JP2006284156A - Firing furnace - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a firing furnace for performing accurate temperature control. <P>SOLUTION: A temperature difference between a temperature in the furnace measured by an in-furnace temperature measuring thermocouple 103 and the temperature of a treated object measured by a treated object measuring thermocouple 104 is found for every preset temperature band or for every preset time interval to create a correction table. Next time or later, when firing a treated object 105 which has the same quality, size or amount of charge into the furnace 102, the created correction table is used for correcting the temperature in the furnace measured by the in-furnace temperature measuring thermocouple 103 and controlling the temperature of the treated object 105 when fired in accordance with the corrected temperature in the furnace. Thus, the temperature of the treated object subjected to microwave heating is accurately controlled in accordance with the temperature in the furnace. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a firing furnace for producing a fired body by firing an object to be processed formed of a ceramic material or a fine ceramic material.

  Conventionally, in a firing furnace for firing an object to be processed formed of a ceramic material or a fine ceramic material, a radiation thermometer has been used as a measuring means for measuring the temperature of the object to be processed with high accuracy (for example, a patent Reference 1). This radiation thermometer can be measured from the outside of the firing furnace, and is suitable for temperature measurement in a high temperature furnace. However, such a radiation thermometer measures the temperature by detecting the radiant energy from the object to be processed, and requires various devices to convert the detected radiant energy value into a temperature value. It is extremely expensive. Therefore, thermocouples that can cope with high temperatures are generally used as inexpensive temperature measuring means. In particular, a thermocouple for measuring the temperature in a high-temperature furnace heated to a high temperature is a thermocouple with a protective tube for the purpose of protecting it from contamination in a high-temperature environment and in the furnace atmosphere (for example, Patent Documents). 2) is used.

  Moreover, as a heat source for baking a to-be-processed object, the said patent document 1 uses the straight cylindrical double end type lamp | ramp, and the said patent document 2 uses the heater. Further, the temperature control of the object to be processed is performed based on the atmospheric temperature in the furnace (hereinafter referred to as the furnace temperature). When the object to be processed in the furnace is heated by a lamp or a heater, the temperature in the furnace rises substantially uniformly and gradually, so that the temperature gradient of the temperature in the furnace and the temperature gradient of the object to be processed are substantially the same, The object temperature can be regarded as the furnace temperature. For this reason, in the conventional firing furnace, the temperature of the object to be processed is controlled based on the furnace temperature.

JP 2001-308024 A JP-A-8-261844

  By the way, since heating with a lamp or a heater takes time to fire, microwaves have recently been used. However, since the temperature of the object to be processed rises before the temperature in the furnace in the heating by the microwave, the temperature of the object to be processed and the temperature in the furnace are far apart, and the temperature of the object to be processed based on the temperature in the furnace Control may lack accuracy.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, Comprising: It aims at providing the baking furnace which can perform the temperature control of a to-be-processed object correctly with the furnace temperature.

The above object is achieved by the following configuration.
(1) First temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature in the furnace, second temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the object to be processed in the furnace, and the first temperature measuring means at the time of firing the object to be processed A correction table generating means for generating a correction table by obtaining a temperature difference for each predetermined temperature width or for each predetermined time width between the in-furnace temperature measured in step 1 and the object temperature measured by the second temperature measuring means; Storage means for storing the correction table generated by the correction table generation means, and correction means for correcting the in-furnace temperature measured by the first temperature measurement means with the correction table stored in the storage means And control means for performing temperature control in firing of the object to be processed at the furnace temperature corrected by the correction means.

(2) The firing furnace according to (1), further including display means for displaying the furnace temperature corrected by the correction means.

(3) In the firing furnace described in the above (1) or (2), the storage means is generated by the correction table generation means according to the material and size of the object to be processed and the amount to be charged in the furnace. A plurality of correction tables, and the correction means reads from the storage means a correction table selected according to the material and size of the object to be fired and the amount to be charged into the furnace, and reads the read correction table. The furnace temperature measured by the first temperature measuring means is corrected by the table.

(4) The firing furnace according to any one of (1) to (3), further including an output unit that outputs the correction table generated by the correction table generation unit.

(5) The firing furnace according to (4), further including receiving means for receiving the corrected furnace temperature, wherein the control means performs temperature control in firing the object to be processed at the received furnace temperature. .

(6) A firing furnace in which temperature control in firing of the object to be treated is performed based on the temperature in the furnace, the temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the object to be treated, and the object to be treated measured by the temperature measuring means Control means for performing temperature control in firing of the object to be processed at a furnace temperature in consideration of temperature.

(7) In the firing furnace according to any one of (1) to (6), the object to be processed is fired using a microwave.

  In the firing furnace described in (1) above, a correction table is generated by obtaining a temperature difference for each predetermined temperature width or for each predetermined time width between the furnace temperature and the temperature of the object to be processed, and the generated correction table is used. The temperature in the furnace is corrected, and temperature control in firing the object to be processed is performed at the corrected furnace temperature. Thereby, temperature control can be performed accurately.

  In the firing furnace described in (2) above, the corrected furnace temperature is displayed, so that the temperature of the object to be processed during firing can be confirmed.

  In the firing furnace described in (3) above, since a plurality of correction tables corresponding to the material and size of the object to be processed and the amount to be charged in the furnace are stored, the object to be processed is fired when the object to be processed is fired. If there is a correction table suitable for the above, the temperature control during firing of the object to be processed can be accurately performed by correcting the furnace temperature with the correction table.

  In the firing furnace described in (4) above, by outputting the correction table generated by the correction table generating means, the correction table can be displayed, stored and edited by a computer or the like that has received the correction table.

  In the firing furnace described in the above (5), the furnace temperature corrected based on the furnace temperature and the temperature of the object to be processed is received, and the temperature control in the firing of the object to be processed is performed at the received furnace temperature. Can do.

  According to the firing furnace described in (6) above, the temperature control in firing the object to be treated is performed at the furnace temperature in consideration of the temperature of the object to be treated, so that the temperature control can be accurately performed.

  In the baking furnace described in (7) above, the object to be processed is baked using microwaves, and the temperature of the object to be processed can be accurately controlled, so that it can be baked to a certain quality in a short time. .

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a furnace part of a firing furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the firing furnace according to the present embodiment. The firing furnace of this embodiment performs firing of an object to be processed using microwaves, and measures the atmospheric temperature (furnace temperature) in the furnace 102 surrounded by the heat insulating material 101 shown in FIG. An in-furnace temperature measuring thermocouple 103 for measuring the temperature of the object 105 to be processed (temperature of the object to be processed) disposed or in contact with the object 105 to be processed. And a control unit 201, a display unit 202, and a power output unit 203 shown in FIG. Both the thermocouple 103 for measuring the temperature in the furnace and the thermocouple 104 for measuring the object to be processed are thermocouples with a protective tube, but in this embodiment, the thermocouple 103 for measuring the temperature in the furnace has a diameter of 15 mm as the protective tube. A protective tube diameter of 1.6 mm is used as the measurement target thermocouple 104.

  In FIG. 2, the control unit 201 adjusts the output of the power output unit 203 based on the furnace temperature corrected so that the temperature of the object to be processed can be measured, and controls the temperature of the object 105 to be processed. At this time, the corrected furnace temperature is displayed on the display unit 202. The temperature display on the display unit 202 of the workpiece 105 is performed only when the correction value of the furnace temperature is obtained. As described above, in the case where the object to be processed 105 is baked using microwaves, the temperature control based on the furnace temperature is inaccurate. The temperature in the furnace is corrected using the temperature, and the temperature control of the workpiece 105 is performed at the corrected temperature in the furnace. In addition, by measuring the temperature of the object to be processed only when obtaining the correction value of the furnace temperature, the use frequency of the thermocouple 104 for measuring the object to be processed can be reduced, and long-term use becomes possible. Moreover, since it is not necessary except when calculating | requiring the correction value of the furnace temperature, it can be removed.

  The power output unit 203 drives a magnetron (not shown) that generates a microwave, and generates a microwave having a magnitude based on a control output from the control unit 201. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 201 includes a thermocouple input circuit 2011, a storage device 2012, an output control circuit 2013, a display circuit 2014, an I / F (interface) circuit 2015, an operation unit 2016, a micro And a computer 2017. The thermocouple input circuit 2011 performs cold junction compensation for each of the in-furnace temperature measuring thermocouple 103 and the workpiece measuring thermocouple 104, and amplifies the thermocouple output signal and inputs the amplified signal to the microcomputer 2017.

  The storage device 2012 stores a correction table for correcting the furnace temperature. The correction table is configured by a temperature difference for each predetermined temperature width or for each predetermined time width between the furnace temperature and the temperature of the object to be processed. For example, for each predetermined temperature range, 10 ° C. to 20 ° C .: correction value H1, 21 ° C. to 30 ° C .: correction value H2, 31 ° C. to 40 ° C .: correction value H3, 41 ° C. to 50 ° C .: correction value H4, 51 C. to 60.degree. C .: correction value H5, 61.degree. C. to 70.degree. C .: correction value H4, and so on. This is an example, and the temperature gradient may be divided by the temperature range that falls within a predetermined range.

  As will be described in detail later, the correction table is generated by the microcomputer 2017 from the thermocouple output signals of the in-furnace temperature measuring thermocouple 103 and the to-be-processed object measuring thermocouple 104 at the first firing of the to-be-processed object 105. Used at the next and subsequent firings. Since the value of the correction table varies depending on the material and size of the workpiece 105 and the amount to be charged into the furnace, appropriate temperature control can be performed by creating a correction table corresponding to each case.

  As the storage device 2012, it is possible to use a storage device such as a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, or an optical disk in addition to a rewritable semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). Furthermore, the firing furnace itself does not have the storage device 2012, but an external personal computer can be used. The firing furnace according to the present embodiment includes an interface circuit 2015 that can be connected to an external personal computer 205. By connecting the external personal computer 205 with this interface circuit 2015, the above-described correction table is stored in the personal computer. It is possible to save on the 205 side. Further, the correction table can be displayed on the monitor or edited on the personal computer 205 side. That is, the personal computer 205 can be used to display, save, and edit the correction table. Although the correction table can be edited on the baking furnace side, it can be said that the personal computer 205 side is advantageous in that it is easy to operate because the user interface is enhanced.

  The output control circuit 2013 controls the power output unit 203 according to temperature adjustment data based on the corrected furnace temperature input from the microcomputer 2017. The display circuit 2014 displays the corrected furnace temperature on the display unit 202 as the object temperature. When the furnace temperature is corrected, the temperature of the object to be processed is displayed on the display unit 202. The interface circuit 2015 is for communicating with a computer, and connects the microcomputer 2017 and the external personal computer 205 as described above. An interface cable 206 is used for connection between the microcomputer 2017 and the external personal computer 205.

  The operation unit 2016 is used for power on / off, correction table selection and setting, and the user performs various operations such as power on / off and correction table selection using the operation unit 2016. The microcomputer 2017 controls the temperature of the workpiece 105 according to a program written in a program memory such as a ROM (not shown). In this case, the program used in the microcomputer 2017 includes a program (correction table generation program) for generating a correction table for correcting the furnace temperature.

  When firing the new object 105, the microcomputer 2017 measures the temperatures of the furnace 102 and the object 105 according to the correction table generation program, and the measured furnace temperature and the predetermined temperature of the object temperature. A correction table is generated by obtaining a temperature difference for each width or for each predetermined time width. Since the value of the correction table is a value corresponding to the material and size of the workpiece 105 and the amount to be charged into the furnace 102, a correction table having a different value is generated each time the correction table generation program is executed. . However, it goes without saying that if the material and size of the object to be processed 105 and the amount charged into the furnace 102 are the same, the values will be substantially the same. The microcomputer 2017 stores the generated correction table in the storage device 2012. At this time, when the user operates the operation unit 2016 and inputs information indicating the material and size of the workpiece 105 and the amount to be charged into the furnace 102, a correction table including the information is stored in the storage device 2012. The By adding information indicating the material and size of the object 105 to be processed and the amount to be charged into the furnace 102 to the correction table, it can be used if there is something suitable for subsequent firing. The baking process for generating the correction table can be omitted. Note that the operation of adding information indicating the material and size of the workpiece 105 and the amount charged into the furnace 102 can be performed from the personal computer 205 as well.

  When the microcomputer 2017 performs the baking of the workpiece 105, if there is a user operation for designating the material and size of the workpiece 105 and the amount to be charged into the furnace 102, the optimum is stored in the storage device 2012. A correction table is read out, and the measured value of the thermocouple 103 for measuring the furnace temperature, that is, the furnace temperature is corrected using the correction table, and a temperature control value is generated based on the corrected furnace temperature. Is input to the output control circuit 2013. The output control circuit 2013 controls the power output unit 203 according to the temperature control value from the microcomputer 2017. The personal computer 205 displays on the monitor a communication function capable of communicating with the firing furnace, a storage function for storing a correction table from the firing furnace received via the communication function, and a correction table stored in the storage function. A display function and an editing function for editing the correction table displayed on the monitor and transmitting the edited correction table to the baking furnace via the communication function are provided. These functions are stored in the form of programs.

  Note that the workpiece measuring thermocouple 104, the thermocouple input circuit 2011, and the microcomputer 2017 constitute temperature measuring means or second temperature measuring means. The thermocouple 103 for measuring the furnace temperature, the thermocouple input circuit 2011, and the microcomputer 2017 constitute a first temperature measuring means. The microcomputer 2017 corresponds to a control unit, a correction table generation unit, and a correction unit. The storage device 2012 corresponds to storage means. The display circuit 2014 and the display unit 202 constitute display means. The interface circuit 2015 corresponds to output means and reception means.

Next, the operation of the firing furnace according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.
When baking a new object 105 having no matching correction value, the user inputs a new object to be processed from the operation unit 2016. With this input, the microcomputer 2017 starts firing in accordance with a program that generates a correction table for correcting the furnace temperature, and calculates the temperature difference between the furnace temperature and the temperature of the object to be processed for each predetermined temperature width or for each predetermined time width. Obtain a correction table. Then, the generated correction table is stored in the storage device 2012.

  On the other hand, when baking the target object 105 in which a correction table suitable for the storage device 2012 is stored, the user selects a correction table suitable for the target object 105. When the correction table is selected by the user, the microcomputer 2017 reads the correction table from the storage device 2012. Then, the furnace temperature measured by the furnace temperature measuring thermocouple 103 is corrected according to the read correction table, and the power output unit 203 is controlled based on the corrected furnace temperature. At the same time, the furnace temperature is displayed on the display unit 202 as the temperature of the object to be processed. Since the corrected in-furnace temperature is substantially the temperature of the workpiece, accurate temperature control is possible.

  As described above, in the firing furnace according to the present embodiment, the furnace temperature measured by the in-furnace temperature measuring thermocouple 103 and the object temperature measured by the object measuring thermocouple 104 for each predetermined temperature range or A correction table is generated by obtaining a temperature difference for each predetermined time width, and when the workpiece 105 having the same material, size, and input amount into the furnace 102 is fired next time, the generated correction table is used. The temperature in the furnace measured by the thermocouple 103 for measuring the furnace temperature is corrected, and temperature control during firing of the workpiece 105 is performed based on the corrected furnace temperature. According to this structure, even if it heats with a microwave, the temperature control of a to-be-processed object can be accurately performed with the furnace temperature which considered the temperature of the to-be-processed object. In addition, since the object measurement thermocouple 104 is used only when the correction value of the furnace temperature is obtained, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the thermocouple which is originally not durable, and the object measurement thermocouple 104 Can be used for a long time, and maintenance costs can be kept low.

  In the above embodiment, the temperature inside the furnace and the temperature of the object to be processed are measured using a thermocouple. However, although it is expensive, the temperature inside the furnace and the object to be processed are measured using a radiation thermometer. You may make it measure temperature.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has an effect that the temperature can be accurately controlled, and is useful for a firing furnace or the like that manufactures a fired body by firing an object to be processed formed of a ceramic material or a fine ceramic material.

The figure which shows the structure of the furnace part of the baking furnace which concerns on one embodiment of this invention Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the firing furnace of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

102 In-furnace 103 In-furnace temperature measurement thermocouple 104 To-be-processed object measurement thermocouple 105 To-be-processed object 201 Control part 202 Display part 203 Power output part 205 Personal computer 206 Interface cable 2011 Thermocouple input circuit 2012 Storage device 2013 Output control Circuit 2014 Display circuit 2015 Interface circuit 2016 Operation unit 2017 Microcomputer

Claims (7)

First temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature in the furnace;
Second temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the object to be processed in the furnace;
The temperature in the furnace measured by the first temperature measuring means and the temperature of the object temperature measured by the second temperature measuring means at the time of firing the object to be processed, or the temperature for every predetermined time width. Correction table generation means for generating a correction table by obtaining the difference;
Storage means for storing the correction table generated by the correction table generating means;
Correction means for correcting the furnace temperature measured by the first temperature measurement means with a correction table stored in the storage means;
Control means for performing temperature control in firing of the object to be processed at the furnace temperature corrected by the correction means;
A firing furnace comprising:   The firing furnace according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the furnace temperature corrected by the correction means. The storage means stores a plurality of correction tables generated by the correction table generation means according to the material and size of the object to be processed, and the amount to be charged into the furnace,
The correction means reads from the storage means a correction table selected according to the material and size of the object to be fired and the amount to be put into the furnace, and uses the read correction table as the first temperature measurement means. The firing furnace according to claim 1, wherein the furnace temperature measured by the correction is corrected.   The firing furnace according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an output unit that outputs the correction table generated by the correction table generation unit. Receiving means for receiving the furnace temperature corrected based on the furnace temperature and the object temperature,
The firing furnace according to claim 4, wherein the control means performs temperature control in firing the object to be processed at the received furnace temperature. A firing furnace that performs temperature control in firing of an object to be processed based on the temperature in the furnace,
Temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the object to be processed;
Control means for performing temperature control in firing of the object to be processed at a furnace temperature in consideration of the object temperature measured by the temperature measuring means;
A firing furnace comprising:   The firing furnace according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the object to be treated is fired using a microwave.

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