ADAPTIVE STEEL CAGE SUPPORT VEHICLES AND STEEL CAGE SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Abstract

This invention relates to a self-adaptive cage steel cable support vehicle and a cage steel cable support system. The support vehicle comprises a body, a support frame, and two rocking frames. Two forward-moving contact elements are arranged on the support frame, used for self-adaptive contact with the steel cable during its forward movement. The rocking frames are equipped with a state-changing mechanism to enable the frame to switch between the free and locked states. Each rocking frame is equipped with a return-moving contact element and a follow-moving contact element. The two return-moving contact elements are used for self-adaptive contact with the steel cable on the rocking frame in the locked state during the return movement of the steel cable, and the two follow-moving contact elements are used for self-adaptive contact with the steel cable on the rocking frame in the free state.This invention utilizes the natural tension angle between the two strands of the steel cable cage to design the forward and return travel contact details on the support trolley. This allows the support trolley to automatically stop or move according to the movement of the steel cable, ensuring the adaptation of its support position, high positioning accuracy, high operational reliability, and no additional power required.

Description

Adaptive looping steel cable support vehicle and looping steel cable support system Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of strip steel production, and relates to a looper system on a strip steel production line, and in particular to an adaptive looper steel cable support vehicle and a looper steel cable support system. Background Art

[0002] The continuous strip production line of steel enterprises is developing towards high speed. In the cold rolling continuous annealing production line, in order to adapt to the normal production requirements of the unit, the speed of the process section cannot be adjusted arbitrarily. However, the strip is running continuously, the strip head must be welded, and the strip tail must be coiled. There must be a loop to store the strip to adapt to the speed changes caused by the strip head welding and strip tail coiling of the unit.

[0003] The higher the process speed, the greater the number of loops required. A looper is a highly flexible looping device. Currently, loopers are driven by wire ropes. The longer the looper travels, the longer the wire ropes, and the greater the maximum overhang of the wire ropes, which can cause collisions with other equipment.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to an adaptive looped steel cable support vehicle and a looped steel cable support system, which can at least solve some of the defects of the prior art.

[0006] The present invention relates to an adaptive looped steel cable support vehicle, comprising a vehicle body, a support frame, two swing frames, two forward contact members, two return contact members and two follower contact members.

[0007] The bottom of the vehicle body is provided with running wheels; the supporting frame is installed on the vehicle body;

[0008] Two outward contact members are provided on the support frame, and the arrangement direction between the two outward contact members is parallel to the axial direction of the traveling wheel; the cable spacing at the target support position of the looped steel cable is L, the diameter of the cable is d, and the contact positions of the two outward contact members are opposite and the spacing between them is equal to L+2d;

[0009] The two swing frames are rotatably mounted on the supporting frame, and the axis of the rotation is parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle body; the swing frames are equipped with a state switching unit for switching between a free state and a locked state;

[0010] Each swing frame is provided with a return contact and a follower contact, and the two return contacts are located between the two follower contacts; when the swing frame is in a locked state, the two return contacts are suitable for contacting the inner sides of the two cables respectively.

[0011] As one of the embodiments, the state switching unit includes a non-return ratchet, a pawl and a constraint spring, wherein the non-return ratchet and the swing frame are connected in series through the same rotating shaft, the pawl is hinged on the supporting frame, and the constraint spring is located between the pawl hinge seat and the non-return ratchet and is connected to the pawl.

[0012] As one of the implementation modes, a contact roller is provided at one end of the pawl away from the non-return ratchet, the contact rollers of the two pawls are close to each other and the distance between them is adapted to the width of the external actuator.

[0013] As one of the implementation modes, the support frame is movably mounted on the vehicle body and the movable direction is parallel to the axial direction of the running wheel.

[0014] As one of the implementation modes, the outward contact member includes a first mounting frame provided on the supporting frame and an outward contact roller rotatably mounted on the first mounting frame, and the axis of the outward contact roller is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0015] As one of the embodiments, the return contact member includes a second mounting frame provided on the swing frame and a return contact roller rotatably mounted on the second mounting frame. When the swing frame is in a locked state, the axis of the return contact roller is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0016] As one of the implementation modes, the follower contact member includes a third mounting frame provided on the swing frame and a follower wheel rotatably mounted on the third mounting frame.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a looped steel cable support system, comprising:

[0018] An adaptive looper cable support vehicle as described above;

[0019] A running track, on which the vehicle body is arranged.

[0020] As one of the implementation modes, the running track includes a parking section and a working section, and an acting member for cooperating with the state switching unit is arranged in the parking section.

[0021] As one of the implementation modes, there are multiple adaptive looped steel cable support vehicles, and all of them are arranged on the walking track.

[0022] The present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0023] The present invention utilizes the natural angle between the two cables of the looped steel cable to design the outward contact piece and the return contact piece on the support vehicle, which can enable the support vehicle to automatically stop or follow the movement of the adaptive steel cable, thereby ensuring the self-adaptation of its support position, high positioning accuracy, high working reliability, and no need for additional power, with low equipment cost and maintenance cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0025] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the front structure of a cable support vehicle (the swing frame is in a locked state) provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the cable support vehicle (the swing frame is in a free state) provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the rear structure of a cable support vehicle provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG4 is a side view of the structure of a cable support vehicle provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG5 is a schematic top view of the structure of the cable support vehicle (the pawl cooperates with the non-return ratchet) provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG6 is a schematic top view of the structure of the cable support vehicle (the pawl and the non-return ratchet are separated) provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following is a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, an embodiment of the present invention provides an adaptive looped cable support vehicle, including a vehicle body 1, a support frame 2, two swing frames 3, two forward contact members 4, two return contact members 5 and two follower contacts 6.

[0033] The vehicle body 1 is provided with running wheels at the bottom thereof, enabling travel on rails. Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 5 and 6, the vehicle body 1 is provided with two sets of running mechanisms at the bottom thereof to facilitate travel on two rails, each set of running mechanisms including one or more running wheels, for example, each set of running mechanisms including two pairs of running wheels, each pair of running wheels being coaxially arranged relative to each other, thereby achieving higher travel stability.

[0034] The two rails are symmetrically arranged relative to a reference line. Accordingly, the two cables 100 of the looped cable are symmetrical relative to the reference line.

[0035] The supporting frame 2 is installed on the vehicle body 1 .

[0036] Among them, two outward contact members 4 are arranged on the supporting frame 2, and the arrangement direction between the two outward contact members 4 is parallel to the axial direction of the walking wheel; the cable 100 spacing at the target support position of the looped steel cable is L, the diameter of the cable 100 is d, and the contact positions of the two outward contact members 4 are opposite and the spacing between them is equal to L+2d.

[0037] The two outward contact members 4 are symmetrically arranged relative to the above-mentioned reference line.

[0038] As shown in FIG2-FIG4 , in one embodiment, the outward contact member 4 includes a first mounting frame 42 provided on the support frame 2 and an outward contact roller 41 rotatably mounted on the first mounting frame 42 , and the axis of the outward contact roller 41 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0039] The first mounting bracket 42 is preferably detachably mounted on the supporting frame 2 , including but not limited to being fixed by bolts.

[0040] The outward contact member 4 adopts an outward contact roller 41. The friction between the contact roller and the steel cable is small, which can reduce wear.

[0041] Preferably, as shown in FIG2-FIG4 , the top of the outward contact roller 41 adopts a cap-shaped end with a diameter gradually increasing from bottom to top. This structure can limit the steel cable to a certain extent and prevent the steel cable from separating from the outward contact member 4.

[0042] The two swing frames 3 are rotatably mounted on the supporting frame 2 , and the axis of rotation is parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle body 1 ; the swing frames 3 are provided with a state switching unit for switching between a free state and a locked state.

[0043] The two swing frames 3 are symmetrically arranged relative to the above-mentioned reference line.

[0044] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 4-6, the state switching unit includes a non-return ratchet 71, a pawl 72, and a restraining spring 73. The non-return ratchet 71 and the swing frame 3 are connected in series via the same rotating shaft, the pawl 72 is hinged to the support frame 2, and the restraining spring 73 is located between the hinge seat of the pawl 72 and the non-return ratchet 71 and is connected to the pawl 72. Under the restraining action of the restraining spring 73, the non-return end of the pawl 72 cooperates with the non-return ratchet 71 to unidirectionally lock the non-return ratchet 71, thereby locking the swing frame 3. When a force is applied to the pawl 72 to overcome the restraining force of the restraining spring 73, the pawl 72 is separated from the non-return ratchet 71, allowing the non-return ratchet 71 to rotate freely and the swing frame 3 to swing freely.

[0045] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 , a contact roller 721 is provided at the end of the pawl 72 away from the check ratchet 71. The contact rollers 721 of the two pawls 72 are close to each other, and the distance between them is adapted to the width of the external actuator, for example, the same as or slightly smaller than the width of the external actuator. The contact rollers 721 contact the external actuator, reducing the contact force between the two and thus reducing wear.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each swing frame 3 is provided with a return contact 5 and a follower contact 6, and the two return contacts 5 are located between the two follower contacts 6; when the swing frame 3 is in a locked state, the two return contacts 5 are suitable for contacting the inner sides of the two cables 100 respectively.

[0047] The two return contact members 5 are symmetrically arranged relative to the above-mentioned reference line; and the two follower contact members 6 are symmetrically arranged relative to the above-mentioned reference line.

[0048] When the swing frame 3 is in the locked state, the two return contact members 5 are located between the two cables 100, and are therefore suitable for contacting the inner sides of the two cables 100 respectively. The contact positions of the two return contact members 5 are opposite to each other, and the distance between the two contact positions is L.

[0049] In this embodiment, the contact position refers to the position of the contact portion when in contact with the cable 100 .

[0050] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the return contact member 5 includes a second mounting frame 52 provided on the swing frame 3 and a return contact roller 51 rotatably mounted on the second mounting frame 52. When the swing frame 3 is in a locked state, the axis of the return contact roller 51 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0051] The second mounting bracket 52 is preferably detachably mounted on the swing bracket 3, including but not limited to being fixed by bolts. The return contact member 5 uses a return contact roller 51, and the friction between the contact roller and the steel cable is small, which can reduce wear.

[0052] Preferably, as shown in FIG1 and FIG2 , the top end of the return contact roller 51 adopts a cap-shaped end portion with a diameter gradually increasing from bottom to top. This structure can play a certain degree of limiting role on the steel cable.

[0053] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 , the follower contact member 6 includes a third mounting bracket 62 disposed on the swing frame 3 and a follower idler wheel 61 rotatably mounted on the third mounting bracket 62. The third mounting bracket 62 is preferably detachably mounted on the swing frame 3, including but not limited to being secured by bolts. The follower idler wheel 61 reduces friction between the follower idler wheel 61 and the steel cable, thereby reducing wear.

[0054] Preferably, a limiting portion is provided on the supporting frame 2 for limiting the upper swing stroke of the swing frame 3. For example, based on the limitation of the limiting portion, the upper swing stroke end of the swing frame 3 is the position where the axis of the return contact member 5 is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0055] In one embodiment, the support frame 2 is movably mounted on the vehicle body 1 and its movement direction is parallel to the axial direction of the running wheels. Thus, under the action of the radial component of the steel cable, the support frame 2 can move on the vehicle body 1, which can achieve automatic centering of the support vehicle, ensuring that it is always in contact with the two cables 100 at the same time, improving the smoothness of movement and operational reliability of the support vehicle, and reducing the accuracy requirement for the collinearity of the trolley track center (i.e., the aforementioned reference line) and the steel cable center line. Preferably, a slide groove is provided on the vehicle body 1 for accommodating the support legs of the support frame 2 in a sliding manner.

[0056] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a looped steel cable support system, comprising:

[0057] An adaptive looper cable support vehicle as described above;

[0058] A running track, on which the vehicle body 1 is arranged.

[0059] In one embodiment, the travel track includes a parking section and a working section, and an actuating member for cooperating with the state switching unit is arranged in the parking section. Preferably, the interaction is generated by the relative movement between the supporting vehicle and the actuating member when the supporting vehicle is in motion, thereby saving the arrangement of external power.

[0060] In one embodiment, the aforementioned active member is a parking latch 8, which is preferably mounted on a structural foundation. For example, a state switching unit comprising a non-return ratchet 71, a pawl 72, and a restraining spring 73 is employed. When the vehicle body 1 moves, the pawl 72 can engage or disengage with the parking latch 8, thereby switching the state of the swing frame 3. Preferably, the front end of the parking latch 8 (i.e., the end closest to the working section) is provided with two inclined guide surfaces. The front ends of the two inclined guide surfaces intersect, and the pawl 72 first moves on the corresponding inclined guide surface, thereby lifting the pawl 72 and releasing the non-return ratchet 71.

[0061] In one embodiment, there are multiple adaptive looped cable support vehicles, and all are arranged on the walking track. The number of cable support vehicles can be increased or decreased according to the length of the cable, which is highly flexible and can reliably support the cable.

[0062] The working process of the above-mentioned support vehicle generally includes:

[0063] (1) Standby mode:

[0064] The support vehicle is parked in the standby position, and the parking latch 8 passes through the support frame 2, pushing the pawl 72, so that the pawl 72 overcomes the force of the restraining spring 73 and releases the non-return ratchet 71. At this time, the non-return ratchet 71 and the swing cam frame coaxially mounted therewith can rotate freely.

[0065] Under the action of gravity, the follower contact 6 installed on the swing cam frame contacts the steel cable, and before reaching the designed position, the steel cable drives the swing frame 3 to swing through the follower contact 6.

[0066] (2) Outward support (i.e. the cable moves toward the far end):

[0067] When the steel cable is delivered to the designed length, the forward contact member 4 mounted on the support frame 2 contacts the steel cable and transmits the axial and radial components of the cable's force to the support frame 2. The axial component of force causes the vehicle body 1 to follow the steel cable and move; the radial component of force causes the support frame 2 to move on the vehicle body 1, thus achieving automatic centering of the support vehicle.

[0068] After the support vehicle leaves the parking area, the parking latch 8 withdraws from the support frame 2 to release the pawl 72, and the pawl 72 returns to its original position under the action of the restraining spring 73, one-way locking the ratchet 71. The steel cable falls on the roller due to its own deflection.

[0069] (3) Return support

[0070] When the steel cable is dragged backward and the support vehicle has not entered the parking area, the non-return ratchet 71 is locked in one direction by the pawl 72, and the swing frame 3 mounted coaxially with it cannot swing inward. The return contact member 5 contacts the steel cable and transmits the axial and radial components of the steel cable's force to the support frame 2. The axial component of force causes the vehicle body 1 to follow the steel cable and move, while the radial component of force causes the support frame 2 to move on the vehicle body 1, thereby achieving automatic centering of the support vehicle.

[0071] When entering the parking area, the parking latch 8 passes through the support frame 2, pushing the pawl 72 to release the ratchet 71, and the support vehicle returns to the standby state.

[0072] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adaptive looping steel cable support vehicle, characterized in that: It includes a vehicle body, a supporting frame, two swing frames, two forward contact pieces, two return contact pieces and two follower contact pieces. The bottom of the vehicle body is provided with running wheels; the supporting frame is installed on the vehicle body; Two outbound contact members are arranged on the support frame, and the arrangement direction between the two outbound contact members is parallel to the axial direction of the traveling wheel; the cable spacing at the target support position of the looped steel cable is L, the diameter of the cable is d, and the contact positions of the two outbound contact members are opposite and the spacing between them is equal to L+2d; The two swing frames are rotatably mounted on the supporting frame, and the axis of the rotation shaft is parallel to the walking direction of the vehicle body; the swing frame is provided with a state switching unit for switching between a free state and a locked state; Each swing frame is provided with a return contact and a follower contact, and the two return contacts are located between the two follower contacts; when the swing frame is in a locked state, the two return contacts are suitable for contacting the inner sides of the two cables respectively.

2. The adaptive looping cable support vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The state switching unit includes a non-return ratchet, a pawl and a restraining spring, wherein the non-return ratchet and the swing frame are connected in series through the same rotating shaft, the pawl is hinged on the supporting frame, and the restraining spring is located between the pawl hinge seat and the non-return ratchet and is connected to the pawl.

3. The adaptive looping cable support vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: A contact roller is arranged at one end of the pawl away from the non-return ratchet wheel, and the contact rollers of the two pawls are close to each other and the distance between the two rollers is adapted to the width of the external action member.

4. The adaptive looping cable support vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The supporting frame is movably mounted on the vehicle body and its moving direction is parallel to the axial direction of the running wheels.

5. The adaptive looping cable support vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outward contact member comprises a first mounting frame arranged on the supporting frame and an outward contact roller rotatably mounted on the first mounting frame, wherein the axis of the outward contact roller is parallel to the vertical direction.

6. The adaptive looping cable support vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The return contact member includes a second mounting frame arranged on the swing frame and a return contact roller rotatably mounted on the second mounting frame. When the swing frame is in a locked state, the axis of the return contact roller is parallel to the vertical direction.

7. The adaptive looping cable support vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The follower contact member comprises a third mounting frame arranged on the swing frame and a follower wheel rotatably mounted on the third mounting frame.

8. A looped steel cable support system, characterized in that: include: An adaptive looping cable support vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7; A running track, on which the vehicle body is arranged.

9. The looped steel cable support system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The travel track comprises a parking section and a working section, and an acting member for cooperating with the state switching unit is arranged in the parking section.

10. The looped steel cable support system according to claim 8, characterized in that: There are multiple adaptive looped steel cable support vehicles, and all of them are arranged on the walking track.

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