Melting apparatus and melting method

Abstract

To provide a melting apparatus and a melting method which can suppress a decrease in the temperature of a melt.SOLUTION: In a melting apparatus 1, a crucible 4 is removable from the inside of a container 2. The inside of the container 2 is provided with heating wires 3. In a state where a metal laminate 10 is stored in the crucible 4, the metal laminate 10 is plated at an upper face of a bottom part 4a of the crucible 4. The metal laminate 10 stored in the crucible 4 is melted by the heating of the heating wires 3 in a state where the bottom part 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wires 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a melting apparatus for melting solid materials and a melting method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for processing a terminal socket of a wire rope, in which molten cast metal is injected into a socket into which a terminal of the rope is inserted to fix the socket to the terminal of the wire rope. The cast metal is melted in a tank. The molten cast metal is scooped up from the tank by a ladle and injected into the socket.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional method for processing the terminal socket of a wire rope disclosed in Patent Document 1, the molten cast metal melted in the tank is injected into the socket by a ladle. Therefore, the temperature of the cast metal drops when it is injected into the socket. As a result, the fixing strength of the socket to the terminal of the wire rope may decrease.

[0005] The present disclosure solves the above problems and aims to provide a melting apparatus and a melting method capable of suppressing a decrease in the temperature of the melt.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The melting device according to the present disclosure includes a container, a heating wire provided inside the container, and a crucible that can be inserted into and removed from the inside of the container and can accommodate solid matter. In a state where the solid matter is accommodated in the crucible, the solid matter is placed on the upper surface of the bottom of the crucible, and the solid matter accommodated in the crucible melts when the heating wire generates heat with the bottom of the crucible placed on the heating wire. Further, the melting method according to the present disclosure includes a preparation step of disposing a crucible containing solid matter inside a container, and after the preparation step, a heating step of melting the solid matter into a melt by generating heat with a heating wire provided inside the container, and after the heating step, an injection step of taking out the crucible from the inside of the container and injecting the melt from the crucible into an object to be injected. In the preparation step, the solid matter is placed on the upper surface of the bottom of the crucible, and the crucible is disposed inside the container with the bottom of the crucible placed on the heating wire.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the melting device and the melting method of the present disclosure, a decrease in the temperature of the melt can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Embodiments for implementing the subject matter of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and within the scope not departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, deformation of any component of the embodiments or omission of any component of the embodiments is possible.

[0010] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a melting apparatus according to Embodiment 1. In the figure, the melting apparatus 1 has a container 2, a heating wire 3, a crucible 4, a thermometer 5, and a stopper 6.

[0011] The container 2 has a container body 21 and a lid 22. An opening 23 is formed in the container body 21. The container body 21 is arranged with the opening 23 facing upward.

[0012] The lid 22 is detachably attached to the container body 21. In a state where the lid 22 is attached to the container body 21, the opening 23 is closed by the lid 22. The opening 23 opens when the lid 22 is removed from the container body 21.

[0013] A through hole 24 is provided in the lid 22. The through hole 24 penetrates the lid 22 along the thickness direction of the lid 22. Thereby, in a state where the container body 21 with the lid 22 attached is arranged with the opening 23 facing upward, the direction along the through hole 24 coincides with the vertical direction.

[0014] The heating wire 3 is provided inside the container body 21. The heating wire 3 is fixed to the lower part of the container body 21 via a mold material 25. The mold material 25 is laid as a heat insulating material inside the container body 21 along the bottom surface of the container body 21.

[0015] The heating wire 3 is provided along the upper surface of the molding material 25. In the present embodiment, when looking at the inside of the container body 21 from the opening 23, the heating wire 3 is arranged in a spiral shape. In a cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the heating wire 3, the lower part of the heating wire 3 is fixed to the molding material 25, and the upper part of the heating wire 3 is exposed to the space inside the container 2.

[0016] The heating wire 3 generates heat by supplying power to the heating wire 3. The amount of heat generated by the heating wire 3 changes according to the amount of power supplied to the heating wire 3. The amount of power supplied to the heating wire 3 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). Thereby, the amount of heat generated by the heating wire 3 is adjusted by the control of the control unit.

[0017] The crucible 4 can be taken in and out of the inside of the container body 21 through the opening 23. Thereby, the crucible 4 can be taken in and out of the inside of the container 2.

[0018] The crucible 4 is a heat-resistant container with an open top. In the present embodiment, a heat-resistant container made of metal is used as the crucible 4. The shape of the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is flat. The bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wire 3 inside the container 2.

[0019] The crucible 4 can accommodate solid substances. The solid substances are raw materials in a solid state before being melted by the melting device 1. The solid substances are melted by heating to become a molten substance in a liquid state. The molten substance obtained from the solid substances is injected into an injection target and solidifies to be used as a part or a part of a part of a product. Examples of the material of the solid substances include metal and glass.

[0020] In this embodiment, solid metal is used as a solid material. Specifically, a metal laminate 10 formed by stacking a plurality of metal plates made of babbit metal is used as the solid material. Therefore, in this embodiment, the molten metal obtained by melting the metal laminate 10 is the melt obtained from the solid material. In this embodiment, for the purpose of fixing a socket to the end of an elevator rope, the molten metal is injected into the socket. Therefore, in this embodiment, the socket is used as the object to be injected. In this embodiment, after the end of the elevator rope is inserted into the socket, the molten metal is injected into the socket and the molten metal solidifies, whereby the socket is fixed to the end of the rope.

[0021] The metal laminate 10 accommodated in the crucible 4 is placed on the upper surface of the bottom 4a of the crucible 4. When the metal laminate 10 is accommodated in the crucible 4 and the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wire 3, heat is conducted from the heating wire 3 to the metal laminate 10 through the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 when the heating wire 3 generates heat. Therefore, the metal laminate 10 accommodated in the crucible 4 melts when the heating wire 3 generates heat with the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 placed on the heating wire 3. When the metal laminate 10 accommodated in the crucible 4 melts, the molten metal as the melt accumulates inside the crucible 4.

[0022] The thermometer 5 has a rod-shaped portion 51 and a temperature-sensitive portion 52. The thermometer 5 is electrically connected to the control unit via a cable 53.

[0023] The temperature-sensitive portion 52 is provided at one end of the rod-shaped portion 51. A cable 53 is attached to the other end of the rod-shaped portion 51. The cable 53 is electrically connected to the temperature-sensitive portion 52. The thermometer 5 is arranged on the lid 22 with the rod-shaped portion 5 passed through the through-hole 24 and the temperature-sensitive portion 52 arranged inside the container 2. The cable 53 is attached to the rod-shaped portion 51 outside the container 2.

[0024] The temperature sensing part 52 detects the temperature at the position of the temperature sensing part 52. Further, the temperature sensing part 52 generates a signal corresponding to the temperature at the position of the temperature sensing part 52. In the present embodiment, a thermocouple serves as the temperature sensing part 52. The signal from the temperature sensing part 52 is sent to the control part via the cable 53. The control part controls the power supply amount to the heating wire 3 based on the signal from the temperature sensing part 52, and adjusts the heat generation amount of the heating wire 3.

[0025] The rod-shaped part 51 is slidable in the through hole 24 along the thickness direction of the lid 22. Thereby, the temperature sensing part 52 can move vertically with respect to the container 2 together with the rod-shaped part 51. That is, the thermometer 5 can move vertically with respect to the container 2.

[0026] The stopper 6 is a separate member from the thermometer 5. The stopper 6 is attached to the thermometer 5 outside the container 2. In the present embodiment, the stopper 6 is attached to the rod-shaped part 51 at a position above the container 2.

[0027] The stopper 6 is attached to the rod-shaped part 51 by a screw 61 as a fastener. The stopper 6 can slide the rod-shaped part 51 by loosening the tightening of the screw 61. Thereby, the position of the stopper 6 with respect to the thermometer 5 can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped part 51 by loosening the tightening of the screw 61. Therefore, the distance from the temperature sensing part 52 to the stopper 6 can be adjusted by loosening the tightening of the screw 61.

[0028] Both the weight of the thermometer 5 and the weight of the stopper 6 are applied downward to the thermometer 5. Thereby, the thermometer 5 can move downward with respect to the container 2 due to the weight of the thermometer 5 and the weight of the stopper 6.

[0029] The stopper 6 prevents the downward movement of the thermometer 5 by hanging on the lid 22 of the container 2. In a state where the stopper 6 hangs on the lid 22, the temperature sensing part 52 is located at a reference position A set inside the container 2. Thereby, the stopper 6 prevents the temperature sensing part 52 from moving downward from the reference position A.

[0030] When the metal laminate 10 is accommodated in the crucible 4 and the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wire 3, the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is located below the reference position A, and the temperature sensing part 52 is placed on the upper surface of the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 so as to rest on the metal laminate 10. When the temperature sensing part 52 is resting on the metal laminate 10, the thermometer 5 is supported by the metal laminate 10, so that the stopper 6 is kept at a position above the lid 22 of the container 2. Thereby, when the temperature sensing part 52 is resting on the metal laminate 10, the position of the temperature sensing part 52 is above the reference position A.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the metal laminate 10 in FIG. 1 has melted into a molten metal. When the metal laminate 10 melts into the molten metal 20 in a liquid state, the molten metal 20 accumulates inside the crucible 4. Thereby, the support of the thermometer 5 by the metal laminate 10 is lost, and the thermometer 5 moves downward with respect to the container 2 until the stopper 6 hits the lid 22 of the container 2.

[0032] The stopper 6 holds the temperature sensing part 52 at the reference position A by hitting the lid 22 of the container 2, and prevents the temperature sensing part 52 from moving downward from the reference position A. Therefore, when the molten metal 20 accumulates inside the crucible 4, the movement of the temperature sensing part 52 downward from the reference position A is blocked by the stopper 6. Thereby, when the molten metal 20 accumulates inside the crucible 4, it is avoided that the temperature sensing part 52 contacts the bottom 4a of the crucible 4.

[0033] The liquid level of the molten metal 20 accumulated inside the crucible 4 is located above the reference position A. Therefore, when the molten metal 20 accumulates inside the crucible 4, the temperature sensing part 52 is buried in the molten metal 20. The volume of the metal laminate 10 is adjusted before melting the metal laminate 10 so that the liquid level of the molten metal 20 is located above the reference position A.

[0034] Next, a melting method for melting the metal laminate 10 using the melting apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the melting method by the melting apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. The melting method by the melting apparatus 1 includes a preparation step S1, a heating step S2, and an injection step S3. In the melting method by the melting apparatus 1, the steps are carried out in the order of the preparation step S1, the heating step S2, and the injection step S3.

[0035] <Preparation step S1> When melting the metal laminate 10 using the melting apparatus 1, first, the preparation step S1 is carried out. In the preparation step S1, the crucible 4 containing the metal laminate 10 is placed inside the container 2. Specifically, in the preparation step S1, after placing the metal laminate 10 on the upper surface of the bottom 4a of the crucible 4, the crucible 4 is put into the inside of the container body 21 through the opening 23. Inside the container body 21, the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wire 3 so that the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is positioned below the reference position A. After that, the lid 22 is attached to the container body 21 and the opening 23 is closed by the lid 22. In this way, in the preparation step S1, with the metal laminate 10 placed on the upper surface of the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 and the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 placed on the heating wire 3, the crucible 4 is placed inside the container 2.

[0036] After that, in the preparation step S1, the thermometer 5 is inserted into the through-hole 24, and the temperature sensing part 52 is placed on the metal laminate 10 inside the container 2. At this time, the position of the stopper 6 is held at a position away from above the lid 22. Therefore, the position of the temperature sensing part 52 at this time is a position above the reference position A.

[0037] <Heating step S2> After the preparation step S1, the heating step S2 is carried out. In the heating step S2, the heating wire 3 is heated by supplying power to the heating wire 3. At this time, the control unit controls the power supply amount to the heating wire 3 based on the signal from the temperature sensing part 52 and adjusts the heat generation amount of the heating wire 3. As a result, the metal laminate 10 melts into the molten metal 20, and the molten metal 20 accumulates inside the crucible 4. The control unit controls the power supply amount to the heating wire 3 so that the temperature of the molten metal 20 is maintained at the set temperature.

[0038] When the metal laminate 10 melts, due to the weight of the thermometer 5 and the weight of the stopper 6, the thermometer 5 moves downward with respect to the container 2 following the deformation of the metal laminate 10 accompanying the melting of the metal laminate 10. After that, when the temperature sensing part 52 reaches the reference position A, the stopper 6 catches on the lid 22 of the container 2. Thereby, the downward movement of the temperature sensing part 52 below the reference position A is blocked by the stopper 6. At this time, the temperature sensing part 52 is buried in the molten metal 20 while being separated from the bottom 4a of the crucible 4. Thereby, the temperature sensing part 52 contacts the molten metal 20, detects the temperature of the molten metal 20, and generates a signal corresponding to the temperature of the molten metal 20.

[0039] <Injection step S3> After the heating step S2, the injection step S3 is carried out. In the injection step S3, the crucible 4 in which the molten metal 20 has accumulated is taken out from the inside of the container 2, and the molten metal 20 is injected from the crucible 4 into the socket which is the object to be injected. In the injection step S3, the thermometer 5 is pulled out from the through hole 24, and the lid 22 is removed from the container body 21. At this time, the lid 22 may be removed from the container body 21 together with the thermometer 5. After that, after the crucible 4 is taken out from the inside of the container body 21 through the opening 23 by a holder such as a crucible clamp, the molten metal 20 is injected from the crucible 4 into the socket into which the end of the rope is inserted. After that, when the molten metal 20 solidifies in the socket, the socket is fixed to the end of the rope.

[0040] In such a melting device 1, the crucible 4 capable of accommodating the metal laminate 10 can be taken in and out with respect to the inside of the container 2. Therefore, the molten metal 20 obtained by melting the metal laminate 10 can be taken out from the inside of the container 2 together with the crucible 4. Thereby, it is not necessary to transfer the molten metal 20 from the crucible 4 to another container, and the molten metal 20 can be directly injected from the crucible 4 into the socket which is the object to be injected. Therefore, a decrease in the temperature of the molten metal 20 can be suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems due to a decrease in the temperature of the molten metal 20, such as a decrease in the fixing strength of the socket to the end of the rope.

[0041] Further, the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wire 3. The metal laminate 10 is placed on the upper surface of the bottom 4a of the crucible 4. Therefore, the heat generated by the heating wire 3 is easily transmitted to the metal laminate 10, and the heat generated by the heating wire 3 can be efficiently transmitted to the metal laminate 10. Thereby, the melting time of the metal laminate 10 can be shortened.

[0042] Also, in a state where the metal laminate 10 is accommodated in the crucible 4 and the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wire 3, the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is located below the reference position A, and the temperature sensing portion 52 is placed on the metal laminate 10. For this reason, inside the crucible 4, the temperature sensing portion 52 can be moved downward following the deformation of the metal laminate 10 accompanying the melting of the metal laminate 10. Thereby, even when the metal laminate 10 becomes the molten metal 20, the temperature sensing portion 52 can be brought into contact with the molten metal 20. Further, since the stopper 6 prevents the temperature sensing portion 52 from moving downward beyond the reference position A, when the metal laminate 10 becomes the molten metal 20, it is possible to avoid the temperature sensing portion 52 from contacting the bottom 4a of the crucible 4. Therefore, the temperature sensing portion 52 can directly detect the temperature of the molten metal 20, and it is possible to prevent the temperature of the crucible 4 itself from affecting the detection of the temperature of the temperature sensing portion 52. Thereby, the temperature of the molten metal 20 can be detected more accurately.

[0043] Also, the thermometer 5 can move downward with respect to the container 2 due to the weight of the thermometer 5 and the weight of the stopper 6. For this reason, the stopper 6 can be used as a weight for moving the thermometer 5 downward. Thereby, when the metal laminate 10 melts, the temperature sensing portion 52 can be moved downward more reliably. Further, in order to move the thermometer 5 downward with respect to the container 2, it is not necessary to attach a weight to the thermometer 5 separately from the stopper 6. Thereby, an increase in the number of parts can be prevented.

[0044] In addition, the position of the stopper 6 with respect to the thermometer 5 is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped portion 51 of the thermometer 5. Therefore, by adjusting the position of the stopper 6 with respect to the thermometer 5, the reference position A inside the container 2 can be adjusted. Thereby, the reference position A can be set according to the size of the metal laminate 10. Accordingly, when the metal laminate 10 becomes the molten metal 20, it is possible to prevent the position of the liquid surface of the molten metal 20 from becoming lower than the reference position A. Thereby, the temperature sensing portion 52 held at the reference position A by the stopper 6 can be more reliably brought into contact with the molten metal 20, and the temperature of the molten metal 20 can be detected more accurately.

[0045] In addition, in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the heating wire 3, the lower part of the heating wire 3 is fixed to the mold material 25, and the upper part of the heating wire 3 is exposed to the space inside the container 2. Therefore, the heat generated by the heating wire 3 can be more efficiently transmitted to the metal laminate 10. Thereby, the melting time of the metal laminate 10 can be further shortened.

[0046] In addition, in such a melting method, after the heating step S2, in the pouring step S3, the crucible 4 in which the molten metal 20 has accumulated is taken out from the inside of the container 2, and the molten metal 20 is poured from the crucible 4 into the socket which is the object to be poured. Therefore, it is not necessary to transfer the molten metal 20 from the crucible 4 to another container, and the molten metal 20 can be directly poured from the crucible 4 into the socket which is the object to be poured. Accordingly, a decrease in the temperature of the molten metal 20 can be suppressed.

[0047] In the preparation step S1, the metal laminate 10 is placed on the upper surface of the bottom 4a of the crucible 4, and the crucible 4 is arranged inside the container 2 with the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 placed on the heating wire 3. Therefore, the heat generated by the heating wire 3 is easily transmitted to the metal laminate 10, and the heat generated by the heating wire 3 can be efficiently transmitted to the metal laminate 10. Thereby, the melting time of the metal laminate 10 can be shortened.

[0048] In the preparation step S1, the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wire 3 such that the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is positioned below the reference position A, and the temperature sensing part 52 is placed on the metal laminate 10 inside the container 2. In the heating step S2, when the temperature sensing part 52 reaches the reference position A following the deformation of the metal laminate 10 accompanying the melting of the metal laminate 10, the movement of the temperature sensing part 52 downward from the reference position A is blocked by the stopper 6. For this reason, when the metal laminate 10 becomes the molten metal 20, it is possible to avoid the temperature sensing part 52 coming into contact with the bottom 4a of the crucible 4. Therefore, the temperature sensing part 52 can directly detect the temperature of the molten metal 20, and the temperature of the molten metal 20 can be detected more accurately.

[0049] Embodiment 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a melting apparatus according to Embodiment 2. The melting apparatus 1 has a protective sheet 7 in addition to the container 2, the heating wire 3, the crucible 4, the thermometer 5, and the stopper 6.

[0050] The protective sheet 7 is insertable into and removable from the inside of the container 2. The protective sheet 7 covers the heating wire 3 inside the container 2. The protective sheet 7 is a sheet having heat resistance and thermal conductivity. For example, a ceramic sheet is used as the protective sheet 7. The bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wire 3 via the protective sheet 7. Other configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

[0051] In the melting method according to the present embodiment, only the preparation step S1 is different from that in Embodiment 1. In the preparation step S1, before putting the crucible 4 into the inside of the container body 21, the protective sheet 7 is put into the inside of the container body 21 through the opening 23. At this time, inside the container body 21, the heating wire 3 is covered by the protective sheet 7.

[0052] In the preparation step S1, with the protective sheet 7 covering the heating wire 3, the crucible 4 containing the metal laminate 10 is put into the inside of the container body 21. At this time, inside the container body 21, the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wire 3 via the protective sheet 7. Other procedures are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

[0053] In such a melting device 1, the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wire 3 via the protective sheet 7. Therefore, the heating wire 3 can be protected by the protective sheet 7. For example, even if the molten metal 20 accumulated inside the crucible 4 spills out of the crucible 4, the protective sheet 7 can prevent the molten metal 20 from coming into contact with the heating wire 3. Thereby, damage to the heating wire 3 can be suppressed. Further, when the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 is placed on the heating wire 3, the protective sheet 7 can prevent the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 from hitting the heating wire 3. Thereby, damage to the heating wire 3 can be further suppressed, and damage to the crucible 4 can also be suppressed. Furthermore, for example, when dirt adheres to the protective sheet 7 or the protective sheet 7 is damaged, the protective sheet 7 can be easily replaced.

[0054] In each of the above embodiments, the thermometer 5 can move downward with respect to the container 2 due to the weight of the thermometer 5 and the weight of the stopper 6. However, the weight of the stopper 6 may not be applied to the thermometer 5. That is, the thermometer 5 may be movable downward with respect to the container 2 only by the weight of the thermometer 5.

[0055] For example, a hanging device for hanging the thermometer 5 may be provided on the container 2 as a stopper. In this case, the hanging device as a stopper includes a fixing column fixed to the lid 22 of the container 2, a support beam fixed to the upper part of the fixing column, and a string for hanging the thermometer 5 from the support beam. Further, in this case, when the temperature sensing part 52 is placed on the metal laminate 10, the string of the hanging device is slack. Furthermore, in this case, when the metal laminate 10 melts and becomes the molten metal 20, the thermometer 5 moves downward and is hung by the string. Even in this way, the hanging device as a stopper can prevent the temperature sensing part 52 from moving downward from the reference position A, and can avoid the temperature sensing part 52 from coming into contact with the bottom 4a of the crucible 4. Therefore, the thermometer 5 may be movable downward with respect to the container 2 at least by the weight of the thermometer 5.

[0056] Also, in each of the above embodiments, one stopper 6 is attached to the rod-shaped portion 51 of the thermometer 5. However, another stopper different from the stopper 6 may be attached to the rod-shaped portion 51 as a second stopper. In this case, the second stopper is disposed at a position farther from the temperature sensing portion 52 in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped portion 51 than the stopper 6 which is the first stopper. That is, the second stopper is disposed at a position closer to the cable 53 than the stopper 6 in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped portion 51. Also, in this case, the second stopper is attached to the rod-shaped portion 51 by a screw as a fastener, similarly to the stopper 6.

[0057] In this way, for example, even when the screw 61 of the stopper 6 becomes loose and the position of the stopper 6 unintentionally shifts with respect to the rod-shaped portion 51, when the metal laminate 10 melts, the second stopper can be made to hang on the lid 22 of the container 2 via the stopper 6. The distance from the temperature sensing portion 52 to the second stopper is adjusted to a distance at which the temperature sensing portion 52 is kept away from the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 when the second stopper hangs on the lid 22 of the container 2 via the stopper 6. Therefore, it is possible to more surely avoid the temperature sensing portion 52 from contacting the bottom 4a of the crucible 4 when the metal laminate 10 melts, and the temperature of the molten metal 20 can be detected more accurately.

[0058] Also, in each of the above embodiments, the control unit may have an abnormality determination unit that determines whether there is an abnormality in the state of the thermometer 5 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensing portion 52. In this case, a threshold value for comparison with the temperature detected by the temperature sensing portion 52 is set in the abnormality determination unit. Also, in this case, the abnormality determination unit determines whether there is an abnormality in the state of the thermometer 5 by comparing the detected temperature by the temperature sensing portion 52 with the threshold value.

[0059] For example, when the rise value of the detected temperature by the temperature sensing part 52 after a certain period of time has elapsed since the energization of the heating wire 3 is lower than the threshold value, the abnormality determination part determines that there is an abnormality in the state of the thermometer 5. In this way, when the temperature sensing part 52 stops at a position away from the metal laminate 10 upward at the time of starting the heating of the metal laminate 10, it can be determined that there is an abnormality in the state of the thermometer 5. Thereby, it can be determined that there was an abnormality in the state of the thermometer 5 at the time of starting the heating of the metal laminate 10. As a cause for the temperature sensing part 52 to stop at a position away from the metal laminate 10 upward, the distance from the temperature sensing part 52 to the stopper 6 in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped part 51 may be too short, or the rod-shaped part 51 may not be able to move relative to the lid 22 due to the friction between the lid 22 of the container 2 and the rod-shaped part 51, etc.

[0060] Also, for example, when the detected temperature by the temperature sensing part 52 continuously decreases during the continuation of the energization of the heating wire 3 and the temperature drop width is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the abnormality determination part determines that there is an abnormality in the state of the thermometer 5. In this way, when the temperature sensing part 52 stops at a position away from the metal laminate 10 upward while the metal laminate 10 is in the process of melting, it can be determined that there is an abnormality in the state of the thermometer 5. Thereby, it can be determined that an abnormality has occurred in the state of the thermometer 5 during the heating of the metal laminate 10.

[0061] Also, in each of the above embodiments, the thermometer 5 is disposed on the lid 22 and the stopper 6 is attached to the thermometer 5. However, the thermometer 5 and the stopper 6 may not be provided. Even if the thermometer 5 and the stopper 6 are not provided, since the molten metal 20 can be taken out from the inside of the container 2 together with the crucible 4, the decrease in the temperature of the molten metal 20 can be suppressed.

[0062] Also, in each of the above embodiments, a socket of an elevator rope is used as an injection object into which the melt is injected. However, the injection object is not limited to this. For example, a mold for injecting a melt to mold a casting may be used as the injection object.

[0063] In each of the above embodiments, in the preparation step S1, after attaching the lid 22 to the container body 21, the thermometer 5 is inserted into the through hole 24. However, in the preparation step S1, after inserting the thermometer 5 into the through hole 24, the lid 22 may be attached to the container body 21 with the thermometer 5 passing through the through hole 24.

[0064] As described above, the configurations shown in the above embodiments are examples of the content of the present disclosure. The embodiments can be combined with other known technologies. It is possible to omit or change a part of the configuration of the embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0065] 1 Melting device, 2 Container, 3 Heating wire, 4 Crucible, 4a Bottom, 5 Thermometer, 6 Stopper, 7 Protective sheet, 10 Metal laminate (solid matter), 20 Molten metal (melt), 52 Temperature sensing part.

Claims

1. A container, a heating wire provided inside the container, a crucible that can be inserted into and removed from the inside of the container and can accommodate solid matter, and are provided, in a state where the solid matter is accommodated in the crucible, the solid matter is placed on the upper surface of the bottom of the crucible, A melting device in which the solid matter accommodated in the crucible melts by the heating wire generating heat in a state where the bottom of the crucible is placed on the heating wire.

2. A protective sheet that can be inserted into and removed from the inside of the container is provided, The melting device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the crucible is placed on the heating wire via the protective sheet.

3. A thermometer having a temperature sensing part, a stopper, and are provided, The thermometer is movable downward with respect to the container at least by the weight of the thermometer, The stopper prevents the temperature sensing part from moving downward beyond a reference position set inside the container, In a state where the solid matter is accommodated in the crucible and the bottom of the crucible is placed on the heating wire, the bottom of the crucible is located below the reference position, and the temperature sensing part is placed on the solid matter. The melting device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The stopper is attached to the thermometer, In a state where the temperature sensing part is disposed inside the container, the thermometer is movable downward with respect to the container by the weight of the thermometer and the weight of the stopper. The melting device according to claim 3.

5. A preparation step of disposing a crucible containing solid matter inside the container, After the preparation step, a heating step of melting the solid material into a melt by causing a heating wire provided inside the container to generate heat; After the heating step, a pouring step of taking out the crucible from inside the container and pouring the melt from the crucible into the object to be poured; comprising; In the preparation step, a melting method in which the solid material is placed on the upper surface of the bottom of the crucible, and the crucible is arranged inside the container with the bottom of the crucible placed on the heating wire.

6. In the preparation step, the bottom of the crucible is placed on the heating wire such that the bottom of the crucible is positioned below a reference position set inside the container, and the temperature-sensing part of the thermometer is placed on the solid material. In the heating step, the calorific value of the heating wire is adjusted based on a signal from the temperature-sensing part. In the heating step, when the thermometer moves downward with respect to the container following the deformation of the solid material accompanying the melting of the solid material and the temperature-sensing part reaches the reference position, the downward movement of the temperature-sensing part below the reference position is blocked by a stopper. The melting method according to claim 5.

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