WO2024019238A1

WO2024019238A1 - Air knife system with forward/backward moving device

Info

Publication number: WO2024019238A1
Application number: PCT/KR2022/019296
Authority: WO
Inventors: 허기복; 김윤자; 강법성; 백경철; 허숭
Original assignee: 주식회사 삼우에코
Priority date: 2022-07-21
Filing date: 2022-11-30
Publication date: 2024-01-25
Also published as: CN117431490A; EP4310218A1; KR102444918B1

Abstract

The present invention provides an air knife system with a forward/backward moving device. The forward/backward moving device comprises: a forward/backward guiding unit which movably supports an air knife module in the forward/backward direction with respect to a main body above; a forward/backward driving unit which moves the air knife module to adjust the distance of an air knife in the air knife module with respect to a plated steel sheet; and a linking unit which connects the upper ends of gas transport pipes rotatably connected to respective air supply pipes of the air knife module to the main body, and rotates the gas transport pipes about the centers of the respective air supply pipes upon the forward/backward movement of the air knife module, thereby allowing the forward/backward movement of the air knife module.

Description

Air knife system with back and forth movement device

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an air knife system including an air knife and a device for moving it back and forth.

In general, an air knife can control the amount of plating (plating thickness) by spraying high-pressure gas onto the surface (front or back) of a galvanized steel sheet.

The prior art is inevitably disadvantageous in terms of efficiency because it requires the use of a positioner that is bulky and requires a large installation space to move the air knife in the forward and backward directions. In particular, the pipes connected to supply gases such as air to the air knife cause interference, so the air knife cannot be moved forward and backward without changing its posture. Meanwhile, the air knife can be moved forward and backward depending on the specifications of the galvanized steel sheet, operating conditions, etc. There is a problem that it cannot be moved quickly in one direction.

On the other hand, there is a problem of low production efficiency because the forward and backward movement positions of the air knife cannot be accurately measured and confirmed.

Related patent documents include KR 20-1992-0012105 U (1992.07.25), KR 20-0202429 Y1 (2000.11.15), JP 2001-131724 A (2001.05.15), KR 10-2003-0017111 A (2003.03.03) ), KR 20-0382147 Y1 (2005.04.18), KR 10-2012-0032283 A (2012.04.05), KR 10-2013-0044970 A (2013.05.03), KR 10-1746549 B1 (2017.06.14) and KR 10-1866313 B1 (2018.06.14) may be referenced.

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to allow the air knife to be smoothly moved forward and backward without changing its posture.

Additionally, an embodiment of the present invention seeks to accurately measure the forward and backward movement distance of the air knife.

The problem to be solved is not limited to this, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an air knife module having an air knife for spraying gas onto a plated steel sheet and an air supply pipe protruding in the left and right directions from corresponding positions on both sides of the air knife; a main body installed above the air knife module and having a flow path formed therein for transporting the gas; a gas transfer pipe for transferring the gas from the flow path to the air supply pipes, the lower ends of which are connected to the ends of the air supply pipes rotatably about the center of the air supply pipe; a forward and backward guiding unit that supports the air knife module so that it can move in the forward and backward directions with respect to the main body; a forward and backward driving unit that moves the air knife module to adjust the distance of the air knife to the plated steel sheet; An interlocking unit that connects the upper ends of the gas transfer pipes to the main body and rotates each of the gas transfer pipes about the center of the pipe according to the forward and backward movement of the air knife module to allow forward and backward movement of the air knife module. An air knife system may be provided, including:

The interlocking units include connection housings each provided in the main body, the interior of which is in communication with the flow path through a gas outlet of the main body; Support members each provided inside the connection housing; a rotating body rotatably supported about an axis in the left and right directions by each of the support members; The lower ends may be connected to the gas transfer pipes, and may include moving pipes penetrating through the centers of the rotating bodies so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the left and right axes.

The forward and backward guidance units may be provided in plural numbers. Each of the plurality of forward and backward guiding units includes a bracket whose lower ends are connected to the air knife module, respectively; Guide rails provided on the main body along the front and back directions, respectively; Each of the brackets is provided on top and may include a guide block that is each movable along the guide rails.

The forward and backward driving unit includes a screw shaft rotatable about an axis in the forward and backward directions, the front portion of which is screwed to the brackets, respectively; An electric shaft connected to the rear of each of the screw shafts through a gear box; It may include a drive motor that rotates the electric shaft.

The air knife system according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a distance measurement unit that measures the forward and backward movement distance of the air knife module by detecting the rotation speed of the transmission shaft.

The means of solving the problem will become more specific and clear through the examples and drawings described below. In addition, various solution methods other than those mentioned below may be additionally presented.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the distance of the air knife to the plated steel sheet can be adjusted to the required distance by moving the air knife in the horizontal direction in the forward and backward directions without changing its posture.

Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the forward and backward movement distance of the air knife can be measured more accurately and the results can be provided. In addition, the forward and backward movement device is easy to apply, so it can be applied to various types of air knife systems.

The effect of the invention is not limited to this, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the attached drawings.

1 is a front view showing an air knife system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a plan view showing a distance measuring unit of an air knife system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the operation of the forward and backward moving device of the air knife system according to an embodiment of the present invention, based on Figures 2 and 3, respectively.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

The configuration and operation of the air knife system according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

The air knife system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an air knife 20 that sprays gas (e.g., air) on a plated steel sheet (not shown) and corresponding devices on both sides of the air knife 20. An air knife module having an air supply pipe 30 protruding from each position along the left and right directions; a main body 10 installed above the air knife module (see reference numerals 20 and 30) and having a flow path 11 therein for transporting the gas; The gas is transferred from the flow path 11 to the air supply pipes 30 through a lower end connection pipe 41 at each end of the air supply pipes 30. The pipe center 25c of the air supply pipe 30 It includes a gas transfer pipe 40 rotatably connected based on ).

In addition, the air knife system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a forward and backward guiding unit 110 that supports the air knife module to be movable in the forward and backward directions with respect to the main body 20; a forward and backward driving unit 120 that moves the air knife module to adjust the distance of the air knife 20 with respect to the surface (front or rear) of the plated steel sheet; The upper ends of the gas transfer pipes 40 are respectively connected to the main body 10, and for each of the connected gas transfer pipes 40, the center of the pipe 25c is adjusted according to the forward and backward movement of the air knife module. It further includes an interlocking unit 130 that induces a rotational movement and allows the air knife module to move forward and backward. Here, the forward and backward guiding unit 110, the forward and backward driving unit 120 and the interlocking unit 130 constitute a forward and backward movement device that moves the air knife module with respect to the surface of the plated steel sheet.

In the hot dip plating process, the air knife 20 may be located at the rear end of the plating bath (not shown). A steel sheet (not shown) may be immersed in molten metal (eg, zinc (Zn), etc.) in the plating bath to form the plated steel sheet with the molten metal attached to the surface. The air knife 20 sprays the gas at high pressure on the plated steel sheet that has passed through the plating bath to adjust the amount (plating amount) of the molten metal attached to the plated steel sheet.

The air supply pipes 30 may be straight, and may be coupled to both sides of the air knife 20 and move in the front-back direction together with the air knife 20. The air supply pipes 30 on both sides may be provided to coincide with each other when viewed from the side.

The flow path 11 may be connected to a high-pressure gas source (not shown) that provides the gas. The main body 10 may include a frame with a duct structure that provides the passage 11. The position of the frame of the duct structure may be fixed by a mounting frame (not shown).

The gas is introduced into the air knife 20 from the flow path 11 through the gas transfer pipes 40 and the air supply pipe 30, and is sprayed onto the plated steel sheet through the air knife 20. It can be.

At least one forward/backward guidance unit 110 may be provided. The forward and backward guiding units 110 may be provided to support the air supply pipes 30 on both sides so that they can move in the forward and backward directions with respect to the main body 20, respectively.

Referring to Figures 2 and 4, the front and rear guidance unit 110 includes a bracket 111 whose lower end is connected to the air knife module; A guide rail 113 provided along the front-to-back direction on the main body 10; It is provided at the top of the bracket 111 and includes a guide block 112 coupled to the guide rail 113 so as to be movable in the forward and backward directions along the guide rail 113.

The forward and backward driving unit 120 can move the air knife module in the forward and backward directions by moving the bracket 111. Alternatively, the forward and backward driving unit 120 may move the air knife module in the forward and backward directions by moving the guide block 112 instead of the bracket 111.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the front and rear drive unit 120 is provided to be rotatable about an axis (A1) in the front and rear direction, a male thread is formed on the outer circumference, and the front portion is connected to the bracket. (111) and a screw shaft (121) screwed together; It includes a drive motor 124 that provides driving force to rotate the screw shaft 121 forward and backward. When the drive motor 124 is operated, the screw shaft 121 rotates, and the bracket 111 moves forward or backward according to the rotation direction of the screw shaft 121, so that the air knife module is connected to the bracket. It moves in the same direction with (111).

When the forward and backward guiding unit 110 is provided to support the air supply pipes 30 to be movable in the forward and backward directions with respect to the main body 20, the screw shaft 121 is connected to the brackets 111, respectively. It may be provided to be screwed together. And, the front and rear drive units 120 include gear boxes 122 respectively connected to the rear of the screw shafts 121; It may further include a power transmission shaft (123) connected to the gear boxes (122). And, the drive motor 124 may be provided to rotate the transmission shaft 123. For example, the gear boxes 122 may be miter gear boxes, which are orthogonal axis type spiral bevel gear boxes. According to this, when the forward and backward guiding unit 110 is provided to support the air supply pipes 30 so as to be movable in the forward and backward directions with respect to the main body 20, the bracket ( 111) can be moved forward and backward at the same time. For reference, depending on the positional relationship between the gear boxes 122 and the driving motor 124, the transmission shaft 123 may include a universal joint, etc.

Meanwhile, a double-axis type may be applied as the drive motor 124. Additionally, the electric shaft 123 may be connected to one axis of the drive motor 124, and a handle for manual operation may be connected to the other axis of the drive motor 124. Accordingly, when necessary, the air knife module can be manually moved in the forward and backward directions by rotating the electric shaft 123 using the handle.

In the air knife system according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the air knife module (see reference numerals 20 and 30) is moved in the forward and backward direction by the forward and backward driving unit 120, the gas transfer pipes 40 are Since the interlocking units 130 rotate around the pipe center 25c, the air knife module is moved smoothly and accurately according to the guidance of the forward and backward guidance unit 110. It can be spaced apart or close to the plated steel sheet. In addition, when the air knife module (see reference numerals 20 and 30) is moved in the forward and backward direction by the forward and backward driving unit 120, the gas transfer pipe rotates around the pipe center 25c ( The upper ends of the 40) can be maintained connected to the main body 10 by the interlocking units 130.

Referring to FIG. 4 and the like, the interlocking units 130 include a connection housing 131 provided on the main body 10 to communicate with gas outlets 12 provided at the lower portion of the main body 10, respectively; A support member 132 provided in a fixed state inside each of the connection housings 131 and spatially connected to the flow path 11 through the gas outlet 12; a rotating body 133 rotatably supported about an axis A2 in the left and right directions by each of the support members 132; The lower ends are connected to the gas transfer pipes 40, respectively, and each of the rotating bodies 133 includes a moving pipe 134 penetrating through the center so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the left and right axis A2. . Of course, the gas may be introduced from the flow path 11 into the gas transfer pipes 40 through the gas outlets 12, the interior of the connection housings 131, and the transfer pipes 134.

The rotating bodies 133 may have a spherical circumference. For example, the rotating bodies 133 may be provided in a ball or ball-like shape. Each of the support members 132 may be formed to have a spherical surface surrounding the spherical surface of the rotating bodies 133. According to this, the rotating bodies 133 may be rotated around the left and right axis A2 (in other words, the center of the support members 132), and for smoother forward and backward movement of the air knife module. The rotating bodies 133 may be provided with some room to rotate in different directions with respect to the centers of the support members 132.

When a moving force in the forward and backward direction is applied to the air knife module (see reference numerals 20 and 30) by the forward and backward driving unit 120, the gas transfer pipes 40 are connected to each other based on the pipe center 25c. It is rotated forward or backward together with the pipes 41, and the moving pipes 134 connected to the gas transfer pipes 40 are also rotated in the same direction, so that the rotating bodies 133 are rotated along the left and right axis. It rotates in the same direction as the moving pipes 134 around (A2) (the center of the support members 132), and the moving pipes 134 move relatively upward or downward in the forward and backward directions of the air knife module. Allow movement of At this time, the upper ends of the gas transfer pipes 40 remain connected to the main body 10, and the air knife module is accurately moved forward or backward without changing its posture. That is, in the air knife system according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the air knife module is moved forward and backward, the angles of the gas transfer pipes 40 are changed according to the forward and backward movement of the air knife module, thereby transporting the gas. Because the vertical positions of the pipes 40 are changed, the air knife module can be accurately moved forward or backward without changing its posture.

Referring to FIG. 4, one side of each of the connection pipes 41 is rotatably fitted with the air supply pipes 30 and can be rotated about the center of the pipe 25c. The gas transfer pipes 40 are pipes having an elbow structure, and the lower ends are respectively coupled to one side of the connection pipes 41 and rotate with the connection pipes 41 about the center of the pipe 25c. It can be. A sealing member to ensure airtightness may be interposed between the air supply pipes 30 and the connection pipes 41 that are coupled to each other.

Between the gas transfer pipe 40 and the connection housing 131, each is surrounded by an expandable pipe 135, so that the gas introduced from the gas transfer pipe 40 into the connection housing 131 flows out or the It can prevent foreign substances from entering from outside. For example, the expansion pipes 135 may be bellows.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the air knife system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the air knife module is moved by the forward and backward moving device to measure the distance that the air knife 20 moves in the forward and backward direction with respect to the plated steel plate. It further includes a distance measuring unit 140 that measures the distance.

The distance measuring unit 140 is configured to measure the forward and backward movement distance of the air knife 20 by detecting the number of rotations (rotation amount) of the electric shaft 123.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5 , the distance measuring unit 140 has an input shaft and an output shaft, the input shaft is connected to the transmission shaft 123, and the transmission shaft a measurement module 141 that detects the rotation speed of 123; a measuring screw shaft 143 connected to the output shaft of the measuring module 141 through a measuring gear box 142; A moving body 144 that is screw-coupled with the external screw of the measuring screw shaft 143 and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the measuring screw shaft 143 according to the rotation direction of the measuring screw shaft 143; a reference member 145 provided on the moving body 144; It includes a sensor (see

reference numerals

146A and 146B) that detects whether the reference member 145 is located at a position corresponding to the preset maximum forward movement distance and maximum rear movement distance of the air knife 20, respectively. .

The distance measuring unit 140 further includes a measuring unit frame 147 mounted on the main body 10. In the distance measurement unit 140, the measurement module 141, the measurement gear box 142, the sensor, etc. may be mounted on the measurement unit frame 147.

In the measurement module 141, the input shaft and the output shaft are connected to each other, and when the power shaft 123 is rotated and the input shaft is rotated, the output shaft can be rotated. The measurement module 141 can detect the rotation speed of the transmission shaft 123 by detecting the rotation speed of the input shaft. The measurement module 141 may be equipped with an encoder, etc. to detect the rotation speed of the input shaft, and may transmit the detected value wirelessly or wired to the driver's cabin.

The measuring screw shaft 143 is rotated by receiving the rotational force of the output shaft of the measuring module 141 through the measuring gear box 142. The measuring gear box 142 may be the previously mentioned miter gear box, etc. The moving body 144 may be formed in a shape in which rotation with the measuring screw shaft 143 is limited by contact with the measuring unit frame 147, etc.

The reference member 145 and the sensor (see

reference numerals

146A and 146B) may be used to prevent the air knife 20 from being moved forward or backward beyond an allowable distance by the forward and backward moving device.

The reference member 145 moves together with the moving body 144. The sensor may be composed of a first sensor 146A and a second sensor 146B.

The first sensor 146A and the second sensor 146B may be arranged at a constant interval (for example, an interval corresponding to the allowable distance) to be spaced apart from each other along the moving direction of the reference member 145. there is.

The first sensor 146A and the second sensor 146B may be contact sensors such as limit switches. Alternatively, the first sensor 146A and the second sensor 146B may be non-contact sensors such as optical sensors. When using an optical sensor, for example, the reference member 145 may be configured to reflect light from each of the first sensor 146A and the second sensor 146B.

Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

an air knife module having an air knife for spraying gas onto a plated steel plate and an air supply pipe protruding in the left and right directions from corresponding positions on both sides of the air knife;

a main body installed above the air knife module and having a flow path formed therein for transporting the gas;

a gas transfer pipe for transferring the gas from the flow path to the air supply pipes, the lower ends of which are connected to the ends of the air supply pipes rotatably about the center of the air supply pipe;

a forward and backward guiding unit that supports the air knife module so that it can move in the forward and backward directions with respect to the main body;

a forward and backward driving unit that moves the air knife module to adjust the distance of the air knife to the plated steel sheet;

An interlocking unit that connects the upper ends of the gas transfer pipes to the main body and rotates each of the gas transfer pipes about the center of the pipe according to the forward and backward movement of the air knife module to allow forward and backward movement of the air knife module. containing,

Air knife system.
In claim 1,

The interlocking unit is,

connection housings each provided in the main body, the interior of which is in communication with the flow path through a gas outlet of the main body;

Support members each provided inside the connection housing;

a rotating body rotatably supported about an axis in the left and right directions by each of the support members;

Characterized in that it includes a moving pipe movable through the center of the rotating bodies in a direction perpendicular to the left and right axis, with lower ends connected to the gas transfer pipes, respectively.

Air knife system.
In claim 1 or claim 2,

The forward and backward guidance units are provided in plural,

Each of the plurality of forward and backward guidance units,

Brackets with lower ends connected to the air knife module;

Guide rails provided on the main body along the front and back directions, respectively;

Provided on top of each of the brackets and including guide blocks that are each movable along the guide rails,

Air knife system.
In claim 3,

The front and rear drive units are,

a screw shaft rotatable about an axis in the front-back direction, the front portion of which is screw-coupled with the brackets;

An electric shaft connected to the rear of each of the screw shafts through a gear box;

Characterized in that it includes a drive motor that rotates the transmission shaft,

Air knife system.
In claim 4,

Characterized in that it further comprises a distance measuring unit that measures the forward and backward movement distance of the air knife module through detecting the rotation speed of the transmission shaft.

Air knife system.