Plate Fixing Structure for Sliding Nozzle Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing techniques for fixing a plate to a plate-receiving metal frame in sliding nozzle devices are inefficient, requiring significant time and effort due to alignment challenges and dimensional inaccuracies, especially with the concavo-convex fitting method, which suffers from low dimensional accuracy and distortion of metal casings.

Innovation Solution

A plate fixing structure with first and second engagement portions extending outwardly from the plate, allowing for precise alignment with corresponding support portions on the metal frame, enabling easy and accurate fitting by engaging these portions independently, thus overcoming alignment and accuracy issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a concavo-convex fitting method is used to fix the plate to the metal frame, then the plate can be securely attached, but the alignment between fitting portions becomes difficult to achieve due to small gaps and distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the single fitting operation into two distinct stages: first engaging the first engagement portion with the first support portion to establish preliminary alignment, then engaging the second engagement portion with the second support portion to achieve final precise alignment. This segmentation of the fitting process allows each stage to focus on a specific alignment task, overcoming the difficulty of achieving accurate alignment in a single step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first engagement portion and first support portion are designed to perform preliminary alignment before the final fitting. By establishing the correct positional relationship in the sliding direction first, the subsequent engagement of the second engagement portion can focus solely on achieving precise alignment in the width direction, without the complexity of simultaneous multi-directional alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the gap between fitting portions is reduced to improve opening degree accuracy, then the nozzle control precision improves, but the alignment becomes more difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening degree accuracyVSAvoidalignment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting structure is segmented into two independent engagement systems that operate in sequence. The first engagement portion handles alignment in the sliding direction with a larger, more tolerable gap, while the second engagement portion handles alignment in the width direction with the small gap needed for precision. This allows the small gap to be maintained for accuracy without requiring the entire alignment process to be time-consuming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first engagement portion performs the preliminary action of establishing alignment in the sliding direction before the second engagement portion is engaged. This preliminary alignment reduces the complexity of the final fitting operation, allowing the small gap required for precision to be achieved more quickly and easily in the second stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single engagement portion is used to fix the plate, then the structure is simpler, but the alignment accuracy in both sliding and width directions cannot be achieved simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment function is segmented into two independent systems: the first engagement portion and first support portion handle alignment in the sliding direction, while the second engagement portion and second support portion handle alignment in the width direction. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized for its specific directional alignment task, achieving high precision in both directions without requiring an overly complex single-system solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention addresses two-dimensional alignment requirements by introducing engagement portions at both ends of the plate in the sliding direction. This creates a three-dimensional engagement system where the first engagement portion (at one end) and second engagement portion (at the other end) work together to achieve alignment in multiple directions, effectively using spatial distribution to solve the alignment problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2692463B1Plate fixing structure and plate
Publication Date: 2016.03.02 KROSAKI HARIMA CORP
  • EP2692463B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2692463B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP2692463B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is a plate fixing structure which is usable in a concavo-convex fitting technique for fitting with respect to a fitting concave or convex portion provided in a plate-receiving metal frame, and capable of easily achieving an alignment between the fitting convex portion and the fitting concave portion, and a plate for use with the fixing structure. The plate 10 is provided with a first engagement portion 14 extending from one of opposite ends thereof in a sliding direction thereof, and a second engagement portion extending from the other end, and the plate-receiving metal frame 20 is provided with a first support portion 22 and a second support portion 23 each configured to allow a respective one of the first engagement portion 14 and the second engagement portion 15 to be engaged therewith. When the first engagement portion 14 is engaged with and supported by the first support portion 22, the fitting concave portion 16 of the plate and the fitting convex portion 21 of the plate-receiving metal frame positionally conform to each other in the sliding direction of the plate. Then, when the second engagement portion 15 is engaged with the second support portion 23, the fitting concave portion 16 and the fitting convex portion 21 positionally conform to each other in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the plate.