Sliding nozzle apparatus
A sliding nozzle apparatus, configured to allow a drive unit to be attached to and detached from a slide metal frame, efficiently transmits a driving force of the drive unit to the slide metal frame. The sliding nozzle apparatus comprises a connection component attached to a slide metal frame and configured for connection with a drive unit. The connection component is provided with an opening with respect to which the drive unit can be attached and detached. The connection component is configured to allow the opening to be switched between a first position where the opening faces in the same direction as an opening-closing direction of the slide metal frame, and a second position where the opening faces in the same direction as an attaching-detaching direction of the drive unit.
1 . A sliding nozzle apparatus comprising:
a fixed metal frame;
a slide metal frame configured to be openable and closable, with respect to the fixed metal frame, in an opening-closing direction;
a drive unit for sliding the slide metal frame in a sliding direction with a sliding surface of the slide metal frame sliding against a surface of the fixed metal frame; and
a connection component attached to the slide metal frame and configured for connection with the drive unit,
wherein the connection component has a first opening with respect to which the drive unit can be attached and detached only in one attaching-detaching direction,
wherein the connection component is configured to allow the first opening to be positioned between a first position where the first opening is oriented in a same direction as the opening-closing direction of the slide metal frame, and a second position where the first opening is oriented in a same direction as the attaching-detaching direction of the drive unit,
wherein when the first opening of the connection component is positioned in the first position, the slide metal frame can be opened and closed through the first opening and when the first opening of the connection component is positioned in the second position, the drive unit can be attached and detached,
wherein the connection component is rotatable with respect to the slide metal frame, with the connection component rotating about a central axis of a rod portion of the drive unit and can contact the rod portion during rotation, and wherein a position of the first opening is switchable between the first position and the second position by rotation of the connection component.
2 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connection component has a wall facing in the sliding direction and wherein the wall has a recess in which at least part of the drive unit is inserted, the recess configured to restrict at least a part of the drive unit inserted in the recess to be displaced in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction.
3 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connection component further comprises a second opening to which the slide metal frame is mountable and wherein the first opening and the second opening are oriented in opposite directions.
4 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fixed metal frame has a bottom plate extending toward the drive unit and wherein the fixed metal frame is configured to have a gap between the bottom plate and the connection component.
5 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one attaching-detaching direction is a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction and along a sliding surface of the slide metal frame.
6 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one attaching-detaching direction is a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction and orthogonal to the sliding surface of the slide metal frame.
7 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rod portion of the drive unit is configured for passing through the first opening of the connection component to attach and detach the drive unit when the slide metal frame is closed.