Sliding nozzle apparatus

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.