Cooling system

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of enhancing efficiency of cooling an object to be treated.SOLUTION: A cooling system cools an object to be treated in a sagger, which is subjected to heat treatment in a heat treatment furnace. The cooling system includes a cooling space arranged between a carry-in port and a carry-out port, a conveyance device for conveying the sagger from the carry-in port to the carry-out port, and a heat radiation unit attached removably to the sagger conveyed by the conveyance device and coming into contact with the object to be processed inside the saggar. At least part of the heat radiation unit is arranged outside the sagger.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a cooling system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cooling system. The cooling system includes a cooling unit and a transport device that transports an object to be processed within the cooling unit. The cooling unit cools the object to be processed while the heat-treated object to be processed is being transported within the cooling unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is desired to improve the efficiency of cooling the object to be processed.

[0005] This specification discloses a technology capable of improving the efficiency of cooling the object to be processed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In a first aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, the cooling system cools an object to be processed within a crucible heat-treated in a heat treatment furnace. The cooling system includes a cooling space disposed between a loading port and an unloading port, a transport device that transports the crucible from the loading port toward the unloading port, and a heat dissipation unit that is detachably attached to the crucible transported by the transport device and contacts the object to be processed within the crucible. At least a part of the heat dissipation unit is disposed outside the crucible.

[0007] According to the above configuration, when the sagger is being conveyed within the cooling space, the object to be processed within the sagger is directly cooled. Further, since the heat dissipation unit is in contact with the object to be processed within the sagger, when the heat dissipation unit is cooled, the object to be processed is cooled. Thereby, the efficiency of cooling the object to be processed can be enhanced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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[0009] List the main features of the embodiments described below. Note that the technical elements described below are each independent technical elements, which exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing.

[0010] In the second aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in the above first aspect, the heat dissipation unit includes a first insertion member that is inserted into the object to be processed in the crucible. According to the above configuration, when the first insertion member of the heat dissipation unit is cooled, the inside of the object to be processed in the crucible is cooled. Thereby, the cooling efficiency of cooling the object to be processed can be further enhanced.

[0011] In the third aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in the above second aspect, the first insertion member includes a first main body portion that is inserted into the object to be processed in the crucible, and a first heat dissipation fin portion that is fixed to the first main body portion and is disposed outside the crucible. According to the above configuration, when the first heat dissipation fin portion is cooled, the first main body portion is more cooled. Thereby, the inside of the object to be processed in the crucible is more cooled. Therefore, the efficiency of cooling the object to be processed can be further enhanced.

[0012] In the fourth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in the above-described third aspect, the heat dissipation unit includes a second insertion member. The second insertion member includes a second main body portion that is inserted into the object to be processed in the crucible, and a second heat dissipation fin portion that is fixed to the second main body portion and is disposed outside the crucible. The orientation of the second heat dissipation fin portion is different from that of the first heat dissipation fin portion. Usually, a fluid such as air flows in the cooling space, and the object to be processed is cooled. If the orientation of the second heat dissipation fin portion is the same as that of the first heat dissipation fin portion, the flow of the fluid in the cooling space is not disturbed, and the heat transfer rate of the first heat dissipation fin portion and the second heat dissipation fin portion is reduced. According to the above configuration, since the orientation of the second heat dissipation fin portion is different from that of the first heat dissipation fin portion, turbulence occurs in the fluid flow, and the heat transfer rate of the first heat dissipation fin portion and the second heat dissipation fin portion can be increased. Thereby, the inside of the object to be processed in the crucible can be cooled more, and the efficiency of cooling the object to be processed can be increased.

[0013] In the fifth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in the above-described fourth aspect, the diameters of the first main body portion and the second main body portion are each in the range of 5 mm to 25 mm. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a configuration in which the diameter is optimized from various viewpoints such as the strength of the first main body portion and the second main body portion, and the magnitude of the force required to insert them into the object to be processed.

[0014] In the sixth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in the above-described fourth or fifth aspect, the total number of the first insertion member and the second insertion member is 25 or less. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a configuration in which the total number is optimized from various viewpoints such as the cooling efficiency of the object to be processed and the avoidance of damage to the crucible.

[0015] In the seventh aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in any one of the second to sixth aspects above, the heat dissipation unit is detachably attached to the upper end of the crucible, and further includes a support member that supports the first insertion member. According to the above configuration, the first insertion member can be easily attached to the crucible.

[0016] In an eighth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in any one of the first to seventh aspects described above, the cooling system is disposed near the loading port, and includes an attachment device for attaching the heat dissipation unit to the crucible that is carried into the cooling space, a detachment device that is disposed near the unloading port and detaches the heat dissipation unit from the crucible that is carried out of the cooling space, and a heat dissipation unit transfer device that transfers the heat dissipation unit removed from the crucible by the detachment device from the detachment device to the attachment device. The attachment device attaches the heat dissipation unit conveyed by the heat dissipation unit transfer device to the crucible. According to the above configuration, the heat dissipation unit cooled in the cooling space is attached to the crucible before cooling. By attaching the cooled heat dissipation unit to the crucible, the object to be processed in the crucible can be cooled more effectively. Thereby, the efficiency of cooling the object to be processed can be further enhanced.

[0017] (First Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, the heat treatment system 2 includes a heat treatment furnace 10, a cooling system 12, a reversing device 14, a cleaning device 16, a crack detection device 18, and a filling device 20.

[0018] The heat treatment furnace 10 bakes, that is, heat-treats, the object to be processed 6 (see FIG. 2) in the crucible 4 by generating heat with a heater (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the crucible 4 has a box shape with an opening 4a at the upper end. The shape of the crucible 4 when viewed from above is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be a polygon other than a rectangular shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape. Further, the crucible 4 has a filling space 4b inside. The crucible 4 is made of a highly heat-resistant metal material such as ceramics, carbon, or special steel, for example. The object to be processed 6 is disposed in the filling space 4b. The object to be processed 6 is, for example, a raw material for a ceramic capacitor or a raw material for a positive electrode material or a negative electrode material of a lithium ion battery.

[0019] The heat treatment furnace 10 is a heat insulation structure with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The heat treatment furnace 10 has a carry-in port 24 disposed at one end of the heat treatment furnace 10 and a carry-out port 26 disposed at the other end of the heat treatment furnace 10. The plurality of crucibles 4 are conveyed in the conveying direction D1 in the space inside the heat treatment furnace 10 by rollers (not shown). Thereby, the plurality of crucibles 4 are conveyed from the carry-in port 24 toward the carry-out port 26. Note that the plurality of crucibles 4 may be conveyed in a state arranged in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction D1 (for example, in a state arranged in 6 rows in the horizontal direction), or may be conveyed in a state not arranged in the horizontal direction (that is, in a state of 1 row). Further, the plurality of crucibles 4 may be stacked and conveyed in the vertical direction orthogonal to the conveying direction D1 and the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the crucible 4 carried out from the carry-out port 26 passes through the cooling system 12, the inversion device 14, the cleaning device 16, the crack detection device 18, and the filling device 20 in order and is sent to the carry-in port 24.

[0020] The cooling system 12 cools the crucible 4 and the workpiece 6 (see FIG. 3) inside the crucible 4. By providing the cooling system 12, the workpiece 6 can be cooled in a short time. For this reason, even if the conveying speed of the crucible 4 in the cooling system 12 is increased, the workpiece 6 inside the crucible 4 can be sufficiently cooled, and the dimension of the cooling system 12 in the conveying direction D1 can be shortened. Note that the plurality of crucibles 4 may be conveyed in a state arranged in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction D1 (for example, in a state arranged in 6 rows in the horizontal direction), or may be conveyed in a state not arranged in the horizontal direction (that is, in a state of 1 row). That is, the number of rows of the crucibles 4 may be determined in consideration of the dimension of the cooling system 12 in the conveying direction D1 and the number of crucibles 4 processed by the cooling system 12. The detailed configuration of the cooling system 12 will be described in detail later.

[0021] The inversion device 14 inverts the crucibles 4 conveyed from the cooling system 12 one by one vertically. Thereby, the workpiece 6 (see FIG. 3) is discharged from the crucible 4 and recovered.

[0022] The cleaning device 16 cleans the crucibles 4 from which the object to be processed 6 has been discharged, one by one. As a result, the object to be processed 6 remaining in the crucible 4 (see FIG. 3) is removed from the crucible 4.

[0023] When there are cracks or chips in the cleaned crucible 4, the crack detection device 18 detects them. The crack detection device 18 processes the crucibles 4 one by one. The crucibles 4 in which cracks or chips are detected by the crack detection device 18 are removed from the line.

[0024] The filling device 20 fills the crucibles 4 determined to be normal by the crack detection device 18 (that is, the crucibles 4 determined to have no cracks or chips) with the object to be processed 6 before heat treatment.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the cooling system 12 includes a cooling device 30, a conveying device 32, a plurality of heat dissipation units 34, an attachment device 36, a removal device 38, and a heat dissipation unit conveying device 40.

[0026] The cooling device 30 includes a cooling device main body 44 and a cooling body 46. The cooling device main body 44 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped structure extending in the conveying direction D1. In FIG. 3, only the ceiling wall and the bottom wall of the cooling device main body 44 are shown. The cooling device main body 44 has a loading port 50 disposed at one end of the cooling device main body 44 in the conveying direction D1, an unloading port 52 disposed at the other end of the cooling device main body 44 in the conveying direction D1, and a cooling space 54 disposed between the loading port 50 and the unloading port 52. The cooling space 54 is the internal space of the cooling device main body 44. The cooling space 54 communicates with the space outside the cooling device main body 44 through the loading port 50 and the unloading port 52, respectively. Further, the cooling device main body 44 has an exhaust port 56 in the ceiling wall. The exhaust port 56 is disposed above the crucible 4 on the conveying device 32 and near the loading port 50.

[0027] The cooling body 46 is disposed in the cooling space 54. Specifically, the cooling body 46 is disposed near the carry-out port 52 and below the conveying device 32. The cooling body 46 is, for example, a cooling pipe. The cooling body 46 discharges a fluid, for example, a cooling gas such as air or nitrogen gas, upward toward the crucible 4. Here, the upward direction is orthogonal to both the conveying direction D1 and the horizontal direction. The fluid discharged from the cooling body 46 flows in the cooling space 54 in a direction opposite to the conveying direction D1 toward the exhaust port 56, and then is discharged from the exhaust port 56 to the space outside the cooling device main body 44. Note that the cooling body 46 may be further disposed near the ceiling wall of the cooling device main body 44, and the cooling body 46 may discharge a fluid (cooling gas) from above the crucible 4 toward the workpiece 6. Thereby, the workpiece 6 in the crucible 4 can be cooled more effectively.

[0028] The conveying device 32 is disposed across the cooling space 54 and the space outside the cooling device main body 44. The conveying device 32 includes a plurality of rollers 60 whose both ends are rotatably supported. The plurality of rollers 60 are arranged in the conveying direction D1. The plurality of rollers 60 are disposed above the cooling body 46. The crucible 4 can be placed on the plurality of rollers 60. The crucible 4 is carried into the cooling space 54 from the carry-in port 50 by the rotation of the plurality of rollers 60, conveyed in the cooling space 54 in the conveying direction D1 from the carry-in port 50 toward the carry-out port 52, and carried out from the carry-out port 52 to the space outside the cooling device main body 44.

[0029] The heat radiation unit 34 is attached to the upper end of the crucible 4 conveyed by the conveying device 32. As shown in FIG. 4, one heat radiation unit 34 is attached to one crucible 4. The heat radiation unit 34 includes a support portion 64 and a heat radiation portion 66.

[0030] The support part 64 is detachably attached to the upper end of the sagger 4. The support part 64 is disposed at the opening 4a of the sagger 4. The support part 64 is attached to the upper end of the side wall of the sagger 4 without closing the entire opening 4a of the sagger 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the support part 64 includes a plurality (six in this embodiment) of support members 70. The support member 70 is made of, for example, ceramics or a highly heat-resistant metal material such as stainless steel or special steel. The material of the support member 70 is the same as that of the sagger 4. In a modified example, the material of the support member 70 may be different from that of the sagger 4. The support part 64 includes two first frame support members 72, two second frame support members 74, and two central support members 76.

[0031] The first frame support member 72 extends in the conveying direction D1. Both ends of the first frame support member 72 are placed, that is, attached to the upper end of the sagger 4. The two first frame support members 72 are arranged apart in the horizontal direction.

[0032] The second frame support member 74 extends in the horizontal direction. Both ends of the second frame support member 74 are fixed to the respective two first frame support members 72 arranged apart in the horizontal direction. The two second frame support members 74 are arranged apart in the conveying direction D1.

[0033] The central support member 76 extends in the conveying direction D1. Both ends of the central support member 76 are fixed to the second frame support member 74. The two central support members 76 are arranged apart in the horizontal direction. The two central support members 76 are arranged between the two first frame support members 72.

[0034] The heat dissipation part 66 is supported by the support part 64. The heat dissipation part 66 includes a plurality of (16 in this embodiment) insertion members 80. The 16 insertion members 80 are arranged in a space defined between two first frame support members 72 and two second frame support members 74. A plurality of (4 in this embodiment) insertion members 80 are supported by one first frame support member 72, and a plurality of (4 in this embodiment) insertion members 80 are supported by one central support member 76. That is, in the heat dissipation unit 34, 4 insertion members 80 are supported by each of the 4 support members 70 arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the insertion member 80 includes a main body part 82 and a heat dissipation fin part 84.

[0036] The main body part 82 is supported by the support member 70. The main body part 82 has an elongated pin shape. When the heat dissipation unit 34 is attached to the crucible 4, the main body part 82 is arranged across the filling space 4b in the crucible 4 and the space outside the crucible 4. That is, a part of the main body part 82 is arranged in the space outside the crucible 4. The main body part 82 is made of a metal material or ceramics. The metal material is, for example, stainless steel. Also, the ceramics is, for example, silicon carbide. The material of the main body part 82 is the same as the material of the crucible 4. In a modified example, the material of the main body part 82 may be different from the material of the crucible 4. The main body part 82 is inserted into the workpiece 6 in the crucible 4. Thereby, the main body part 82 is in contact with the workpiece 6. The tip part 82a of the main body part 82 has a pointed shape. Thereby, the main body part 82 can be easily inserted into the workpiece 6 after heat treatment. Also, the workpiece 6 can be crushed by the main body part 82.

[0037] The heat dissipation fin part 84 is fixed to the main body part 82. The heat dissipation fin part 84 is arranged in the space outside the crucible 4. The heat dissipation fin part 84 is arranged above the support member 70. The heat dissipation fin part 84 is made of a metal material or ceramics.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the heat dissipation fin portion 84 includes a first portion 84a and a second portion 84b. The shape of the first portion 84a is substantially the same as the shape of the second portion 84b. The first portion 84a and the second portion 84b extend radially outward from the outer surface of the main body portion 82 away from the main body portion 82. The first portion 84a is 180 degrees apart from the second portion 84b and is located on the same straight line in a plan view.

[0039] In two adjacent insertion members 80, the directions of the heat dissipation fin portions 84 are different. Hereinafter, in two adjacent insertion members 80, one insertion member 80 may be referred to as a first insertion member 90, and the other insertion member 80 may be referred to as a second insertion member 92. The first insertion member 90 is adjacent to the second insertion member 92 in the transport direction D1. Therefore, in the four insertion members 80 arranged in the transport direction D1, the first insertion member 90 and the second insertion member 92 are arranged alternately. Further, the first insertion member 90 is adjacent to the second insertion member 92 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, in the four insertion members 80 arranged in the horizontal direction, the first insertion member 90 and the second insertion member 92 are arranged alternately.

[0040] The heat dissipation fin portion 84 of the first insertion member 90 is arranged to be inclined with respect to each of the horizontal direction and the transport direction D1. In this embodiment, each of the inclination angle of the heat dissipation fin portion 84 of the first insertion member 90 with respect to the horizontal direction and the inclination angle of the heat dissipation fin portion 84 of the first insertion member 90 with respect to the transport direction D1 is 45 degrees. The heat dissipation fin portion 84 of the second insertion member 92 is arranged substantially parallel to the horizontal direction and substantially perpendicular to the transport direction D1. The direction of the heat dissipation fin portion 84 of the first insertion member 90 is different from the direction of the heat dissipation fin portion 84 of the second insertion member 92.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting device 36 is arranged in the vicinity of the loading port 50 of the cooling device main body 44. The mounting device 36 is arranged in the space outside the cooling device main body 44. The mounting device 36 includes a rail 100 and a mounting device main body 102. The rail 100 extends in the transport direction D1.

[0042] The mounting device main body 102 is attached to the rail 100. The mounting device main body 102 is movable on the rail 100 in the transport direction D1 and in the direction opposite to the transport direction D1. The mounting device main body 102 is vertically movable up and down. The mounting device main body 102 holds the heat dissipation unit 34 by a chuck (not shown). The mounting device main body 102 descends from a position near the rail 100 and attaches the heat dissipation unit 34 to be held to the crucible 4.

[0043] The removal device 38 is disposed near the carry-out port 52 of the cooling device main body 44. The removal device 38 is disposed in the space outside the cooling device main body 44. The removal device 38 includes a rail 106 and a removal device main body 108. The rail 106 extends in the transport direction D1.

[0044] The removal device main body 108 is attached to the rail 106. The removal device main body 108 is movable on the rail 106 in the transport direction D1 and in the direction opposite to the transport direction D1. The removal device main body 108 is vertically movable up and down. The removal device main body 108 holds the heat dissipation unit 34 by a chuck (not shown). The removal device main body 108 descends from a position near the rail 106, removes the heat dissipation unit 34 from the crucible 4, and holds the removed heat dissipation unit 34.

[0045] The heat dissipation unit transport device 40 is disposed above the cooling device main body 44 and below the rails 100 and 106. The heat dissipation unit transport device 40 is disposed in the space outside the cooling device main body 44. The heat dissipation unit transport device 40 is a conveyor. The heat dissipation unit transport device 40 is capable of placing the heat dissipation unit 34 on its transport surface. Thereby, the heat dissipation unit transport device 40 holds the heat dissipation unit 34. The heat dissipation unit transport device 40 transports the placed heat dissipation unit 34 in the direction opposite to the transport direction D1 from the removal device 38 to the attachment device 36.

[0046] Next, the flow of cooling the object to be processed 6 in the crucible 4 by the heat dissipation unit 34 and the flow of removing the heat dissipation unit 34 from the crucible 4 and attaching it to the crucible 4 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 3, when a plurality of rollers 60 rotate, the crucible 4 is carried into the cooling space 54 from the carry-in port 50 with the heat dissipation unit 34 attached. Next, the crucible 4 is conveyed in the cooling space 54 in the conveyance direction D1. In the cooling space 54, a fluid (cooling gas) continues to be discharged from the cooling body 46, and a flow F1 in which the fluid flows from the carry-out port 52 toward the carry-in port 50 is generated. As shown in FIG. 4, the fluid flows in the direction indicated by the flow F1, flows into the filling space 4b in the crucible 4 from the space outside the crucible 4, flows along the surface of the object to be processed 6 in the filling space 4b, and then flows out into the space outside the crucible 4. Thereby, the object to be processed 6 in the crucible 4 is directly cooled by the fluid. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, since the direction of the heat dissipation fin portion 84 of the first insertion member 90 is different from the direction of the heat dissipation fin portion 84 of the second insertion member 92, when the fluid is guided by the heat dissipation fin portion 84, turbulence occurs in the flow of the fluid, and the fluid meanders between the insertion members 80 as in the flow F1. For this reason, the heat conductivity of the heat dissipation fin portion 84 is increased as compared with the case where the fluid flows linearly as in the flow F2. As a result, the insertion member 80 is more cooled. Thereby, the heat of the object to be processed 6 in the crucible 4 is efficiently dissipated to the fluid via the insertion member 80, and the inside of the object to be processed 6 in the crucible 4 is more cooled. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the crucible 4 is carried out from the carry-out port 52 to the space outside the cooling device main body 44.

[0047] Next, the removal device main body 108 descends directly above the heat dissipation unit 34 and holds the heat dissipation unit 34. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the removal device main body 108 ascends and then moves in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction D1 on the rail 106. Thereby, the heat dissipation unit 34 is removed from the sagger 4. The sagger 4 from which the heat dissipation unit 34 has been removed is conveyed in the conveyance direction D1 in a state crushed by the insertion member 80. Next, the removal device main body 108 moves on the rail 106 to above the heat dissipation unit conveyance device 40 and then descends, and releases the holding of the heat dissipation unit 34 directly above the heat dissipation unit conveyance device 40. Thereby, the heat dissipation unit 34 is placed on the heat dissipation unit conveyance device 40. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the heat dissipation unit conveyance device 40 conveys the heat dissipation unit 34 in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction D1.

[0048] Next, when the heat dissipation unit 34 reaches the vicinity of the carry-in port 50, the heat dissipation unit conveyance device 40 stops the conveyance of the heat dissipation unit 34. Next, the attachment device main body 102 holds the heat dissipation unit 34. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the attachment device main body 102 ascends and then moves in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction D1 on the rail 100, and then descends toward the sagger 4. Next, the attachment device main body 102 releases the holding of the heat dissipation unit 34 directly above the sagger 4. Thereby, the heat dissipation unit 34 is attached to the sagger 4 before the sagger 4 is carried into the cooling space 54 from the carry-in port 50. Further, the insertion member 80 of the heat dissipation unit 34 is inserted into the workpiece 6 in the sagger 4, whereby the workpiece 6 is crushed. Furthermore, since the insertion member 80 cooled in the cooling space 54 is inserted into the workpiece 6, the workpiece 6 is efficiently cooled.

[0049] (Effect) In the above-described embodiment, the fluid flows from the space outside the crucible 4 into the filling space 4b inside the crucible 4, such as the flow F1, and after flowing through the filling space 4b, it flows out into the space outside the crucible 4. Thereby, the object to be processed 6 inside the crucible 4 can be cooled by the fluid. Further, the insertion member 80 of the heat radiation unit 34 is inserted into the object to be processed 6 inside the crucible 4 and thus is in contact with the object to be processed 6. Also, the heat radiation fin portion 84 of the insertion member 80 is disposed in the space outside the crucible 4. For this reason, the heat of the object to be processed 6 inside the crucible 4 is radiated to the fluid by the heat radiation fin portion 84 via the insertion member 80, and the inside of the object to be processed 6 inside the crucible 4 can be efficiently cooled. Thereby, the efficiency of cooling the object to be processed 6 inside the crucible 4 can be enhanced.

[0050] (Corresponding relationship) The main body portion 82 of the first insertion member 90 is an example of the "first main body portion". The heat radiation fin portion 84 of the first insertion member 90 is an example of the "first heat radiation fin portion". The main body portion 82 of the second insertion member 92 is an example of the "second main body portion". The heat radiation fin portion 84 of the second insertion member 92 is an example of the "second heat radiation fin portion".

[0051] (Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the length of the first portion 84a of the heat radiation fin portion 84 is longer than the length of the first portion 84a in the first embodiment. Also, the length of the second portion 84b of the heat radiation fin portion 84 is longer than the length of the second portion 84b in the first embodiment. Thereby, the fluid meanders between the insertion members 80 and flows, such as the flow F1. For this reason, the heat conductivity of the heat radiation fin portion 84 is enhanced.

[0052] (Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the heat dissipation fin portion 84 further includes a third portion 84c and a fourth portion 84d. The third portion 84c and the fourth portion 84d extend radially outward from the outer surface of the main body portion 82 so as to be separated from the main body portion 82. The third portion 84c is separated from the fourth portion 84d by 180 degrees and is located on the same straight line in a plan view. The third portion 84c and the fourth portion 84d are separated from the first portion 84a and the second portion 84b by 90 degrees respectively. Therefore, the heat dissipation fin portion 84 has a substantially cross shape.

[0053] In this embodiment, the heat dissipation fin portion 84 includes four portions (i.e., the first portion 84a, the second portion 84b, the third portion 84c, and the fourth portion 84d). In a modified example, the heat dissipation fin portion 84 may include three or fewer portions or five or more portions.

[0054] (Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the heat dissipation fin portion 84 includes a plurality of plate portions 184. The plurality of plate portions 184 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 82. The fluid flows between two adjacent plate portions 184 within one insertion member 80, such as the flow F1.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 11, the plate portion 184 has a substantially disk shape. In a modified example, the plate portion 184 may have a polygonal plate shape.

[0056] (Fifth Embodiment) In the fifth embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the insertion members 80 such as the first insertion member 90 and the second insertion member 92 included in the heat dissipation unit 34 may be arranged only at the central portion of the crucible 4. The central portion of the crucible 4 can be regarded as, for example, a range inside the crucible 4 and at a distance of a predetermined distance or more from any side wall of the crucible 4. Here, assuming that the distance from the side wall of the crucible 4 to the insertion member 80 in each of the transport direction D1 and the horizontal direction is L and the depth of the crucible 4 is Dp, as an example, L > 0.7×Dp is preferable. That is, it is desirable that the predetermined distance for defining the central portion of the crucible 4 exceeds 0.7×Dp. According to FIG. 12, the support member 70 has three central support members 76 arranged apart in the horizontal direction. And, for example, a total of five insertion members 80 (the first insertion member 90 and the second insertion member 92) are fixed to these central support members 76 at the above-described central portion. In the object to be processed 6 in the crucible 4, heat is particularly accumulated at the central portion. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which the insertion members 80 are arranged only at the central portion of the crucible 4, it is possible to suppress the manufacturing cost of the heat dissipation unit 34 by suppressing the number of insertion members 80 and efficiently cool the inside of the object to be processed 6.

[0057] Note that in FIG. 12, as the heat dissipation fin portion 84, a form similar to the form having a substantially cross shape disclosed in FIG. 9 is adopted. However, the heat dissipation fin portion 84 adopted in the fifth embodiment may be, for example, a form disclosed in any of FIGS. 5, 8, 10, and 11. Also, in the fifth embodiment, the number of the central support members 76 does not have to be three, and may be two as shown in FIG. 5 or the like, or may be a number different from two or three.

[0058] (Sixth Embodiment) The sixth embodiment described below is applicable to any of the first to fifth embodiments. In one heat dissipation unit 34 attached to one sagger 4, the larger the diameter and the greater the number of insertion members 80 (the first insertion member 90 and the second insertion member 92), the larger the contact area with the object to be processed 6, and thus the higher the efficiency of cooling the object to be processed 6. However, the object to be processed 6 heat-treated by the heat treatment furnace 10 may have a considerable hardness depending on the firing conditions. Therefore, if the diameter and the number of the insertion members 80 are increased without limit, the force required to insert the insertion members 80 into the object to be processed 6 increases. For example, a thrust mechanism (actuator), not shown, for applying a downward thrust to the attachment device main body 102 holding the heat dissipation unit 34 becomes larger. This leads to the disappearance of space within the system and an increase in the manufacturing cost of the system. On the other hand, if the diameter of the insertion members 80 is made too thin, the insertion members 80 may break due to insufficient strength.

[0059] Also, when the insertion members 80 are inserted into the object to be processed 6 in the sagger 4, the object to be processed 6 pushed back by the insertion members 80 moves within the sagger 4. Since a gap is generated in the sagger 4 due to the shrinkage of the object to be processed 6 after firing, the object to be processed 6 can move within the sagger 4 to some extent by utilizing this gap. However, when the number of the insertion members 80 is large, the object to be processed 6 strongly pushes the side wall of the sagger 4 from the inside to the outside due to the movement of the object to be processed 6, and the sagger 4 may crack. In view of such circumstances, in the sixth embodiment, the number of the insertion members 80 and the diameter of the main body portion 82 in the heat dissipation unit 34 are limited.

[0060] FIGS. 13 and 14 show, in tabular form, the results of an experiment in which a plurality of insertion members 80 were inserted into the object to be processed 6 in one sagger 4. The sagger 4 used in this experiment has an opening 4a size of 30 cm in the vertical direction and 30 cm in the horizontal direction when viewed from above as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, with the horizontal direction being the vertical and the conveying direction D1 being the horizontal. Also, the size of the opening 4a of the sagger 4 may be in the range of, for example, 25 cm to 35 cm for each of the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0061] FIG. 13 shows the presence or absence of breakage of the insertion member 80, the thrust required to insert the insertion member 80 into the object to be processed 6, and the presence or absence of cracks on the bottom surface of the crucible 4 for each case where the diameter of the insertion member 80 is made different. The diameter of the insertion member 80 is the diameter of the portion of the main body 82 excluding the tip 82a. FIG. 13 shows the experimental results when 16 insertion members 80 are inserted into the object to be processed 6.

[0062] FIG. 14 shows the presence or absence of cracks on the side wall of the crucible 4 and the total length of the cracks 6b generated in the object to be processed 6 for each case where the number of the insertion members 80 is made different. FIG. 14 shows the experimental results when the insertion member 80 with a diameter of 15 mm is inserted into the object to be processed 6. FIG. 15 shows the crucible 4 etc. after the heat dissipation unit 34 is removed from the same viewpoint from above as in FIG. 5 etc. According to FIG. 15, in the object to be processed 6, for example, holes 6a which are traces where 5 insertion members 80 are removed and cracks 6b are generated. From the viewpoint of crushing the object to be processed 6 by the main body 82, it is desirable that the cracks 6b are sufficiently generated. Therefore, in FIG. 14, when the total length of the cracks 6b of the object to be processed 6 generated by the insertion of the insertion member 80 is 50 cm or more, it is regarded as "present", and when the total length is less than 50 cm, it is regarded as "absent".

[0063] According to FIG. 13, it can be seen that breakage occurs when the diameter of the insertion member 80 is 4 mm or less. Also, when the diameter of the insertion member 80 is 25 mm, no crack occurs on the bottom surface of the crucible 4, and when the diameter is 30 mm, a crack occurs on the bottom surface of the crucible 4. Further, when the diameter of the insertion member 80 is 30 mm, the required thrust is 144 kgf, which is evaluated as being too large. From such results, it can be said that the diameter of the main body 82 of each of the first insertion member 90 and the second insertion member 92 included in one heat dissipation unit 34 is preferably in the range of 5 mm to 25 mm.

[0064] According to FIG. 14, it can be seen that when the number of insertion members 80 is 25 or less, cracks do not occur in the side wall of the crucible 4, and when the number is 30, cracks occur in the side wall of the crucible 4. From such results, it can be said that the total number of the first insertion member 90 and the second insertion member 92 included in one heat dissipation unit 34 is preferably 25 or less. Further, according to FIG. 14, when the number of insertion members 80 is 3 or less, the total length of the cracks 6b of the object to be processed 6 is less than 50 cm. Therefore, it can be said that the total number of the first insertion member 90 and the second insertion member 92 included in one heat dissipation unit 34 is more preferably 4 or more and 25 or less.

[0065] (Modification example) In one embodiment, the direction of the heat dissipation fin portion 84 of the first insertion member 90 may be the same as the direction of the heat dissipation fin portion 84 of the second insertion member 92.

[0066] In one embodiment, the shape of the first portion 84a may be different from the shape of the second portion 84b.

[0067] In one embodiment, the heat dissipation unit 34 may not include the support member 70.

[0068] In one embodiment, the insertion member 80 may be placed on the surface of the object to be processed 6 in the crucible 4.

[0069] As described above, specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. In addition, the technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Further, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of purposes simultaneously, and has technical utility by achieving one of those purposes itself.

Description of reference numerals

[0070] 2: Heat treatment system 4: Sagger 6: Object to be processed 10: Heat treatment furnace 12: Cooling system 30: Cooling device 32: Conveying device 34: Heat radiation unit 36: Mounting device 38: Dismounting device 40: Heat radiation unit conveying device 44: Cooling device body 50: Loading port 52: Unloading port 54: Cooling space 70: Support member 80: Insertion member 82: Main body part 82a: Tip part 84: Heat radiation fin part 90: First insertion member 92: Second insertion member D1: Conveying direction

Claims

1. A cooling system for cooling a workpiece in a sagger that has been heat-treated in a heat treatment furnace, comprising: A cooling space disposed between the entrance and the exit; a conveying device that conveys the sagger from the inlet to the outlet; a heat dissipation unit that is detachably attached to the sagger transported by the transport device and that contacts the workpiece in the sagger, At least a portion of the heat dissipation unit is disposed outside the sagger.

2. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipation unit comprises a first insert member that is inserted into the workpiece in the sagger.

3. The first insert member is A first body portion that is inserted into the object to be treated in the sagger; The cooling system of claim 2 , further comprising: a first heat dissipation fin portion fixed to the first body portion and disposed outside the sagger.

4. The heat dissipation unit includes a second plug-in member, The second insert member is A second body portion that is inserted into the object to be treated in the sagger; a second heat dissipation fin portion fixed to the second body portion and disposed outside the sagger, The cooling system of claim 3 , wherein an orientation of the second heat dissipation fin portion is different from an orientation of the first heat dissipation fin portion.

5. The cooling system of claim 4 , wherein the diameter of each of the first body portion and the second body portion is in the range of 5 mm to 25 mm.

6. The cooling system of claim 4 , wherein a total number of the first plug members and the second plug members is 25 or less.

7. The cooling system according to claim 2 , wherein the heat dissipation unit further comprises a support member detachably attached to an upper end of the sagger and supporting the first plug member.

8. an attachment device disposed near the entrance and configured to attach the heat dissipation unit to the sagger that is brought into the cooling space; a removal device disposed near the discharge port and configured to remove the heat dissipation unit from the sagger that is discharged from the cooling space; a heat dissipation unit transport device that transports the heat dissipation unit removed from the sagger by the removal device from the removal device to the installation device, The cooling system according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting device mounts the heat dissipation unit transported by the heat dissipation unit transport device to the sagger.

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