Strip Head Securing System for Coating Pot Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for securing and handling strip heads in coating pots filled with liquid metal are complex, risky, and prone to soiling, especially when operators need to access and replace equipment, due to the difficulty in navigating between submerged and aerial equipment.
Innovation Solution
A securing system that includes lifting means and holding mechanisms allowing for safe and simple operations such as introducing and replacing strip heads, featuring a lifting bridge with a winch and a holding mechanism that moves the strip head in a horizontal plane above the pot, avoiding obstacles and reducing risk of soiling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operators use gripping poles to secure strip heads from cut strips at the pot outlet or introduce new tape heads at the pot entry, then strip head handling is achieved, but the operations become complex and risky with significant risk of equipment soiling and difficult operator access
Solution Approach 1:
A holding means is introduced as an intermediary device positioned above the coating pot to temporarily hold the strip head. This mediator allows operators to secure strip heads without directly accessing the difficult-to-reach areas near the pot outlet or entry, simplifying the operation while reducing the risk of equipment soiling.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding means is positioned in a different spatial dimension (above the coating pot) rather than at the traditional access points (pot outlet or entry). This dimensional change provides operators with easier access to secure strip heads without navigating through complex equipment arrangements.
2Ease of manufacture
If operators manually handle strip heads using gripping poles and chains, then strip head introduction and replacement is possible, but the risk of equipment soiling increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means serves as an intermediary that captures the strip head above the coating pot, allowing operators to perform securing operations in a clean area away from the liquid metal. This eliminates direct contact between operators and potential sources of contamination, significantly reducing equipment soiling risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The critical securing operation is extracted from the contaminated zone (near the coating pot) and relocated to a clean zone (above the pot). By taking out the strip head handling operation from the hazardous environment, the system prevents soiling while maintaining operational capability.
3Reliability
If equipment is immersed in the coating pot, then coating function is maintained, but operator access above the coating pot becomes difficult and insecure
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means is positioned in the aerial space above the coating pot, creating a new operational dimension that is accessible to operators. This allows strip head securing to be performed from a safe, accessible location without requiring operators to work in difficult-to-reach areas near the immersed equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding means acts as an intermediary structure that bridges the gap between the immersed coating equipment and the operator's safe working area. It enables secure strip head handling from above the pot without compromising the integrity of the coating process or exposing operators to hazards.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention describes a product securing system (1, 1') of the strip head type in a coating pot (2) filled with liquid metal of a coating installation comprising at least a first and a second piece of equipment (1, 1') of the type immersed in the pot and of the type above the strip exit of the pot, each of said first and second pieces of equipment being respectively disposed on either side of each of the faces of the strip moving vertically in the pot and at its exit from the pot, said system comprising a means (3) for lifting one of said pieces of equipment out of the pot, and being characterized by a means for holding (4, 4') the strip head at least above the pot. Operational methods of said securing system are also presented.