JP7384766B2 - vertical heating furnace - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vertical heating furnace capable of conveying objects to be conveyed in the vertical direction continuously or intermittently.

A roller conveyance type heating furnace that uses multiple conveyance rollers arranged horizontally in parallel as a continuous conveyance heating furnace that heats the conveyed object during the process of continuously conveying it through the heating furnace. A heating furnace and a mesh belt type heating furnace using an endless annular mesh belt have been proposed. The length of these roller conveyance heating furnaces and mesh belt heating furnaces is determined by the length of the conveyed object, heating treatment time, and processing capacity, so it is difficult to downsize horizontally, and the installation space within the factory is large. was needed.

On the other hand, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 disclose, for example, a vertical heating method in which objects to be transported, called saggers or sheaths containing objects to be heat-treated, are stacked and transported one by one in the vertical direction. Each furnace is proposed. In such a vertical heating furnace, the length of the furnace is determined by the thickness of the object to be transported, the heat treatment time, and the processing capacity, so it is not necessary to increase the size in the horizontal direction and ensure a large installation area. There is a characteristic that there is no

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 01-174889 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-054190 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-079762

However, the vertical heating furnaces described in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 heat the transported objects in the process of vertically transporting the transported objects one by one in a stacked state. It was difficult to remove the binder generated from the heat-treated object that was placed or placed on the heat-processing object, making it impossible to perform efficient heat treatment. In addition, the load of the objects on the upper tier and the gripping force from the chuck device that supports the objects on the lowermost tier are applied to the object located at the bottom of the stacked objects. Since the load is applied, there is a problem in that the objects to be transported located at the lowest stage are likely to be damaged.

The present invention has been made against the background of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to facilitate removal of binder generated from the heat-treated object housed or placed on the conveyed object, and to improve the removal of the binder from the object to be heat-treated, which is located at the lowest stage. An object of the present invention is to provide a vertical heating furnace in which damage to objects to be transported is suppressed.

As a result of various studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventor of the present invention has developed a method that maintains constant intervals between the plurality of longitudinal feed support members provided around the objects to be transported in the vertical furnace body. Support protrusions are provided to support the outer periphery of the conveyed object while being separated in the vertical direction, and reciprocating motion in the approach/separation direction, reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, and reciprocating motion in the vertical direction are provided between the plurality of feeding support members. When a reciprocating rotational movement around an axis in the direction or a rotational movement around an axis in the vertical direction is applied, it is possible to support multiple conveyed objects at a fixed interval in the vertical direction while moving them upward or downward. I discovered that I can send them one by one. The present invention has been made based on this knowledge.

That is, the gist of the present invention is to (a) have a furnace body in which a vertical furnace space for accommodating objects to be transported is formed; (b) a plurality of vertically elongated feeding support members provided around the object to be transported in the furnace body; and (c) the plurality of feeding support members. (d) a plurality of support protrusions that respectively protrude from the feed support member and support the outer periphery of the objects to be transported at regular intervals in the vertical direction; Reciprocating motion in the approach/separation direction, reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, and reciprocating rotation around an axis in the vertical direction, so as to feed each piece upward or downward one by one while supporting the pieces separated in the vertical direction. (e) the conveyed object has a rectangular plate shape; (f) the plurality of feeding support members are two pairs of rack members located on the outside of two mutually parallel sides of the object to be transported, sandwiching the object to be transported, and (g) the two pairs of racks A plurality of support teeth are formed as the plurality of support protrusions at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the two pairs of rack members on the opposing surfaces of the members, and (h) the support teeth have horizontal tooth traces. an inclined surface is formed such that the tooth width becomes smaller toward the tip, and (i) the feed drive control device separates one pair of second rack members of the two pairs of rack members from each other; Then, the plurality of support teeth formed on the pair of second rack members are removed from the conveyed object, and the first rack member of the pair of the two rack members is placed in a non-supported state. After moving the object by one step (one stroke) by sending the object in the longitudinal direction in a supported state in which the plurality of support teeth formed on the first rack member support the object, The pair of second rack members are brought close to each other to support the object to be transported, and then the pair of first rack members are separated from each other and removed from the object to be transported for one process. By repeating returning the object to the longitudinal direction and bringing the pair of first rack members close to each other to support the object, the object to be transported is spaced apart from each other by a certain distance in the longitudinal direction. They are sent one by one in the same condition.

According to the vertical heating furnace of the first invention, a plurality of vertically elongated feeding support members provided around the conveyed object in the furnace body, and a plurality of feeding support members each formed from a plurality of support protrusions that protrude and support the outer periphery of the conveyed object at a constant interval in the vertical direction; and a plurality of support protrusions that support the plurality of conveyed objects at a constant interval in the vertical direction. reciprocating motion in the approach/separation direction and reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, reciprocating motion in the vertical direction and reciprocating rotational motion around an axis in the vertical direction, or around an axis in the vertical direction, so as to send each piece upward or downward one by one. and a feed drive control device that applies rotational motion between the plurality of feed support members, so that the plurality of objects to be transported are supported at a constant interval in the vertical direction while being rotated in the upward direction. Or you can feed them one by one downward. As a result, the binder generated from the heat-treated object placed on or housed in the transported object can be easily removed, and damage to the transported object located at the lowest stage can be suppressed.
Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the supporting teeth have horizontal tooth traces and are formed with inclined surfaces such that the tooth width becomes smaller toward the tip. When the pair of second rack members are brought close to the transported object W, interference between the support teeth and the transported object is prevented, and the outer periphery of the transported object W is smoothly supported by the support teeth 26. .

Preferably, the pair of first rack members and the pair of second rack members are respectively positioned on the outside of the two mutually parallel sides of the object to be transported, with the object to be transported sandwiched therebetween. , at least a pair of guide members positioned on the outside of two other mutually parallel sides of the object to be transported, sandwiching the object to be transported. As a result, the object to be transported is guided by the pair of guide members located on the outside of the other two mutually parallel sides and is sent upward or downward by the two pairs of rack members, so that the object to be transported is The other two mutually parallel sides are prevented from falling off in the outward direction.

The gist of the second invention is as follows: (a) a furnace body is provided with a vertical furnace space for accommodating objects to be transported; The vertical heating furnace is transportable, and includes (b) a plurality of vertically elongated feeding support members provided around the object to be transported in the furnace body; (d) a plurality of support protrusions that respectively protrude from the feed support member and support the outer periphery of the object to be transported at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction; Reciprocating motion in the approach/separation direction, reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, and reciprocating rotation around an axis in the vertical direction, so as to feed each piece upward or downward one by one while supporting the pieces separated in the vertical direction. (e) the conveyed object has concave notches formed at four corners; (f) the plurality of feed support members are two pairs of feed support shafts located diagonally across the conveyed object; (g) the two pairs of feed support members; The shaft is positioned so as to be able to engage with the concave notch regardless of the rotation angle around the center axis of each of the two pairs of feed support shafts to position the conveyed object in the surface direction of the conveyed object. each comprising a convex positioning portion and a fan-shaped support plate formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the two pairs of feed support shafts and supporting four corners of the conveyed object according to a rotation angle about the central axis; (h) The feed drive control device rotates a pair of second feed support shafts of the two pairs of feed support shafts located on a diagonal line of the object to be transported around a central axis line to move the object to be transported. After moving the conveyed object by one step by sending one pair of the first feed support shafts of the two pairs of feed support shafts in the longitudinal direction, the second feed support shafts of the pair One step after rotating the shafts around the central axis to bring the transported object into a supported state, and then rotating the pair of first feed support shafts around the central axis to bring the transported object into a non-supported state. Returning the object to the longitudinal direction and rotating the pair of first feed support shafts about the central axis to support the object, so that the object is spaced apart from each other by a certain distance in the longitudinal direction. Send one piece at a time. As a result, it is possible to support a plurality of objects to be transported at a fixed interval in the vertical direction and to feed them one by one in the upward or downward direction. The binder generated from the object can be easily removed, and damage to the transported object located at the lowest stage can be suppressed. In addition, the feed support shaft is provided with convex positioning portions that engage with concave notches at the four corners of the feed support shaft to position the transferred object regardless of the rotation angle position around the central axis of the feed support shaft. Therefore, there is no need for a guide member to guide the conveyed object in the vertical direction.

Preferably, the feed drive control device rotates the pair of first feed support shafts before rotating the pair of second feed support shafts about the center axis from the non-supported state to the supported state. Before moving the pair of second feed support shafts a predetermined distance to the side opposite to the feed direction and rotating the pair of first feed support shafts about the central axis from the non-supported state to the supported state, The pair of second feed support shafts are moved a predetermined distance to the opposite side to the feed direction of the pair of first feed support shafts. This prevents interference between the fan-shaped support plate of the feed support shaft and the object to be transported, even if the fan-shaped support plate formed on the feed support shaft does not have an inclined surface for guiding the transported object.

The gist of the third invention is as follows: (a) a furnace body is provided with a vertical furnace space for accommodating objects to be transported; The vertical heating furnace is transportable, and includes (b) a plurality of vertically elongated feeding support members provided around the object to be transported in the furnace body; (d) a plurality of support protrusions that respectively protrude from the feed support member and support the outer periphery of the object to be transported at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction; Reciprocating motion in the approach/separation direction, reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, and reciprocating rotation around an axis in the vertical direction, so as to feed each piece upward or downward one by one while supporting the pieces separated in the vertical direction. (e) the conveyed object has a rectangular plate shape ; f) The plurality of feed support members are four feed rack shafts forming two pairs located diagonally across the conveyed object, (g) The four feed rack shafts include: A plurality of support teeth are provided as a plurality of support protrusions that support the object to be transported so as to respectively engage with four sides of the object to position the object in a surface direction of the object. (h) The plurality of support teeth are formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the feed rack shaft, and (h) the plurality of support teeth are configured to rotate the conveyed object according to the rotation angle about each eccentric rotation axis of the four feed rack shafts. (i) The feed drive control device eccentrically moves a pair of second feed rack shafts among the four feed rack shafts. The object to be transported is rotated around the rotational axis line so that the object is in an unsupported state, and a pair of first feed rack shafts of the four feed rack shafts are sent in the longitudinal direction to move the object to one step. After that, the pair of second feed rack shafts are rotated around the eccentric rotation axis to support the conveyed object, and then the pair of first feed rack shafts are rotated around the eccentric rotation axis. The objects to be transported are rotated so that they are in an unsupported state, and then returned to the longitudinal direction by one step, thereby feeding the objects one by one at a constant interval in the longitudinal direction. As a result, it is possible to support a plurality of objects to be transported at a fixed interval in the vertical direction and to feed them one by one in the upward or downward direction. The binder generated from the object can be easily removed, and damage to the transported object located at the lowest stage can be suppressed. Further, the feed rack shafts located diagonally across the conveyed object are provided with support teeth that engage and support one of the four sides, and the support teeth of the pair of second feed rack shafts are provided with support teeth that engage with and support one of the four sides. By repeating the state in which the support teeth of the pair of first feed rack shafts engage with two sides of the transported object and the state in which they engage with the other two sides of the transported object, the transported object is positioned to the center. Therefore, there is no need for a guide member to guide the conveyed object in the vertical direction.

The gist of the fourth invention is as follows: (a) a furnace body is provided with a vertical furnace space for accommodating objects to be transported; The vertical heating furnace is transportable, and includes (b) a plurality of vertically elongated feeding support members provided around the object to be transported in the furnace body; (d) a plurality of support protrusions that respectively protrude from the feed support member and support the outer periphery of the object to be transported at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction; Reciprocating motion in the approach/separation direction, reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, and reciprocating rotation around an axis in the vertical direction, so as to feed each piece upward or downward one by one while supporting the pieces separated in the vertical direction. (e) the conveyed object has notches formed at four corners; (f) the plurality of feed support members are four feed support screw shafts located on diagonal lines of the conveyed object outside the four corners of the conveyed object, (g ) Each of the four feed support screw shafts has a plurality of support protrusions that support the four corners of the conveyed object, with spiral protrusions having a constant pitch formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the support screw shaft , respectively; (h) the cylindrical portions are provided at intervals shorter than one side of the object to be transported, and the object to be transported is positioned in the surface direction of the object; (i) the feed drive control device: By rotating the four feed support screw shafts continuously or intermittently in synchronization around the axes, the conveyed objects are spaced at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the four feed support screw shafts. Send one sheet at a time. As a result, it is possible to support a plurality of objects to be transported at a fixed interval in the vertical direction and to feed them one by one in the upward or downward direction. The binder generated from the object can be easily removed, and damage to the transported object located at the lowest stage can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a vertical heating furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 1, and a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the main parts of the vertical heating furnace shown in FIG. 1; 2 is a time chart illustrating the operation of the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view showing a vertical heating furnace according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 6, which is perpendicular to the cross section of FIG. 6 and including the center line. 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 6, and a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a time chart illustrating an example of the operation of the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a time chart illustrating another example of operation of the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 6. FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the relationship between the objects to be transported and the supporting and feeding members in a vertical heating furnace according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11 for explaining the relationship between an object to be transported and a supporting and feeding member in the vertical heating furnace in FIG. 11; 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the rotational position and relationship between the conveyed object and the feed support member in the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 11, and is a diagram showing the supported state of the feed support member. FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view showing the rotational position and relationship between the conveyed object and the feed support member in the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 11, and is a diagram showing a state between the support state and the non-support state of the feed support member. FIG. . FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view showing the rotational position and relationship between the conveyed object and the feed support member in the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 11, and is a diagram showing the feed support member in a non-supported state. 12 is a time chart illustrating an example of the operation of the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a time chart illustrating another example of operation of the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 11. FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the relationship between the objects to be transported and the supporting and feeding members in a vertical heating furnace according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG. 18, illustrating the relationship between an object to be transported and a supporting and feeding member in the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 18; FIG. 19 is a right side view of FIG. 18 illustrating the relationship between an object to be transported and a supporting and feeding member in the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 18 . 19 is a time chart illustrating an example of the operation of the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 18. FIG. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a vertical heating furnace according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 23 is a horizontal sectional view of the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 22. FIG. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a non-heated object is supported by a feed support screw shaft in the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 22; FIG. 23 is an enlarged view illustrating a state in which a non-heated object is supported by a feed support screw shaft in the vertical heating furnace of FIG. 22;

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following examples, the figures are for explaining essential parts related to the invention, and dimensions, shapes, etc. are not necessarily drawn accurately.

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a vertical heating furnace 10, which is a continuous conveyance type, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the vertical heating furnace 10. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the vertical heating furnace 10. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a state in which the conveyed object is supported by the feeding support member, and is an enlarged view of a portion A1 surrounded by a broken line circle in FIG. Further, FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line II in FIG. In FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown a loading device that puts the transported object W into the transport inlet, an unloading device that takes out the transported object W from the transport exit, a loading device that supplies gas into the furnace body 14, and exhaust gas inside the furnace body 14. Gas supply and exhaust devices for discharging gas are omitted.

The vertical heating furnace 10 includes a frame 12 and a furnace body 14 in which a longitudinal furnace space S is formed in the vertical direction in FIG. , a vertical transport mechanism 16 for transporting the objects W to be transported upward or downward one by one while horizontally supporting the objects W at a fixed interval in the vertical direction, and driving and controlling the vertical transport mechanism 16. It has a feed electronic control device 20 that performs the following steps.

The conveyed object W is a rectangular, more precisely a square plate made of a ceramic plate having dimensions of, for example, 150 to 250 mm x 2 to 3 mm (thickness), and is, for example, a ceramic molded body in which ceramic sheets are laminated. One or more objects to be heated are placed on the object W to be transported.

The furnace body 14 is made of a heat insulating material such as ceramic fiber, and has longitudinal side walls 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d supported by the machine frame 12, and inner wall surfaces of each of the side walls 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d. It has a fixed heater H and is formed to have a square cross section. As shown in FIG. 2, the furnace interior space S is formed by being surrounded by side walls 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper and lower ends of the furnace body 14 are closed by an upper shielding plate 34 and a lower shielding plate 36 fixed to the machine frame 12.

The upper end portions of the pair of first rack members 18a and the upper end portions of the pair of second rack members 18b are projected upwardly out of the furnace body 14 through elongated holes 38 formed in the upper shielding plate 34. Further, the lower end portions of the pair of first rack members 18a and the lower end portions of the pair of second rack members 18b are projected downwardly out of the furnace body 14 through long holes 38 formed in the lower shielding plate 36. . The elongated hole 38 is set to a size that does not interfere with horizontal movement of the upper and lower end portions of the pair of first rack members 18a and the upper and lower end portions of the pair of second rack members 18b.

The vertical transport mechanism 16 includes two pairs (four in total) of rack members, namely a pair of first rack members 18a and a pair of second rack members 18b, two pairs of upper and lower first horizontal actuators 22a, and two sets of first horizontal actuators 22a. A pair of upper and lower second horizontal actuators 22b, two pairs of first vertical actuators 24a, and two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b are provided. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pair of first rack members 18a and the pair of second rack members 18b are positioned on the outside of two sides of the transported object W in the furnace body 14, sandwiching the transported object W. It is provided so as to be located on a line passing through the center of the object W to be transported, and has a longitudinally elongated shape with both ends protruding from the furnace body 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the two pairs of upper and lower first horizontal actuators 22a are connected to the upper and lower ends of the pair of first rack members 18a, respectively, and are horizontally synchronized at each end. Each has an output rod 28a that is moved in the (lateral) direction. The two pairs of upper and lower second horizontal actuators 22b are output rods 28b that are respectively connected to the upper and lower ends of the pair of second rack members 18b and move the respective ends in synchronization in the horizontal (lateral) direction. have each.

The two pairs of first vertical actuators 24a move the two sets of upper and lower first horizontal actuators 22a synchronously in the vertical direction. The two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b move the two pairs of upper and lower second horizontal actuators 22b synchronously in the vertical direction. Two pairs of upper and lower first vertical actuators 24 a and two pairs of upper and lower second vertical actuators 24 b are supported by the machine frame 12 .

The first horizontal actuator 22a, the second horizontal actuator 22b, the first vertical actuator 24a, and the second vertical actuator 24b are, for example, an electrically driven motor cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder driven by compressed air, water, oil, etc. It is composed of hydraulic cylinders etc. driven by hydraulic pressure.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of first rack members 18a and the pair of second rack members 18b are located on the outside of two mutually parallel sides of the object W, sandwiching the center of the object W. ing. The two pairs of first horizontal actuators 22a bring the pair of first rack members 18a close to each other to support the transported object W, or move the pair of first rack members 18a apart from each other to support the transported object W. The conveyed object W is placed in a non-supported state in which it is not supported. Similarly, the two pairs of second horizontal actuators 22b move the pair of second rack members 18b closer to each other to support the transported object W, or move the pair of second rack members 18b apart from each other. The conveyed object W is brought into an unsupported state in which it is not supported.

The two pairs of first vertical actuators 24a synchronously drive the pair of first rack members 18a up and down, and when the pair of first rack members 18a are in the supporting state, the thickness of the transported object W is adjusted. The object to be transported W is transported by one stroke (that is, one process) by increasing a predetermined feed amount by a sufficiently larger predetermined stroke amount, for example, about 10 to 20 mm, and the pair of first rack members 18a are in an unsupported state. When this happens, the robot is lowered by a predetermined stroke amount and returned to its original position.

The two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b synchronously drive the pair of second rack members 18b up and down, and raise the pair of second rack members 18b by a predetermined stroke amount when the pair of second rack members 18b are in the supported state. The object to be transported W can be transported by one stroke, and then lowered by a predetermined stroke amount and returned to the original position when the pair of second rack members 18b are in an unsupported state. Note that in the operation example shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later, the two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b are not operated, so they may not be provided.

The opposing surfaces of the pair of first rack members 18a and the pair of second rack members 18b, that is, the surfaces on the side of the transported object W, are provided with a space that protrudes toward the transported object W and extends the outer periphery of the transported object W at a constant interval. As shown in FIG. 4, the support teeth 26 supported while being spaced apart in the vertical direction are formed at regular pitches that are sufficiently larger than the thickness of the transported object W in the longitudinal direction. The supporting teeth 26 have horizontal tooth traces, and sloped surfaces L are formed so that the tooth width becomes smaller toward the tips. When the object W is approached, interference between the support teeth 26 and the object W is prevented, and the outer circumference of the object W is smoothly supported by the support teeth 26. .

For example, when the support teeth 26 of the first rack member 18a and the object W are brought close to each other in order to support the object W, the inclined surface L prevents interference between the support teeth 26 and the object W. It functions as an attraction surface. In this embodiment, the first rack member 18a and the second rack member 18b function as feeding support members, and the support teeth 26 function as support protrusions. Note that FIG. 4 shows a fork 30 of an unloading device (not shown) for sending the object W to be transported out of the furnace.

In the vertical heating furnace 10 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. They are respectively positioned on the outside of the two sides with the object to be transported W in between. Therefore, the position of the transported object W in the left-right direction is regulated by the pair of first rack members 18a and the pair of second rack members 18b.

On the outside of the other two sides of the two mutually parallel sides of the transported object W, which are the two sides in the left and right direction, there are provided for guiding the transported object W to the other two sides and regulating the position in the front and back direction. At a position close to the other two sides, there are two pairs of guide members elongated in the vertical direction parallel to the pair of first rack members 18a and the pair of second rack members 18b, that is, a pair of guide members 32a and 32a. A pair of guide members 32b are provided in fixed positions by being fixed to the machine frame 12, respectively, at positions close to the other two sides with the transported object W interposed therebetween. Note that as for the two pairs of guide members 32a and 32b, at least one pair may be provided.

In the vertical transport mechanism 16, the pair of first rack members 18a and the pair of second rack members 18b are controlled by the electronic control device 20 of FIG. They are designed to operate synchronously. The electronic control device 20 controls the operation of the two pairs of first horizontal actuators 22a, the two pairs of second horizontal actuators 22b, the two pairs of first vertical actuators 24a, and the two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b. It functions as a feed drive control device that causes the first rack member 18a and the pair of second rack members 18b to move to feed the transported object W.

The electronic control device 20 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and supports a plurality of objects W to be transported upward or downward while being spaced apart from each other at a fixed interval in the vertical direction according to a pre-stored control program. The reciprocating motion in the approach/separation direction (horizontal direction) and longitudinal direction (vertical direction) is performed by two pairs (four in total) of rack members, namely, a pair of first rack members 18a and a pair of It is applied to the second rack member 18b.

FIG. 5 is a time chart illustrating an example of the control operation of the electronic control device 20, and for explaining each control operation when the conveyance direction is upward, for example. As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic control device 20 puts the pair of second rack members 18b and the pair of first rack members 18a into a supporting state in which they each support the transported object W (at time t0). Next, the pair of second rack members 18b are separated from each other, and the supporting teeth 26 formed on the pair of second rack members 18b are removed from the transported object W (time t1).

Next, the object W is moved by one stroke (one step) by sending the pair of first rack members 18a in the supported state in which the object W is supported by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction, that is, upward (at time t2). Thereafter, the pair of second rack members 18b are moved closer to each other to be in a supporting state in which the transported object W is supported (at time t3).

Next, the pair of first rack members 18a are separated from each other, and the supporting teeth 26 are removed from the transported object W, resulting in a non-supported state (at time t4). From this state, the pair of first rack members 18a are returned one stroke in the longitudinal direction, that is, downward (at time t5), and the pair of first rack members 18a are brought closer to each other to be in a supporting state in which they support the transported object W ( (at time t6).

By repeating such one cycle of operation, the electronic control device 20 sequentially sends the objects W to be transported upward one by one at regular intervals in the vertical direction. At the same time, the electronic control device 20 causes the loading device (not shown) to feed the objects W to be transported one by one to the transport entrance on the lower side of the vertical heating furnace 10, and causes the unloading device (not shown) to feed the objects W to be transported one by one to the transport entrance located on the lower side of the vertical heating furnace 10. The objects W to be transported are taken out one by one from the transport exit located on the upper side.

As described above, according to the vertical heating furnace 10 of the present embodiment, the pair of first rack members are located on the outside of two mutually parallel sides of the object W to be transported, in a plan view. 18a and a pair of second rack members 18b, and a plurality of support teeth 26 are formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction on each opposing surface of the first rack member 18a and the second rack member 18b. There is. The electronic control device 20 separates the pair of second rack members 18b from each other from the supported state in which the pair of second rack members 18b and the pair of first rack members 18a each support the transported object W, and separates the pair of second rack members 18b from each other. The support teeth 26 formed on the second rack member 18b are in an unsupported state where they are removed from the transported object W, and the pair of first rack members 18a are in a supported state supporting the transported object W by a predetermined amount in the longitudinal direction, that is, upward. By feeding, the transported object W is moved by one stroke. Thereafter, the electronic control device 20 causes the pair of second rack members 18b to approach each other to support the transported object W, and then moves the other pair of first rack members 18a away from each other to support the transported object W. The supporting teeth 26 are removed from W to bring it into a non-supported state, and in this state, it is returned one stroke in the longitudinal direction, that is, downward, and the pair of first rack members 18a are brought closer to each other to bring the transported object W into a supported state. By repeatedly executing this transport cycle, it is possible to support a plurality of objects W to be transported at a fixed interval in the vertical direction and to send them one by one upward or downward. The binder generated from the heat-treated object placed or housed on W can be easily removed, and damage to the transported object W located at the lowest stage can be suppressed.

That is, according to the vertical heating furnace 10 of the present embodiment, the furnace body 14 is formed with a vertical furnace space S for accommodating the objects W to be transported, and the objects W to be transported are placed in the furnace interior space S. A vertical heating furnace 10 that can be transported in the vertical direction in the furnace body 14 includes a pair of first rack members 18a and a pair of first rack members 18a that are vertically elongated and provided around the transported object W in the furnace body 14. Two rack members 18b (a plurality of feeding support members) protrude from a pair of first rack members 18a and a pair of second rack members 18b (a plurality of feeding support members), respectively, to support the outer periphery of the transported object W. A plurality of support teeth (support protrusions) 26 that support a plurality of conveyed objects W at a constant interval in the vertical direction, and a plurality of support teeth (support protrusions) 26 that support a plurality of conveyed objects W at a constant interval in an upward or downward direction while supporting the objects W in an upward or downward direction. Since it includes an electronic control device 20 that applies reciprocating motion in the approaching/separating direction and the longitudinal direction to the pair of second rack members 18a and the pair of first rack members 18b so as to feed the rack members one by one in the It is possible to feed the objects W to be transported upward or downward one by one while supporting them at a fixed interval in the vertical direction. The generated binder is easily removed, and damage to the conveyed object located at the lowest stage is suppressed.

Further, according to the vertical heating furnace 10 of this embodiment, the pair of first rack members 18a and the pair of second rack members 18b are located on the same two sides of the two mutually parallel sides of the transported object W. They include two pairs of guide members 32a and 32b, which are located on the outside with the object W between them, and are located on the outside of the other two sides of the object W with the object W between them. Thereby, the transported object W is guided by the two pairs of guide members 32a and 32b located on the outside of the other two sides, and is transported in the vertical direction by the pair of first rack members 18a and the pair of second rack members 18b. Therefore, the object W to be transported is prevented from falling off toward the outside of the other two sides.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, parts common to the embodiments, such as the furnace body 14 and actuator, are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a vertical cross-section of a vertical heating furnace 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a horizontal cross-section of the vertical heating furnace 110. FIG. 8 is a view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7, and is an enlarged view showing an end portion of the feed support shaft that supports and transports the object W in the vertical heating furnace 110. FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the operation of the vertical heating furnace 110. The center line RC shown in FIG. 8 is the center line of the furnace body 14.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the vertical heating furnace 110 of this embodiment, the object W to be transported has a rectangular plate shape similar to that of the above-mentioned embodiment, but the four corners thereof have protrusions. A concave cutout 142 is formed having a radius of curvature that is equal to or slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the protrusions 154a and 154b.

In the vertical heating furnace 110 of this embodiment, in place of the first rack member 18a and the second rack member 18b of the previous embodiment, a pair of feed support shafts 118a and a pair of feed support shafts that function as a plurality of feed support members are provided. A second feed support shaft 118b is provided around the object W to be transported in the furnace body 14 in the vertical direction. The pair of second feed support shafts 118b are arranged on the diagonal line of the object W to sandwich the object W, and the pair of first feed support shafts 118a are arranged on the other diagonal line of the object W. It is placed in between.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pair of first feed support shafts 118a include a semi-cylindrical columnar part 144a made of a heat-resistant material such as ceramics, heat-resistant metal, carbon, etc.; Each shaft end portion 146a is provided with a diameter smaller than that of the columnar portion 144a that projects upward and downward. The pair of second feed support shafts 118b include a semi-cylindrical columnar part 144b made of a heat-resistant material such as ceramics, heat-resistant metal, carbon, etc., and a columnar part 144b that projects upward and downward in the direction of the central axis CLb of the columnar part 144b. A shaft end portion 146b having a relatively smaller diameter is provided. Note that in this embodiment, the two pairs of first horizontal actuators 22a and the two pairs of second horizontal actuators 22b are not provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, holes 138 having a slightly larger diameter than the shaft ends 146a and 146b are formed in the upper shielding plate 34 and the lower shielding plate 36, respectively, in order to allow the shaft ends 146a and 146b to pass therethrough. At the inner end of the output member 128a of the two pairs of first vertical actuators 24a, there is a shaft end 146a that projects upward from the first feed support shaft 118a through a hole 138 formed in the upper shielding plate 34, and a lower shielding plate. A pair of rotary actuators 148a are respectively connected to shaft end portions 146a that protrude downward through a hole 138 formed in the rotary actuator 36 and rotate the shaft ends 146a synchronously. Note that the hole 138 may be closed with a sealing material such as a seal for the rotating shaft or an O-ring.

At the inner end of the output member 128b of the two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b, there is a shaft end 146b that projects upward from the second feed support shaft 118b through a hole 138 formed in the upper shielding plate 34, and a lower shielding plate. A pair of rotary actuators 148b are respectively connected to the shaft end portions 146b protruding downward through a hole 138 formed in the rotary actuator 36 and rotate the shaft ends 146b in synchronization.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pair of first feed support shafts 118a, which are basically formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, have a convex surface 150a extending 180 degrees around the center axis CLa, and a flat surface 152a. A protrusion 154a having a radius of curvature around the central axis CLa that is about half that of the convex surface 150a is formed at the center in the width direction of the surface 152a. The radius of curvature of the protrusion 154a is set to be equal to or slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of the concave notch 142.

Similarly, the pair of second feed support shafts 118b, which are basically formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, have a convex surface 150b extending 180° around the central axis CLb, and a flat surface 152b, and the width of the flat surface 152b is A protrusion 154b having a radius of curvature around the central axis CLa that is approximately half that of the convex surface 150b is formed at the center in the direction. The radius of curvature of the protrusion 154b is set to be equal to or slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of the concave notch 142. The protrusions 154a and 154b function as a convex positioning portion that positions the transported object W in the horizontal direction.

Of the flat surfaces 152a formed on the cylindrical portions 144a of the pair of first feed support shafts 118a, the surface on the right side of the central axis CLa toward the flat surface 152a has a central angle of 90° around the central axis CLa. A plurality of fan-shaped support plates 126a are protruded at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the first feed support shaft 118a, with gaps sufficiently larger than the thickness of the transported object W. Similarly, of the flat surfaces 152b formed on the cylindrical portions 144a of the pair of second feed support shafts 118b, the surface on the left side of the central axis CLb toward the flat surface 152a has a 90° angle around the central axis CLb. A plurality of fan-shaped support plates 126b having a center angle of are protruded at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the first feed support shaft 118b and with gaps sufficiently larger than the thickness of the transported object W. The fan-shaped support plates 126a and 126b function as support protrusions that support the object W to be transported.

The pair of rotary actuators 148a rotate the pair of first feed support shafts 118a by 90 degrees clockwise or 90 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. 7 about the center axis CLa of the pair of first feed support shafts 118a. , a non-supporting state in which the fan-shaped support plate 126a does not support the object W to be transported, or a supporting state in which the fan-shaped support plate 126a has entered the underside of the object W to be transported.

Similarly, the pair of rotary actuators 148b can be rotated 90° clockwise or 90° counterclockwise in FIG. The shaft 118b is placed in an unsupported state in which the fan-shaped support plate 126b does not support the object W to be transported, or in a supported state in which the fan-shaped support plate 126b goes under the object W to be transported.

Returning to FIG. 6, the two pairs of first vertical actuators 24a synchronously drive the first feed support shaft 118a up and down, and when the first feed support shaft 118a is in the supporting state, The object to be transported W is transported by one stroke by moving a predetermined stroke amount that is sufficiently larger than the thickness of W, and when the first feed support shaft 118a is in a non-supported state, it is moved by a predetermined stroke amount to return to its original state. Return to position.

Similarly, the two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b synchronously drive the second feed support shaft 118b up and down, and when the second feed support shaft 118b is in the supported state, the second vertical actuators 24b move the object W to be transported. When the conveyed object W is conveyed by one stroke by increasing the feed amount by a predetermined feed amount that is sufficiently larger than the thickness, for example, about 10 to 20 mm, and the second feed support shaft 118b is in a non-supported state. It can be lowered by a predetermined stroke and returned to its original position. Note that in the operation example shown in FIG. 9, which will be described later, the two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b are not operated, so they may not be provided.

The vertical conveyance mechanism 116 of this embodiment includes a pair of first feed support shafts 118a, a pair of second feed support shafts 118b, two pairs of first vertical actuators 24a, and two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b. Two pairs of upper and lower rotary actuators 148a and two pairs of upper and lower rotary actuators 148b are provided.

The electronic control device 120 shown in FIG. 6 includes two pairs of first vertical actuators 24a, two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b, two pairs of upper and lower rotary actuators 148a, and two pairs of upper and lower rotary actuators 148b. The controller functions as a feed drive control device that controls the operation of the feed support shafts 118a and 118b to feed the object W.

The electronic control device 120 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and supports a plurality of objects W to be transported upward or downward while being spaced apart at a constant interval in the vertical direction according to a pre-stored control program. Two pairs of first vertical actuators 24a, two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b, two pairs of upper and lower rotary actuators 148a, and two pairs of upper and lower rotary actuators 148b so as to sequentially feed the vertical actuators one by one in the direction. The reciprocating motion in the rotational direction and the longitudinal direction is applied to the pair of first feed support shafts 118a and the pair of second feed support shafts 118b.

FIG. 9 is a time chart illustrating an example of the control operation of the electronic control device 120, for example, each control operation when the conveyance direction is upward. In FIG. 9, the electronic control device 120 moves from the support state in which the pair of second feed support shafts 118b and the pair of first feed support shafts 118a each support the transported object W, that is, the original position of the feed cycle (time t0). , the pair of second feed support shafts 118b are rotated around the central axis CLb, and the fan-shaped support plates 126a formed on the pair of second feed support shafts 118b are removed from the transported object W to be in an unsupported state ( (at time t1).

Thereafter, by feeding the pair of first feed support shafts 118a in the longitudinal direction, that is, upwardly, by a predetermined amount with the object W being supported, the object W is moved by one stroke (at time t2), and the object W is moved by one stroke (time t2). The second feed support shaft 118b is rotated around the central axis CLb to be in a supporting state in which it supports the transported object W (at time t3).

Next, the other pair of first feed support shafts 118a are rotated around the center axis CLa to bring the fan-shaped support plate 126a away from the conveyed object W (at time t4), and in this state, the longitudinal direction is moved by one stroke. direction, that is, return downward (at time t5), and rotate the other pair of first feed support shafts 118a around the central axis CLa to set the supporting state of supporting the transported object W to the original position of the feed cycle (at time t6). ).

By repeating such one cycle of operation, the electronic control device 120 sequentially sends the objects W to be transported upward one by one at regular intervals in the vertical direction. At the same time, the electronic control device 120 causes a loading device (not shown) to feed the objects W to be transported one by one to the transport entrance on the lower side of the vertical heating furnace 110, and causes an unloading device (not shown) to feed the objects W into the vertical heating furnace 110. The objects W to be transported are taken out one by one from the transport exit located on the upper side.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing another example of control operation of the electronic control device 120. In other control operation examples, for example, in addition to the operation shown in FIG. 9, the pair of second feed support shafts 118b may be rotated around the central axis CLb so that the fan-shaped support plates 126a, 126b and the transported object W do not interfere with each other. Before changing from the unsupported position to the supported position, the pair of first feed support shafts 118a are moved a predetermined distance to the side opposite to the feed direction of the pair of second feed support shafts 118b. Further, before the pair of first feed support shafts 118a are rotated around the center axis CLa axis from the non-support position to the support position, the pair of second feed support shafts 118b are rotated around the center axis CLa axis. It can be moved a predetermined distance in the opposite direction to the feeding direction.

In FIG. 10, the electronic control device 120 is configured such that the object W is supported by the pair of second feed support shafts 118b, and the fan-shaped support plate 126a of the pair of first feed support shafts 118a is positioned below the object W to be transported. They are inserted with a gap of, for example, 3 mm, and are set at the original position of the feed cycle (-3 mm position in FIG. 10) (at time t0). Next, the pair of first feed support shafts 118a that support the transported object W are raised (floated) by a predetermined floating amount, for example, 6 mm (at time t1). Thereafter, the pair of second feed support shafts 118b are rotated around the central axis CLb, and the fan-shaped support plates 126a formed on the pair of second feed support shafts 118b are removed from the transported object W to be in an unsupported state. (at time t2).

Next, the object W is moved by one stroke by feeding the pair of first feed support shafts 118a in the longitudinal direction, that is, upward, by a predetermined amount, for example, 12 mm, while supporting the object W (time t3). Next, the pair of second feed support shafts 118b are lowered by a predetermined depression amount, for example, 3 mm (at time t4). Thereafter, the pair of second feed support shafts 118b are rotated around the central axis CLb, and the fan-shaped support plate 126b is inserted under the transported object W (at time t5).

Next, the pair of second feed support shafts 118b are raised by a predetermined amount, for example, 6 mm, to a supporting state in which the transported object W is supported (at time t6). Next, the pair of first feed support shafts 118a are rotated around the central axis CLa to remove the fan-shaped support plate 126a from the transported object W (time t7). In this state, the pair of first feed support shafts 118a are returned in the longitudinal direction, ie, downward, by one stroke, for example, 18 mm (at time t8).

Next, the pair of first feed support shafts 118a are rotated around the central axis CLa, and the fan-shaped support plate 126a is inserted under the transported object W (at time t9). Then, the other pair of first feed support shafts 118a are lowered to the original position by a predetermined amount, for example, 3 mm, and are set at the original position of the feed cycle (at time t10).

The electronic control device 120 sequentially sends the objects W to be transported upward one by one at regular intervals in the vertical direction by repeating the operation of such a feeding cycle. At the same time, the electronic control device 120 causes a loading device (not shown) to feed the objects W to be transported one by one to the transport entrance on the lower side of the vertical heating furnace 110, and causes an unloading device (not shown) to feed the objects W into the vertical heating furnace 110. The objects W to be transported are taken out one by one from the transport exit located on the upper side.

According to the vertical heating furnace 110 of this embodiment, the object W to be transported has a rectangular plate shape with concave notches 142 formed at the four corners, and a pair of the objects W to be transported are positioned on both sides of the object W in the diagonal direction. A first feed support shaft 118a and a pair of second feed support shafts 118b are provided, and flat surfaces 152a and 152b of the first feed support shaft 118a and the second feed support shaft 118b are provided with Projections (convex positioning portions) 154a, 154b, 154c, and 154d are provided to position the conveyed object W by being engageable with the concave notch 142 regardless of the rotational angle position, and the first feed support shaft 118a and the flat surfaces 152a and 152b of the second feed support shaft 118b are formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction to support the four corners of the transported object W according to the rotation angle around the central axes CLa and CLb. It is possible to switch between a supporting position in which the object W is supported and a non-supporting position in which the four corners of the object W are not supported.

Then, the electronic control device 120 rotates the pair of feed support shafts 118b located on the diagonal line of the transported object W around the central axis CLb, and sets the other pair of feed support shafts to the non-supporting position of the transported object W. 118a in the longitudinal direction to move the transported object W by one stroke, the pair of feed support shafts 118b are rotated around the center axis CLb axis to support the transported object W, and then the other The pair of feed support shafts 118a are rotated around the center axis CLa axis and returned in the longitudinal direction by one stroke to a position where the transported object W is not supported, and the other pair of feed support shafts 118a are rotated around the center axis CLa axis. By rotating to support the transported objects W, the transported objects W are fed one by one at a constant interval in the vertical direction. By repeating this transport cycle, it is possible to support a plurality of objects W to be transported at a fixed interval in the vertical direction and to feed them one by one in the vertical direction. The binder generated from the heat-treated objects placed or housed can be easily removed, and damage to the objects to be transported located at the lowest stage can be suppressed.

According to the vertical heating furnace 110 of this embodiment, regardless of the rotation angle positions of the pair of feed support shafts 118a and the pair of feed support shafts 118b around the center axis CLa and the center axis CLb, the conveyed object W Projections (convex positioning portions) 154a and 154b that position the conveyed object W by engaging with concave notches 142 formed at each of the four corners of the pair of feed support shafts 118a and a pair of feed support shafts 118b, there is no need for a guide to guide the transported object W in the vertical direction.

In the vertical heating furnace 110 of this embodiment, when the electronic control device 120 operates as shown in FIG. Prior to the position, the other pair of first feed support shafts 118a are moved a predetermined distance to the opposite side to the feed direction of the pair of second feed support shafts 118b, and the other pair of first feed support shafts 118a Before rotating from the unsupported position to the supported position by rotating around the central axis CLa, the pair of second feed support shafts 118b are predetermined to the opposite side to the feed direction of the other pair of first feed support shafts 118a. be moved a distance. In this case, even if the fan-shaped support plates (support protrusions) 126a and 126b do not have slopes for guiding the transported object W (guide it in the vertical direction), the fan-shaped support plates 126a and 126b and the transported object Interference with the object W is prevented.

FIG. 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a horizontal cross-section of a vertical heating furnace 210 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11, and is an enlarged view showing the end portions of the first feed support shaft 218a and the second feed support shaft 218b that support and convey the transported object W. .

In the vertical heating furnace 210 of this embodiment, recessed notches 142 are formed at the four corners of the rectangular plate-shaped object W, compared to the vertical heating furnace 110 of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. In addition, the pair of first feed support shafts 218a and the pair of second feed support shafts 218b, which function as feed support members, sandwich the object W in the left and right direction and support the two sides of the object W. They differ in that they are located on the outside.

Further, in the vertical heating furnace 210 of this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape and the shape of the support protrusion of the pair of first feed support shafts 218a and the pair of second feed support shafts 218b are different from each other. It is different from the second feed support shaft 218b in that the pair of first feed support shafts 218a and the pair of second feed support shafts 218b are rotated around the eccentric axes HLa and HLb. This is different from the type heating furnace 110. Further, in the vertical heating furnace 210 of this embodiment, two pairs of elongated guide members 32a and 32b that guide the object W by slidingly contacting the other two sides of the object W are connected to a pair of first feed support shafts 218a and 32b. It differs from the vertical heating furnace 110 in that it is provided in a fixed position parallel to the pair of second feed support shafts 218b. However, the parts other than those differences, such as the furnace body 14, are the same as the vertical heating furnace 110.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the pair of first feed support shafts 218a and the pair of second feed support shafts 218b have cylindrical portions 244a and 244b and eccentric axes HLa and HLb from the cylindrical portions 244a and 244b. It is provided with shaft end portions 246a and 246b having a relatively smaller diameter than the cylindrical portions 244a and 244b, which are centrally provided and protrude in the longitudinal direction.

Parts of the cylindrical portions 244a and 244b are provided to avoid interference with the transported object W when the pair of first feed support shafts 218a and the pair of second feed support shafts 218b do not support the transported object W. In order to do so, cutout surfaces 278a and 278b are formed, respectively. In the plan view of FIG. 11, the notch surface 278a is formed to be parallel to a line connecting the central axis CLa of the cylindrical part 244a and the eccentric axis HLa, and is centered on the central axis CLa of the cylindrical part 244a. It supports an angle range of 90°. In the plan view of FIG. 11, the notch surface 278b is formed to be parallel to a line connecting the central axis CLb of the cylindrical portion 244b and the eccentric axis HLb, and is centered on the central axis CLb of the cylindrical portion 244b. It supports an angle range of 90°.

In the plan view of FIG. 11, the cylindrical portion 244a has a line connecting a line passing through the center axis CLa orthogonal to the notch surface 278a and the end of the notch surface 278a on the eccentric axis HLa side, and a line that connects the end of the notch surface 278a on the eccentric axis HLa side. By forming the groove so that a portion surrounded by the outer peripheral surface 280a remains, a plurality of support plates 226a supporting two sides of the transported object W are formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction. ing. The above-mentioned equal intervals between the support plates 226a are intervals of a feed amount that is sufficiently larger than the thickness of the object W to be transported, for example, about 10 to 20 mm.

In the plan view of FIG. 11, the cylindrical portion 244b has a line connecting a line passing through the center axis CLb orthogonal to the notch surface 278b and the end of the notch surface 278b on the eccentric axis HLb side, and a line that connects the end of the notch surface 278b on the eccentric axis HLb side. By forming the groove so that a portion surrounded by the outer peripheral surface 280b remains, a plurality of support plates 226b supporting two sides of the transported object W are formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction. ing. The equal intervals between the support plates 226b are intervals that are sufficiently larger than the thickness of the object W to be transported, for example, about 10 to 20 mm. The support plates 226a and 226b function as support protrusions that support the object W to be transported.

The vertical conveyance mechanism 216 of this embodiment includes a pair of first feed support shafts 218a, a pair of second feed support shafts 218b, two pairs of first vertical actuators 24a, and two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b. , two pairs of upper and lower rotary actuators 148a, and two pairs of upper and lower rotary actuators 148b. Note that in the operation example shown in FIG. 16, which will be described later, the two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b and 24b are not operated, so they may not be provided.

The pair of first feed support shafts 218a and the pair of second feed support shafts 218b are rotated around the eccentric axes HLa and HLb by the rotary actuators 148a and 148b, so that the transported object W shown in FIG. It is selectively positioned between a supporting state in which it supports the object W and a non-supporting state in which it does not support the transported object W, as shown in FIG. FIG. 14 shows rotational positions between supported and unsupported states. The first feed support shaft 218a shown in FIG. 11 is in an unsupported state, and the second feed support shaft 218b is in a supported state. In FIGS. 13 to 15, the second feed support shaft 218b is representatively shown.

In this embodiment, the electronic control unit 120 operates the pair of first feed support shafts 218a and the pair of second feed support shafts 218b in accordance with the time chart of FIG. 16 in the same manner as in FIG. 9 of the second embodiment described above. . That is, the electronic control device 120 operates from the support state in which the pair of second feed support shafts 218b and the other pair of first feed support shafts 218a respectively support the conveyed object W, that is, from the original position of the feed cycle (at time t0). , the pair of second feed support shafts 218b are rotated around the eccentric axis HLb, and the support plates 226a formed on the pair of second feed support shafts 218b are removed from the transported object W to be in an unsupported state (t1 time).

Next, the transported object W is moved by one stroke (at time t2) by sending the pair of first feed support shafts 218a in the supporting state in which the transported object W is supported by a predetermined amount in the longitudinal direction, that is, upward. The second feed support shaft 218b is rotated around the eccentric axis HLb to be in a supporting state to support the transported object W (at time t3).

Next, the other pair of first feed support shafts 218a are rotated around the center axis CLa to set the support plate 226a from the transported object W to a non-supported state (at time t4), and in this state, one stroke in the longitudinal direction is made. That is, it is returned downward (at time t5), and the other pair of first feed support shafts 218a are rotated around the eccentric axis HLa to set the supporting state of supporting the conveyed object W to the original position of the feed cycle (at time t6). .

By repeating such one cycle of operation, the electronic control device 120 sequentially sends the objects W to be transported upward one by one at regular intervals in the vertical direction. At the same time, the electronic control device 120 causes a loading device (not shown) to feed the objects W to be transported one by one to the transport inlet on the lower side of the vertical heating furnace 210, and causes an unloading device (not shown) to feed the objects W to be transported one by one to the transport entrance on the lower side of the vertical heating furnace 210. The objects W to be transported are taken out one by one from the transport exit located on the upper side.

FIG. 17 is a time chart showing another example of control operation of the electronic control device 120 of this embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 10 of the second embodiment. In this embodiment as well, in addition to the operation shown in FIG. 16, the electronic control device 120 moves the pair of second feed support shafts 218b along the eccentric axis HLb so that the support plates 226a, 226b and the transported object W do not interfere with each other. Prior to rotation from the unsupported position to the supported position, the pair of first feed support shafts 218a are moved a predetermined distance to the side opposite to the feed of the pair of second feed support shafts 218b. In addition, before the pair of first feed support shafts 218a are rotated around the eccentric axis HLa axis from the non-support position to the support position, the pair of second feed support shafts 218b are rotated around the eccentric axis HLa axis. It can be moved a predetermined distance to the opposite side to the feeding direction of 218a.

As described above, according to the vertical heating furnace 210 of the present embodiment, the electronic control device 120 rotates the pair of second feed support shafts 218b located on a line passing through the center of the transported object W around the eccentric axis HLb. After moving the transported object W by one stroke by rotating and sending the other pair of first feed support shafts 218a in the longitudinal direction so that the transported object W is not supported, the pair of first feed support shafts 218a 218b is rotated around the eccentric axis HLb to support the transported object W, and then the other pair of first feed support shafts 218a are rotated around the eccentric axis HLa to bring the transported object W into a non-supported state. Then, the other pair of first feed support shafts 218a are rotated around the eccentric axis HLa to the support position for the transported object W. By repeating this transport cycle, it is possible to support a plurality of objects W at a fixed interval in the vertical direction and send them one by one upward or downward. The binder generated from the heat-treated objects placed or housed in the container can be easily removed, and damage to the objects to be transported located at the lowest stage can be suppressed.

In the vertical heating furnace 210 of this embodiment, when the electronic control device 120 operates as shown in FIG. Prior to the position, the other pair of first feed support shafts 218a are moved a predetermined distance to the opposite side to the feed direction of the pair of second feed support shafts 218b, and the other pair of first feed support shafts 218a Before rotating around the eccentric axis HLa from the unsupported position to the supported position, the pair of second feed support shafts 218b are predetermined to the opposite side to the feed direction of the other pair of first feed support shafts 218a. be moved a distance. In this case, even if the support plates (support protrusions) 226a and 226b do not have slopes for guiding (vertically guiding) the transported object W, the support plates 226a and 226b and the transported object W interference with is prevented.

In the vertical heating furnace 210 of this embodiment, the other two parallel sides of the transported object W are the first feed support shaft 218a and the second feed support shaft 218b (four feed support shafts). ) are guided by sliding contact with guide members 32a and 32b that are fixedly provided in parallel with the guide members 32a and 32b. Thereby, the conveyed object W is guided by the pair of guide members 32a and 32b located on the outside of the other two mutually parallel sides, and the first feed support shaft 218a and the first feed support shaft 218a that engage the two mutually parallel sides. Since it is sent upward or downward by the second feed support shaft 218b, the object W to be transported is prevented from falling off in the outward direction of the other two mutually parallel sides.

FIG. 18 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a horizontal cross-section of a vertical heating furnace 310 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG. 18, and is an enlarged view showing the end portions of the first rack shaft 318a and the second rack shaft 318b that support and transport the object W. FIG. 20 is a left side view of FIG. 18, and is an enlarged view showing the end portions of the first rack shaft 318a and the second rack shaft 318b.

In the vertical heating furnace 310 of this embodiment, recessed notches 142 are formed at the four corners of the rectangular plate-shaped object W, compared to the vertical heating furnace 110 of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. In addition, the pair of first rack shafts 318a and the pair of second rack shafts 318b, which function as feeding support members, are located outside the four corners of the transported object W and on the diagonal of the transported object W. They are different in that they are rotatably located around rotational axes KLa and KLb.

Further, in the vertical heating furnace 310, the cross-sectional shape and the shape of the support projections of the pair of first rack shafts 318a and the pair of second rack shafts 318b are different from that of the pair of first feed support shafts 218a and the pair of second feed support shafts. It is different from the vertical heating furnace 110 in that it is different from the shaft 218b, and that the pair of first rack shafts 318a and the pair of second rack shafts 318b are rotated around rotation axes KLa and KLb. Furthermore, the vertical heating furnace 310 differs from the vertical heating furnace 110 in that the pair of first rack shafts 318a and the pair of rack shafts 318b respectively support the vicinity of the four corners of the four sides of the transported object W. . However, the parts other than those differences, such as the furnace body 14, are the same as the vertical heating furnace 110.

As shown in FIGS. 18, 19, and 20, the pair of first rack shafts 318a have a flat prismatic portion 344a and a rotation axis that is eccentrically located from the prismatic portion 344a toward the four corners of the transported object W. It includes a shaft end portion 346a that projects in the longitudinal direction centering on KLa. Although it is preferable that the thickness of the prismatic portion 344a and the diameter of the shaft end portion 346a be the same, they do not have to be the same. Further, the pair of second rack shafts 318b are provided to protrude in the longitudinal direction about a flat prismatic portion 344b and a rotation axis KLb located eccentrically toward the four corners of the transported object W from the prismatic portion 344b. A shaft end portion 346b. Although it is preferable that the thickness of the prismatic portion 344b and the diameter of the shaft end portion 346b be the same, they do not have to be the same.

Support teeth 326 are formed on one surface of the prismatic parts 344a and 344b at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the prismatic parts 344a and 344b. For example, like the support tooth 26 of Example 1 described above, the support tooth 326 has a horizontal tooth trace, and an inclined surface L is formed such that the tooth width becomes smaller toward the tip. . The support teeth 326 are formed at intervals of a feed amount that is sufficiently larger than the thickness of the object W to be transported, for example, about 10 to 20 mm. The support teeth 326 function as support protrusions that support the object W to be transported.

The vertical transport mechanism 316 of this embodiment includes a pair of first rack shafts 318a, a pair of second rack shafts 318b, two pairs of first vertical actuators 24a and 24a, and two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b and 24a. 24b, two pairs of upper and lower rotary actuators 148a, and two pairs of upper and lower rotary actuators 148b. Note that in the operation example shown in FIG. 21, which will be described later, the two pairs of second vertical actuators 24b and 24b are not operated, so they do not need to be provided.

The pair of first rack shafts 318a and the pair of second rack shafts 318b are rotated by 90° around rotational axes KLa and KLb by rotary actuators 148a and 148b, so that the pair of first rack shafts 318a and the pair of second rack shafts 318b shown in FIGS. A supported state in which the transported object W is supported as shown in the position of the first rack shaft 318a, and a non-supported state in which the transported object W is not supported as shown in the pair of second rack shafts 318b in FIGS. 18 and 20. and selectively located.

In this embodiment, the electronic control unit 120 controls the pair of first rack shafts 318a and the pair of second rack shafts 318b according to the time chart of FIG. Operate in the same way. That is, the electronic control unit 120 changes the support state in which the pair of second rack shafts 318b and the pair of first rack shafts 318a each support the transported object W, that is, the original position of the feed cycle (time t0), to The second rack shafts 318b are rotated around the rotation axis KLb, and the support teeth 326 formed on the pair of second rack shafts 318b are removed from the transported object W (time t1).

Next, the other pair of first rack shafts 318a are moved in the longitudinal direction, that is, upward, by a predetermined distance while supporting the transported object W, thereby moving the transported object W by one stroke (at time t2), and then, The pair of second rack shafts 318b are rotated around the rotation axis KLb to be in a supporting state in which the transported object W is supported (at time t3).

Next, the other pair of first rack shafts 318a are rotated around the rotation axis KLa to bring the support teeth 326 out of the conveyed object W into a non-supported state (at time t4), and in this state, one stroke in the longitudinal direction is made. That is, it is returned downward (at time t5), and the other pair of first rack shafts 318a are rotated around the rotation axis KLa to be in the supporting state of supporting the conveyed object W, which is the original position of the feed cycle (at time t6). .

By repeating such one cycle of operation, the electronic control device 120 sequentially sends the objects W to be transported upward one by one at regular intervals in the vertical direction. At the same time, the electronic control device 120 causes the loading device (not shown) to feed the objects W to be transported one by one to the transport entrance on the lower side of the vertical heating furnace 310, and causes the unloading device (not shown) to feed the objects W to be transported one by one to the transport entrance on the lower side of the vertical heating furnace 310. The objects W to be transported are taken out one by one from the transport exit located on the upper side.

As described above, according to the vertical heating furnace 310 of the present embodiment, the electronic control device 120 controls the pair of second rack shafts 318b and the pair of first rack shafts 318a located outside the four corners of the transported object W. A pair of the second rack shafts 318b are rotated around the rotation axis KLb, and the supporting teeth 326 formed on the pair of second rack shafts 318b are removed from the transported object W, so that the supporting teeth 326 are removed from the transported object W. By moving the pair of first rack shafts 318a supporting the transported object W by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction, that is, upward, the transported object W is moved by one stroke, and then the pair of second rack shafts 318b is moved. The object to be transported W is rotated around the rotation axis KLb to be in a supporting state where the object W is supported, and then the other pair of first rack shafts 318a are rotated around the rotation axis KLa to remove the object W from the support teeth. 326 is removed, and in this state it is returned in the longitudinal direction, that is, downward, by one stroke, and the other pair of first rack shafts 318a are rotated around the rotation axis KLa to support the transported object W. The state is the original position of the feed cycle. By repeating this transport cycle, it is possible to support a plurality of objects W at a fixed interval in the vertical direction and send them one by one upward or downward. The binder generated from the heat-treated objects placed or housed in the container can be easily removed, and damage to the objects to be transported located at the lowest stage can be suppressed.

FIG. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a vertical cross section of a vertical heating furnace 410 according to another embodiment of the present invention. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a horizontal cross-section of FIG. 22. FIG. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the supported state of the transported object W in FIG. 22. FIG. 25 is an enlarged view showing the supported state of the transported object W in FIG. 22. 22 is a sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of FIG. 23.

Compared to the vertical heating furnace 110 of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the vertical heating furnace 410 of this embodiment functions as a feeding support member instead of the two pairs of feeding support shafts 118a and 118b. Two pairs of feed support screw shafts 418a and 418b are used, and concave notches 442 (shown in FIG. 23) formed at the four corners of the rectangular plate-shaped object W are arranged in two pairs of cylindrical shapes. They are different in that they are formed along the outer peripheral surfaces of the portions 444a and 444b. Further, the vertical heating furnace 410 has a feature that spiral protrusions 426a and 426b formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the two pairs of feed support screw shafts 418a and 418b function as support protrusions that support the transported object W. It is different from the vertical heating furnace 110 in that the two pairs of feed support screw shafts 418a and 418b do not move up and down, but are rotated synchronously around the center axes CLa and CLb, respectively. However, other than these differences, for example, the furnace body 14 and the like are the same as the vertical heating furnace 110.

In FIGS. 22 to 25, a pair of first feed support screw shafts 418a and a pair of second feed support screw shafts 418b are arranged so as to sandwich the object W from the outside of the four corners of the object W, and The central axes CLa and CLb are located on the diagonal of W, respectively.

The pair of feed support screw shafts 418a includes a cylindrical portion 444a having a spiral protrusion 426a that functions as a support protrusion formed on the outer circumferential surface, and a cylindrical portion 444a that protrudes vertically from the cylindrical portion 444a in the longitudinal direction about the central axis CLa. The shaft end portion 446a has a relatively smaller diameter than the columnar portion 444a. Similarly, the pair of feed support screw shafts 418b function as support protrusions, and include a cylindrical portion 444b having a spiral protrusion 426b with a thread opposite to that of the protrusion 426a formed on the outer peripheral surface, and a cylindrical portion 444b. The shaft end portion 446b has a relatively smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion 444b and extends vertically in the longitudinal direction about the central axis CLb.

As shown in FIG. 24, the protrusion 426a formed on the columnar part 444a is formed to have a reverse thread with respect to the protrusion 426b formed on the columnar part 444b. The protrusions 426a and 426b protrude in the radial direction to support the outer edge of the object W, and have a thickness sufficiently larger than the thickness of the object W, for example 10, in the direction of the central axes CLa and CLb. It has a constant pitch of about 20 mm. As a result, when the pair of first feed support screw shafts 418a and the pair of second feed support screw shafts 418b are rotated once around the central axes CLa and CLb, the conveyed object W is moved at a feed rate that is sufficiently larger than its thickness. The paper is fed in the vertical direction by a predetermined feed amount, for example, about 10 to 20 mm.

The upper and lower ends of the furnace body 14 are closed by an upper shielding plate 434 and a lower shielding plate 436 fixed to the machine frame 12. A pair of upper and lower bearings 484a that fit on the shaft end 446a and a pair of upper and lower bearings 484b that fit on the shaft end 446b are fixed to the upper and lower shielding plates 434 and 436. As a result, the pair of first feed support screw shafts 418a and the pair of second feed support screw shafts 418b are rotated around the central axes CLa and CLb by the pair of upper and lower bearings 484a and the pair of upper and lower bearings 484b, respectively. Possibly supported.

Lower shaft ends 446a of the pair of first feed support screw shafts 418a are connected to a pair of first rotary actuators 448a fixed to the lower shielding plate 436. Further, lower shaft ends 446b of the pair of second feed support screw shafts 418b are connected to a pair of second rotary actuators 448b fixed to the lower shielding plate 436. These first rotary actuator 448a and second rotary actuator 448b are configured to control a pair of first feed support screw shafts 418a and a pair of second feed support screw shafts 418b by electronic control device 420, for example, as shown by the arrows in FIG. By rotating continuously or intermittently in the opposite rotational direction, the objects W to be transported are conveyed one by one at regular intervals in the vertical direction.

The vertical transport mechanism 416 of this embodiment includes a pair of first feed support screw shafts 418a, a pair of second feed support screw shafts 418b, a pair of first rotary actuators 448a, and a pair of second rotary actuators 448b. It is equipped with the following.

As described above, according to the vertical heating furnace 410 of this embodiment, the transported object W has a rectangular plate shape with concave notches 442 formed at the four corners, and the A first feed support screw shaft 418a and a second feed support screw shaft 418b, which are respectively located on the diagonal of the conveyed object W, are used as a plurality of feed support members, and the cylindrical portion 444a of the first feed support screw shaft 418a, On the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 444b of the second feed support screw shaft 418b, spiral protrusions 426a and 426b with a constant pitch that function as support protrusions that support the four corners of the transported object W are formed. The device (feed drive control device) 420 drives the first feed support screw shaft 418a and the second feed support screw shaft 418b to rotate continuously or intermittently in reverse walking in synchronization around the center axes CLa and CLb, respectively. By doing so, the objects W to be transported are fed one by one in the vertical direction, that is, in the upward or downward direction, with a constant interval between them. As a result, it is possible to support a plurality of objects W to be transported at a constant interval in the vertical direction and to send them one by one upward or downward, and to place or accommodate the objects W to be transported. The binder generated from the heat-treated object is easily removed, and damage to the transported object located at the lowest stage is suppressed.

Further, according to the vertical heating furnace 410 of this embodiment, the concave notches 442 formed at the four corners of the rectangular plate-shaped object to be transported W are connected to the first feed support screw shaft 418a and the second feed support screw shaft. Since it is formed along the outer circumferential surface of the columnar parts 444a and 444b of 418b, the four corners of the transported object W are Since the conveyed object W is positioned by engaging with the concave notches 442 formed in the respective grooves, a guide member for guiding the conveyed object W in the vertical direction becomes unnecessary.

Although the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the present invention can also be applied to other aspects.

For example, the object W to be transported in the above-mentioned embodiment has a square shape, but may have a rectangular shape. In this case, the horizontal cross section of the space S within the furnace body 14 may also preferably be rectangular.

Furthermore, in the operation of FIG. 5, the operation of FIG. 9, and the operation of FIG. It may also be moved up and down like this.

Furthermore, in the vertical heating furnace 10 of the first embodiment, the vertical heating furnace 110 of the second embodiment, the vertical heating furnace 210 of the third embodiment, and the vertical heating furnace 310 of the fourth embodiment, the object W to be transported is moved downward. A conveying operation may also be performed.

In addition, the first feed support shaft 118a and the second feed support shaft 118b of the embodiment (Example 2) of FIGS. 6 to 8 are a plate having a cross-sectional shape including fan-shaped support plates 126a and 126b, a fan-shaped support plate 126a, Each may be constructed by alternately stacking and bonding plates having a cross-sectional shape that does not include 126b. The first feed support shaft 218a and the second feed support shaft 218b in the embodiment (Example 3) shown in FIGS. 11 to 15 may also have a similar laminated structure.

Further, the rotary actuator 148a and the rotary actuator 148b of the second embodiment, and the first rotary actuator 448a and the second rotary actuator 448b of the fourth embodiment are, for example, composed of an electrically driven motor actuator. It may be constructed of a pneumatic actuator driven by air, a hydraulic actuator driven by hydraulic pressure of water, oil, etc.

Further, in the vertical heating furnace 10 of Example 1 and the vertical heating furnace 210 of Example 3, a pair of guide members 32a and a pair of guide members 32b were provided, but the furnace length was short and misalignment during transportation occurred. It may not be provided if it is within an allowable range or if no misalignment occurs during transportation due to reasons such as a large friction coefficient between the surface supporting the transported object W and the transported object W.

The above-mentioned embodiment is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit thereof.

10, 110, 210, 310, 410: Vertical heating furnace 12: Machine frame 14: Furnace bodies 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d: Side walls 18a, 318a: Pair of first rack shafts (feed support members)
18b, 318b: A pair of second rack shafts (feed support members)
20, 120, 420: Electronic control device (feed drive control device)
26: Support tooth (support protrusion)
32a, 32b: Guide members 118a, 218a: A pair of first feed support shafts (feed support members)
118b, 218b: A pair of second feed support shafts (feed support members)
126a, 126b: Fan-shaped support plate (support projection)
154a, 154b: Projection (convex positioning part)
226a, 226b: Support plate (support protrusion)
326: Support tooth (support protrusion)
418a: A pair of first feed support screw shafts (feed support member)
418b: A pair of second feed support screw shafts (feed support member)
426a, 426b: Spiral protrusion (support protrusion, spiral protrusion)
CLa, CLb: Central axis HLa, HLb: Eccentric axis KLa, KLb: Rotation axis S: Furnace body space

Claims (6)

A vertical heating furnace having a furnace body in which a vertical furnace space for accommodating objects to be transported is formed, and capable of transporting the objects to be transported in the vertical direction in the furnace body space,
a plurality of vertically elongated feeding support members provided around the conveyed object in the furnace body;
a plurality of support protrusions that respectively protrude from the plurality of feed support members and support the outer periphery of the conveyed object at a constant interval in the vertical direction;
A reciprocating movement in an approach/separation direction, a reciprocating movement in an up-down direction, and a reciprocating movement in an up-down direction so as to support a plurality of objects to be transported at a constant interval in the up-down direction and send them one by one upward or downward. a reciprocating motion and a reciprocating rotational motion around an axis in an up-down direction, or a rotational motion around an axis in an up-down direction, between the plurality of feed support members ;
The object to be transported has a rectangular plate shape,
The plurality of feeding support members are two pairs of rack members located on the outside of two parallel sides of the object to be transported, sandwiching the object to be transported,
A plurality of support teeth are formed as the plurality of support protrusions at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the two pairs of rack members on opposing surfaces of the two pairs of rack members,
The support tooth has a horizontal tooth trace, and an inclined surface is formed such that the tooth width becomes smaller toward the tip,
The feed drive control device is configured to separate one pair of second rack members of the two pairs of rack members from each other and remove the plurality of support teeth formed on the pair of second rack members from the transported object. one pair of first rack members of the two pairs of rack members is in the supported state in which the plurality of support teeth formed on the pair of first rack members support the transported object; After moving the conveyed object by one step by feeding it in the longitudinal direction, the pair of second rack members are brought close to each other to be in a supporting state supporting the conveyed object, and then the pair of first rack members Returning the members one step in the longitudinal direction in an unsupported state in which they are separated from each other and removed from the object to be transported, and bringing the pair of first rack members closer to each other to be in a supported state in which the object to be transported is supported. By repeating this, the objects to be transported are sent one by one at a constant interval in the longitudinal direction.
A vertical heating furnace characterized by: The vertical heating furnace according to claim 1 , further comprising at least a pair of guide members positioned on both sides of the object to be transported on the outside of two other mutually parallel sides of the object to be transported. A vertical heating furnace having a furnace body in which a vertical furnace space for accommodating objects to be transported is formed, and capable of transporting the objects to be transported in the vertical direction in the furnace body space,
a plurality of vertically elongated feeding support members provided around the conveyed object in the furnace body;
a plurality of support protrusions that respectively protrude from the plurality of feed support members and support the outer periphery of the conveyed object at a constant interval in the vertical direction;
A reciprocating movement in an approach/separation direction, a reciprocating movement in an up-down direction, and a reciprocating movement in an up-down direction so as to support a plurality of objects to be transported at a constant interval in the up-down direction and send them one by one upward or downward. a reciprocating motion and a reciprocating rotational motion around an axis in an up-down direction, or a rotational motion around an axis in an up-down direction, between the plurality of feed support members;
The object to be transported has a rectangular plate shape with concave notches formed at four corners,
The plurality of feed support members are two pairs of feed support shafts located diagonally across the conveyed object,
The two pairs of feed support shafts are positioned so as to be able to engage with the concave notches regardless of the rotation angle of each of the two pairs of feed support shafts about their respective central axes . a convex positioning portion for positioning in the plane direction ; and a fan-shaped support plate formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the two pairs of feed support shafts and supporting the four corners of the conveyed object according to the rotation angle about the central axis. and are each provided with
The feed drive control device rotates a pair of second feed support shafts of the two pairs of feed support shafts located on a diagonal line of the object to be transported around a central axis to bring the object to be transported into a non-supported state. After moving the conveyed object by one step by sending one pair of first feed support shafts of the two pairs of feed support shafts in the longitudinal direction, The object to be transported is placed in a supported state by rotating around the axis, and then the object is placed in a non-supported state by rotating the pair of first feed support shafts around the central axis, and then the object is moved in the longitudinal direction by one step. , and the pair of first feed support shafts are rotated around the central axis to support the conveyed objects, so that the conveyed objects are separated one by one at a constant interval in the longitudinal direction. It is something to send
A vertical heating furnace characterized by: The feed drive control device rotates the pair of first feed support shafts to the pair of second feed support shafts before rotating the pair of second feed support shafts about the central axis from a non-supported state to a supported state. Before moving the support shafts a predetermined distance to the side opposite to the feeding direction and rotating the pair of first feed support shafts around the central axis to change from the unsupported state to the supported state, the pair of second feed support shafts are 4. The vertical heating furnace according to claim 3 , wherein the shaft is moved a predetermined distance to a side opposite to the feeding direction of the pair of first feeding support shafts. A vertical heating furnace having a furnace body in which a vertical furnace space for accommodating objects to be transported is formed, and capable of transporting the objects to be transported in the vertical direction in the furnace body space,
a plurality of vertically elongated feeding support members provided around the conveyed object in the furnace body;
a plurality of support protrusions that respectively protrude from the plurality of feed support members and support the outer periphery of the conveyed object at a constant interval in the vertical direction;
A reciprocating movement in an approach/separation direction, a reciprocating movement in an up-down direction, and a reciprocating movement in an up-down direction so as to support a plurality of objects to be transported at a constant interval in the up-down direction and send them one by one upward or downward. a reciprocating motion and a reciprocating rotational motion around an axis in an up-down direction, or a rotational motion around an axis in an up-down direction, between the plurality of feed support members;
The object to be transported has a rectangular plate shape,
The plurality of feed support members are four feed rack shafts forming two pairs located diagonally across the conveyed object,
The four feed rack shafts are provided with a plurality of support protrusions that support the object to be transported so as to engage with each of the four sides of the object to position the object in the surface direction of the object. A plurality of support teeth are formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the four feed rack shafts,
The plurality of support teeth change from a supported state in which they engage one of the four sides of the conveyed object to a non-supported state, depending on the rotation angle around the eccentric rotational axis of each of the four feed rack shafts. switched,
The feed drive control device rotates a pair of second feed rack shafts of the four feed rack shafts about eccentric rotation axes to bring the conveyed object into a non-supporting state, and After moving the conveyed object by one step by feeding a pair of first feed rack shafts among the shafts in the longitudinal direction, rotating the pair of second feed rack shafts around an eccentric rotation axis; The object to be transported is placed in a supported state, and then the pair of first feed rack shafts are rotated around eccentric rotation axes to bring the object to be unsupported, and then the object is returned to the longitudinal direction by one step. The objects to be transported are sent one by one at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction.
A vertical heating furnace characterized by: A vertical heating furnace having a furnace body in which a vertical furnace space for accommodating objects to be transported is formed, and capable of transporting the objects to be transported in the vertical direction in the furnace body space,
a plurality of vertically elongated feeding support members provided around the conveyed object in the furnace body;
a plurality of support protrusions that respectively protrude from the plurality of feed support members and support the outer periphery of the conveyed object at a constant interval in the vertical direction;
A reciprocating movement in an approach/separation direction, a reciprocating movement in an up-down direction, and a reciprocating movement in an up-down direction so as to support a plurality of objects to be transported at a constant interval in the up-down direction and send them one by one upward or downward. a reciprocating motion and a reciprocating rotational motion around an axis in an up-down direction, or a rotational motion around an axis in an up-down direction, between the plurality of feed support members;
The object to be transported has a rectangular plate shape with notches formed at four corners,
The plurality of feed support members are four feed support screw shafts located on diagonal lines of the object to be transported outside of the four corners of the object to be transported,
Each of the four feed support screw shafts is provided with spiral protrusions at a constant pitch as a plurality of support protrusions that support the four corners of the conveyed object, each of which is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the support screw shaft ,
The columnar portions are provided at intervals shorter than one side of the object to be transported, and the object to be transported is positioned in a surface direction of the object to be transported,
The feed drive control device rotates the four feed support screw shafts continuously or intermittently in synchronization with the four feed support screw shafts, thereby moving the conveyed object along the longitudinal axis of the four feed support screw shafts. It sends one sheet at a time at a fixed interval in the direction.
A vertical heating furnace characterized by:

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