JP2005254270A - Melting and holding furnace and control device for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a melting and holding furnace, in which a level height of molten metal is detected with excellent accuracy without being affected by the molten metal and further heat dissipation is reduced, and to provide a control device for the melting and holding furnace. <P>SOLUTION: The melting and holding furnace 100 is provided with: a melting chamber 10, in which a metallic material 12 is melted into molten metal 40; a holding chamber 20, which holds the molten metal 40, allowed to flow in from the melting chamber 10, at a predetermined temperature; and a pumping chamber 30, which communicates with the holding chamber 20 and pumps out the molten metal 40 into a casting machine 120. The pumping chamber 30 has: a heat insulating cover 32 for opening/closing a pumping opening 31 of the pumping chamber 30; and a 1st molten-metal level-height detector 33, which comprises a mirror 33b and a displacement gauge 33a that projects light to the surface of the molten metal in the pumping chamber 30 through the mirror 33b to detect its reflection light through the mirror 33b, and which detects the level height of the molten metal 40 in non-contact. The 1st molten-metal level-height detector 33 is disposed at a position where an angle between the surface of the molten metal and the light projected thereto is made acute and the opening/closing of the heat insulating cover 32 is not interrupted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a melting and holding furnace and a melting and holding furnace control device for melting and holding a metal material as a molten metal and supplying the molten metal to a casting machine.

  Conventionally, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, in order to supply molten metal to a casting machine such as a die casting machine, a melting chamber that melts a charged metal material to form a molten metal, and a molten metal that flows from the melting chamber is used. There is known a melting and holding furnace including a holding chamber for holding at a predetermined temperature and a pumping chamber for pumping molten metal to a casting machine.

This melting and holding furnace has a molten metal level sensor (hereinafter referred to as a sensor) that detects the molten metal surface height at a predetermined position in the pumping chamber, and a heat insulating lid that can be attached and detached (opened and closed) at the pumping outlet of the pumping chamber. Have. Accordingly, it is possible to stably supply the molten metal to the casting machine (for example, to prevent overflow of the molten metal), and to reduce energy loss due to heat dissipation from the molten metal, for example, when the casting machine is not operating.
JP-A-11-223463

  Here, in the above configuration, when the sensor (the surface height detector) is a contact-type sensor, there is a problem in terms of durability because the sensor itself is in direct contact with the high-temperature molten metal. Moreover, since the detection accuracy is generally worse than that of a non-contact type sensor, it is difficult to accurately control the molten metal surface height based on the signal from the sensor.

  On the other hand, in the case of a non-contact type sensor (laser displacement meter or the like), the molten metal surface height can be accurately detected. In this case, the sensor is disposed directly in the region on the pumping outlet in a state where the cooling process (for example, air blowing) is performed, or a mirror is disposed in the region on the pumping outlet instead of the sensor, thereby It is placed in a position where it is not affected by the heat dissipated from.

  However, in any configuration, when opening and closing the heat retaining lid so as not to contact the sensor (including the mirror), it is necessary to provide the heat retaining lid with a large through hole (notch) corresponding to the sensor. Further, when the through hole is not provided, it is necessary to enlarge the heat insulating lid so that the sensor can be accommodated. Accordingly, the amount of heat dissipated from the molten metal increases, resulting in energy loss.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a melting and holding furnace and a melting and holding furnace control device capable of accurately detecting the height of a molten metal without being affected by the molten metal and reducing heat dissipation. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the melting and holding furnace according to claim 1 is provided with a melting chamber that melts a charged metal material to form a molten metal and a melting chamber that communicates with the melting chamber, and the molten metal flowing from the melting chamber is kept at a predetermined temperature. A holding chamber for holding and a pumping chamber communicating with the holding chamber and pumping molten metal to the casting machine are provided. The heat insulating lid that opens and closes the pumping outlet of the pumping chamber, a mirror, and a displacement meter that irradiates the molten metal surface of the pumping chamber through the mirror and detects the reflected light through the mirror. A first molten metal surface height detector for detecting the molten metal surface height in a non-contact manner, and the first molten metal surface height detector including a mirror is adapted to irradiate the molten metal surface with the light and the molten metal surface. It is characterized in that it is arranged at a position where the angle formed between and the heat insulation lid is not hindered.

  Normally, an oxide film is present on the molten metal surface of the pumping chamber, so that the molten metal surface is not a perfect mirror surface (non-mirror surface state). In this case, of the reflected light from the molten metal surface, the intensity of the diffuse reflected light that spreads in all directions becomes stronger than that in the mirror state.

  Therefore, in the present invention, light is irradiated obliquely on the molten metal surface (an acute angle with the molten metal surface) by a mirror disposed at a position that does not interfere with opening and closing of the heat insulating lid, and reflected in substantially the same direction as the incident light. The diffuse reflected light is reflected by the above-described mirror and detected by a displacement meter. Accordingly, since the first hot water surface height detector including the mirror can be disposed at a position that does not hinder the opening and closing of the heat insulating lid, the hot water surface height can be accurately detected without being affected by the molten metal. it can. Moreover, since it becomes the structure which a 1st hot_water | molten_metal surface height detector and a heat retention lid | cover do not contact, heat dissipation can be reduced.

  When the operation of the casting machine for supplying the molten metal is stopped, the heat insulating lid is closed, but in the closed state, the molten metal is not supplied to the casting machine, so that the metal material is not melted. Generally, it is controlled to. Therefore, it is good also as a structure which does not detect a hot_water | molten_metal surface height, while a heat insulation cover is a closed state. In this case, heat dissipation can be further reduced.

  However, even when the heat insulation lid is in a closed state, the metal material is dissolved by waste heat from the holding chamber or the like, and the molten metal surface height may be increased. Therefore, as described in claim 2, it is preferable that the heat insulating lid has a light passage portion that allows incident light and reflected light to pass in a portion corresponding to light in the closed state. In this case, since the molten metal surface height can be detected even when the heat insulating lid is closed, the overflow of the molten metal can be prevented.

  As such a light passage part, a through-hole can be raised, for example, as described in claim 3. In this case, since the through-hole can be made smaller than the through-hole corresponding to the displacement meter or the mirror, the energy loss due to the through-hole can be minimized. The light passing portion is not limited to the through hole, and any light passing portion may be used.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the pumping chamber and the heat insulating lid may be provided with a contact-type second hot water surface height detector that prevents the molten metal from overflowing from the pumping chamber. In this case, it is possible to prevent the molten metal from overflowing in the closed state without providing a light passage portion in the heat insulating lid. The contact-type second hot water level detector is usually disposed only at a position that prevents overflow of the molten metal that is not immersed in the molten metal. But it is effective.

  In addition, invention of the above-mentioned Claims 1-4 was invention about the structure of melting | dissolving holding furnace itself. The inventions of the following claims 5 to 9 are inventions related to a melting and holding furnace control device for achieving the same object as that of the inventions of claims 1 to 4.

  The melting and holding furnace control device according to claim 5 includes: a melting chamber that melts a metal material that has been charged to form a molten metal; a holding chamber that communicates with the melting chamber and holds the molten metal flowing from the melting chamber at a predetermined temperature; And a pumping chamber that communicates with the holding chamber and pumps the molten metal to the casting machine. The pumping chamber has a heat insulating lid that opens and closes the pumping outlet of the pumping chamber, a mirror, and a mirror disposed in the region above the pumping outlet, and reflects light in the vertical direction by the mirror to the molten metal surface of the pumping chamber. A displacement gauge that irradiates and detects the reflected light through a mirror, and has at least a first hot water surface height detector provided so as to be movable with respect to the pumping chamber. And a controller for controlling the opening and closing of the heat insulation lid and controlling the position of the mirror with respect to the pumping chamber so that the heat insulation lid and the mirror do not come into contact with each other based on the opening and closing instruction signal for instructing the opening and closing. .

  As described above, in the present invention, the first molten metal surface height detector is disposed at a position where the displacement meter is not affected by the heat dissipated from the molten metal, and the light output from the displacement meter is placed on the outlet of the pump. It is configured to be reflected in the vertical direction by a mirror disposed in the region and irradiated to the molten metal. Therefore, the first molten metal level detector can accurately detect the molten metal level without being affected by the molten metal. In addition, at least the mirror of the first hot water surface height detector is provided so as to be movable with respect to the pumping chamber, and the control unit controls the opening / closing of the heat insulating lid based on the open / close instruction signal and Control the position of the mirror relative to the chamber. Therefore, the control unit can move the mirror to a position where it does not come into contact with the heat insulation lid when the heat insulation lid is closed, so that the heat insulation lid can be closed without providing a through hole in the heat insulation lid. it can. That is, the control unit controls the mirror and the heat insulating lid so that they do not come into contact with each other. Can be reduced.

  Specifically, as described in claim 6, when the opening instruction signal for opening the heat insulating lid is received, the control unit opens the heat insulating lid so that the mirror is positioned in the region on the pumping outlet. When the control unit receives the close instruction signal to close the heat insulation lid, the control unit may control the heat insulation lid to be closed after the mirror is retracted from the region above the pumping outlet to the surrounding region. . The first hot water surface height detector may be configured such that the mirror is movable with respect to the displacement meter, or the mirror is positioned and fixed with respect to the displacement meter, and the first hot water surface height detection is performed. The whole vessel may be configured to be movable with respect to the pumping chamber.

  The open / close instruction signal may be generated according to the operating state of the casting machine to which the molten metal is supplied, as described in claim 7, for example, and the molten metal is supplied from the pumping chamber as described in claim 8. It may be generated according to the position of the pumping device for pumping out the water.

  When the molten metal is not supplied to the casting machine, the mirror is moved from the region above the pumping outlet, and the heat insulating lid is closed. In this closed state, since the molten metal is not supplied to the casting machine, control is generally performed so as not to melt the metal material. Therefore, it is good also as a structure which does not detect a hot_water | molten_metal surface height, while a heat insulation cover is a closed state. However, even when the heat insulation lid is in a closed state, the metal material is dissolved by waste heat from the holding chamber or the like, and the molten metal surface height may be increased. Accordingly, as described in claim 9, at least one of the pumping chamber and the heat insulating lid is provided with a contact-type second hot water surface height detector for preventing overflow of the molten metal from the pumping chamber, thereby closing the state. It is possible to prevent the molten metal from overflowing.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of the melting and holding furnace of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the melting and holding furnace 100 communicates with a melting chamber 10 into which a metal material is charged and melts the metal material to form a molten metal, and keeps the molten metal at a predetermined temperature. A holding chamber 20 to be held and a pumping chamber 30 that communicates with the holding chamber 20 and pumps out the molten metal for feeding to a casting machine (not shown). The melting chamber 10, the holding chamber 20, and the drawing chamber 30 are formed using, for example, a ceramic refractory and a heat insulating material.

  The melting chamber 10 includes a direct-fire type melting burner 11 as a heating means. And the metal material 12 thrown by the bucket which is not shown in figure from the charging opening is melt | dissolved by the melt | dissolution burner 11, and it has the structure introduce | transduced into the holding chamber 20 connected to the said melt | dissolution chamber 10 as the molten metal 40. The heating means is not limited to the melting burner 11 that is a direct-fire gas burner, and may be an electric heater. However, it is preferable to use the melting burner 11 that is a direct-fired gas burner from the viewpoint of cost and responsiveness.

  Here, the metal material 12 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, an aluminum or aluminum alloy ingot used for manufacturing an aluminum die-cast product is used. In addition, zinc, magnesium, or the like can be used as the metal material 12.

  The holding chamber 20 is provided with a direct-fire type holding burner 21 at the upper portion, and the molten metal 40 stored in the lower portion of the holding chamber 20 is heated by the holding burner 21 so as to adjust the temperature to a predetermined temperature. (For example, 750 ° C.). The means for adjusting the temperature of the molten metal in the holding chamber 20 is not limited to the holding burner 21 that is a direct fire type gas burner, and may be an electric heater. However, it is preferable to use the holding burner 21 that is a direct-fired gas burner from the viewpoint of cost and responsiveness.

  A partition wall 22 is provided between the holding chamber 20 and the pumping chamber 30, and the molten metal 40 in the holding chamber 20 is introduced into the pumping chamber 30 through a communication hole provided in the lower part of the partition wall 22.

  The pumping chamber 30 has a pumping outlet 31 that opens upward to pump out the molten metal 40, and a heat insulating lid 32 that opens and closes the pumping outlet 31. The heat insulating lid 32 is also made of a ceramic refractory, for example. And in the state which opened the pumping outlet 31 (the heat insulation cover 32 is in an open state), a pumping device such as a ladle (not shown) pumps out the molten metal 40 from the pumping outlet 31 to the outside of the pumping chamber 30, and is supplied to the casting machine. A metal casting is produced.

  Further, a first hot water surface height detector 33 that detects the hot water surface height of the molten metal 40 in a non-contact manner is installed in the pumping chamber 30 at a predetermined position. The first hot water surface height detector 33 includes a displacement meter 33a including an output unit that outputs light (an arrow in FIG. 1), a detection unit that detects light, and a mirror 33b that reflects light. Is done. In this embodiment, a laser displacement meter that outputs laser light from a semiconductor laser and receives light from a CCD element is used as the displacement meter 33a.

  Here, the high-temperature molten metal 40 is oxidized to produce an oxide when exposed to air. Accordingly, an oxide film is present on the liquid surface of the molten metal 40 (hereinafter referred to as the molten metal surface) in the pumping chamber 30, and the molten metal surface is not a complete mirror surface (non-mirror surface state). When the molten metal surface is in a mirror state, the reflected light reflected by the molten metal surface is regular reflected light that is reflected at an angle equal to the incident angle. However, in the non-specular state, the intensity of the diffuse reflected light spreading in all directions becomes stronger than that in the specular state.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first hot water surface height detector 33 is disposed so as not to contact the heat insulating lid 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the first hot water surface height detector 33 is disposed outside the region on the pumping outlet 31. Further, the first molten metal surface height detector 33 reflects the light output from the displacement meter 33a by the mirror 33b and irradiates the molten metal surface obliquely (the angle formed by the molten metal surface is an acute angle). The displacement meter 33a and the mirror 33b are arranged at predetermined positions so that the diffuse reflected light reflected in substantially the same direction is reflected by the mirror 33b and detected by the displacement meter 33a.

  Therefore, according to the melting and holding furnace 100 of the present embodiment, when the heat retaining lid 32 is in the open state, the molten metal height of the molten metal 40 in the pumping chamber 30 is accurately determined by the first molten metal surface height detector 33. Can be detected. Further, since the first hot water surface height detector 33 is disposed outside the region on the pumping outlet 31, the heat insulating lid 32 is provided at the pumping outlet 31 without providing the heat retaining lid 32 with a through hole for preventing contact. The closed state (the heat insulating lid 32 is closed) can be achieved. That is, when the pumping outlet 31 is closed by the heat insulating lid 32, the amount of heat dissipated to the outside from the molten metal 40 in the pumping chamber 30 can be reduced.

  In addition, when the operation of the casting machine to which the molten metal 40 is supplied is stopped, the molten metal 40 does not have to be supplied to the casting machine, and thus the heat insulating lid 32 is closed. In this case, in order to prevent overflow, it is common to control so as not to melt the metal material 12 (for example, to control the output of the melting burner 11). Therefore, in the closed state in which the heat insulating lid 32 is at the outlet 31, the hot water surface height may not be detected.

  However, even when the heat insulating lid 32 is in the closed state, the metal material 12 in the melting chamber 10 is melted by waste heat from the holding chamber 20 or the like, and the molten metal surface height may be increased. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for the purpose of preventing overflow of the molten metal 40 from the pumping chamber 30 on at least one of the wall surface of the pumping chamber 30 and the heat insulating lid 32 (the partition wall 22 constituting the pumping chamber 30 in FIG. 1). A contact-type second hot water level detector 34 (for example, a thermocouple) was provided. Accordingly, even when the pumping outlet 31 is completely closed by the heat insulating lid 32, the overflow of the molten metal 40 can be prevented. The second hot water level detector 34 is a contact type, but is usually provided at a position where it is not immersed in the molten metal 40 for the purpose of preventing overflow, so that it is also considered in terms of durability. .

  In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the second hot water surface height detector 34 is provided for the purpose of preventing overflow when the heat insulating lid 32 is closed. However, in addition to the above, in the closed state in which the heat insulating cover 32 is provided at the outlet 31, a light passing portion that transmits light is provided at the portion of the heat insulating cover 32 corresponding to light (incident light and reflected light). Also good. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, if a through hole 32a corresponding to incident light and reflected light (arrows in FIG. 2) is formed in the heat insulating lid 32, even if the heat insulating lid 32 is in a closed state, the first The hot water surface height detector 33 can detect the hot water surface height. That is, the overflow of the molten metal 40 can be prevented. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modification of the present embodiment.

  Moreover, since this through-hole 32a is smaller than the through-hole 32a (notch part) formed in the heat insulation cover 32 according to the displacement meter 33a or the mirror 33b, energy loss can be suppressed to the minimum. The light passing portion is not limited to the through hole 32a, and any light passing portion may be used as long as it can pass light. Therefore, a light passage window portion formed by using a heat transmissive material having heat resistance may be provided on a part of the heat insulating lid 32.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the melting and holding furnace control device in the present embodiment.

  Since the melting and holding furnace control device in the second embodiment is often in common with that of the melting and holding furnace 100 in the first embodiment, a detailed description of the common parts will be omitted below, and different parts will be focused on. explain.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the mirror 33b is provided so as to be movable with respect to the pumping chamber 30, and the controller keeps the heat insulating cover 32 from contacting the heat insulating cover 32 and the mirror 33b. This is a point for controlling the open / close state and the position of the mirror 33b with respect to the pumping chamber 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the melting and holding furnace control apparatus 200 in the present embodiment, the configuration of the melting and holding furnace 100 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference from the melting and holding furnace 100 shown in the first embodiment is that the first molten metal surface height detector 33 is provided so as to be movable with respect to the pumping chamber 30. The controller 110 controls the open / close state of the heat insulating lid 32 and the position of the first hot water surface height detector 33.

  The heat insulating lid 32 is connected to the heat insulating lid moving portion 32c via the wire 32b, and based on a signal from the control portion 110, the heat insulating lid moving portion 32c adjusts the winding amount of the wire 32b and The pumping outlet 31 is automatically opened and closed by moving (in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 3).

  The first molten metal surface height detector 33 is integrated with the displacement meter 33a by a stay and a displacement meter 33a including an output unit that outputs light (an arrow in FIG. 3) and a detection unit that detects reflected light. And a mirror 33b. The first hot water surface height detector 33 has a drive unit (not shown), and the drive unit pumps the first hot water surface height detector 33 based on a signal from the control unit 110. A predetermined distance is moved with respect to the chamber 30. The mirror 33b is arranged in a region on the pumping outlet 31, and reflects the light output from the displacement meter 33a in the vertical direction so as to irradiate the molten metal 40 of the pumping chamber 30 with a predetermined angle. It is fixed to the stay.

  The control unit 110 controls the open / close state of the heat insulating lid 32 and the position of the mirror 33b (first hot water surface height detector 33) with respect to the pumping chamber 30 based on an opening / closing instruction signal that instructs opening / closing of the heat insulating lid 32. . The opening / closing instruction signal in the present embodiment is a signal generated according to the operating state of the casting machine 120 to which the molten metal 40 is supplied and / or the position of the pumping device 130 that pumps the molten metal 40 from the pumping chamber 30. is there. That is. This is an operation state signal of the casting machine 120 and / or a position signal of the pumping device 130. Details thereof will be described later.

  Next, the opening / closing state control of the heat insulating lid 32 and the position control of the first hot water surface height detector 33 by the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a control flow when the heat insulation lid 32 is opened, and FIG. 4 is a control flow when the heat insulation lid 32 is closed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the casting machine 120 and / or the pumping device 130 with the auto control SW for automatically controlling the open / close state of the heat retaining lid 32 and the position of the first molten metal height detector 33 turned on. When an opening instruction signal for opening the heat insulation lid 32 is given from the control unit 110 to the control unit 110 (S100), the control unit 110 firstly selects the mirror 33b (first first) in order to avoid contact between the mirror 33b and the heat insulation lid 32. It is determined whether or not the molten metal surface height detector 33) is in the closed position (for example, whether or not the closed position L / S is ON) (S110).

  Here, the opening instruction signal is, for example, a signal output when the casting machine 120 is operating among the operation state signals (the pumping device 130 is not located at the original position (standby position) among the position signals). (Ie, a signal output during operation). In the present embodiment, the control unit 110 performs the determination of S110 when receiving an opening instruction signal of at least one of the casting machine 120 and the pumping device 130. The closed position of the mirror 33b (first hot water surface height detector 33) is a predetermined position set in advance so that the mirror 33b does not come into contact with the heat insulating lid 32 (in the region around the region on the pumping outlet 31). The state where the mirror 33b is arranged).

  In S110, when it is determined that the mirror 33b (first hot water surface height detector 33) is not in the closed position, the control unit 110 outputs a movement signal to the drive unit of the first hot water surface height detector 33. Then, the mirror 33b (first hot water surface height detector 33) is moved to the closed position (S120). When it is determined in S110 that the mirror 33b is in the closed position, the control unit 110 outputs a movement signal to the heat retaining lid moving unit 32c and moves the heat retaining lid 32 to a predetermined open position (S130). As a result, the outlet 31 is opened.

  Further, when receiving the signal that the heat insulating lid 32 has moved to the open position, the control unit 110 outputs a movement signal to the drive unit of the first hot water level detector 33, and the mirror 33b (first hot surface). The height detector 33) is moved to the open position (S140). Thereby, the mirror 33b is arrange | positioned in the area | region on the pumping outlet 31, and detection of the hot_water | molten_metal surface level is attained. The open position of the mirror 33b (first hot water level detector 33) is a predetermined position at which the mirror 33b is disposed in the region on the outlet 31.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, with the auto control SW turned on, a closing instruction signal for closing the heat insulating lid 32 is given to the control unit 110 from the casting machine 120 and / or the pumping device 130 (S200). ), The controller 110 first determines whether or not the mirror 33b (first molten metal height detector 33) is in the closed position (for example, the closed position L) in order to avoid contact between the mirror 33b and the heat insulating lid 32. / S is turned on) (S210).

  In S210, when it is determined that the mirror 33b (first hot water surface height detector 33) is not in the closed position, the control unit 110 outputs a movement signal to the drive unit of the first hot water surface height detector 33. Then, the mirror 33b (first hot water surface height detector 33) is moved to the closed position (S220). The closing instruction signal is, for example, a signal output when the casting machine 120 is stopped among the operation state signals (when the pumping device 130 is at the original position (standby position) among the position signals). Output signal). In this embodiment, the control part 110 implements determination of S210, when the close instruction | indication signal of both the casting machine 120 and the pumping apparatus 130 is received.

  In S210, when it is determined that the mirror 33b (first hot water surface height detector 33) is in the closed position, the control unit 110 outputs a movement signal to the heat retaining lid moving unit 32c, and the heat retaining lid 32 is provided. Is moved to a predetermined closed position (S230). As a result, the pumping outlet 31 is closed.

  As described above, according to the melting and holding furnace control device 200 shown in the present embodiment, the control unit 110 automatically controls the opening and closing of the heat retaining lid 32 based on the operating state of the casting machine 120 and the position of the pumping device 130. Further, the controller 110 positions the mirror 33b (first hot water surface height detector 33) with respect to the pumping chamber 30 so that the heat insulating lid 32 and the mirror 33b of the first hot water surface height detector 33 do not contact each other. To control. Accordingly, the mirror 33b is arranged in the region on the pumping outlet 31 to detect the molten metal height of the molten metal 40, but the heat retaining lid 32 does not have to be provided with a through hole for preventing contact with the mirror 33b. Since it is good, the heat dissipation from the drawing chamber 30 in the state where the heat insulation cover 32 is closed can be reduced.

  In addition, when the operation of the casting machine 120 is stopped (the molten metal 40 is not pumped out from the pumping chamber 30 by the pumping device 130), the heat insulating lid 32 is closed in order to reduce heat dissipation. In this closed state, since the molten metal 40 is not supplied to the casting machine 120, it is common to control so as not to melt the metal material 12 (for example, control the output of the melting burner 11). Therefore, it is good also as a structure which does not detect a hot_water | molten_metal surface height, while the heat insulation cover 32 is a closed state.

  However, even when the heat insulating lid 32 is in the closed state, the metal material 12 in the melting chamber 10 is melted by waste heat from the holding chamber 20 or the like, and the molten metal surface height may be increased. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the overflow of the molten metal 40 from the pumping chamber 30 into at least one of the pumping chamber 30 and the heat insulating lid 32 (the partition wall 22 constituting the pumping chamber 30 in FIG. 3). For the purpose of prevention, a contact-type second hot water level detector 34 (for example, a thermocouple) is provided. Therefore, even when the pumping outlet 31 is closed by the heat retaining lid 32 having no through hole, the overflow of the molten metal 40 can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the mirror 33b is integrated with the displacement meter 33a, and the displacement meter 33a is moved together with the mirror 33b by the movement signal from the control unit 110. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the mirror 33b is movably provided with respect to the displacement meter 33a fixed at a predetermined position, and only the mirror 33b moves with respect to the pumping chamber 30 by a movement signal from the control unit 110.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 110 uses the operation state signal from the casting machine 120 and / or the position signal from the pumping device 130 as the opening / closing instruction signal, and the control unit 110 opens and closes the opening / closing state of the heat insulating lid 32 and the mirror 33b (first An example is shown in which the position of the hot water surface height detector 33) is controlled. However, other than that, for example, an open / close instruction signal is manually given to the control unit 110 by an open / close SW or a remote controller, and the control unit 110 determines whether the heat insulating lid 32 is open or closed and the mirror 33b (first hot water) based on the open / close instruction signal. It can also be configured to control the position of the surface height detector 33).

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the melting and holding furnace 100 includes the melting chamber 10 is shown. However, the present invention can also be applied to the melting and holding furnace 100 having only the holding chamber 20 and the pumping chamber 30.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a melting and holding furnace in a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view showing a modification. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the melting and holding furnace control apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a control flow in the case of opening a heat insulating lid. It is a control flow in the case of making a heat retention lid into a closed state.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Melting | dissolving chamber 12 ... Metal material 20 ... Holding chamber 22 ... Bulkhead 30 ... Dumping chamber 31 ... Drawer outlet 32 ... Thermal insulation cover 32a ... Through-hole (light passage) Part)
32c ... Insulation cover moving part 33 ... 1st molten metal surface height detector 33a ... Displacement meter 33b ... Mirror 34 ... 2nd molten metal surface height detector 40 ... Molten metal DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Melting and holding furnace 110 ... Control part 120 ... Casting machine 130 ... Pumping apparatus 200 ... Melting and holding furnace control apparatus

Claims (9)

A melting chamber that melts the charged metal material to form a molten metal;
A holding chamber that communicates with the melting chamber and holds the molten metal flowing from the melting chamber at a predetermined temperature;
In the melting and holding furnace, which communicates with the holding chamber and includes a pumping chamber for pumping the molten metal to a casting machine,
The pumping chamber includes a heat insulating lid that opens and closes the pumping outlet of the pumping chamber, a mirror, and the mirror disposed in a region on the pumping outlet to reflect light in the vertical direction by the mirror. A displacement gauge that irradiates the molten metal surface and detects the reflected light through the mirror, and has a first molten metal surface height detector that detects the molten metal surface height in a non-contact manner. And
The first molten metal surface height detector including the mirror is disposed at a position where an angle formed between light irradiated on the molten metal surface and the molten metal surface is an acute angle and does not hinder the opening and closing of the heat insulating lid. A melting and holding furnace.   2. The melting and holding furnace according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating lid has a light passage portion that passes the light at a portion corresponding to the light in a closed state.   The melting and holding furnace according to claim 2, wherein the light passage portion is a through hole.   Contact type for detecting the molten metal reaching a predetermined height in the pumping chamber in order to prevent overflow of the molten metal from the pumping chamber when the heat insulating cover is in a closed state on at least one of the pumping chamber and the heat insulating cover. The melting and holding furnace according to claim 1, wherein a second molten metal surface height detector is arranged. A melting chamber that melts the charged metal material to form a molten metal;
A holding chamber that communicates with the melting chamber and holds the molten metal flowing from the melting chamber at a predetermined temperature;
In the control device for the melting and holding furnace, which communicates with the holding chamber and includes a pumping chamber for pumping the molten metal to a casting machine,
The pumping chamber includes a heat insulating lid that opens and closes the pumping outlet of the pumping chamber, a mirror, and the mirror disposed in a region on the pumping outlet to reflect light in the vertical direction by the mirror. And a displacement gauge that detects the reflected light through the mirror and at least the mirror is provided so as to be movable with respect to the pumping chamber. And
Control for controlling opening / closing of the heat insulation lid and controlling the position of the mirror with respect to the pumping chamber based on an opening / closing instruction signal for instructing opening / closing of the heat insulation lid so that the heat insulation lid and the mirror do not contact each other. A melting and holding furnace control device comprising a section.   When receiving the opening instruction signal for opening the heat insulating lid, the control unit controls the mirror to be positioned in an area on the pumping outlet after opening the heat insulating lid, and closes the heat insulating lid. When the closing instruction signal is received, the control unit performs control so that the heat retaining lid is closed after the mirror is retracted from the region above the pumping outlet to the surrounding region. Item 6. The melting and holding furnace control device according to Item 5.   The melting and holding furnace control device according to claim 5, wherein the opening / closing instruction signal is generated according to an operating state of the casting machine to which the molten metal is supplied.   The melting and holding furnace control device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the opening / closing instruction signal is generated according to a position of a pumping device for pumping molten metal from the pumping chamber.   Contact type for detecting the molten metal reaching a predetermined height in the pumping chamber in order to prevent overflow of the molten metal from the pumping chamber when the heat insulating cover is in a closed state on at least one of the pumping chamber and the heat insulating cover. 9. The melting and holding furnace control device according to claim 5, wherein a second molten metal surface height detector is disposed.

Images