearing part 132 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to maintain a reaction force suitable for the movement of the elongated member 90 forward and backward, while flexibly adapting to steps or changes in the cross-sectional shape of the outer circumferential surface 91 of the elongated member 90 with a simple structure. Moreover, by making the extension direction D11 the forward or backward direction, the roller pressing part 130 can be made slimmer. Therefore, an elongated member 90 having steps on its outer circumferential surface 91 can be moved forward and backward in a space-saving manner.

[0082] (2) A feeding device 1 for the elongated member 90 as described in (1), wherein the position of the first axis 111 and the position of the second axis 121 are different in the forward / backward direction D1. Compared to the case where the position of the first axis 111 and the position of the second axis 121 coincide in the forward / backward direction D1, the displacement of the retaining roller 120 when passing over the step at the joint of the long member 90 can be reduced.

[0083] (3) A guide roller 150 is provided so as to be aligned with the rotation drive roller 110 along the forward / backward direction D1, in contact with the outer circumferential surface 91 of the elongated member 90, and rotates around a third axis 151 perpendicular to the forward / backward direction D1 in accordance with the forward / backward movement of the elongated member 90; a second pressing roller 160 is provided between the guide roller 150 and the elongated member 90, and rotates around a fourth axis 161 perpendicular to the forward / backward direction D1 in accordance with the forward / backward movement of the elongated member 90; and a second roller pressing portion 170 is provided to press the second pressing roller 160 against the outer circumferential surface 91 of the elongated member 90 while allowing displacement of the second pressing roller 160 in the displacement direction D2. The feeding device for the elongated member 90 according to (1) or (2), wherein the second roller pressing portion 170 includes a second fixing portion 171 located away from the outer circumferential surface 91 of the elongated member 90, a second bearing portion 172 located between the second fixing portion 171 and the outer circumferential surface 91 of the elongated member 90 and holding the second pressing roller 160, and a second leaf spring 173 that is bent so as to be convex toward the second extension direction D12 intersecting the displacement direction D2, connected to the second fixing portion 171 and the second bearing portion 172 from the second extension direction D12, and generates a reaction force corresponding to the displacement of the second bearing portion 172 toward the second fixing portion 171. The forward and backward movement direction D1 of the long member 90 can be made more stable.

[0084] (4) The extension direction D11 is the direction from the press roller 120 toward the second press roller 160, and the second extension direction D12 is the direction from the second press roller 160 toward the press roller 120, the feeding device 1 for the long member 90 as described in (3). By housing the leaf spring 133 and the second leaf spring 173 between the pressing roller 120 and the second pressing roller 160, further space savings can be achieved.

[0085] (5) A feeding device for a long member 90 according to (3) or (4), further comprising a casing 180 that houses and integrates a rotary drive roller 110, a press roller 120, a roller press section 130, a guide roller 150, a second press roller 160, and a second roller press section 170. The rotary drive roller 110, press roller 120, roller press section 130, guide roller 150, second press roller 160, and second roller press section 170 are arranged in a space-saving manner and housed in a compact casing 180, making handling easy.

[0086] (6) The feeding device 1 for the long member 90 according to (5), further comprising a holding part 30 for holding the casing 180 and a force sensor 70 for detecting the reaction force acting from the casing 180 to the holding part 30. With a simple configuration, reliable reaction force information can be obtained.

[0087] (7) The feeding device for the long member 90 according to (6), further comprising a control unit 80 that controls the rotational torque of the rotary drive roller 110 based on the reaction force detected by the force sensor 70. By effectively utilizing highly reliable reaction force information, more advanced automation can be achieved.

[0088] (8) A feeding device for a long member 90 according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the rotary drive roller 110 has a groove 112 on its outer surface 91 that is circumferential, and the groove 112 has a first inner surface 113 and a second inner surface 114 that are inclined to move away from each other as they move away from the first axis 111, and both the first inner surface 113 and the second inner surface 114 are in contact with the outer surface 91 of the long member 90. A greater driving force can be transmitted to the long member 90.

[0089] (9) A feeding device 1 for the long member 90 as described in (8), wherein the angle between the first inner surface 113 and the second inner surface 114 is 60 to 120 degrees. This makes it possible to achieve both the transmission of a greater driving force to the long member 90 and the suppression of the vertical movement of the retaining roller 120 when it passes over steps at the joints of the long member 90.

[0090] (10) A feeding device for a long member 90 according to any one of (1) to (9), further comprising an auxiliary part 20 that supports a long member 90 extending in the retraction direction through the space between a rotary drive roller 110 and a press roller 120, and moves in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the long member 90. The long member 90 can be moved forward and backward more smoothly.

[0091] (11) A feeding device 1 for the long member 90 according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the long member 90 is an oxygen lance pipe that burns in the melting furnace 2 while supplying oxygen into the melting furnace 2, and the rotary drive roller 110 moves the oxygen lance pipe inserted into the melt outlet 3 of the melting furnace 2 forward and backward.

[0092] (12) A feeding device 1 for the long member 90 as described in any of (1) to (10), wherein the long member 90 is a poking rod that breaks up solidified material at the outlet 3 of the melting furnace 2, and the rotary drive roller 110 moves the poking rod forward and backward toward the outlet 3 of the melting furnace 2.

[0093] (13) A feeding device for a long member 90 according to (11) or (12), which is attached to another device 50 that moves along a transport direction D3 that passes through a position facing the hot water outlet 3 and a position not facing the hot water outlet 3, and performs work on the hot water outlet 3 other than the advancement and retraction of the long member 90, and further comprises a rotating drive roller 110, a pressing roller 120, and a holding part 30 that holds the roller pressing part 130 so as to be aligned with the other device 50 along the transport direction D3. The conveying device 60 of the other device 50 can also be effectively used for conveying the rotary drive roller 110 and the pressing roller 120.

[0094] (14) The other device 50 is a feeding device for the long member 90 described in (13), which is an opening device for opening the closed hot water outlet 3.

[0095] (15) The other device 50 is a closing device for closing the open hot water outlet 3, the feeding device 1 for the long member 90 as described in (13).

[0096] (16) The long member 90, whose joint is connected by a sleeve, is positioned along the forward / backward direction D1; the rotary drive roller 110 is brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface 91 of the long member 90; the press roller 120 is brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface 91 of the long member 90, and the long member 90 is sandwiched between the press roller 120 and the rotary drive roller 110; a fixing portion 131 is located away from the outer circumferential surface 91 of the long member 90; a bearing portion 132 is located between the fixing portion 131 and the outer circumferential surface 91 of the long member 90 in the displacement direction D2 perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface 91 of the long member 90, and holds the press roller 120; and the long member 90 is bent so as to be convex toward the extension direction D11, which is the forward or backward direction of the long member 90, and connected to the fixing portion 131 and the bearing portion 132 from the extension direction D11. A method for moving a long member 90 back and forth, comprising: pressing a pressing roller 120 against the outer circumferential surface 91 of a long member 90 by a roller pressing part 130 having a leaf spring 133 that generates a reaction force corresponding to the displacement of a bearing part 132 in the direction approaching a fixed part 131; moving the long member 90 back and forth along the forward and backward direction D1 by rotating a rotation drive roller 110 around a first axis 111 perpendicular to the forward and backward direction D1, and rotating the pressing roller 120 around a second axis 121 parallel to the first axis 111 in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the long member 90; and displacing the pressing roller 120 according to the step difference of the sleeve due to the deformation of the leaf spring 133 when the sleeve passes between the rotation drive roller 110 and the pressing roller 120. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 2...Melting furnace, 3...Smelting outlet, 1...Feeding device, 90...Long member, 91...Outer surface, 20...Auxiliary part, 50...Other device, 60...Conveying device, D3...Conveying direction, D2...Displacement direction, D1...Forward and backward direction, 110...Rotating drive roller, 111...First axis, 120...Pressing roller, 121...Second axis, 130...Roller pressing part, 131...Fixing part, 132...Bearing part, 133...Leaf spring, D11...Extension direction Direction, 112...groove, 113...first inner surface, 114...second inner surface, 150...guide roller, 151...third axis, 160...second pressing roller, 161...fourth axis, 170...second roller pressing part, 171...second fixing part, 172...second bearing part, 173...second leaf spring, D12...second extension direction, 180...casing, 30...holding part, 70...force sensor, 80...control unit, 140...rotation drive device.

Claims

1. A device for moving a long member forward and backward, A rotary drive roller that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the elongated member and rotates around a first axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the elongated member to move the elongated member forward and backward, A pressing roller is provided, which sandwiches the elongated member between itself and the aforementioned rotating drive roller, and rotates around a second axis parallel to the first axis in accordance with the movement of the elongated member. The system includes a roller pressing portion that presses the pressing roller against the outer surface of the elongated member while allowing displacement of the pressing roller in a displacement direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the elongated member, The aforementioned roller pressing portion is A fixing portion located away from the outer surface of the long member, A bearing portion is located between the fixed portion and the outer circumferential surface of the elongated member and holds the press roller, A leaf spring is bent so as to be convex toward the extension direction, which is the forward or backward direction of the long member, and is connected to the fixed part and the bearing part from the extension direction, and generates a reaction force corresponding to the displacement of the bearing part toward the fixed part, A feeding device for long members, having the following features.

2. In the aforementioned forward and backward directions, the position of the first axis and the position of the second axis are different from each other. A feeding device for long members according to claim 1.

3. A guide roller is provided so as to be aligned with the rotational drive roller along the aforementioned forward and backward direction, in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the elongated member, and rotates around a third axis perpendicular to the forward and backward direction in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the elongated member, A second pressing roller, which sandwiches the elongated member between itself and the guide roller, rotates around a fourth axis perpendicular to the direction of movement in accordance with the movement of the elongated member, The system further includes a second roller pressing portion that presses the second pressing roller against the outer circumferential surface of the elongated member while allowing the displacement of the second pressing roller in the aforementioned displacement direction, The second roller pressing portion is, A second fixing portion located away from the outer surface of the long member, A second bearing portion is located between the second fixing portion and the outer circumferential surface of the elongated member and holds the second pressing roller, A second leaf spring is bent so as to be convex toward a second extension direction intersecting the displacement direction, connected to the second fixed part and the second bearing part from the second extension direction, and generates a reaction force corresponding to the displacement of the second bearing part toward the second fixed part, Having, A feeding device for long members according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The extension direction is the direction from the press roller toward the second press roller, The aforementioned second extension direction is the direction from the second press roller toward the press roller. A feeding device for long members according to claim 3.

5. The casing further comprises housing and integrating the aforementioned rotary drive roller, the pressing roller, the roller pressing portion, the guide roller, the second pressing roller, and the second roller pressing portion. A feeding device for long members according to claim 4.

6. The casing is held and the holding part A force sensor for detecting the reaction force acting from the casing to the holding portion, It also has, A feeding device for long members according to claim 5.

7. The system further includes a control unit that controls the rotational torque of the rotary drive roller based on the reaction force detected by the force sensor. A feeding device for long members according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned rotary drive roller has grooves along the circumferential direction on its outer surface, The groove has a first inner surface and a second inner surface that are inclined to move away from each other as they move away from the first axis, Both the first inner surface and the second inner surface are in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the elongated member. A feeding device for long members according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The angle between the first inner surface and the second inner surface is 60 to 120 degrees. A feeding device for long members according to claim 8.

10. The system further includes an auxiliary part that supports the elongated member extending in the retraction direction through the space between the rotational drive roller and the press roller, and moves in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the elongated member. A feeding device for long members according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The aforementioned elongated member is an oxygen lance pipe that burns in the melting furnace while supplying oxygen into the melting furnace. The aforementioned rotary drive roller moves the oxygen lance pipe, which is inserted into the outlet of the melting furnace, forward and backward. A feeding device for long members according to claim 1.

12. The aforementioned elongated member is a poking rod used to break up solidified material at the outlet of the melting furnace. The aforementioned rotary drive roller moves the tamping rod back and forth toward the outlet of the melting furnace. A feeding device for long members according to claim 1.

13. The device moves along the transport direction passing through a position opposite to the hot water outlet and a position not opposite to the hot water outlet, and is attached to another device that performs operations separate from the advancement and retraction of the long member relative to the hot water outlet, and the rotary drive roller, the pressing roller, and the holding part that holds the roller pressing part are arranged in line with the other device along the transport direction, It also has, A feeding device for long members according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The other device is an opening device that opens the blocked hot water outlet. A feeding device for long members according to claim 13.

15. The other device is a blocking device that closes the open hot water outlet. A feeding device for long members according to claim 13.

16. The long members connected at the joints by sleeves are aligned in the direction of movement, The rotational drive roller is brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the long member, The pressing roller is brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the elongated member, and the elongated member is sandwiched between the pressing roller and the rotational drive roller, A fixing portion located away from the outer surface of the long member, In the displacement direction perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface of the elongated member, a bearing portion is located between the fixing portion and the outer circumferential surface of the elongated member and holds the pressing roller, A leaf spring is bent so as to be convex toward the extension direction, which is the forward or backward direction of the long member, and is connected to the fixed part and the bearing part from the extension direction, and generates a reaction force corresponding to the displacement of the bearing part toward the fixed part, The roller pressing portion having the pressing roller presses the pressing roller against the outer surface of the elongated member, The rotational drive roller is rotated around a first axis perpendicular to the aforementioned direction of movement, thereby causing the elongated member to move back and forth along the aforementioned direction of movement, and the retaining roller is rotated around a second axis parallel to the first axis in accordance with the movement of the elongated member. As the sleeve passes between the rotary drive roller and the retaining roller, the deformation of the leaf spring causes the retaining roller to be displaced according to the step in the sleeve, A method for moving long members, including a component, back and forth.

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