Induction heating method and induction heating device for ring member, method for manufacturing ring member, method for manufacturing bearing, method for manufacturing vehicle, and method for manufacturing machine device

Abstract

The induction heating method includes: a step for supplying an annular member (Mr) to a predetermined section, which is a section to be heated using an induction coil; and a step for moving the annular member (Mr) along the reference axis so as to pass through the prescribed section. The moving step includes a process for controlling the contact between the annular member (Mr) and another member by a contact control unit (54).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates, for example, to a method of induction heating an annular component such as a component of a bearing.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-197637 filed on December 12, 2022, and the content thereof is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] For example, as shown in the raceway ring of a rolling bearing, in the manufacturing process of an annular component made of steel such as SUJ2, heat treatment for imparting required mechanical strength and the like to the annular component is performed, specifically quenching treatment and tempering treatment. Both the quenching treatment and the tempering treatment include a heating step of heating the annular component (workpiece) to a target temperature and a cooling step of cooling the heated annular component.

[0004] As a method of heating the annular component in the heating step, a method of heating the annular component in a heating furnace and a method of induction heating the annular component by a coil are known. The method using a coil can directly heat the annular component, and thus can achieve higher energy efficiency compared with the method using a heating furnace.

[0005] As a specific example of the method using a coil, for example, the following method is known: as Figure 23 and Figure 24 shown, with the annular component Mr supported by the support component Ms and a coil Ch arranged radially inside or outside the annular component Mr, when the coil Ch is energized, eddy currents are generated in the annular component Mr, and the annular component Mr is induction heated. In the illustrated example, the annular component Mr is an outer ring 100 constituting a rolling bearing, and has an outer ring raceway 101 on the inner circumferential surface. However, the illustrated heating method is not limited to being applied to the outer ring 100, and can also be applied to other annular components such as the inner ring constituting a rolling bearing.

[0006] In Figure 23 the example shown, the support component Ms is constituted by a side jig 102a arranged on one axial side of the annular component Mr ( Figure 23 the lower side in the ( Figure 23 (a) part,

[0007] the lower side in the (

[0008] The side jig 102a includes a base 103a, a plurality of axial pressing portions 104a, and a plurality of radial pressing portions 105.

[0009] A plurality of axial pressing portions 104a are supported and fixed at a plurality of circumferential portions of the base 103a. By bringing the front end portions ( Figure 23 (the upper end portions in the (a) portion and Figure 23 (the upper end portions in the (b) portion)) into contact with the axially one - side surface of the annular member Mr, the annular member Mr is axially positioned relative to the base 103a. The shape of the axial pressing portion 104a can be arbitrarily set. In the illustrated example, the shape of the front - end - side portion of the axial pressing portion 104a is set to a wedge shape in which the circumferential width becomes smaller as it approaches the front - end side. Thereby, by suppressing the contact area between the front end portion of the axial pressing portion 104a and the axially one - side surface of the annular member Mr, heat transfer from the annular member Mr to the axial pressing portion 104a generated during induction heating of the annular member Mr is suppressed.

[0010] A plurality of radial pressing portions 105 are supported and fixed at a plurality of circumferential portions of the base 103a. By bringing the front end portions ( Figure 23 (the upper end portions in the (a) portion and Figure 23 (the upper end portions in the (b) portion)) into contact with or approaching and opposing the outer peripheral surface of the annular member Mr, the annular member Mr is radially positioned relative to the base 103a, and thereby the annular member Mr and the base 103a are coaxially arranged. The shape of the radial pressing portion 105 is arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the shape of the radial pressing portion 105 is set to a cylindrical shape. Thereby, by suppressing the contact area between the front end portion of the radial pressing portion 105 and the outer peripheral surface of the annular member Mr, heat transfer from the annular member Mr to the radial pressing portion 105 generated during induction heating of the annular member Mr is suppressed.

[0011] In Figure 23 the illustrated example, the coil Ch is configured in a cylindrical shape and is coaxially arranged with the annular member Mr and the base 103a on the radially inner side of the annular member Mr. The coil Ch is supported by a support member (not shown). In the illustrated example, a core 106 made of a magnetic material is arranged on the radially inner side of the coil Ch. The core 106 is fixed to the coil Ch or is supported by another support member (not shown). It should be noted that the core 106 can also be omitted. And in this state, by energizing the coil Ch, eddy currents are generated in the radially inner portion of the annular member Mr, and the annular member Mr is heated from the radially inner side. It should be noted that at this time, the annular member Mr and the support member Ms can also be heated while being rotated relative to the coil Ch.

[0012] In Figure 24 the illustrated example, the support member Ms is composed of a side fixture 102b arranged on the axially one - side ( Figure 24 (the lower side in the (a) portion and Figure 24 (the lower side in the (b) portion)) of the annular member Mr and a side fixture 102a arranged on the axially other - side of the annular member Mr (Figure 24 (a) part of the upper side and Figure 24 (b) part of the upper side) of the other jig 107.

[0013] One side jig 102b and one side jig 102a ( Figure 23 ) Similarly, it includes a base 103a, a plurality of axial pressing parts 104a supported and fixed to a plurality of circumferential parts of the base 103a, and a plurality of radial pressing parts 105 supported and fixed to a plurality of circumferential parts of the base 103a. By the front ends of the plurality of axial pressing parts 104a ( Figure 24 (a) part of the upper end and Figure 24 (b) part of the upper end) contact the axial one side surface of the ring-shaped member Mr, thereby positioning the ring-shaped member Mr axially relative to the base 103a. The plurality of radial pressing parts 105 of the one side jig 102b make each front end ( Figure 23 (a) part of the upper end and Figure 23 (b) part of the upper end) contact or be close to and oppose the inner circumferential surface of the ring-shaped member Mr, thereby positioning the ring-shaped member Mr radially relative to the base 103a, and thus coaxially arranging the ring-shaped member Mr and the base 103a.

[0014] The other jig 107 includes a base 103b and a plurality of axial pressing parts 104b.

[0015] The base 103b has a central axis coaxially arranged with the base 103 of the one side jig 102b and the ring-shaped member Mr.

[0016] The plurality of axial pressing parts 104b are supported and fixed to a plurality of circumferential parts of the base 103b. By making each front end ( Figure 24 (a) part of the lower end and Figure 24 (b) part of the lower end) contact the axial other side surface of the ring-shaped member Mr, thereby positioning the ring-shaped member Mr axially relative to the base 103b. In other words, in Figure 24 the example shown, by axially clamping the ring-shaped member Mr between the one side jig 102b and the other jig 107, the axial positioning of the ring-shaped member Mr is performed. The shape of the axial pressing part 104b can be arbitrarily set. In the illustrated example, the shape of the front end side part of the axial pressing part 104b is set to a wedge shape whose circumferential width becomes smaller as it approaches the front end side. Thus, by suppressing the contact area between the front end of the axial pressing part 104b and the axial other side surface of the ring-shaped member Mr, the heat transfer from the ring-shaped member Mr to the axial pressing part 104b generated during the induction heating of the ring-shaped member Mr is suppressed.

[0017] In Figure 24In the example shown, the coil Ch is configured in a cylindrical shape and is coaxially arranged on the radially outer side of the annular member Mr and the bases 103a and 103b. The coil Ch is supported by a support member (not shown). It should be noted that in Figure 24 the example shown, a core made of a magnetic material (not shown) may also be arranged on the radially outer side of the coil Ch. The core is fixed to the coil Ch or is supported by another support member (not shown). And in this state, by energizing the coil Ch, eddy currents are generated in the radially outer part of the annular member Mr, and the annular member Mr is heated from the radially outer side. It should be noted that at this time, the annular member Mr and the support member Ms may be rotated relative to the coil Ch while heating the annular member Mr.

[0018] In Figure 23 and Figure 24 the example shown, the support member Ms is made of an insulating material that is not inductively heated by the coil Ch. Thereby, the annular member Mr can be efficiently inductively heated. It should be noted that as the insulating material constituting the bases 103a and 103b in the support member Ms, for example, a synthetic resin material such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) can be used. In addition, as the insulating material constituting the axial pressing portions 104a and 104b and the radial pressing portion 105 in the support member Ms, for example, ceramics can be used.

[0019] Figure 23 and Figure 24 The heating methods shown in

[0020] can be appropriately combined and implemented within a range where there is no contradiction. For example, when heating the annular member Mr from the radially inner side by the coil Ch, the annular member Mr can also be axially positioned by clamping the annular member Mr between one fixture and the other fixture in the axial direction. In addition, when heating the annular member Mr from the radially outer side by the coil Ch, the annular member Mr can be axially positioned by using only one fixture. In addition, the annular member Mr can be heated to the target temperature by sequentially performing the process of heating the annular member Mr from the radially inner side by the coil Ch and the process of heating the annular member Mr from the radially outer side by the coil Ch. At this time, which process is performed first can be arbitrarily determined.

[0021] In short, Figure 23 and Figure 24The heating method shown requires heating treatment of multiple annular members Mr one by one in sequence. Therefore, in order to improve productivity, multiple heating devices shown in each figure are prepared, and the heating treatment of multiple annular members Mr is performed in parallel.

[0022] However, in this method, since multiple heating devices need to be provided, there is a problem that the heating equipment tends to be large-sized.

[0023] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-67880 discloses a method in which multiple annular members laminated on the upper surface of a support member are raised together with the support member. The multiple annular members sequentially pass through the region radially inside the heating section of the coil in the energized state from bottom to top, whereby the multiple annular members are respectively inductively heated in sequence. According to this method, since the heating treatment of multiple annular members can be smoothly performed with one heating device, high productivity can be ensured with a small-sized heating equipment.

[0024] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-61833 discloses the following method: using a support member and a supply mechanism whose inscribed circle diameter can be expanded and contracted, multiple annular members are sequentially passed through the region radially inside the heating section of the coil in the energized state from bottom to top, so as to inductively heat the multiple annular members respectively in sequence.

[0025] Specifically, in this method, the support member is composed of support claws arranged at three positions in the circumferential direction, and these support claws move synchronously in the radial direction, whereby the diameter of its inscribed circle expands and contracts. The supply mechanism can be lifted and lowered, and is arranged below the support member at the origin position.

[0026] When performing the heating treatment, when one annular member is placed on the upper surface of the supply mechanism at the origin position, the supply mechanism moves upward. Along with this, the diameter of the inscribed circle of the support member expands. One annular member placed on the upper surface of the supply mechanism passes through the radial inside of the support member from bottom to top and is introduced into the heating section of the coil. Then, the supply mechanism moves downward, and the supply mechanism returns to the origin. At this time, when the upper surface of the supply mechanism is at the same vertical position as the upper surface of the support member, the diameter of the inscribed circle of the support member contracts, and one annular member placed on the upper surface of the supply mechanism is supported by the support member from the lower side. In this way, the annular member is introduced into the heating section of the coil. After that, the above operations are repeated. That is, the annular members are sequentially introduced into the heating section of the coil from bottom to top, and thus are laminated on the upper surface of the support member. At the same time, the annular members are intermittently fed into the heating section of the coil from bottom to top. And these annular members are inductively heated while sequentially passing through the heating section of the coil. According to this method, the heating treatment of multiple annular members can also be smoothly performed with one heating device, so high productivity can be ensured with a small-sized heating equipment.

[0027] Prior art documents

[0028] Patent documents

[0029] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-67880

[0030] Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-61833 Summary of the invention

[0031] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0032] In the prior heating treatment described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-67880, a plurality of annular members laminated on the upper surface of the support member are set as a batch, and batch heating is performed on each batch. In order to improve the processing capacity of the batch processing, that is, to increase the number of processed items per unit time, it is necessary to increase the number of annular members constituting a batch. However, in this processing method, the plurality of annular members constituting a batch rise on the upper surface of the support member. If the number of annular members is increased, the attitude of the annular members becomes unstable, the annular members come into contact with the coil, and uniform heating cannot be performed. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to set the number of annular members constituting a batch to be small and improve the processing capacity.

[0033] The prior heating treatment described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-61833 is continuous processing in which an indefinite number of annular members pass through the heating section of the coil, so it is easy to ensure the processing capacity. However, in this processing method, when the second and subsequent annular members are introduced into the heating section of the coil, in a state where the annular members are placed on the upper surface of the support member, the inner diameter of the inscribed circle of the support member expands, that is, the support claws arranged at three positions in the circumferential direction move synchronously outward in the radial direction. Therefore, during the movement, the attitude of the annular members placed on the upper surface of the support member becomes unstable, and there is a possibility that the annular members come into contact with the coil and uniform heating cannot be performed.

[0034] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an induction heating method and an induction heating device that can easily ensure the heating processing capacity of a plurality of annular members and can easily heat the annular members uniformly.

[0035] Means for solving the problems

[0036] An induction heating method for an annular member according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the following steps: a step of supplying an annular member to a specified section that is a heating object section using an induction coil; a step of moving the annular member along a reference axis to pass through the specified section and including a process of controlling contact between the annular member and other members by a contact control section.

[0037] An induction heating device for an annular member according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an induction coil; a power supply device that supplies power to the induction coil; and a conveyance mechanism that moves the annular member along a reference axis to pass through a specified section that is a heating target section using the induction coil, and has a contact control section that controls contact between the annular member and other members.

[0038] An induction heating method for an annular member according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the following steps: a step of supplying a plurality of annular members to a heating section of a coil in an energized state; a step of sequentially passing the plurality of annular members supplied to the heating section through the heating section while preventing contact between the plurality of annular members and the coil by a contact prevention mechanism.

[0039] An induction heating device for an annular member according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a device that sequentially passes a plurality of annular members through a heating section of an energized coil, and includes: the coil that can be energized; a supply mechanism that supplies the plurality of annular members to the heating section of the energized coil; and a contact prevention mechanism that prevents contact between the annular members supplied to the heating section and the coil when the annular members pass through the heating section.

[0040] A manufacturing method for an annular member according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a manufacturing method for a metal annular member, and includes a step of heat-treating the annular member by heating the annular member by the induction heating method for an annular member according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0041] A manufacturing method for a bearing according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a manufacturing method for a bearing having a member composed of an annular member, and includes a step of heat-treating the member by heating the member by the induction heating method for an annular member according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0042] A manufacturing method for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a manufacturing method for a vehicle having an annular member, and includes a step of heat-treating the annular member by heating the annular member by the induction heating method for an annular member according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0043] A manufacturing method for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a manufacturing method for a mechanical device having an annular member, and includes a step of heat-treating the annular member by heating the annular member by the induction heating method for an annular member according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0044] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an induction heating method for annular components, which includes the following steps: a feeding step of conveying a plurality of annular components; a quenching step of performing quenching treatment on the annular components while conveying the plurality of annular components conveyed in the feeding step; and a tempering step of performing tempering treatment on the annular components while conveying the plurality of annular components after the quenching treatment. In the heat treatment method for annular components, when performing the quenching step and / or the tempering step, the plurality of annular components are heated to a target temperature. In this case, in a series of steps from the feeding step to the tempering step, the plurality of annular components can be axially conveyed in a straight line from the beginning to the end.

[0045] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an induction heating device for annular components, which includes: a feeding unit for conveying a plurality of annular components; a quenching unit for performing quenching treatment on the annular components while conveying the plurality of annular components conveyed from the feeding unit; and a tempering unit for performing tempering treatment on the annular components while axially conveying the plurality of annular components after the quenching treatment. In the heat treatment equipment, the plurality of annular components are heated to a target temperature by the quenching unit and / or the tempering unit. In this case, in a series of parts from the feeding unit to the tempering unit, the plurality of annular components can be axially conveyed in a straight line from the beginning to the end.

[0046] The methods and configurations of the present disclosure can be appropriately combined and implemented within the scope without contradiction for the above aspects.

[0047] Advantages of the Invention

[0048] According to the induction heating method and induction heating device for annular components of one aspect of the present disclosure, it is easy to ensure the heating treatment ability of the annular components, and it is easy to uniformly heat the annular components. Description of the Drawings

[0049] Figure 1 FIG. is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a rolling bearing including an outer ring and an inner ring.

[0050] Figure 2 FIG. is a perspective view showing a heat treatment equipment equipped with the induction heating device of the first embodiment.

[0051] Figure 3 FIG. is a perspective view schematically showing a situation of induction heating of an annular component in the first embodiment.

[0052] Figure 4 FIG. is a perspective view schematically showing a situation of induction heating of an annular component in the second embodiment by the induction heating device of the first embodiment.

[0053] Figure 5It is a perspective view schematically showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the third embodiment.

[0054] Figure 6 It is a partially cut-away perspective view showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the fourth embodiment.

[0055] Figure 7 It is a partially cut-away perspective view schematically showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the modified example.

[0056] Figure 8 It is a perspective view schematically showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the fifth embodiment.

[0057] Figure 9 It is a perspective view schematically showing the modified example.

[0058] Figure 10 It is a partially cut-away side view showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the sixth embodiment.

[0059] Figure 11 It is a partially cut-away perspective view showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the seventh embodiment.

[0060] Figure 12 It is a partially cut-away perspective view showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the eighth embodiment.

[0061] Figure 13 It is a partially cut-away side view showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the ninth embodiment.

[0062] Figure 14 It is a partially cut-away side view schematically showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the tenth embodiment.

[0063] Figure 15 It is a partially cut-away side view showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the eleventh embodiment.

[0064] Figure 16 It is a partially cut-away side view showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the twelfth embodiment.

[0065] Figure 17 It is a partially cut-away side view schematically showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the thirteenth embodiment.

[0066] Figure 18 It is a partially cut-away side view showing the case of induction heating of the ring-shaped member in the modified example.

[0067] Figure 19 FIG. Figure 19 is a diagram schematically showing a case where the ring-shaped member in the 14th embodiment is induction-heated.

[0068] Figure 20 FIG. Figure 20 is a diagram schematically showing a case where the ring-shaped member in the 15th embodiment is induction-heated.

[0069] Figure 21 FIG. Figure 21 is a diagram schematically showing a case where the ring-shaped member in the 16th embodiment is induction-heated.

[0070] Figure 22 FIG. Figure 22 is a schematic configuration diagram of a motor to which a bearing is applied.

[0071] Figure 23 FIG. Figure 23 is a diagram showing a case where a ring-shaped member is induction-heated according to the first example of the conventional induction-heating method for a ring-shaped member.

[0072] Figure 24 FIG. Figure 24 is a diagram showing a case where a ring-shaped member is induction-heated according to the second example of the conventional induction-heating method for a ring-shaped member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] [First Embodiment]

[0074] Use Figures 1 to 3 The first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0075] In the present embodiment, Figure 1 The outer ring 2 and / or the inner ring 3 of the rolling bearing 1 shown are subjected to quenching treatment and / or tempering treatment by induction heating. The outer ring 2 and / or the inner ring 3 correspond to the ring-shaped member Mr.

[0076] It should be noted that the ring-shaped member is not limited to the outer ring 2 and / or the inner ring 3 of the rolling bearing 1. Any metal ring-shaped member can be used as an object. In one example, the object is the outer ring or inner ring of a rolling bearing having a configuration different from the example shown, or a sliding bearing composed of a single member or a plurality of members. In addition, the object is a ring-shaped member constituting a vehicle or a mechanical device. For example, various heat treatments such as annealing treatment and normalizing treatment can be included in addition to the quenching treatment and the tempering treatment as the heat treatment objects. Figure 1 shown, or a sliding bearing composed of a single member or a plurality of members. In addition, the object is a ring-shaped member constituting a vehicle or a mechanical device. For example, various heat treatments such as annealing treatment and normalizing treatment can be included in addition to the quenching treatment and the tempering treatment as the heat treatment objects.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the rolling bearing 1 is composed of a single-row angular contact ball bearing and includes an outer ring 2, an inner ring 3, and a plurality of rolling elements 4.

[0078] The outer ring 2 is made of hard metals such as bearing steel and carburizing steel, and has an angular contact type outer ring raceway 5 on its inner circumferential surface. The inner ring 3 is made of hard metals such as bearing steel and carburizing steel, and has an angular contact type inner ring raceway 6 on its outer circumferential surface. A plurality of rolling elements 4 are made of balls and are arranged between the outer ring raceway 5 and the inner ring raceway 6 so as to roll freely. Each rolling element 4 is made of hard metals such as bearing steel and carburizing steel or ceramics.

[0079] When manufacturing the outer ring 2, first, forging is performed on the metal material to form the approximate shape of the outer ring 2, and then grinding is performed on the inner circumferential surface to form the outer ring raceway 5. Next, quenching treatment and tempering treatment are performed on the outer ring 2. In addition, when manufacturing the inner ring 3, first, forging is performed on the metal material to form the approximate shape of the inner ring 3, and then grinding is performed on the outer circumferential surface to form the inner ring raceway 6. Next, quenching treatment and tempering treatment are performed on the inner ring 3.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the Figure 2 shown heat treatment equipment X is used to perform quenching treatment and tempering treatment on the outer ring 2 and / or the inner ring 3 as the ring-shaped member Mr. Such treatment includes a heating process of heating the ring-shaped member Mr (workpiece) to a target temperature and a cooling process of cooling the heated ring-shaped member Mr. For example, the target temperature refers to a temperature appropriately selected from the temperature range capable of quenching in the case of quenching treatment and a temperature appropriately selected from the temperature range capable of tempering in the case of tempering treatment.

[0081] Figure 2 The shown heat treatment equipment X is a device for implementing a heat treatment method for a plurality of ring-shaped members Mr, and includes a supply section S1, a quenching section S2, and a tempering section S3. The supply section S1 performs a supply process of axially transporting a plurality of coaxially arranged ring-shaped members Mr toward the heat treatment section. The quenching section S2 performs a quenching process of performing quenching treatment on the ring-shaped members Mr while axially transporting the ring-shaped members Mr transported from the supply section S1. The tempering section S3 performs a tempering process of performing tempering treatment on the ring-shaped members Mr while axially transporting the ring-shaped members Mr on which the quenching treatment has been completed.

[0082] The quenching section S2 has a heating section (heating zone) S21 for induction heating a plurality of ring-shaped members Mr to a target temperature and a cooling section S22 for cooling the plurality of ring-shaped members Mr maintained at the target temperature for a specified time.

[0083] The tempering section S3 has a heating section (heating zone) S31 for induction heating the quenched plurality of ring-shaped members Mr to a target temperature and a cooling section S32 for cooling the plurality of ring-shaped members Mr maintained at the target temperature for a specified time.

[0084] Cooling in each of the cooling units S22 and S32 is performed, for example, by applying the coolant discharged from the cooling jacket to the annular member Mr. Additionally, cooling in the cooling unit S22 can be performed while correcting the heat treatment deformation of a plurality of annular members Mr as needed. As a correction method at this time, for example, a method of feeding axially while pressing the annular member Mr from the outer diameter side with a correction roll, a method of passing through from the inside of the correction die while feeding the annular member Mr, or other appropriate methods can be adopted. Further, after cooling, the coolant adhering to the annular member Mr can be blown off using a blower.

[0085] In one example, the heat treatment apparatus X is configured such that, for a series of multiple processing units from the supply unit S1 to the tempering unit S3, a plurality of annular members Mr are axially conveyed in a straight line from the beginning to the end. That is, in the heat treatment method of this example, in a series of processes from the supply process to the tempering process, a plurality of annular members Mr are axially conveyed in a straight line along the reference axis 60 from the beginning to the end.

[0086] The heat treatment apparatus is not limited to Figure 2 the configuration shown. In another example, an appropriate configuration can be provided. For example, the heat treatment apparatus can be configured such that the supply unit, the quenching unit, and the tempering unit are not arranged on the same straight line. Or, the heat treatment apparatus can be configured such that, compared with Figure 2 the configuration shown, the quenching unit and the tempering unit are arranged in remote locations. For example, a reference axis (conveying axis) 60 is set according to the process or a common reference axis (conveying axis) 60 is set for multiple processes. The reference axis (conveying axis) 60 may include a bent portion or a kinked portion. The conveyance may include movement in a direction intersecting the axial direction.

[0087] In the present embodiment, an induction heating device 7 is provided in at least one of the heating unit S21 of the quenching unit S2 and / or the heating unit S31 of the tempering unit S3. Figure 3 as shown in

[0088] The induction heating device 7 inductively heats a plurality of annular members Mr to a target temperature respectively. The annular members Mr sequentially pass through the opposed region (heating target section, heating section) of the energized induction heating coil (induction coil, coil) 8, whereby the annular members Mr are inductively heated respectively.

[0089] It should be noted that the opposed region (heating section) of the coil 8 refers to the region opposed to the workpiece coil 8 and inductively heated by the coil 8. A plurality of annular members Mr as workpieces move along the reference axis 60 and pass through the heating section.

[0090] In one example, the moving direction (conveying direction) of the plurality of annular members Mr in the heating section is the horizontal direction ( Figure 3(in the direction of arrow α in). In another example, the moving direction (conveying direction) of the annular member Mr in the heating section can be set to a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction.

[0091] As Figure 2 shown, the induction heating device 7 can include: a coil 8 that can be energized; a power supply unit 51 that supplies power (such as high-frequency current) to the coil 8; and a conveying mechanism 52 that moves the annular member along the reference axis 60. The conveying mechanism 52 can include a supply unit (feeder) 53 that supplies a plurality of annular members Mr to the heating section. In addition, the conveying mechanism 52 includes a contact control unit 54 that controls the contact between the annular member and other components. For example, the other components include the coil 8 and / or components disposed between the coil 8 and the annular member. In one example, the contact control unit 54 functions as a contact prevention mechanism for preventing the annular member Mr from contacting the coil 8 or other components when the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating section.

[0092] In the present embodiment, the coil 8 is substantially configured in a cylindrical shape. In one example, the coil is supported in a state where the axial direction of the coil 8 is arranged along the reference axis 60 as the horizontal direction. The inner diameter of the coil 8 is larger than the outer diameter of the annular member Mr as the workpiece. In the present embodiment, the heating section is the region inside the radial direction of the coil 8. The heating section corresponds to the spatial region substantially surrounded by the coil 8. The length of the heating section corresponds to the effective length of the coil 8.

[0093] The inner diameter of the coil 8 enables the annular member Mr to pass axially inside the radial direction of the coil 8, and is set to a size capable of disposing the contact control unit 54 (for example, two rollers 9 and a pressing member 10). The coil 8 is connected to the power supply unit 51 (power supply for energization). The amount of electricity (current value, etc.) flowing through the coil 8 is controlled by the power supply unit (power supply for energization) 51.

[0094] In Figure 2 the example shown, one coil 8 is disposed in each of the quenching section S2 and the tempering section S3. In another example, the number of coils 8 included in the induction heating device 7 is two or more. For example, as Figure 2 shown by the portion A surrounded by a dashed line in, a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) coils can be provided for one heating zone. In this case, the plurality of coils can be connected in parallel or in series with one power supply, and the amount of electricity flowing through each coil can be controlled. Alternatively, the plurality of coils are respectively connected to a plurality of independent power supplies, and the amount of electricity flowing through each coil can be independently controlled individually.

[0095] The axial length, number of turns, inner diameter, amount of electricity, etc. of the coil 8 are adjusted to be able to heat the annular member Mr to the target temperature in consideration of the speed and time at which the annular member Mr passes through the heating section of the coil 8, the size of the annular member Mr, etc.

[0096] The conveying mechanism 52 can have any configuration and can move the annular member Mr along the reference axis 60 to pass through a specified interval that is the heating target interval of the coil 8. The supply unit 53 of the conveying mechanism 52 can have any configuration capable of supplying a plurality of annular members Mr to the heating interval of the coil 8. In one example, the conveying mechanism 52 can have a configuration that supplies a plurality of annular members Mr to the heating interval in a state of being axially separated from each other in sequence. In another example, as Figure 3 shown, the supply unit 53 can have a configuration that supplies a plurality of annular members Mr to the heating interval in a state of being substantially non-separated from each other axially. In one example, the plurality of annular members Mr move in the heating interval in a state of being substantially close to each other (contact state). In another example, the plurality of annular members Mr move in the heating interval in a state of being separated from each other. In one example, the plurality of annular members Mr are continuously supplied to the heating interval. In another example, the plurality of annular members Mr are intermittently supplied to the heating interval. In one example, the moving speed of the plurality of annular members in the heating interval is substantially constant. In another example, the moving speed of the plurality of annular members in the heating interval changes. For example, the movement of each of the plurality of annular members can include a period of stopping within the heating interval and a period of moving within the heating interval.

[0097] In the present embodiment, the contact control unit 54 includes a guiding member made of an insulating material that guides the movement of the plurality of annular members Mr. Here, the reason for making the guiding member of an insulating material is that the high-frequency energy of the coil 8 can be prevented from being consumed by the induction heating of the guiding member, and the annular member Mr can be efficiently induction-heated. In this example, the guiding member has a structure that does not continuously contact the same part of the annular member Mr when the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating interval.

[0098] Specifically, the contact control unit 54 includes two rollers 9 as the guiding members. The two rollers 9 extend in the direction along the reference axis 60 (the passing direction, Figure 3 the direction of arrow α in the figure). The two rollers 9 rotate around their respective axes. The rotation directions of the two rollers 9 are set to be the same.

[0099] When the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating interval, the two rollers 9 rotate in the same direction with respect to each other in a state where a plurality of annular members Mr with their respective axial directions aligned with the passing direction are placed on the two rollers 9, thereby causing the annular member Mr to rotate about its own axis and move axially with respect to the two rollers 9.

[0100] More specifically, the two rollers 9 are each formed of an insulating material such as ceramics into a solid cylindrical shape, and are arranged separately from each other at an interval smaller than the outer diameter of the plurality of annular members Mr. The middle portions of the two rollers 9 in the extending direction are axially inserted through the lower portion of the region radially inside the heating section of the coil 8. The two rollers 9 can be rotationally driven in the same direction at the same speed by a rotation driving mechanism (not shown). The rotation direction and speed are examples and are not limited thereto.

[0101] In one example, the propulsive force for moving the plurality of annular members Mr relative to the two rollers 9 in the axial direction is generated based on the contact forces acting on each annular member Mr from the two rollers 9. Therefore, the two rollers 9 are arranged non-parallel to each other. Specifically, the two rollers 9 are arranged to be slightly inclined (e.g., 0.5° to 5.0°, preferably about 1°) relative to each other (the inclination angle relative to the parallel state). When the two rollers 9 rotate, a deflection relative to the two rollers 9 is generated on each annular member Mr. From the two rollers 9, a contact force (frictional force) having a component in the direction of arrow α is generated on each annular member Mr, and a propulsive force is generated due to this contact force. That is, in this example, each roller 9 functions as a feed roller. The above numerical values are examples and are not limited to the above numerical values. Figure 3 The contact force (frictional force) having a component in the direction of arrow α, and a propulsive force is generated due to this contact force. That is, in this example, each roller 9 functions as a feed roller. The above numerical values are examples and are not limited to the above numerical values.

[0102] Additionally and / or alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which at least one of the outer peripheral surfaces of the two rollers 9 has a spiral groove. In this case, when the two rollers 9 rotate, a contact force (engagement force) having a component in the direction of arrow α acts on the contact portion between the spiral groove and the annular member Mr, and a propulsive force is generated by this contact force. Figure 3 The contact force (engagement force) having a component in the direction of arrow α, and a propulsive force is generated by this contact force.

[0103] In another example, the propulsive force can be generated by other driving devices such as a workpiece feeding device (not shown) arranged on the upstream side of the heat treatment process.

[0104] In the present embodiment, a part of the two rollers 9 functions as a supply unit 53. The part of the two rollers 9 located on the upstream side of the coil 8 in the heat treatment process ( Figure 3 the left side in the figure) becomes a part of the configuration of the supply unit 53. The plurality of annular members Mr are sequentially fed axially from the upstream side of the heat treatment process onto the part of the two rollers 9 located on the upstream side of the coil 8 in the heat treatment process ( Figure 3 the left side in the figure). And due to the propulsive force acting on each annular member Mr from the two rollers 9, the annular member Mr moves axially and is supplied to the heating section. That is, the two rollers 9 not only have the role of a guiding member but also have the role of a supply mechanism.

[0105] In the present embodiment, the contact control unit 54 includes the pressing member 10 as a guiding member. The pressing member 10 approaches and faces the plurality of annular members Mr placed on the two rollers 9 from above. The annular members Mr are arranged between the two rollers 9 and the pressing member 10.

[0106] In one example, the pressing member 10 has a rod shape extending along the reference axis 60 (the direction of the arrow α in the passing direction) within the axial range where the two rollers 9 are located. Figure 3 The middle part in the extending direction of the pressing member 10 is axially inserted through the upper part of the region radially inside the heating section of the coil 8.

[0107] In the present embodiment, the plurality of annular members Mr are induction-heated by the induction heating device 7. First, in a state where the two rollers 9 are rotated in the same direction at the same speed with respect to each other, the plurality of annular members Mr are continuously fed axially from the upstream side of the heat treatment process and placed on the part of the two rollers 9 on the upstream side of the coil 8 with respect to the heat treatment process ( Figure 3 the left side in the figure). And, while the annular members Mr rotate around their own axes respectively along with the rotation of the two rollers 9, they move relative to the two rollers 9 along the reference axis (axial direction) 60 due to the propulsive force. Thus, the annular members Mr are respectively fed axially into the region radially inside the heating section of the coil 8, and then pass through the heating section axially. In the heating section, the central axes of the plurality of annular members Mr are along the reference axis 60. In the heating section, the annular members Mr move along the central axes of the annular members Mr. In the heating section, the outer peripheral surfaces of the annular members Mr are arranged to face the coil 8. During the process of passing through the heating section, eddy currents are generated in each annular member Mr, and the annular members Mr are heated to the target temperature. In one example, the annular members Mr move axially on the two rollers 9 with substantially no gap between adjacent annular members Mr. In another example, each annular member Mr moves axially on the two rollers 9 with a prescribed gap between adjacent annular members Mr.

[0108] When there is a tendency for the annular members Mr to float relative to the two rollers 9 due to vibrations or the like generated when the plurality of annular members Mr move axially on the two rollers 9, the annular members Mr come into contact with the lower surface of the pressing member 10, thereby preventing a larger degree of floating. That is, it prevents the plurality of annular members Mr from falling off the two rollers 9.

[0109] In the present embodiment, by performing a continuous process of making an indefinite number of annular members Mr pass through the heating section of the coil 8 in sequence, a high heat treatment capacity for the plurality of annular members Mr is ensured.

[0110] In the present embodiment, in the heating space, two rollers 9 and a pressing member 10 are used to prevent the plurality of annular members Mr from contacting the coil 8. Therefore, in the annular member Mr, an uneven heating distribution caused by contact with the coil 8 is avoided.

[0111] In the present embodiment, in the induction heating of the annular member Mr, the annular member Mr rotates on its own axis while moving axially through the two rollers 9. The annular member Mr rotates around the reference axis 60 while moving along the reference axis 60 on the two rollers 9. Therefore, the annular member Mr moves axially, and the two rollers 9 do not continuously contact the same part (the same part in the circumferential direction) of the annular member Mr. Specifically, in the annular member Mr, it moves axially while continuously changing the contact points with the two rollers 9. In the heating section, the circumferential position of the annular member Mr in contact with the roller 9 changes. Therefore, heat transfer from the annular member Mr to the two rollers 9 is prevented from concentrating at a specific part of the annular member Mr.

[0112] In the present embodiment, the contact between the annular member Mr and the pressing member 10 does not occur continuously in the heating section, and even if it occurs, it occurs only once. In addition, since the annular member Mr rotates on its own axis, the pressing member 10 does not continuously contact the same part of the annular member Mr. The pressing member 10 does not continuously contact the same part (the same part in the circumferential direction) of the annular member Mr, and the annular member Mr moves axially. Therefore, heat transfer from the annular member Mr to the pressing member 10 is prevented from concentrating at a specific part of the annular member Mr.

[0113] Therefore, in the present embodiment, an uneven heating distribution caused by contact with other components is suppressed in the annular member Mr. For example, it is possible to prevent a situation where the temperature of a specific part of the annular member Mr locally decreases due to contact with other components, and the characteristics of a specific part in the annular member Mr locally change (for example, the hardness decreases, etc.). That is to say, in the present embodiment, the annular member Mr can be heated more uniformly.

[0114] It should be noted that in a modification of the present embodiment, the two rollers can be configured to have a hollow structure with a passage inside. In this case, in the induction heating of the annular member, the two rollers can be cooled by passing a coolant through the passage.

[0115] In another modification of the present embodiment, the pressing member 10 can be omitted. Alternatively, instead of the pressing member 10, a configuration including a spiral member having a spiral shape or a tubular member having a cylindrical shape (made of quartz glass, ceramic, non-magnetic SUS, etc.) that surrounds the two rollers 9 and the plurality of annular members Mr can be used as the guiding member.

[0116] [Second Embodiment]

[0117] Use Figure 4 to describe the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0118] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, the shape of the coil 8a is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, as Figure 4 shown, the coil 8a has a saddle shape or a partial cylindrical shape that only opposes a part of the circumferential direction (the upper part in the illustrated example) of the outer circumferential surface of the plurality of annular members Mr. In this embodiment, the assembly of the induction heating device 7a can be easily performed.

[0119] In this embodiment, the coil 8a only opposes a part of the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the plurality of annular members Mr. A part of the outer circumferential surface of the annular member Mr opposes the opening region (non-coil region) of the coil 8a in the circumferential direction. In the heating section, a part of the region in the circumferential direction corresponding to the opening region of the coil 8a becomes a local low-heating region. On the other hand, the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating section of the coil 8a along the central axis while rotating around the central axis. Therefore, the influence of the low-heating region is substantially avoided. Within the entire circumference of the annular member Mr, the annular member Mr is induction-heated by the coil 8a. The other configurations and effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0120] [Third Embodiment]

[0121] Use Figure 5 to describe the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0122] In this embodiment, the shape of the coil 8b is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the coil 8b is composed of strip coils (plate-shaped coils) that extend in the axial direction of the plurality of annular members Mr. The coil 8b is arranged at at least one part in the circumferential direction (two upper parts in the illustrated example) at a position opposing the outer circumferential surface of the plurality of annular members Mr. In this embodiment, the assembly of the induction heating device 7b can be easily performed.

[0123] In this embodiment, the coil 8b only opposes a part of the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the plurality of annular members Mr. A part of the outer circumferential surface of the annular member Mr opposes the non-arrangement region (non-coil region) of the coil 8b in the circumferential direction. In the heating section, a part of the region in the circumferential direction corresponding to the non-arrangement region of the coil 8b becomes a local low-heating region. On the other hand, the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating section of the coil 8b along the central axis while rotating around the central axis. Therefore, the influence of the low-heating region is substantially avoided. Within the entire circumference of the annular member Mr, the annular member Mr is induction-heated by the coil 8b. The other configurations and effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0124] [Embodiment 4]

[0125] Use Figure 6 Describe the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0126] In one example, similar to the first embodiment, the direction of the heating section for the plurality of annular members Mr is the horizontal direction along the reference axis ( Figure 6 the direction of arrow α in). Therefore, the cylindrical coil 8 is held in a posture such that its axial direction coincides with the horizontal direction. In another example, as described later, the moving direction (transport direction) of the annular member Mr in the heating section can be set to a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction.

[0127] In the present embodiment, the contact control unit 54 includes the spiral member 11. In the induction heating device 7c, the contact control unit 54 includes the spiral member 11 as a guiding member. The spiral member 11 extends in the direction in which the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the region on the radially inner side as the heating section and has a spiral shape. The spiral member 11 is used to guide the plurality of annular members Mr axially on the radially inner side of the spiral member 11 when the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating section.

[0128] Specifically, the spiral member 11 is made of an insulating material such as ceramics. In one example, the spiral member 11 has a spiral shape in which a single wire is wound into a spiral or a spiral shape in which multiple wires are wound in parallel. Specifications such as the number of wires constituting the spiral member 11, the axial pitch of the wires, and the inner diameter of the spiral member 11 can be arbitrarily set. For example, the specifications of the spiral member 11 are set so that the annular member Mr can be prevented from falling off between the axially adjacent wires, and the axial movement of the plurality of annular members Mr can be smoothly guided by the inner peripheral surface of the spiral member 11. For example, the number of the spiral members 11 is three. Regardless of the axial position of the annular member Mr on the radially inner side of the spiral member 11, wires exist at three circumferentially equally spaced positions around the annular member.

[0129] In the present embodiment, the spiral member 11 is coaxially arranged on the radially inner side of the coil 8.

[0130] In the present embodiment, the movement of the annular member Mr in the heating section is based on the supply section that supplies the annular member Mr to the heating section. In one example, the supply section is constituted by a feeding device (workpiece feeding device) arranged on the upstream side of the heat treatment process. In one example, the feeding device supplies the plurality of annular members Mr without separation in the axial direction. For example, the propulsion force of the annular member Mr is generated by continuously pressing the plurality of annular members Mr. In another example, the feeding device supplies the plurality of annular members Mr in a separated state. As the feeding device, it is possible to adopt, for example, Figure 2A device similar to the offering unit S1 or a device that sandwiches and feeds multiple ring-shaped components by a conveyor belt, etc.

[0131] During the induction heating performed by the induction heating device 7c, multiple ring-shaped components Mr are fed into the heating zone by the supply unit. The supply unit sequentially feeds multiple ring-shaped components Mr into the radial inner side of the spiral component 11 in a state where the central axis (axial direction) of the multiple ring-shaped components Mr is along the reference axis (the passing direction, the direction of arrow α). The ring-shaped component Mr moves axially inside the radial direction of the spiral component 11 and passes through the heating zone of the coil 8. In the heating zone, the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped component Mr is disposed opposite to the coil 8. And in the heating zone, eddy currents are generated in each ring-shaped component Mr, and the ring-shaped component Mr is heated to the target temperature.

[0132] In the present embodiment, in the heating zone, the spiral component 11 prevents the multiple ring-shaped components Mr from contacting the coil 8. Therefore, in the ring-shaped component Mr, an uneven heating distribution caused by contact with the coil 8 is avoided.

[0133] In the present embodiment, during the induction heating of the ring-shaped component Mr, the ring-shaped component Mr is guided by the inner peripheral surface of the spiral component 11 having a spiral shape and moves axially. Therefore, in the ring-shaped component Mr, the contact points with the spiral component 11 continuously change. In the heating zone, the circumferential position of the ring-shaped component Mr in contact with the spiral component 11 changes. Therefore, heat transfer from the ring-shaped component Mr to the spiral component 11 is prevented from concentrating at a specific part of the ring-shaped component Mr, and an uneven heating distribution is suppressed. For example, it is possible to prevent a situation where the temperature of a specific part of the ring-shaped component Mr locally decreases due to contact with other components such as the spiral component 11, and the characteristics of a specific part in the ring-shaped component Mr locally change (for example, the hardness decreases, etc.). That is, in the present embodiment, the ring-shaped component Mr can also be heated more uniformly.

[0134] In the present embodiment, the ring-shaped component Mr can be uniformly heated without using a mechanism for rotating the ring-shaped component Mr. Therefore, the structure of the induction heating device can be simplified.

[0135] In the present embodiment, the radial thickness of the spiral component 11 disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the multiple ring-shaped components Mr is set to be small. In the present embodiment, compared with the structure of the first embodiment, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the multiple ring-shaped components Mr can be reduced. This is beneficial for ensuring the induction heating efficiency of the multiple ring-shaped components Mr.

[0136] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, as Figure 6 shown, the axial pitch of the wire material constituting the spiral component 11 is set to be larger than the axial width of the ring-shaped component Mr. In a modified example of the present embodiment, asFigure 7 As shown, it is possible to make the axial pitch of the wire rods smaller than the axial width of the annular member Mr. In this case, it is possible to more reliably prevent the annular member Mr from falling off between the axially adjacent wire rods. Here, the smaller the axial pitch of the wire rods, the larger the amount of wire rods used and the higher the material cost. Therefore, from the viewpoint of suppressing the material cost, it is preferable that the axial pitch of the wire rods is as large as possible within the range where it is possible to effectively prevent the annular member Mr from falling off between the axially adjacent wire rods. The other configurations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0137] Alternatively, in the present embodiment, the moving direction (transport direction) of the annular member Mr in the heating section can be set to a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. That is, the method of moving a plurality of annular members axially along the radial inner side of the spiral member can also be applied to the case where the passing direction, that is, the axial direction of the coil and the spiral member, is set to a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. When moving a plurality of annular members from top to bottom, gravity can be used as the driving force for moving the plurality of annular members. The method of moving a plurality of annular members axially along the radial inner side of the spiral member can also be applied to the conventional induction heating methods and induction heating devices described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-67880 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-61833.

[0138] [Fifth Embodiment]

[0139] Use Figure 8 To describe the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0140] In the present embodiment, in the heating section, the reference axis 60 is set to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The direction in which a plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating section is a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and from above to below (the direction along the reference axis 60, Figure 8 the direction of arrow α in). The cylindrical coil 8 is held in a posture such that its axial direction coincides with the direction along the reference axis 60 (the passing direction (the direction of arrow α)). It should be noted that in Figure 8 and the deformation example shown in Figure 9 , the coil 8 is schematically shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0141] In the present embodiment, the contact control unit 54 includes a guide rail 12. In the induction heating device 7d, the contact control unit 54 includes a guide rail 12 extending along the reference axis 60 (the passing direction) as a guiding member. The guide rail 12 is arranged to support the outer peripheral surface of a plurality of annular members Mr and guide the movement of the plurality of annular members Mr in the heating section. In the heating section, the plurality of annular members Mr move while rolling on the guide rail 12.

[0142] In this example, the guide rail 12 is made of an insulating material such as ceramics and extends along a reference axis 60 (the passing direction (the direction of arrow α)). In one example, the guide rail 12 has a guide groove 13 formed by one bottom wall and two side walls. The guide groove 13 extends along the reference axis 60 (the passing direction (the direction of arrow α)) and opens above the guide rail 12. The middle portion in the extending direction of the guide rail 12 axially penetrates the lower part of the region radially inside the heating section of the coil 8.

[0143] In the present embodiment, the contact control section 54 includes a pressing member 10a as a guiding member. The pressing member 10a is disposed so as to approach and face the plurality of annular members Mr rolling on the bottom surface of the guide groove 13, more specifically, above the guide rail 12, from above. The annular members Mr are disposed between the guide rail 12 and the pressing member 10a.

[0144] In one example, the pressing member 10a has a rod shape that extends along the reference axis 60 (the passing direction (the direction of arrow α)) within the axial range where the guide rail 12 exists. In another example, the pressing member 10a can have various shapes. The middle portion in the extending direction of the pressing member 10a axially penetrates the upper part of the region radially inside the heating section of the coil 8.

[0145] During the induction heating performed by the induction heating device 7d, the plurality of annular members Mr are sequentially supplied onto the guide rail 12 by a supply section. The supply section sequentially feeds the plurality of annular members Mr into the heating section in a state where the central axis (axial direction) of the plurality of annular members Mr intersects (substantially orthogonally) with the reference axis (the passing direction, the direction of arrow α). In one example, the lower side portion of each annular member Mr engages with the guide groove 13. In the heating section, the side surface of the annular member Mr is disposed to face the coil 8. The annular member Mr moves while rolling along the guide groove 13 along the reference axis 60 (the passing direction (the direction of arrow α)) due to the action of gravity or the like, and passes through the heating section of the coil 8. In the heating section, eddy currents are generated in each annular member Mr, and the annular member Mr is heated to a target temperature. In one example, when the annular member Mr rolls along the guide groove 13, the axial direction of the annular member Mr is in the horizontal direction. In another example, the axial direction of the annular member Mr can be set to a direction slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0146] In the case where there is a tendency for the annular member Mr to float relative to the bottom surface of the guide groove 13 due to vibrations or the like generated when the plurality of annular members Mr roll along the guide groove 13, the annular member Mr contacts the lower surface of the pressing member 10a to prevent a larger amplitude of floating. That is, it prevents the plurality of annular members Mr from falling off the guide groove 13.

[0147] In this embodiment, in the heating space, the guide rail 12 and the pressing member 10a are used to prevent the plurality of annular members Mr from contacting the coil 8. Therefore, in the annular member Mr, an uneven heating distribution caused by contact with the coil 8 is avoided.

[0148] In this embodiment, during the induction heating of the annular member Mr, the annular member Mr moves while rolling on the guide rail 12. When rolling on the guide rail 12, a part (lower surface) of the outer peripheral surface of the annular member Mr contacts the bottom surface of the guide groove 13. The contact points of the annular member Mr and the guide rail 12 continuously change. In the heating section, the circumferential position of the annular member Mr in contact with the guide rail 12 changes. Therefore, heat transfer from the annular member Mr to the guide rail 12 is prevented from concentrating at a specific part of the annular member Mr.

[0149] In this embodiment, the contact between the annular member Mr and the pressing member 10a does not occur continuously in the heating section, and even if it occurs, it occurs only once. In addition, since the annular member Mr rolls, the pressing member 10a does not continuously contact the same part of the annular member Mr. The annular member Mr moves in the axial direction, and the pressing member 10a does not continuously contact the same part (the same circumferential part) of the annular member Mr. Therefore, heat transfer from the annular member Mr to the pressing member 10a is prevented from concentrating at a specific part of the annular member Mr.

[0150] Therefore, in this embodiment, an uneven heating distribution associated with contact with other components is suppressed in the annular member Mr. For example, it is possible to prevent adverse conditions such as a local decrease in the temperature of a specific part of the annular member Mr due to contact with other components and a local change in the characteristics (e.g., a decrease in hardness, etc.) of a specific part in the annular member Mr. That is to say, in this embodiment, the annular member Mr can be heated more uniformly.

[0151] It should be noted that in a modification of this embodiment, the pressing member 10a can be omitted. Alternatively, instead of the pressing member 10a, a configuration including a spiral member having a spiral shape or a tubular member (such as quartz glass, ceramic, non-magnetic SUS, etc.) surrounding the guide rail 12 and the plurality of annular members Mr can be used as the guiding member.

[0152] In this embodiment, the plurality of annular members Mr move due to the action of gravity, so there is no need for an electric drive mechanism or power for moving the plurality of annular members Mr. Therefore, the structure of the induction heating device can be simplified and the operating cost can be reduced.

[0153] In this embodiment, in one example, as Figure 8As shown, each annular member Mr moves along the guide groove 13 in such a manner that a predetermined interval is provided between adjacent annular members Mr. In another example, as Figure 9 shown, each annular member Mr moves along the guide groove 13 in a state where there is substantially no interval between adjacent annular members Mr, that is, the circumferential surfaces of adjacent annular members Mr are in contact with or close to each other. Other configurations and functions / effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0154] [Sixth Embodiment]

[0155] Use Figure 10 to describe the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0156] In one example, the direction of the heating section for the plurality of annular members Mr is the horizontal direction along the reference axis 60 ( Figure 10 the direction of arrow α in ). Accordingly, the cylindrical coil 8 is held in a posture such that its axial direction coincides with the horizontal direction (the direction of arrow α). In another example, as will be described later, the moving direction (conveying direction) of the annular member Mr in the heating section can be set to a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction.

[0157] In the present embodiment, the contact control unit 54 includes the cartridge 14. In the induction heating device 7e, the contact control unit 54 includes the cartridge 14 that holds and fixes a plurality of annular members Mr arranged coaxially as a guiding member.

[0158] In one example, the cartridge 14 is made of an insulating material such as ceramics. The cartridge 14 includes a shaft portion 15 and a pair of holding rings 16 having a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion 15, and the pair of holding rings 16 can be detachably attached to both axial side portions of the shaft portion 15, respectively. It should be noted that one of the pair of holding rings 16 may be fixed to the shaft portion 15 in advance. In the cartridge 14, the plurality of annular members Mr are externally fitted to the shaft portion 15. The plurality of annular members Mr arranged coaxially by means of the shaft portion 15 are clamped from both axial sides by the pair of holding rings 16, whereby the plurality of annular members Mr are held and fixed to the cartridge 14.

[0159] In the present embodiment, in the induction heating device 7e, the cartridge 14 is conveyed by the conveying mechanism 52. The conveying mechanism 52 conveys the cartridge 14 holding the plurality of annular members Mr along the axial direction of the annular member Mr (the direction along the reference axis 60) at least when the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating section. The conveying mechanism 52 can control the feeding speed of the cartridge 14. In one example, the conveying mechanism 52 also functions as a supply mechanism (supply unit) for supplying the plurality of annular members Mr to the heating section of the energized coil 8.

[0160] During induction heating performed by the induction heating device 7e, a plurality of annular members Mr that are coaxially overlapped are previously held fixed to the cassette 14. Then, the cassette 14 is set in the transfer mechanism 52. The transfer mechanism 52 may be configured to support the end portions on both axial sides of the cassette 14, or may be configured to support only one axial end portion of the cassette 14. The transfer mechanism 52 moves the cassette 14 along the axial direction of the plurality of annular members Mr held fixed to the cassette 14. Thus, as Figure 10 shown, the plurality of annular members Mr held fixed to the cassette 14 are supplied axially to the region radially inside the coil 8 that is the heating section, and pass through the heating section axially. During this passing process, eddy currents are generated in each annular member Mr, and the annular member Mr is heated to the target temperature.

[0161] In one example, in the heating section, the cassette 14 can move while rotating about the axis. Further, in the heating space, a plurality of cassettes 14 can pass continuously or intermittently.

[0162] In the present embodiment, in the heating space, the plurality of annular members Mr move together with the cassette 14. The plurality of annular members Mr are held by the cassette 14, and their movement is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plurality of annular members Mr from coming into contact with the coil 8. Accordingly, in the plurality of annular members Mr, uneven heating distribution caused by contact with the coil 8 is avoided.

[0163] In the present embodiment, the plurality of annular members Mr to be induction heated move axially while being held fixed to the cassette 14. Therefore, different from the conventional example described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-67880, even if the number of annular members Mr held fixed to one cassette 14 is increased, it is possible to prevent the attitude of the annular member Mr from becoming unstable during induction heating, that is, the annular member Mr comes into contact with the coil 8 and uniform heating cannot be performed. That is, in the present embodiment, even if the number of annular members Mr held fixed to one cassette 14 is increased, uniform heating can be performed. This is advantageous for ensuring the heating processing ability of the annular member Mr.

[0164] In the present embodiment, the components arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of annular members Mr are omitted and / or minimized. Therefore, compared with the first embodiment, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of annular members Mr can be reduced. This is advantageous for ensuring the heating efficiency.

[0165] In the present embodiment, since the induction heating of the plurality of annular members Mr is performed simultaneously, it is advantageous for shortening the processing time of each annular member Mr. Other configurations and operational effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0166] Alternatively, in the present embodiment, the moving direction (transport direction) of the cartridge 14 (ring-shaped member Mr) in the heating section can be set to a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. Further, in a modified example of the present embodiment, a configuration including a spiral member having a spiral shape or a tubular member having a cylindrical shape (such as quartz glass, ceramic, non-magnetic SUS, etc.) disposed on the radially inner side of the coil can also be adopted as the guide member. For example, during induction heating, a plurality of ring-shaped members Mr held fixed to the cartridge can be moved axially through the space on the radially inner side of the spiral member, glass tube, etc.

[0167] [Embodiment 7]

[0168] Use Figure 11 Describe the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0169] In the present embodiment, the direction in which a plurality of ring-shaped members Mr pass through the heating section is a vertically downward direction (the direction of arrow α in Figure 11 ) along the reference axis 60 from above. Therefore, the cylindrical coil 8 is held in a posture such that its axial direction coincides with the vertical direction (the direction of arrow α). The inner diameter of the coil 8 is larger than the outer diameter of the ring-shaped member Mr as the workpiece.

[0170] In the present embodiment, the supply unit supplies a plurality of ring-shaped members Mr from a position above the coil 8, which is the entrance of the heating section, to the region on the radially inner side of the coil 8.

[0171] In the present embodiment, the contact control unit 54 can include the gravity acting on the plurality of ring-shaped members Mr. Further, the contact control unit 54 can include a mechanism for positioning the position of the ring-shaped member Mr (radial position with respect to the heating space, etc.) at the entrance of the heating section.

[0172] In the present embodiment, in the induction heating device 7f, a plurality of ring-shaped members Mr move in the vertical direction due to gravity. During the induction heating of the plurality of ring-shaped members Mr, the supply unit supplies a plurality of ring-shaped members Mr to the entrance of the heating section. The plurality of ring-shaped members Mr arranged coaxially with the coil 8 fall freely in order from above the heating section of the coil 8. Due to the action of gravity, the plurality of ring-shaped members Mr move downward from top to bottom in the heating section and pass through the heating space of the coil 8. In the heating space, eddy currents are generated in each ring-shaped member Mr, and the ring-shaped member Mr is heated to the target temperature. In one example, the amount of electricity supplied to the coil 8, the axial length of the coil 8, etc. are appropriately set according to the size of the ring-shaped member Mr to heat each ring-shaped member Mr to the target temperature.

[0173] In the present embodiment, while the plurality of annular members Mr freely fall due to gravity, they pass through the heating section, preventing the plurality of annular members Mr from contacting the coil 8. Therefore, in the annular member Mr, an uneven heating distribution caused by contact with the coil 8 is avoided.

[0174] In the present embodiment, the annular member Mr can be uniformly heated without using a mechanism for rotating the annular member Mr. Therefore, the structure of the induction heating device can be simplified.

[0175] In the present embodiment, the members disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of annular members Mr are omitted and / or minimized. Therefore, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of annular members Mr can be reduced. This is advantageous for ensuring induction heating efficiency.

[0176] In this example, since the plurality of annular members Mr can be moved by the action of gravity, a driving mechanism and power for moving the plurality of annular members Mr are not required. Therefore, the structure of the induction heating device can be simplified and the operating cost can be suppressed. Other configurations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0177] [Eighth Embodiment]

[0178] Use Figure 12 The eighth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0179] In the present embodiment, in the induction heating device 7g, a guide rod 17 is added to the configuration of the seventh embodiment. The contact control unit 54 includes a plurality of (three in this example) guide rods 17 as guide members. In one example, the plurality of guide rods 17 are each made of an insulating material such as ceramic. The plurality of guide rods 17 each extend in the vertical direction and are circumferentially separated and arranged on an imaginary cylinder extending in the vertical direction. The plurality of guide rods 17 pass through the region radially inside the coil 8 in the vertical direction.

[0180] The plurality of guide rods 17 are used to guide the axial movement of the annular member Mr inside the plurality of guide rods 17 when the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating section of the coil 8. That is, the plurality of guide rods 17 are members for aligning the freely falling annular member Mr and preventing the annular member Mr from contacting the coil 8. The inscribing circle diameter of the plurality of guide rods 17 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the annular member Mr.

[0181] In the present embodiment, when the annular member Mr freely falls, movement in a direction crossing the vertical direction, i.e., in the circumferential direction, is permitted inside the plurality of guide rods 17. Continuous contact between the outer peripheral surface of the annular member Mr and the plurality of guide rods 17 at the same location is prevented. Therefore, it is easy to uniformly heat the plurality of annular members Mr.

[0182] In this embodiment, the radial thickness of the plurality of guide rods 17 disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of annular members Mr can be set small. Compared with the first embodiment, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of annular members Mr is shortened. This is advantageous for ensuring the induction heating efficiency. The other configurations and operational effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the seventh embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0183] In a modification of this embodiment, instead of the plurality of guide rods, a configuration including a spiral member having a spiral shape or a tubular member (such as quartz glass, ceramic, non-magnetic SUS, etc.) having a cylindrical shape may be employed as the guide member.

[0184] [Ninth Embodiment]

[0185] Use Figure 13 The ninth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0186] In this embodiment, the direction in which the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating section is a direction from above to below along the vertical direction of the reference axis ( Figure 13 the direction of arrow α in). Therefore, the cylindrical coil 8 is held in a posture such that its axial direction coincides with the vertical direction (the direction of arrow α). The inner diameter of the coil 8 is larger than the outer diameter of the annular member Mr as the workpiece.

[0187] In this embodiment, the induction heating device 7h includes a support table 18. In one example, the support table 18 has an upper surface 19 formed by a horizontal plane. The lower end portion of the coil 8 is disposed at a position separated upward from the upper surface 19 of the support table 18.

[0188] In this embodiment, the contact prevention mechanism can include the gravity acting on the plurality of annular members Mr. In addition, the contact control unit can include a mechanism for positioning the position of the annular member Mr (radial position with respect to the heating space, etc.) at the entrance of the heating section.

[0189] In this embodiment, the induction heating device 7h can include a second transfer mechanism 55 for transferring the annular member Mr on the support table 18. In one example, the second transfer mechanism 55 can include a pulling-out mechanism 56 for pulling out one annular member Mr from the annular members Mr disposed on the support table 18. In one example, the pulling-out mechanism 56 can have a pushing member that collides with the side surface of one annular member Mr. In another example, the pulling-out mechanism 56 can have other configurations.

[0190] In this embodiment, during the induction heating of the plurality of annular members Mr, as Figure 13As shown, a plurality of annular members Mr are coaxially stacked in the vertical direction on the upper surface 19 of the support table 18. A partial annular member Mr located in the middle part in the vertical direction among the plurality of annular members Mr is arranged in a region radially inside the coil 8 which is a heating section.

[0191] Next, one annular member Mr located at the lower end among the plurality of annular members Mr stacked on the upper surface 19 of the support table 18 is pulled out by the pulling-out mechanism 56 and moved in the horizontal direction. One annular member Mr at the lower end among the plurality of annular members Mr on the support table 18 is pulled out, and the remaining annular members Mr move downward. In this way, the annular members Mr are sequentially pulled out on the support table 18 and discharged in the horizontal direction. Thus, the stacked annular members Mr move downward in sequence due to gravity. Further, whenever an annular member Mr is pulled out on the support table 18, a new annular member Mr is stacked on the stacked annular members Mr. Thus, the annular members Mr are sequentially supplied to the heating section and are sequentially discharged from the heating section at the same time. The plurality of annular members Mr move downward from top to bottom in the heating section and pass through the heating space of the coil 8. In the heating space, eddy currents are generated in the annular members Mr, and the annular members Mr are heated to the target temperature.

[0192] In the present embodiment, the plurality of annular members Mr stacked on the upper surface 19 of the support table 18 move downward in sequence due to the action of gravity. Therefore, an uneven heating distribution caused by contact with the coil 8 is avoided in the annular members Mr.

[0193] In the present embodiment, the components arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of annular members Mr are omitted and / or minimized. Therefore, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of annular members Mr can be reduced. This is advantageous for ensuring the induction heating efficiency. Other configurations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0194] [Embodiment 10]

[0195] Use Figure 14 To describe the tenth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0196] In the present embodiment, in the induction heating device 7i, a glass tube 20 is added to the configuration of the ninth embodiment. The contact control unit 54 includes the glass tube 20 as a guiding member. In one example, the glass tube 20 is made of quartz glass which is an insulating material with excellent heat resistance and has a cylindrical shape. The glass tube 20 passes through the region radially inside the coil 8 in the vertical direction. It should be noted that a tube member made of ceramic, non-magnetic SUS, etc. may be used instead of the glass tube made of quartz glass.

[0197] The glass tube 20 is used to guide the axial movement of the plurality of annular members Mr in the radial inner side of the glass tube 20 when the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating section of the coil 8. That is, the glass tube 20 is a member for aligning the plurality of annular members Mr stacked in the vertical direction and preventing the annular members Mr from contacting the coil 8. The inner diameter of the glass tube 20 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the annular member Mr. The lower end surface of the glass tube 20 is arranged at a position separated upward from the upper surface 19 of the support table 18. The interval between the lower end surface of the glass tube 20 and the upper surface 19 of the support table 18 is set to be slightly larger than the axial width dimension of the annular member Mr.

[0198] In the present embodiment, the glass tube 20 as a guiding member is arranged between the plurality of annular members Mr and the coil 8. In the heating space, slight movement in the circumferential direction, which intersects the vertical direction, is allowed inside the glass tube 20. Continuous contact between the outer peripheral surface of the annular member Mr and the inner peripheral surface of the glass tube 20 at the same position is prevented. Therefore, it is easy to uniformly heat the plurality of annular members Mr.

[0199] In the present embodiment, the radial thickness of the glass tube 20 arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of annular members Mr can be set small. Compared with the first embodiment, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of annular members Mr is small. This is beneficial to ensuring the induction heating efficiency. The other configurations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the ninth embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0200] In a modified example of the present embodiment, instead of the glass tube, a configuration including a spiral member having a spiral shape or a plurality of guide rods separated in the circumferential direction can be used as the guiding member.

[0201] [Embodiment 11]

[0202] Use Figure 15 To describe the eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0203] In the present embodiment, similarly to the tenth embodiment, the glass tube 20a as a guiding member is arranged between the plurality of annular members Mr and the coil 8. In the present embodiment, in the induction heating device 7j, an opening (discontinuous portion) 21 is provided on the glass tube 20a. The glass tube 20a has an opening (discontinuous portion) 21 in a part or the entire circumferential range in a portion below the coil 8. In one example, the glass tube 20a is divided into two parts up and down with the discontinuous portion 21 in between. In this case, it is composed of an upstream side portion 22 located on the upstream side ( Figure 15 the upper side) of the discontinuous portion 21 with respect to the heat treatment process and a downstream side portion 23 located on the downstream side ( Figure 15 the lower side) of the discontinuous portion 21 with respect to the heat treatment process.

[0204] Among the plurality of annular members Mr stacked coaxially in the vertical direction on the support table 18, the annular member Mr existing at the position corresponding to the opening (discontinuous portion) 21 is exposed outside the glass tube 20a. In the present embodiment, a coolant is applied to the exposed annular member Mr in this way, whereby the annular member Mr is cooled. Other configurations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the seventh embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0205] It should be noted that in embodiments other than the present embodiment, in the case where the induction heating device (contact control unit) employs a configuration including a cylindrical member such as a glass tube as a guiding member, an opening (discontinuous portion) can be provided on the cylindrical member in the same manner as in the eleventh embodiment.

[0206] [Embodiment 12]

[0207] Use Figure 16 Describe the twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0208] In the present embodiment, the direction of the heating section of the coil 8 for the plurality of annular members Mr is the vertical direction along the reference axis from above to below ( Figure 16 the direction of arrow α in). Therefore, the cylindrical coil 8 is held in a posture such that its axial direction coincides with the vertical direction (the direction of arrow α). The inner diameter of the coil 8 is larger than the outer diameter of the annular member Mr as the workpiece.

[0209] In the present embodiment, the supply unit supplies the plurality of annular members Mr from above to the radially inner region of the heating section of the coil 8.

[0210] In the present embodiment, the contact control unit 54 includes an electromagnetic force generated by the energized coil 8 and causing the plurality of annular members Mr to be magnetically levitated. It should be noted that whether the annular member Mr is magnetically levitated is determined by the balance between the upward component of the electromagnetic force acting on the annular member Mr and gravity. In the present embodiment, the size, the amount of energization, etc. of the coil 8 are appropriately set corresponding to the size of the annular member Mr so that each annular member Mr can be magnetically levitated. Instead of and / or in addition, by using a coil 8 whose inner diameter increases as it tends upward, an upward component of the electromagnetic force acting on the annular member Mr can be easily obtained.

[0211] In the present embodiment, in the induction heating device 7k, the supply unit causes the plurality of annular members Mr coaxially arranged with the induction heating coil 8 to freely fall one by one from above the opposing region of the induction heating coil 8. The plurality of annular members Mr are sequentially supplied from above to the heating section. The annular member Mr is induction heated in a state of being magnetically levitated by the electromagnetic force of the induction heating coil 8 in the heating section. The annular member Mr is sent out below the heating section after being heated to the target temperature.

[0212] In one example, due to the falling force of the later-supplied annular member (the next member) Mr, the annular member (the previous member) Mr that is magnetically levitated in the heating section is sent downward from the heating section. For example, the number of annular members Mr (the next members) supplied to the heating section from above and the number of annular members (the previous members) Mr sent downward from the heating section are each one. In another example, the number of the previous members and the next members can each be set to 2 or more. The above values are just examples and are not limited to the above values.

[0213] In the present embodiment, a plurality of annular members Mr are induction-heated in a magnetically levitated state in the heating section. The magnetic force acts to prevent the plurality of annular members Mr from contacting the coil 8. Therefore, in the annular member Mr, an uneven heating distribution caused by contact with the coil 8 is avoided.

[0214] In the present embodiment, it is possible to uniformly heat the annular member Mr without using a mechanism for rotating the annular member Mr, so the structure of the induction heating device can be simplified.

[0215] In the present embodiment, the member disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of annular members Mr is omitted and / or minimized. Therefore, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of annular members Mr can be reduced. This is beneficial to ensuring the induction heating efficiency. Other configurations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the 7th embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0216] [Embodiment 13]

[0217] Use Figure 17 To describe the 13th embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0218] In the present embodiment, in the induction heating device 7l, a glass tube 20 is added to the configuration of the 12th embodiment. The contact control unit 54 includes the glass tube 20 as a guiding member. In one example, the glass tube 20 passes through the region radially inside the coil 8 in the vertical direction. It should be noted that as the glass tube 20, in addition to the glass tube made of quartz glass, a tube member made of ceramics, non-magnetic SUS, etc. can also be used.

[0219] The glass tube 20 is used to guide the axial movement of the plurality of annular members Mr radially inside the glass tube 20 when the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating section of the coil 8. That is, the glass tube 20 is a member for aligning the plurality of annular members Mr stacked in the vertical direction and preventing the annular members Mr from contacting the coil 8. The inner diameter of the glass tube 20 is set slightly larger than the outer diameter of the annular member Mr.

[0220] In the present embodiment, a glass tube 20 as a guiding member is disposed between a plurality of annular members Mr and the coil 8. In the heating space, slight movement in the circumferential direction, which intersects with the vertical direction, is allowed inside the glass tube 20. Continuous contact between the outer peripheral surface of the annular member Mr and the inner peripheral surface of the glass tube 20 at the same location is prevented. Therefore, it is easy to uniformly heat the plurality of annular members Mr.

[0221] In the present embodiment, the radial thickness of the glass tube 20 disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of annular members Mr can be set small. Compared with the first embodiment, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of annular members Mr is small. This is beneficial to ensuring the induction heating efficiency. Other configurations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the twelfth embodiment.

[0222] In a modification of the present embodiment, instead of the glass tube, a configuration including a spiral member having a spiral shape or a plurality of guide rods may be used as the guiding member.

[0223] In the twelfth and thirteenth embodiments, the number of annular members Mr fed into the heating section of the coil 8 from above and the number of annular members Mr sent out from the heating section downward are each one. In a modification of the thirteenth embodiment, as Figure 18 shown, the number of annular members Mr fed into the heating section from above and the number of annular members Mr sent out from the heating section downward can each be set to a plurality. In an embodiment using magnetic buoyancy, the annular member Mr can also be sent out from the heating section downward by controlling the energization of the coil 8 (for example, de-energizing to release the electromagnetic force acting on the annular member Mr).

[0224] In the twelfth and thirteenth embodiments, the annular member Mr is fed into the heating section from above, magnetically levitated in the heating section, and then sent out from the heating section downward. Conversely, in the modification, the annular member Mr can be fed into the heating section from below, magnetically levitated in the heating section, and then sent out from the heating section upward.

[0225] [Fourteenth Embodiment]

[0226] Use Figure 19 to describe the fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0227] In the present embodiment, the contact control unit 54, similar to the first embodiment, includes a plurality of rollers 72 as guiding members. Different from the first embodiment, the axis of each roller 72 is disposed radially outside the coil 8.

[0228] Each roller 72 is extended in the direction along the reference axis 60. In one example, the roller 72 can rotate in the same rotation direction around each axis. In another example, the roller 72 can rotate in different rotation directions around each axis. In one example, the roller 72 is made of an insulating material such as ceramic. In another example, the roller 72 is made of a material different from the insulating material. In one example, the moving direction of the annular component Mr in the heating zone (the direction along the reference axis 60, the conveying direction) is set to a horizontal direction. In another example, the moving direction of the annular component Mr in the heating zone (the direction along the reference axis 60, the conveying direction) can be set to a direction inclined relative to the horizontal direction or a vertical direction.

[0229] In the present embodiment, in the induction heating device 7m, the contact control unit 54 is configured to support the annular member Mr on the inner side of the heating zone using a portion of the roller 72 through the gap of the coil 8. In the present embodiment, a portion of the roller 72 is inserted into the gap of the coil 8. The coil 8 has a plurality of gaps 8G provided between a plurality of annular elements 8A. Two adjacent annular elements 8A are electrically connected to each other in a circumferential portion of the coil 8. The roller 72 has a plurality of grooves 72G provided between a plurality of annular elements 72A. The width of the gap 8G of the coil 8 is set to be greater than the width of one annular element 72A of the roller 72. The width of the groove 72G of the roller 72 is set to be greater than the width of one annular element 8A of the coil 8. The plurality of annular elements 72A of the roller 72 are respectively inserted into the plurality of gaps 8G of the coil 8, and the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of annular elements 72A are arranged on the inner side of the heating zone. It should be noted that, as required, a non-conductive coating film may be provided on the surface of the roller 72 and / or the coil 8 to prevent electrical connection between the coil 8 and the roller 72. The annular member Mr in the heating zone is supported by the outer peripheral surface of the roller 72 (the outer peripheral surface of the annular element 72A) disposed inside the heating zone.

[0230] In one example, the propulsion force of the annular member Mr in the heating zone can be generated by a feed device (supply unit) not shown arranged on the upstream side of the heat treatment process. In another example, at least a part of the propulsion force of the annular member Mr in the heating zone can be generated by the roller 72. In another example, gravity can be used as at least a part of the propulsion force of the annular member Mr in the heating zone.

[0231] In the present embodiment, in the heating section, the annular member Mr is supported by the rollers 72. The annular member Mr moves axially along the reference axis 60 based on the above-described propulsive force. In addition, the annular member Mr rotates about the reference axis 60 as it rotates by the rollers 72. Therefore, continuous contact between the same part (the same part in the circumferential direction) of the roller 72 and the annular member Mr is avoided. In the annular member Mr, it moves axially while continuously changing the contact point with the roller 72. In the heating section, the circumferential position of the annular member Mr in contact with the roller 72 changes. Therefore, heat transfer from the annular member Mr to the roller 72 is prevented from concentrating at a specific part of the annular member Mr, and non-uniform heating distribution is suppressed.

[0232] In the present embodiment, in the heating section, the annular member Mr is supported by the rollers 72, but the central axes of the rollers 72 are arranged radially outside the coil 8. Therefore, the components arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of annular members Mr are omitted and / or minimized, and the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of annular members Mr can be set smaller than in the first embodiment. This is advantageous for ensuring the induction heating efficiency of the plurality of annular members Mr.

[0233] In the present embodiment, the width of the groove 72G of the roller 72 (the interval between two adjacent annular elements 72A) is set to be smaller than the width (axial length) of the annular member Mr. Thereby, in the heating section, the annular member Mr is prevented from falling into the groove of the roller 72. The other configurations and functions of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0234] [15th Embodiment]

[0235] Use Figure 20 To describe the 15th embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0236] In the present embodiment, the contact control unit 54, similarly to the first embodiment, includes a plurality of rollers 72 as guiding members. Different from the first embodiment, the axis centers of the respective rollers 72 are arranged radially outside the coil 8. In addition, the contact control unit 54 includes a braking unit 77 as a guiding member.

[0237] Each roller 75 extends in the direction along the reference axis 60. In one example, the roller 75 can rotate in the same rotational direction about each axis. In another example, the roller 75 can rotate in rotational directions different from each other about each axis. In one example, the roller 75 is made of an insulating material such as ceramics. In another example, the roller 75 is made of a material different from the insulating material. In one example, the moving direction (the direction of the reference axis 60, the conveying direction) of the annular member Mr in the heating section is set to the horizontal direction. In another example, the moving direction (the direction along the reference axis 60, the conveying direction) of the annular member Mr in the heating section can be set to a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction.

[0238] In the induction heating device 7n, the braking unit 77 is configured to apply a braking force in the axial direction to the annular member Mr. In one example, the braking unit 77 is arranged to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the annular member Mr. In another example, the braking unit 77 is arranged to be in contact with the axial end surface of the annular member Mr.

[0239] In one example, the propulsive force of the annular member Mr in the heating section can be generated by a feeding device (supply section) not shown disposed on the upstream side of the heat treatment process or the like. In another example, gravity can be used as at least a part of the propulsive force of the annular member Mr in the heating section.

[0240] In the present embodiment, outside the heating section (the inlet of the heating section, the outlet, the section between two heating sections, etc.), the annular member Mr is supported by the outer peripheral surface of the roller 72.

[0241] In the present embodiment, the direction of the propulsive force of the annular member Mr is set to be opposite to the direction of the braking force caused by the braking unit 77, whereby a large axial force acts on the plurality of annular members Mr. Among the plurality of annular members Mr, one annular member Mr is in a state of being sandwiched and held by two annular members Mr on both sides. When the conveying direction is the lateral direction (horizontal direction or inclined direction), in the heating section, the annular member Mr is prevented from falling radially by the force acting in the axial direction. When the conveying direction is the longitudinal direction (vertical direction or an inclined direction close to the vertical direction), in the heating section, the annular member Mr is prevented from falling axially by the force acting in the axial direction.

[0242] In one example, the braking unit 77 can move the braking position in the axial direction. Additionally, as needed, it is configured to apply braking forces to different portions of the plurality of annular members Mr. For example, in order to continuously hold the plurality of annular members Mr, every time a specified number of the plurality of annular members Mr pass through the heating section, a switching operation of a plurality of braking positions in the axial direction is performed on the plurality of annular members Mr in a coaxially close-contact state. By appropriately controlling the braking unit 77, the annular member Mr can be sent to the subsequent process one by one or multiple at a time.

[0243] In the present embodiment, in the heating section, the annular member Mr is supported by the braking force of the braking section 77. Therefore, contact between the annular member Mr and the coil 8 and other components is avoided in the heating section. As a result, a uniform heating distribution is achieved in the induction heating using the coil 8.

[0244] In the present embodiment, the components disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of annular members Mr are omitted and / or minimized, and the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of annular members Mr can be set smaller than in the first embodiment. This is advantageous for ensuring the induction heating efficiency of the plurality of annular members Mr. The other configurations and operational effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0245] [Embodiment 16]

[0246] Use Figure 21 Embodiment 16 of the present disclosure will be described.

[0247] In the present embodiment, in the induction heating device 7o, the contact control section 54 includes a tube member 81 that can rotate about its own axis as a guiding member. The tube member 81 is configured to have a cylindrical shape, extends in the conveying direction along the reference axis 60, and its central axis substantially coincides with the reference axis. The tube member 81 is disposed at least in the heating space between the annular member Mr and the coil 8. In Figure 21 In the example shown in part (a), one tube member 81 is provided for two coils 8. In Figure 21 In the example shown in part (b), two tube members 81 are respectively provided for two coils 8. Further, in Figure 21 In the example shown in part (b), rollers 82 for supporting the annular member Mr at positions outside the heating space are provided.

[0248] The tube member 81 is rotated about the reference axis 60 by a driving section 84. In one example, the tube member 81 is made of a non-magnetic material such as quartz glass, ceramics, or non-magnetic SUS. In another example, the tube member 81 can be made of other materials. As Figure 21 As shown in part (c), the inner diameter of the tube member 81 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the annular member Mr.

[0249] In one example, the moving direction of the annular member Mr in the heating section (the direction along the reference axis 60, the conveying direction) is set to be the horizontal direction. In another example, the moving direction of the annular member Mr in the heating section (the direction of the reference axis 60, the conveying direction) can be set to a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction.

[0250] In one example, the propulsion force of the annular member Mr in the heating section can be generated by a feeding device (supply section), not shown, disposed upstream of the heat treatment process. In another example, at least a part of the propulsion force of the annular member Mr in the heating section can be generated using the pipe member 81. In yet another example, gravity can be used as at least a part of the propulsion force of the annular member Mr in the heating section.

[0251] In the present embodiment, in the heating section, the annular member Mr is supported by the pipe member 81. The annular member Mr moves axially along the reference axis 60 based on the above-described propulsion force. Further, the annular member Mr rotates through the pipe member 81 to prevent the pipe member 81 from continuously contacting the same part (the same circumferential part) of the annular member Mr. In the annular member Mr, while continuously changing the contact point with the pipe member 81, it moves axially. In the heating section, the circumferential position of the annular member Mr in contact with the pipe member 81 changes. Therefore, heat transfer from the annular member Mr to the pipe member 81 is prevented from concentrating at a specific part of the annular member Mr, and an uneven heating distribution is suppressed.

[0252] In the present embodiment, compared with the first embodiment, the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the coil 8 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of annular members Mr can be set smaller. This is advantageous for ensuring the induction heating efficiency of the plurality of annular members Mr. Other configurations and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and / or other embodiments.

[0253] Figure 22 It is a schematic configuration diagram of a motor as an example of a mechanical device. The annular member can be applied to, for example, Figure 22 bearings 900A, 900B, etc. that support the rotating shaft 963 of the supported motor 961 as shown.

[0254] In Figure 22 the motor 961 is a brushless motor and has a cylindrical center housing 965 and a substantially disk-shaped front housing 967 that closes one open end of the center housing 965. The rotatable rotating shaft 963 is supported inside the center housing 965 along its axis by bearings 900A, 900B disposed at the bottom of the front housing 967 and the center housing 965. A rotor 969 for driving the motor is provided around the rotating shaft 963, and a stator 971 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the center housing 965.

[0255] The motor 961 is usually mounted on a machine or a vehicle and rotationally drives the rotating shaft 963 supported by the bearings 900A, 900B.

[0256] The bearing element or bearing can be applied to the rotary support part of machinery with a rotating part, various manufacturing devices such as a ball screw device and other screw devices, and linear motion devices such as actuators (a combination of a linear motion guide bearing and a ball screw, an XY table, etc.). In addition, the bearing element or bearing can be applied to wiper, power window, power door, power seat, steering column (for example, an electric tilt and telescopic steering column), universal joint, intermediate gear, rack and pinion, electric power steering device, and worm reduction gear, etc. Moreover, the bearing element or bearing can be applied to various vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, and railways. As long as it is a relatively rotating part, it can be appropriately applied to the bearing of this structure, which can contribute to the improvement of product quality and cost reduction.

[0257] As a bearing having an annular member, various structures such as a rolling bearing and a sliding bearing can be appropriately applied. For example, the bearing element can be applied to the outer ring and inner ring of a radial rolling bearing, the outer ring and inner ring of a radial cylindrical roller bearing using cylindrical rollers (including needle rollers), and the outer ring and inner ring of a radial tapered roller bearing using tapered rollers.

[0258] The above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined and implemented within a range without contradiction. In addition, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the embodiments. The embodiments can be subjected to various changes or improvements. The manner of applying such changes or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0259] Description of Reference Numerals

[0260] 1 Rolling bearing

[0261] 2 Outer ring

[0262] 3 Inner ring

[0263] 4 Rolling element

[0264] 5 Outer ring race

[0265] 6 Inner ring race

[0266] 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h, 7i, 7j, 7k, 7l, 7m, 7n, 7o

[0267] Induction heating device

[0268] 8, 8a, 8b Coil

[0269] 9 Roller

[0270] 10, 10a Pressing member

[0271] 11 Spiral member

[0272] 12 Guide rail

[0273] 13 Guide groove

[0274] 14 Box

[0275] 15 Shaft part

[0276] 16 Retaining ring

[0277] 17 Guide rod

[0278] 18 Support platform

[0279] 19 Upper surface

[0280] 20, 20a Glass tube

[0281] 21 Discontinuous part

[0282] 22 Upstream side part

[0283] 23 Downstream side part

[0284] 100 Outer ring

[0285] 101 Outer ring track

[0286] 102a, 102b One - side clamp

[0287] 103a, 103b Base

[0288] 104a, 104b Axial pressing part

[0289] 105 Radial pressing part

[0290] 106 Core

[0291] 107 The other - side clamp

Claims

1. An induction heating method for a ring-shaped component, characterized in that, comprising the following steps: a step of supplying a ring-shaped member to a specified section which is a heating target section using an induction coil; and a step of moving the ring-shaped member along a reference axis to pass through the specified section and including a process of controlling contact between the ring-shaped member and other members by a contact control unit.

2. The induction heating method for a ring-shaped member according to claim 1, wherein the contact control unit includes a guiding member made of an insulating material that guides the movement of the ring-shaped member.

3. The induction heating method for a ring-shaped member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact control unit is configured such that, in the specified section, the circumferential position where the ring-shaped member contacts the other members changes.

4. The induction heating method for a ring-shaped member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact control unit has two rollers that extend along the reference axis and rotate in the same direction, and in the specified section, the ring-shaped member moves along the reference axis while rotating around the reference axis on the two rollers.

5. The induction heating method for a ring-shaped member according to claim 4, wherein a propulsive force of the ring-shaped member is generated based on contact between the two rollers and the ring-shaped member.

6. The induction heating method for a ring-shaped member according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the contact control unit further has a pressing member, and the ring-shaped member is disposed between the two rollers and the pressing member.

7. The induction heating method for a ring-shaped member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the contact control unit includes a spiral member that extends along the reference axis and has a spiral shape, and in the specified section, the ring-shaped member moves along the reference axis inside the radial direction of the spiral member.

8. The induction heating method for a ring-shaped member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the contact control unit includes a pipe member that extends along the reference axis and has a cylindrical shape, and in the specified section, the ring-shaped member moves along the reference axis inside the radial direction of the pipe member.

9. The induction heating method for a ring-shaped member according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the contact control unit includes a plurality of guiding rods that extend along the reference axis and are separately disposed in the circumferential direction around the reference axis, and in the specified section, the ring-shaped member moves along the reference axis in a region surrounded by the plurality of guiding rods.

10. The induction heating method for a ring-shaped member according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the contact control unit includes a guide rail that extends along the reference axis, and in the specified section, the ring-shaped member moves along the reference axis by rolling on the guide rail.

11. The induction heating method for a ring-shaped member according to claim 10, wherein the contact control unit further has a pressing member, and the ring-shaped member is disposed between the guide rail and the pressing member.

12. The induction heating method for a ring-shaped member according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein The contact control unit includes a cartridge that coaxially holds a plurality of annular members. In the specified section, the cartridge holding the plurality of annular members moves along the reference axis.

13. The induction heating method for an annular member according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the reference axis of the specified section is set to be inclined with respect to the horizontal axis or along the vertical direction, in the specified section, the annular member moves downward from above due to gravity.

14. The induction heating method for an annular member according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the reference axis of the specified section is set to be inclined with respect to the horizontal axis or along the vertical direction, at least in the specified section, a plurality of annular members are arranged continuously, by pulling out one annular member at the lower end among the plurality of annular members, the remaining annular members move downward.

15. The induction heating method for an annular member according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that in the specified section, the annular member is at least temporarily magnetically levitated.

16. The induction heating method for an annular member according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the annular member is a component of a bearing.

17. An induction heating device for an annular component, characterized in that, Comprising: an induction coil; a power supply device that supplies power to the induction coil; and a transfer mechanism that moves the annular member along the reference axis to pass through a specified section that is a heating target section using the induction coil, and has a contact control unit that controls the contact between the annular member and other components.

18. A manufacturing method for an annular member, characterized in that it includes a step of performing heat treatment on the annular member by heating the annular member by the induction heating method for an annular member according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A manufacturing method for a bearing, which is a manufacturing method for a bearing having a component composed of an annular member, characterized in that it includes a step of performing heat treatment on the component by heating the component by the induction heating method for an annular member according to claim 16.

20. A manufacturing method for a vehicle, which is a manufacturing method for a vehicle having an annular member, characterized in that it includes a step of performing heat treatment on the annular member by heating the annular member by the induction heating method for an annular member according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

21. A manufacturing method for a mechanical device, which is a manufacturing method for a mechanical device having an annular member, characterized in that it includes a step of performing heat treatment on the annular member by heating the annular member by the induction heating method for an annular member according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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