Input system, ingot holding method, and container for holding an ingot

Abstract

To provide a feeding system capable of stably feeding a necessary amount of ingot to a melting holding furnace, and also to provide an ingot holding method and a container for holding an ingot.SOLUTION: A feeding system is configured to melt an ingot and feed the ingot to a melting holding furnace main body for holding a molten metal. The feeding system includes: a container in a long shape, configured to hold a plurality of ingots having the same shape; and a feeding device configured to take out one or more ingots including an ingot positioned at a highest location from the container and to feed the ingot having been taken out to an inside of the melting holding furnace main body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging system for charging an ingot into a melting and holding furnace that supplies molten metal to a die-casting machine, a low-pressure casting machine, a gravity casting machine, etc. that use a metal such as aluminum as a raw material, a method for holding the ingot used in the charging system, and a container for holding the ingot.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for charging an ingot into a melting and holding furnace that melts and holds a metal such as aluminum has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for supplying an ingot to an aluminum melting furnace. In this method, a carrying-in device that holds vertically long ingots concentrically is used. The ingots are taken out one by one from this carrying-in device and charged into the melting furnace (paragraphs 0012, 0018, 0024 of the specification of Patent Document 1, FIG. 5, etc.).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described carrying-in device, by holding each ingot individually, it is possible to surely carry out the ingot. On the other hand, since only one ingot can be handled at a time, there may be a case where the supply amount of the ingot cannot catch up with the consumption amount of the molten metal depending on the consumption amount of the molten metal.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a charging system, a method for holding an ingot, and a container for holding an ingot that can stably supply a necessary amount of ingot to a melting and holding furnace.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a charging system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a charging system for charging an ingot into a melting and holding furnace body that melts the ingot and holds the molten metal, a container that holds a plurality of the long and identical ingots, a charging device that takes out one or more of the ingots including the ingot at the highest position from the container and charges the taken-out ingots into the melting and holding furnace body and includes.

[0007] The container may hold the plurality of ingots such that the vertical positions of the upper ends of the respective ingots are different.

[0008] In this charging system, a plurality of long ingots mounted on the container are each charged into the melting and holding furnace body by the charging device. The container holds the ingots such that the vertical positions of the upper ends of the respective ingots are different. Thereby, it becomes possible to arrange the plurality of ingots in a stable state. Also, the ingots are taken out so as to include the ingot at the highest position. Thereby, it becomes possible to stably supply a necessary amount of ingots to the melting and holding furnace.

[0009] The container may hold the plurality of ingots arranged so as to overlap each other with their respective long axes inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

[0010] The container holds the plurality of ingots arranged so as to overlap each other with their respective long axes inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Thereby, it becomes possible to arrange the plurality of ingots in a stable state. Also, the ingots are taken out so as to include the ingot on the side opposite to the inclined side of the ingot. Thereby, it becomes possible to stably supply a necessary amount of ingots to the melting and holding furnace.

[0011] The container may have: a floor member having a floor surface on which the lower ends of each of the plurality of ingots contact; a support member that supports the floor member in a state where the floor surface is inclined with respect to a horizontal reference plane; and a support member that supports the ingot at the lowest position among the plurality of ingots whose lower ends contact the floor surface. It may have.

[0012] When the lower end of the ingot is placed on the inclined floor surface, the ingot is pressed against the support member by its own weight. As a result, the plurality of ingots are arranged in a stable state, so that, for example, situations such as the ingot tilting in an unexpected direction or falling over are avoided. This makes it possible to support a plurality of ingots that are inclined on the floor surface collectively, and it becomes possible to stabilize the handling of the ingots with a simple configuration.

[0013] The support member may support the ingot such that the long axis of the ingot in contact with the floor surface is orthogonal to the floor surface.

[0014] Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to align both ends of each ingot, and it becomes possible to carry out the ingot with an easy operation.

[0015] The support member may support the ingot at two points spaced apart in the direction of the long axis of the ingot.

[0016] The support members are provided at two points spaced apart in the direction of the long axis of the ingot. For this reason, when the container is installed on the reference plane with the support member on the lower side, the ingot is placed on the support member, and another ingot is placed on this ingot, so that a plurality of ingots are stacked. Thereby, with the container holding the ingots, the container can be installed on the reference plane with the support member on the lower side.

[0017] The support surface, which is a plane including the two points where the support member supports the ingot, may be perpendicular to the floor surface.

[0018] Thereby, when the support member supports the ingot, the long axis of the ingot whose lower end contacts the floor surface is perpendicular to the floor surface. That is, when the container is installed on the reference surface with the floor member on the lower side in the vertical direction, the inclination angle of the support surface and the long axis of the ingot with respect to the vertical direction is the same as the inclination angle of the floor surface with respect to the reference surface. Thereby, a plurality of ingots are arranged in a stable state.

[0019] When the container is installed on the reference surface with the support member on the lower side, the support surface may be horizontal.

[0020] Thereby, with the container holding the ingot, the container can be stably installed on the reference surface with the support member on the lower side.

[0021] The support member a stopper member that restricts the lower end of the ingot from detaching from the floor surface to the outside of the container; a beam member that is provided at a distance from the floor surface more than the stopper member and supports the ingot; may have.

[0022] Thereby, it becomes possible to reliably hold a plurality of ingots in an inclined state.

[0023] The stopper member supports the ingot between the center in the direction of the long axis of the ingot and the floor surface, The beam member may support the ingot at a position farther from the floor surface than the center.

[0024] The inner surface of the stopper member supports the ingot between the center in the direction of the long axis of the ingot and the floor surface. Thereby, the stopper member restricts the lower end of the ingot from detaching (slipping out) from the floor surface to the outside of the container. The inner surface of the beam member supports the ingot at a position farther from the floor surface than the center in the direction of the long axis of the ingot. In other words, the beam member is provided at a distance from the floor surface than the stopper member and supports the upper end side rather than the center in the direction of the long axis of the ingot. Thereby, the beam member restricts the upper end side of the ingot from detaching (falling out) from the container to the outside.

[0025] The container may have at least one guide portion into which the fork of a forklift is inserted.

[0026] The guide portion a first guide portion disposed on the floor member side, or a second guide portion disposed on the support member side may include at least one of them.

[0027] The first guide portion may be configured such that the fork can be inserted in parallel with the reference plane in a state where the floor surface is inclined with respect to the reference plane when the container is installed on the reference plane with the floor member on the lower side.

[0028] Thereby, when the fork is horizontally inserted into the first guide portion to carry the container, the state where the floor surface of the floor member is inclined with respect to the reference plane is maintained. Thereby, each ingot in the container is pressed against the support member by its own weight, and it becomes possible to arrange a plurality of ingots in a stable state even during transportation of the container.

[0029] The second guide portion may be configured such that the fork can be inserted in parallel with the reference plane in a state where the support surface is horizontal when the container is installed on the reference plane with the support member on the lower side.

[0030] Thus, when the fork is horizontally inserted into the second guide portion to carry the container, the supporting surface (i.e., a virtual plane including the inner surface of the stopper member and the inner surface of the beam member) is maintained in a horizontal state. As a result, the first surface of each ingot in the container is horizontally placed on the inner surface of the stopper member and the inner surface of the beam member. Therefore, even when the container is carried with the support member on the lower side, it is possible to horizontally stack a plurality of ingots in a stable state.

[0031] The length from the highest position of the floor surface to the upper end of the container is longer than the length of the ingot in the direction of the long axis, A plurality of the containers may be vertically stacked with the floor member on the lower side.

[0032] Therefore, by placing one container on the upper end of another container, a plurality of containers can be vertically stacked with the floor member on the lower side. When the ingots are arranged on the floor member, the upper end of the support member is higher than the upper end of the ingot. Therefore, it is possible to stack a plurality of containers while holding the ingots in the containers.

[0033] When the container is installed on the reference surface with the floor member on the lower side, the inclination angle of the floor surface with respect to the reference surface may be 5° or more and 10° or less.

[0034] When the inclination angle of the floor surface with respect to the reference surface is 5° or more and 10° or less, the ingots are pressed against the support member by their own weight, and a plurality of ingots are arranged in a stable state. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently suppress the toppling of the ingots. Also, since the inclination angle is not too large, it is possible to easily perform handling during unloading.

[0035] The container may have a pair of restricting members that restrict the plurality of ingots from detaching from the container in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged.

[0036] A pair of restricting members can restrict the plurality of ingots from detaching from the container in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged.

[0037] The ingot has a first surface and a second surface that extend along a long axis and are parallel to each other. The container may hold a plurality of groups of a predetermined number of the ingots arranged in a state where the first surface or the second surface is in contact with each other as one group.

[0038] By dividing the groups, it becomes possible to simplify the access positions and the like of each ingot. As a result, it becomes possible to access the ingot with a simple configuration.

[0039] The first surface and the second surface of the ingot may be flat surfaces.

[0040] Since the surfaces where the ingots contact each other are flat, for example, it becomes possible to suppress catching or the like when carrying the ingot out of the container. As a result, it becomes possible to prevent the ingot from falling over and realize stable handling.

[0041] The container may have a separating member that separates the plurality of groups in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged.

[0042] As a result, for example, a situation where the positions of the ingots shift during the conveyance of the container can be avoided, and it becomes possible to properly maintain the positions of the ingots divided into groups.

[0043] The container may have a partition member that separates the plurality of groups in the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged.

[0044] As a result, even when there is a tolerance in the size of the ingot, the position of the ingot in the container is determined regardless of the variation in the size of the ingot, so that it is possible to reliably take out the ingot using the hook portion of the input device.

[0045] The partition member may be detachable.

[0046] By removing the partition member from the container, it is also possible to bind all the ingots together with a band during transportation or the like.

[0047] The predetermined number of ingots included in each group may be taken out of the container simultaneously.

[0048] Thus, in order to partition the groups of ingots to be taken out simultaneously within the container, it is possible to reliably take out the ingots for each group using the hook portion of the charging device.

[0049] The ingot may be an aluminum casting.

[0050] It becomes possible to stably handle aluminum ingots.

[0051] The container may have a first open end facing the vertical direction with respect to the floor member and a second open end facing the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged with respect to the support member side.

[0052] Through this first open end and / or the second open end, it is possible to put the ingots into and take them out of the container.

[0053] The container is installed on the reference surface with the floor member on the lower side, The charging device may access the upper end of the ingot from the second open end and take out one or two or more of the ingots from the first open end.

[0054] Thereby, it becomes possible to reliably carry out the necessary amount of ingots without tipping them over, and it becomes possible to stably supply the necessary amount of ingots to the melting holding furnace.

[0055] The ingot has an opening hole at the upper end, The container may hold the plurality of ingots such that the respective opening holes communicate in the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged.

[0056] By arranging the opening holes to communicate in this way, it becomes possible to easily handle a plurality of ingots simultaneously.

[0057] The charging device has a hook for suspending one or more of the ingots using the opening hole, The hook may access the opening hole and take out one or more of the ingots from the first open end.

[0058] This makes it possible to easily suspend the ingot without tipping it over. Also, it can be directly charged into the melting holding furnace body from the suspended state, and the charging operation can be simplified.

[0059] The plurality of ingots are arranged in a matrix on the reference plane, The charging device, a linear stage that moves the container and / or the hook in the direction of the reference plane and moves the hook in the direction of charging the ingot, or a robotic arm that moves the hook in the direction of the reference plane and in the direction of charging the ingot may be provided.

[0060] For example, by using a linear stage, it is possible to simplify the configuration and control of the charging device. Also, for example, by using a robotic arm, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the charging operation.

[0061] The container may be mounted on a gantry and installed at a position with reference to the charging device.

[0062] This enables the container carried by a forklift or the like to be placed at an appropriate position, and enables stable access to each ingot.

[0063] The container may be mounted on a carriage and fixed by a fixing mechanism at a position with reference to the charging device.

[0064] This enables the container carried by an AGV or the like to be placed at an appropriate position, and enables stable access to each ingot.

[0065] The floor member is rectangular. Two of the support members are provided at at least one set of diagonals of the rectangular floor member. The fixing mechanism may fix the container by pressing the two support members in the diagonal direction.

[0066] To achieve the above object, an ingot holding method according to an aspect of the present invention is A method of holding an ingot in a container for holding an ingot used in a charging system that melts an ingot and charges the ingot into a melting and holding furnace body that holds the melted metal, A plurality of long and identical ingots are held so that one or more of the ingots including the ingot at the highest position can be taken out from the container.

[0067] To achieve the above object, a container for holding an ingot according to an aspect of the present invention is A container for holding an ingot used in a charging system that melts an ingot and charges the ingot into a melting and holding furnace body that holds the melted metal, A plurality of long and identical ingots are held so that one or more of the ingots including the ingot at the highest position can be taken out from the container.

Advantages of the Invention

[0068] As described above, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to stably supply a necessary amount of ingots to the melting and holding furnace. Conventionally, in addition to the step of an operator setting the ingots manufactured by the secondary alloy manufacturer in the loading device, only about 20 ingots can be set in the loading device. Instead of the operation of charging the ingots into the melting furnace, the ingots are set in the loading device, and the burden on the operator does not change significantly. On the other hand, in the present disclosure, a large number (for example, 96) of ingots are put into containers by the secondary alloy manufacturer and transported to the factory where the melting and holding furnace is located, and then directly into the ingot input beside the melting and holding furnace. Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and any of the effects described in the present disclosure may be applicable.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0070] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0071] I. First Embodiment

[0072] FIG. 1 schematically shows a charging system and a melting and holding furnace according to the first embodiment.

[0073] The charging system 100 includes a container 300 and a charging device 400. The charging device 400 takes out a plurality of long and identical ingots 30 mounted on the container 300 from the container 300 and charges the taken-out ingots 30 into the melting and holding furnace 200.

[0074] 1. Melting and Holding Furnace

[0075] The melting and holding furnace 200 includes a melting and holding furnace main body 210 and an ingot charging section 220.

[0076] The melting and holding furnace main body 210 melts the ingot 30 and holds the melted metal. The melting and holding furnace main body 210 includes a material insertion chamber 230, a heating and holding chamber 240, and a pumping chamber 250.

[0077] The upper surface 231 of the material insertion chamber 230 is open. The ingot charging section 220 is arranged on the open upper surface 231 of the material insertion chamber 230. The upper surface 251 of the pumping chamber 250 is open.

[0078] The material insertion chamber 230 melts the ingot 30 charged from the ingot charging section 220. In the present disclosure, an ingot 30 made of aluminum is charged and melted in the material insertion chamber 230.

[0079] The heating and holding chamber 240 communicates with the material insertion chamber 230 and heats and holds the aluminum melted in the material insertion chamber 230.

[0080] The pumping chamber 250 communicates with the heating and holding chamber 240 via a flow path 241. The melted aluminum in the pumping chamber 250 is typically pumped out from the open upper surface 251 of the pumping chamber 250 by a ladle (not shown) and supplied to a die-casting machine (not shown).

[0081] Furthermore, the melting and holding furnace 200 includes a rod-shaped electric heater 211 that is inserted toward the molten aluminum held within the melting and holding furnace main body 210 and heats the molten aluminum. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for a gas furnace, resulting in simple and safe equipment. Note that the heating method and the like are not limited, and a gas furnace or the like may be used.

[0082] The ingot charging section 220 has a lid portion 221 disposed on the upper surface of the material insertion chamber 230 and a cylindrical portion 222 connected to the upper surface of the lid portion 221, forming an insertion path for the ingot 30.

[0083] The lid portion 221 is provided so as to cover the opening of the material insertion chamber 230 and can be opened and closed while the cylindrical portion 222 is connected. By opening the lid portion 221, maintenance work such as descaling can be performed at the opening of the material insertion chamber 230.

[0084] The cylindrical portion 222 functions as a preheating cylinder that preheats the ingot 30 before it is charged into the material insertion chamber 230. In the cylindrical portion 222, for example, the ingot 30 can be heated by heat or high-temperature gas from the material insertion chamber 230, sufficiently drying the surface of the ingot 30. This makes it possible to safely charge the ingot 30 into the material insertion chamber 230.

[0085] Also, the cylindrical portion 222 may be configured such that its side surface can be opened and closed. This makes it possible to insert the long ingot 30 into the cylindrical portion 222 from the side. However, it is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the ingot 30 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 222 from above the cylindrical portion 222 may be adopted.

[0086] The melting and holding furnace main body 210 does not necessarily have to have the ingot charging section 220. For example, the charging system 100 may directly charge the ingot 30 into the material insertion chamber 230 from the open upper surface 231 of the material insertion chamber 230.

[0087] 2. Ingot

[0088] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the ingot. Figure 3 is a side view showing the ingot.

[0089] The ingot 30 is a casting of aluminum. The ingot 30 has, for example, an elongated shape with a length of about 650 mm, a width of 90 mm, and a height of 44 mm from the upper end 32 to the lower end 33, and weighs about 5 kg.

[0090] The ingot 30 is held in the container 300 such that the lower end 33 contacts the floor surface of the container 300.

[0091] The ingot 30 has a first surface 34 and a second surface 35 that extend along the long axis (i.e., the longitudinal axis) and are parallel to each other, and side surfaces 36, 37 that extend along the long axis and are parallel to each other. The ingot 30 has an opening hole 31 at the upper end 32. The opening hole 31 has, for example, an elliptical through-hole 31a that penetrates the first surface 34 and the second surface 35 of the ingot 30 near the upper end 32 of the ingot 30, and an opening groove 31b that penetrates the side surface of the upper end 32 of the ingot 30 and the through-hole 31a. When the groove width of the opening groove 31b is Y and the diameter of the through-hole 31a with respect to the groove width direction of the opening groove 31b is X, the relationship between X and Y is X > Y. For example, X is 40 mm while Y is 25 mm. The opening hole 31 is merely illustrative in terms of shape and dimensions, and it is sufficient that the relationship between X and Y is X > Y.

[0092] The first surface 34 and the second surface 35 of the ingot 30, and the side surfaces 36, 37 are constituted by flat planes without unevenness except in the region having the opening hole 31. The ingot 30 does not have a restraint groove for restraining with a band during transportation or the like. The ingot 30 having such a shape has, in particular, the effect that the degree of freedom of the suction portion during handling is high, the mold is simple, inexpensive, and has a long life, and since there is no space portion, the packing density is high.

[0093] 3. Container

[0094] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a container. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the container as viewed in the X direction. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the container as viewed in the Y direction. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a container holding a plurality of ingots. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the container holding a plurality of ingots as viewed in the Y direction.

[0095] Container 300 is a container for holding a plurality of ingots 30. The container 300 includes a floor member 310, four support column members 320, two support members 330, a pair of restricting members 340, a plurality of separating members 350, a pair of first guide portions 360, and a pair of second guide portions 370.

[0096] The floor member 310 has a floor surface 311 with which the lower ends 33 of the plurality of elongated and identical ingots 30 are in contact. The floor surface 311 of the floor member 310 is typically rectangular, and in this embodiment, it is rectangular (or square). A plurality of ingots 30 are arranged in a matrix on the floor surface 311. When viewed from the vertical direction (i.e., when viewing the horizontal plane), the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged in the X direction with the first surface 34 and the second surface 35 in contact with each other. The plurality of ingots 30 are arranged in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction such that the side surface 36 of the ingot 30 faces the side surface 37 of the adjacent ingot 30. In this specification, the X direction and the Y direction mean two directions orthogonal to each other on the horizontal plane. Also, the direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction (i.e., the vertical direction) may be referred to as the Z direction.

[0097] The four support members 320 have pedestals 322 at their lower ends and support the floor member 310 with respect to a horizontal reference plane. Hereinafter, the horizontal plane on which the container 300 is installed is referred to as the reference plane. The four support members 320 are provided at the four corners (i.e., two sets of diagonals) of the rectangular floor member. The four support members 320 support the floor member 310 in a state where the floor surface 311 is inclined with respect to the horizontal reference plane. Specifically, the four support members 320 incline the floor member 310 such that one side at the lowest position and one side at the highest position of the rectangular floor member 310 are parallel (i.e., horizontal) to the reference plane. More specifically, the floor member 310 inclines in the direction (X direction) in which the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged so as to overlap each other. When the container 300 is installed on the reference plane with the floor member 310 on the lower side in the vertical direction, the floor surface 311 inclines with respect to the reference plane. When the container 300 is installed on the reference plane with the floor member 310 on the lower side in the vertical direction, the inclination angle α (FIG. 6, FIG. 8) of the floor surface 311 with respect to the reference plane is 5° or more and 10° or less.

[0098] When the container 300 is installed on the reference plane with the floor member 310 on the lower side in the vertical direction, the vertical height positions of the upper ends 321 of the four support members 320 are all equal. For this reason, by placing the pedestal 322 of one container 300 on the upper end 321 of another container 300, a plurality of containers 300 can be vertically stacked with the floor member 310 on the lower side. The upper end 321 and the lower surface of the pedestal 322 may simply be flat surfaces. Alternatively, a recess may be provided on the lower surface of the pedestal 322 so that the upper end 321 can be engaged with the recess. The height from the highest position of the inclined floor surface 311 to the upper end 321 of the support member 320 (i.e., the upper end of the container 300) is higher than the length in the longitudinal axis direction of the ingot 30. For this reason, in a state where the ingots 30 are arranged on the floor member 310, the upper end 321 of the support member 320 is at a position higher than the upper end 32 of the ingot 30. For this reason, a plurality of containers 300 can be stacked while holding the ingots 30 in the container 300.

[0099] The two support members 330 (331, 332) are provided on one side at the lowest position of the rectangular floor member 310 inclined with respect to the reference plane. Specifically, the two support members 330 (331, 332) are installed across the two support column members 320, 320 installed at both corners of one side at the lowest position of the floor member 310. When the lower end 33 of the ingot 30 is placed on the inclined floor surface 311, the second surface 35 of the ingot 30 is pressed against the two support members 330 (331, 332) by its own weight (see Fig. 7). Alternatively, when the lower end 33 of the ingot 30 is placed on the inclined floor surface 311, the first surface 34 of the ingot 30 is pressed against the two support members 330 (331, 332) by its own weight (see Fig. 8). In other words, the two support members 330 support the first surface 34 or the second surface 35 of the ingot 30 at the lowest position among the plurality of ingots 30 with the lower end 33 placed on the floor surface 311. Thereby, since the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged in a stable state, situations such as the ingot 30 tilting in an unexpected direction or falling over are avoided. The plurality of ingots 30 are arranged such that the vertical positions of their respective upper ends 32 are different. Specifically, the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged to overlap each other in a state inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Specifically, all the ingots 30 are inclined such that the first surface 34 is on the upper side and the second surface 35 is on the lower side (see Fig. 7). Alternatively, all the ingots 30 are inclined such that the second surface 35 is on the upper side and the first surface 34 is on the lower side (see Fig. 8). The ingots 30 are arranged such that the respective opening holes 31 communicate in the direction in which the ingots 30 are arranged.

[0100] The support member 330 includes a stopper member 331 and a beam member 332. The stopper member 331 and the beam member 332 support the ingot 30 at two points spaced apart in the direction of the long axis. The support surface, which is a virtual plane including the two points where the stopper member 331 and the beam member 332 support the ingot 30, is orthogonal to the floor surface 311. That is, the support surface, which is a virtual plane including the inner surface 333 of the stopper member 331 and the inner surface 334 of the beam member 332, is orthogonal to the floor surface 311. Thereby, when the inner surface 333 of the stopper member 331 and the inner surface 334 of the beam member 332 support the ingot 30, the long axis of the ingot 30 whose lower end 33 contacts the floor surface 311 is orthogonal to the floor surface 311. That is, when the container 300 is installed on the reference surface with the floor member 310 on the lower side in the vertical direction, the inclination angle β of the support surface and the long axis of the ingot 30 with respect to the vertical direction is the same as the inclination angle α of the floor surface 311 with respect to the reference surface, and is 5° or more and 10° or less (FIG. 8). Since the inclination angle β of the long axis of the ingot 30 with respect to the vertical direction is the same as the inclination angle α of the floor surface 311 with respect to the reference surface and is 5° or more and 10° or less, the ingot 30 is pressed against the two support members 330 (331, 332) by its own weight (see FIG. 8), and a plurality of ingots 30 are arranged in a stable state.

[0101] The inner surface 333 of the stopper member 331 supports the ingot 30 between the center in the direction of the long axis of the ingot 30 and the floor surface 311. Thereby, the stopper member 331 restricts the lower end 33 of the ingot 30 from detaching (slipping out) from the floor surface 311 to the outside of the container 300. In this example, the stopper member 331 is installed on the floor surface 311, but it may be installed away from the floor surface 311.

[0102] The inner surface 334 of the beam member 332 supports the ingot 30 at a position farther from the floor surface 311 than the center in the direction of the long axis of the ingot 30. In other words, the beam member 332 is provided at a distance from the floor surface 311 farther than the stopper member 331 and supports the upper end 32 side rather than the center in the direction of the long axis of the ingot 30. Thereby, the beam member 332 restricts the upper end 32 side of the ingot 30 from detaching (falling out) from the container 300.

[0103] A pair of restricting members 340 are respectively provided on two inclined sides of a rectangular floor member 310. The pair of restricting members 340 restricts the plurality of ingots 30 from detaching from the container 300 in the Y direction (i.e., the direction orthogonal to the direction (X direction) in which the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged).

[0104] Each of the pair of restricting members 340 includes a lower restricting member 341 and an upper restricting member 342. The inner surface 343 of the lower restricting member 341 and the inner surface 344 of the upper restricting member 342 support the side surface 36 or 37 of the ingot 30 at two points spaced apart in the direction of the long axis.

[0105] The lower restricting member 341 supports the ingot 30 between the center in the direction of the long axis of the ingot 30 and the floor surface 311. Thereby, the lower restricting member 341 restricts the lower end 33 of the ingot 30 from detaching (slipping out) from the floor surface 311 to the outside of the container 300. In this example, the lower restricting member 341 is installed on the floor surface 311, but it may be installed away from the floor surface 311.

[0106] The upper restricting member 342 supports the ingot 30 at a position farther from the floor surface 311 than the center in the direction of the long axis of the ingot 30. In other words, the upper restricting member 342 is provided at a distance from the floor surface 311 farther than the lower restricting member 341 and supports the upper end 32 side rather than the center in the direction of the long axis of the ingot 30. Thereby, the upper restricting member 342 restricts the upper end 32 side of the ingot 30 from detaching (falling out) from the container 300.

[0107] The plurality of separating members 350 separate the plurality of ingots 30 in the Y direction (i.e., the direction orthogonal to the direction (X direction) in which the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged). In other words, the plurality of separating members 350 separate the plurality of ingots 30 arranged in a matrix in the XY direction into a plurality of groups of ingots 30 arranged in the X direction. In this example, the plurality of separating members 350 are installed on the floor surface 311 of the floor member 310, but they may be installed away from the floor surface 311.

[0108] A pair of first guide portions 360 are members for inserting the forks of a forklift to carry the container 300. The first guide portions 360 are provided on the back surface 312 of the floor member 310. The first guide portions 360 are configured such that when the container 300 is placed on the reference surface with the floor member 310 on the lower side in a state where the floor surface 311 of the floor member 310 is inclined with respect to the reference surface, the forks can be inserted parallel (i.e., horizontally) to the reference surface. Thereby, when the forks are inserted horizontally into the first guide portions 360 to carry the container 300, the state where the floor surface 311 of the floor member 310 is inclined with respect to the reference surface is maintained. As a result, each ingot 30 in the container 300 is pressed against the support member 330 by its own weight, and it becomes possible to arrange the plurality of ingots 30 in a stable state even during the transportation of the container 300.

[0109] The container 300 has a first open end 381 (upper side in FIG. 4) facing in the vertical direction with respect to the floor member 310 and a second open end 382 (front left in FIG. 4) facing in the direction (X direction) in which the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged with respect to the support member 330 side. Through the first open end 381 and / or the second open end 382, it is possible to take in and out the ingots from the container 300.

[0110] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a container holding a plurality of ingots with the support member on the lower side. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a container holding a plurality of ingots with the support member on the lower side as viewed in the Y direction.

[0111] As described above, two support members 330 (a stopper member 331 and a beam member 332) are provided at two points spaced apart in the longitudinal axis direction of the ingot 30. For this reason, when the container 300 is placed on the reference surface with the stopper member 331 and the beam member 332 on the lower side, the first surface 34 of the ingot 30 is placed on the stopper member 331 and the beam member 332, and the first surface 34 of another ingot 30 is placed on the second surface 35 of this ingot 30, so that a plurality of ingots 30 are stacked (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Alternatively, the second surface 35 of the ingot 30 is placed on the stopper member 331 and the beam member 332, and the second surface 35 of another ingot 30 is placed on the first surface 34 of this ingot 30, so that a plurality of ingots 30 are stacked (not shown). Thereby, with the container 300 holding the ingot 30, the container 300 can be placed on the reference surface with the stopper member 331 and the beam member 332 on the lower side.

[0112] A pair of second guide portions 370 are members for inserting the forks of a forklift in order to transport the container 300. The second guide portions 370 are provided on the back surfaces of the two support members 330. The second guide portions 370 are configured such that when the container 300 is placed on the reference surface with the two support members 330 on the lower side, the support surface (i.e., a virtual plane including the inner surface 333 of the stopper member 331 and the inner surface 334 of the beam member 332) is horizontal and the forks can be inserted parallel to (i.e., horizontally with) the reference surface. Thereby, when transporting the container 300 by horizontally inserting the forks into the second guide portions 370, the state where the support surface (i.e., a virtual plane including the inner surface 333 of the stopper member 331 and the inner surface 334 of the beam member 332) is horizontal is maintained. Thereby, the first surface 34 of each ingot 30 in the container 300 is horizontally placed on the inner surface 333 of the stopper member 331 and the inner surface 334 of the beam member 332. For this reason, even when transporting the container 300 with the two support members 330 on the lower side, it is possible to horizontally stack a plurality of ingots 30 in a stable state.

[0113] 4. Feeding Device

[0114] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an input system and a melting and holding furnace. FIG. 12 is a side view showing the input system and the melting and holding furnace. FIG. 13 is a top view showing the input system and the melting and holding furnace.

[0115] For example, at the manufacturing site of the ingot 30 or the like. A plurality of ingots 30 are loaded on the container 300. The container 300 holding the plurality of ingots 30 is transported to the site where the input device 400 (melting and holding furnace 200) is located. The transported container 300 is used as it is as a container for holding the plurality of ingots 30 in the input system 100.

[0116] The input device 400 inputs the ingot 30 loaded on the container 300 into the ingot input section 220 of the melting and holding furnace 200. The input device 400 has a hook section 410 including a hook 411 for suspending the ingot 30, and a drive mechanism 420 for moving the hook section 410.

[0117] In the present embodiment, as the drive mechanism 420, a linear stage for moving the hook 411 in at least two directions is used.

[0118] The hook section 410 is a holder that holds the upper end 32 of the ingot 30 and suspends the ingot 30. The hook section 410 has the above-described hook 411, a connection section 412, and an arm section 413.

[0119] The hook 411 is a rod-shaped member for suspending the ingot 30 and is typically cylindrical. One end of the hook 411 can be inserted into the opening hole 31 of the ingot 30. Specifically, the diameter of the hook 411 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 31a of the opening hole 31 of the ingot 30 and larger than the opening width in the Y direction of the opening groove 31b. More specifically, the diameter of the hook 411 is about half of the inner diameter in the Z direction of the through hole 31a of the opening hole 31 of the ingot 30. Thus, even if the diameter of the portion where the through holes 31a of a predetermined number of adjacent ingots 30 communicate becomes smaller due to the different heights of the predetermined number of adjacent ingots 30, the hook 411 can be inserted into the through holes 31a of the predetermined number of ingots 30 without interference. For this reason, when the hook 411 is inserted into the through hole 31a of the opening hole 31 of the ingot 30 in the X direction and then the hook 411 is raised in the Z direction, the hook 411 abuts against the inside of the opening groove 31b and the ingot 30 can be suspended.

[0120] The connecting portion 412 is a member that connects the hook 411 and the arm portion 413. The connecting portion 412 is connected to the side opposite to the side inserted into the opening hole 31 of the hook 411.

[0121] The arm portion 413 is a long member that holds the hook 411 via the connecting portion 412. One end of the arm portion 413 is connected to the connecting portion 412 (hook 411), and the other end of the arm portion 413 is connected to the first stage 421 of the drive mechanism 420.

[0122] The hook 411 and the arm portion 413 are connected by the connecting portion 412 such that the rod-shaped hook 411 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 413.

[0123] The drive mechanism 420 includes a first stage 421, a second stage 422, a third stage 423, and a stage frame 424. The stage frame 424 is a frame that supports the first stage 421, the second stage 422, and the third stage 423 and is configured using, for example, an aluminum frame or a stainless steel frame.

[0124] The first stage 421 is a single-axis linear stage that moves the hook 411 along the vertical direction (i.e., the Z direction). The second stage 422 is a single-axis linear stage that moves the hook 411 along a horizontal single-axis direction (in this example, the X direction). The third stage 423 is a single-axis linear stage that moves the container 300 along a horizontal single-axis direction (in this example, the Y direction) orthogonal to the X direction.

[0125] The arm portion 413 of the hook portion 410 is connected to the first stage 421. Also, the first stage 421 to which the hook portion 410 is connected is connected to the second stage 422. The specific configurations of the first stage 421 and the second stage 422 are not limited, and for example, a linear stage using a stepping motor or the like may be appropriately used.

[0126] The third stage 423 moves the container 300 that holds a plurality of ingots 30 so as to be inclined and overlap each other in the Y direction. The second stage 422 moves the hook portion 410 in the X direction. Thereby, the positional relationship between the ingot 30 held in the container 300 and the hook portion 410 is uniquely determined. In other words, the hook portion 410 is positioned at an XY coordinate position accessible to the ingot 30 to be taken out among the ingots 30 arranged in a matrix in the XY directions within the container 300. Specifically, the hook portion 410 is positioned at a position accessible to a plurality of ingots 30 including the ingot 30 having the highest vertical position among the plurality of ingots 30 held in the container 300 so as to overlap each other, that is, the outermost ingot 30 (i.e., the ingot 30 not overlapped by other ingots 30).

[0127] The first stage 421 lowers the hook portion 410 in the Z direction. As a result, the hook 411 accesses a plurality of ingots 30 including the ingot 30 with the highest vertical position. Specifically, the hook 411 lowered in the Z direction faces the first surface 34 side of the opening hole 31 of the ingot 30. The second stage 422 moves the hook 411 in the X direction to insert the hook 411 including the outermost ingot 30 into the opening holes 31 of a predetermined number of ingots 30.

[0128] The first stage 421 raises the hook portion 410 in the Z direction. As the hook portion 410 rises in the Z direction, the hook 411 inserted into the opening hole 31 of the ingot 30 abuts against the inside of the opening groove 31b and pushes the ingot 30 upward in the Z direction. As a result, a plurality of ingots 30 including the outermost ingot 30 are suspended by the hook 411. When the first stage 421 rises in the Z direction, the hook 411 takes out a plurality of ingots 30 in the Z direction from the first open end 381.

[0129] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the charging system and the melting and holding furnace, and shows a state in which an ingot is charged into the melting and holding furnace.

[0130] The first stage 421 moves the hook portion 410 that has taken out a plurality of ingots 30 in the X direction to the ingot charging portion 220 of the melting and holding furnace 200. The second stage 422 lowers the hook portion 410 that has suspended a plurality of ingots 30 in the Z direction. As a result, a plurality of ingots 30 are charged from the ingot charging portion 220 into the melting and holding furnace main body 210.

[0131] In this way, the charging device 400 can cut out and insert the necessary amount (number) of ingots 30 from the container 300 and insert them. As a result, it becomes possible to stably supply the necessary amount of ingots to the melting and holding furnace 200.

[0132] Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the second stage 422 moves the hook 411 along the X direction, and the third stage 423 moves the container 300 along the Y direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The second stage 422 and the third stage 423 may move the container 300 and / or the hook 411 in the XY direction as long as the hook portion 410 can be positioned at an XY coordinate position accessible to the ingot 30 to be taken out.

[0133] 5. Method for Loading Ingot into Container

[0134] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a method of loading the ingot 30 into the container 300.

[0135] The ingots 30 formed by an ingot forming apparatus (not shown) are sequentially conveyed to the loading area by the belt conveyor 71. In the loading area, the ingots 30 conveyed by the belt conveyor 71 are loaded into the container 300 by the robot 72.

[0136] The robot 72 has a suction hand 72a, and the suction hand 72a collectively sucks the second surfaces 35 of a plurality of ingots 30 on the belt conveyor 71 and conveys them to the container 300. In the container 300, a plurality of ingots 30 are arranged in a matrix in the XY direction, and the plurality of ingots 30 are held in a state of overlapping each other. The robot 72 collectively sucks the second surfaces 35 of the ingots 30 arranged in the Y direction (that is, the columns in which the opening holes 31 do not communicate) and conveys them to the container 300. This constitutes one layer of stacking.

[0137] When the ingot 30 is loaded into the container 300 by the robot 72, the container 300 is tilted such that the second open end 382 (the surface side facing the X direction with respect to the support member 330 side) faces upward and faces the robot 72 side. The tilting may be performed, for example, while holding the container 300 by a forklift (not shown), or may be performed by housing it in a dedicated housing portion (not shown).

[0138] The robot 72 adsorbs the ingots 30 for one stage on the belt conveyor 71 all at once with the adsorption hand 72a and stacks them on the container 300 with respect to the tilted container 300. Hereinafter, the robot 72 sequentially stacks the ingots 30 in a plurality of stages in the X direction. By the above loading method, the ingots 30 can be safely and efficiently loaded into the container 300.

[0139] As a modification, instead of the charging device 40, a charging device (not shown) having a robot 72 can also take out the ingots 30 from the container 300 by adsorption. In this case, the container 300 is installed on the reference surface with the two support members 330 on the lower side (FIGS. 9 and 10). The adsorption hand 72a may access the ingots 30 in the container 300 from the second open end 382, adsorb the second surface 35 of the ingots 30, and take out the ingots 30. The second surface 35 of the ingot 30 is composed of a flat plane without unevenness except for the region having the opening holes 31, and does not have a restraining groove for restraining with a band during transportation or the like. The ingot 30 having such a shape has a particularly high degree of freedom of the adsorption portion during handling.

[0140] II. Second Embodiment

[0141] Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the charging system 100, the melting and holding furnace 200, and the ingots 30 already described will be omitted from the description and illustration, and the different points will be mainly described.

[0142] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a charging system and a melting and holding furnace according to the second embodiment.

[0143] The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is the charging device 400.

[0144] The charging system 110 of the second embodiment includes a container 300 (the same as in the first embodiment) that holds a plurality of ingots 30, a gantry 501 on which the container 300 is mounted, and a charging device 500.

[0145] For example, a container 300 is installed on a gantry 501 using a forklift. The gantry 501 mounts the container 300 with the floor member 310 on the lower side. The gantry 501 fixedly installs the container 300 at a position based on the charging device 500.

[0146] The charging device 500 has a hook portion 410 (the same as in the first embodiment) including a hook 411 and a robot arm 510 as a drive mechanism. The robot arm 510 moves the hook 411 in three axial directions: the directions of the reference plane (X direction, Y direction) and the direction (Z direction) in which the ingot 30 is charged into the melting holding furnace 200.

[0147] The robot arm 510 moves the hook portion 410 in the X and Y directions and positions it at an XY coordinate position accessible to the ingot 30 to be taken out in the container 300 (the ingot 30 with the highest vertical position). The robot arm 510 lowers the hook portion 410 in the Z direction. As a result, the hook 411 accesses a plurality of ingots 30 including the ingot 30 with the highest vertical position. The robot arm 510 moves the hook 411 in the X direction and inserts the hook 411 including the outermost ingot 30 into the opening holes 31 of a predetermined number of ingots 30. The robot arm 510 raises the hook portion 410 in the Z direction. As a result, a plurality of ingots 30 including the outermost ingot 30 are suspended by the hook 411. When the robot arm 510 rises in the Z direction, the hook 411 takes out the plurality of ingots 30 in the Z direction from the first open end 381.

[0148] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the charging device charging the ingot into the melting holding furnace body.

[0149] The robot arm 510 moves the hook portion 410 that has taken out a plurality of ingots 30 in the X direction and the Y direction to the ingot loading portion 220 of the melting and holding furnace 200. With the side surface of the cylindrical portion 222 of the melting and holding furnace 200 open, the robot arm 510 inserts a plurality of ingots 30 into the cylindrical portion 222 from the side surface. The cylindrical portion 222 functions as a preheating cylinder that preheats the ingots 30 before they are loaded into the material insertion chamber 230.

[0150] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the state in which the charging device charges the ingot into the melting and holding furnace body.

[0151] After the robot arm 510 inserts a plurality of ingots 30 into the cylindrical portion 222 from the side surface, the side surface of the cylindrical portion 222 of the melting and holding furnace 200 is closed. As a result, in the cylindrical portion 222, the ingots 30 can be heated by, for example, heat or high-temperature gas from the material insertion chamber 230, and the surface of the ingots 30 can be sufficiently dried. This makes it possible to safely charge the ingots 30 into the material insertion chamber 230. With the side surface of the cylindrical portion 222 closed, the robot arm 510 lowers the hook portion 410 that has suspended a plurality of ingots 30 in the Z direction. As a result, a plurality of ingots 30 are charged from the ingot loading portion 220 into the melting and holding furnace body 210.

[0152] III. Third Embodiment

[0153] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a charging system and a melting and holding furnace according to the third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a top view showing the charging system and the melting and holding furnace.

[0154] The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment is the gantry 501. In the third embodiment, a mechanism different from the gantry 501 mounts the container 300 and fixedly installs the container 300 at a position with respect to the charging device 500 as a reference.

[0155] The input system 120 of the third embodiment includes a container 300 (the same as that of the second embodiment) that holds a plurality of ingots 30, a carriage 540 on which the container 300 is mounted, a set of fixing mechanisms 530 that fix the container 300, and an input device 500 (the same as that of the second embodiment).

[0156] For example, the container 300 is installed on the carriage 540 using a forklift. The carriage 540 mounts the container 300 with the floor member 310 on the lower side. For example, using an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle), the carriage 540 carrying the container 300 is transported to a position based on the input device 500. The carriage 540 is installed so as to straddle the guide base 520. The width of the guide base 520 is slightly larger than the inner width of the carriage 540. The guide base 520 defines the horizontal one-axis direction (the X direction in this example) position of the container 300 with respect to the input device 500.

[0157] A set of fixing mechanisms 530 fixes the container 300 mounted on the carriage 540 to a position based on the input device 500. Specifically, a set of fixing mechanisms 530 presses two support members 320 provided at one diagonal of the floor member 311 of the container 300 in the diagonal direction. Thereby, a set of fixing mechanisms 530 fixes the container 300 to a position based on the input device 500.

[0158] IV. The Fourth Embodiment

[0159] The differences between the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment are the ingot 30, the container 300, and the input device 400.

[0160] 1. Ingot

[0161] FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing an ingot according to the fourth embodiment.

[0162] The ingot 50 is a long aluminum casting.

[0163] The ingot 50 is held in the container 600 such that the lower end 53 contacts the floor surface of the container 600.

[0164] The ingot 50 has a first surface 54 and a second surface 55 that extend along a long axis (i.e., the longitudinal axis) and are parallel to each other. The ingot 50 does not have an opening hole at the upper end 52.

[0165] The first surface 54 and the second surface 55 of the ingot 50 are constituted by flat planes without irregularities. The ingot 50 does not have a restraining groove for restraining with a band during transportation or the like. The ingot 50 having such a shape has the effects that the degree of freedom of the suction part during handling is high, the mold is simple, inexpensive, and has a long life, and since there is no space part, the packing density is high.

[0166] 2. Container

[0167] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the container. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the container holding a plurality of ingots and the charging device. FIG. 24 is a partially transparent side view showing the container holding a plurality of ingots and the charging device.

[0168] The container 600 is a container that holds a plurality of ingots 50. The container 600 has a floor member 610, four support members 620, a frame member 630, and a plurality of separator members 650.

[0169] The floor member 610 has a floor surface with which the lower end 53 of each of the plurality of long and identically shaped ingots 50 contacts. The floor surface of the floor member 610 has a step in the X direction (see FIG. 24). Thereby, the plurality of ingots 50 are arranged such that the vertical positions (Z direction) of the upper ends 52 are different from each other. The plurality of ingots 50 are arranged in a matrix on the floor surface. When viewed from the vertical direction (i.e., when viewing the horizontal plane), the plurality of ingots 50 are arranged in the X direction in a state where the first surface 54 and the second surface 55 face each other without contact. The plurality of ingots 50 are arranged in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction such that the side surfaces of the ingots 50 face the side surfaces of the adjacent ingots 50.

[0170] The four support members 620 have pedestals at their lower ends and support the floor member 610 with respect to a horizontal reference plane. The four support members 620 are provided at the four corners (i.e., two sets of diagonals) of the rectangular floor member.

[0171] The frame member 630 is a side wall of the container 600, surrounds a plurality of ingots 50 in the X direction and the Y direction, and restricts the ingots 50 from separating in the X direction and the Y direction outside the container 600.

[0172] The plurality of separator members 650 separate a plurality of ingots 50 in the X direction and the Y direction. In other words, the plurality of separator members 650 separate a plurality of ingots 50 arranged in a matrix in the XY direction into a plurality of groups of ingots 50 arranged in the Y direction. In this example, the plurality of separator members 650 separate a plurality of ingots 50 into groups of two ingots 50 arranged in the Y direction. The separator member 650 is in the shape of a thin plate. The plurality of ingots 50 facing each other in the X direction are separated only by the thin plate-shaped separator member 650, and since there is no spacer or the like, the packing density in the container 600 is high and the ingots 50 can be accommodated.

[0173] When the ingots 50 are accommodated in the container 600, the first surface 54 and the second surface 55 of the upper ends 52 of all the ingots 50 are exposed from the container 600. The length of the exposed upper ends 52 in the Z direction is a length that allows the loading device 700 to hold the ingots 50.

[0174] The container 600 has a first open end 681 that faces the floor member 610 in the vertical direction. Through this first open end 681, it is possible to take in and out the ingots in the Z direction with respect to the container 600.

[0175] 3. Loading Device

[0176] The loading device 700 accesses the upper end 52 of the ingot 50, sandwiches the first surface 54 and the second surface 55 of the ingot 50, and takes out the ingot 50 from the first open end 681. The loading device 700 loads the ingot 30 mounted on the container 300 into the ingot loading section 220 of the melting holding furnace 200. The loading device 700 includes a chuck section 710 including two pairs of chucks 711 that sandwich two ingots 30, and a drive mechanism (not shown) that moves the chuck section 710.

[0177] The drive mechanism may be a linear stage (similar to the first embodiment) or a robot arm (similar to the second embodiment). The drive mechanism moves the chuck section 710 in three axial directions to take out the ingot 50 from the container 600.

[0178] The chuck section 710 is a holder that simultaneously sandwiches and suspends the upper ends 32 of two ingots 30. The chuck section 710 has two chucks 711, 711. Each chuck 711 has a pair of arms 712, 712 and a pair of plates 713, 713. The pair of plates 713, 713 are provided at the lower ends of the pair of arms 712, 712 and sandwich the ingot 30. The plates 713, 713 are, for example, circular. The plates 713, 713 of one chuck 711 adsorb and sandwich the upper end 32 of one ingot 30. The plates 713, 713 of the other chuck 711 adsorb and sandwich the upper end 32 of the adjacent ingot 30. The size (diameter) of the members of the plate 713 is not more than the length in the width direction (Y direction) of the first surface 54 and the second surface 55 of the ingot 50. The centers in the width direction (Y direction) of the plates 713, 713 of the chuck 711 coincide with the centers in the width direction (Y direction) of the first surface 54 and the second surface 55 of the ingot 50. The pair of chucks 711, 711 sandwich the centers in the width direction (Y direction) of the first surface 54 and the second surface 55 of two ingots 50 in the X direction.

[0179] V. The Fifth Embodiment

[0180] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a container according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a container and a charging device for holding a plurality of ingots. FIG. 27 is a partially transparent side view showing a container and a charging device for holding a plurality of ingots.

[0181] The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in the container 600.

[0182] The container 800 is a container for holding a plurality of ingots 50 (the same as in the fourth embodiment). The container 800 includes a floor member 810, four support members 820, a frame member 830, a plurality of spacers 840, and a plurality of separator members 850.

[0183] The floor member 810 has a floor surface on which the lower end 53 of each of the plurality of elongated and identical ingots 50 contacts. A plurality of ingots 50 are arranged in a matrix on the floor surface. When viewed in the vertical direction (i.e., when viewing the horizontal plane), the plurality of ingots 50 are arranged in the X direction in a state where the first surface 54 and the second surface 55 face each other without contact. The plurality of ingots 50 are arranged in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction such that the side surfaces of the ingots 50 face the side surfaces of the adjacent ingots 50.

[0184] The four support members 820 have pedestals at their lower ends and support the floor member 810 with respect to a horizontal reference plane. The four support members 820 are provided at the four corners (i.e., two pairs of diagonals) of the rectangular floor member.

[0185] The frame member 830 is a side wall of the container 800, surrounds the plurality of ingots 50 in the X direction and the Y direction, and restricts the ingots 50 from leaving the container 800 in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0186] The plurality of separate members 850 separate the plurality of ingots 50 in the X direction and the Y direction. In other words, the plurality of separate members 850 separate the plurality of ingots 50 arranged in a matrix in the XY direction into a plurality of groups of ingots 50 arranged in the Y direction. In this example, the plurality of separate members 850 separate the plurality of ingots 50 into groups of two ingots 50 arranged in the Y direction.

[0187] The plurality of spacers 840 are spaces that separate the plurality of rows of ingots 50 arranged in the Y direction with a distance in the X direction. The spacer 840 is a space formed by the floor member 810, the frame member 830, and the separate member 850. The distance in the X direction between one row of ingots 50 arranged in the Y direction and the adjacent row of ingots 50 arranged in the Y direction (i.e., the width of the spacer 840 in the X direction) is sized such that the arm 712 and the plate 713 on one side of the loading device 700 (the same as in the fourth embodiment) can be inserted. Thereby, the chucks 711, 711 of the loading device 700 penetrate into the spacer 840 and clamp the centers in the width direction (Y direction) of the first surface 54 and the second surface 55 of the two ingots 50 in the X direction.

[0188] When the ingots 50 are accommodated in the container 800, the first surfaces 54 and the second surfaces 55 of the upper ends 52 of all the ingots 50 are exposed from the container 800. The length in the Z direction of the exposed upper ends 52 is a length that allows the loading device 700 to clamp the ingots 50.

[0189] The container 800 has a first open end 881 that faces the floor member 810 in the vertical direction. Through this first open end 882, it is possible to take in and out the ingots in the Z direction with respect to the container 800.

[0190] VI. Sixth Embodiment

[0191] FIG. 28 shows the configuration of the loading system according to the sixth embodiment.

[0192] The charging device 40 includes a charging mechanism 41a, a storage rod 42a, a transfer rod 43, a transfer device 44, and a control device 45.

[0193] The charging mechanism 41a holds the other end of the ingot 30 and charges the ingot 30 held via the ingot charging section 20a of the melting and holding furnace 200 into the material insertion chamber 230 within the melting and holding furnace main body 210. For example, the charging mechanism 41a includes a chuck 46a that suspends the ingot 30 using the opening hole 31 of the ingot 30, and a lifting device 47a that raises and lowers the chuck 46a. The ingot 30 suspended by the chuck 46a is gradually charged into the material insertion chamber 230 within the melting and holding furnace main body 210 from one end of the ingot 30 via the ingot charging section 20a. The storage rod 42a suspends and holds a plurality of ingots 30 using the opening hole 31 and sequentially delivers the ingots 30 to the charging mechanism 41a from one end thereof. The storage rod 42a is inclined downward toward the charging mechanism 41a. As a result, the ingot 30 moves toward the charging mechanism 41a side by gravity. Near the tip of the storage rod 42a on the charging mechanism 41a side, a cutting stopper device 420a is disposed. The cutting stopper device 420a has stoppers 421a and 422a that alternately move up and down. The interval between the stoppers 421a and 422a is larger than the total thickness of a predetermined number of ingots 30 charged at one time and smaller than the total thickness of (predetermined number + 1) ingots 30. When the stopper 421a is positioned upward, the ingot 30 adjacent to the outside (left side in the figure) of the stopper 421a of the storage rod 42a moves between the stoppers 421a and 422a. When the stopper 422a is positioned upward, the ingot 30 between the stoppers 421a and 422a is delivered to the chuck 46a.

[0194] The transfer rod 43 suspends and holds a plurality of, for example, the ingots 30 for one row of the container 600 from the container 600 described later, using their respective opening holes 31.

[0195] The transfer device 44 includes, for example, two chains 44a that support both ends of the transfer rod 43, a support rod 44b that supports the chains 44a in a suspended state, and a lifting and traversing device (not shown) attached to the support rod 44b. It can be automated by a dedicated lifting and traversing device. Instead of the lifting and traversing device, partial automation can also be achieved manually using a small crane or the like. The transfer device 44 causes a plurality of ingots 30 held in the container 600 to be collectively held using the respective opening holes 31 by the transfer rod 43, connects one end of the transfer rod 43 to the other ends of the storage rod 42a and the second storage rod 42b, and inclines them in the same manner as the storage rod 42a and the second storage rod 42b, and collectively transfers the plurality of ingots 30 from the transfer rod 43 to the storage rod 42a and the second storage rod 42b. The transfer device 44 transfers a plurality of ingots 30 to the storage rod 42a by one transfer rod 43, and then transfers the plurality of ingots 30 to the second storage rod 42b. Subsequently, this operation is repeated. It may be configured to transfer them in parallel using two transfer rods.

[0196] The control device 45 controls the operation of the above input device 40.

[0197] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the relationship between the opening hole 31 of the ingot 30 and the above transfer rod 43.

[0198] The diameter (thickness) of the transfer rod 43 is smaller than the diameter of the through hole 31a of the opening hole 31 and larger than the width of the opening groove 31b. The diameter of the storage rod 42a also has the same relationship with respect to the opening hole 31 of the ingot 30. As shown in FIG. 29(a), the transfer rod 43 and the storage rod 42a have a circular cross-section, but they may have other shapes. For example, as shown in FIG. 29(b), the transfer rod 43 and the storage rod 42a may be in an I shape.

[0199] FIG. 30 is a side view showing a method for the transfer rod 43 of the charging device 40 to take out the ingot 30 from the container 600. FIG. 31 is a front view thereof. FIG. 32 is a front view showing the relationship between the transfer rod 43 and the opening hole 31 of the ingot 30 at that time.

[0200] The transfer rod 43 is moved up and down and horizontally by a transfer device 44. The transfer rod 43 is inserted into the opening hole 31 of the ingot 30 from the front of the container 600 (FIG. 30A), and further moves horizontally and is inserted into the opening holes 31 of all the ingots 30 in that row (FIG. 30B). Thereafter, the transfer rod 43 rises and takes out a row of ingots 30 from the container 600 (FIGS. 30C and 31).

[0201] The transfer rod 43 holding a row of ingots 30 is moved up and down and horizontally by a transfer device 44. One end of the transfer rod 43 is connected to the other end of the storage rod 42a, and a row of ingots 30 is collectively transferred from the transfer rod 43 to the storage rod 42a.

[0202] By using the container 600 according to the present embodiment, the ingot 30 can be smoothly transferred to the transfer rod 43 with simple equipment.

[0203] In addition, the device for disassembling / taking out the package of the ingot 30 is simplified by holding the ingot 30 in a standing state, that is, stacking it vertically, by the container 600, and it is possible to reduce the equipment cost and save space. In the above example, a row of ingots 30 is taken out from the container 600 collectively, but they may be taken out one by one or two or more at a time.

[0204] VII. The Seventh Embodiment

[0205] FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing a container according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing a container holding a plurality of ingots.

[0206] The main difference between the seventh embodiment and the first embodiment is that the container has a partition member.

[0207] The container 1300 according to the seventh embodiment includes a floor member 1310, four support members 1320, a pair of support members 1330, a pair of restricting members 1340, a plurality of separating members 1350, a pair of first guide portions 1360, a plurality of first partition members 1380, and a plurality of second partition members 1390.

[0208] The pair of restricting members 1340 are respectively provided on two opposite sides of the rectangular floor member 1310. The pair of restricting members 1340 restrict the plurality of ingots 30 from detaching from the container 300 in the Y direction (i.e., the direction orthogonal to the direction (X direction) in which the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged). The pair of restricting members 1340 each include a lower restricting member 1341 and an upper restricting member 1342. The inner surfaces of the lower restricting member 1341 and the upper restricting member 1342 support the side surfaces 36 or 37 of the ingot 30 at two points spaced apart in the direction of the long axis.

[0209] The pair of support members 1330 are respectively provided on two opposite sides of the rectangular floor member 1310. The pair of support members 1330 restrict the plurality of ingots 30 from detaching from the container 300 in the X direction (i.e., the direction in which the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged). The pair of support members 1330 each include a stopper member 1331 and a beam member 1332. The inner surfaces of the stopper member 1331 and the beam member 1332 support the side surfaces 36 or 37 of the ingot 30 at two points spaced apart in the direction of the long axis.

[0210] A plurality of first partition members 1380 separate a plurality of ingots 30 in the X direction (i.e., the direction in which the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged). The plurality of ingots 30 are arranged in a matrix in the XY direction. The plurality of first partition members 1380 separate the plurality of ingots 30 arranged in the X direction into a plurality of groups. For example, the plurality of first partition members 1380 separate the plurality of ingots 30 arranged in the X direction into ingots 30 in a predetermined number (4 in the example of FIG. 34) arranged in the X direction. In this example, the plurality of first partition members 1380 are installed (welded) on the floor surface of the floor member 1310, but may be installed away from the floor surface.

[0211] A plurality of second partition members 1390 separate a plurality of ingots 30 in the X direction (i.e., the direction in which the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged). The plurality of ingots 30 are arranged in a matrix in the XY direction. The plurality of second partition members 1390 separate the plurality of ingots 30 arranged in the X direction into a plurality of groups. For example, the plurality of second partition members 1390 separate the plurality of ingots 30 arranged in the X direction into ingots 30 in a predetermined number (4 in the example of FIG. 34) arranged in the X direction. The plurality of second partition members 1390 are installed (welded) so as to extend in the Y direction and pass between a pair of restricting members 1340.

[0212] The plurality of first partition members 1380 and the plurality of second partition members 1390 are in a thin plate shape. The plurality of ingots 30 facing each other in the X direction are separated only by the plurality of thin plate-shaped first partition members 1380 and second partition members 1390, and since there is no spacer or the like, the ingots 30 can be accommodated in the container 1300 with a high packing density. According to the present embodiment, the plurality of first partition members 1380 and the plurality of second partition members 1390 separate the ingots 30 into groups each including 4 ingots 30 arranged in the X direction. Thereby, even when there is a tolerance in the size of the ingots 30 (particularly, the thickness in the X direction), the position of the ingots 30 in the container 1300 is determined regardless of the variation in the size of the ingots 30, so that the ingots 30 can be reliably taken out using the hook portion 410 of the charging device 400.

[0213] VIII. Eighth Embodiment

[0214] FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing a container according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing the container with the partition member removed. FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a container holding a plurality of ingots. FIG. 38 is a side view showing the container as viewed in the X direction. FIG. 39 is a side view showing the container as viewed in the Y direction.

[0215] The main difference between the eighth embodiment and the seventh embodiment is that a plurality of first partition members and a plurality of second partition members are not welded to the container, and the partition members are detachable from the container.

[0216] The container 2300 according to the eighth embodiment includes a floor member 2310, four support column members 2320, two support members 2330, a pair of regulating members 2340 including a lower regulating member 2341 and an upper regulating member 2342, a plurality of separating members 2350, a pair of first guide portions 2360, a pair of second guide portions 2370 (omitted in FIGS. 35 to 39; see FIGS. 40 to 42), a plurality of first partition members 2380, and a plurality of second partition members 2390.

[0217] A plurality of grooves 2346 are formed at equal intervals on the inner surface and the upper surface (i.e., the side of the first open end 2381 (above in FIG. 36)) of a pair of lower regulating members 2341. The width of the groove 2346 in the X direction is a width at which the first partition member 2380 can be stably engaged. FIG. 39 virtually (transparently) shows a plurality of grooves 2346.

[0218] The plurality of separate members 2350 separate the plurality of ingots 30 in the Y direction (i.e., the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged (X direction)). In other words, the plurality of separate members 2350 separate the plurality of ingots 30 arranged in a matrix in the XY direction into a plurality of groups of ingots 30 arranged in the X direction. At the upper end 2351 of each separate member 2350 (i.e., on the side of the first open end 2381 (upper side in FIG. 36)), a plurality of grooves 2352 are formed at equal intervals. The width of the groove 2352 in the X direction is a width at which the first partition member 2380 can be stably engaged.

[0219] The plurality of grooves 2346 respectively formed in the pair of lower restricting members 2341 and the plurality of grooves 2352 respectively formed in the plurality of separate members 2350 are aligned in a straight line in the Y direction.

[0220] The plurality of first partition members 2380 are inserted into the plurality of grooves 2346 respectively formed in the pair of lower restricting members 2341 and the plurality of grooves 2352 respectively formed in the plurality of separate members 2350, and are detachably engaged with the plurality of grooves 2346 and the plurality of grooves 2352. The plurality of first partition members 2380 separate the plurality of ingots 30 in the X direction (i.e., the direction in which the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged). The plurality of ingots 30 are arranged in a matrix in the XY direction. The plurality of first partition members 2380 separate the plurality of ingots 30 arranged in the X direction into a plurality of groups. For example, the plurality of first partition members 2380 separate the plurality of ingots 30 arranged in the X direction into a predetermined number (4 in the example of FIG. 37) of ingots 30 arranged in the X direction.

[0221] On the inner surface and the upper surface of the pair of upper restricting members 2342 (i.e., on the side of the first open end 2381 (upper side in FIG. 36)), a plurality of grooves 2348 are formed at equal intervals. The width of the groove 2348 in the X direction is a width at which the second partition member 2390 can be stably engaged. FIG. 39 shows the plurality of grooves 2348 virtually (transparently).

[0222] A plurality of second partition members 2390 are inserted into a plurality of grooves 2348 formed in a pair of upper regulating members 2342 respectively, and are detachably engaged with the plurality of grooves 2348. The plurality of second partition members 2390 separate the plurality of ingots 30 in the X direction (i.e., the direction in which the plurality of ingots 30 are arranged). The plurality of ingots 30 are arranged in a matrix in the XY direction. The plurality of second partition members 2390 separate the plurality of ingots 30 arranged in the X direction into a plurality of groups. For example, the plurality of second partition members 2390 separate the plurality of ingots 30 arranged in the X direction into ingots 30 in a predetermined number (4 in the example of FIG. 37) arranged in the X direction each.

[0223] The plurality of first partition members 2380 and the plurality of second partition members 2390 are in a thin plate shape. The plurality of ingots 30 facing each other in the X direction are partitioned only by the plurality of first partition members 2380 and the second partition members 2390 in a thin plate shape, and since there is no spacer or the like, the packing density in the container 2300 is high and the ingots 30 can be accommodated. According to the present embodiment, the plurality of first partition members 2380 and the plurality of second partition members 2390 separate the ingots 30 into groups each including 4 ingots 30 arranged in the X direction. Thereby, even when there is a tolerance in the size of the ingots 30 (particularly, the thickness in the X direction), the position of the ingots 30 in the container 2300 is determined regardless of the variation in the size of the ingots 30, so that the ingots 30 can be reliably taken out using the hook portion 410 of the charging device 400. At the same time, in order to partition the group of ingots 30 to be taken out simultaneously in the container, the ingots 30 can be reliably taken out for each group using the hook portion 410 of the charging device 400.

[0224] FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing a container for holding a plurality of ingots with a support member installed on the lower side. FIG. 41 is a side view showing the container for holding a plurality of ingots with a support member installed on the lower side as viewed in the Y direction. FIG. 42 is a side view showing the container for holding a plurality of ingots with a support member installed on the lower side as viewed in the Z direction.

[0225] When installing the container 2300 with the two support members 2330 (the stopper member 2331 and the beam member 2332) on the lower side, the plurality of first partition members 2380 and the second partition members 2390 are removed. When the plurality of first partition members 2380 and the second partition members 2390 are removed and the container 2300 is installed on the reference surface with the stopper member 2331 and the beam member 2332 on the lower side, the ingots 30 are stacked on the stopper member 2331 and the beam member 2332. By removing the plurality of first partition members 2380 and the second partition members 2390, it is also possible to collectively restrain all the ingots 30 with a band during transportation or the like. 。

[0226] Among the characteristic parts related to the present technology described above, it is also possible to combine at least two characteristic parts. That is, the various characteristic parts described in each embodiment may be arbitrarily combined without distinction between the embodiments. Also, the various effects described above are merely examples and are not limited, and other effects may also be exhibited.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0227] 100 Input System 200 Melting and Holding Furnace 210 Melting and Holding Furnace Body 211 Electric Heater 220 Ingot Input Section 221 Lid Portion 222 Cylindrical Portion 230 Material Insertion Chamber 231 Upper Surface 240 Heating and Holding Chamber 241 Path 250 Pumping Chamber 251 Upper Surface 30 Ingot 300 Container 31 Opening Hole 310 Floor Member 311 Floor Surface 312 Rear Surface 31a Through Hole 31b Opening Groove 32 Upper End 320 Support member 321 Upper end 322 Pedestal 33 Lower end 330 Support member 331 Stopper member 332 Beam member 333 Inner surface 334 Inner surface 34 First surface 340 Regulation member 341 Lower regulation member 342 Upper regulation member 343 Inner surface 344 Inner surface 35 Second surface 350 Separate member 36 Side surface 360 First guide part 37 Side surface 370 Second guide part 381 First open end 382 Second open end 40 Feeding device 400 Feeding device 410 Hook part 411 Hook 412 Connection part 413 Arm part 420 Driving mechanism 421 First stage 422 Second stage 423 Third stage 424 Stage frame 500 Feeding device 501 Stand 510 Robot arm

Claims

1. An input system for melting an ingot and charging the melted metal into a melting and holding furnace body for holding the melted metal, comprising: a floor member having a floor surface along which a plurality of ingots, which are long and have the same shape and have a first surface and a second surface extending along a long axis and parallel to each other, are arranged with the lower end of each of the plurality of ingots in contact with the floor surface in a state where the first surface or the second surface is in contact; a separating member for separating a plurality of groups in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged, with a predetermined number of the ingots as one group; a partition member for separating the plurality of groups in the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged; a container for holding the plurality of ingots by dividing them into a plurality of groups; an input device for simultaneously taking out the predetermined number of ingots included in each group from the container and charging the taken-out predetermined number of ingots into the melting and holding furnace body; and comprising the input system.

2. The input system according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a stopper member for restricting the lower end of the ingot from detaching from the floor surface outside the container; a beam member provided at a position spaced from the floor surface more than the stopper member and for supporting the ingot; and has a support member having the input system.

3. The input system according to claim 2, wherein the stopper member supports the ingot between the center of the ingot in the direction of the long axis and the floor surface; the beam member supports the ingot at a position farther from the floor surface than the center; the input system.

4. The input system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container has at least one guide portion into which the fork of a forklift is inserted; the input system.

5. The input system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container has a pair of restricting members for restricting the plurality of ingots from detaching from the container in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged; the input system.

6. The input system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the partition member is detachable; the input system.

7. The input system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of ingots are arranged in a matrix on a horizontal reference plane; the input system.

8. The input system according to claim 7, wherein The ingot has an opening hole at its upper end, The container holds the plurality of ingots such that the respective opening holes communicate with each other in the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged, The charging device has a hook for suspending one or more of the ingots using the opening hole, The hook accesses the opening hole to take out the ingot, The charging device, A linear stage that moves the container and / or the hook in the direction of the reference plane and moves the hook in the direction of charging the ingot, or A robot arm that moves the hook in the direction of the reference plane and in the direction of charging the ingot having a charging system.

9. A method for holding an ingot in a container for holding an ingot used in a charging system for charging an ingot into a melting and holding furnace body that melts the ingot and holds the molten metal, A floor member having a first surface and a second surface that extend along a long axis and are parallel to each other, and having a floor surface on which the lower ends of the plurality of ingots, which are long and of the same shape, are in contact with each other in a state where the first surface or the second surface is in contact with each other; a separating member that separates a plurality of groups in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged, with a predetermined number of the ingots as one group; and a partition member that separates the plurality of groups in the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged, and holds the plurality of ingots in a plurality of groups so that the predetermined number of ingots included in each group can be taken out simultaneously A method for holding an ingot.

10. A container for holding an ingot used in a charging system for charging an ingot into a melting and holding furnace body that melts the ingot and holds the molten metal, A floor member having a first surface and a second surface that extend along a long axis and are parallel to each other, and having a floor surface on which the lower ends of the plurality of ingots, which are long and of the same shape, are in contact with each other in a state where the first surface or the second surface is in contact with each other, A separating member that separates a plurality of groups in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged, with a predetermined number of the ingots as one group, and a partition member that separates the plurality of groups in the direction in which the plurality of ingots are arranged. Holding the plurality of ingots by dividing them into a plurality of groups, and holding them in such a manner that the predetermined number of ingots included in each group can be taken out from the container simultaneously A container for holding ingots.

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