Heat treatment device

Abstract

The heat treatment apparatus includes a conveyance device, an unwinding unit, a heat treatment unit, and a winding unit. The conveyance device conveys a belt-shaped object to be processed. The unwinding unit unwinds an object to be processed. The heat treatment unit has therein a treatment space in which the unwound object to be treated is heat-treated. The winding unit winds the processed object. At least one of the unwinding part and the winding part is provided with a pair of holding parts and a pair of supporting parts. The pair of holding parts hold a core of a reel on which an object to be processed is wound from both sides in the axial direction. The pair of supporting parts respectively receive the end parts of the core below the two end parts of the core held by the pair of holding parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat treatment apparatus. Background Art

[0002] A heat treatment apparatus including an unwinding section, a heat treatment section, a cooling section, and a winding section is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7285360. A strip-shaped sheet before heat treatment is unwound from the unwinding section. In the heat treatment section, the sheet is heat-treated while being conveyed. In the cooling section, the sheet heat-treated by the heat treatment section is cooled while being conveyed. In the winding section, the strip-shaped sheet cooled by the cooling section is wound up. In the unwinding section and the winding section, an unwinding reel for unwinding a strip-shaped object to be processed and a winding reel for winding up a sheet-shaped object to be processed are appropriately replaced.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 7285360 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In addition, the present inventor aims to improve the workability of reel replacement.

[0007] The heat treatment apparatus disclosed herein includes a conveying device, an unwinding section, a heat treatment section, and a winding section. The conveying device conveys a strip-shaped object to be processed. The unwinding section unwinds the object to be processed. In the heat treatment section, the unwound object to be processed is heat-treated while being conveyed along a predetermined conveying path. The winding section winds up the processed object to be processed. At least one of the unwinding section and the winding section includes a pair of holding portions and a pair of support portions. The pair of holding portions hold the core of the reel around which the object to be processed is wound from both sides in the axial direction. The pair of support portions respectively receive the end portions of the core held by the pair of holding portions below the end portions. With this heat treatment apparatus, the workability of reel replacement is good. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic view showing the heat treatment apparatus 10.

[0009] Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the unwinding section 30.

[0010] Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the holding structure of the core A2.

[0011] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the support portion 40. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, while referring to the attached Figure 1One of the embodiments in the present disclosure will be described in detail. It should be noted that in the following drawings, components and parts that perform the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, the dimensional relationships (length, width, thickness, etc.) in each figure do not reflect the actual dimensional relationships. The orientations of up, down, left, right, front, and back are indicated by the arrows of U, D, L, R, F, and Rr in the figure. Here, the orientations of up, down, left, right, front, and back are only defined for the convenience of description, and the invention of the present application is not limited as long as it is not particularly mentioned.

[0013] <Heat treatment apparatus 10>

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing the heat treatment apparatus 10. The heat treatment apparatus 10 is a device for heat-treating a strip-shaped (sheet-shaped) object to be processed A. In this embodiment, the heat treatment apparatus 10 is a device for continuously drying a strip-shaped object to be processed while transporting it in a so-called roll-to-roll manner. The object to be processed A is not particularly limited as long as it is a strip-shaped member such as an electrode sheet of a secondary battery in which electrode materials are respectively coated on both sides of a sheet substrate, a flexible copper clad laminate FCCL (Flexible Copper Clad Laminate), a polyimide sheet, etc. The heat treatment apparatus 10 can be used for treating various strip-shaped (sheet-shaped) objects to be processed.

[0015] As Figure 1 shown, the heat treatment apparatus 10 includes an unwinding unit 30, a heat treatment unit 90, and a winding unit 60.

[0016] In this embodiment, the heat treatment apparatus 10 further includes a driving device 100. In addition, the heat treatment apparatus 10 includes a cooling unit 95 between the heat treatment unit 90 and the winding unit 60.

[0017] The strip-shaped object to be processed A is processed while being transported in the order of the unwinding unit 30, the heat treatment unit 90, the cooling unit 95, and the winding unit 60. The object to be processed A is unwound from the unwinding reel A1 provided in the unwinding unit 30, heat-treated by the heat treatment unit 90, cooled by the cooling unit 95, and then wound by the winding reel A6 provided in the winding unit 60.

[0018] <Transport devices 20, 22>

[0019] The conveying devices 20 and 22 are devices for conveying the object to be processed A. The object to be processed A is conveyed along a pre-determined conveying path. The conveying devices 20 and 22 are respectively devices for rotationally driving the unwinding shaft 32 equipped with the unwinding reel A1 of the unwinding section 30 and the winding shaft 62 equipped with the winding reel A6 of the winding section 60. The conveying devices 20 and 22 can be constituted by a device for controlling the conveyance of the object to be processed A. As the conveying devices 20 and 22, for example, a motor and an inverter can be used, or a servo motor etc. can also be used.

[0020] In addition, the conveying devices 20 and 22 can also include a device for controlling the tension acting on the object to be processed A. As the device for controlling the tension, for example, a magnetic powder clutch can be used. The conveying devices 20 and 22 can also be realized by a series of devices in which a device for controlling the conveying speed and a device for controlling the tension cooperate with each other.

[0021] The unwinding shaft 32 is connected to the conveying device 20. The unwinding shaft 32 is rotationally driven by the conveying device 20, and the object to be processed A is unwound from the unwinding reel A1. The winding shaft 62 is connected to the conveying device 22. The winding shaft 62 is rotationally driven by the conveying device 22, and the object to be processed A is wound by the winding reel A6. The conveying devices 20 and 22 can be respectively arranged in an air box provided in a space surrounded by the outer walls 31 and 61.

[0022] In order to improve the processing efficiency of the object to be processed A, the heat treatment device 10 can be configured to be able to convey the object to be processed A at a relatively high speed. Although not particularly limited, the conveying speed of the object to be processed A can be set to about 1 m / minute to 200 m / minute. In this embodiment, the conveying speed of the object to be processed A is set to about 100 m / minute.

[0023] In the heat treatment device 10, the conveying speed of the object to be processed A is controlled by a control device (not shown).

[0024] The control device controls the conveyance speed of the object A to be processed, the tension applied to the object A to be processed, etc., so as to convey the object A to be processed according to predetermined conveyance conditions. The control device separately controls the unwinding tension when unwinding the object A to be processed, the in-furnace tension applied to the object A to be processed that is being processed, and the winding tension when winding the object A to be processed after the winding process. The control device is connected to the conveyance devices 20 and 22. Additionally, the control device may also be connected to the tension detection roller 35b, the feed roller 35c, the tension adjustment roller 35d, the tension detection roller 65c, etc. The control device feeds back the unwinding tension detected by the tension detection roller 35b to the conveyance device 20 and controls the torque of the unwinding shaft 32. Thereby, the unwinding tension is adjusted. Additionally, the control device feeds back the in-furnace tension detected by the tension detection roller 35b on which the object A to be processed is hung to the tension adjustment roller 35d. The tension adjustment roller 35d moves according to the detected in-furnace tension. Thereby, the in-furnace tension is adjusted. It should be noted that the rotation speed of the feed roller 35c is controlled so that the position of the tension adjustment roller 35d returns to the reference position in a state where the in-furnace tension is constant. Additionally, the control device feeds back the winding tension detected by the tension detection roller 65c to the conveyance device 22 and controls the torque of the winding shaft 62. Thereby, the winding tension is adjusted.

[0025] <Unwinding section 30>

[0026] The unwinding section 30 is a device for unwinding the object A to be processed. The unwinding section 30 houses an unwinding reel A1 in a state where the object A to be processed before heat treatment is wound around it.

[0027] The unwinding section 30 has an outer wall 31 that surrounds the internal device and the unwinding reel A1. Inside the unwinding section 30, an unwinding shaft 32 and a plurality of rollers 35 are provided. The unwinding shaft 32 is a shaft on which the unwinding reel A1 wound with the object A to be processed before heat treatment is installed. In this embodiment, by rotationally driving the unwinding shaft 32, the object A to be processed is unwound from the unwinding reel A1 installed on the unwinding shaft 32.

[0028] Inside the space surrounded by the outer wall 31 of the unwinding section 30, a plurality of rollers 35 for setting the conveyance path of the object A to be processed are provided. The object A to be processed unwound from the unwinding reel A1 is wound around the plurality of rollers 35 in a predetermined order and is conveyed toward the heat treatment section 90.

[0029] The plurality of rollers 35 include a guide roller 35a, a tension detection roller 35b, a feed roller 35c, and a tension adjustment roller 35d. The tension detection roller 35b is a roller for detecting the tension acting on the object to be processed A. A tension detector (not shown) is installed on the tension detection roller 35b. The tension adjustment roller 35d is configured to be movable within a predetermined range. The tension of the object to be processed A is adjusted by moving the tension adjustment roller 35d. The feed roller 35c is rotationally driven by a drive device (not shown). The position of the tension adjustment roller 35d is adjusted by controlling the rotation of the feed roller 35c.

[0030] <Heat treatment unit 90>

[0031] The heat treatment unit 90 is a device that heats and processes the strip-shaped object to be processed A while transporting it. The heat treatment unit 90 is connected to the unwinding unit 30 via the connection unit 70. An exit of the unwinding unit 30 and an entrance of the heat treatment unit 90 are provided in the connection unit 70.

[0032] Although detailed illustration is omitted, the heat treatment unit 90 may include a furnace body (outer wall) 91, a heater, and guide rollers. In the heat treatment unit 90, the unwound object to be processed A is heated and processed while being transported along a predetermined transport path. The heat treatment unit 90 has a processing space inside where the unwound object to be processed A is heated and processed while being transported. The furnace body 91 surrounds the processing space where the heater and the guide rollers are arranged.

[0033] The transport path for transporting the object to be processed A is set by the guide rollers. The guide rollers are configured to rotate idly as the object to be processed A is transported.

[0034] The heater is a device for heating the object to be processed A. The object to be processed A is heated and processed by the heater while being transported on the transport path set by the guide rollers. It should be noted that the structures of the guide rollers, the heater, etc. of the heat treatment unit 90 are not particularly limited. The object to be processed A after heat treatment is transported out towards the cooling unit 95.

[0035] <Cooling unit 95>

[0036] The cooling unit 95 is a device that cools the object to be processed A heated by the heat treatment unit 90 while transporting it. The cooling unit 95 is connected to the heat treatment unit 90 via the connection unit 72. An exit of the heat treatment unit 90 and an entrance of the cooling unit 95 are provided in the connection unit 72.

[0037] Although detailed illustration is omitted, the cooling unit 95 may include cooling rollers, a plurality of guide rollers, and an outer wall 96. A plurality of cooling rollers may also be provided in the cooling unit 95. The outer wall 96 surrounds the processing space where the plurality of cooling rollers and the plurality of guide rollers are arranged. In the cooling unit 95, the plurality of cooling rollers and the plurality of guide rollers set the transport path for transporting the object to be processed A.

[0038] The cooling roll is configured as a roll through which a refrigerant circulates inside. The object to be processed A is cooled by contacting the surface of the cooling roll. A drive device (not shown) may be connected to the cooling roll. The cooling roll can rotate in accordance with the set conveyance speed in the conveyance direction.

[0039] In this embodiment, the object to be processed A is cooled to room temperature at the cooling unit 95. The temperature of the cooled object to be processed A is not particularly limited. It should be noted that the structure of the cooling unit 95 such as the guide roll and the cooling roll is not particularly limited.

[0040] The cooled object to be processed A is conveyed to the winding unit 60 through the connecting unit 74. It should be noted that the cooling unit 95 may not necessarily be provided in the heat treatment device 10.

[0041] <Winding unit 60>

[0042] The winding unit 60 is a device for winding the processed object to be processed A. The winding unit 60 houses a winding reel A6 for winding the object to be processed A cooled by the cooling roll.

[0043] The winding unit 60 has an outer wall 61 that surrounds the internal device and the winding reel A6. A winding shaft 62 and a plurality of rollers 65 are provided in the winding unit 60. The winding reel A6 is mounted on the winding shaft 62, and the object to be processed A heat-treated by the heat treatment unit 90 and cooled by the cooling unit 95 is wound around the winding reel A6. The object to be processed A is wound around the winding reel A6 by rotating the winding shaft 62.

[0044] A plurality of rollers 65 for setting the conveyance path of the object to be processed A are provided in the space surrounded by the outer wall 61 of the winding unit 60. The plurality of rollers 65 set the conveyance path for conveying the object to be processed A in the winding unit 60. After the object to be processed A conveyed from the cooling unit 95 is hung on the roller 65 near the entrance (connecting unit 74) of the winding unit 60, it is wound around the plurality of rollers 65 in a predetermined order and wound by the winding reel A6. The plurality of rollers 65 include a guide roller 65a, a tension adjusting roller 65b, a tension detecting roller 65c, and a feed roller 65d. The tension adjusting roller 65b is configured to be movable within a predetermined range. The tension adjusting roller 65b can move, for example, to ensure the required extra length of the object to be processed A when replacing the winding reel A6. A tension detector (not shown) is mounted on the tension detecting roller 65c. When the feed roller 65d pastes the object to be processed A to the replaced winding reel A6 when replacing the winding reel A6, it feeds out the extra length required for pasting.

[0045] <Vacuum pump 80>

[0046] The heat treatment apparatus 10 is equipped with a vacuum pump 80. The spaces inside the above-mentioned unwinding section 30, heat treatment section 90, cooling section 95, and winding section 60 are surrounded by outer walls 31, 91, 96, and 61 respectively. Each of the unwinding section 30, heat treatment section 90, cooling section 95, and winding section 60 has a space separated from the external space by the outer walls 31, 91, 96, and 61 respectively. The spaces inside the outer walls 31, 91, 96, and 61 are connected during the treatment of the object to be treated A. The vacuum pump 80 is connected to the outer walls 31, 91, 96, and 61 of each section respectively.

[0047] The vacuum pump 80 decompresses the spaces inside the unwinding section 30, heat treatment section 90, cooling section 95, and winding section 60 (the treatment spaces in the heat treatment section 90 and cooling section 95). In this embodiment, the object to be treated A is treated in a predetermined vacuum atmosphere lower than the atmospheric pressure.

[0048] It should be noted that the connection method of the vacuum pump 80 is not particularly limited. It may be that multiple vacuum pumps 80 are provided, and the multiple vacuum pumps 80 are respectively connected to each of the unwinding section 30, heat treatment section 90, cooling section 95, and winding section 60. It may also be that pipes are branched from one vacuum pump 80 to decompress the interiors of multiple sections among the unwinding section 30, heat treatment section 90, cooling section 95, and winding section 60.

[0049] Vacuum valves 81 to 84 for adjusting the vacuum degree of each section are provided in the pipes of the vacuum pump 80.

[0050] The vacuum valves 81 to 84 are configured to be able to switch the connection between each section and the vacuum pump 80 and the disconnection between each section and the vacuum pump 80. When not adjusting the vacuum degree of each section, on-off valves may be used instead of the vacuum valves 81 to 84.

[0051] When replacing the rollers at the unwinding section 30 and the winding section 60, it is opened to the atmosphere by an atmosphere opening valve (not shown). The atmosphere opening valve may also be provided in the heat treatment section 90 and the cooling section 95.

[0052] At the entrance of the heat treatment unit 90 (in this embodiment, it is the connecting unit 70), a door 70a is provided. The door 70a is closed when replacing the unwind reel A1 or the like. By closing the door 70a when replacing the unwind reel A1 or the like, the atmosphere of the heat treatment unit 90 (in this embodiment, a reduced pressure state) can be maintained. The door 70a can also be closed when replacing the unwind reel A1 or the like and when the workpiece A is passing through the connecting unit 70. When the remaining amount of the workpiece A wound around the unwind reel A1 becomes small, the unwind reel A1 is replaced with a new unwind reel A1. The end of the workpiece A on the replaced unwind reel A1 and the end of the workpiece A before replacement are joined together. The unwind reel A1 can be replaced while maintaining the atmosphere of the heat treatment unit 90 with the workpiece A left in the processing space, and the recovery of the device after replacing the unwind reel A1 becomes faster.

[0053] In addition, at the exit of the cooling unit 95 (in this embodiment, it is the connecting unit 74), a door 74a is provided. Similar to the door 70a, by closing the door 74a when replacing the take-up reel A6 or the like, the atmosphere of the cooling unit 95 (in this embodiment, a reduced pressure state) can be maintained. The door 74a can also be closed when replacing the take-up reel A6 or the like and when the workpiece A is passing through the connecting unit 74. When the amount of the workpiece A wound around the take-up reel A6 becomes large, the take-up reel A6 is replaced with a new take-up reel A6. The end of the replaced take-up reel A6 and the end of the workpiece A are joined together. The take-up reel A6 can be replaced while maintaining the atmosphere of the cooling unit 95 with the workpiece A left in the processing space, and the recovery of the device after replacing the take-up reel A6 becomes faster.

[0054] It should be noted that the heat treatment device 10 is not limited to a vacuum furnace that processes the workpiece A in a vacuum atmosphere, and can also be an atmosphere furnace that processes the workpiece A in a predetermined atmosphere, or an atmospheric furnace that processes the workpiece in an atmospheric environment.

[0055] In addition, the heat treatment device that heats the strip-shaped processed object while conveying it is equipped with an unwinding section that unwinds the processed object and a winding section that winds up the processed object. The unwinding section accommodates an unwinding reel before the heat treatment. The processed object is unwound from the unwinding section, and after being processed by the heat treatment section, it is wound up by the winding section. The winding section accommodates a winding reel after the heat treatment. The processed object moves from the unwinding section to the winding section as the heat treatment proceeds. By unwinding the processed object, the diameter of the unwinding reel gradually decreases, and by winding up the processed object, the diameter of the winding reel gradually increases. If the processing of a specified amount of the processed object is completed, the unwinding reel and the winding reel are replaced. For example, in the case where the remaining amount of the processed object wound on the unwinding reel becomes less, or the processed object wound on the winding reel becomes more, etc., the unwinding reel and the winding reel are replaced. The replacement of the unwinding reel and the winding reel can be at the same time or at different times. Here, the heavier the weight of the unwinding reel and the winding reel, the greater the burden of the reel replacement operation. In addition, sometimes it is desirable to connect the front end of the processed object unwound from the unwinding reel after replacement with the previous processed object and utilize one winding reel to wind up the processed object unwound from multiple unwinding reels.

[0056] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing the unwinding section 30. In the heat treatment device 10 disclosed herein, as Figure 2 As shown, the unwinding section 30 includes a pair of holding sections 34, 36 and a pair of supporting sections 40, 50. The winding section 60 includes a pair of holding sections and a pair of supporting sections 40, 50 (see Figure 1 ). Hereinafter, the structures of the unwinding unit 30 and the winding unit 60 will be described by taking the unwinding unit 30 as an example. The winding unit 60 can be formed into the same structure as the unwinding unit 30, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] In the unwinding reel A1 accommodated in the unwinding section 30, the processed object A is wound around the core A2. The core A2 is substantially cylindrical. In the left-right direction, the length of the core A2 is longer than the width of the processed object A. The processed object A before processing is wound around the outer peripheral surface A3 of the core A2.

[0058] <A pair of holding portions 34, 36>

[0059] The pair of holding parts 34 and 36 are members for holding the core A2 of the reel on which the processed object A is wound from both sides in the axial direction. The pair of holding parts 34 and 36 are opposite to each other in the width direction (left-right direction) of the unwinding part 30. The holding part 34 holds the left end A21 of the core A2. The holding part 36 holds the right end A22 of the core A2.

[0060] The holding part 34 is connected to the pay-off reel 32 rotationally driven by the conveying device 20. In this embodiment, the conveying device 20 is housed in an air box 20a provided within the outer wall 31. The air box 20a is maintained at atmospheric pressure even when the object to be processed A is being processed and the vacuum pump 80 is operating. The power of the conveying device 20 is transmitted to the pay-off reel 32 via the shaft 20b and a plurality of gears 20c. In this embodiment, the power of the conveying device 20 is transmitted to the pay-off reel 32 via three gears 20c. The number of gears 20c is not particularly limited. It should be noted that the mechanism for transmitting the power of the conveying device 20 to the pay-off reel 32 is not limited to this method. It is not necessarily required to provide the gears 20c for transmitting the power of the conveying device 20. For example, the conveying device 20 may be arranged on the axis of the pay-off reel 32, and the shaft extending from the conveying device 20 may be directly connected to the pay-off reel 32. The gears 20c are housed in an air box 20d provided within the outer wall 31. The air boxes 20a and 20d are supported by a support plate 33a. Bearings for supporting the pay-off reel 32 in a rotatable manner may be installed on the support plate 33a.

[0061] Figure 3 It is a schematic view showing the holding structure of the core A2. In Figure 3 it, the holding part 34 and the left end portion A21 of the core A2 held by the holding part 34 are shown. In Figure 3 it, when the holding of the holding part 34 is released, the core A2 and the holding part 34 are shown by a double-dot chain line.

[0062] As Figure 3 shown, the holding part 34 has an end portion 34a and a tapered portion 34b. The end portion 34a is a substantially disk-shaped part. At a substantially central portion of the end portion 34a, the pay-off reel 32 is connected from the left side. The tapered portion 34b is provided on the side (right side) opposite to the holding part 36. The tapered portion 34b is the part of the holding part 34 that supports the core A2. The tapered portion 34b of the holding part 34 decreases in diameter as it approaches the other holding part 36. The tapered portion 34b has a shape that is chamfered with a decreasing diameter as it approaches the holding part 36 and is substantially frustum-shaped. The front end face 34b1 of the tapered portion 34b of the holding part 34 is a flat surface. By providing a flat front end face 34b1 at the front end of the tapered portion 34b, the length of the tapered portion 34b is shortened. Thereby, by slightly moving the holding part 34 only in the left-right direction, the holding and release can be switched. The tapered portion 34b holds the core A2 from the inner peripheral surface A4 in a state of being inserted into the core A2.

[0063] As Figure 2As shown, the holding portion 36 has an end portion 36a and a tapered portion 36b. The diameter of the holding portion 36 decreases as it approaches the other holding portion 34. Since the holding portion 36 has the same shape as the holding portion 34, detailed illustration thereof is omitted. The tapered portion 36b holds the right end portion A22 of the core A2. At approximately the center of the end portion 36a, a driven shaft 32a is connected from the right side. The driven shaft 32a is rotatably supported by the support plate 33b. The driven shaft 32a rotates in a rotationally driven manner relative to the rotation of the rewinding shaft 32 via the core A2.

[0064] The holding portion 34 connected to the rewinding shaft 32 and the holding portion 36 connected to the driven shaft 32a are driven by the driving device 100.

[0065] <Driving device 100>

[0066] The driving device 100 drives the pair of holding portions 34, 36 in the direction in which the pair of holding portions 34, 36 face each other. In this embodiment, the driving device 100 drives the support plates 33a, 33b. The pair of holding portions 34, 36 are respectively driven via the support plates 33a, 33b. The driving device 100 drives the pair of holding portions 34, 36 in the direction of approaching or separating from each other.

[0067] The driving device 100 includes a motor 101, a ball screw 102, guide rails 103, 104, and sliders 105, 106. The motor 101 rotationally drives the ball screw 102 along the circumferential direction of the ball screw 102. The motor 101 and the ball screw 102 may also be connected via a coupling, bearings, etc. The ball screw 102 extends in the direction in which the pair of holding portions 34, 36 face each other (the axial direction of the core A2). Two ball nuts (not shown) are screwed onto the ball screw 102. The two ball nuts are configured to move in different directions in accordance with the rotation of the ball screw 102. For example, the orientation of the internal threads of the two ball nuts or the orientation of the external threads of the ball screw 102 onto which the two ball nuts are screwed may be set to different orientations.

[0068] The guide rails 103 and 104 extend along the facing direction (axial direction of the core A2) in which a pair of holding portions 34 and 36 face each other. The guide rail 103 is provided on a base 31a provided on the floor surface of the unwinding portion 30. The guide rail 103 is provided below the holding portion 34, and the guide rail 104 is provided below the holding portion 36. Sliders 105 and 106 are respectively arranged on the guide rails 103 and 104. Support plates 33a and 33b on which the holding portions 34 and 36 are mounted are respectively installed on the sliders 105 and 106. The sliders 105 and 106 are respectively configured to be movable along the guide rails 103 and 104. The sliders 105 and 106 are respectively connected to one of the two ball nuts screwed onto the ball screw 102. Therefore, the sliders 105 and 106 are driven along the facing direction in accordance with the rotation of the ball screw 102. Thereby, the pair of holding portions 34 and 36 are driven along the facing direction.

[0069] When the pair of holding portions 34 and 36 hold the core A2, the driving device 100 drives the pair of holding portions 34 and 36 along the facing direction (the direction in which the pair of holding portions 34 and 36 approach each other). When the pair of holding portions 34 and 36 hold the core A2, the tapered portion 34b of the holding portion 34 is inserted into the inner peripheral surface A4 of the core A2 (refer to Figure 3 ). (The holding portion 36 is the same as the holding portion 34). When the pair of holding portions 34 and 36 release the holding of the core A2, the driving device 100 drives the pair of holding portions 34 and 36 along the direction opposite to the facing direction (the direction in which the pair of holding portions 34 and 36 move away from each other). At this time, as Figure 3 shown, the holding portion 34 is driven in the direction shown by the arrow in the figure (the above-mentioned opposite direction), and the tapered portion 34b is pulled out from the end portion A21 of the core A2. The holding portion 36 is also driven along the direction away from the holding portion 34, and the tapered portion 36b is pulled out from the end portion A22 of the core A2 (refer to Figure 2 ). With this structure, it is possible to easily switch between the holding and release of the core A2 by the pair of holding portions 34 and 36.

[0070] As Figure 2 shown, a pair of support portions 40 and 50 are provided below the end portions A21 and A22 of the core A2 held by the pair of holding portions 34 and 36.

[0071]

[0072] A pair of support portions 40 and 50 are members that respectively receive the end portions A21 and A22 of the core A2. When the core A2 is held by the pair of holding portions 34 and 36, the two end portions A21 and A22 of the core A2 are lifted from the support portions 40 and 50. When the holding of the core A2 is released, the two end portions A21 and A22 of the core A2 are supported by the pair of support portions 40 and 50. The height of the support portions 40 and 50 is not particularly limited as long as it is set to a height that switches the holding and release of the core A2 in cooperation with the driving of the pair of holding portions 34 and 36. In this embodiment, the positions of the pair of support portions 40 and 50 are set to a height such that when the core A2 is supported by the support portions 40 and 50, the upper end portion of the inner peripheral surface A4 of the core A2 is higher than the upper end portion of the front end portions of the tapered portions 34b and 36b of the pair of holding portions 34 and 36.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the heat treatment apparatus 10 includes a transport device 20, an unwinding unit 30, a heat treatment unit 90, and a winding unit 60. The transport device 20 transports the strip-shaped object to be treated A. The unwinding unit 30 unwinds the object to be treated A. In the heat treatment unit 90, the unwound object to be treated A is heat-treated while being transported along a predetermined transport path. The winding unit 60 winds the treated object to be treated A. The unwinding unit 30 includes a pair of holding portions 34 and 36 and a pair of support portions 40 and 50. The pair of holding portions 34 and 36 hold the core A2 of the reel (here, the unwinding reel A1) around which the object to be treated A is wound from both sides in the axial direction. The pair of support portions 40 and 50 respectively receive the end portions A21 and A22 of the core A2 below the two end portions A21 and A22 of the core A2 held by the pair of holding portions 34 and 36. In the above-described embodiment, the unwinding unit 30 includes a pair of holding portions 34 and 36 and a pair of support portions 40 and 50, but the winding unit 60 may include a pair of holding portions 34 and 36 and a pair of support portions 40 and 50.

[0074] When replacing the reel (the unwinding reel A1 in this embodiment), the pair of support parts 40, 50 provided below the two end parts A21, A22 of the core A2 can hold the core A2. Since the pair of support parts 40, 50 are provided below the two end parts A21, A22 of the core A2, the connection between the pair of holding parts 34, 36 and the pair of support parts 40, 50 is smooth. For example, in the unwinding section 30, the unwinding reel A1 after the processed object A is unwound is sometimes replaced with a new unwinding reel A1 before the processed object A is unwound. The weight of the new unwinding reel A1 is sometimes large. The pair of holding parts 34, 36 can hold the core A2 of the new unwinding reel A1 while the new unwinding reel A1 is temporarily placed on the pair of support parts 40, 50. The unwinding section 30 before unwinding can be placed on the pair of support parts 40, 50 by a lift or the like. As a result, the operability of replacing the reel in the unwinding section 30 is good. In addition, in the winding section 60, the winding reel A6 wound with the processed object A is sometimes replaced with the core of a new winding reel before the processed object A is wound. The weight of the winding reel A6 wound with the processed processed object A is sometimes large. The wound winding reel A6 can be temporarily placed from the pair of holding parts 34 and 36 to the pair of supporting parts 40 and 50. The wound winding reel A6 can be transported from the pair of supporting parts 40 and 50 by a lift or the like. As a result, the workability of the reel replacement in the winding section 60 is good.

[0075] It should be noted that the form of the pair of support parts 40 and 50 is not particularly limited as long as the core A2 can be held.

[0076] Figure 4 40 is a perspective view of the support portion. Figure 4 In the figure, the core A2 is shown imaginarily by a double-dashed line. Hereinafter, the structure of the pair of support parts 40 and 50 will be described by taking the structure of the support part 40 as an example. The support part 50 can be formed into the same structure as the support part 40, so the detailed description is omitted. Figure 4 As shown, the support portion 40 includes a mounting portion 41 , a first support plate 42 , a second support plate 43 , and a pair of support rollers 44 .

[0077] <Mounting section 41>

[0078] The mounting portion 41 is a base 31a (see FIG. 31 ) mounted in the unwinding portion 30. Figure 2 ) on the base 31a. The mounting portion 41 is mounted on the base 31a by bolts 41a. The mounting portion 41 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped portion. The first support plate 42 extends from one side (the long side on the left side in this embodiment) of the mounting portion 41 in the height direction.

[0079] <First Support Plate 42>

[0080] The first support plate 42 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped part whose height is greater than its width in the front-rear direction. The first support plate 42 has ribs 42a along the height direction. The ribs 42a are provided on the surface (right side surface) 42b of the plate-shaped first support plate 42 that faces the support part 50. The ribs 42a are provided at the central part in the width direction of the first support plate 42. The ribs 42a extend from the upper surface of the mounting part 41 to the upper part of the first support plate 42. A stepped surface 42c is provided at the upper part of the right side surface of the first support plate 42. The stepped surface 42c is thinner than other parts of the first support plate 42. The second support plate 43 is mounted on the stepped surface 42c.

[0081] <The second support plate 43>

[0082] The second support plate 43 is a plate-shaped member mounted on the upper part of the first support plate 42. The second support plate 43 can be detachably mounted on the first support plate 42. A recess 43a1 is formed at approximately the central part of the upper edge 43a of the second support plate 43. By forming the recess 43a1 in the second support plate 43, interference with the holding part 34 can be prevented. The second support plate 43 is mounted on the stepped surface 42c of the first support plate 42 by bolts 43b. The second support plate 43 can be mounted in such a way that its position can be adjusted relative to the stepped surface 42c. Long holes for mounting the bolts 43b may be provided in the first support plate 42. The height of the second support plate 43 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the bolts 43b in the long holes. In this embodiment, a predetermined interval is left between the lower end 42c1 of the stepped surface 42c of the first support plate 42 and the second support plate 43. A pair of support rollers 44 are provided at the upper part of the second support plate 43. The shape etc. of the second support plate 43 are not particularly limited.

[0083]

[0084] A pair of support rollers 44 are rollers that support the core A2 of the unwinding reel A1. The support rollers 44 are mounted at the same height in front of and behind the second support plate 43 by bolts 44a. The support rollers 44 are rotatably mounted on the second support plate 43. The rotation axis 44b of the support rollers 44 is along the direction in which the pair of support parts 40, 50 face each other and is parallel to the axial direction of the core A2. The support rollers 44 are provided on the surface (right side surface) of the second support plate 43 that faces the support part 50. The support rollers 44 are provided on the second support plate 43. The core A2 is supported on the outer peripheral surface 44c of the pair of support rollers 44. If the core A2 is rotated in the circumferential direction, the pair of support rollers 44 respectively follow the rotation of the core A2 and rotate.

[0085] When replacing the unwinding reel A1, it is possible to unwind the workpiece A unwound from the replaced unwinding reel A1 (the unwinding reel A1 supported by the supporting parts 40 and 50). After the workpiece A is unwound, it can be connected to the workpiece A unwound from the unwinding reel A1 before replacement or connected to the winding reel A6. The core A2 is supported by a pair of supporting rollers 44, and the rotation of the core A2 is easy. For example, the core A2 can also be rotated manually. During the reel replacement operation, it is possible to manually unwind the workpiece A unwound from the replaced unwinding reel A1 and connect it to the previous workpiece A, which can improve the workability of connecting and changing the workpiece A and the like.

[0086] The supporting part 40 has a guide 43a2 at a position outside the end of the core A2 (the end A21 in this embodiment). The guide 43a2 is a part that protrudes upward at a position outside the end A21 of the core A2 and higher than the position of supporting the core A2. In this embodiment, the upper edge 43a of the second support plate 43 protrudes upward from the position of supporting the core A2, and the part between the upper edge 43a and the supporting roller 44 functions as the guide 43a2. By providing the guide 43a2 in the supporting part 40, the core A2 can be prevented from falling off, and the workability of reel replacement can be improved.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the support plate (here, the first support plate 42) has ribs 42a extending in the height direction. Therefore, the durability of the second support plate 43 can be improved. As a result, in the case where the weight of the reel (here, the newly replaced unwinding reel A1) is heavy, or in the case where a large load may act on the supporting part 40 during the reel replacement operation, etc., it is not easy to occur abnormal conditions during reel replacement.

[0088] As described above, specific embodiments have been described in detail, but they are merely examples and do not limit the claims. Thus, the technology described in the claims includes technologies obtained by various deformations and changes of the above-described embodiments.

[0089] It should be noted that this specification includes the following items 1 to 5. The following items 1 to 5 are not limited to the above embodiments.

[0090] Item 1: A heat treatment apparatus, comprising:

[0091] A conveying device for conveying a belt-shaped workpiece;

[0092] An unwinding part for unwinding the workpiece;

[0093] A heat treatment part for heat-treating the unwound workpiece while conveying the unwound workpiece along a predetermined conveying path; and

[0094] A take-up unit that takes up the object to be processed after the processing.

[0095] At least one of the unwinding unit and the take-up unit includes:

[0096] A pair of holding parts that hold the core of the reel around which the object to be processed is wound from both sides in the axial direction; and

[0097] A pair of supporting parts that respectively receive the end parts of the core at positions below both end parts of the core held by the pair of holding parts.

[0098] Item 2: The heat treatment device according to Item 1, wherein

[0099] The supporting part has a pair of supporting rollers for supporting the core.

[0100] Item 3: The heat treatment device according to Item 1 or 2, wherein

[0101] The supporting part has a guide member that protrudes upward at a position outside the end part of the core compared to the position for supporting the core.

[0102] Item 4: The heat treatment device according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein

[0103] The supporting part has a supporting plate extending in the height direction,

[0104] The supporting plate has ribs extending in the height direction.

[0105] Item 5: The heat treatment device according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein

[0106] The heat treatment device further includes a driving device,

[0107] The diameters of the pair of holding parts respectively become smaller as they move toward the other holding part,

[0108] The driving device drives the pair of holding parts in the direction in which the pair of holding parts face each other,

[0109] By driving the pair of holding parts in the direction in which they face each other by the driving device, the pair of holding parts hold the core,

[0110] By driving the pair of holding parts in the direction opposite to the direction in which they face each other by the driving device, the pair of holding parts release the holding of the core.

Claims

1. A heat treatment apparatus, comprising: a conveying device for conveying a strip-shaped object to be processed; an unwinding unit for unwinding the object to be processed; a heat treatment unit for heat-treating the unwound object to be processed while conveying it along a predetermined conveying path; and a winding unit for winding the processed object to be processed, wherein at least one of the unwinding unit and the winding unit includes: a pair of holding parts for holding the core of the reel around which the object to be processed is wound from both sides in the axial direction; and a pair of supporting parts for respectively receiving the end parts of the core at positions below the two end parts of the core held by the pair of holding parts.

2. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting part has a pair of supporting rollers for supporting the core.

3. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting part has a guide member that protrudes upward at a position outside the end part of the core and is higher than the position for supporting the core.

4. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting part has a supporting plate extending in the height direction, and the supporting plate has ribs extending in the height direction.

5. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat treatment apparatus further includes a driving device, the diameters of the pair of holding parts respectively become smaller as they move toward the other holding part, the driving device drives the pair of holding parts in the direction in which the pair of holding parts face each other, by driving the pair of holding parts in the direction in which they face each other by the driving device, the pair of holding parts hold the core, and by driving the pair of holding parts in the direction opposite to the direction in which they face each other by the driving device, the pair of holding parts release the holding of the core.

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