Heat treatment system

Abstract

The invention discloses a technology capable of shortening the time required for conveying saggars. A heat treatment system is provided with: a heat treatment furnace having an input port and an output port, and having an internal space in which a plurality of saggars are conveyed from the input port toward the output port; and a return line which is arranged outside the heat treatment furnace and conveys the plurality of saggars from the output port to the input port. The return line is provided with: a first conveying device which is disposed in a first section and conveys the plurality of saggars; and the second conveying device is arranged in a second section different from the first section and is used for conveying the plurality of saggars by using a beam or a rod.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a heat treatment system. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a heat treatment system. The heat treatment system comprises: a heat treatment furnace having an internal space in which a plurality of saggers are conveyed from an input port to an output port; and a return line disposed outside the heat treatment furnace to convey the plurality of saggers from the output port to the input port. The return line conveys the plurality of saggers using a roller conveyor and a chain conveyor.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 7041300 Summary of the invention

[0006] In the above-mentioned heat treatment system, a plurality of saggers are placed on a roller conveyor or a chain conveyor in a state of close contact in the conveying direction, and are conveyed in the conveying direction. In this structure, the posture of the sagger sometimes changes during conveying. In addition, in the return line, various operations such as supplying the processed object before heat treatment to the empty sagger need to be performed. At this time, it is necessary to separate a plurality of saggers in the conveying direction and adjust the posture of the sagger to a specified direction. If at least one of the operations of separating a plurality of saggers in the conveying direction and adjusting the posture of the sagger is performed at the position where the sagger is operated or before the sagger is about to be operated, the conveying of the sagger requires time in the return line.

[0007] This specification discloses a technology capable of shortening the time required for conveying a sagger.

[0008] In a first scheme of the technology disclosed in this specification, a heat treatment system comprises: a heat treatment furnace having an input port and an output port, and having an internal space, in which a plurality of saggers are transported from the input port toward the output port; a return line, which is arranged outside the heat treatment furnace and transports the plurality of saggers from the output port to the input port. The return line comprises: a first conveying device, which is arranged in a first section and transports the plurality of saggers; and a second conveying device, which is arranged in a second section different from the first section and transports the plurality of saggers using a beam or a rod.

[0009] According to the above configuration, since a plurality of saggers are transported by a beam or a rod in the second conveying device, changes in the posture of the saggers can be suppressed during the transportation of the plurality of saggers. Therefore, the posture of the saggers does not need to be adjusted at a predetermined position (e.g., the second interval) in the return line. In addition, since a plurality of saggers are transported by a beam or a rod in the second conveying device, the distance between the saggers can be maintained. Thus, the time required for the transportation of the saggers can be shortened. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the heat treatment system of the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the crushing device of the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the recovery device of the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the filling device of the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the surface leveling device of the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a top view of the heat treatment system of the first embodiment when the sagger is arranged on the placement table and the sagger is arranged on the second upstream roller conveyor.

[0017] Figure 8 It is a side view of a case where the sagger is arranged on the placing table and the sagger is arranged on the first upstream roller conveyor in the heat treatment system of the first embodiment.

[0018] Fig. 9 It is a side view of the heat treatment system of the first embodiment when the stopper is configured at the second position.

[0019] Fig.10 This is a top view of the heat treatment system of the first embodiment when the sagger is placed on the placement table and the sagger is arranged on the first upstream roller conveyor.

[0020] Fig.11 This is a side view of the heat treatment system of the first embodiment, before the moving device moves along the conveying direction and when the sagger is placed on the moving device.

[0021] Fig.12 This is a side view of the heat treatment system of the first embodiment, after the moving device moves along the conveying direction and the sagger is placed on the moving device.

[0022] Fig.13 This is a side view of a case where the sagger is arranged on the first downstream roller conveyor and the sagger is arranged on the placement table in the heat treatment system of the first embodiment.

[0023] Fig.14 It is a schematic diagram of a heat treatment system according to a second embodiment.

[0024] Explanation of symbols

[0025] 2: heat treatment system, 4: sagger, 4A: sagger, 4B: sagger, 4a: opening, 6: treated object, 10: heat treatment furnace, 12: return line, 14: internal space, 16: input port, 18: output port, 20: roller, 22: first section, 24: second section, 28: first conveying device, 30: second conveying device, 31: roller, 32: moving device, 32a: beam, rod, 34: stacking release device, 36: cooling device, 38: crushing device, 40: recovery device, 42: stacking device, 50: cleaning device, 52: filling device, 54: surface leveling device, 56: processing device, 60: turning section, 62: cleaning section, 66: storage section, 66a: discharge port, 68: supply section, 72: rotating section, 74: blade section, 80: upstream roller conveyor, 82: downstream roller conveyor, 84: first upstream roller conveyor, 86: second upstream roller conveyor, 88: first downstream roller conveyor, 90: second downstream roller conveyor, 94: stopper, 96: posture adjustment device, 96a: first push rod, 96b: second push rod, 98: loading table, AX1: rotary axis, AX2: rotation axis, D1: conveying direction, D2: backward direction, D3: upward direction, D4: downward direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The main features of the embodiments described below are listed in advance. It should be noted that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements, which can exert technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of application.

[0027] The second scheme of the technology disclosed in this specification is based on the above-mentioned first scheme, and the heat treatment system also has a processing device, which is arranged in the second interval and processes the saggers transported by the second conveying device. The second conveying device has a moving device, which can carry the multiple saggers arranged side by side in the conveying direction, and can move along the conveying direction, the backward direction opposite to the conveying direction, the upward direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the downward direction opposite to the upward direction. According to the above-mentioned structure, when the sagger is processed by the processing device, it is not necessary to adjust the posture of the sagger. Accordingly, the time required for the transport of the sagger can be shortened.

[0028] The third solution of the technology disclosed in this specification is based on the above-mentioned second solution, and the heat treatment system also has a loading platform, and the loading platform is used to load the sagger processed by the processing device. The moving device moves the sagger to the loading platform when moving along the conveying direction, the upward direction and the downward direction. According to the above-mentioned structure, before processing the sagger on the loading platform, it is not necessary to adjust the posture of the sagger. Accordingly, the time required for conveying the sagger can be shortened.

[0029] The fourth scheme of the technology disclosed in this specification is based on the above-mentioned third scheme, and the first conveying device further includes: an upstream conveyor, which is configured to be upstream of the return line than the second conveying device; and a downstream conveyor, which is configured to be downstream of the return line than the second conveying device. When the moving device moves along the conveying direction, the upward direction, and the downward direction, the sagger conveyed by the upstream conveyor moves to the loading table, and moves the sagger on the loading table to the downstream conveyor. According to the above-mentioned structure, the sagger on the first conveyor moves from the first conveyor to the loading table, and the sagger on the loading table moves from the loading table to the second conveyor. Accordingly, the time required for the transportation of the sagger can be shortened.

[0030] The fifth solution of the technology disclosed in this specification is based on the fourth solution, and the heat treatment system further includes a posture adjustment device, which adjusts the posture of the sagger on the upstream conveyor. According to the above structure, the sagger with adjusted posture can be moved from the first conveyor to the placement table.

[0031] The sixth scheme of the technology disclosed in this specification is based on any one of the second to fifth schemes described above, and the processing device is selected from a group including a cleaning device for cleaning the sagger, a filling device for filling the sagger with a processed object, and a surface leveling device for making the surface of the processed object in the sagger flat. Usually, when the sagger is processed by using a cleaning device, a filling device, and a surface leveling device, in order to suppress the deviation of the processing of each sagger, it is necessary to adjust the posture of the sagger. According to the above structure, even when a cleaning device, a filling device, and a surface leveling device are selected as the processing device, it is not necessary to adjust the posture of the sagger, and the distance between the saggers can be maintained. Accordingly, the time required for the transportation of the sagger can be shortened.

[0032] (First embodiment)

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the heat treatment system 2 includes a heat treatment furnace 10 and a return line 12 .

[0034] The heat treatment furnace 10 treats the workpiece 6 (see Figure 5 ) is sintered, i.e., heat treated. The processed object 6 is, for example, a raw material for a ceramic capacitor, a positive electrode material, and a negative electrode material for a lithium ion battery.

[0035] The heat treatment furnace 10 is a heat-insulating structure of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The heat treatment furnace 10 has an internal space 14 therein. In addition, the heat treatment furnace 10 has: an input port 16 disposed at one end of the heat treatment furnace 10, and an output port 18 disposed at the other end of the heat treatment furnace 10. The internal space 14 is connected to the outside of the heat treatment furnace 10 by means of the input port 16 and the output port 18, respectively. A plurality of saggers 4 are transported in a stacked state in the internal space 14 along a conveying direction D1 by rollers 20. Accordingly, a plurality of saggers 4 are transported from the input port 16 toward the output port 18.

[0036] The return line 12 is disposed outside the heat treatment furnace 10. The return line 12 transports the plurality of saggers 4 in the transport direction D1, thereby sending the saggers 4 from the output port 18 to the input port 16.

[0037] The return line 12 includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) first sections 22 and a plurality of (three in this embodiment) second sections 24. The first sections 22 and the second sections 24 are arranged alternately. The input port 16 and the output port 18 of the heat treatment furnace 10 are connected to the first sections 22, respectively.

[0038] The return line 12 includes a first conveying device 28 and a second conveying device 30. The first conveying device 28 is arranged in the first section 22. The first conveying device 28 includes a plurality of rollers 31 supported at both ends so as to be rotatable. The plurality of saggers 4 are conveyed by rollers on the plurality of rollers 31 along the conveying direction D1 by rotating the plurality of rollers 31. The second conveying device 30 includes a moving device 32. For example, the plurality of saggers 4 are conveyed by a movable beam along the conveying direction D1 through the moving device 32. Hereinafter, the structure of the moving device 32 and the conveying method of the saggers 4 are described in detail.

[0039] The heat treatment system 2 includes a stack release device 34, a cooling device 36, a crushing device 38, a recovery device 40, and a stacking device 42. The stack release device 34, the cooling device 36, the crushing device 38, the recovery device 40, and the stacking device 42 are arranged in the first section 22. The stack release device 34, the cooling device 36, the crushing device 38, the recovery device 40, and the stacking device 42 are arranged in order from the upstream to the downstream of the return line 12. The stack release device 34, the cooling device 36, the crushing device 38, and the recovery device 40 are arranged on the upstream side of the second section 24 located on the most upstream side. The stacking device 42 is arranged on the downstream side of the second section 24 located on the most downstream side.

[0040] After the saggers 4 are output from the output port 18, the stack release device 34 releases the saggers 4 stacked in the vertical direction to an unstacked state. Thus, the saggers 4 are transported in a row in the transport direction D1. The vertical direction is substantially orthogonal to the transport direction D1.

[0041] The cooling device 36 is configured so that the sagger 4 can pass therethrough. The cooling device 36 cools the sagger 4 and the objects to be processed 6 filled in the sagger 4 by a coolant (for example, air or water) flowing through a cooling pipe (not shown).

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the crushing device 38 includes pins 38a. The pins 38a are inserted into the processed objects 6 filled in the sagger 4. Thereby, the processed objects 6 are crushed.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, the recovery device 40 includes a reversing unit 44 and a recovery container unit 46. The reversing unit 44 holds the sagger 4. The reversing unit 44 is configured to turn the sagger 4 upside down by rotating it around the rotation axis AX0. With the opening 4a of the sagger 4 facing downward, the processed object 6 is discharged from the sagger 4 and recovered by the recovery container unit 46.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the stacking device 42 stacks a plurality of saggers 4 in the vertical direction. Afterwards, the stacked saggers 4 are transported to the input port 16.

[0045] The heat treatment system 2 further includes: a cleaning device 50, a filling device 52, and a surface leveling device 54. The cleaning device 50, the filling device 52, and the surface leveling device 54 are arranged in the second section 24. The cleaning device 50, the filling device 52, and the surface leveling device 54 are arranged in sequence from the upstream to the downstream of the return line 12. The cleaning device 50, the filling device 52, and the surface leveling device 54 are arranged between the recovery device 40 and the stacking device 42. The filling device 52 is arranged in the second section 24 located at the most upstream side among the three second sections 24. The filling device 52 is arranged in the second section 24 located at the center among the three second sections 24. The surface leveling device 54 is arranged in the second section 24 located at the most downstream side among the three second sections 24. The first section 22 is arranged between the cleaning device 50 and the filling device 52 and between the filling device 52 and the surface leveling device 54, respectively. Hereinafter, the cleaning device 50, the filling device 52, and the surface leveling device 54 are sometimes collectively referred to as a processing device 56.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the cleaning device 50 includes a reversing unit 60 and a cleaning unit 62. The reversing unit 60 holds the sagger 4. The reversing unit 60 is configured to reverse the sagger 4 upside down by rotating it around the rotation axis AX1.

[0047] The cleaning unit 62 is disposed at a position vertically opposed to the sagger 4 reversed by the reversing unit 60. The cleaning unit 62 ejects gas upward toward the opening 4a of the sagger 4. Thus, the processed object 6 remaining inside the sagger 4 is removed from the sagger 4.

[0048] like Figure 5 As shown, the filling device 52 includes a storage unit 66 and a supply unit 68. The storage unit 66 stores the pre-fired workpiece 6 filled in the sagger 4.

[0049] The supply unit 68 is connected to the discharge port 66a of the storage unit 66. The supply unit 68 supplies a predetermined amount of the processed object 6 from the opening 4a of the sagger 4 to the inside of the sagger 4. Thus, the processed object 6 before firing is filled in the sagger 4.

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, the surface leveling device 54 includes a rotating shaft 72 and a blade portion 74. The rotating shaft 72 rotates around the axis AX2.

[0051] The blade part 74 is connected to the rotating shaft 72. The blade part 74 rotates around the axis AX2 together with the rotating shaft 72. According to this, the surface of the to-be-processed object 6 filled in the sagger 4 is flattened by the blade part 74.

[0052] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the mobile device 32 is arranged in each second interval 24 of the plurality of second intervals 24. The mobile device 32 is arranged between two first intervals 22 adjacent to each other. The mobile device 32 has two beams 32a (or rods 32a). The beam 32a has a shape that is elongated in the conveying direction D1. The length of the beam 32a in the conveying direction D1 is more than 2.5 times the length of the sagger 4 in the conveying direction D1. Accordingly, a plurality of saggers 4 can be placed on the mobile device 32 (i.e., the beam 32a). The length of the beam 32a in the conveying direction D1 can be more than 3 times the length of the sagger 4 in the conveying direction D1. In addition, the length of the beam 32a in the conveying direction D1 can be less than 4 times the length of the sagger 4 in the conveying direction D1. The beam 32a can move along the conveying direction D1, the backward direction D2 opposite to the conveying direction D1, the upward direction D3 substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction D1, and the downward direction D4 opposite to the upward direction D3 by omitting the action of the driving device shown in the figure.

[0053] The first conveying device 28 includes an upstream roller conveyor 80 and a downstream roller conveyor 82. The upstream roller conveyor 80 and the downstream roller conveyor 82 each include a plurality of rollers 31. The upstream roller conveyor 80 is arranged upstream of the return line 12 relative to the moving device 32. The downstream roller conveyor 82 is arranged downstream of the return line 12 relative to the moving device 32.

[0054] The upstream roller conveyor 80 includes a first upstream roller conveyor 84 and a second upstream roller conveyor 86. The first upstream roller conveyor 84 is arranged downstream of the return line 12 relative to the second upstream roller conveyor 86. The first upstream roller conveyor 84 is arranged between the moving device 32 and the second upstream roller conveyor 86. The width of the first upstream roller conveyor 84 is smaller than the interval between the two beams 32a (the interval between the two bars 32a).

[0055] The downstream roller conveyor 82 includes a first downstream roller conveyor 88 and a second downstream roller conveyor 90. The first downstream roller conveyor 88 is arranged upstream of the return line 12 relative to the second downstream roller conveyor 90. The first downstream roller conveyor 88 is arranged between the moving device 32 and the second downstream roller conveyor 90. The first downstream roller conveyor 88 is smaller than the interval between the two beams 32a (the interval between the two bars 32a).

[0056] The heat treatment system 2 further includes a stopper 94, a posture adjustment device 96, and a placement table 98. The stopper 94 is arranged downstream of the return line 12 relative to the first upstream roller conveyor 84. The stopper 94 is arranged at the first position (see Figure 8 ) and the second position (ref. Fig. 9 ). Figure 8As shown, the stopper 94 abuts against the sagger 4 on the first upstream roller conveyor 84 when it is located at the first position. Accordingly, the sagger 4 stops on the first upstream roller conveyor 84. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sagger 4 from falling off from the first upstream roller conveyor 84. Fig. 9 As shown, the second position is configured as follows: Figure 8 When the stopper 94 is located at the second position, it does not abut against the sagger 4 on the first upstream roller conveyor 84.

[0057] like Fig.10 As shown, the posture adjustment device 96 is arranged in the first section 22. The posture adjustment device 96 includes a first push rod 96a and a second push rod 96b. The first upstream roller conveyor 84 is sandwiched between the first push rod 96a and the second push rod 96b. The first push rod 96a and the second push rod 96b move in a direction close to each other, so that the sagger 4 on the first upstream roller conveyor 84 is sandwiched between the first push rod 96a and the second push rod 96b. Accordingly, the posture of the sagger 4 on the first upstream roller conveyor 84 is adjusted.

[0058] The placing table 98 is arranged in the second section 24. The placing table 98 is arranged near the processing device 56. The stopper 94 is arranged between the placing table 98 and the first upstream roller conveyor 84. One sagger 4 can be placed on the placing table 98. The sagger 4 is processed on the placing table 98 by the processing device 56. Specifically, Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the placing table 98 (refer to Fig.10 ) is cleaned by a cleaning device 50, and the processed object 6 is filled into the sagger 4 on the mounting table 98 by a filling device 52, or the surface of the processed object 6 in the sagger 4 is flattened on the mounting table 98 by a surface leveling device 54.

[0059] Reference Figures 7 to 13 , a process of moving a plurality of saggers 4 from an upstream roller conveyor 80 to a downstream roller conveyor 82 using a moving device 32 is described. The description is made from the moment when one sagger 4 is placed on the placing table 98 and the other saggers 4 are moved on the upstream roller conveyor 80. At this moment, the stopper 94 is arranged at the first position. Hereinafter, one sagger 4 is referred to as a sagger 4A, and the other sagger 4 is referred to as a sagger 4B.

[0060] like Figure 7 As shown, the sagger 4A on the placement table 98 is processed by the processing device 56. While the sagger 4A is being processed, the sagger 4B is moved on the upstream roller conveyor 80 in the order of the second upstream roller conveyor 86 and the first upstream roller conveyor 84 by the rotation of the roller 31. Figure 8 As shown, the sagger 4B abuts against the stopper 94 arranged at the first position.

[0061] Next, if Fig.10 As shown, after the rotation of the roller 31 stops, the first push rod 96a and the second push rod 96b move in a direction approaching each other. Accordingly, the posture of the sagger 4B on the first upstream roller conveyor 84 is adjusted. While the sagger 4A on the placement table 98 is processed by the processing device 56, the posture of the sagger 4B on the first upstream roller conveyor 84 is adjusted, so the time required for the transportation of the sagger 4 is shortened.

[0062] Next, if Fig. 9 As shown, after the processing device 56 completes the processing of the sagger 4A, the stopper 94 moves from the first position to the second position.

[0063] Next, if Fig.11 As shown, the moving device 32 (i.e., the beam 32a) moves from the initial position in the upward direction D3. The beam 32a moves to a position above the upper end of the placing table 98 and the upper end of the first upstream roller conveyor 84, so that the sagger 4A leaves the placing table 98 and is placed on the beam 32a, and the sagger 4B leaves the first upstream roller conveyor 84 and is placed on the beam 32a.

[0064] Next, if Fig.12 As shown, the beam 32a moves along the conveying direction D1. At this time, the front part of the beam 32a is arranged directly above the first downstream roller conveyor 88, and the rear part of the beam 32a is arranged directly above the loading platform 98. By moving the beam 32a along the conveying direction D1, the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B are moved simultaneously along the conveying direction D1 in a state where the distance between the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B in the conveying direction D1 is maintained at a predetermined value (i.e., in a state where the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B are separated). In addition, the sagger 4B leaves the sagger 4 behind the sagger 4B (i.e., the sagger 4 on the upstream roller conveyor 80). Since the sagger 4A can be moved from the loading platform 98 and the sagger 4B can be left behind the sagger 4, the time required for conveying the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B is shortened compared with the structure in which the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B are conveyed separately. In addition, the posture of the sagger 4A and the posture of the sagger 4B are suppressed from changing during conveying. Furthermore, the distance between the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B is suppressed from changing during the conveyance. In addition, the conveyance speed at which the beam 32 a conveys the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B is faster than the conveyance speed at which the roller 31 conveys the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B.

[0065] Next, if Fig.13As shown, the beam 32a moves in the downward direction D4. By moving the beam 32a to a position lower than the upper end of the first downstream roller conveyor 88 and the upper end of the loading platform 98, the sagger 4A leaves the beam 32a and is loaded on the first downstream roller conveyor 88, and the sagger 4B leaves the beam 32a and is loaded on the loading platform 98. Thereafter, the sagger 4A on the first downstream roller conveyor 88 moves in the order of the first downstream roller conveyor 88 and the second downstream roller conveyor 90 by the rotation of the roller 31. In addition, since the posture of the sagger 4B does not change during the period of being transported by the beam 32a, the sagger 4B passes through the processing device 56 (refer to Fig.10 ) and is processed.

[0066] Next, if Figure 7 As shown, the beam 32a moves in the backward direction D2. Accordingly, the beam 32a returns to the initial position. The beam 32a moves in the upward direction D3, the conveying direction D1, the downward direction D4 and the backward direction D2 in sequence, so that the sagger 4 is continuously conveyed.

[0067] (Effect)

[0068] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B are conveyed along the conveying direction D1 by the two beams 32a (two rods 32a) of the moving device 32. In this structure, the posture of the sagger 4A and the posture of the sagger 4B do not change during the conveying. Therefore, after the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B are conveyed, there is no need to adjust the posture of the sagger 4A and the posture of the sagger 4B. In addition, the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B are conveyed by the two beams 32a (two rods 32a), so the distance between the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B is maintained. In addition, the conveying speed at which the beam 32a conveys the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B is faster than the conveying speed at which the roller 31 conveys the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B. Accordingly, the time required for conveying the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B can be shortened.

[0069] (Second embodiment)

[0070] Reference Fig.14 , the second embodiment is described. In the second embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment are described. Fig.14 As shown, the crushing device 38 and the recovery device 40 are arranged in the second section 24. The first section 22 is arranged between the second section 24 where the crushing device 38 is arranged and the second section 24 where the recovery device 40 is arranged. The sagger 4 processed by the crushing device 38 and the sagger 4 processed by the recovery device 40 are transported by the moving device 32 (beam 32a or rod 32a). The sagger 4 is transported from the upstream roller conveyor 80 (refer to Figure 7 ) is transported to the placement table 98 (refer to Figure 7 ), after being processed by the crushing device 38 and the recovery device 40, it is transported from the loading platform 98 to the downstream roller conveyor 82. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the posture of the sagger 4 on the loading platform 98. In addition, the sagger 4B leaves the sagger 4 behind the sagger 4B (that is, the sagger 4 on the upstream roller conveyor 80). The sagger 4A can be moved from the loading platform 98, and the sagger 4B can be moved away from the rear sagger 4, so the time required for the transportation of the sagger 4A and the sagger 4B is shortened.

[0071] (Variation Example)

[0072] In one embodiment, the first conveying device 28 may use a chain to convey the plurality of saggers 4 .

[0073] In one embodiment, the moving device 32 can transport more than three saggers 4 at the same time.

[0074] The specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification are described in detail above, however, these specific examples are only examples and do not limit the claims. The technology described in the claims includes technologies obtained by various deformations and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. In addition, the technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exert technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations recorded in the claims at the time of application. In addition, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings achieves multiple purposes at the same time, and the technology that achieves one of the purposes itself has technical usefulness.

Claims

1. A heat treatment system comprising: A heat treatment furnace having an input port and an output port, and having an internal space in which a plurality of saggers are transported from the input port toward the output port; a return line, which is arranged outside the heat treatment furnace and transports the plurality of saggers from the output port to the input port, The return line has: A first conveying device, which is disposed in the first section and conveys the plurality of saggers; and A second conveying device is disposed in a second section different from the first section, and conveys the plurality of saggers using a beam or a rod.

2. The heat treatment system according to claim 1, wherein: The heat treatment system further includes a processing device, which is disposed in the second section and processes the sagger transported by the second transport device. The second conveying device includes a moving device capable of placing the plurality of saggers arranged in a conveying direction and capable of moving in the conveying direction, a backward direction opposite to the conveying direction, an upward direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and a downward direction opposite to the upward direction.

3. The heat treatment system according to claim 2, wherein: The heat treatment system further includes a placing table on which the sagger to be processed by the processing device is placed. The moving device moves the sagger onto the placement table while moving in the conveying direction, the upward direction, and the downward direction.

4. The heat treatment system according to claim 3, wherein: The first conveying device further comprises: an upstream conveyor arranged upstream of the return line relative to the second conveying device; and a downstream conveyor arranged downstream of the return line than the second conveying device, The moving device moves the sagger conveyed by the upstream conveyor to the placement table, and moves the sagger on the placement table to the downstream conveyor when moving in the conveying direction, the upward direction, and the downward direction.

5. The heat treatment system according to claim 4, wherein: The heat treatment system further includes a posture adjusting device that adjusts the posture of the sagger on the upstream conveyor.

6. The heat treatment system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: The processing device is selected from the group consisting of a cleaning device for cleaning the sagger, a filling device for filling the sagger with a processed object, and a surface leveling device for leveling a surface of the processed object in the sagger.

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