Heat treatment furnace

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of suppressing scattering of powder inside a furnace body.SOLUTION: The heat treatment furnace includes a furnace body having a carry-in port, a carry-out port, and a heat treatment space in which a workpiece is heat-treated, a first base plate on which the workpiece can be placed, a pusher that presses the first base plate in a first direction from the carry-in port toward the carry-out port of the furnace body, a side guide rail that is disposed in the heat treatment space, on which the first base plate is placed, and that guides the first base plate toward the carry-out port when the first base plate is pressed by the pusher, a supply path that supplies an atmosphere gas into the heat treatment space, an exhaust path that discharges the atmosphere gas supplied into the heat treatment space to an outside of the furnace body, and a powder discharge path that discharges powder generated by the first base plate moving on the side guide rail to the outside of the furnace body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a heat treatment furnace. The heat treatment furnace includes a furnace body, a base plate on which an object to be treated can be placed, a pusher that presses the base plate from the furnace body's inlet toward the outlet, side guide rails that guide the base plate toward the outlet when the base plate is pressed by the pusher, an air supply path that supplies atmospheric gas into the furnace body, and an exhaust path that exhausts the atmospheric gas supplied into the furnace body to the outside of the furnace body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-162246 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the heat treatment furnaces described above that use pushers, when the base plate moves on the side guide rails, wear on the base plate and the side guide rails generates powder, which can scatter inside the furnace.

[0005] This specification discloses a technique that can suppress the scattering of powder inside a furnace body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, a heat treatment furnace includes a furnace body having an inlet, an outlet, and a heat treatment space for heat-treating a workpiece, a first base plate on which the workpiece can be placed, a pusher that presses the first base plate in a first direction from the inlet to the outlet of the furnace body, side guide rails that are arranged in the heat treatment space and on which the first base plate is placed and that guide the first base plate toward the outlet when the first base plate is pressed by the pusher, an air supply path that supplies atmospheric gas into the heat treatment space, an exhaust path that discharges the atmospheric gas supplied into the heat treatment space to the outside of the furnace body, and a powder discharge path that discharges powder generated by the first base plate moving on the side guide rails to the outside of the furnace body.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the powder passes through the powder discharge path and is discharged to the outside of the furnace body. This prevents the powder from remaining in the heat treatment space of the furnace body. As a result, the powder is prevented from scattering in the heat treatment space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heat treatment furnace of the first embodiment as seen from the right side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heat treatment furnace of the first embodiment as seen from the rear side. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a base plate and its vicinity when the heat treatment furnace of the first embodiment is viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a side guide rail and its vicinity when the heat treatment furnace of the first embodiment is viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a side guide rail and its vicinity when the heat treatment furnace of the first embodiment is viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the heat treatment furnace of the first embodiment as seen from the right side. [Figure 7] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the powder discharge path and its vicinity when the heat treatment furnace of the first embodiment is viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 8]3 is a cross-sectional view of a second support member and its vicinity when the heat treatment furnace of the first embodiment is viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the base plate and grooves of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first support member and its vicinity when the heat treatment furnace of the first embodiment is viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a base plate and its vicinity when the heat treatment furnace of the second embodiment is viewed from the rear side. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the heat treatment furnace of the second embodiment as seen from the right side. [Figure 13] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a side guide rail and its vicinity when the heat treatment furnace of the second embodiment is viewed from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a first support member and its vicinity when the heat treatment furnace of the second embodiment is viewed from the rear side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The main features of the embodiments described below are listed below. Note that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements that 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 a second aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in the first aspect described above, the inlet of the powder discharge path is formed in the side guide rail. According to the above configuration, the inlet of the powder discharge path is located at or near the location where powder is generated, making it easier to discharge the powder to the outside of the furnace body.

[0011] In a third aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, the heat treatment furnace of the second aspect further includes an opposing member facing the inlet of the powder discharge path and positioned above the inlet of the powder discharge path. The opposing member defines a discharge path guide section between itself and the side guide rail. The discharge path guide section is in communication with the powder discharge path through the inlet. With this configuration, the powder can be more easily guided to the inlet of the powder discharge path compared to a configuration in which the heat treatment furnace does not include a discharge path guide section.

[0012] In a fourth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in the third aspect, the outlet of the air supply path is arranged above the opposing member. The opposing member is arranged between the inlet of the powder discharge path and the outlet of the air supply path. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the ambient gas supplied from the air supply path from taking a shortcut from the outlet of the air supply path to the inlet of the powder discharge path.

[0013] In a fifth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in any one of the second to fourth aspects, the side guide rail includes an abutment surface that can abut against the first base plate and a groove recessed from the abutment surface and having a groove space. The groove space communicates with the outside of the groove space through a first opening when the first base plate abuts against the abutment surface. The inlet of the powder discharge path is located adjacent to the first opening of the groove space. With the above configuration, powder between the first base plate and the side guide rail can be easily guided to the inlet of the powder discharge path through the groove space.

[0014] According to a sixth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in the fifth aspect, the area of ​​the inlet of the powder discharge path is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first opening of the groove space. With this configuration, it is possible to make it easier for the powder that has passed from the groove space through the first opening to flow into the inlet of the powder discharge path.

[0015] In a seventh aspect of the technology disclosed in the present specification, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the inlet of the powder discharge path is disposed below the first base plate and is formed in the floor wall of the furnace body. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the powder from scattering into the space above the first base plate.

[0016] In an eighth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in the seventh aspect described above, the side guide rail is arranged on the floor wall of the furnace body. The first base plate is arranged with a gap between it and the floor wall of the furnace body. The inlet of the powder discharge path faces the first base plate. With the above configuration, the powder can be made to flow more easily into the inlet of the powder discharge path by falling.

[0017] In a ninth aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in the eighth aspect described above, the pressure in the space between the first base plate and the floor wall of the furnace body is lower than the pressure in the space above the first base plate. This configuration can prevent atmospheric gas from flowing from the space between the first base plate and the floor wall of the furnace body to the space above the first base plate. This further prevents powder from scattering in the space above the first base plate.

[0018] In a tenth aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the side guide rail includes a contact surface that can contact the first base plate and a groove recessed from the contact surface and having a groove space. The groove space communicates with the outside of the groove space through a second opening when the first base plate is in contact with the contact surface. The powder discharge path communicates with the groove space through the inlet of the powder discharge path and the second opening of the groove space. This configuration makes it easier for powder in the groove space to flow into the inlet of the powder discharge path.

[0019] In an eleventh aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in any one of the seventh to tenth aspects, the heat treatment furnace further includes a second base plate on which the workpiece can be placed and which is aligned with the first base plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a support member disposed in the heat treatment space, on which the first and second base plates are placed and which is spaced apart from the side guide rails in the second direction. The support member includes a contact surface that contacts the first and second base plates and a groove recessed from the contact surface of the support member and having a groove space. The groove space of the support member communicates with the outside of the groove space of the support member through a third opening when the first and second base plates are in contact with the contact surface of the support member. The powder discharge path communicates with the groove space of the support member through the inlet of the powder discharge path and the third opening. According to the above configuration, powder is generated when the first and second base plates move on the contact surfaces of the support member. The grooves formed on the contact surfaces make it easier for the generated powder to flow into the entrance of the powder discharge path.

[0020] In a twelfth aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the heat treatment space is provided with a temperature-raising space communicating with the inlet and heating the workpiece, a firing space located closer to the outlet than the temperature-raising space and firing the workpiece, and a cooling space located between the firing space and the outlet and cooling the workpiece. The powder discharge path has inlets located in the temperature-raising space, the firing space, and the cooling space. This configuration can prevent powder from scattering in the temperature-raising space, the firing space, and the cooling space.

[0021] In a thirteenth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in the twelfth aspect, the outlets of the air supply path are respectively arranged in the heating space, the firing space, and the cooling space. With the above configuration, the heating space, the firing space, and the cooling space can each be easily filled with atmospheric gas.

[0022] In a fourteenth aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the furnace body includes a plurality of partition walls that divide the heat treatment space into a plurality of spaces. The inlets of the powder discharge paths are disposed in each of the plurality of spaces. This configuration can prevent powder from scattering in each of the plurality of spaces.

[0023] (First Example) 1, a heat treatment furnace 10 heat-treats a workpiece 2. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the heat treatment furnace 10 will be referred to as the front-rear direction, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction will be referred to as the left-right direction, and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction will be referred to as the up-down direction.

[0024] The workpiece 2 includes a sagger 4 and a workpiece main body 6 (see FIG. 3). The sagger 4 has a roughly rectangular box shape. The sagger 4 has a notch 4a that connects the inside and outside of the sagger 4. The notch 4a is located at the top of the side wall of the sagger 4. The workpiece main body 6 is accommodated inside the sagger 4. The workpiece main body 6 is, for example, a raw material for a ceramic capacitor, or a positive or negative electrode material for a lithium-ion battery.

[0025] The heat treatment furnace 10 includes a furnace body 12, a plurality of side guide rails 14, a plurality of first support members 16 (see FIG. 2), a plurality of second support members 18 (see FIG. 2), a plurality of base plates 20, a pusher 22, a plurality of air supply pipes 24, a plurality of exhaust paths 26, a plurality of powder discharge paths 28, and a plurality of opposing members 30 (see FIG. 3).

[0026] The furnace body 12 is a thermally insulated structure having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the front-to-rear direction. The furnace body 12 includes a ceiling wall 34, a floor wall 36, a rear wall 38, a front wall 40, a right side wall 42 (see FIG. 2), a left side wall 44 (see FIG. 2), and multiple partition walls 46. The ceiling wall 34, the floor wall 36, the rear wall 38, the front wall 40, the right side wall 42, and the left side wall 44 define a heat treatment space 50 of the furnace body 12. The ceiling wall 34 and the floor wall 36 extend in the front-to-rear direction. The rear wall 38 is connected to the rear end of the ceiling wall 34. The rear wall 38 has a loading entrance 52. The front wall 40 is connected to the front end of the ceiling wall 34. The front wall 40 has a loading exit 54. The loading exit 54 faces the loading entrance 52. 2, the right side wall 42 is connected to the right end of the ceiling wall 34, the right end of the floor wall 36, the rear wall 38, and the front wall 40. The left side wall 44 is connected to the left end of the ceiling wall 34, the left end of the floor wall 36, the rear wall 38, and the front wall 40.

[0027] 1, the partition walls 46 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. The partition walls 46 extend downward from the ceiling wall 34. The partition walls 46 divide the heat treatment space 50 into a plurality of spaces 56.

[0028] The heat treatment space 50 includes a temperature-raising space 60, a firing space 62, and a cooling space 64. The temperature-raising space 60 is connected to the carry-in port 52. The temperature-raising space 60 raises the temperature of the workpiece body 6 in the sagger 4 by heat from a heater (not shown). The temperature-raising space 60 is divided into multiple spaces by multiple partition walls 46.

[0029] The firing space 62 is disposed closer to the discharge port 54 than the temperature-raising space 60. The firing space 62 fires the workpiece body 6 in the sagger 4 by heat from a heater (not shown). The firing space 62 is divided into a plurality of spaces by a plurality of partition walls 46.

[0030] The cooling space 64 is disposed between the firing space 62 and the discharge port 54. The cooling space 64 is connected to the discharge port 54. The cooling space 64 cools the workpiece body 6 in the sagger 4 by a cooling device (not shown). The cooling device is, for example, a cooling pipe through which water or air flows. The cooling space 64 is divided into multiple spaces by multiple partition walls 46.

[0031] A plurality of side guide rails 14 are arranged in the heat treatment space 50. The side guide rails 14 extend in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, six side guide rails 14 are arranged spaced apart in the left-right direction. The side guide rails 14 are arranged on the floor wall 36. The side guide rails 14 extend upward from the floor wall 36 toward the ceiling wall 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the side guide rail 14 includes a rail main body 70 and a support wall 72 that supports the opposing member 30 from below.

[0032] The rail main body 70 has a guide portion 74 recessed from the upper surface 70a of the rail main body 70. The base plate 20 can be placed on the guide portion 74. The guide portion 74 guides the base plate 20 in the conveying direction D1, which is the forward direction. The guide portion 74 has an abutment surface 76 that can abut against the base plate 20. The abutment surface 76 has a substantially L-shape when the side guide rails 14 are viewed in the front-to-rear direction. Of two side guide rails 14 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, the guide portion 74 of the side guide rail 14 located on the left side faces the guide portion 74 of the side guide rail 14 located on the right side in the left-right direction. Hereinafter, of the two side guide rails 14 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, the side guide rail 14 located on the left side may be referred to as the first side guide rail 14a, and the side guide rail 14 located on the right side may be referred to as the second side guide rail 14b.

[0033] The support wall 72 protrudes upward from the upper surface 70a of the rail main body 70. In Fig. 3, the boundary between the support wall 72 and the upper surface 70a of the rail main body 70 is indicated by a dashed line. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the support wall 72 comprises a first wall portion 80 extending in the front-rear direction, and a second wall portion 82 extending in the left-right direction from the side surface of the first wall portion 80 to just before the guide portion 74. As shown in Fig. 4, the support wall 72 comprises a plurality of second wall portions 82. The plurality of second wall portions 82 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of first support members 16 are arranged in the heat treatment space 50. Although not shown, the first support members 16 extend in the front-to-rear direction. The first support members 16 are arranged on the floor wall 36. The first support members 16 extend upward from the floor wall 36 toward the ceiling wall 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the first support members 16 are arranged between the first side guide rail 14a and the second side guide rail 14b, and are separated from the first side guide rail 14a and the second side guide rail 14b in the left-to-right direction. A base plate 20 can be placed on the first support members 16. An upper surface 86 of the first support members 16 can abut against the base plate 20.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of second support members 18 are arranged in the heat treatment space 50. Although not shown, the second support members 18 extend in the front-to-rear direction. The second support members 18 are arranged on the floor wall 36. The second support members 18 extend upward from the floor wall 36 toward the ceiling wall 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the second support members 18 are arranged between the side guide rails 14 and the first support members 16, and are separated from the side guide rails 14 and the first support members 16 in the left-to-right direction. A base plate 20 can be placed on the second support members 18. An upper surface 88 of the second support members 18 can abut against the base plate 20.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, multiple workpieces 2 are stacked vertically and placed on a base plate 20 via spacers 90. The base plate 20 is disposed with a gap between it and the floor wall 36. The base plate 20 faces the floor wall 36 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 3, two base plates 20 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction between the first side guide rail 14a and the second side guide rail 14b. Hereinafter, the base plate 20 located on the left side of the two base plates 20 may be referred to as the first base plate 20a, and the base plate 20 located on the right side may be referred to as the second base plate 20b. The first base plate 20a is placed on the guide portion 74 of the first side guide rail 14a, the first support member 16, and the second support member 18, and is thereby supported by the first side guide rail 14a, the first support member 16, and the second support member 18. The second base plate 20b is supported by the second side guide rail 14b, the first support member 16, and the second support member 18 by being placed on the guide portion 74 of the second side guide rail 14b, the first support member 16, and the second support member 18.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1 , the pusher 22 is disposed outside the furnace body 12 near the inlet 52. The pusher 22 is configured to push the base plate 20 in the conveying direction D1. In this embodiment, the pusher 22 simultaneously pushes six base plates 20 lined up in the left-right direction in the conveying direction D1. As the pusher 22 repeatedly pushes the base plates 20, the six base plates 20 are guided by the side guide rails 14 and conveyed from the inlet 52 toward the outlet 54. At this time, the base plates 20 pass through the heating space 60, the firing space 62, and the cooling space 64 in that order. As a result, the workpiece body 6 in the sagger 4 is heated, fired, and then cooled.

[0038] A plurality of air supply pipes 24 are arranged in the heating space 60, the firing space 62, and the cooling space 64, respectively. A plurality of air supply pipes 24 are also arranged in each of the plurality of spaces 56. The plurality of air supply pipes 24 are arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the air supply pipes 24 are arranged on the rail body 70. The air supply pipes 24 have an air supply path 94 therein. Atmospheric gas flows through the air supply path 94. The atmospheric gas is, for example, oxygen or nitrogen gas. The air supply pipes 24 are configured to supply the atmospheric gas to the heat treatment space 50 from an outlet 96 of the air supply path 94. The outlet 96 is arranged at a position opposite the sagger 4 in the left-right direction. The atmospheric gas supplied from the outlet 96 flows into the sagger 4 through the notch 4a and is discharged to the outside of the sagger 4 together with gas generated from the workpiece body 6.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, inlets 100 of the exhaust paths 26 are located in the heating space 60, the firing space 62, and the cooling space 64, respectively. The inlets 100 of the exhaust paths 26 are also located in each of the spaces 56. As shown in FIG. 6, in each space 56, the inlets 100 of the exhaust paths 26 are located in the opposite direction of the air supply pipe 24 in the transport direction D1. As shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust paths 26 penetrate the ceiling wall 34. The exhaust paths 26 are configured to exhaust the atmospheric gas supplied from the air supply pipe 24 into the heat treatment space 50 to the outside of the furnace body 12. When the heat treatment furnace 10 is viewed in the transport direction D1, the inlets 100 of the exhaust paths 26 are located directly above the gap between the sagger 4 on the first base plate 20a and the sagger 4 on the second base plate 20b. The inlets 100 are located above the outlets 96 of the air supply pipes 24 and above the vertically stacked saggers 4.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 1, the inlets 102 of the multiple powder discharge paths 28 are arranged in each of the heating space 60, the firing space 62, and the cooling space 64. In addition, the inlets 102 of the multiple powder discharge paths 28 are arranged in each of the multiple spaces 56. As shown in Fig. 6, in each space 56, the inlets 102 of the powder discharge paths 28 are arranged in the opposite direction of the conveying direction D1 from the air supply pipe 24. As shown in Fig. 4, the inlets 102 of the powder discharge paths 28 are arranged between two second wall portions 82 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the powder discharge path 28 is disposed in the rail body 70. The powder discharge path 28 penetrates the rail body 70 in the vertical direction. An inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28 is formed in the upper surface 70a of the rail body 70. The inlet 102 is disposed adjacent to the guide portion 74. The powder discharge path 28 is configured to discharge powder generated when the base plate 20 moves on the side guide rails 14 to the outside of the furnace body 12. For example, the powder flows into the powder discharge path 28 from the inlet 102 together with the atmospheric gas in the heat treatment space 50. The powder is generated, for example, from the contact surface 76 of the guide portion 74, the upper surface 86 of the first support member 16, the upper surface 88 of the second support member 18, and the base plate 20. The inlet 102 is disposed below the outlet 96 of the air supply path 94, the inlet 100 of the exhaust path 26 (see FIG. 6), and the sagger 4. The inlet 102 faces upward.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, the facing members 30 are disposed in the temperature-raising space 60, the firing space 62, and the cooling space 64, respectively. The facing members 30 have a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the facing members 30 are disposed above the support wall 72. The facing members 30 are supported by the support wall 72. The facing members 30 are separated from the sagger 4 on the base plate 20 in the left-right direction. The facing members 30 are disposed below the outlet 96 of the air supply path 94, the inlet 100 of the exhaust path 26 (see FIG. 6), and the notch 4a of the sagger 4. The facing members 30 are disposed above the upper surface 70a of the rail body 70 and the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28. Therefore, the facing members 30 are disposed between the outlet 96 of the air supply path 94 and the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28. This prevents the atmospheric gas supplied from the outlet 96 to the heat treatment space 50 from flowing into the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28 without flowing into the inside of the sagger 4, i.e., prevents the atmospheric gas from taking a shortcut from the outlet 96 of the gas supply path 94 to the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28. The upper surface 70a of the facing member 30 is spaced apart from the inlet 102. The upper surface 70a of the facing member 30 faces the inlet 102 in the vertical direction. As a result, a discharge path guide portion 106 is defined between the facing member 30, the upper surface 70a, and the support wall 72.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the discharge path guide portion 106 extends in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, multiple discharge path guide portions 106 are lined up in the front-rear direction, and a second wall portion 82 is disposed between two discharge path guide portions 106 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the multiple discharge path guide portions 106 are separated in the front-rear direction by the multiple second wall portions 82. One inlet 102 is provided for each discharge path guide portion 106. As shown in FIG. 3 , the discharge path guide portion 106 communicates with the powder discharge path 28 via the inlet 102. The discharge path guide portion 106 communicates with the heat treatment space 50. The discharge path guide portion 106 is configured to guide the powder to the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28. For example, the powder flows into the discharge path guide unit 106 from the inlet 108 of the discharge path guide unit 106 together with the ambient gas in the heat treatment space 50, and then flows through the discharge path guide unit 106 to the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28. This allows the powder to remain within the heat treatment space 50 and prevent it from scattering within the heat treatment space 50. The inlet 108 of the discharge path guide unit 106 is located adjacent to the guide unit 74. The inlet 108 faces either the right or left. The inlet 108 of the discharge path guide unit 106 between the first side guide rail 14a and the opposing member 30 is laterally opposite the inlet 108 of the discharge path guide unit 106 between the second side guide rail 14b and the opposing member 30.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 7 , the side guide rail 14 has a plurality of grooves 112. Although not shown, the plurality of grooves 112 are aligned in a line spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The grooves 112 are recessed from the contact surface 76 of the guide portion 74. The contact surface 76 has a first contact surface 114 extending in the up-down direction and a second contact surface 116 extending in the left-right direction, and the grooves 112 are disposed across the first contact surface 114 and the second contact surface 116. The grooves 112 extend in the up-down direction on the first contact surface 114 and in the left-right direction on the second contact surface 116. The first contact surface 114 can contact a side surface of the base plate 20, and the second contact surface 116 can contact the underside of the base plate 20.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the groove 112 has a groove space 120. The groove space 120 has a first opening 122 disposed at one end of the groove space 120 and a second opening 124 disposed at the other end of the groove space 120. As shown in FIG. 7 , the first opening 122 is formed in the first abutment surface 114. The first opening 122 is not blocked by the base plate 20 even when the base plate 20 abuts against the first abutment surface 114 and the second abutment surface 116. Therefore, the groove space 120 communicates with the outside of the groove space 120 through the first opening 122, even when the base plate 20 abuts against the first abutment surface 114 and the second abutment surface 116. The first opening 122 is disposed adjacent to the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28. The first opening 122 faces upward. The first opening 122 faces the opposing member 30 in the vertical direction. The first opening 122 is connected to the discharge path guide section 106. Therefore, the groove space 120 is in direct communication with the discharge path guide section 106 via the first opening 122. The powder flows into the groove space 120 as the base plate 20 moves, is discharged from the first opening 122 to the discharge path guide section 106, and is then guided to the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28. This makes it possible to easily guide the powder between the side guide rail 14 and the base plate 20 to the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 8 , the second opening 124 is formed in the second contact surface 116. The second opening 124 is not blocked by the base plate 20 even when the base plate 20 is in contact with the first contact surface 114 and the second contact surface 116. Therefore, the groove space 120 communicates with the outside of the groove space 120 through the second opening 124, even when the base plate 20 is in contact with the first contact surface 114 and the second contact surface 116. The second opening 124 faces leftward or rightward. The powder flows into the groove space 120 as the base plate 20 moves and is discharged to the outside of the groove space 120 through the second opening 124. The discharged powder falls to the floor wall 36 (see FIG. 2 ) under its own weight.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 9 , the cross section of the groove space 120 has a semicircular shape. In a modified example, the cross section of the groove space 120 may have a shape other than a semicircular shape, such as a triangular shape or a rectangular shape. The depth D2 of the groove space 120 is, for example, 20 mm or less. The width W1 of the groove space 120 is, for example, 40 mm or less. The cross-sectional shape of the groove space 120 is substantially uniform throughout the groove space 120. The cross-sectional area of ​​the first opening 122 is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the second opening 124. The cross-sectional area of ​​the first opening 122 is, for example, smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28 and the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 108 of the discharge path guide portion 106. In a variant, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first opening 122 may be, for example, the same as the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 102 and the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 108, respectively, or may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 102 and the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 108, respectively.

[0048] 10, the first support member 16 has a plurality of grooves 130. Although not shown, the plurality of grooves 130 are aligned at intervals in the front-to-rear direction. The grooves 130 are recessed from the top surface 86 of the first support member 16. The grooves 130 extend in the left-to-right direction on the top surface 86.

[0049] The groove 130 has a groove space 132. The groove space 132 has third openings 134 located at both ends. The third openings 134 are not blocked even when the first base plate 20a and the second base plate 20b are placed on the upper surface 86. Therefore, the groove space 132 communicates with the outside of the groove space 132 through the third openings 134, even when the first base plate 20a and the second base plate 20b are placed on the upper surface 86. The third openings 134 face left or right. The powder flows into the groove space 132 as the first base plate 20a and the second base plate 20b move and is discharged to the outside of the groove space 132 through the third openings 134. The discharged powder falls to the floor wall 36 (see FIG. 2) due to its own weight.

[0050] 9, the cross-sectional shape of the groove space 132 is, for example, substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the groove space 120. In a modified example, the cross-sectional shape of the groove space 132 may be different from the cross-sectional shape of the groove space 120. Furthermore, the cross-sectional dimensions of the groove space 132 are, for example, substantially the same as the cross-sectional dimensions of the groove space 120. In a modified example, the cross-sectional dimensions of the groove space 132 may be different from the cross-sectional dimensions of the groove space 120.

[0051] 8, the second support member 18 has a plurality of grooves 140. Although not shown, the plurality of grooves 140 are aligned at intervals in the front-to-rear direction. The grooves 140 are recessed from the top surface 88 of the second support member 18. The grooves 140 extend in the left-to-right direction on the top surface 88.

[0052] The groove 140 has a groove space 142. The groove space 142 has fourth openings 144 located at both ends. The fourth openings 144 are not blocked even when the base plate 20 is placed on the upper surface 88. Therefore, the groove space 142 communicates with the outside of the groove space 142 through the fourth openings 144, even when the base plate 20 is placed on the upper surface 88. The fourth openings 144 face left or right. The fourth openings 144 face the second openings 124 in the left-right direction. Although not shown, the fourth openings 144 also face the third openings 134 in the left-right direction. As the base plate 20 moves, the powder flows into the groove space 142 and is discharged from the fourth openings 144 to the outside of the groove space 142. The discharged powder falls to the floor wall 36 (see FIG. 2) due to its own weight.

[0053] 9, the cross-sectional shape of the groove space 142 is, for example, substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the groove space 120. In a modified example, the cross-sectional shape of the groove space 142 may be different from the cross-sectional shape of the groove space 120. Furthermore, the cross-sectional dimensions of the groove space 142 are, for example, substantially the same as the cross-sectional dimensions of the groove space 120. In a modified example, the cross-sectional dimensions of the groove space 142 may be different from the cross-sectional dimensions of the groove space 120.

[0054] (effect) In the first embodiment described above, the powder discharge path 28 discharges the powder generated by the movement of the base plate 20 on the side guide rails 14 to the outside of the furnace body 12. This prevents the powder from remaining in the heat treatment space 50 of the furnace body 12. As a result, it is possible to prevent the powder from scattering in the heat treatment space 50.

[0055] (Correspondence) The conveying direction D1 is an example of a "first direction." The contact surface 76 is an example of a "contact surface of a side guide rail." The groove space 120 is an example of a "groove space of a side guide rail." The groove 112 is an example of a "groove of a side guide rail."

[0056] (Second Example) In the second embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 11, in the second embodiment, the heat treatment furnace 10 does not include the second support member 18 and the opposing member 30 of the first embodiment. In addition, in the second embodiment, the position of the powder discharge path 28 is different from the position of the powder discharge path 28 in the first embodiment.

[0057] The powder discharge path 28 is disposed in the floor wall 36. The powder discharge path 28 penetrates the floor wall 36 in the up-down direction. An inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28 is formed on the upper surface of the floor wall 36. The inlet 102 is disposed between the side guide rail 14 and the first support member 16 in the left-right direction. The two inlets 102 are disposed between the first side guide rail 14a and the second side guide rail 14b in the left-right direction. The inlets 102 are disposed below the base plate 20. The inlets 102 face upward. The inlets 102 face the base plate 20 in the up-down direction. A lower space 200 is defined between the side guide rail 14, the first support member 16, the base plate 20, and the floor wall 36, and the powder discharge path 28 communicates with the lower space 200 via the inlets 102. As shown in FIG. 12 , an inlet 102 is disposed in each of the multiple spaces 56.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 13 , the groove space 120 communicates with the lower space 200 through the second opening 124, even when the base plate 20 is in contact with the first contact surface 114 and the second contact surface 116. The groove space 120 also communicates with the upper space 202, which is located above the base plate 20, through the first opening 122, even when the base plate 20 is in contact with the first contact surface 114 and the second contact surface 116. The pressure in the lower space 200 is lower than the pressure in the upper space 202. Therefore, the ambient gas in the heat treatment space 50 flows from the upper space 202 into the lower space 200 through the groove space 120 and then into the powder discharge path 28 through the inlet 102. As a result, the powder in the upper space 202 passes through the groove space 120 and the lower space 200 in that order, and then flows into the powder discharge path 28 from the inlet 102. As a result, the powder remains in the upper space 202 and is prevented from scattering in the upper space 202. The pressure in the lower space 200 is, for example, not less than 10 Pa and not more than 50 Pa. The pressure in the upper space 202 is, for example, not less than 50 Pa and not more than 100 Pa.

[0059] 14 , the groove space 132 communicates with the lower space 200 via the third opening 134, even when the first base plate 20a and the second base plate 20b are placed on the upper surface 86 of the first support member 16. The ambient gas in the upper space 202 flows into the groove space 132 through the gap between the first base plate 20a and the second base plate 20b, is discharged into the lower space 200 via the third opening 134, and then flows into the powder discharge path 28 via the inlet 102. As a result, the powder in the upper space 202 passes through the gap between the first base plate 20a and the second base plate 20b, the groove space 132, and the lower space 200 in that order, and then flows into the powder discharge path 28 from the inlet 102.

[0060] (Correspondence) The lower space 200 is an example of "the space between the first base plate and the floor wall of the furnace body." The upper space 202 is an example of "the space above the first base plate." The abutment surface 76 is an example of "the abutment surface of the side guide rail." The groove space 120 is an example of "the groove space of the side guide rail." The groove 112 is an example of "the groove of the side guide rail." The first support member 16 is an example of "the support member." The upper surface 86 is an example of "the abutment surface of the support member." The groove space 132 is an example of "the groove space of the support member." The groove 130 is an example of "the groove of the support member."

[0061] (Variation) In one embodiment, the first and second embodiments may be combined. That is, the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28 may be formed in the upper surface 70a of the side guide rail 14 and in the upper surface of the floor wall 36.

[0062] In one embodiment, in the first example, the heat treatment furnace 10 may not include the opposing member 30. In this configuration, the heat treatment furnace 10 may not include the discharge path guide unit 106.

[0063] In one embodiment, the heat treatment furnace 10 may not include at least one of the grooves 112 , 130 , 140 .

[0064] In one embodiment, the grooves 112, 130, 140 may extend in a direction that is inclined relative to the left-right direction.

[0065] In one embodiment, in the second example, the inlet 102 of the powder discharge path 28 does not have to face the base plate 20 in the vertical direction.

[0066] In one embodiment, the number of inlets 100 of the exhaust path 26 arranged in the heating space 60 and the number of inlets 100 of the exhaust path 26 arranged in the firing space 62 may each be greater than the number of inlets 100 of the exhaust path 26 arranged in the cooling space 64.

[0067] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or 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. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieves multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives itself has technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 2: Object to be treated 4: Sack 10: Heat treatment furnace 12:Furnace body 14: Side guide rail 16: First support member 18: Second support member 20: Base plate 20a: First baseplate 20b: 2nd base plate 22: Pusher 26: Exhaust route 28: Powder discharge path 30: Opposing member 36: Floor and wall 46: Bulkhead 50: Heat treatment space 52: Loading entrance 54: Exit 56: Space 60: Heating space 62: Firing space 64: Cooling space 76: Contact surface 86:Top surface 94: Air supply route 96: Exit 102: Entrance 106: Discharge route guide unit 112: Groove 120:Groove space 122: First opening 124: Second opening 130: Groove 132:Groove space 134: Third opening 200: Lower space 202: Upper space D1: Transport direction

Claims

1. A heat treatment furnace, a furnace body having an inlet, an outlet, and a heat treatment space for heat-treating the object to be treated; a first base plate on which the object to be treated can be placed; a pusher that presses the first base plate in a first direction from the inlet toward the outlet of the furnace body; a side guide rail that is disposed in the heat treatment space, on which the first base plate is placed, and that guides the first base plate toward the carry-out port when the first base plate is pressed by the pusher; an air supply path for supplying atmospheric gas into the heat treatment space; an exhaust path for discharging the atmospheric gas supplied into the heat treatment space to the outside of the furnace body; a powder discharge path for discharging powder generated by the first base plate moving on the side guide rails to the outside of the furnace body.

2. The heat treatment furnace according to claim 1 , wherein an inlet of the powder discharge path is formed in the side guide rail.

3. The powder discharge path further includes an opposing member that faces the inlet of the powder discharge path and is disposed above the inlet of the powder discharge path, The opposing member defines a discharge path guide portion between itself and the side guide rail, The heat treatment furnace according to claim 2 , wherein the discharge path guide portion communicates with the powder discharge path through the inlet.

4. an outlet of the air supply path is disposed above the opposing member, The heat treatment furnace according to claim 3 , wherein the opposing member is disposed between the inlet of the powder discharge path and the outlet of the air supply path.

5. The side guide rails are a contact surface that can come into contact with the first base plate; a groove recessed from the abutment surface and having a groove space; the groove space communicates with the outside of the groove space via a first opening when the first base plate is in contact with the contact surface, The heat treatment furnace according to claim 2 , wherein the inlet of the powder discharge path is disposed adjacent to the first opening of the groove space.

6. The heat treatment furnace according to claim 5 , wherein an area of ​​the inlet of the powder discharge path is larger than a cross-sectional area of ​​the first opening of the groove space.

7. The heat treatment furnace according to claim 1 , wherein an inlet of the powder discharge path is disposed below the first base plate and is formed in a floor wall of the furnace body.

8. The side guide rails are disposed on the floor wall of the furnace body, the first base plate is disposed with a gap between it and the floor wall of the furnace body, The heat treatment furnace according to claim 7 , wherein the inlet of the powder discharge path faces the first base plate.

9. 9. The heat treatment furnace according to claim 8, wherein a pressure in a space between the first base plate and the floor wall of the furnace body is lower than a pressure in a space above the first base plate.

10. The side guide rails are a contact surface that can come into contact with the first base plate; a groove recessed from the abutment surface and having a groove space; the groove space communicates with the outside of the groove space via a second opening when the first base plate is in contact with the contact surface, The heat treatment furnace according to claim 7 , wherein the powder discharge path communicates with the groove space via the inlet of the powder discharge path and the second opening of the groove space.

11. a second base plate on which the workpiece can be placed and which is arranged next to the first base plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a support member disposed in the heat treatment space, on which the first base plate and the second base plate are placed, and spaced apart from the side guide rails in the second direction, The support member is a contact surface that contacts the first base plate and the second base plate; a groove recessed from the contact surface of the support member and having a groove space; the groove space of the support member communicates with the outside of the groove space of the support member via a third opening when the first base plate and the second base plate are in contact with the contact surfaces of the support member, The heat treatment furnace according to claim 7 , wherein the powder discharge path communicates with the groove space of the support member via the inlet of the powder discharge path and the third opening.

12. The heat treatment space is a temperature-raising space communicating with the inlet and configured to raise the temperature of the object to be treated; a firing space that is disposed closer to the outlet than the temperature rising space and that fires the object to be treated; a cooling space disposed between the firing space and the discharge port for cooling the object to be treated, The heat treatment furnace according to claim 1 , wherein an inlet of the powder discharge path is disposed in each of the heating space, the firing space, and the cooling space.

13. The heat treatment furnace according to claim 12 , wherein an outlet of the air supply path is disposed in each of the temperature-raising space, the firing space, and the cooling space.

14. The furnace body includes a plurality of partition walls that divide the heat treatment space into a plurality of spaces, The heat treatment furnace according to claim 1 , wherein an inlet of the powder discharge path is disposed in each of the plurality of spaces.

Images