Continuous firing furnace
By adopting a zoned drive conveyor roller structure in the continuous firing furnace, the problem of uneven conveying speed of multiple feeders was solved, and the uniformity of conveying speed and the accuracy of firing were improved, ensuring stable conveying and uniform firing of the processed materials.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KABU CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-01-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
In a continuous firing furnace, the uneven conveying speed of multiple rows of feeders makes it difficult to control the firing accuracy and uniformity of the processed material, especially when the feeders are arranged in a thinner arrangement, the difference in conveying speed is significant.
The conveyor roller structure is driven by a partition. By installing sprockets and support components on the two side walls of the furnace body and connecting them to the drive device, the first and second roller groups are formed, which ensures that the conveyor rollers on each side rotate evenly and reduces conveying deviation.
It achieves consistent conveying speed of processed materials in multi-column conveying situations, improves firing accuracy and uniformity, reduces conveying deviation, and ensures a stable firing process.
Smart Images
Figure CN114812165B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to a continuous firing furnace. Background Technology
[0002] A continuous firing furnace is a firing furnace in which heat treatment is carried out continuously while the workpiece is being transported. A continuous firing furnace involves driving multiple conveyor rollers to rotate, thereby performing heat treatment while the workpiece is being transported. Such a continuous firing furnace is also known as a roller kiln.
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-172436 discloses a technique for adjusting the width of the inner circumferential surface of the end of a conveyor roller by supporting the conveyor roller as a rotatable support shaft. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-43816 discloses a conveyor roller support device for a heating furnace that includes a support shaft and a support plate capable of allowing cooling fluid to flow.
[0004] Existing technical documents
[0005] Patent documents
[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-172436
[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-43816 Summary of the Invention
[0008] The problem the invention aims to solve
[0009] Furthermore, in roller kilns, the components inside the furnace can be made of ceramic. By making the components inside the furnace of ceramic, the introduction of metallic foreign matter during firing is prevented. In addition, the atmosphere inside the furnace, such as temperature and composition, can be varied along the conveying path. Therefore, uniform firing can be achieved while controlling the atmosphere inside the furnace. In such continuous firing furnaces, for example, particles for semiconductor materials, battery active materials, etc., are placed into a container called a feeder and conveyed while being fired simultaneously. The feeders can also be conveyed in multiple overlapping layers. By conveying the feeders in multiple overlapping layers, productivity can be improved.
[0010] Furthermore, in recent years, the demands of users of continuous firing furnaces have become increasingly sophisticated. For example, there is a need to refine the processed material to a finer size and fire it uniformly and appropriately, similar to particles used in semiconductor materials and battery active materials. To meet this demand, the granular processed material is arranged thinly on a flat feeder, and then the feeders are conveyed layer by layer using conveyor rollers for firing. As a result, the processed material arranged thinly on the feeder can be fired uniformly. In cases of increased throughput, the feeders are sometimes conveyed in multiple rows on the conveyor rollers. On the other hand, after experimentation, the inventors found a tendency that if the feeders with the processed material arranged thinly are conveyed in multiple rows, one row of feeders conveyed from the inlet arrives at the outlet before another row. In order to fire the processed material with the desired precision and uniformity, it is also desirable that the conveying speed of the feeders does not deviate significantly from the inlet to the outlet.
[0011] Solution for solving the problem
[0012] A continuous firing furnace disclosed herein includes a furnace body, a plurality of conveying rollers, a support structure for the conveying rollers, and a drive device. The furnace body is a tunnel-shaped furnace body surrounding a linear conveying space. The continuous firing furnace has: a first sidewall located on one side in the width direction of the conveying space; and a second sidewall located on the opposite side of the first sidewall. The plurality of conveying rollers are arranged along the conveying direction set in the conveying space. Each of the plurality of conveying rollers is a cylindrical shaft-shaped roller, mounted on the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and extending through the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The support structure for the conveying rollers includes: a first support frame disposed on the outside of the first sidewall; a first support member rotatably supported on the first support frame by means of a bearing, supporting a first end of the conveying roller extending through the first sidewall; a second support frame disposed on the outside of the second sidewall; and a second support member rotatably supported on the second support frame by means of a bearing, supporting a second end of the conveying roller extending through the second sidewall. A portion of the multiple conveying rollers, the first roller group, has a sprocket mounted on the first support member and connected to the drive unit. A second roller group, excluding the first roller group, has a sprocket mounted on the second support member and connected to the drive unit.
[0013] According to this continuous firing furnace, when the materials to be processed are transported in multiple rows arranged in the axial direction of the conveyor rollers, the conveying deviation can also be reduced.
[0014] Alternatively, the drive unit may include a first drive unit connected to the first support member of the first roller group and a second drive unit connected to the second support member of the second roller group.
[0015] Alternatively, the continuous firing furnace may include, in the conveying direction, the area adjacent to the conveying rollers of the first roller group and the area adjacent to the conveying rollers of the second roller group.
[0016] Alternatively, the continuous firing furnace may include at least one of the regions adjacent to the conveyor rollers of a plurality of first roller groups and the regions adjacent to the conveyor rollers of a second roller group.
[0017] Alternatively, the support structure of the conveyor roller may also include helical springs at both ends of the conveyor roller. In this case, the helical springs may be arranged in a compressed state between the end face of the first end of the conveyor roller and the first support member, and between the end face of the second end of the conveyor roller and the second support member.
[0018] Alternatively, the number of conveyor rollers in the first roller group is more than 0.4 and less than 0.6 of the total number of conveyor rollers in the first roller group and the second roller group. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the continuous firing furnace 10.
[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the continuous firing furnace 10.
[0021] Figure 3 This is a partial schematic diagram showing the side of the continuous firing furnace 10.
[0022] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of the first support member 21 supporting the conveyor roller 12.
[0023] Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of the second support member 22 supporting the conveyor roller 12.
[0024] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram of the continuous firing furnace 10A.
[0025] Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram of the continuous firing furnace 10.
[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0027] 10. Continuous firing furnace; 11. Furnace body; 11a. Conveying space; 11b. Inlet; 11c. Outlet; 12. Conveying roller; 12a. First end; 12b. Second end; 12A. First roller group; 12B. Second roller group; 13. Processed material; 14. Base; 14a. Lower frame; 14b. Support frame; 14c. Upper frame; 14d. Foot; 16. Enclosure; 16a. Insulation material; 21. First support member; 21a. Base end; 21b. Spring seat; 21c. Insertion shaft; 22. Second support member; 22a. Base end; 22b. Spring seat; 22c. Insertion shaft; 31. Furnace wall; 31a. First side wall; 31b. Second side wall; 32. Through hole; 34. Heater; 50 50a, Support structure (driving side); 50b, Support structure (driven side); 51, Base; 52, Support column; 53, Support frame; 53a, First support frame; 53b, Second support frame; 54, Cover; 55, Mounting hole; 61, Helical spring; 64, Bearing; 65, Spacer; 66, Retaining ring; 68, Sprocket; 70, 70A, Power transmission mechanism; 71, Roller chain mechanism; 72, Power transmission part; 81, Shaft; 82, 82a, Sprocket; 83, Roller chain; 90, Drive unit (motor); 91, 94, 95, Coupling; 92, 97, Reducer; 93, 96, Clutch; 98, Handle; R1, First area; R2, Second area; R3, Third area; R4, Fourth area. Detailed Implementation
[0028] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, one of the typical embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail. Furthermore, in the following drawings, components and parts that perform the same function will be labeled with the same reference numerals. Also, the dimensional relationships (length, width, thickness, etc.) in the drawings do not reflect actual dimensional relationships.
[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the continuous firing furnace 10. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the continuous firing furnace 10. The continuous firing furnace 10 is a so-called roller kiln. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the continuous firing furnace 10 includes a furnace body 11, multiple conveying rollers 12, a support structure 50 for the conveying rollers 12, a power transmission mechanism 70, and a drive device 90. Figure 2 The diagram schematically illustrates the support structure 50 of the conveyor roller 12, the power transmission mechanism 70, and the drive device 90. Additionally, in... Figure 2 Different cross-sections are shown in the furnace body 11 and the base 14. In the furnace body 11, a cross-section showing the conveyor roller 12 passing through the furnace body 11 is shown. In the base 14, the portion where the power transmission mechanism 70 and the motor as the drive device 90 are arranged is shown. Figure 3 This is a partial schematic diagram showing the side of the continuous firing furnace 10. Figure 3 The diagram shows the roller chain mechanism 71 of the continuous firing furnace 10 for driving the conveyor roller 12.
[0030] <Furnace Body 11>
[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the furnace body 11 is a tunnel-shaped furnace body surrounding a linear conveying space 11a. An inlet 11b for inputting the processed material 13 is provided on one side of the conveying space 11a. An outlet 11c for outputting the processed material 13 is provided on the opposite side of the conveying space 11a. For the conveying space 11a, a conveying direction is set to transport the processed material 13 from the inlet 11b towards the outlet 11c.
[0032] In this embodiment, the furnace body 11 has a furnace wall 31 that surrounds the conveying space 11a in the conveying direction over its entire circumference. The furnace wall 31 is made of heat-insulating material. The furnace wall 31 can be formed by overlapping ceramic fiber plates shaped into a predetermined shape. The ceramic fiber plate is, for example, a sheet material formed by adding inorganic fillers and inorganic-organic binders to so-called expanded fibers and forming it into a plate shape. The furnace wall 31 can be formed by stacking ceramic fiber plates, for example, in the thickness direction. The furnace body 11 has a first side wall 31a provided on one side in the width direction of the conveying space 11a and a second side wall 31b provided on the side opposite to the first side wall 31a. The thickness of the furnace wall 31 is set to the degree required to sufficiently insulate the heat of the conveying space 11a.
[0033] In the furnace body 11, a plurality of conveying rollers 12 are arranged along the conveying direction. Through holes 32 are formed in the first side wall 31a and the second side wall 31b of the furnace body 11, in portions through which each conveying roller 12 passes. The through holes 32 have an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the conveying roller 12. Furthermore, elongated, shaft-shaped conveying rollers 12 are mounted on the first side wall 31a and the second side wall 31b. The conveying rollers 12 pass through the first side wall 31a and the second side wall 31b.
[0034] <Heater 34>
[0035] In the conveying space 11a of the furnace body 11, such as Figure 1 As shown, a plurality of heaters 34 are arranged. The heaters 34 are devices for heating the workpiece 13 being processed in the conveying space 11a. The plurality of heaters 34 are arranged above and below the conveying space 11a at predetermined intervals along the conveying direction, spaced apart from a plurality of conveying rollers 12. In this embodiment, the heaters 34 are cylindrical shafts extending through the first sidewall 31a and the second sidewall 31b. Various heaters can be used as heaters 34, depending on the heating temperature, for example, ceramic heaters can be used. Furthermore, in Figure 2The illustration of heater 34 is omitted.
[0036] <Pedestal 14>
[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the furnace body 11 is placed on a base 14. The base 14 has a lower frame 14a, a support frame 14b, and an upper frame 14c. The lower frame 14a can serve as a base for mounting the drive device 90. The support frame 14b is a frame that rises upward from the lower frame 14a, and multiple supports are provided relative to the lower frame 14a. The upper frame 14c is supported by the support frame 14b and can serve as a base for mounting the furnace body 11. The furnace body 11 has a furnace wall 31 formed by overlapping ceramic fiberboards as described above. The furnace wall 31 forms a long, straight conveying space 11a. To support the long, straight furnace wall 31, multiple bases 14 are arranged in a straight line. Furthermore, the height is adjusted so that the heights of the bases 14 are aligned. For example, height-adjustable feet 14d can be installed on the lower frame 14a of the base 14.
[0038] A drive device 90 for driving the conveyor roller 12 is provided on the base 14. Further outward, a surrounding plate 16 that surrounds the furnace body 11 is installed on the base 14. On the inner side of the surrounding plate 16, heat insulation material 16a is installed so as to cover the outer side of the furnace body 11.
[0039] <Conveyor Roller 12>
[0040] The conveyor roller 12 is cylindrical. The conveyor roller 12 has a through hole formed from one end to the other. In this embodiment, the conveyor roller 12 is a hollow shaft made of ceramic. The conveyor roller 12 can also be a tubular body with high heat resistance, such as that made of alumina. The conveyor roller 12 can have the required length to penetrate the first sidewall 31a and the second sidewall 31b of the furnace body 11 along its width. The inner diameter, outer diameter, and length of each conveyor roller 12 are substantially the same, except for permissible manufacturing tolerances.
[0041] Multiple conveyor rollers 12 are arranged at predetermined intervals between the inlet 11b and outlet 11c of the conveying space 11a in the furnace body 11. Each conveyor roller 12 is mounted on and through the first side wall 31a and the second side wall 31b as described above. Each conveyor roller 12 is supported by a first support member 21 disposed on the outer side of the first side wall 31a and a second support member 22 disposed on the outer side of the second side wall 31b. A support structure 50 for supporting the first support member 21 and the second support member 22 is provided on the base 14. In addition, a power transmission mechanism 70 and a drive device 90 (motor) are mounted on the base 14.
[0042] <Support Structure 50>
[0043] In this embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the base 14 is wider than the furnace body 11 in the width direction. The furnace body 11 is mounted at a predetermined position on the base 14. The furnace body 11 is positioned approximately at the center of the base 14 in the width direction. In the width direction, the end of the conveyor roller 12 protrudes beyond the outer side of the furnace body 11. A support structure 50 for supporting the conveyor roller 12 is constructed on the outer side of the furnace body 11 in the width direction.
[0044] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a hood 54 for maintaining the atmosphere inside the furnace body 11 is installed on the side of the furnace body 11. A support structure 50 is recessed into the inside of the hood 54. The support structure 50 includes a base 51 and a support frame 53. The base 51 is configured to rise from a plurality of pillars 52 provided on the bottom surface of the hood 54. The plurality of pillars 52 are slightly separated from the outer surface of the furnace body 11 on the outside of the furnace body 11 and are arranged at predetermined intervals along the conveying direction.
[0045] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 The diagram schematically shows the support members supporting the conveyor roller 12. The support structure 50 includes a first support frame 53a, a second support frame 53b, a first support member 21, and a second support member 22 (see reference 53b). Figure 2 The first support frame 53a is disposed on the outer side of the first side wall 31a of the furnace body 11. The second support frame 53b is disposed on the outer side of the second side wall 31b of the furnace body 11. The first support member 21 is rotatably supported on the first support frame 53a by means of a bearing 64. The first support member 21 supports the first end 12a of the conveyor roller 12 that penetrates the first side wall 31a. The second support member 22 is rotatably supported on the second support frame 53b by means of a bearing 64. The second support member 22 supports the second end 12b of the conveyor roller 12 that penetrates the second side wall 31b.
[0046] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of the first support member 21 supporting the conveyor roller 12. Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of the second support member 22 supporting the conveyor roller 12. Figure 4 The diagram shows the support structure 50a on the drive side relative to the conveyor roller 12. Figure 5 The image shows the support structure 50b on the driven side relative to the conveyor roller 12.
[0047] In this embodiment, such as Figure 2As shown, the first support frame 53a and the second support frame 53b are supported on the base 51 by means of pillars 52. The first support frame 53a and the second support frame 53b are frames supporting a bearing 64, which supports the end of the conveyor roller 12 so that it can rotate. The first support frame 53a and the second support frame 53b are mounted on the upper ends of the plurality of pillars 52 constituting the base 51. The first support frame 53a and the second support frame 53b are provided at an appropriate height at the end of the conveyor roller 12 that protrudes from the outer side of the furnace body 11. In this embodiment, the first support frame 53a and the second support frame 53b are horizontally elongated plates.
[0048] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in the first support frame 53a and the second support frame 53b, mounting holes 55 are formed corresponding to the intervals at which the conveyor roller 12 is mounted on the furnace body 11. These mounting holes 55 are for mounting support members that support the conveyor roller 12. A first support member 21 is mounted in the mounting hole 55 of the first support frame 53a via a bearing 64. A second support member 22 is mounted in the mounting hole 55 of the second support frame 53b via a bearing 64. The inner diameter of the mounting hole 55 is set to be larger than the maximum outer diameter of the portions of the first support member 21 and the second support member 22 located further inward than the support frame 53. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the mounting hole 55 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the conveyor roller 12.
[0049] The first support member 21 and the second support member 22 are shaft-shaped members, including base ends 21a and 22a, spring seat portions 21b and 22b, and insertion shaft portions 21c and 22c.
[0050] The base ends 21a and 22a are the parts that are mounted to the mounting holes 55 of the support frames 53a and 53b by means of the bearings 64. The base ends 21a and 22a are provided with steps for positioning the bearings 64.
[0051] like Figure 4 As shown, the base end 21a of the first support member 21 on the first sidewall 31a extends axially outward, and a sprocket 68 is installed at the end.
[0052] Spring seat portions 21b and 22b are for mounting one end of the coil spring 61. The spring seat portions 21b and 22b are positioned inside the support frame 53 within the first support member 21 and the second support member 22. The spring seat portions 21b and 22b are located at the axially inner ends of the base ends 21a and 22a. The spring seat portions 21b and 22b have a portion with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the coil spring 61. One end of the coil spring 61 abuts against this portion. The spring seat portions 21b and 22b have a step with a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the coil spring 61. This step extends through the coil spring 61, thereby mounting the coil spring 61 to the first support member 21 and the second support member 22.
[0053] Insertion shaft portions 21c and 22c pass through the helical spring 61 and partially through the conveyor roller 12. Insertion shaft portions 21c and 22c extend axially inward from the spring seat portions 21b and 22b. The diameter of the top end of the insertion shaft portions 21c and 22c increases accordingly to the inner diameter of the conveyor roller 12. A small gap is provided between the top end of the insertion shaft portions 21c and 22c and the conveyor roller 12 to prevent these components from breaking due to thermal expansion.
[0054] The first support member 21 is installed in the mounting hole 55 of the first support frame 53a, and the second support member 22 is installed in the mounting hole 55 of the second support frame 53b. In this embodiment, two bearings 64 are respectively installed on the first support member 21 and the second support member 22. A spacer 65 is provided between the two bearings 64. A groove for installing a retaining ring 66 is provided in the bearing 64. The bearings 64 are respectively installed on the first support member 21 and the second support member 22 in a manner that passes through the support frame 53 and is prevented from moving axially by the retaining ring 66. A small gap is provided between the support frame 53 and the bearings 64 to prevent these components from breaking due to thermal expansion.
[0055] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the support structure 50 of the conveyor roller 12 also includes helical springs 61 at both ends of the conveyor roller 12. The conveyor roller 12 is supported by the first support member 21 and the second support member 22 through which the first support member 21 and the second support member 22 partially penetrate, and by the helical springs 61 at both ends. Here, the insertion shaft portions 21c and 22c penetrate from both ends of the cylindrical shaft-shaped conveyor roller 12.
[0056] Helical springs 61 are respectively disposed in a compressed state between the end face of the first end 12a of the conveyor roller 12 and the first support member 21, and between the end face of the second end 12b of the conveyor roller 12 and the second support member 22. The helical springs 61 are cylindrical compression helical springs. One end of the helical spring 61 abuts against the end of the conveyor roller 12, and the other end abuts against the spring seat portions 21b and 22b. The helical springs 61 are installed in a compressed state at both ends of the conveyor roller 12 and at the spring seat portions 21b and 22b of the first support member 21 and the second support member 22. Utilizing the elastic reaction force of the compressed helical springs 61, the conveyor roller 12 is clamped and held between the first support member 21 and the second support member 22.
[0057] exist Figure 2 In the conveyor roller 12 shown, the first support member 21 is provided with a support structure 50 on the drive side relative to the conveyor roller 12. Therefore, as Figure 4 As shown, a sprocket 68 is installed at the base end 21a of the first support member 21.
[0058] <Power Transmission Mechanism 70>
[0059] like Figure 3 As shown, a power transmission mechanism 70 is provided on the side connected to the power transmission unit 72, which transmits the power to rotate the conveyor roller 12. In this embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 70 uses a roller chain mechanism 71 and a power transmission unit 72 that transmits the power of the drive device 90 (motor) to the roller chain mechanism 71.
[0060] <Roller chain mechanism 71>
[0061] The roller chain mechanism 71 includes a sprocket 82 and a roller chain 83. For example... Figure 3 As shown, sprocket 82 is mounted on a support column 52 and a support frame 53 provided on a base 14. The sprocket 82 mounted on the support column 52 and the support frame 53 forms a closed loop. A roller chain 83 is wound around this loop. The sprocket 82 mounted on the support column 52 and the support frame 53 is positioned on the inner and outer sides of the loop around which the roller chain 83 is wound. Therefore, the required tension is applied to the roller chain 83. The sprocket 68 of the support member mounted on the end of the support conveyor roller 12 is supported by the support frame 53. In this embodiment, the roller chain 83 uses a chain guide 84 to set the loop to pass under the sprocket 68. Therefore, the roller chain 83 rotates, thereby rotating the sprocket 68 and the support member, and consequently the conveyor roller 12 rotates.
[0062] like Figure 2As shown, the power transmission unit 72 is a mechanism that transmits power from the motor 90 to the roller chain 83. In this embodiment, the power transmission unit 72 transmits power from the motor 90 to the sprocket 82a around which the roller chain 83 is wound. The power transmission unit 72 includes couplings 91 and 94, a reducer 92, and a clutch 93.
[0063] In this embodiment, a portion of the loop around which the roller chain 83 is wound passes through the space between the upper frame 14c and the lower frame 14a of the base 14. A sprocket 82a is installed at this location.
[0064] A shaft 81 is mounted on a sprocket 82a. One end of a clutch 93 is mounted on one side of the shaft 81 via a coupling 94. A reducer 92 is mounted on the other end of the clutch 93, and a drive unit 90 (motor) is mounted thereon via the coupling 91.
[0065] Clutch 93 connects or disconnects the shaft 81, on which sprocket 82a is mounted, and the reducer 92 connected to the motor 90. When disengaged by clutch 93, the shaft 81, on which sprocket 82a is mounted, rotates independently relative to the motor 90. One end of clutch 96 is mounted on the side of shaft 81 on which sprocket 82a is mounted, opposite to the side where clutch 93 is located, via coupling 95. A handle 98 is provided at the other end of clutch 96 via reducer 97. In this embodiment, handle 98 is configured to be installable and detachable, typically detached during operation. Handle 98 is installed, for example, during maintenance, when the conveyor roller 12 is rotated manually. Furthermore, it is configured such that, by switching via clutch 96, handle 98 connects or disconnects from the shaft 81 on which sprocket 82a is mounted.
[0066] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram of the continuous firing furnace 10A. Figure 6A In the continuous firing furnace 10A shown, the power transmission mechanism 70A is concentrated on the outer side of one side of the furnace wall. Because the power transmission mechanism 70A is concentrated on the outer side of one side of the furnace wall, desired support members and conveyor rollers can be removed from the driven side without adjusting the power transmission mechanism 70A. Furthermore, since the power transmission mechanism 70A is concentrated on the outer side of one side of the furnace wall, inspection and repair can be carried out from one side even if a problem occurs with the drive mechanism. Thus, the continuous firing furnace 10A has a structure for efficient maintenance operations. Additionally, in Figure 6A The diagrams of conveyor rollers, etc., are omitted in the text.
[0067] In the continuous firing furnace 10A, small gaps are provided between the conveyor roller and the support member, the support frame and the bearing, etc., to mitigate thermal expansion. When conveying the workpiece, the conveyor roller is always pressed vertically downwards against the support member. Therefore, the conveyor roller rotates in a state where it is always pressed vertically downwards against the support member. Thus, even when the workpiece is conveyed in multiple rows along the axial direction of the conveyor roller 12, it is difficult to generate a speed difference in the conveying of the workpiece. However, it is known that when a setter with a relatively thin arrangement of workpieces is conveyed in multiple rows along the axial direction of the conveyor roller, a speed difference in the conveying of the workpiece occurs. In particular, there is a tendency for the conveying speed on the driven side of the conveyor roller to be faster than the conveying speed on the driving side of the conveyor roller. The arrows in Figure 6 show the tendency of the conveying speed when a setter with a relatively thin arrangement of workpieces is conveyed in multiple rows along the axial direction of the conveyor roller; the longer the arrow, the faster the conveying speed. However, the arrows do not precisely represent the magnitude of the conveying speed.
[0068] To address this phenomenon, the inventors believe the cause lies in the fact that when the workpiece placed on the conveyor roller is relatively light, the contact between the conveyor roller and the first support member, and between the conveyor roller and the second support member, becomes unstable. In other words, when conveying a lighter workpiece, the force pressing the conveyor roller vertically downward against the support member is weaker. Therefore, the conveyor roller is not always pressed vertically downward against the support member, but may rotate eccentrically relative to the support member. The support member on the drive side is connected to the drive unit via a sprocket. Therefore, on the drive side, the conveyor roller tends to maintain the same circumferential position in contact with the support member. Consequently, the vibration of the conveyor roller during rotation is less. In contrast, on the driven side, the support member is not constrained by the drive unit. Therefore, the position of contact between the conveyor roller and the support member rotates circumferentially during rotation. As a result, there is a tendency for the end of the conveyor roller on the driven side to vibrate significantly compared to the drive side. Consequently, the conveying speed on the driven side is faster than the conveying speed on the drive side. If the workpiece placed on the conveyor roller becomes lighter, there is a tendency for the vibration at the end of the conveyor roller on the driven side to increase, and for the conveying speed on the driven side to increase. In view of the tendency that if the workpiece placed on the conveyor roller becomes lighter, the conveying speed of the workpiece placed closer to the driven side will be faster, the inventors have conceived of such a mechanism.
[0069] <Roller group 12A and roller group 12B>
[0070] Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram of the continuous firing furnace 10. Figure 6B The diagram shows the location of the power transmission mechanism 70 in the continuous firing furnace 10; the conveyor rollers 12, etc., are omitted from the illustration. Additionally, Figure 6B The power transmission mechanism 70 and Figure 3 The power transmission mechanism 70 shown is the same.
[0071] In the continuous firing furnace 10, a portion of the plurality of conveying rollers 12 constitutes a first roller group 12A, on which a sprocket 68 is mounted on a first support member 21 on the first sidewall 31a side and connected to a drive device 90. A drive-side support structure 50a is constructed at the end of the conveying roller 12 constituting the first roller group 12A on the first sidewall 31a side. A driven-side support structure 50b is constructed at the end on the second sidewall 31a side.
[0072] The conveying rollers 12, excluding the first roller group 12A, constitute a second roller group 12B on the second support member 22 on the second sidewall 31b side, where a sprocket 68 is mounted and connected to the drive device 90. A driven-side support structure 50b is constructed at the end of the conveying roller 12 constituting the second roller group 12 on the first sidewall 31a side. A drive-side support structure 50a is constructed at the end on the second sidewall 31b side.
[0073] Alternatively, the second roller group 12B may not be all of the conveyor rollers 12 except for the first roller group 12A. The continuous firing furnace 10 may also include conveyor rollers 12 that are not driven from either the first sidewall 31a or the second sidewall 31b, and are not included in either the first roller group 12A or the second roller group 12B.
[0074] The first roller group 12A and the second roller group 12B are driven by different drive devices. A first drive device is connected to the first support member 21 of the first roller group, which drives the conveyor rollers 12 included in the first roller group from the outside of the first sidewall 31a. A second drive device is connected to the second support member 22 of the second roller group, which drives the conveyor rollers 12 included in the second roller group from the outside of the second sidewall 31b.
[0075] The continuous firing furnace 10 includes zones 1 through 4 along the conveying direction, from zone 1 R1 to zone 4 R4.
[0076] In regions R1 and R3, a sprocket 68 is installed on the first support member 21 of the first support frame 53a mounted on the first sidewall 31a. In regions R2 and R4, a sprocket 68 is installed on the second support member 22 of the second support frame 53b mounted on the second sidewall 31b.
[0077] In other words, in the continuous firing furnace 10, the plurality of conveyor rollers 12 included in the first roller group 12A are adjacent in the first region R1 and the third region R3. Furthermore, the plurality of conveyor rollers 12 included in the second roller group 12B are adjacent in the second region R2 and the fourth region R4.
[0078] like Figure 3As shown, roller chains 83 are attached to sprockets 68, and these roller chains 83 are connected to the power transmission unit 72. Power from the motor 90 of the power transmission unit 72 is transmitted to the sprockets 68 of the first support member 21 via the roller chains 83. Therefore, in the first region R1 and the third region R3 adjacent to the conveyor roller 12 included in the first roller group 12A, the first sidewall 31a side becomes the driving side. In the second region R2 and the fourth region R4 adjacent to the conveyor roller 12 included in the second roller group 12B, the second sidewall 31b side becomes the driving side.
[0079] When conveying multiple rows of lighter processed materials 13, in regions 1 R1 and 3 R3, the conveying speed on the second sidewall 31b side of the conveying roller 12 is faster than the conveying speed on the first sidewall 31a side. In regions 2 R2 and 4 R4, the conveying speed on the first sidewall 31a side of the conveying roller 12 is faster than the conveying speed on the second sidewall 31b side. As a result, from the perspective of the continuous firing furnace 10 as a whole, even when the lighter processed materials 13 are conveyed in multiple rows arranged axially on the conveying rollers, the conveying speeds on the first sidewall 31a side and the second sidewall 31b side can be adjusted to the same level. Therefore, the deviation in conveying the processed materials 13 conveyed on the first sidewall 31a side and the processed materials 13 conveyed on the second sidewall 31b side is small.
[0080] Thus, the continuous firing furnace 10 may have a sprocket 68 mounted on the first support member 21 on the first sidewall 31a side in a first roller group 12A composed of a portion of the multiple conveying rollers 12, connected to the drive device 90. Alternatively, a sprocket 68 may be mounted on the second support member 22 on the second sidewall 31b side in a second roller group 12B composed of conveying rollers 12 other than those in the first roller group 12A, connected to the drive device 90. By dividing the support structure 50a of the drive conveying rollers 12 of the continuous firing furnace 10 into a first sidewall 31a side and a second sidewall 31b side, the conveying deviation between the workpiece 13 conveyed on the first sidewall 31a side and the workpiece 13 conveyed on the second sidewall 31b side can be reduced. This suppresses conveying problems caused by conveying deviations, enabling stable and continuous firing of the workpiece 13.
[0081] To ensure that the conveying speed of the processed material 13 on the first sidewall 31a and the second sidewall 31b is consistent, in this continuous firing furnace 10, it is preferable that the number of conveying rollers 12 included in the first roller group 12A is the same as the number of conveying rollers 12 included in the second roller group 12B. For example, the number of conveying rollers 12 included in the first roller group 12A is preferably 0.4 or more and 0.6 or less than the sum of the number of conveying rollers 12 included in the first roller group 1A and the second roller group 12B, more preferably 0.45 or more and 0.55 or less, and the closer to 0.5, the more preferred.
[0082] Furthermore, as described above, the conveyor roller 12 is configured to be supported by a support structure 50a on the driving side and a support structure 50b on the driven side, and is driven to rotate by a power transmission mechanism 70. When it is necessary to disassemble the conveyor roller 12 with such a structure during maintenance operations, the conveyor roller 12 can be disassembled from the driven side where the roller chain mechanism 71 is not provided. The continuous firing furnace 10 includes regions adjacent to the first roller group (first region R1 and third region) and regions adjacent to the second roller group (second region R1 and fourth region). Therefore, the conveyor rollers can be disassembled simultaneously from the same side for each region. Furthermore, in the event of a problem with the drive mechanism, inspection and repair can be performed from one side. Thus, by centralizing the drive mechanism for each region, maintenance operations can be performed efficiently.
[0083] Furthermore, the adjacent regions (first region R1 and third region) of the conveyor rollers 12 included in the first roller group 12A and the adjacent regions (second region R1 and fourth region) of the conveyor rollers 12 included in the second roller group 12B are alternately arranged along the conveying direction. This reduces conveying deviations within the conveying space 11a. For example, when switching the atmosphere using gates or the like for each adjacent region of the first roller group and the adjacent region of the second roller group, conveying problems within the conveying space 11a can also be reduced.
[0084] In the above embodiment, the continuous firing furnace 10 includes first regions R1 to fourth regions R4. Furthermore, in first region R1 and third region R3, the conveyor rollers 12 included in the first roller group 12A are adjacent, and in second region R2 and fourth region R4, the conveyor rollers 12 included in the second roller group 12B are adjacent. However, unless specifically mentioned otherwise, this configuration is not limited. For example, regions may also include those where the conveyor rollers 12 included in the first roller group 12A and the conveyor rollers 12 included in the second roller group 12B are arranged alternately.
[0085] In the above embodiment, the furnace body 11 includes a conveyor roller 12 and a heater 34. However, in the continuous firing furnace 10, various structures can be added inside and outside the furnace body 11. For example, the continuous firing furnace 10 may also include mechanisms such as a gas supply pipe and an exhaust pipe for controlling the atmosphere inside the furnace body 11. For the gas supply pipe, a gas storage tank capable of supplying nitrogen, argon, etc., can be installed. For the exhaust pipe, a vacuum pump, an exhaust treatment device, etc., can be installed. Furthermore, the continuous firing furnace 10 may also include partitions, gates, etc., for dividing the atmosphere within the furnace body 11.
[0086] The above description provides detailed examples of specific embodiments, but these embodiments are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Thus, the technology described in the claims includes embodiments derived from various modifications and alterations of the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, some of the technologies exemplified in the above embodiments can be applied to a continuous firing furnace.
Claims
1. A continuous firing furnace, wherein, The continuous firing furnace includes: Furnace body; Multiple conveyor rollers; The support structure of the conveying roller; and Drive unit, The furnace body is a tunnel-shaped furnace body surrounding a linear conveying space, and has the following characteristics: A first sidewall, which is located on one side of the width direction of the conveying space; and The second sidewall is located on the side opposite to the first sidewall. The plurality of conveying rollers are arranged along a conveying direction defined in the conveying space. Each of the plurality of conveying rollers is a cylindrical shaft-shaped roller, mounted on the first side wall and the second side wall, and extending through the first side wall and the second side wall. The support structure of the conveying roller includes: The first support frame is disposed on the outside of the first sidewall; The first support member, which is rotatably supported on the first support frame by means of a bearing, supports the first end of the conveying roller that passes through the first sidewall; A second support frame, disposed on the outer side of the second sidewall; and The second support member, which is rotatably supported on the second support frame by means of a bearing, supports the second end of the conveyor roller that penetrates the second sidewall. A portion of the plurality of conveying rollers, the first roller group, has a sprocket mounted on the first support member and connected to the drive device. The second roller group, which is other than the first roller group, among the plurality of conveying rollers has a sprocket mounted on the second support member and connected to the drive device.
2. The continuous firing furnace according to claim 1, wherein, The driving device includes a first driving device connected to the first support member of the first roller group and a second driving device connected to the second support member of the second roller group.
3. The continuous firing furnace according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The continuous firing furnace includes, in the conveying direction, the region adjacent to the conveying rollers included in the first roller group and the region adjacent to the conveying rollers included in the second roller group.
4. The continuous firing furnace according to claim 3, wherein, The continuous firing furnace includes at least one of the regions adjacent to the conveyor rollers contained in the plurality of the first roller groups and the regions adjacent to the conveyor rollers contained in the plurality of the second roller groups.
5. The continuous firing furnace according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The support structure of the conveying roller also includes helical springs at both ends of the conveying roller. The helical springs are respectively disposed in a compressed state between the end face of the first end of the conveying roller and the first support member, and between the end face of the second end of the conveying roller and the second support member.
6. The continuous firing furnace according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The number of conveyor rollers in the first roller group is more than 0.4 and less than 0.6 of the total number of conveyor rollers in the first roller group and the second roller group.