Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
SLIDING N022LE APPARATUS AhTD POURTNG APPAF,ATUS
TECHNICAL FIELD
mhis invention relates to a sliding nozzle apparatus
attached to a molten metal container such as a -'~adle or the
like, for example, used in a continuous casting line, and
provided for controlling a pouring amount at a time of
pouring a molten metal to a casting mold from the molten
metal container, and a pouring apparatus provided with the
sliding nozzle apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
This kind of sliding nozzle apparatus is provided with
a fixed plate fixed to a molten metal container such as a
ladle or the like, and a movable plate facing the fixed plate.
A fixed nozzle is provided on the fixed plate, and a movable
nozzle is provided on the movable plate, respectively.
Further, when the nozzle or the like is replaced or
maintained, the movable plate is rotated, and the movable
plate and the movable nozzle are separated from the fixed
plate and the fixed nozzle. Further, at a time of pouring,
the movable plate and the movable nozzle are slid in a stage
of being brought into pressure contact with the fired plate
and the fixed nozzle, ar~d an opening amount between the fixed
nozzle and the movable nozzle is adjusted.
3~
In this case, in an apparatus in Patent Document l, the
pressure contact of the movable plate with respect to the
fixed plate is executed by a toggle mechanism, and tr~e slide
of the movable plate is executed by a cyl_nder. Further, a
switching of the toggle mechanism to an operative state and
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an inoperati~Te state is operated by a human power.
Accordingly, the switching work of the toggle mechanism is
forced to be executed as an agonizing work under a high-
temperature environment.
In order to solve the problem, there has been proposed
a sliding nozzle apparatus described in Patent Document 2.
In the structure of the Patent Document 2, the structure is
made such that it is possible to achieve both functions of a
pressure contact of a movable plate with respect to a fixed
plate and a cancellation thereof, and a slide of the movable
plate, on the basis of a hydraulic cylinder.
In other words, in Patent Document 2, a switching
mechanism is provided between an opening and closing metal
frame and a fixed metal frame. On the basis of the switching
mechanism, it is possible to switch to a state of inhibit~tng
a relative movement of the opening and closing metal frame
with respect to the fixed metal frame along a direction of a
rotating axis, and a state of allowing the _relative movement.
Further, in a state in which the movement of the
opening and closing metal frame is inhibited on the basis of
the switching of the switching mechanism, the toggle
mechanism in the switching mechanism is in an operative state.
When the hydraulic cylinder is actuated in this state, only a
sliding metal frame within the opening and clcsir.g metal
frame is moved, whereby a nozzle hole is opened and closed,
and a matching degree between the movable nozzle and the
fixed nozzle is changed. On the contrary, when the hydraulic
cylinder is actuated in the state in which the relat-eve
movement of the opening and closing metal frame is allowed,
t-_~e sliding metal frame and the oper_ing and closing metal
frame are integra-~ly moved. On the basis of this movement,
the oberation of the toggle mechanism in the switching
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mechanism is cancelled, and a pressing member separates from
an engagement portion. Accordingly, the pressing of the
opening and closing metal frame to the plate side by a coil
spring is cancelled.
Patent Document l: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
63-212064
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
6-226430
DISCLOSURE CF THE INVENTION
However, the sliding apparatus described in Patent
Document 2 is structured such that in addition that the
switching mechanism is arranged in a narrow space between the
fixed metal frame and the opening and closing metal frame,
the toggle mechanism having a complicated structure including
the spring is provided inside of ~~he switching mechanism, and
the member constituting the toggle mechanism operates a
complicated motion. Accordingly, the switching mechanism of
the sliding apparatus described in Patent Document 2 lacks a
reliability of the motion, and has not been put into
practical use.
This invention is made by paying attention to a problem
existing in the prior art mentioned above. An objective of
this invention is to provide a sliding nozzle apparatus and a
pouring apparatus which can reliably apply a pressing force
to an opening and closing metal frame and cancel the pressure
application on the basis of a simple structure.
In order to achieve the objective mentioned above, in
accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a sliding nozzle apparatus comprising: a
fixed metal frame having a fixed plate in which a fixed
J5 nozz,e hole is formed, and structured such as to be attached
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to a molten metal container; an opening and closing metal
frame having a movable plate in which a movable nozzle hole
is formed so as to be slidable in a state of being lapped
over the fixed plate and correspond to the fixed nozzle hole,
and being openable and closable with respect to the f=-xed
metal frame; a pressurizing means provided in the fixed metal
frame and applying a pressure in a closing direction by a
spring to the opening and closing metal frame in a closed
state; and a passage between both the nozzles being opened
and closed by the movable plate being slid in the closed
state of the opening and closing metal frame. An actuating
member having a cam surface is provided between the
pressurizing means and the opening and closing metal frame,
the spring is deformed against an urging force thereof on the
basis of an operation of the cam surface in accordance with
the actuation of the actuating member in the closed state of
the opening and closing metal frame, whereby the pressurizing
force is strengthened.
In this case, the spring is deformed against the urging
force on the basis of the operation of the cam surface in
accordance with the movement of the actuating member, and the
pressurizing force against the opening and closing metal
frame is strengthened. Accordingly, the toggle mechanism is
not necessary, the structure is simple, and it is possible to
reliably apply the pressurizing force to the opening and
closing metal frame, and cancel the force application.
It is desirable that the pressurizing means be provided
with a rotating member rotatably supported by the fixed metal
frame, and a holding member supported by the rotating member
so as to move forward and backward and capable cf moving
between a position holding the opening and closing metal
frame in accordance with the rotation of the rotating member
~5 and a position separated from the held position, and the
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spring is provided between the rotating member and the
holding member.
In this case, the hclding member is moved from the
position holding the opening and closing metal frame to the
position separated therefrom, by rotating the rotating member
in the state in which the pressurizing force applied to the
opening and closing metal frame is weakened, whereby it is
possible to easily disconnect the opening and closing metal
frame from the fixed metal frame.
It is desirable that the actuating member be arranged
between the opening and closing metal frame and the holding
member, the actuating member be exposed to the reaction force
of the spring by deforming the spring against its elasticity
on the basis of an operation of the cam, and the reaction
force be applied as a force in a direction of closing the
opening and closing metal frame.
In this case, it is possible to reliably hold the
opening and closing metal frame to the closed position via
the actuating member, by utilizing the reaction force in
accordance with the elastic deformation of the spring.
It is desirable that the actuating member be
constituted by a moving member arranged so as to be movable
in the same direction as the forward and backward moving
direction of the holding member between the opening and
closing metal frame and the holding member, and a cam member
arranged between the moving member and the opening and
closing metal frame and pressing the opening and closing
metal frame in the closing direction on the basis of the
reaction force of the spring generated by moving the moving
member in the direction against the elasticity of the wring
due to the operation of the cam surface.
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In this case, since the actuating member is constituted
by two parts comprising the moving member and the cam member,
the structure of the actuating member is simple, and it is
possible to reliably regulate the pressurizing force applied
to she opening and closing metal frame via the cam member on
the basis of the movement of the moving member constituting
the actuating member.
It is desirable that the apparatus be provided with a
switching means for switching the cam member to a state in
which the cam member is arranged at a position pressurizing
the opening and closing metal frame on the basis of the cam
operation and a position canceling the pressurization, by
being integrally moved with the movable plate, and a state in
which the cam member is fixed to the opening and closing
metal frame in the pressurized position.
In this case, it is possible to easily selectively set
and execute a control of regulating the pressurizing force
applied to the opening and closing metal frame and a control
of opening and closing the passage between the nozzle holes,
by switching the cam member to the state of being moved
integrally with the movable plate and the state of being
fixed to the opening and closing metal frame.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a pouring apparatus provided
with the sliding nozzle apparatus mentTOned above and a drive
apparatus for sliding the movable plate.
In this case, it is possible to regulate the
pressurizing force applied to the opening and closing metal
frame, and open and close the passage between tr_e nozzle
holes, by one drive apparatus.
F.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THF DRAV~~INGS
Fig. 1(a) is a simplified view schematically showing a
main portion of an embodiment;
Fig. 1(b) is a cross sectional view showing a
pressurizing state;
Fig. 1(c) is a cross sectional view showing a
pressurization canceled state;
Fig. 2 is a front elevational view showing a pouring
apparatus provided with a sliding nozzle apparatus in
accordance with an embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a front eleVational View showing a mechanism
moved by a hydraulic cylinder, a cam member and a relevant
mechanism thereto;
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the pouring
apparatus in Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view mainly
sl-~owing a pressurizing mechanism;
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the pouring apparatus in Fig.
L,
Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view showing a mechanism
slid together with a sliding metal frame by a hydraulic
cylinder;
Fig. 8 i_s a cross sectional view taken along a line 8-8
in Fig. 2;
Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view mainly showing the cam
member and the relevant mechanism thereto;
Fig. l0 is a cross sectional view taken along a line
i0-10 in Fig. 2; and
Fig. 11 is a partly cross sectional view showing a part
of Fig. 6 in an enlarged manner in correspondence to Fig. 10.
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BEST MODE FOR CARRYII~TG OUT THE ~-NVEhTION
A description will be given below of an embodiment in
accordance with this inver_tion with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
(Entire outline structure)
As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, 6 and 10, a slidir_g nozzle
apparatus 12 is installed on an outer surface of a molten
metal container 11 such as a ladle or the like. A hydraulic
cylinder 13 serving as a drive apparatus is arranged at a
position away from the sliding nozzle apparatus 12, and a
pouring apparatus in accordance with this embodiment is
structured by the hydraulic cylinder 13 and the sliding
nozzle apparatus 12. A nozzle portion of the sliding nozzle
apparatus 12 is opened and closed by the hydraulic cylinder
13, and a pouring amount is adjusted thereby. In other words,
as is apparent from Fig. 10, a molten metal within the molten
metal container 11 is poured to a casting mold or the like
via the sliding nozzle apparatus 12, in a state in which the
sliding nozzle apparatus 12 is arranged downward.
(Outline of main portion of embodiment)
A description will be given below of a structure of the
sliding nozzle apparatus 12. First, Fig. 1(a) is a schematic
view showing a motion of the embodiment, and Figs. 1(b) and
1(c) are simplified cross sectional views of the same. As
shown in Figs. 1(a) to 1(c), guide members 31 are provided on
an opening and closing metal frame 17 which can be opened and
closed with respect to a fixed metal frame 14, and a pressed
surface 31a is _formed in each guide member 31. Further, a
cam member 32 is arranged in correspondence ~o the pressed
surfaces 31a. A spring force of a coil spr,'_ng 25 of a
pressurizing mechanism 23 constituting pressurizing means _s
applied to the cam surface 32a cf each cam member 32 via a
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moving member 30 and a holding member 27.
Further, in a state in which a fixing pin 43 is
inserted to an engagement hole 32b of each cam member 32, and
the cam member 32 is held at an upper position in Fig.
1(b)(b), a compression force is applied to the coil spring 25
Via the moving member 30 and the holding member 27, on the
basis of an operation of a cam surface 32a of the cam member
32 and a cam surface 30d of the moving member 30, and a
compression reaction force thereto is applied to the opening
and closing metal frame 17 via the cam member 32 and she
pressed surfaces 31a of the guide members 31. Accordingly,
the opening and closing metal frame 17 is pressure contacted
with the fixed metal frame 14 under a desired pressurizing
force. Further, in the case that each fixing pin 43
separates from the engagement hole 32b, and each cam member
32 is pinched by a switching member 40 and an engagement
projection 37a from both upper and lower ends of the cam
member 32, and is moved downward in accordance with a
downward movement of the switching member 40 and the
engagement projection 37a, as shown in Fig. 1(c), the
operation of the cam surfaces 32a and 30d is cancelled, and
the pressure contact state of the opening and closing metal
frame l7 with respect to the fixed metal frames 14 is
can~~ell_ed.
(Fired metal frame 14, opening and closing metal frame 17 and
relevant structure thereto)
Next, a description will be given in detail of a
structure of the sliding nozzle apparatus 12. First, a
description will be given of the fixed metal frame 14, the
opening and closing metal frame 17 and the relevant structure
thereto. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4 and 6, the (fixed metal
frame 14 is attached and fixed to an outer surface of the
molten metal container 11, and a pair of mounting portions
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14a having insertion holes 14b are provided in each cf both
side portions in a protruding manner. As shown in Fig. 10, a
fixed plate 15 is detachably mounted to a center portion of
the fixed metal frame 14, and a fixed nozzle hole 15a is
formed in a center thereof. An inner nozzle tube 16 is
attached to an inner surface of the fixed plate 15 as
occasion demands, and the inner nozzle tube 16 is structured
such as to protrude to an inner portion of the molten metal
container 11.
The opening and closing metal frame 17 is attached to
an outer surface of the fixed metal frame 14 in such a manner
as to be openable and closable. In other words, a pair of
support portions 17a having insertion holes 17b are provided
in each of both sides of the opening and closing metal frame
17 in a protruding manner so as to correspond to the
respective mounting portions 14a of the fixed metal frame 14.
Further, the opening and closing metal frame 17 is attached
in such a manner as to be openable and closable and rotatable
around a support pin 18 between a closed position shown by a
solid line in Fig. 6 and one side open position shown by a
two-dot chain line, by inserting the support pin 18 to the
insertion holes 17b and 14b ef the support portion 17a and
the mounting portion 14a, in one side cf both the metal
frames 14 and 17.
In this case, if the support pin 18 is inserted to the
insertion holes 17b and 14b of the support portion 17a and
the mounting portion 14a positioned in the other side of both
3C the metal frames 14 and 17 as occasion demands, it is
possible to open and close and rotate the opening and closing
metal frame 17 between the closed position and the open
position on the other side.
As shown in Figs. 2, 7 and 9, a sliding metal frame 19
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is arranged within the opening and closing metal frame 17 in
such a manner as to be slidable in a vertical direction in
Fig. 2, and a piston rod 13a of the hydraulic cylinder 13 is
coupled to an end portion thereof via a coupling metal
fitting 20. A movable plate 21 is detachably mounted to a
censer portion of the sliding metal frame 19, and a movable
nozzle hole 21a corresponding to the fixed nozzle hole 15a ~s
formed in a center thereof. An outer nozzle tube 22 is
attached to an outer surface of the movable plate 21 as
occasion demands, and protrudes to an outer side of the
opening and closing metal frame 17.
Further, in a state in which the opening and closing
metal frame 17 is arranged at the closed position, the
movable plate 21 is arranged so as to be lapped over the
fixed plate 15. In this state, the movable plate 21 is slid
in a vertical direction in Figs. 2 and 9 by the hydraulic
cylinder 13 together with the sliding metal frame 19, whereby
a matching degree of the nozzle holes 15a and 21a of both the
plates 15 and 21 is changed, so that the passage between the
nozzle holes 15a and 21a is opened and closed, and an opening
amount of the passage is adjusted.
(Pressurizing mechanism 23 and relevant structure thereto)
As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, 8, 10 and 11, a pressurizing
mechanism 23 is arranged as a pressurizing means between a
pair of mounting portions 14a in each of both sides of the
fixed metal frame 14. Further, the structure is made such
that a pressure in a closing direction is applied to the
opening and closing metal frame 17 by the pressurizing
mechanism 23, in a state in which the opening and closing
metal frame 17 is arranged at the closed position shown by a
solid line in Fig. 6.
In other words, between the mounting portions 19a in
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both sides of the fixed metal frame 14, an approximately box-
like rotating member 24 constituting a pair of spring cases
are rotatably supported by support shaft portions 24a. As
shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a plurality of accommodating portions
24b are sectioned and formed in an inner portion of the
rotating member 24, and a plurality of coil springs 25 are
arranged so as to be accommodated within the accommodating
portions 24b. A lid body 26 is fitted to an opening portion
of the rotating member 24 so as to be movable in an axial
direction of the coil spring 25, and an end portion of each
of the coil springs 25 is brought into contact with an inner
surface of the lid body 26.
A holding member 27 having a holding portion 27a and a
pair of rod portions 27b is inserted into and supported by
each of the rotating member 24 and the lid body 26 at the rod
portions 27b so as to be movable forward and backward in an
axial direction of the coil spring 25. A nut 28 is screwed
with a leading end thread portion of each of the rod portions
27b of the holding member 27, and is joined to an outer
surface of the lid body 2~. Accordingly, an urging force of
each of the coil springs 25 is always applied in a direction
in which the holding member 27 moves close to the rotating
member 24 with respect to the holding- member 27, via the lid
body 26 and the nut 28. Further, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11,
since the rotating member 24 is rotated around the support
shaft portion 24a, the holding member 27 is arranged so as to
be moved to a position holding the opening and closing metal
frame l7 via an actuating member 29 mentioned below, and a
position separated from the held position.
(Cam member and relevant structure thereto)
As shown in Figs. 2 to 5 and 10, a pair of actuating
members 29 are arranged in both sides of the opening and
closing metal frame 17 in correspondence to each of the
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pressurizing mechanisms 23. Further, in the closed state of
the opening and closing metal frame 17, the actuating member
29 is moved to a lower side in Fig. 2 on the basis of
operations of cam surfaces 30d and 32a mentioned below
provided between the actuating member 29 and the pressurizing
mechanism 23, the coil spring 25 of the pressurizing
mechanism 23 is deformed against the urging force 'hereof,
and the pressure applied to the opening and closing metal
frame 17 is strengthened.
In other words, each actuating member 29 is constituted
by a moving member 30 arranged in one side the opening and
closing metal frame 17 so as to be movable in the same
direction as the moving direction of the holding member 27 of
the pressurizing mechanism 23 via a pair of guide members 31,
and a cam member 32 arranged between the moving member 30 and
the opening and closing metal frame 17 so as to be movable in
an orthogonal direction to the moving direction of the moving
member 30. As shown in Figs. 1 and 8, the cam member 32 is
received by pressed surfaces 31a formed in one side surface
of the guide members 31. A long hole 30a is formed in an
inner surface of each moving member 30, and a head portion of
a regulating screw 33 provided in a protruding manner in a
side surface of the opening and closing metal frame 17 is
engaged with the long hole 30a, whereby a moving range of the
moving member 30 is set. An engagement projection 30b is
provided in a protruding manner in an outer side of the
moving member 30, and the holding portion 27a of the holding
member 27 corresponds to the engagement projection 30b so as
to be engaged in a state in which the holding member 27 of
the pressurizing mechanism 23 is arranged at the held
position.
As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, a concave groove 3Cc is
formed in an inner surface of each moving member 30 in such a
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manner as to extend in an orthogonal direction to the moving
direction of the moving member 30, that is, in the same
direction as the sliding direction of the sliding metal frame
19, and a slope cam surface 30d is formed in one side inner
surface of the concave groove 30c. Further, the cam member
32 is movably arranged so as to be inserted to the concave
groove 30c of the moving member 30, and a slope cam surface
32a slidably engaging with the slope cam surface 30d of the
concave groove 30c is formed in one side outer surface of the
cam member 32.
Further, when the cam member 32 is moved from a
position shown by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 8 to position
shown by a solid line, the moving member 30 is moved in a
direction (a rightward direction in Fig. 8 and a downward
direction in Fig. 7) against an elasticity of the coil spring
of the pressurizing mechanism 23, on the basis of
operations of the slope cam surfaces 32a and 30d mentioned
above. Accordingly, as shown in Figs. 1(a) to 1(c), the coil
20 spring 25 of the rotating member 24 is compression deformed
via the holding member 27 against the urging force of the
coil spring 25, and the reaction force of the coil spring 25
is applied as a force in the closing direction to the opening
and closing metal frame 17 via the moving member 30 and the
25 cam member 32.
On the contrary, when the cam member 32 is moved from
the position shown by the solid line to the position shown by
the two-dot chain line in Fig. 8, the moving member 30 is
moved in the urging direction of the coil spring 25 as is
inverse to the case mentioned above, on the basis of the
operations of the slope cam surfaces 32a and 30d.
Accordingly, the engagement projection 30b of the moving
member 30 is moved away from the holding portion 27a of the
holding member 27 in the pressurizing mechanism 23, and the
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pressure in the closing direction applied to the opening and
closing metal frame 17 is canceled.
As shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, a regulating member 34 is
rotatably supported by the outer side surface of each of the
moving members 30 via a support shaft 35, in correspondence
to the holding portion 27a of the holding member 27 in the
pressurizing mechanism 23, and an engagement hole 34a is
formed in a leading end thereof. An engagement pin 36 is
provided in a protruding manner in an outer surface of the
moving member 30, and is engaged with the engagement hole 34a
of the regulating member 34. Further, as shown by a solid
line in Fig. 5, in a state in which the regulating member 34
is arranged at a regulated position corresponding to the
holding portion 27a of the holding member 27 on the basis of
an engagement between one end portion of the engagement hole
34a and the engagement pin 36, a rotating operation from the
held position of the holding member 27 with respect to the
opening and closing metal frame 17 shown in Fig. 10, to the
away position shown in Fig. 11 is regulated. Further, as
shown by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 5, in the case that the
regulating member 34 is arranged at an allowed position where
the regulating member 34 is away from the holding portion 27a
of the holding member 27 on the basis of the engagement
between the other end portion of the engagement hole 34a and
the engagement pin 36, the rotating operation of the holding
member 27 from the held position with respect to the opening
and closing metal frame 17 shown in Fig. 10 to the away
position shown in Fig. 11 is allowed.
As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 7 and 9, an interlocking frame
37 is coupled to an outer surface of the sliding metal frame
19 so as to be integrally formed with the sliding metal frame
19 via a coupling tube 38, in such a manner as to be
positioned between both the cam members 32 in an outer side
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of the opening and closing metal frame 17. Accordingly, the
interlocking frame 37 slides together with the sliding metal
frame 19. A switching mechanism 39 is provided as a
switching means between the interlocking frame 37 and both
the cam members 32. Further, both the cam members 32 are
switched by the switching mechanism 39 to a state in which
both the cam members 32 are fixed to the interlocking frame
37 so as to be slid in a vertical direction in Fig. 2
integrally with the interlocking frame 37 and the sliding
metal frame 19, and a state in which both the cam members 32
are fixed to the opening and closing metal frame 17
regardless of the slide of the interlocking frame 37 and the
sliding metal frame 19. In this case, a long hole 17c for
passing the coupling tube 38 therethrough is pierced in a
center portion of the opening and closing metal frame 17.
In other words, a pair of engagement projections 37a
capable of supporting lower ends of both the cam members 32
are formed in both sides of a lower end of the interlocking
frame 37. A switching member 40 is attached to each side of
an upper end of the interlocking frame 37 so as to be
rotatable between two positions via a rotating shaft 41, and
is elastically held to two positions by a plunger 42.
Further, as shown in Figs. 1(c), 2 to 4, when the switching
member 40 is switched and rotated to an engaged position
protruding to an upper side of both the cam members 32, both
the cam members 32 are supported in a pinched state between
the engagement projection 37a of the interlocking frame 37
and the switching member 40. In this state, the sliding
metal frame 19 is slid by the hydraulic cylinder 13, whereby
both the cam members 32 are slid between the solid line
position and the two-dot chain line position in Fig. 1(c)
integrally with the sliding metal frame 19 and the
interlocking frame 37, and the pressure is applied to the
opening and closing metal frame 17 by the pressurizing
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mechanism 23 and the pressure application is cancelled. On
the contrary, as shown in Fig. 1(b), when the switching
member 40 is switched and rotated to a retracted position
retracted from the upper side of both the cam members 32,
only the sliding metal frame 19 is slid to a lower side in
Fig. 1(b) regardless of the cam member 32, and the matching
degree between the nozzle hole 15a of the fixed plate 15 and
the nozzle hole 21a of the movable plate 21 is changed.
An engagement hole 32b is formed in the upper end of
each cam member 32. In order to correspond to the engagement
hole 32b in a freely engaging and disengaging manner, a pair
of fixing pins 43 are arranged in the support portions 17a in
each side of the opening and closing metal frame 17 so as to
rise and set, and is elastically held at a protruding
position and an insertion position by the fixing plunger 44.
Further, as shown in Figs. 1(b) and 2, when the fixing pin 43
moves forward into the engagement hole 32b of the cam member
32 so as to be protruded to the position engaging with the
engagement hole 32b, both the same members 32 are fixed to
the opening and closing metal frame 17 so as not to slide,
and are held in this state. Accordingly, the cam members 32
are moved in the vertical direction in Fig. 1(b) together
with the opening and closing metal frame 17. On the contrary,
when the fixing pins 43 are inserted to the positions
separated from the engagement holes 32b of the cam members 32,
both the cam members 32 are allowed to be moved in the
vertical direction in Fig. 1(b) with respect to the opening
and closing metal frame 17.
In this case, in Figs. 1(a) and 1(b), a lower end of a
back surface of each cam member 32 brought into contact with
the pressed surfaces 31a of the guide members 31, and both
upper and lower ends of the pressed surfaces 31a are formed
in a circular arc shape in such a manner as to relax a stress
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concentration at a time of bringing the cam members 32 into
pressure contact with the guide members 31.
(Operation of embodiment)
Next, a description will be given of an operation of
the sliding nozzle apparatus 12 structured as mentioned above.
At a time of a normal use of the sliding nozzle
apparatus 12, the opening and closing metal frame 17 is
arranged at the closed position with respect to the fixed
metal frame 14, and the holding members 27 of the
pressurizing mechanisms 23 are rotated and arranged at the
held position with respect to the opening and closing metal
frame 17, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In this state, as shown
by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 4, the sliding metal frame 19
is moved to a lower side in Fig. 4, and the passage between
the nozzle holes 15a and 21a of both the plates 15 and 21 is
closed. Further, as shown by a solid line in Fig. 8, the cam
members 32 are moved to one end (an upper end in Fig. 8) in a
moving range, and the fixing pins 43 are engaged with the
engagement holes 32b, thereby being fixed to the opening and
closing metal frame 17.
Further, as shown by a solid line in Figs. 1(b) and 2,
the switching members 40 are switched and rotated to a
retracted position retracted from the upper side of the cam
members 32. Further, as shown by a solid line in Figs. 4 and
5, the regulating members 34 are rotated and arranged at a
regulation position corresponding to the holding portions 27a
of the holding members 27, and a rotating operation of the
holding members 27 from the held position to the away
position is regulated. Accordingly, as is apparent from Figs.
4 and 5, the coil springs 25 of the pressurizing mechanisms
23 are compression deformed on the basis of the operation of
the cam surfaces 32a and 30d of the cam members 32 and tie
1 8
CA 02559930 2006-09-13
moving members 30 in this state, the reaction force is
applied to the opening and closing metal frame 17 via the
moving members 30, the cam members 32 and the guide members
31, and the opening and closing metal frame 17 is pressurized
and held at the closed position.
In this state, if the hydraulic cylinder i3 is
retracted in a state in which the sliding nozzle apparatus 12
is arranged downward so as to face the casting mold or the
like, as shown in Fig. 7, the movable plate 21 is slid to the
upper side in Fig. 2 together with the sliding metal frame 19,
and the matching degree between the nozzle hole 15a of the
fixed plate 15 and the nozzle hole 21a of the movable plate
21 is changed. Accordingly, the passage between the nozzle
holes 15a and 21a is opened at an opening amount in
correspondence to the moving amount of the movable plate 21,
and the molten metal within the molten metal container 11 is
poured into the casting mold or the like via the passage.
Thereafter, if the hydraulic cylinder 13 is actuated so as to
protrude, the movable plate 21 is slid to the lower position
from the position in Fig. 2 together with the sliding metal
frame 19, as is inverse to the case mentioned above, so that
the passage between the nozzle holes 15a and 21a of both the
plates 15 and 21 is closed. In this connection, Fig. 7 shows
parts slid together with the sliding metal frame 19 by a
solid line. The pouring of the molten metal from the inner
side of the molten metal container 11 is stopped by the
closure of the passage. Further, in this case, since the cam
members 32 are held on the opening and closing metal frame 17
by the fixing pins 43, the cam members 32 are held at a fixed
position without moving.
Next, a description will be given of an operation in
the case of cleaning the molten metal attached to the nozzle
holes 15a and 21a of the fixed plate 15 and the movable plate
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CA 02559930 2006-09-13
21 or replacing the plates 15 and 21, by opening the opening
and closing metal frame 17. In this case, as shown in Figs.
2 and 4, if the nozzle is arranged horizontally by raising
the sliding nozzle apparatus 12, and the hydraulic cylinder
13 is retracted, the movable plate 21 is slid together with
the sliding metal frame 19, and the passage between the
nozzle holes 15a and 21a of both the plates 15 and 21 comes
to a full-open state as shown in Figs. 7, i0 and 11.
In this state, the fixing pins 43 are separated from
the engagement holes 32b of the cam members 32 by the worker,
and the cam members 32 are canceled from the fixed state with
respect to the opening and closing metal frame 17.
Subsequently, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figs.
l;c) and 2, the switching members 40 are switched and rotated
to the engaged positions in the upper side of the cam members
32, and the cam members 32 come to a state in which each cam
member 32 is pinched between the engagement projections 37a
of the interlocking frame 37 and the switching member 40.
Thereafter, if the hydraulic cylinder 13 is actuated so
as to protrude, the sliding metal frame 19 is slid to the
lower side in Figs. 2 and 4, and the cam members 32 are
integrally slid to a position shown by a chain line from a
position shown by a solid line in Fig. 8 via the interlocking
frame 37. Accordingly, each moving member 30 is moved in the
urging direction of the coil spring of the pressurizing
mechanism 23 in accordance with the operation of the slope
cam surfaces 32a and 30d, and the pressure of the coil spring
25 applied to the opening and closing metal frame 17 is
cancelled.
Next, if each regulating member 34 is rotated to an
allowing position shown by a chain line from a regulating
position shown by a solid line in Fig. 5, an outer side of
CA 02559930 2006-09-13
the holding portion 27a of the holding member 27 arranged at
a held position shown by a chain line in Fig. 11 is released,
and the rotation of the holding member 27 to the outer side
is allowed. In this state, the opening and closing metal
frame 17 is released from the fixed metal frame 14 as shown
by a chain line in Fig. 6, after rotating the holding member
27 to the away position in the outer side from the held
position corresponding to the engagement projection 30b of
the actuating member 29 by rotating the rotating member 24,
as shown by a solid line in Fig. 11. Accordingly, the
movable plate 21 is released from the lapped state over the
fixed plate 15, and it is possible to easily clean or replace
both the plates 15 and 21 in this state.
Further, after cleaning and replacing the plates 15 and
21, the sliding nozzle apparatus 12 is returned to the
original state by operating in the inverse order to the case
mentioned above. In other words, the rotating members 24 of
the pressurizing mechanisms 23 are rotated to a position in
Fig. 10, after rotating the opening and closing metal frame
17 to a closed position shown by a solid line from an open
position shown by a chain line in Fig. 6. In this state, if
the regulating members 3Q are rotated to the regulating
position shown by the solid line from the allowing position
shown by the chain line in Figs. 4 and 5, the rotation to the
outer side from the held position of the holding member 27 is
regulated (inhibited).
Thereafter, if the hydraulic cylinder 13 is actuated so
as to retract, the sliding metal frame 19 is slid to the
upper side in Fig. 2 from the position in Fig. 2, and the cam
members 32 are integrally slid to the position shown by the
sole-d line from the position shown by the chain line in Fig.
8 via the engagement projections 37a of the interlocking
frames 37 and the switching members 40. Accordingly, the
21
CA 02559930 2006-09-13
moving members 30 are moved to the lower side in Fig. 10 in
accordance with the operation of the slope cam surfaces 32a
and 30d, and the coil springs 25 of the rotating members 24
is compression deformed against the urging force. Further,
the reaction force of the coil springs 25 is applied as the
force in the closing direction to the opening and closing
metal frame 17 via the moving members 30, the cam members 32
and the guide members 31, and the opening and closing metal
frame 17 is held at the closed position.
Subsequently, if the switching members 40 are switched
and rotated to the retracting position shown by the solid
line from the engaging position shown by the two-dot chain
line in Fig. 2, the cam members 32 are canceled from a link
state with respect to the interlocking frames 37 so as to
come to a free state. Further, the fixing pins 43 are
engaged with the engagement holes 32b of the cam members 32,
and the cam members 32 are fixed to the opening and closing
metal frame 17.
Thereafter, if the hydraulic cylinder 13 is actuated so
as to protrude, the movable plate 21 is slid to the lower
side from the position in Fig. 2 together with the sliding
metal frame 19, and the passage between the nozzle holes 15a
and 21a of both the plates 15 and 21 comes to the closed
state. It is possible to pour the molten metal within the
molten metal container 11 to the casing meld or the like by
suitably opening the passage between the nozzle holes 15a and
21a by the hydraulic cylinder 13 as mentioned above, under
this state.
As mentioned above, in this embodiment, in the state in
which the cam members 32 are each arranged at the position
shown by the solid line in Fig. 8, the pressure in the
closing direction is applied to the opening and closing metal
22
CA 02559930 2006-09-13
frame 17 by the pressurizing mechanisms 23, and the portion
between the fixed nozzle hole 15a and the movable nozzle hole
21a is opened and closed or the opening degree is adjusted,
on the basis of the driving of the hydraulic cylinder 13
under this state. Further, in the state in which the cam
members 32 are each arranged at the position shown by the
two-dct chain line in Fig. 8, the pressure applied to the
opening and closing metal frame 17 by the pressurizing
mechanisms 23 is cancelled, and it is possible to open and
close the opening and closing metal frame 17. Accordingly,
in this embodiment, it is possible to adjust the opening
degree of the nozzle mentioned above, and apply the pressure
to the opening and closing metal frame 17 and cancel the
pressure application, on the basis of the simple structure in
which the cam members 32 and the moving members 30 operating
as the cam follower are provided between the opening and
closing metal frame 17, and the holding members 27 for
holding the opening and closing metal frame 17 in the closed
state. In other words, it is possible to execute both of the
adjustment of the opening degree of the nozzle, and the
application of the pressure to the opening and closing metal
frame 17 and cancellation of the pressure application, by one
simple mechanism as mentioned above, and the structure
becomes simple.
(Modified examples?
In this case, the embodiment can be embodied by being
changed as follows.
The structure may be made such that the moving members
30 are omitted, the cam members 32 are directly brought into
contact with the holding members 27 of the pressurizing
mechanisms 23, and the holding members 27 are moved against
the spring force of the coil springs 25 on the basis of the
cam operation.
23
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The structure may be made such that the sliding metal
frame l9 and the interlocking frame 37 are integrated, and
the sliding metal frame 19 is provided with a means such as
the engagement projection 37a or the like for supporting the
cam member 32.
The structure may be made such that the cam surfaces
30d and 32a are provided in any one of the moving member 30
and the cam member 32.
29
