Sliding Closure Locking Mechanism for Molten Metal Vessel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide closures for vessels containing molten metal are prone to detachment during rough operation or improper handling, leading to disruptions in the casting process and safety concerns, especially during transport between stations.
Innovation Solution
A locking device is integrated into the holder for the linear drive and slide unit, featuring a spring-loaded locking rod and claw mechanism that securely engages the drive rod throughout its stroke, and a pivotable lever with a locking pin for the push rod, ensuring secure coupling and preventing unintentional opening during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple holder structure is used for the linear drive, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the linear drive can become detached during rough operation or improper handling
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is configured to automatically lock the linear drive in the holder as soon as it is inserted, before any operational forces can cause detachment. The spring element pre-tensions the locking claw into engagement with the locking rod, ensuring secure attachment is established in advance of any disruptive forces during operation or transport.
2Reliability
If the locking device automatically locks during drive rod movement, then operational reliability is improved, but the ease of operation may worsen due to automatic engagement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the drive rod during normal operation. The spring element and locking rod configuration enable the system to self-lock without manual intervention, using the inherent movement of the drive rod to trigger engagement and disengagement of the locking claw.
3Reliability
If the locking claw grips the locking rod over the entire stroke length, then the reliability of secure seating is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the extended engagement mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism extracts only the essential locking function from the overall system. The locking claw and locking rod provide a simple point-contact engagement that secures the linear drive throughout its stroke, removing unnecessary complexity while maintaining reliability through focused, targeted locking at the critical coupling interface.
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
The locking device ensures the linear drive remains securely attached and the slide closure remains closed during transport, enhancing operational reliability and safety by preventing accidental detachment and unintentional opening, thus reducing economic and safety risks.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded locking claw attached to the holder
Implementation Method 2
a spring-loaded lever which is pivotably mounted in the holder and is provided with a pawl arranged near the pivot axis and a locking pin arranged on the end of the lever
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a sliding closure for a vessel containing molten metal, having a slider unit (11) guided in a slider housing (10), said slider unit having a push rod (14) that can be connected to the drive rod (16) of a linear drive (17) via a coupling (15), wherein a mounting element (18) for the linear drive is provided on the slider housing (10), said element receiving the push rod (14) and the drive rod (16) on the coupling side. The mounting element (18) is equipped with an automatically operating locking device (21) for the linear drive (17) and/or an automatically operating locking device (28) for the push rod (14). The slide closure according to the invention operates reliably in said manner, both during the casting process and during transport thereof between the various stations of the plant.