JP6913804B1 - Heat treatment container connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector for a heat treatment container, which can easily separate the heat treatment container after the heat treatment while suppressing meandering of the heat treatment container and can suppress deterioration of the circulation of the atmosphere in the heat treatment furnace. When the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D try to meander, the corners 14h of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D have a pair of first engaging protrusions 18c, 18d and a pair of second engaging protrusions. Engaging with the protrusions 18e and 18f, the mutual movement of the heat treatment vessels 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D is restricted. Further, by sandwiching the spacer protrusion 18g between the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, the mutual approach of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D is restricted, and the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D The heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D are transported in the heat treatment furnace 12 with the transport direction gap S1 and the lateral gap S2 formed between the two. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to a connecting tool for a heat treatment container for connecting a rectangular box-shaped heat treatment container which is conveyed in one direction on a plurality of transfer rollers arranged in a heat treatment furnace, and suppresses the meandering of the heat treatment container. At the same time, the present invention relates to a technique for suppressing deterioration of the circulation of the atmosphere in the heat treatment furnace.

A rectangular box-shaped heat treatment container in which a material to be processed is placed and transported in the transport direction on a plurality of transport rollers arranged in parallel in a heat treatment furnace and driven to rotate is well known. For example, the heat treatment container described in Patent Document 1 is that. Further, although it is not a heat treatment container, a connector for connecting flat plate-shaped heat treatment setters is well known. For example, it is the connector shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 of Patent Document 2. In Patent Document 2, the front heat treatment setter and the rear heat treatment setter are connected by the connector in a state where they are in contact with each other without a gap, so that the relative movement between the heat treatment setters is restricted, so that the heat treatment setter meanders. Is suppressed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-122783 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-11268

By the way, it is possible to consider a heat treatment container connector in which the heat treatment container of Patent Document 1 is applied with the technique of the connector of Patent Document 2 and the front heat treatment container and the rear heat treatment container are connected in a state of being in close contact with each other. can. However, in the above-mentioned heat treatment container connector, since the front heat treatment container and the rear heat treatment container are in close contact with each other, it becomes difficult to separate the heat treatment containers after the heat treatment, or the heat treatment during the heat treatment is performed. There is a problem that the circulation of the atmosphere above and below the heat treatment container is deteriorated in the furnace, and the processing efficiency of heat-treating the material to be treated is deteriorated, for example.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to suppress the meandering of the heat treatment container, facilitate the separation of the heat treatment container after the heat treatment, and circulate the atmosphere in the heat treatment furnace. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connecting tool for a heat treatment container capable of suppressing deterioration of the heat treatment container.

The gist of the first invention is (a) a rectangle in which the material to be processed is transported in the transport direction on a plurality of transport rollers arranged in parallel in the heat treatment furnace and driven by rotation. Among the box-shaped heat treatment containers, for connecting the heat treatment containers adjacent to the transport direction to each other, or to connect the heat treatment containers adjacent to the transport direction and the heat treatment containers adjacent to the direction orthogonal to the transport direction to each other. A connector for a heat treatment container, which engages with (b) a plate-shaped main body smaller than the heat treatment container and (c) a corner portion of a side wall formed in the heat treatment container so as to project from the plate-shaped main body. Protruding from between the at least pair of engaging protrusions of the plate-shaped body so as to be sandwiched between at least a pair of engaging protrusions and (d) the heat treatment container in which the at least pair of engaging protrusions are engaged. It is to include the spacer projections that have been made.

The gist of the second invention is that, in the first invention, (a) the pair of engaging protrusions engage with the corners of the side walls of the pair of heat treatment vessels adjacent to each other in the transport direction. And a pair that engages with the corners of the side walls of the pair of heat treatment vessels that are adjacent in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, for a total of four engaging protrusions. Protruding from between the four engaging protrusions of the plate-shaped main body so as to be sandwiched between a pair of adjacent heat treatment containers and between a pair of heat treatment containers adjacent in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. It is to be done.

Further, the gist of the third invention is that, in the second invention, the spacer protrusions are interposed between heat treatment containers adjacent to the transport direction to form a gap, and a transport direction gap forming portion and the transport. It is characterized by having a lateral gap forming portion that forms a gap between heat treatment containers that are adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction.

Further, the gist of the fourth invention is that, in the third invention, (a) the transport direction gap forming portion is longitudinal in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and (b) the lateral gap is formed. The forming portion is longitudinal in the transport direction, and (c) the spacer protrusion is a protrusion in which the transport direction gap forming portion and the lateral gap forming portion are orthogonal to each other.

The gist of the fifth invention is that, in the first invention, (a) at least the pair of engaging protrusions engages with the corners of the side walls of the pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to each other in the transport direction. There are two engaging protrusions, and (b) the spacer protrusion is projected from between the two engaging protrusions of the plate-shaped main body so as to be sandwiched between a pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to each other in the transport direction. It is in doing.

According to the connector of the heat treatment container of the first invention, (b) a plate-shaped main body smaller than the heat treatment container, and (c) a corner portion of a side wall formed in the heat treatment container so as to project from the plate-shaped main body. Of the at least pair of engaging projections of the plate-like body so as to be sandwiched between at least a pair of engaging projections that engage with and (d) the heat treatment vessel with which the at least pair of engaging projections engage. Includes spacer protrusions projecting from between. Therefore, when the heat treatment container tries to meander, the corners of the side wall formed on the heat treatment container engage with the pair of engaging protrusions to restrict the mutual movement of the heat treatment container, so that the heat treatment is performed. The meandering of the container can be suppressed. Further, the spacer protrusions are sandwiched between the heat treatment containers, so that the heat treatment containers are restricted from approaching each other, and the heat treatment container is placed in the heat treatment furnace in a state where a gap is formed between the heat treatment containers. Since the heat treatment container is easily separated after the heat treatment, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the circulation of the atmosphere in the heat treatment furnace.

According to the connector of the heat treatment container of the second invention, (a) the pair of engaging protrusions engage with the corners of the side walls of the pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to the transport direction, and the transport direction. A pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the corner of the side wall of the container, which are a total of four engaging protrusions. (B) The spacer protrusion is a pair of heat treatments adjacent to the transport direction. It is projected from between the four engaging protrusions of the plate-shaped main body so as to be sandwiched between the containers and between a pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Therefore, the mutual movement of a total of four heat treatment containers, that is, the pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to the transport direction and the pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, is restricted. Serpentine can be suitably suppressed by a single connector.

According to the connector of the heat treatment container of the third invention, the spacer protrusion is interposed in the heat treatment container adjacent to the transfer direction to form a gap, and a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction. It has a lateral gap forming portion that forms a gap between the heat treatment vessels adjacent to the heat treatment container. Therefore, a total of four heat treatment containers, a pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to the transport direction and a pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to each other in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, are restricted from approaching each other. It is possible to carry out the transportation in a state where a gap is formed between the heat treatment containers adjacent to the heat treatment vessel and a gap is formed between the heat treatment containers adjacent to the heat treatment container in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

According to the connector of the heat treatment vessel of the fourth invention, (a) the transport direction gap forming portion is longitudinal in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and (b) the lateral gap forming portion is said. It is longitudinal in the transport direction, and (c) the spacer protrusion is a protrusion in which the transport direction gap forming portion and the lateral gap forming portion are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, a total of four heat treatment containers, a pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to the transport direction and a pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to each other in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, are restricted from approaching each other. It is possible to carry out the transportation in a state where a gap is formed between the heat treatment containers adjacent to the heat treatment vessel and a gap is formed between the heat treatment containers adjacent to the heat treatment container in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

According to the connector of the heat treatment container of the fifth invention, (a) the at least pair of engaging protrusions are two engaging protrusions that engage with the corners of the side walls of the pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to each other in the transport direction. Yes, (b) the spacer protrusions are projected from between the two engagement protrusions of the plate-shaped main body so as to be sandwiched between a pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to each other in the transport direction. For this reason, the mutual movement of the pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to the transport direction is restricted, so that the pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to the transport direction are moved in the transport direction while suppressing the meandering of the heat treatment containers arranged in tandem. It can be transported with a gap formed between a pair of adjacent heat treatment containers.

It is a perspective view explaining the schematic structure of the continuous transfer type heat treatment furnace to which this invention is preferably applied. As shown in FIG. 1, it is a figure which shows the state in which the heat treatment containers connected by the connecting tool are stacked in two stages, for example. It is an enlarged view of the connector shown in FIG. It is a figure which looked at the connector of FIG. 3 from the direction of arrow A. It is a perspective view explaining the schematic structure of the heat treatment furnace of another Example of this invention. It is an enlarged view of one of a pair of 1st connector and 2nd connector shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a view of the connector of FIG. 6 as viewed from the direction of arrow B. It is a perspective view explaining the structure of the connector provided in the heat treatment furnace of another Example of this invention. FIG. 8 is a view of the connector of FIG. 8 as viewed from the direction of arrow C. It is a perspective view explaining the structure of the heat treatment container provided in the heat treatment furnace of another Example of this invention.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following examples, the drawings are appropriately simplified or modified, and the dimensional ratios and shapes of each part are not necessarily drawn accurately.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a continuous transfer type heat treatment furnace 12 to which the present invention is preferably applied. In the heat treatment furnace 12, a plurality of transport rollers, which are sintered bodies of heat-resistant inorganic materials such as _{Al 2} O ₃ and SiC, are placed in the heat treatment container 14 in which the material 10 to be treated in the form of powder or pellets is placed. It is a roller herring kiln that is continuously and linearly conveyed by 16 to heat-treat the material 10 to be treated in the heat treatment vessel 14 at a predetermined temperature under a predetermined furnace atmosphere, for example, an inert gas atmosphere. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat treatment furnace 12 rotates a columnar transfer roller 16 having the same diameter and a columnar transfer roller 16 arranged in parallel and at the same interval in the heat treatment furnace 12 in synchronization with each other. A drive device (not shown) for driving is provided, and in the heat treatment furnace 12, the heat treatment container 14 arranged on the transfer roller 16 is conveyed in one direction, that is, in the transfer direction F1. The material 10 to be treated is, for example, a battery material, preferably an electrode material for an all-solid-state battery and an electrode material for a lithium ion battery.

For example, in the heat treatment furnace 12, as shown in FIG. 1, four heat treatment containers 14 connected by the connecting tool 18 are transported in the transport direction F1. The four heat treatment containers 14 shown in FIG. 1 have the same shape, that is, each has a rectangular box shape, and the four heat treatment containers 14 have mullite cordierite, mullite, cordierite, alumina, spinel, and SiC, respectively. , It is composed of a sintered body of a heat-resistant inorganic material such as aluminum titanate. Further, the connector 18 is also composed of, for example, a sintered body made of a heat-resistant inorganic material as described above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the four heat treatment containers 14 transport the square bottom wall 14a, the front wall (side wall) 14b erected on the transport direction F1 side of the bottom wall 14a, and the bottom wall 14a, respectively. The rear wall (side wall) 14c erected on the side opposite to the direction F1, the right wall (side wall) 14d erected on the right side of the bottom wall 14a toward the transport direction F1, and the transport direction F1 of the bottom wall 14a. It is integrally provided with a left wall (side wall) 14e erected on the left side facing the vehicle. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the heat treatment containers 14 are stacked in multiple stages on the front wall 14b, the rear wall 14c, the right wall 14d, and the left wall 14e, respectively (two stages in FIG. 2). In this case, a notch 14f is formed to discharge the gas generated from the material 10 to be treated by the heat treatment from the inside of the heat treatment container 14. The front wall 14b, the rear wall 14c, the right wall 14d, and the upper surface 14g of the left wall 14e are formed in the same plane, respectively, and the front wall 14b, the rear wall 14c, the right wall 14d, and the upper surface of the left wall 14e are formed. Each of the 14 g is parallel to the bottom wall 14a. Further, when the connector 18 is attached to the corner 14h of the heat treatment container 14 at the four corners 14h of the heat treatment container 14 formed by the front wall 14b, the rear wall 14c, the right wall 14d, and the left wall 14e. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface 18a of the connector 18 is in the same plane as the upper surface 14b of the front wall 14b, the rear wall 14c, the right wall 14d, and the left wall 14e, or the upper surface 18a of the connector 18 The notch 14i is formed so that the front wall 14b, the rear wall 14c, the right wall 14d, and the left wall 14e are arranged on the bottom wall 14a side of the upper surface 14g. As a result, the heat treatment containers 14 connected by the connecting tool 18 can be suitably stacked in multiple stages. Note that FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the heat treatment containers 14 connected by the connecting tool 18 are stacked in, for example, two stages as shown in FIG.

Here, the configuration of the connector 18 will be described by distinguishing the four heat treatment containers 14 shown in FIG. 1 into a heat treatment container 14A, a heat treatment container 14B, a heat treatment container 14C, and a heat treatment container 14D, respectively. The heat treatment container 14A is a heat treatment container 14 arranged on the right side of the pair of heat treatment containers 14 arranged on the side opposite to the transfer direction F1 of the four heat treatment containers 14 toward the transfer direction F1. Further, the heat treatment container 14B is a heat treatment container 14 adjacent to the heat treatment container 14A in the transport direction F1. Further, the heat treatment vessel 14C is arranged on the left side of the heat treatment vessel 14B in the orthogonal direction (direction) F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1, that is, the heat treatment vessel 14B in the transport direction F1. The heat treatment container 14. Further, the heat treatment vessel 14D is a heat treatment vessel 14 adjacent to the heat treatment vessel 14 in the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1 with respect to the heat treatment vessel 14A, that is, the heat treatment vessel 14 arranged on the left side of the heat treatment vessel 14A in the transport direction F1. Is.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the connector 18 includes a plate-shaped main body 18b, a pair of first engaging protrusions (engaging protrusions) 18c and 18d, and a pair of second engaging protrusions (engagement). Combined protrusions) 18e and 18f and spacer protrusions 18g are integrally included. The plate-shaped main body 18b is, for example, a square plate-shaped member having a size smaller than the bottom wall 14a of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D. Further, the pair of first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d are formed in a prismatic shape from the two corner portions 18h of the plate-shaped main body 18b, and are formed in the corner portions 14h and the heat treatment container 14B formed in the heat treatment container 14A. Engage with the corner 14h. That is, the first engaging protrusion 18c is engaged with the corner portion 14h between the front wall 14b and the left wall 14e formed in the heat treatment container 14A, and the first engaging protrusion 18d is formed in the heat treatment container 14B. It engages with the corner portion 14h between the rear wall 14c and the left wall 14e. Further, the pair of second engaging protrusions 18e and 18f are formed in a prismatic shape from the two corner portions 18h of the plate-shaped main body 18b, and are formed in the corner portions 14h and the heat treatment container 14D formed in the heat treatment container 14C. Engage with the corner 14h. That is, the second engaging protrusion 18e is engaged with the corner portion 14h between the rear wall 14c and the right wall 14d formed in the heat treatment container 14C, and the second engaging protrusion 18f is formed in the heat treatment container 14D. It engages with the corner 14h between the front wall 14b and the right wall 14d. That is, the pair of first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d and the pair of second engaging protrusions 18e and 18f projecting from the plate-shaped main body 18b are corners of the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1. A pair that engages with 14h and a pair that engages with the corners 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14C and 14D adjacent to the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1 with respect to the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B, totaling. There are four engaging protrusions. Note that FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the connector 18 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a view of the connector 18 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the direction of arrow A.

As shown in FIG. 4, the spacer protrusion 18g has a transport direction gap forming portion 18i and a lateral direction gap forming portion 18j. As shown in FIG. 4, the transport direction gap forming portion 18i has a longitudinal shape extending in a prismatic direction in the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1, and the lateral gap forming portion 18j has a prismatic shape in the transport direction F1. It has an elongated longitudinal shape. That is, the spacer protrusion 18g is a protrusion in which the transport direction gap forming portion 18i and the lateral direction gap forming portion 18j are orthogonal to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the transport direction gap forming portion 18i is formed between the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1 and between the corner portions 14h and the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B. Plate-shaped between the pair of first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d of the plate-shaped main body 18b so as to be sandwiched between the corner portions 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14C and 14D adjacent to each other in the orthogonal direction F2. It is projected from between the pair of second engaging protrusions 18e and 18f of the main body 18b. That is, the transport direction gap forming portion 18i is formed between the corner portions 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B with which the pair of first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d are engaged, and the pair of second engaging protrusions 18e and 18f. Between the pair of first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d of the plate-shaped main body 18b and the pair of the plate-shaped main body 18b so as to be sandwiched between the corner portions 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14C and 14D with which the plates are engaged. It is projected from between the second engaging protrusions 18e and 18f. Therefore, when the connector 18 is assembled to the corner portion 14h of the heat treatment vessels 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D as shown in FIG. 1, the transport direction gap forming portion 18i of the spacer protrusion 18 g is adjacent to the heat treatment container F1. The front wall 14b of the heat treatment container 14A and the rear wall 14c of the heat treatment container 14B are interposed between the corners 14h of 14A and 14B and between the corners 14h of the heat treatment containers 14C and 14D adjacent to the transport direction F1, respectively. A gap, that is, a transport direction gap S1, is formed between the space and the rear wall 14c of the heat treatment container 14C and the front wall 14b of the heat treatment container 14D.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the lateral gap forming portion 18j is formed between the corner portions 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14D and between the corner portions 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14B and 14C. Between the first engaging protrusion 18c and the second engaging protrusion 18f of the plate-shaped main body 18b and the first engaging protrusion 18d and the second engaging protrusion 18e of the plate-shaped main body 18b so as to be sandwiched between them. It is projected from between. That is, the lateral gap forming portion 18j is formed between the corner portions 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14D in which the first engaging protrusion 18c and the second engaging protrusion 18f are engaged, and the first engaging protrusion. The first engaging protrusion 18c and the second engaging protrusion 18c of the plate-shaped main body 18b are sandwiched between the corner portions 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14B and 14C in which the 18d and the second engaging protrusion 18e are engaged. It is projected from between the protrusion 18f and between the first engaging protrusion 18d and the second engaging protrusion 18e of the plate-shaped main body 18b. Therefore, when the connector 18 is assembled to the corner portion 14h of the heat treatment vessels 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D as shown in FIG. 1, the lateral gap forming portion 18j of the spacer protrusion 18g is heat-treated adjacent to the orthogonal direction F2. The left wall 14e of the heat treatment container 14A and the right wall 14d of the heat treatment container 14D are interposed between the corners 14h of the containers 14A and 14D and between the corners 14h of the heat treatment containers 14B and 14C adjacent to the orthogonal direction F2, respectively. A gap, that is, a lateral gap S2 is formed between the two and the left wall 14e of the heat treatment container 14B and the right wall 14d of the heat treatment container 14C.

In the heat treatment furnace 12 configured as described above, when the heat treatment container of the four heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D connected by the connector 18 tries to meander, the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D The corner portions 14h formed in the above engage with the pair of first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d and the pair of second engaging protrusions 18e and 18f to restrict the mutual movement of the heat treatment vessels 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D. NS. Further, by sandwiching the spacer protrusion 18g between the four heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D, the four heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D are restricted from approaching each other, and the four heat treatment containers 14A , 14B, 14C, 14D, four heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D connected by the connector 18 with the transport direction gap S1 and the lateral gap S2 formed in the heat treatment furnace 12. Will be done. By forming a gap, that is, a transport direction gap S1 and a lateral direction gap S2 between the four heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D, the temperature between the adjacent heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D is formed. The thermal shock generated by the difference can be suitably mitigated, and the adhesion between the adjacent heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D can be suitably suppressed.

As described above, according to the connector 18 of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D of this embodiment, the plate-shaped main body 18b smaller than the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and the plate-shaped main body 18b project from the plate-shaped main body 18b. A pair of first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d that are provided and engage with the corner portions 14h formed in the heat treatment containers 14A and 14B, and corners that are projected from the plate-shaped main body 18b and are formed in the heat treatment containers 14C and 14D. Between the pair of second engaging protrusions 18e and 18f that engage with the portion 14h and the heat treatment containers 14A and 14B with which the pair of first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d are engaged, and the pair of second engaging protrusions 18e and 18f. A pair of first engaging protrusions 18c of the plate-shaped main body 18b and a pair of second engaging protrusions 18e of the plate-shaped main body 18b so as to be sandwiched between the heat treatment containers 14C and 14D with which the plates are engaged. Includes 18 g of spacer protrusions projecting from between 18f. Therefore, when the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D try to meander, the corner portions 14h formed in the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D form a pair of first engaging protrusions 18c, 18d and a pair of second engaging protrusions 18c, 18d. Since the mutual movement of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D is restricted by engaging with the engagement protrusions 18e and 18f, the meandering of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D can be suppressed. Further, by sandwiching the spacer protrusion 18g between the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, the mutual approach of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D is restricted, and the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D Since the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D are transported in the heat treatment furnace 12 with the transport direction gap S1 and the lateral gap S2 formed between them, the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, after the heat treatment, The 14D can be easily separated and the deterioration of the circulation of the atmosphere in the heat treatment furnace 12 can be suppressed.

Further, according to the connecting tool 18 of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D of this embodiment, the pair of first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d and the pair of second engaging protrusions 18e and 18f are in the transport direction F1. A pair that engages with the corners 14h of the pair of adjacent heat treatment vessels 14A and 14B and a pair that engages with the corners 14h of the pair of heat treatment vessels 14C and 14D adjacent to the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1. , A total of four engaging protrusions, the spacer protrusions 18g are between the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1 and the pair of heat treatment containers 14C adjacent to the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1. It is projected from between the four engaging protrusions of the plate-shaped main body 18b so as to be sandwiched between the 14Ds. Therefore, a total of four heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, a pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1 and a pair of heat treatment containers 14C and 14D adjacent to the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1. Since the mutual movement of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D is restricted, the meandering of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D can be suitably suppressed by one connector 18.

Further, according to the connector 18 of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D of this embodiment, the spacer protrusion 18g is interposed between the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D adjacent to the transport direction F1 and transported. The side that forms the lateral gap S2 between the transport direction gap forming portion 18i that forms the directional gap S1 and the heat treatment vessels 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D that are adjacent to the orthogonal direction F2 that is orthogonal to the transport direction F1. It has a direction gap forming portion 18j. Therefore, a total of four heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, a pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1 and a pair of heat treatment containers 14C and 14B adjacent to the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1. , 14D are restricted from approaching each other, so that a transport direction gap S1 is formed between the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D adjacent to the transport direction F1 and adjacent to the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1. It can be transported in a state where a lateral gap S2 is formed between the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D.

Further, according to the connecting tool 18 of the heat treatment vessels 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D of this embodiment, the transport direction gap forming portion 18i is longitudinal in the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1, and the lateral gap is formed. The forming portion 18j is longitudinal in the transport direction F1, and the spacer protrusion 18g is a protrusion in which the transport direction gap forming portion 18i and the lateral gap forming portion 18j are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, a total of four heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, a pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1 and a pair of heat treatment containers 14C and 14D adjacent to the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1. , 14D are restricted from approaching each other, so that a transport direction gap S1 is formed between the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D adjacent to the transport direction F1 and adjacent to the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1. It can be transported in a state where a lateral gap S2 is formed between the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to each other in the examples, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a heat treatment furnace 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the heat treatment furnace 100 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a point of transporting a pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1 in the transport direction F1 and a pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B are transferred to a pair of heat treatment vessels 14A and 14B. It is different in that it is connected by the 1 connecting tool (connecting tool) 102 and the 2nd connecting tool (connecting tool) 104, and other than that, it is substantially the same as the heat treatment furnace 12 of the first embodiment. The pair of the first connecting tool 102 and the second connecting tool 104 are made of a sintered body made of a heat-resistant inorganic material similar to the connecting tool 18 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the first connector 102 integrally includes a plate-shaped main body 102a, a pair of engaging protrusions 102b and 102c, and a spacer protrusion 102d. Further, the second connecting tool 104 integrally includes a plate-shaped main body 104a, a pair of engaging protrusions 104b and 104c, and a spacer protrusion 104d. The first connecting tool 102 and the second connecting tool 104 are formed in the same shape. Further, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of one of the pair of first connector 102 and second connector 104 shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 7 is a view of the connector of FIG. 6 as viewed from the direction of arrow B.

The plate-shaped main body 102a and the plate-shaped main body 104a are, for example, rectangular plate-shaped members having a size smaller than the bottom wall 14a of the heat treatment containers 14A and 14B, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the pair of engaging protrusions 102b and 102c are formed in a prismatic shape from the two corner portions 102e of the plate-shaped main body 102a, and are heat-treated with the corner portions 14h formed in the heat treatment container 14B. Two engaging protrusions that engage with the corner portion 14h formed in the container 14A. The engaging protrusion 102b engages with the corner portion 14h between the rear wall 14c formed in the heat treatment container 14B and the right wall 14d, and the engaging protrusion 102c is the front wall 14b formed in the heat treatment container 14A. Engage with the corner 14h between and the right wall 14d. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the pair of engaging protrusions 104b and 104c are formed in a prismatic shape from the two corner portions 104e of the plate-shaped main body 104a, and are heat-treated with the corner portions 14h formed in the heat treatment container 14A. Two engaging projections that engage the corners 14h formed in the container 14B. The engaging protrusion 104b engages with the corner portion 14h between the front wall 14b formed in the heat treatment container 14A and the left wall 14e, and the engaging protrusion 104c is the rear wall 14c formed in the heat treatment container 14B. Engage with the corner 14h between the left wall 14e and the left wall 14e.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the spacer projection 102d is a longitudinal projection extending in a prismatic direction in the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1. The spacer protrusion 102d is sandwiched between the corners 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1, that is, the corner between the front wall 14b and the right wall 14d formed in the heat treatment container 14A. A pair (two) engaging protrusions 102b, 102c of the plate-shaped main body 102a so as to be sandwiched between the portion 14h and the corner portion 14h between the rear wall 14c formed in the heat treatment container 14B and the right wall 14d. It is projected from between.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the spacer projection 104d is a longitudinal projection extending in a prismatic direction in the orthogonal direction F2 orthogonal to the transport direction F1. The spacer protrusion 104d is sandwiched between the corners 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1, that is, the corner between the front wall 14b and the left wall 14e formed in the heat treatment container 14A. A pair (two) engaging protrusions 104b, 104c of the plate-shaped main body 104a so as to be sandwiched between the portion 14h and the corner portion 14h between the rear wall 14c formed in the heat treatment container 14B and the left wall 14e. It is projected from between. Therefore, when the pair of the first connecting tool 102 and the second connecting tool 104 are assembled to the corners 14h of the heat treatment containers 14A and 14B as shown in FIG. 5, the spacer protrusion 102d and the spacer protrusion 104d move in the transport direction F1. A gap S3 is formed between the front wall 14b of the heat treatment container 14A and the rear wall 14c of the heat treatment container 14B so as to be interposed between the corner portions 14h of the adjacent heat treatment containers 14A and 14B.

In the heat treatment furnace 100 configured as described above, when the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B connected by the pair of first connecting tools 102 and the second connecting tool 104 try to meander, the corners formed in the heat treatment container 14A. The portion 14h and the corner portion 14h formed in the heat treatment container 14B engage with the pair of engaging protrusions 102b and 102c of the first connecting tool 102 and the pair of engaging protrusions 104b and 104c of the second connecting tool 104 to form a pair. The mutual movement of the heat treatment vessels 14A and 14B is restricted. Further, by sandwiching the spacer protrusions 102d and 104d between the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B, the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B are suppressed from approaching each other, and the gap between the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B is suppressed. The pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B connected by the pair of the first connecting tool 102 and the second connecting tool 104 in the state where S3 is formed are conveyed in the heat treatment furnace 100.

As described above, according to the first connector 102 of the heat treatment containers 14A and 14B of this embodiment, the pair of engaging protrusions 102b and 102c are the corner portions of the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1. Two engaging protrusions that engage with 14h, and the spacer protrusion 102d is the two engaging protrusions of the plate-shaped main body 102a so as to be sandwiched between the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1. It is projected from between. Therefore, since the mutual movement of the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1 is restricted, the pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to the transport direction F1 are suppressed while suppressing the meandering of the heat treatment containers 14A and 14B in parallel. The containers 14A and 14B can be transported in a state where a gap S3 is formed between the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B adjacent to the transport direction F1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the connector 110 provided in the heat treatment furnace of another embodiment of the present invention. The heat treatment furnace of this embodiment is different in that the shape of the connecting tool 110 is different from the shape of the connecting tool 18 of Example 1, and other than that, it is substantially the same as the heat treatment furnace 12 of Example 1. The connector 110 is made of a sintered body made of a heat-resistant inorganic material similar to the connector 18 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the connector 110 includes a plate-shaped main body 110a, a pair of first engaging protrusions (engaging protrusions) 110b and 110c, and a pair of second engaging protrusions (engaging protrusions). The 110d and 110e and the spacer protrusion 110f are integrally included. The plate-shaped main body 110a is, for example, a square plate-shaped member having a size smaller than the bottom wall 14a of the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D. Further, the pair of first engaging protrusions 110b and 110c have the same functions as the pair of first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d of the first embodiment, and the pair of first engaging protrusions 110b and 110c have the same function. A cross section is projected from the two corners 110g of the plate-shaped main body 110a in an arc shape, and engages with the corners 14h formed in the heat treatment container 14A and the corners 14h formed in the heat treatment container 14B. Further, the pair of second engaging protrusions 110d and 110e have the same functions as the pair of second engaging protrusions 18e and 18f of the first embodiment, and the pair of second engaging protrusions 110d and 110e have the same functions. A cross section is projected from the two corners 110g of the plate-shaped main body 110a in an arc shape, and engages with the corners 14h formed in the heat treatment container 14C and the corners 14h formed in the heat treatment container 14D. Further, the spacer protrusion 110f has the same function as the spacer protrusion 18g of the first embodiment, and the spacer protrusion 110f is the corner of the heat treatment containers 14A and 14B with which the pair of first engaging protrusions 110b and 110c are engaged. A pair of first engaging protrusions 110b of the plate-shaped main body 110a so as to be sandwiched between the portions 14h and between the corner portions 14h of the heat treatment containers 14C and 14D to which the pair of second engaging protrusions 110d and 110e are engaged. , 110c and between the pair of second engaging protrusions 110d and 110e of the plate-shaped main body 110a. Note that FIG. 9 is a view of the connector 110 of FIG. 8 as viewed from the direction of arrow C.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the heat treatment container 114 provided in the heat treatment furnace of another embodiment of the present invention. The heat treatment furnace of this example is different in that the shape of the heat treatment container 114 is different from the shape of the heat treatment container 14 of Example 1, and other than that, it is substantially the same as the heat treatment furnace 12 of Example 1. In the heat treatment container 114, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the front wall 14b, the rear wall 14c, the right wall 14d, and the left wall 14e were removed from the heat treatment container 14 of Example 1 except for the four corners 14h. It has a shape.

Although the examples of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the present invention also applies to other aspects.

For example, in the connector 18 of the first embodiment described above, the pair of first engaging projections 18c and 18d and the pair of second engaging projections 18e and 18f are projected in a prismatic shape, respectively. The first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d and the pair of second engaging protrusions 18e and 18f may be projected in a columnar shape, respectively. That is, if it is possible to engage the corner portions 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B and the corner portions 14h of the pair of heat treatment containers 14C and 14D, the pair of first engaging projections 18c and 18d and the pair of first engaging protrusions 18c and 18d. 2 The shapes of the engaging protrusions 18e and 18f may be any shape. Further, the transport direction gap forming portion 18i and the lateral gap forming portion 18j of the spacer protrusion 18g were protrusions extending in a prismatic shape, respectively. For example, the transport direction gap forming portion 18i and the lateral gap forming portion 18j are Each may be a protrusion extending in a columnar shape. That is, if the transport direction gap S1 and the lateral gap S2 can be formed between the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D, the shapes of the transport direction gap forming portion 18i and the lateral gap forming portion 18j. Can have any shape.

Further, the spacer protrusion 18g of the connector 18 of the above-described first embodiment has a transport direction gap forming portion 18i and a lateral gap forming portion 18j, respectively. For example, the spacer protrusion 18g has a transport direction gap. It may be sufficient to have only one of the forming portion 18i and the lateral gap forming portion 18j. That is, the formation of one of the transport direction gap S1 and the lateral direction gap S2 between the heat treatment containers 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D suppresses deterioration of the circulation of the atmosphere in the heat treatment furnace 12. can.

Further, in the above-described second embodiment, the pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B are connected by the pair of the first connecting tool 102 and the second connecting tool 104. For example, the pair of the first connecting tool 102 and the second connecting tool 102 are connected. A pair of heat treatment containers 14A and 14B may be connected only by one connecting tool of 104.

It should be noted that the above is only one embodiment, and the present invention can be implemented in a mode in which various changes and improvements are made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

10: Material to be treated 12, 100: Heat treatment furnace 14, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 114: Heat treatment container 14b: Front wall (side wall)
14c: Rear wall (side wall)
14d: Right wall (side wall)
14e: Left wall (side wall)
14h: Corner portion 16: Conveying roller 18, 110: Connecting tool 18b, 110a: Plate-shaped main body 18c, 18d, 110b, 110c: First engaging protrusion (engaging protrusion)
18e, 18f, 110d, 110e: Second engaging protrusion (engaging protrusion)
18g, 110f: Spacer protrusion 18i: Transport direction gap forming portion 18j: Lateral gap forming portion 102: First connecting tool (connecting tool)
102a: Plate-shaped main body 102b, 102c: Engagement protrusion 102d: Spacer protrusion 104: Second connecting tool (connecting tool)
104a: Plate-shaped main body 104b, 104c: Engagement protrusion 104d: Spacer protrusion F1: Conveyance direction F2: Orthogonal direction (direction)
S1: Transport direction gap (gap)
S2: Lateral gap (gap)

Claims (5)

Of the rectangular box-shaped heat treatment containers that are transported in the transport direction with the material to be processed placed on a plurality of transport rollers that are arranged in parallel in the heat treatment furnace and are rotationally driven, they are adjacent to the transport direction. A tool for connecting heat treatment containers to each other, or to connect a heat treatment container adjacent to the transport direction and a heat treatment container adjacent to the direction orthogonal to the transport direction to each other.
A plate-shaped body smaller than the heat treatment container and
At least a pair of engaging protrusions protruding from the plate-shaped main body and engaging with the corners of the side wall formed in the heat treatment container.
It is characterized by including a spacer protrusion projecting from between the at least pair of engaging protrusions of the plate-shaped main body so as to be sandwiched between the heat treatment containers with which the at least pair of engaging protrusions are engaged. The connector for the heat treatment container. The at least pair of engaging protrusions are a pair that engages with the corners of the side walls of the pair of heat treatment vessels adjacent to the transport direction, and a corner portion of the side walls of the pair of heat treatment vessels adjacent to the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. With a pair that engages with, there are a total of four engaging protrusions.
The spacer protrusion is sandwiched between a pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to the transport direction and between a pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The connector for a heat treatment container according to claim 1, wherein the heat treatment container is projected from between the two engaging protrusions. The spacer protrusions are interposed between the heat treatment container adjacent to the transport direction to form a gap and the heat treatment container adjacent to the heat treatment container orthogonal to the transport direction to form a gap. The connector for the heat treatment container according to claim 2, further comprising a lateral gap forming portion to be formed. The transport direction gap forming portion has a longitudinal shape in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.
The lateral gap forming portion is longitudinal in the transport direction and has a longitudinal shape.
The connector for a heat treatment container according to claim 3, wherein the spacer protrusion is a protrusion in which the transport direction gap forming portion and the lateral direction gap forming portion are orthogonal to each other. The at least pair of engaging protrusions are two engaging protrusions that engage with the corners of the side walls of the pair of heat treatment vessels adjacent to each other in the transport direction.
Claim 1 is characterized in that the spacer protrusions are projected from between the two engagement protrusions of the plate-shaped main body so as to be sandwiched between a pair of heat treatment containers adjacent to each other in the transport direction. Heat treatment container connector.

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