Probe Guide for Automated Metallurgical Vessel Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual or semi-automatic insertion and removal of probes into metallurgical vessels pose safety risks and are inefficient, particularly due to the limitations of conventional 6-axis articulated-arm robots that cannot perform linear movements, and require significant effort and space for linear robot movement.
Innovation Solution
A probe guide with a traversing unit connected to an industrial robot arm, allowing for the insertion and removal of probes through a probe lance with a drive unit that converts rotary movements into linear movements, enabling automated and cost-effective operation within the limited radius of action of a 6-axis robot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a conventional 6-axis articulated robot is used for probe insertion, then automation is achieved, but the robot cannot perform linear movements and requires significant space for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional segments: the 6-axis robot arm for positioning and the traversing unit with linear drive for the final insertion movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function - the robot provides automated positioning while the traversing unit provides the necessary linear motion that articulated robots lack
Solution Approach 2:
The traversing unit acts as an intermediary between the robot arm and the probe lance. It receives rotary movements from the robot and converts them into linear movements through its drive mechanism, enabling the probe to be inserted in a straight line toward the metallurgical vessel
2Length of moving object
If the entire robot is moved linearly to achieve probe insertion, then the required range of motion is obtained, but the robot weighs several tons and requires considerable effort and space
Solution Approach 1:
The linear movement function is extracted from the heavy robot system and placed into a separate, lightweight traversing unit. This allows the multi-ton robot to remain stationary on its fixed installation while only the small traversing unit performs linear motion, eliminating the need for floor rails and reducing the effort required for movement
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the entire robot system in three-dimensional space, the solution transfers the movement task to a different dimension - a small-scale linear actuation within the traversing unit. This dimensional change allows precise positioning without requiring the robot to physically relocate
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual operation is used for probe insertion, then flexibility is maintained, but safety risks increase due to deflagration hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs probe insertion and extraction automatically without human intervention in the hazardous zone. The robot and traversing unit execute the complete sequence autonomously - picking up the probe, positioning it, inserting it into the metallurgical vessel, and later retrieving it - thereby eliminating operators from the dangerous environment where deflagrations could occur
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe, efficient, and automated insertion and removal of probes into metallurgical vessels, allowing precise control of immersion depth and reducing operational risks and costs by leveraging existing robotic infrastructure without the need for extensive linear movement of the robot.
Implementation Method 1
the drive unit (17) has a drive (21) which drives the travel section (7) via a mechanism for converting a rotary motion of the drive (21) into a translational motion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a probe guide (1) for guiding a probe (2), in particular for automatically introducing a probe (2) into a metallurgical vessel (32) and extracting the probe (2) from the metallurgical vessel (32). The probe guide (1) comprises a probe lance (3) with a probe holder (11) for the probe (2) and also comprises a moving unit (5) for moving the probe lance (3). The moving unit (5) includes an interface (19) which can be connected to a robotic arm (38) of an industrial robot (30).