Device

Abstract

To provide a more compact device for heating materials. [Solution] The device 100 includes a first rotating member 11 and a second rotating member 12 rotatably arranged within a housing 1, an annular member 30 wrapped around the first rotating member 11 and the second rotating member 12, a plurality of receiving parts 50 rotatably attached to the annular member 30, a first rail 61 positioned below the annular member 30 between the upper end of the first rotating member 11 and the upper end of the second rotating member 12, and a second rail 62 positioned below the first rail 61 and facing the ground. The first rail 61 has a first missing section 61b that is not positioned for a specified distance from the upper end of the second rotating member 12 toward the first rotating member 11. When a receiving part 50 approaches the first missing section 61b of the first rail, the receiving part 50 rotates from a horizontal position, and the conveyed object being conveyed by the receiving part 50 falls onto the receiving part 50 below.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for blowing hot air, cold air, or drying air onto an object to heat, cool, or dry the object.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is a device for heating and drying an object by blowing hot air onto the object conveyed by a belt conveyor.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] With such a device, when trying to dry an object sufficiently, the conveyor length becomes long, and as a result, the device becomes large. Devices for heating and cooling an object also become large in the same way.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a more compact device for heating, cooling, or drying an object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The device according to the invention described in claim 1, which has been made to achieve the above object, a box-shaped housing (1), a first rotating member (11) rotatably disposed in the housing, a second rotating member (12) rotatably disposed in the housing, spaced horizontally from the first rotating member, an annular member (30) engaged with and wound around the first rotating member and the second rotating member, The annular member is driven by a drive unit (40), Multiple receiving parts (50) are attached to the annular member so as to be continuously rotatable and adjacent to each other, on which the conveyed object is placed, A first rail (61) is positioned horizontally below the annular member between the upper end of the first rotating member and the upper end of the second rotating member, with its upper surface in contact with the lower surface of the receiving portion to support the receiving portion in a horizontal position, The device includes a second rail (62) positioned horizontally below the annular member between the lower end of the first rotating member and the lower end of the second rotating member, the upper surface of which contacts the bottom surface of the receiving portion to support the receiving portion in a horizontal position, The first rail has a missing section (61b) that is not located at a specified distance from the rotation center of the second rotating member toward the first rotating member in the horizontal direction, The receiving portion, which moves horizontally, is configured such that when it approaches the missing section, it rotates from its horizontal position, causing the transported object placed on the receiving portion to fall onto the receiving portion supported by the second rail.

[0007] According to this design, air is blown not only onto the conveyed object being transported in the receiving section between the upper end of the first rotating member and the upper end of the second rotating member, but also onto the conveyed object being transported in the receiving section between the lower end of the first rotating member and the lower end of the second rotating member. Therefore, compared to a device in which air is blown only onto the conveyed object being transported in the receiving section between the upper end of the first rotating member and the upper end of the second rotating member, the conveyed object can be heated, cooled, and dried in the same manner even if the horizontal dimension of the annular member is reduced to nearly half. Thus, it becomes possible to make the device for heating, cooling, and drying conveyed objects more compact.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is, in the invention described in claim 1, The pivot point of the receiving portion on the first rail relative to the annular member is characterized in that it is eccentric with respect to the transport direction, with respect to the center of the receiving portion toward the second rotating member.

[0009] According to this design, when the receiving portion, which moves horizontally as the annular member rotates, approaches a missing section, the receiving portion is reliably rotated from its horizontal position. As a result, the transported object placed on the receiving portion can be reliably dropped onto the lower receiving portion.

[0010] The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, A weight is provided at the end of the receiving portion on the first rail that is on the side of the first rotating member.

[0011] According to this design, when the receiving portion, which moves horizontally as the annular member rotates, approaches a missing section, the receiving portion is reliably rotated from its horizontal position. As a result, the transported object placed on the receiving portion can be reliably dropped onto the lower receiving portion.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is, in the invention described in claim 3, The weight is characterized by being a roller that rotates in contact with the upper surface of the first rail or the second rail.

[0013] According to this design, the roller rotates in contact with the upper surface of the first or second rail, thus suppressing wear on the receiving part due to contact with the upper surface of the first or second rail. Furthermore, since friction between the receiving part and the first or second rail can be reduced, the driving force generated by the drive unit can be reduced, making it possible to achieve energy savings in the device.

[0014] The invention described in claim 5 is, in the invention described in claim 1, In the missing section adjacent to the end of the first rail, a shock stand (81) is provided, which is located below the upper surface of the first rail. The receiving portion is configured such that when it is moved to the missing section adjacent to the end of the first rail, it rotates so that it contacts the shock stand.

[0015] According to this, when the receiving part is moved to the defective section adjacent to the end of the first rail, the receiving part rotates and the receiving part abuts against the shock stand, so an impact is applied to the receiving part. Therefore, the conveyed object can be surely dropped from the receiving part to the lower receiving part.

[0016] The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein it has a first guide rail (71) connected to the upper surface of the start end of the first rail from above the rotation axis of the first rotating member, the upper surface of the end of the first guide rail on the side of the first rotating member is located downward as it is farther from the start end of the first rail, and the lower part of the receiving part abuts against the upper surface of the first guide rail, and the receiving part is configured to be in a horizontal state and guided by the first rail.

[0017] According to this, the first guide rail ensures that the receiving part is in a horizontal state and guided by the first rail. Therefore, it is suppressed that the receiving part is guided by the first rail in an upside-down state. Further, since the upper surface of the end of the first guide rail on the side of the first rotating member is located downward as it is farther from the start end of the first rail, it is suppressed that the receiving part dives under the first guide rail, and the receiving part is surely guided above the first guide rail.

[0018] The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein it has a second guide rail (72) arranged at a distance from the end of the first rail, and the upper surface of the second guide rail is located below the upper surface of the first rail and above the lower end of the receiving part that is located between the first rail and the second guide rail and rotates.

[0019] According to this, when the receiving part further advances from the end of the first rail, the lower end part of the receiving part abuts against the upper surface of the second guide rail. Therefore, further rotation of the receiving part is suppressed, and the receiving part is prevented from being turned upside down. Further, detachment of the receiving part from the annular member due to excessive rotation of the receiving part is suppressed.

[0020] The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein it has a third guide rail (73) connected to the start end of the second rail and located below the rotation axis of the second rotating member, and the third guide rail is characterized in that a direction changing part (73a) is formed thereon, the upper surface of which is located upward as it is located on the start end side of the second rail.

[0021] According to this, the lower end part of the receiving part that is moving and in a rotating state at the part of the second rotating member abuts against and slides on the upper surface of the direction changing part. At this time, the receiving part in the rotating state rotates so as to gradually become horizontal, and the receiving part in the horizontal state is guided to the start end of the second rail. Therefore, the receiving part in the rotating state can be surely made horizontal and guided to the start end of the second rail.

[0022] The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the receiving part is characterized in that it has a shape that is recessed downward from both end sides toward the center side in the conveying direction.

[0023] According to this, since the conveyed object is placed along the upper surface of the receiving part having a recessed shape, the surface area of the conveyed object that is in contact with the air flow increases as compared with a structure in which the upper surface of the receiving part is flat. Therefore, the conveyed object being conveyed by the receiving part can be heated, cooled, and dried more efficiently. Thus, the horizontal dimension of the annular member can be further shortened, and the device for heating, cooling, and drying the conveyed object can be made more compact.

[0024] The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein The receiving portion is characterized by having a number of communication holes that connect the upper surface and the lower surface of the receiving portion.

[0025] According to this design, the conveyed material being transported by the receiving section comes into contact with the airflow not only from above but also from below through the communication holes. As a result, the conveyed material being transported by the receiving section can be heated, cooled, and dried more efficiently. Consequently, the horizontal dimension of the annular member can be further reduced, making the device for heating, cooling, and drying the conveyed material more compact.

[0026] Furthermore, the symbols in parentheses for each means described in this section and in the claims are merely examples showing the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiments below, and do not affect the scope of rights in the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] [Figure 1] This is a lateral cross-sectional view of the device. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the inside of the device. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the inside of the device. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the receiving member of the receiving section. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the side member of the receiving section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] (Structure of the device) The apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In Figure 1, the drive unit 40 is shown on the front side of the cross-section of the housing 1 for convenience. The apparatus 100 of this embodiment is a carbonization apparatus for carbonizing carbon-containing materials such as chipped products, crushed waste materials, and wood pellets. As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 100 has a housing 1, a first rocker valve 2, a second rocker valve 3, first rotating members 11 to 5th rotating members 15, an annular member 30, a drive unit 40, and first rails 61 to 4th rails 64.

[0029] The enclosure 1 is a box-shaped structure that is elongated horizontally in the front-to-back direction, with a space 1c formed inside. The enclosure 1 consists of an outer shell 1a made of metal such as steel, and an insulating material 1b attached to the inner surface of the outer shell 1a. The insulating material 1b is, for example, a fire-resistant insulating brick.

[0030] A pair of first to fifth rotating members 15 are rotatably arranged in the internal space 1c of the housing 1, spaced apart in the width direction. In this embodiment, the first to fifth rotating members 11 to 5th rotating members 15 are sprockets. The first rotating member 11 is positioned in the front upper part of the space 1c of the housing 1. The second rotating member 12 is positioned in the rear upper part of the space 1c of the housing 1, that is, spaced horizontally in front of the first rotating member 11. The third rotating member 13 is positioned slightly in front of and below the first rotating member 11. The vertical position of the third rotating member 13 is midway between the vertical position of the first rotating member 11 and the vertical position of the fifth rotating member 15. The fourth rotating member 14 is positioned in the front lower part of the space 1c of the housing 1, directly below the second rotating member 12. The fifth rotating member 15 is positioned in the rear lower part of the space 1c of the housing 1, directly below the first rotating member 11. In other words, the fifth rotating member 15 is positioned horizontally behind the fourth rotating member 14, spaced apart from it.

[0031] The annular member 30 is an annular member, and in this embodiment, it is a chain. The annular member 30 is wrapped around the upper end of the first rotating member 11, the upper end of the second rotating member 12, the lower end of the second rotating member 12, the upper end of the third rotating member 13, the lower end of the third rotating member 13, the upper end of the fourth rotating member 14, the lower end of the fourth rotating member 14, the lower end of the fifth rotating member 15, and the upper end of the first rotating member 11, and engages with each of the rotating members 11 to 15.

[0032] The drive unit 40 rotates the annular member 30. In this embodiment, the drive unit 40 is an electric motor with a reduction gear, and its rotating shaft 40a is rotated. The drive unit 40 is located at the bottom of the housing 1. A drive rotating member 41 is coaxially and non-rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft 40a of the drive unit 40. A driven rotating member 42 is coaxially and non-rotatably mounted on the fifth rotating member 15. In this embodiment, the drive rotating member 41 and the driven rotating member 42 are sprockets. An annular transmission member 43 is wrapped around the drive rotating member 41 and the driven rotating member 42. The transmission member 43 transmits the rotational driving force input to the drive rotating member 41 to the driven rotating member 42. In this embodiment, the transmission member 43 is a chain. When the drive unit 40 is driven, the fifth rotating member 15 is rotated, and the annular member 30 engaged with the fifth rotating member 15 is rotated.

[0033] The portion of the annular member 30 wrapped around the upper end of the first rotating member 11 and the upper end of the second rotating member 12 is the first lane L1. The portion of the annular member 30 wrapped around the lower end of the second rotating member 12 and the upper end of the third rotating member 13 is the second lane L2. The portion of the annular member 30 wrapped around the lower end of the third rotating member 13 and the upper end of the fourth rotating member 14 is the third lane L3. The portion of the annular member 30 wrapped around the lower end of the fourth rotating member 14 and the lower end of the fifth rotating member 15 is the fourth lane L4. As will be explained in detail later, the carbon-containing material is transported in the order of the first lane L1, the second lane L2, the third lane L3, and the fourth lane L4, and carbonized by superheated steam.

[0034] Inlets 1d are formed at the lower part of both sides of the housing 1, spaced apart in the front-to-back direction, and communicating with the space 1c of the housing 1. In this embodiment, three inlets 1d are formed on one side of the housing 1. In this embodiment, superheated steam, generated by a boiler (not shown) and heated by an electric heating device (not shown), is supplied to the inlets 1d.

[0035] An exhaust port 1e is formed in the middle of the ceiling of the enclosure 1 in the front-to-back direction, communicating with the space 1c. Superheated steam supplied from multiple inlets 1d is exhausted from the exhaust port 1e after carbonizing carbon-containing materials, as will be described later.

[0036] A supply port 1f communicating with space 1c is formed in the rear part of the ceiling of the housing 1 in the front-rear direction, that is, above the starting end (front end) of the first lane L1. A first rocker valve 2 is attached to the supply port 1f. The first rocker valve 2 has a casing 2a, a rotary valve 2b, and a motor 2c. The casing 2a is a flat, bottomed cylindrical shape, with an inlet 2a1 formed at its upper part and an outlet 2a2 formed at its lower part. Carbon-containing material is fed into the inlet 2a1. The outlet 2a2 communicates with the supply port 1f of the housing 1. The rotary valve 2b is rotatably mounted inside the casing 2a and has a plurality of vanes 2b1 formed radially from its center and close to the inner circumferential surface of the casing 2a. The motor 2c rotates the rotary valve 2b. The first rocker valve 2 suppresses leakage of superheated steam from the supply port 1f, while the carbon-containing material is supplied from the supply port 1f to the starting end of the first lane L1.

[0037] An outlet 1g communicating with space 1c is formed at the rear of the bottom of the housing 1, that is, below the end (front end) of the fourth lane L4. Within space 1c, a collection member 1h is attached to the outlet 1g. The collection member 1h is cylindrical in shape, with its opening area increasing as it is positioned higher. The collection member 1h opens below the end of the fourth lane L4. One end of a duct 9 is attached to the outlet 1g. A second rocker valve 3 is attached to the other end of the duct 9. The second rocker valve 3 has the same structure as the first rocker valve 2 and includes a casing 3a, a rotary valve 3b, and a motor 3c. An inlet 3a1 is formed at the top of the casing 3a, and the other end of the duct 9 is connected to this inlet 3a1. An outlet 3a2 is formed at the bottom of the casing 3a. The second rocker valve 3 suppresses leakage of superheated steam from the inlet 3a1, while the carbon-containing material carbonized by the device 100 is discharged from the outlet 3a2.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, a pair of annular members 30 are arranged spaced apart in the width direction. The annular member 30 is composed of a plurality of plates 31, a plurality of pins 32, and a plurality of rollers 33. The pair of plates 31 are arranged spaced apart in the width direction, and the ends of the pair of plates 31 are connected by pins 32. The rollers 33 are rotatably attached to the pins 32. The rollers 33 engage with each tooth of the rotating members 11 to 15, which are sprockets.

[0039] Multiple receiving portions 50 are arranged continuously in the front-rear direction between a pair of annular members 30, and both ends of these receiving portions 50 in the width direction are rotatably attached to the pair of annular members 30. The receiving portions 50 are members that are elongated in the width direction. The receiving portions 50 consist of a receiving member 51, a pair of side members 52, a pair of support shafts 53, and a pair of rollers 54.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the receiving member 51 is composed of a central portion 51a, a first end portion 51b, a second end portion 51c, and a pair of reinforcing members 51d. In this embodiment, the receiving member 51 is made of a metal such as stainless steel SUS304, which has corrosion resistance. The central portion 51a, the first end portion 51b, and the second end portion 51c are formed by bending a vertically elongated metal plate. The central portion 51a is concave downwards, and the cross-sectional shape of the central portion 51a is arc-shaped. Numerous communication holes 51a1 are formed throughout the central portion 51a. Note that in Figure 4, only some of the communication holes 51a1 are shown for convenience.

[0041] The first end 51b is a rectangular member that extends horizontally and is connected to the front end of the central part 51a. The second end 51c is a rectangular member that extends horizontally and is connected to the rear end of the central part 51a. The reinforcing member 51d is a rectangular plate-shaped member whose cross-sectional shape is bent into an arc shape. The reinforcing member 51d is attached to the lower surface of both ends in the width direction of the central part 51a by welding. The reinforcing member 51d is a member that suppresses deformation of the central part 51a, which has a large number of communication holes 51a1 formed all over its surface.

[0042] The side member 52 will be described below with reference to Figure 5. The side member 52 consists of a lower plate 52a, a side portion 52b, and a bulging portion 52c. The side member 52 is made of a metal such as steel or stainless steel. The lower plate 52a is a plate-shaped member with an arc-shaped cross-section. The side portion 52b is a roughly crescent-shaped plate-shaped member that extends in the vertical and front-rear directions, and its lower edge is connected to the outer end of the lower plate 52a in the width direction. A rotating hole 52b1 is formed in the side member 52. The rotating hole 52b1 is formed on the front side of the side member 52, beyond the midpoint in the front-rear direction. The bulging portion 52c is a plate-shaped member that extends in the vertical and front-rear directions, is connected to the rear end of the side portion 52b, and protrudes downward and backward from this connection point.

[0043] A support shaft 53, whose axis coincides with the width direction, is attached to the bulging portion 52c. The roller 54 is a disc-shaped member and is rotatably attached to the support shaft 53. The axis of rotation of the roller 54 coincides with the width direction. As shown in Figure 2, the roller 54 is spaced apart from the side portion 52b in the width direction. The lower plate 52a is welded to the lower surfaces of both ends of the receiving member 51 in the width direction, that is, to the lower surfaces of the reinforcing member 51d, and the side members 52 are attached to the lower surfaces of both ends of the receiving member 51 in the width direction.

[0044] Each of the multiple receiving portions 50 is rotatably attached to a pin 32 of an annular member 30, which is located on both sides of the receiving portion 50 in the width direction. Specifically, a support shaft 55 whose axis coincides with the pin 32 of the annular member 30 is inserted through a rotating hole 52b1 of the side member 52, so that each of the multiple receiving portions 50 is rotatably attached to the portion of the pin 32 of the annular member 30. As shown in Figure 2, when the receiving portion 50 is in the horizontal position described later, there is almost no gap formed between adjacent receiving members 51 in the front-rear direction.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, below the annular member 30 and roller 54, a pair of first rails 61 to fourth rails 64 are arranged along the front-to-back direction and spaced apart in the width direction. As shown in Figure 1, the first rail 61 is located in the first lane L1, the second rail 62 in the second lane L2, the third rail 63 in the third lane L3, and the fourth rail 64 in the fourth lane L4. As shown in Figure 3, the first rail 61 is an L-shaped steel, and a rolling surface 61x on which the roller 54 rolls is formed on its upper surface. The second rails 62 to fourth rails 64 have the same structure as the first rail 61.

[0046] In the missing sections described later, where the first rail 61 to the fourth rail 64 are not installed, the receiving portion 50 rotates so that the rear side of the receiving portion 50 moves downward (hereinafter, this state will be referred to as the rotated state). This is because the rotation hole 52b1 is formed on the front side of the midpoint in the front-rear direction of the side member 52, and a bulge 52c, a support shaft 53, and a roller 54 that act as weights are provided on the rear side of the receiving portion 50.

[0047] With respect to the horizontal direction of the first lane L1, the area in front of the first rotation center of the first rotating member 11 by a first specified distance is a first rail missing section 61a where the first rail 61 is not installed. In this embodiment, the starting end (rear end) of the first rail 61 coincides with the rear end of the supply port 1f.

[0048] A first guide rail 71 is provided in the first missing section 61a of the first rail. The first guide rail 71 consists of a base 71a and an end 71b. The base 71a is flat and its upper surface is continuously connected to the upper surface of the first rail 61. The base 71a is positioned almost horizontally, but is slightly inclined from the horizontal plane so that it is positioned lower as it is positioned further back. The front end of the end 71b is continuously connected to the rear end of the base 71a. The end 71b is a plate with an arc-shaped cross-section and is positioned lower as it is positioned further back. The end 71b is positioned above the rotation axis 11a of the first rotating member 11.

[0049] With respect to the horizontal direction of the first lane L1, the area behind the second specified distance from the rotation center of the second rotating member 12 is a second missing section 61b of the first rail where the first rail 61 is not positioned.

[0050] A first shock stand 81 is provided at the end (front end) of the first rail 61, that is, at the second missing section 61b of the first rail. The first shock stand 81 consists of a flat portion 81a, which is plate-like and whose upper surface coincides with the horizontal plane, and a curved portion 81b, which is plate-like with an arc-shaped cross-section, is continuously connected to the front end of the flat portion 81a, and is located downward as it moves forward. The upper surface of the flat portion 81a of the first shock stand 81 is located below the upper surface of the first rail 61. In this embodiment, the rear end of the first shock stand 81 is attached to the front end of the first rail 61 and protrudes forward of the first rail 61.

[0051] A second guide rail 72 is positioned in front of the first shock stand 81 in the second missing section 61b of the first rail. The second guide rail 72 consists of a sliding section 72a, a starting end 72b, and an ending end 72c. The sliding section 72a is rectangular in shape, and its upper surface coincides with the horizontal plane. The upper surface of the sliding section 72a is located below the upper surface of the first rail 61, but above the lower end of the roller 54 of the receiving section 50 in a rotating state.

[0052] The starting end 72b is rectangular in shape, with its front end continuously connected to the rear end of the sliding section 72a, and is inclined from the horizontal plane so that it is positioned downward as it moves further back. The rear end of the starting end 72b and the bent section 81b of the first shock stand 81 are adjacent with a small gap between them. The sliding section 72a of the second guide rail 72 and the flat section 81a of the first shock stand 81 are at almost the same height, but in this embodiment, the sliding section 72a of the second guide rail 72 is slightly lower than the flat section 81a of the first shock stand 81. The ending end 72c is rectangular in shape, with its rear end continuously connected to the front end of the sliding section 72a, and is inclined from the horizontal plane so that it is positioned downward as it moves further forward.

[0053] With respect to the horizontal direction of the second lane L2, the area to the rear of the rotation center of the second rotating member 12 by a third specified distance is a second rail first missing section 62a where the second rail 62 is not positioned. A third guide rail 73 is positioned in the second rail first missing section 62a. The third guide rail 73 is composed of a direction changing section 73a, an intermediate section 73b, and a connecting section 73c, from front to rear.

[0054] The direction-changing section 73a is a plate-like shape with an arc-shaped cross-section and is positioned below the second rotating member 12. The upper surface of the direction-changing section 73a is positioned upward as it moves forward. The front end of the direction-changing section 73a is positioned forward and below the rotation axis 12a of the second rotating member 12. The intermediate section 73b is a plate-like shape with an arc-shaped cross-section that has a larger radius of curvature than the direction-changing section 73a, and its front end is continuously connected to the rear end of the direction-changing section 73a. The upper surface of the intermediate section 73b is positioned upward as it moves backward. The connecting section 73c is a rectangular plate-like shape, positioned horizontally, with its front end continuously connected to the front end of the intermediate section 73b, and the upper surface of its rear end continuously connected to the upper surface of the second rail 62.

[0055] With respect to the horizontal direction of the second lane L2, the area forward of the third rotating member 13 by a fourth specified distance is a second missing section 62b of the second rail where the second rail 62 is not positioned.

[0056] A second shock stand 82 is provided at the end (rear end) of the second rail 62, that is, at the second missing section 62b of the second rail. The second shock stand 82 consists of a flat portion 82a, which is plate-like and whose upper surface coincides with the horizontal plane, and a curved portion 82b, which is plate-like with an arc-shaped cross-section, is continuously connected to the rear end of the flat portion 82a, and is located downward as it moves further rearward. The upper surface of the flat portion 82a of the second shock stand 82 is located below the upper surface of the second rail 62. In this embodiment, the rear end of the second shock stand 82 is attached to the rear end of the second rail 62 and protrudes further rearward than the second rail 62.

[0057] A fourth guide rail 74 is positioned in the second missing section 62b of the second rail. The fourth guide rail 74 consists of a sliding section 74a, a starting end 74b, and a ending end 74c. The sliding section 74a is rectangular in shape, and its upper surface coincides with the horizontal plane. The upper surface of the sliding section 74a is located below the upper surface of the first rail 61, but above the lower end of the roller 54 of the receiving section 50 in a rotating state.

[0058] The starting end 74b is rectangular in shape, with its rear end continuously connected to the front end of the sliding section 74a, and is inclined from the horizontal plane so that it is positioned downward as it moves forward. The front end of the starting end 74b and the bent section 82b of the second shock stand 82 are adjacent with a small gap between them. The sliding section 74a of the fourth guide rail 74 and the flat section 82a of the second shock stand 82 are at almost the same height, but in this embodiment, the sliding section 74a of the fourth guide rail 74 is slightly lower than the flat section 82a of the second shock stand 82. The ending end 74c is rectangular in shape, with its front end continuously connected to the rear end of the sliding section 74a, and is inclined from the horizontal plane so that it is positioned downward as it moves backward.

[0059] With respect to the horizontal direction of the third lane L3, the area forward of the third rotating member 13 by a fifth specified distance is a third rail first missing section 63a where the third rail 63 is not positioned.

[0060] A fifth guide rail 75 is provided in the first missing section 63a of the third rail. The fifth guide rail 75 is plate-shaped with an arc-shaped cross-section, and the upper surface of its front end is continuously connected to the upper surface of the third rail 63. The upper surface of the fifth guide rail 75 is located lower as it moves towards the rear.

[0061] With respect to the horizontal direction of the third lane L3, the area to the rear of the fourth rotating member 14 by a sixth specified distance is a third rail second missing section 63b where the third rail 63 is not positioned.

[0062] A third shock stand 83 is provided at the end (front end) of the third rail 63, that is, at the second missing section 63b of the third rail. The third shock stand 83 consists of a flat section 83a and a bent section 83b, and its structure is the same as that of the first shock stand 81.

[0063] A fifth guide rail 75 is positioned in the second missing section 63b of the third rail. The fifth guide rail 75 consists of a sliding section 75a, a starting end 75b, and a ending end 75c, and its structure is the same as that of the second guide rail 72.

[0064] With respect to the horizontal direction of the fourth lane L4, the area forward of the fourth rotating member 14 by a specified distance of seven from the rotation center is a first missing section 64a of the fourth rail where the fourth rail 64 is not positioned.

[0065] A sixth guide rail 76 is positioned in the first missing section 64a of the fourth rail. The sixth guide rail 76 consists of a direction-changing section 76a, an intermediate section 76b, and a connecting section 76c, running from front to rear. The sixth guide rail 76 has the same structure as the second guide rail 72 described above.

[0066] With respect to the horizontal direction of the fourth lane L4, the area forward of the fifth rotating member 15 by an eighth specified distance is a fourth rail second missing section 64b where the fourth rail 64 is not positioned.

[0067] A fourth shock stand 84 is provided at the end (rear end) of the fourth rail 64, that is, at the second missing section 64b of the fourth rail. The fourth shock stand 84 consists of a flat section 84a and a bent section 84b, and its configuration is the same as that of the second shock stand 82.

[0068] A seventh guide rail 77 is positioned in the second missing section 64b of the fourth rail. The seventh guide rail 77 consists of a sliding section 77a, a starting end 77b, and a ending end 77c, and its structure is the same as that of the fourth guide rail 74.

[0069] (Regarding the operation of the device) Next, the movement of the carbon-containing material as it is transported by the receiving section 50 will be explained along with the movement of the receiving section 50.

[0070] When carbon-containing material is supplied from the supply port 1f to the starting end of the first lane L1 (Figure 1(1)), this carbon-containing material is received by the receiving part 50 and moved together with the receiving part 50 from the starting end (rear end) to the ending end (front end) of the first lane L1 (Figure 1(2)).

[0071] When the receiving section 50 moves to the second missing section 61b of the first rail adjacent to the end of the first rail 61 (Figure 1 (3)), the receiving section 50 rotates. As a result, the rollers 54 of the receiving section 50 come into contact with the flat section 81a of the first shock stand 81, and the receiving section 50 is subjected to an impact. As a result, the conveyed object falls from the receiving section 50 to the receiving section 50 of the second lane L2 below.

[0072] When the roller 54 of the receiving part 50 comes into contact with the starting end 72b of the second guide rail 72 (Figure 1 (4)), the rotation of the receiving part 50 is suppressed until it rotates further and becomes upside down. Then, as the receiving part 50 moves further forward, the receiving part 50 moves to the front side of the second guide rail 72 while the roller 54 rolls on the sliding part 72a of the second guide rail 72 (Figure 4 (5)).

[0073] The roller 54 of the receiving portion 50, which is in a rotating state at the portion of the second rotating member 12, comes into contact with the upper surface of the direction changing portion 73a of the third guide rail 73 and rolls along the upper surface of the direction changing portion 73a (Figure 1 (6)). At this time, the receiving portion 50, which is in a rotating state, gradually rotates to become horizontal. Then, the roller 54 rolls along the upper surfaces of the intermediate portion 73b and the connecting portion 73c, and the receiving portion 50, now in a horizontal state, is guided to the starting end (front end) of the second rail 62 (Figure 1 (7)).

[0074] When the receiving section 50 moves to the second missing section 62b of the second rail adjacent to the end of the second rail 62, the receiving section 50 rotates (Figure 1 (8)). Then, the rollers 54 of the receiving section 50 come into contact with the flat section 82a of the second shock stand 82, and the receiving section 50 is subjected to an impact. As a result, the conveyed object falls from the receiving section 50 to the receiving section 50 of the third lane L3 below.

[0075] When the roller 54 of the receiving part 50 comes into contact with the starting end 74b of the fourth guide rail 74 (Figure 1 (9)), the rotation of the receiving part 50 is suppressed until it rotates further and becomes upside down. Then, as the receiving part 50 moves further backward, the receiving part 50 maintains its rotational state, and the roller 54 rolls on the sliding part 72a of the second guide rail 72, moving to the rear side of the fourth guide rail 74 (Figure 4 (10)).

[0076] The roller 54 of the receiving portion 50, which is in a rotating state at the portion of the third rotating member 13, comes into contact with the upper surface of the fifth guide rail 75 and rolls along the upper surface of the fifth guide rail 75 (Figure 1 (11)). At this time, the receiving portion 50, which is in a rotating state, gradually rotates to become horizontal. Then, the roller 54 rolls along the upper surface of the fifth guide rail 75, and the receiving portion 50, now in a horizontal state, is guided to the starting end (rear end) of the third rail 63 (Figure 1 (12)).

[0077] The movement of the receiving portion 50 as it passes through the third shock stand 83 is the same as the movement of the receiving portion 50 as it passes through the first shock stand 81 described above. Also, the movement of the receiving portion 50 as it passes through the fifth guide rail 75 is the same as the movement of the receiving portion 50 as it passes through the second guide rail 72 described above.

[0078] When the receiving section 50 moves to the second missing section 42b of the fourth rail adjacent to the end of the fourth rail 64, the receiving section 50 rotates (Figure 1 (13)). Then, the roller 54 of the receiving section 50 comes into contact with the flat section 84a of the fourth shock stand 84, and the receiving section 50 is subjected to an impact. As a result, the conveyed material falls from the receiving section 50 into the collection member 1h. The conveyed material that falls into the collection member 1h passes through the second rocker valve 3 and is discharged from the discharge port 3a2.

[0079] The movement of the receiving portion 50 as it passes through the seventh guide rail 77 is the same as the movement of the receiving portion 50 as it passes through the fourth guide rail 74 as described above.

[0080] (Effect of the device) The effects of the apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described below. The device 100 includes a box-shaped housing 1, a first rotating member 11 rotatably disposed within the housing 1, a second rotating member 12 rotatably disposed within the housing 1 at a horizontal distance from the first rotating member 11, an annular member 30 engaged with and wrapped around the first rotating member 11 and the second rotating member 12, a drive unit 40 for driving the annular member 30, a plurality of receiving portions 50 that are continuously rotatably attached to the annular member 30 so as to be adjacent to each other and on which conveyed objects are placed, a first rail 61 positioned horizontally below the annular member 30 between the upper end of the first rotating member 11 and the upper end of the second rotating member 12, with its upper surface in contact with the lower surface of the receiving portion 50 to support the receiving portion 50 in a horizontal position, and a second rail 62 positioned horizontally below the annular member 30 between the lower end of the first rotating member 11 and the lower end of the second rotating member 12, with its upper surface in contact with the lower surface of the receiving portion 50 to support the receiving portion 50 in a horizontal position. The first rail 61 has a second missing section 61b of the first rail that is not positioned at a predetermined distance from the rotation axis 12a of the second rotating member 12 toward the first rotating member in the horizontal direction. The device 100 is configured such that when the receiving portion 50, which moves horizontally in conjunction with the rotation of the annular member 30, approaches the second missing section 61b of the first rail, the receiving portion 50 rotates from its horizontal position, and the conveyed object placed on the receiving portion 50 and being conveyed falls onto the receiving portion 50, which is supported by the second rail 62.

[0081] According to this configuration, air is blown not only onto the conveyed material being transported in the receiving section 50 between the upper end of the first rotating member 11 and the upper end of the second rotating member 12, but also onto the conveyed material being transported in the receiving section 50 between the lower end of the first rotating member 11 and the lower end of the second rotating member 12. Therefore, compared to a device in which air is blown only onto the conveyed material being transported in the receiving section 50 between the upper end of the first rotating member 11 and the upper end of the second rotating member 12, the conveyed material can be heated and carbonized in the same way even if the horizontal dimension of the annular member 30 is shortened. Thus, the device 100 for heating the conveyed material can be made more compact. In this embodiment, in addition to the first lane L1 and the second lane L2, a third lane L3 and a fourth lane L4 are provided, so the horizontal dimension of the device 100 can be shortened even further.

[0082] Furthermore, the pivot point of the receiving portion 50 on the first rail 61 relative to the annular member 30 is characterized in that, with respect to the transport direction, it is eccentric towards the second rotating member 12 side from the center of the receiving portion 50 in the width direction.

[0083] According to this, when the receiving portion 50, which moves horizontally as the annular member 30 rotates, approaches the second missing section 61b of the first rail, the receiving portion 50 reliably rotates from its horizontal position. As a result, the transported object placed on the receiving portion 50 can be reliably dropped onto the lower receiving portion 50.

[0084] A roller 54, which serves as a weight, is provided at the end of the receiving portion 50 on the first rail 61 that is on the side of the first rotating member 11.

[0085] According to this, when the receiving portion 50, which moves horizontally as the annular member 30 rotates, approaches the second missing section 61b of the first rail, the receiving portion 50 reliably rotates from its horizontal position. Therefore, the transported object placed on the receiving portion 50 and being transported can be reliably dropped onto the lower receiving portion 50.

[0086] The receiving portion 50 is characterized by a roller 54 that rotates in contact with the upper surfaces of the first rail 61 to the fourth rail 64.

[0087] According to this, since the roller 54 rotates in contact with the upper surfaces of the first rail 61 to the fourth rail 64, wear caused by the receiving part 50 contacting the upper surfaces of the first rail 61 to the fourth rail 64 can be suppressed. In addition, since friction between the receiving part 50 and the first rail 61 to the fourth rail 64 can be reduced, the driving force generated by the drive unit 40 can be reduced, making it possible to achieve energy savings for the device 100.

[0088] Furthermore, a first shock stand 81 is provided in the second missing section 61b of the first rail adjacent to the end of the first rail 61, and is located below the upper surface of the first rail 61. When the receiving portion 50 is moved to the second missing section 61b of the first rail adjacent to the end of the first rail 61, the receiving portion 50 rotates and is configured to come into contact with the first shock stand 81.

[0089] According to this, when the receiving portion 50 is moved to the second missing section 61b of the first rail adjacent to the end of the first rail 61, the receiving portion 50 rotates and comes into contact with the first shock stand 81, thereby applying an impact to the receiving portion 50. As a result, the transported object can be reliably dropped from the receiving portion 50 to the receiving portion 50 on the lower side.

[0090] Furthermore, the device 100 has a first guide rail 71 that connects from above the rotation axis of the first rotating member 11 to the upper surface of the starting end of the first rail 61. The upper surface of the end of the first guide rail 71 on the side of the first rotating member 11 is positioned downward as it moves away from the starting end of the first rail 61. The lower part of the receiving portion 50 abuts against the upper surface of the first guide rail 71, so that the receiving portion 50 becomes horizontal and is guided to the first rail 61.

[0091] According to this, the first guide rail 71 ensures that the receiving portion 50 is guided to the first rail 61 in a horizontal position. This prevents the receiving portion 50 from being guided to the first rail 61 in an upside-down position. Furthermore, since the upper surface of the end of the first guide rail 71 on the side of the first rotating member 11 is located downward as it moves away from the starting end of the first rail, the receiving portion 50 is prevented from slipping under the first guide rail 71, and the receiving portion 50 is reliably guided above the first guide rail 71.

[0092] Furthermore, the device 100 has a second guide rail 72 positioned spaced apart from the end of the first rail 61. The upper surface of the second guide rail 72 is located below the upper surface of the first rail 61, but above the lower end of the receiving portion 50 which is located between the first rail 61 and the second guide rail 72 and rotates.

[0093] According to this, as the receiving portion 50 advances further from the end of the first rail, the lower end of the receiving portion 50, that is, the roller 54, comes into contact with the upper surface of the second guide rail 72. This prevents the receiving portion 50 from rotating further and becoming upside down. In addition, it prevents the receiving portion 50 from falling off the annular member 30 due to excessive rotation of the receiving portion 50.

[0094] Furthermore, the device 100 has a third guide rail 73 that is connected to the starting end of the second rail 62 and is located below the rotation axis of the second rotating member 12. The third guide rail 73 has a direction-changing portion 73a formed thereon that is positioned upward as the upper surface is positioned towards the starting end of the second rail 62.

[0095] According to this, the roller 54, which is the lower end of the receiving portion 50 that is moving and rotating in the second rotating member 12, comes into contact with the upper surface of the direction changing portion 73a and slides. At this time, the receiving portion 50, which is in a rotating state, gradually rotates to become horizontal, and the receiving portion 50, now in a horizontal state, is guided to the starting end of the second rail 62. Therefore, the receiving portion 50, which is in a rotating state, can be reliably brought to a horizontal state and guided to the starting end of the second rail 62.

[0096] Furthermore, the upper surface of the receiving portion 50 has a shape that is concave downwards from both ends toward the center in the direction of transport.

[0097] According to this design, the conveyed material is placed along the upper surface of the recessed receiving section 50, so the surface area of ​​the conveyed material that comes into contact with superheated steam is increased compared to a structure where the upper surface of the receiving section 50 is flat. As a result, the conveyed material being transported by the receiving section 50 can be heated and carbonized more efficiently. Therefore, the horizontal dimension of the annular member 30 can be further reduced, making the device 100 for heating and carbonizing the conveyed material more compact.

[0098] Furthermore, the receiving portion 50 has a number of communication holes 51a1 that connect the upper surface and the lower surface of the receiving portion 50.

[0099] According to this, the conveyed material being transported by the receiving section 50 comes into contact with superheated steam not only from above but also from below through the communication hole 51a1. Therefore, the conveyed material being transported by the receiving section 50 can be heated and carbonized more efficiently. As a result, the horizontal dimension of the annular member 30 can be further reduced, making the device 100 for heating and carbonizing the conveyed material more compact.

[0100] (Other embodiments) The present invention has been described above in relation to the most practical and preferred embodiments at present. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed in this specification and can be modified as appropriate, as long as it does not contradict the gist or idea of ​​the invention as can be inferred from the claims and the specification as a whole. Such modified devices should also be understood to be included within the technical scope of the patent.

[0101] In the embodiments described above, the first to fifth rotating members 11 to 15 are sprockets, and the annular member 30 is a chain. In some embodiments, the first to fifth rotating members 11 to 15 are pulleys, and the annular member 30 is a belt.

[0102] In the embodiments described above, the driving rotating member 41 and the driven rotating member 42 are sprockets, and the transmission member 43 is a chain. In some embodiments, the driving rotating member 41 and the driven rotating member 42 are pulleys, and the transmission member 43 is a belt.

[0103] In the embodiments described above, the driven rotating member 42 is non-rotatably attached to the fifth rotating member 15, and the fifth rotating member 15 is rotationally driven by the drive unit 40. Alternatively, the driven rotating member 42 may be non-rotatably attached to any of the first rotating members 11 to the fourth rotating members 14, and any of the first rotating members 11 to the fourth rotating members 14, which are non-rotatably attached to the driven rotating member 42, may be rotationally driven by the drive unit 40. Alternatively, the drive unit 40 may directly rotationally drive the annular member 30.

[0104] In the embodiments described above, a roller 54 is attached to the bulging portion 52c. However, there may also be embodiments in which the roller 54 is not attached to the bulging portion 52c. In this embodiment, the bulging portion 52c acts as a weight.

[0105] In the embodiments described above, superheated steam is supplied to the inlet 1d, and the apparatus 100 is a carbonization apparatus for carbonizing carbon-containing material. In an embodiment where cold air or room temperature air is supplied to the inlet 1d, the apparatus 100 is a cooling apparatus for cooling the conveyed material. Alternatively, in an embodiment where dry air is supplied to the inlet 1d, the apparatus 100 is a drying apparatus for drying the conveyed material. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0106] 1 cabinet 11 First rotating member 12 Second rotating member 13. Third rotating member 14. Fourth rotating member 15 Fifth rotating member 30 Annular member 40 Drive unit 50 Receiving part 61 First Rail 61b Missing interval 62 Second Rail 71 First guide rail 72. Second guide rail 72a Sliding section 72b Starting end 73 Third Guide Rail 73a Direction change section 81. First Shock Stand (Shock Stand)

Claims

1. A box-shaped enclosure (1), A first rotating member (11) is rotatably arranged within the housing, A second rotating member (12) is rotatably arranged within the housing, spaced horizontally apart from the first rotating member, An annular member (30) that is engaged with and wrapped around the first rotating member and the second rotating member, The annular member is driven by a drive unit (40), Multiple receiving parts (50) are attached to the annular member so as to be continuously rotatable and adjacent to each other, on which the conveyed object is placed, A first rail (61) is positioned horizontally below the annular member between the upper end of the first rotating member and the upper end of the second rotating member, with its upper surface in contact with the lower surface of the receiving portion to support the receiving portion in a horizontal position, The device includes a second rail (62) positioned horizontally below the annular member between the lower end of the first rotating member and the lower end of the second rotating member, the upper surface of which contacts the bottom surface of the receiving portion to support the receiving portion in a horizontal position, The first rail has a missing section (61b) that is not located at a specified distance from the rotation center of the second rotating member toward the first rotating member in the horizontal direction, The apparatus is characterized in that, when the receiving portion, which moves horizontally, approaches the missing section, the receiving portion rotates from its horizontal position, causing the transported object placed on the receiving portion to fall onto the receiving portion supported by the second rail.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot point of the receiving portion on the first rail with respect to the annular member is eccentric with respect to the transport direction, with respect to the center of the receiving portion toward the second rotating member.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a weight is provided at the end of the receiving portion on the first rail that is on the side of the first rotating member.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the weight is a roller that rotates in contact with the upper surface of the first rail or the second rail.

5. In the missing section adjacent to the end of the first rail, a shock stand (81) is provided, which is located below the upper surface of the first rail. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the receiving portion is moved to the missing section adjacent to the end of the first rail, the receiving portion rotates so that it contacts the shock stand.

6. The first rotating member has a first guide rail (71) that connects from above the axis of rotation to the upper surface of the starting end of the first rail, The upper surface of the end of the first guide rail on the side of the first rotating member is located downward as it moves away from the starting end of the first rail. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the lower part of the receiving portion abuts against the upper surface of the first guide rail, so that the receiving portion becomes horizontal and is guided onto the first rail.

7. The first rail has a second guide rail (72) positioned spaced apart from its end, The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper surface of the second guide rail is located below the upper surface of the first rail, and above the lower end of the receiving portion which is located between the first rail and the second guide rail and rotates.

8. It has a third guide rail (73) that is connected to the starting end of the second rail and located below the rotation axis of the second rotating member, The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the third guide rail has a direction-changing portion (73a) formed thereon which is positioned upward as the upper surface is positioned toward the starting end of the second rail.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper surface of the receiving portion is recessed downward from both ends toward the center with respect to the conveying direction.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving portion has a number of communication holes that connect the upper surface and the lower surface of the receiving portion.

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