Hot water discharging furnace, hot water discharging pipe, and hot water discharging method

Abstract

Providing a tapping furnace capable of accurately tapping a required amount of molten metal. 【Solution means】The tapping furnace 1 includes a tapping chamber 16 for tapping molten metal MM, a molten metal holding chamber 13 communicating with the tapping chamber and holding the molten metal, a regulating section 4 for allowing or blocking the movement of the molten metal from the molten metal holding chamber to the tapping chamber between the tapping chamber and the molten metal holding chamber, a tapping pipe 6 provided in the tapping chamber and used for tapping the molten metal in the tapping chamber to the outside, and a gas supply section 16A capable of supplying gas from the outside of the tapping chamber. The tapping pipe is provided with an inlet 9, an outlet 7, and one-way valve means that when gas is pressurized and supplied from the gas supply section into the tapping chamber, molten metal flows in from the inlet and out from the outlet, and when the pressurized supply stops or the pressure decreases, the inflow of molten metal from the inlet stops. In a state where the regulating section is blocked, the molten metal in the tapping chamber is tapped to the target location through the inside of the tapping pipe by the pressurization of the gas supplied from the gas supply section.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tapping furnace, a tapping pipe, and a tapping method for tapping molten metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, and non-ferrous metal (hereinafter also referred to as "molten metal" or "molten metal"). [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the automotive industry has been expanding its electric vehicle production capacity in addition to the traditional production of gasoline-powered vehicles. While traditional gasoline-powered vehicles are manufactured by assembling a wide variety of cast parts, electric vehicles tend to be manufactured by casting the entire vehicle in a single unit. The need for precise pouring of molten metal is common in both traditional gasoline-powered and modern electric vehicle manufacturing. In particular, electric vehicle manufacturing tends to involve the casting of the entire vehicle body in a single unit, resulting in a greater volume of molten metal being poured than in gasoline-powered vehicles. This is because, for example, while traditional gasoline-powered vehicles require separately manufactured parts to be welded to the body, electric vehicles require molten metal for the entire body to be molded in a single unit. For this reason, electric vehicle manufacturing requires greater precision (quantitativeness) in the amount of molten metal poured per shot (one pour) and a larger pouring capacity than gasoline-powered vehicles.

[0003] There are various methods for supplying molten metal from a molten metal furnace to casting equipment such as a die-casting machine, and the following method is known, for example.

[0004] Patent Document 1 below discloses a two-chamber low-pressure casting molten metal holding furnace. This two-chamber low-pressure casting molten metal holding furnace is equipped with a lift-up shutoff valve that opens and closes a molten metal flow path opening that connects the molten metal holding chamber and the pressurizing chamber, and the pressurizing chamber has a pressurizing section and a molten metal tapping section that communicate with each other at their bottoms. With the molten metal flow passage opening closed, pressure is applied to the molten metal surface in the pressurizing section by a pressurized gas, thereby filling the molten metal in the outlet section into the cavity of the mold. Each inner wall surface of the pressurizing portion and the hot water outlet portion is composed of an inner lining member made of a cylindrical integrally fired fine ceramics. The lower end of the inner lining member of the pressurizing portion is set at a position below the molten metal surface level when the filling of the molten metal into the cavity is completed, while the upper end of the inner lining member of the hot water outlet portion is set at a position above the upper limit molten metal surface level of the molten metal holding chamber and the lower end thereof is set at a position below the molten metal surface level when the pressure in the pressurizing portion is released. The constant molten metal surface level of the pressurizing portion is set at the lower limit molten metal surface level of the molten metal holding chamber.

[0005] According to this two-chamber type low-pressure casting molten metal holding furnace, by appropriately selecting the relationship between the positions of the upper and lower ends of the inner lining member and the molten metal surface level, it is possible to surely prevent cracks and damages on the inner wall surfaces due to the penetration of the molten metal into the inner wall surfaces of the pressurizing portion and the hot water outlet portion caused by the installation of the inner lining member over a long period of time. It is claimed that stable long-term operability can be ensured and good casting products can be manufactured.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The two-chamber type low-pressure casting molten metal holding furnace of Patent Document 1 supplies a pressurizing gas to the pressurizing portion to push up the molten metal in the hot water outlet portion connected to the pressurizing portion and supply the molten metal into the cavity of the mold from the hot water outlet portion. When supplying the molten metal into the cavity of the mold, there is no mention of how the molten metal flows out from the hot water outlet portion into the cavity under pressure, and no means for accurately discharging the required amount of molten metal is disclosed.

[0008] In general, in order to improve yield, it is required to supply the desired (predetermined) amount of molten metal per shot (one pour) to the target location (for example, inside the sleeve of a die-casting machine) at the desired (predetermined) required amount.

[0009] The main object of the present invention is to provide an embodiment that enables pouring of hot water in a desired (predetermined) required amount. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The aspects of the means for solving the above problems are as follows.

[0011] (First aspect) a tapping chamber for tapping molten metal; a molten metal holding chamber communicating with the tapping chamber and holding the molten metal; an adjustment unit that allows or blocks movement of the molten metal from the molten metal holding chamber to the tapping chamber between the tapping chamber and the molten metal holding chamber; a tapping pipe provided in the tapping chamber and used to tap the molten metal to the outside of the tapping chamber; a gas supply unit capable of supplying gas from the outside to the inside of the tap chamber, the outlet pipe is provided with an inlet, an outlet, and one-way valve means for allowing the molten metal to flow in through the inlet and flow out through the outlet when pressurized gas is supplied from the gas supply unit into the outlet chamber, and for stopping the inflow of the molten metal through the inlet when the pressurized supply of gas is stopped or the pressure is reduced; With the adjusting unit shut off, the molten metal in the tapping chamber is tapped to a target location through the inside of the tapping pipe by pressurizing the gas supplied from the gas supply unit. A tapping furnace characterized by:

[0012] (Second aspect) The outlet pipe of the first aspect, The outlet pipe is the inlet for the molten metal located at a low position within the tapping chamber; The molten metal outlet located at a high position outside the hot water outlet chamber, A flow path formed inside the hot water outlet pipe, between the inlet and the outlet, And an on-off valve member provided in the flow path. The on-off valve member allows the molten metal to flow in from the inlet and out from the outlet, and when the pressurized supply stops or the pressure decreases, the inflow of the molten metal from the inlet stops. Hot water outlet pipe.

[0013] (Third aspect) A hot water outlet chamber for discharging molten metal, A molten metal holding chamber connected to the hot water outlet chamber for holding the molten metal, A regulating part for allowing or blocking the movement of the molten metal from the molten metal holding chamber to the hot water outlet chamber between the hot water outlet chamber and the molten metal holding chamber, A hot water outlet pipe provided in the hot water outlet chamber and used for discharging the molten metal in the hot water outlet chamber to the outside, In a hot water outlet furnace having a gas supply part capable of supplying gas from the outside to the inside of the hot water outlet chamber, The hot water outlet pipe is provided with an inlet, an outlet, and a one-way valve means that allows the molten metal to flow in from the inlet and out from the outlet when gas is pressurized and supplied from the gas supply part into the hot water outlet chamber, and stops the inflow of the molten metal from the inlet when the pressurized supply stops or the pressure decreases. With the regulating part blocked, the molten metal in the hot water outlet chamber is discharged to a target location through the inside of the hot water outlet pipe by the pressurization of the gas supplied from the gas supply part. A hot water discharging method characterized by the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hot water outlet furnace capable of safely discharging a large amount of molten metal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a schematic plan view showing a hot water outlet furnace according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 2] It is a sectional view taken along line Z1-Z1 of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a schematic plan view showing a hot water outlet furnace according to another aspect of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 4] It is a sectional view taken along line Z2-Z2 of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a schematic plan view showing a hot water outlet furnace according to another aspect of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 6] It is a sectional view taken along line Z3-Z3 of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a schematic plan view showing a hot water outlet furnace according to another aspect of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 8] It is a sectional view taken along line Z4-Z4 of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a schematic plan view showing a hot water outlet furnace according to another aspect of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 10] It is a sectional view taken along line Z5-Z5 of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] It is a schematic plan view showing a hot water outlet furnace according to another aspect of the first and second embodiments. [Figure 12] It is a sectional view taken along line Z6-Z6 of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is a schematic plan view showing a hot water outlet furnace according to the third to fifth embodiments. [Figure 14] It is a sectional view of the hot water outlet furnace along line Z7-Z7 of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the hot water outlet pipe. (c) is an enlarged view of one end side of (a) and (b). [Figure 16] (d) is an enlarged view according to another aspect of one end side of FIGS. 15(a) and (b). (e) is an enlarged view of (d). (f) is a sectional view taken along line Y-Y of FIG. 15(a). (g) is a sectional view taken along line Y-Y according to another aspect of FIG. 15(a). [Figure 17] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the hot water outlet pipe. (b) is an enlarged view of one end side of (a). (c) is a sectional view taken along line W-W of (a).

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the tapping furnace 1 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description and drawings merely show one example of an embodiment of the present invention, and the content of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to this embodiment.

[0018] (First embodiment) 1 to 12 show a first embodiment of a tapping furnace 1 according to the present invention. The tapping furnace 1 has a molten metal holding chamber 13 that receives and holds molten metal MM, such as an aluminum alloy, and a tapping chamber 16 that taps the molten metal MM. The molten metal holding chamber 13 and the tapping chamber 16 are connected via a molten metal flow passage 5.

[0019] (molten metal holding chamber) The molten metal holding chamber 13 is the space inside the molten metal holding chamber vessel 13D, and the molten metal MM is held inside this molten metal holding chamber 13. A molten metal heater 2 is provided to heat the molten metal MM inside the molten metal holding chamber 13 and prevent a drop in temperature. Above the molten metal holding chamber 13, a molten metal holding chamber upper cover 13C that closes the upper opening of the molten metal holding chamber 13 and a molten metal supply port cover 13B that supplies the molten metal MM from outside the tapping furnace 1 are provided. A liquid level sensor 13E is provided on the molten metal holding chamber upper cover 13C. In the illustrated example, a molten metal supply port cover 13B is provided, allowing the molten metal MM to be supplied from outside the tapping furnace 1 using a ladle or the like. The method of supplying the molten metal MM from outside the tapping furnace 1 is not limited to this. Although not shown, for example, a trough may be provided through the side wall of the tapping furnace 1 that forms the molten metal holding chamber 13, and a trough may be provided in the penetrated portion. The trough may be connected to a melting furnace or buffer furnace located outside the tapping furnace 1, and the molten metal MM in the melting furnace or buffer furnace may be supplied into the molten metal holding chamber 13 via the trough. Alternatively, the molten metal holding chamber 13 itself may be provided with a melting function, allowing ingots, returned materials, or scrap (e.g., briquettes or chips) to be directly melted to produce the molten metal MM.

[0020] The molten metal heater 2 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that it does not hinder the movement of the molten metal MM, and a slender cylindrical heater is preferable to a plate-shaped heater. Specifically, it is preferable to use a tubular heater such as a tube burner or a tube heater. There is no particular limit to the number of molten metal heaters 2 as long as they can properly maintain the temperature of the molten metal MM. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 12, three molten metal heaters 2 are installed in the molten metal holding chamber 13.

[0021] The lower end of the liquid level sensor 13E is installed at the same height as the lower end of the liquid level sensor 16E of the tapping chamber 16, which will be described later. This is because the amount of molten metal in the molten metal holding chamber 13 decreases as the molten metal MM moves by natural fall from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 and is repeatedly tapped from the tapping chamber 16, making it difficult for the molten metal MM to move by natural fall from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16, and when the molten metal surface moves away from the lower end of the liquid level sensor 13E (in other words, when the molten metal MM can no longer move by natural fall from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16), the sensor notifies the timing for supplying the molten metal MM from outside the tapping furnace 1 into the molten metal holding chamber 13. When the time comes to supply the molten metal, the molten metal MM is supplied from the molten metal supply port cover 13B. In addition, in order to detect the upper limit of the molten metal supply, a liquid level sensor 13F may be provided in addition to the liquid level sensor 13E that indicates the lower limit of the molten metal amount.

[0022] (Taking room) The tapping chamber 16 is the space inside the tapping chamber container 16D, and the molten metal MM is held inside this tapping chamber 16. Inside the tapping chamber 16, a gas supply unit 16A for using the molten metal MM that has flowed in (moved) from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 for tapping is provided. Also, a tapping pipe 6 for tapping the molten metal MM inside the tapping chamber 16 is provided penetrating the wall of the tapping chamber 16. Here, the wall of the tapping chamber 16 refers to the side wall of the tapping furnace 1 that forms the tapping chamber 16 and the tapping chamber lid 16C. And, a molten metal heater 2 is provided to prevent heating and temperature drop of the molten metal MM inside the tapping chamber 16. Further, a tapping chamber lid 16C for closing the tapping chamber 16 is provided above the tapping chamber 16 US. A liquid level sensor 16E and a thermocouple 16B are also provided on the tapping chamber lid 16C.

[0023] The molten metal heater 2 is not particularly limited, but preferably does not hinder the movement of the molten metal MM, and a cylindrical elongated heater is more preferable than a plate-shaped heater. Specifically, it is preferable to use a tube-shaped one such as a tube burner or a tube heater. The number of the molten metal heaters 2 is not particularly limited as long as the temperature of the molten metal MM can be appropriately maintained. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, one molten metal heater 2 is installed inside the tapping chamber 16.

[0024] The tapping chamber 16 and the molten metal holding chamber 13 communicate with each other via a molten metal flow path 5, and a regulating unit 4 for allowing or blocking the movement of the molten metal MM from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 is provided in this molten metal flow path 5.

[0025] The liquid level sensor 16E of the tapping chamber 16 senses the upper limit of the liquid surface of the molten metal MM that has flowed in (moved) from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 via the molten metal flow path 5, and it is possible to store the molten metal MM up to the position sensed by the liquid level sensor 16E. When the liquid surface of the molten metal MM touches the lower end of the liquid level sensor 16E, the regulating unit 4 provided in the molten metal flow path 5 is operated to block the movement, and the inflow (movement) of the molten metal MM from the molten metal flow path 5 to the tapping chamber 16 is stopped.

[0026] It is possible to pressurize the molten metal discharging chamber 16 with dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas or argon gas) through the gas supply unit 16A installed in the lid 16C of the molten metal discharging chamber. By pressurizing the inside of the molten metal discharging chamber 16, it is possible to discharge a required amount of the molten metal MM stored in the molten metal discharging chamber 16 from the molten metal discharge pipe 6 to a target location outside the molten metal discharging chamber 16 (for example, inside the sleeve of a die-casting machine).

[0027] In order to achieve accurate discharging of a required amount, for example, the following preparatory measures can be taken. That is, at the trial operation stage before the actual operation of the molten metal discharging furnace 1, in accordance with the required amount of the molten metal MM per one-shot (one-time discharging) discharged from the molten metal discharge pipe 6 to the outside of the molten metal discharging chamber 16, after starting to detect that the molten metal MM is flowing in the internal flow path of the molten metal discharge pipe 6 until the required amount is discharged, various preparatory information such as the elapsed time, the pressure, speed, and supply time of the gas supplied to the molten metal discharging chamber 16, the form of the molten metal discharge pipe 6 (inner diameter, length, size of the inlet 9, etc.), and the number of the molten metal discharge pipes 6 in the molten metal discharging chamber 16 are measured in advance, and at the time of actual operation, a required amount of the molten metal MM is stably discharged based on each piece of the preparatory information.

[0028] Note that the gas supply unit 16A is provided with a timer for measuring the pressurization time, a pressure gauge, and a speedometer for measuring the supply speed of the gas. These devices may be provided together with the gas supply unit 16A, or may be provided separately from the gas supply unit 16A.

[0029] According to the embodiment, a gas supply unit 16A is provided in the molten metal discharging chamber 16, and discharging is performed through the molten metal discharge pipe 6 provided in the molten metal discharging chamber 16. It is possible to repeatedly perform the pressurized supply of the gas from the gas supply unit 16A, the stop, and the depressurization by exhaust a plurality of times.

[0030] In this form of molten metal discharge, in the discharge chamber 16, the surface of the molten metal MM touches the lower end of the liquid level sensor 16E described above. The adjustment part 4 provided in the molten metal flow path 5 is operated to block the movement, and the inflow (movement) of the molten metal MM from the molten metal flow path 5 into the discharge chamber 16 is stopped. Then, by the pressurized supply of gas from the gas supply part 16A, the required amount of the molten metal MM per one-shot (one-time discharge) is discharged. After that, it is depressurized by exhaust through the gas supply part 16A to return to the atmospheric pressure.

[0031] Next, the adjustment part 4 is operated to allow movement, and the molten metal MM is made to flow in (move) from the molten metal holding chamber 13 into the discharge chamber 16 through the molten metal flow path 5 until the position sensed by the liquid level sensor 16E. When the surface of the molten metal MM touches the lower end of the liquid level sensor 16E, the adjustment part 4 provided in the molten metal flow path 5 is operated to block the movement, and the inflow (movement) of the molten metal MM from the molten metal holding chamber 13 into the discharge chamber 16 is stopped. Then, in the same manner as above, by the pressurized supply of gas from the gas supply part 16A, the required amount of the molten metal MM per one-shot (one-time discharge) is discharged. This series of discharge operations, as described above, repeats the movement of the molten metal MM from the molten metal holding chamber 13 into the discharge chamber 16 by natural fall and the discharge from the discharge chamber 16. As a result, the amount of molten metal in the molten metal holding chamber 13 decreases, making it difficult for the molten metal MM to move from the molten metal holding chamber 13 into the discharge chamber 16 by natural fall. This is repeated multiple times until the liquid surface moves away from the lower end of the liquid level sensor 13E (that is, when the movement of the molten metal MM from the molten metal holding chamber 13 into the discharge chamber 16 by natural fall becomes impossible).

[0032] In this tapping mode, the tapping of the molten metal MM in the tapping chamber 16 begins with the surface of the molten metal MM always touching the lower end of the level sensor 16E. In other words, the tapping begins when the surface of the molten metal MM in the tapping chamber 16 is at a constant position (also called a "constant level"). This allows the gas pressurization from the gas supply unit 16A to be supplied at a constant level, making management easy. Furthermore, the tapping chamber 16 can be made smaller, and in this case, the amount of gas required for pressurization from the gas supply unit 16A can also be reduced. This allows the tapping chamber to be made smaller than conventional tapping chambers. When the size of the tapping chamber is reduced, only a small pressure of gas is required for tapping, so the power cost required for tapping can be reduced.

[0033] Furthermore, in the conventional method of pouring molten metal into a ladle and then transferring it from the ladle to, for example, a cavity, if the ladle is to receive the amount of molten metal required by the cavity in one pour, then a ladle of a size commensurate with the cavity capacity is required. When using a ladle of a size that matches the cavity capacity, it is necessary to enlarge the tapping port of the ladle in the tapping chamber. As a result, the equipment cost of the tapping furnace increases, and the enlargement of the tapping port increases the heat dissipation energy, which increases the contact area of the molten metal with the atmosphere and increases the degree of oxidation of the molten metal.

[0034] The above problem becomes more pronounced when the capacity of casting equipment such as die-casting machines, known as "gigacast," increases with the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) production. In contrast, the embodiment does not have a tap port that causes the above problem. Also, according to the embodiment, when a large amount of molten metal is required for a target location (such as Gigacast), the required amount of molten metal per shot (one tapping) can be secured by making the tap pipe thicker or increasing the number of tap pipes, thereby solving the above problem.

[0035] In the embodiment, when the molten metal MM is discharged, dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) is introduced into the tapping chamber 16 through the gas supply unit 16A to pressurize the tapping chamber 16, and the molten metal MM is discharged from the tapping pipe 6. The combination of the supply of the pressurized gas from the gas supply unit 16A and the tapping pipe 6 of the embodiment enables accurate tapping.

[0036] Before tapping, although not shown, it is confirmed with a pressure gauge that dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) compressed and pressurized by a compressor can be adjusted to a desired pressure by a pressure reducing valve, and the adjusted dry air or inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) is sent into the tapping chamber 16 through the gas supply unit 16A. Information for realizing stable tapping of the required amount of molten metal MM per one-shot (one tapping), which was confirmed before actual operation, that is, the elapsed time from when it is detected that the molten metal MM has flowed through the internal flow path of the tapping pipe 6 and reached the outlet 7 until the required amount is tapped, the pressure, speed, supply time, etc. of the gas supplied to the tapping chamber 16, the form of the tapping pipe 6 (inner diameter, length, size of the inlet 9, etc.), the number of the tapping pipes 6 in the tapping chamber 16, etc. The operation panel of the tapping furnace 1 into which the data of each pre-information is input performs pressure increase and decrease during actual operation, and accurate tapping is realized.

[0037] The tapping furnace 1 uses a conventional ladle to scoop up the required amount of molten metal MM and discharge it to the outside of the tapping furnace 1. Compared with the method of discharging, since the tapping pipe 6 is used, there is no risk of the molten metal MM spilling during the scooping process, and there is no danger of the operator being injured by the spilled molten metal MM, so it is highly safe. Also, since gas is pressurized and supplied, the tapping chamber 16 can be tapped in a completely sealed state by the tapping chamber lid 16C, and the required amount can be tapped without causing oxidation.

[0038] (Tapping Pipe) In FIGS. 1 and 2, an example is shown in which the hot water outlet pipe 6 is provided so as to penetrate the side wall of the hot water outlet furnace 1. In FIGS. 3 and 4, an example is shown in which the hot water outlet pipe 6 is provided so as to penetrate the hot water outlet chamber lid 16C. The hot water outlet furnace 1 and the hot water outlet pipe 6 may be integrally manufactured. When the hot water outlet furnace 1 and the hot water outlet pipe 6 are separate bodies, only the hot water outlet pipe 6 can be replaced at the time of replacement of the hot water outlet pipe 6.

[0039] The hot water outlet pipe 6 provided in the hot water outlet chamber 16 is, for example, an elongated cylindrical shape made of fine ceramics or aluminum titanate of the ceramic system. One end is immersed in the molten metal MM surface, and the other end penetrates the side wall of the hot water outlet furnace 1 or the hot water outlet chamber lid 16C from within the hot water outlet chamber 16 and protrudes outside the hot water outlet furnace 1.

[0040] By pressurizing the hot water outlet chamber 16 with dry air or an inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) pressurized through the gas supply unit 16A for a certain period of time, the molten metal MM in the hot water outlet chamber 16 is extruded through the hot water outlet pipe 6 protruding outside the hot water outlet furnace 1, so that hot water can be discharged to the outside of the hot water outlet furnace 1. In order to prevent the temperature of the molten metal MM from dropping during hot water discharge, it is preferable to provide an auxiliary heating heater 8 in at least any one of the portion penetrating the side wall of the hot water outlet furnace 1 of the hot water outlet pipe 6, the portion penetrating the hot water outlet chamber lid 16C, and the portion protruding outside the hot water outlet furnace 1.

[0041] In addition to the inlet 9 and the outlet 7 being formed in the hot water outlet pipe 6, one-way valve means is provided in the hot water outlet pipe 6. By pressurizing the molten metal MM in the hot water outlet chamber 16, the molten metal MM flows into the hot water outlet pipe 6 from the inlet 9, and a predetermined amount of the molten metal MM flows out from the outlet 7. And by providing one-way valve means, the inflow of the molten metal MM from the inlet 9 of the hot water outlet pipe 6 stops due to the stop of pressurization or the decrease in the pressurizing force. Since the one-way valve means acts to block the hot water outlet pipe 6, it prevents external air from flowing into the hot water outlet chamber 16 and prevents oxidation of the molten metal MM stored in the hot water outlet chamber 16.

[0042] (Molten metal flow path) The molten metal holding chamber 13 and the tapping chamber 16 communicate with each other through the molten metal flow passage 5. The molten metal flow passage 5 is provided with a regulating portion 4 that separates the molten metal holding chamber 13 and the tapping chamber 16 and can open and close the molten metal flow passage 5, for example, by lifting and lowering. The lifting and lowering of the regulating portion 4 can also be manually performed. When the metal molten metal MM flows from the molten metal holding chamber 13 into the tapping chamber 16 in the state where the regulating portion 4 is raised and the liquid level rises until the liquid level sensor 16E senses it, the regulating portion 4 automatically descends so that no more metal molten metal MM flows in, and the molten metal flow passage 5 may be set to a closed state.

[0043] Thereafter, as described above, the tapping chamber 16 is pressurized with dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) through the gas supply portion 16A, and after discharging a required amount of the metal molten metal MM in the tapping chamber 16, the pressurization of the tapping chamber 16 with dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) is stopped to stop the tapping. Then, the pressure is reduced through the gas supply portion 16A to return the inside of the tapping chamber 16 to atmospheric pressure. The gas supply portion 16A can perform not only pressurization but also depressurization. When it returns to atmospheric pressure, the regulating portion 4 automatically rises, and again, the molten metal flow passage 5 may be set to an open state to allow the metal molten metal MM to flow (move) from the molten metal holding chamber 13 into the tapping chamber 16. Note that the regulating portion 4 may be provided on the molten metal holding chamber 13 side of the molten metal flow passage 5, on the tapping chamber 16 side, or in the middle of the molten metal flow passage 5, as long as it can separate the molten metal holding chamber 13 and the tapping chamber 16.

[0044] In addition, the form of the regulating part 4 that separates the molten metal holding chamber 13 and the hot water outlet chamber 16 is not limited, as long as it can stop the flow of the molten metal MM between the molten metal holding chamber 13 and the hot water outlet chamber 16. For example, in FIGS. 1 to 4, a wall-shaped regulating part 4 is provided in the middle of the molten metal flow passage 5. In FIGS. 5 to 14, at the bottom of the molten metal holding chamber 13 and at the end of the molten metal flow passage 5, as the regulating part 4, a lifting and rotating shut-off valve 12 for opening and closing the molten metal flow passage 5 is provided. The lifting and rotating shut-off valve 12 moves up and down. When it moves up, the molten metal flow passage 5 is in an open state, and when it moves down, the molten metal flow passage 5 is blocked and in a closed state. The opening and closing of the lifting and rotating shut-off valve 12 can also be performed manually. When the molten metal MM flows into the hot water outlet chamber 16 in the state where the lifting and rotating shut-off valve 12 is up and the water level rises until the liquid level sensor 16E senses it, the lifting and rotating shut-off valve 12 can be automatically lowered so that no more molten metal MM flows in, and the molten metal flow passage 5 can be set to a closed state.

[0045] Thereafter, the hot water outlet chamber 16 is pressurized with dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) pressurized through the gas supply part 16A. After discharging the required amount of the molten metal MM in the hot water outlet chamber 16, the pressurization of the hot water outlet chamber 16 with dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) is stopped to stop the hot water discharge. Thereafter, the pressure is reduced to return the inside of the hot water outlet chamber 16 to atmospheric pressure. When it returns to atmospheric pressure, the lifting and rotating shut-off valve 12 automatically rises, and the molten metal flow passage 5 can be set to an open state again so that the molten metal MM flows (moves) from the molten metal holding chamber 13 into the hot water outlet chamber 16.

[0046] As shown in the figure, the elongated cylindrical hot water outlet pipe 6 installed in the hot water outlet chamber 16 penetrates through the hot water outlet chamber lid 16C or through the side wall of the hot water furnace 1. The hot water outlet pipe 6 is made of, for example, fine ceramics or aluminum titanate of the ceramic system, etc., and is excellent in heat resistance, corrosion resistance, etc., is less likely to crack or split, and can be used for a long time. In order to prevent the temperature of the molten metal MM from dropping during hot water outlet, at least one of the portion of the hot water outlet pipe 6 that penetrates through the side wall of the hot water furnace 1 or the portion that penetrates through the hot water outlet chamber lid 16C and the portion that protrudes outside the hot water furnace 1 is preferably provided with an auxiliary heating heater 8.

[0047] One end side of the hot water outlet pipe 6 immersed in the molten metal MM in the hot water outlet chamber 16 is used as the inlet 9 of the molten metal MM, and the other end side where the molten metal MM flows out of the hot water furnace 1 is used as the outlet 7 of the molten metal MM. Inside the inlet 9 side of the hot water outlet pipe 6, an on-off valve member 14, which is one-way valve means capable of opening and closing the inlet 9, is provided. The on-off valve member 14 is pressurized through the gas supply portion 16A of the hot water outlet chamber 16, and is in an open state when the molten metal MM flows out, and is in a closed state when the pressurization is stopped and the hot water outlet is stopped.

[0048] The on-off valve member 14 exerts its effect when the hot water outlet is stopped. Specifically, in order to stop the hot water outlet, the pressurization of dry air or an inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) is stopped through the gas supply portion 16A. After that, when decompression is performed, there is a possibility that the outside air outside the hot water furnace 1 is drawn into the outlet 7 of the hot water outlet pipe 6, or the dry air or inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) remaining in the hot water outlet pipe 6 is drawn into the hot water outlet chamber 16. If the gas drawn in is outside air or dry air remaining in the hot water outlet pipe 6, there is a risk that the molten metal MM will be oxidized.

[0049] Also, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in order to accurately discharge the required amount of molten metal MM to the outside of the hot water furnace 1, a molten metal detector 10 may be provided inside the outlet 7 side of the hot water outlet pipe 6. The specific details of the molten metal detector 10 will be described later.

[0050] If a sealing material 11 that prevents contact with the outside air outside the tapping furnace 1 is not provided around the molten metal detector 10, there is a possibility that the outside air outside the tapping furnace 1 will be drawn in from around the molten metal detector 10 through the outlet 7 of the tapping pipe 6. If no sealing material 11 is provided, the on-off valve member 14 at the inlet 9 is absent, or the on-off valve member 14 does not work, and the inlet 9 of the tapping pipe 6 remains open, the outside air outside the tapping furnace 1 will be drawn in through the outlet 7 of the tapping pipe 6, and the molten metal MM stored in the tapping chamber 16 will come into contact with the outside air, which may oxidize the molten metal MM. Furthermore, if the gas pressurized via the gas supply unit 16A is dry air, the dry air remaining in the tapping pipe 6 will also be drawn in, and the molten metal MM stored in the tapping chamber 16 will come into contact with the outside air or dry air, which could result in oxidation of the molten metal MM. To prevent oxidation of the molten metal MM, it is necessary to close the inlet 9 of the tapping pipe 6 with the on-off valve member 14, so that the outside air outside the tapping furnace 1 or the dry air remaining in the tapping pipe 6 when the gas pressurized via the gas supply unit 16A is dry air will not enter the tapping chamber 16.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, by providing a pressurizing portion 13A in the molten metal holding chamber 13, the inside of the molten metal holding chamber 13 can be pressurized with dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas or argon gas). In order to pressurize and supply the gas, the molten metal holding chamber 13 is made in a completely sealed state by the molten metal holding chamber upper lid 13C and the molten metal supply port lid 13B. Thus, by opening the molten metal flow path 5 with the elevating and rotating shut-off valve 12 and pressurizing the molten metal holding chamber 13, the molten metal MM can be efficiently flowed in (moved) from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 through the molten metal flow path 5 until the liquid level sensor 16E of the tapping chamber 16 senses it. In particular, when the amount of the molten metal MM in the molten metal holding chamber 13 decreases, it becomes difficult for the molten metal MM to flow in (move) from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 by natural fall, the flow-in (movement) speed of the molten metal MM from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 becomes slow, and the efficiency deteriorates. At this time, the molten metal MM remaining in the molten metal holding chamber 13 can be smoothly flowed in (moved) into the tapping chamber 16 with as little waste as possible. In other words, the molten metal MM remaining in the molten metal holding chamber 13 can be forcibly flowed in (moved) into the tapping chamber 16 with as little waste as possible.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, similar to the above, a liquid level sensor 13E is installed in the molten metal holding chamber 13. The lower end of the liquid level sensor 13E is installed at the same height as the lower end of the liquid level sensor 16E in the hot water outlet chamber 16 (referred to as "lower limit 1"). The lower limit 1 is a position where the molten metal heating body 2 is exposed from the surface of the molten metal MM in the molten metal holding chamber 13 and does not cause dry burning. When the inside of the molten metal holding chamber 13 is pressurized with dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas or argon gas) by the pressurizing section 13A, the molten metal MM in the molten metal holding chamber 13 can be forced to flow (move) into the hot water outlet chamber 16. Further, separately from the liquid level sensor 13E, a liquid level sensor 13G is provided in the molten metal holding chamber 13. Although this extends up to directly above a certain height of the molten metal heating body 2, for example, it is below the lower limit 1. And if the inside of the molten metal holding chamber 13 is pressurized with dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas or argon gas) by the pressurizing section 13A to force the molten metal MM to flow (move) from the molten metal holding chamber 13 into the hot water outlet chamber 16, the height of the liquid surface at the limit where the molten metal heating body 2 in the molten metal holding chamber 13 is exposed from the surface of the molten metal MM and dry burning occurs is set in advance, and the lower limit of the liquid level sensor 13G (referred to as "lower limit 2") is adjusted accordingly. Then, the supply timing of the molten metal MM from the outside of the hot water outlet furnace 1 into the molten metal holding chamber 13 is not notified at the lower limit 1 but is notified at the lower limit 2.

[0053] After setting these, when the height of the molten metal surface of the molten metal MM in the molten metal holding chamber 13 is higher than the height of the molten metal surface of the molten metal MM in the tapping chamber 16, raise the lifting and rotating shut-off valve 12 to open the molten metal flow path 5, and allow the molten metal MM to flow in (move) from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 through the molten metal flow path 5 by natural fall. When the molten metal MM that has entered the tapping chamber 16 has flowed in (moved) to the position sensed by the liquid level sensor 16E in the tapping chamber 16, lower the lifting and rotating shut-off valve 12 to close the molten metal flow path 5 and stop the inflow (movement) of the molten metal MM from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16. Then, pressurize the tapping chamber 16 with dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) through the gas supply section 16A of the tapping chamber 16, and tap out the required amount of the molten metal MM to the outside of the tapping furnace 1. After tapping out the required amount of the molten metal MM, stop the pressurization of the tapping chamber 16 with dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) to stop the tapping. Then, depressurize through the gas supply section 16A to return to atmospheric pressure. Once again, raise the lifting and rotating shut-off valve 12 to open the molten metal flow path 5, allow the molten metal MM to flow in (move) from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 through the molten metal flow path 5 by natural fall, lower the lifting and rotating shut-off valve 12 to close the molten metal flow path 5, pressurize the tapping chamber 16, and tap out the molten metal MM. Repeat this operation to continue tapping out the molten metal MM. Then, as the amount of molten metal in the molten metal holding chamber 13 decreases and it becomes difficult for the molten metal MM to move from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 by natural fall, and when the molten metal surface has moved away from the lower limit 1 (that is, when the molten metal MM cannot move from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 by natural fall), pressurize the inside of the molten metal holding chamber 13 with dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) by the pressurizing section 13A to force the molten metal MM to flow in (move) from the molten metal holding chamber 13 to the tapping chamber 16 to the position sensed by the liquid level sensor 16E. Next, after lowering the lifting and rotating shut-off valve 12 to close the molten metal flow path 5, depressurize the inside of the molten metal holding chamber 13 through the pressurizing section 13A to return to atmospheric pressure. Note that the pressurizing section 13A can not only pressurize but also depressurize. Furthermore, pressurize the tapping chamber 16 and tap out the molten metal MM. Repeat this operation to continue tapping out the molten metal MM.Then, when the amount of molten metal in the molten metal holding chamber 13 decreases and the liquid level in the molten metal holding chamber 13 moves away from the lower limit 2, the molten metal MM is supplied from the molten metal supply lid 13B.

[0054] In Fig. 15(a), a part of the hot water outlet pipe 6 on one end side of the hot water outlet pipe 6 is opened to form the inlet 9, and the length d3 of the diameter of the inlet 9 is smaller than the length d1 of the diameter of the hot water outlet pipe 6. The shape of the on-off valve member 14 provided at the inlet 9 of the hot water outlet pipe 6 is not limited, but in order to prevent the state where the entire inlet 9 is not sealed (a state where a gap is generated between the inlet 9 and the on-off valve member 14), the spherical body 14A is preferable. The length d2 of the diameter of the spherical body 14A is larger than the length d3 of the diameter of the inlet 9 of the hot water outlet pipe 6. That is, in terms of the length of the diameter, the relationship is such that the length d1 of the diameter of the hot water outlet pipe 6 > the length d2 of the diameter of the spherical body 14A which is the on-off valve member 14 > the length d3 of the diameter of the inlet 9 of the hot water outlet pipe 6. For this reason, when the outflow of the molten metal MM stops and the hot water outlet chamber 16 is depressurized via the gas supply portion 16A, the spherical body 14A which is the on-off valve member 14 moves toward the one end side of the hot water outlet pipe 6 within the hot water outlet pipe 6 and stops in close contact with the inlet 9 of the hot water outlet pipe 6. As shown in Fig. 17, the spherical body 14A which is the on-off valve member 14 can tightly close the inlet 9 of the hot water outlet pipe 6, thereby preventing the intrusion of outside air into the hot water outlet chamber 16. Further, the spherical body 14A which is the on-off valve member 14 can move freely within the hot water outlet pipe 6 toward the upper side US (the other end side of the hot water outlet pipe 6) and the lower side DS (the one end side of the hot water outlet pipe 6) according to the pressurization and depressurization of the hot water outlet chamber 16.

[0055] Here, the shape of the periphery of the inlet 9 of the outlet pipe 6 will be explained. To make it easier for the sphere 14A, which is the on-off valve member 14, to tightly close the inlet 9, it is preferable to open a portion of the outlet pipe 6 at one end to form the inlet 9, as shown in Figures 15(a) and 15(c), and to make the inner shape of the outlet pipe 6 that contacts the sphere 14A an arc that follows at least the sphere 14A, which is the on-off valve member 14. Alternatively, instead of opening a portion of the outlet pipe 6 at one end to form the inlet 9, as shown in Figure 16(d), the entire one end of the outlet pipe 6 may be opened, and the entire one end of the outlet pipe 6 may be formed by a separate inlet member 9A. Then, a portion of the inlet member 9A may be opened to form the inlet 9. The surface shape of the portion of inlet member 9A that comes into contact with sphere 14A may be a substantially truncated cone shape as shown in Figure 16(d), but is preferably a curved surface having an arc that follows the shape of sphere 14A, which is the on-off valve member 14, as shown in Figures 16(e) and 17(b). The shape of the portion of inlet member 9A that comes into contact with sphere 14A is not limited to that shown in the figures, but it is sufficient that sphere 14A fits snugly into inlet 9 when viewed from below, as shown in Figure 17(c).

[0056] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 16(d), 16(e), 16(g) and 17(b) are preferable because the inlet 9 can be easily attached to the hot water outlet pipe wall 6A by piercing the pin 15. Also, by removing the pin 15, it becomes possible to easily replace the pin 15, the inlet member 9A, and the sphere 14A. The materials of the pin 15 and the inlet member 9A are not limited as long as they have heat resistance and durability, but it is desirable that they be fine ceramics because they have high strength. For the same reason, it is desirable that the sphere 14A is also made of fine ceramics. Since the sphere 14A and the inlet member 9A come into contact each time the inlet 9 is opened and closed, it is better that the sphere 14A, the inlet member 9A, and the pin 15 that stops them are more resistant to impact, reducing the possibility of cracks or breakage and making it less likely that replacement will be necessary. And in order to prevent the intrusion of outside air into the hot water outlet chamber 16 due to decompression when stopping the hot water discharge, it is preferable to block the space between the inlet member 9A and the hot water outlet pipe wall 6A with a sealing material 11. By blocking not only the inlet 9 but also the gap formed between the inlet member 9A and the hot water outlet pipe wall 6A, it becomes possible to prevent the intrusion of outside air into the hot water outlet chamber 16 during decompression.

[0057] The sphere 14A, which is an example of the opening and closing valve member 14 described above, can move freely upward (the other end side of the hot water outlet pipe 6) and downward (one end side of the hot water outlet pipe 6) in the hot water outlet pipe 6 according to the pressurization and decompression of the hot water outlet chamber 16. For this reason, when the sphere 14A continues to move to the upper side (the other end side of the hot water outlet pipe 6) in the hot water outlet pipe 6 during pressurization to discharge the molten metal MM, there is a risk of jumping out from the outlet 7 of the hot water outlet pipe 6 together with the molten metal MM. Therefore, in order to prevent the sphere 14A from jumping out, as a movement restricting portion of the sphere 14A, a convex portion 17 that protrudes from the inner wall of the hot water outlet pipe 6 toward the axis of the hot water outlet pipe 6 is provided near one end side of the hot water outlet pipe 6. Thereby, the moving range of the sphere 14A is restricted and it is stopped by the convex portion 17.

[0058] If the movement range of the sphere 14A can be restricted and stopped, the shape of the convex portion 17 is not limited. As an example, as shown in FIG. 16(f) which is a Y-Y cross-sectional view of the hot water outlet pipe 6 shown in FIG. 15(a), a protrusion that extends from the hot water outlet pipe wall 6A and is integral with the wall may be provided inside the pipe of the hot water outlet pipe 6. As another example, as shown in FIG. 16(g), a pin 15 made of fine ceramics may be pierced into the hot water outlet pipe wall 6A from the outside of the hot water outlet pipe 6, and the tip of the pin 15 may be extended into the hot water outlet pipe 6 to protrude. This can be easily attached. Although not shown, in addition, a lattice may be provided inside the hot water outlet pipe 6, or a rod may be passed through the diameter of the hot water outlet pipe 6, etc.

[0059] When the sphere 14A stops at the convex portion 17 and the movement of the sphere 14A stops, if the space inside the hot water outlet pipe 6 is closed by the convex portion 17 and the sphere 14A, the molten metal MM cannot flow to the outlet 7 through the hot water outlet pipe 6. Therefore, even if the movement of the sphere 14A inside the hot water outlet pipe 6 is stopped by the convex portion 17, it is necessary to have a gap through which the molten metal MM flows. If there is a gap through which the molten metal flows and it does not prevent the flow of the molten metal MM and the molten metal MM can smoothly flow out of the hot water outlet, the shape of the convex portion 17 is not limited. As described above, the material of the convex portion 17 is not limited as long as it has heat resistance and durability, but it is preferably fine ceramics that can be stably used for a long period.

[0060] The shape of the other end side of the molten metal outlet pipe 6 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the side protruding from the molten metal outlet chamber 16 to the outside of the molten metal outlet furnace 1 may be bifurcated. And the molten metal detector 10 provided in the molten metal outlet pipe 6 is configured such that when the pressurized molten metal MM flows through the molten metal outlet pipe 6 and exits from the outlet 7, it touches this molten metal detector 10. The molten metal detector 10 is provided to improve the accuracy of the amount of molten metal MM flowing out. The installation location of the molten metal detector 10 is not limited as long as it is within the range of the flow path of the molten metal MM, whether it is close to the inlet 9, close to the outlet 7, or at the midpoint of the flow path. For example, in the molten metal outlet pipe 6 where the side protruding from the molten metal outlet chamber 16 to the outside of the molten metal outlet furnace 1 is bifurcated as shown in FIGS. 14, 15(a) and 15(b), when the molten metal MM passes through the bifurcated part close to the outlet 7, the molten metal detector 10 that touches the flowing molten metal MM reacts, and at the same time the timer starts measuring time. As shown in FIG. 15(b), the molten metal detector 10 moves upward to US. When the scheduled elapsed time based on the pre-information has passed and the molten metal outflow stops, it may be configured to move downward to DS as shown in FIG. 15(a) and return to its original position.

[0061] The molten metal MM is discharged for a time measured in advance from the moment the molten metal MM touches the molten metal detector 10. The timer that operates from the moment the molten metal MM touches the molten metal detector 10 may be provided together with the molten metal detector 10 or may be provided separately from the molten metal detector 10 outside the molten metal outlet pipe 6. As described above, during the test run stage before the actual operation of the molten metal outlet furnace 1, according to the required amount of molten metal MM per one-shot (one-time molten metal outflow) flowing out from the molten metal outlet pipe 6 to the outside of the molten metal outlet chamber 16, starting from detecting that the molten metal MM is flowing in the internal flow path of the molten metal outlet pipe 6 until the end, the pressure, velocity, supply time, etc. of the gas supplied to the molten metal outlet chamber 16, the form of the molten metal outlet pipe 6 (inner diameter, length, size of the inlet 9, etc.), the number of molten metal outlet pipes 6 in the molten metal outlet chamber 16, etc. With the operation panel of the molten metal outlet furnace 1 into which the data of each pre-information is input, the required amount of molten metal MM can be stably discharged during actual operation.

[0062] The molten metal MM can be poured into the sleeve of a die-casting machine at the end of the outlet 7 of the tapping pipe 6, or the mold for the part to be manufactured can be attached and the molten metal MM can be poured into the mold. In this case, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the shape of the tapping pipe 6, which is bifurcated on the side protruding from the tapping chamber 16 to the outside of the tapping furnace 1, allows the molten metal MM to be pushed up to the bifurcated point with pressure and then poured into the mold installed at the DS below the outlet 7. This allows the molten metal MM to be poured smoothly with less pressure than with a straight pipe shape, as shown in Figures 1 to 12, which requires the molten metal MM to be pushed up to the mold installed at the upper US and then continue to be pressurized until the mold is filled.

[0063] The shape of the molten metal detector 10 need only be rod- or pen-shaped, as long as it fits inside the tapping pipe 6. However, a thin, elongated shape is preferred for better fit. When the tapping molten metal MM comes into contact with the molten metal detector 10, the detector 10 moves upward (US), toward the outside of the tapping furnace 1 of the tapping pipe 6, as shown in FIG. 15(b). When the tapping stops, the detector 10 preferably moves downward (DS), toward the inside of the tapping chamber 16 of the tapping pipe 6, and returns to its original position, as shown in FIG. 15(a). This is because the detector 10 can be moved upward (US), toward the outside of the tapping furnace 1 of the tapping pipe 6, to prevent deterioration over time due to the high-temperature molten metal MM. The detector 10 may be open, or may be sealed with a sealing material 11. If the periphery is sealed with a sealing material 11, outside air will not enter the outlet pipe 6 from outside the furnace, so the molten metal MM can be discharged without coming into contact with the outside air, and the molten metal MM will not oxidize, which is preferable.

[0064] The method for pouring molten metal MM from the tapping furnace 1 of the present invention includes a step of supplying dry air or an inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.) into the tapping chamber 16 through the gas supply unit 16A, a tapping step in which the molten metal MM in the tapping chamber 16 is tapped from the inlet 9 to the outlet 7 of the tapping pipe 6 by the pressurized dry air or inert gas (such as nitrogen gas, argon gas, etc.), and a stop step of stopping the tapping when the desired amount of molten metal MM has been tapped. Then, in accordance with the required amount of molten metal MM to be tapped per one-shot (one-time tapping) confirmed before actual operation, starting from detecting that the molten metal MM is flowing through the internal flow path of the tapping pipe 6 until the end, data on each pre-information such as the pressure, velocity, supply time, etc. of the gas supplied to the tapping chamber 16, the form of the tapping pipe 6 (inner diameter, length, size of the inlet 9, etc.), the number of tapping pipes 6 in the tapping chamber 16, etc. are stored in the operation panel of the tapping furnace 1, and based on this, the desired amount of molten metal MM is tapped.

[0065] Prior to this, by measuring the pressure, the time for applying the pressure, and the resulting amount of molten metal MM to be tapped, and applying and pressurizing it to tap the molten metal MM, the tapping amount of the molten metal MM can be controlled. Therefore, regardless of whether the amount is large or small, it is easy to perform safe and quantitative tapping in one-shot (one-time tapping). Also, preferably, it is a mode in which the molten metal detector 10 is provided in the tapping pipe 6, and the actual tapping time can be detected in seconds, and more accurate quantitative tapping can be realized.

Industrial Applicability

[0066] The molten metal MM may be other molten metals MM in addition to aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0067] Note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the tapping furnace 1 of the present invention can also be adopted in a melting furnace, a low-pressure casting furnace, a gravity casting furnace, etc.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] 1... molten metal outlet furnace, 2... molten metal heater, 4... regulator, 5... molten metal flow path, 6... molten metal outlet pipe, 6A... molten metal outlet pipe wall, 7... outlet, 8... auxiliary heater, 9... inlet, 9A... inlet member, 10... molten metal detector, 11... sealing material, 12... lifting and rotating shut-off valve, 13... molten metal holding chamber, 13A... pressurizing section, 13B... molten metal supply port cover, 13C... upper cover of molten metal holding chamber, 13D... container of molten metal holding chamber, 13E... liquid level sensor (detecting the lower limit of the liquid level in the molten metal holding chamber), 13F... liquid level sensor (detecting the upper limit of the liquid level in the molten metal holding chamber), 13G... liquid level sensor (detecting the lower limit of the liquid level in the molten metal holding chamber that can force the molten metal to flow (move) from the molten metal holding chamber to the molten metal outlet chamber), 14... valve member, 14A... sphere, 15... pin, 16... molten metal outlet chamber, 16A... gas supply section, 16B... thermoelectric body, 16C... cover of molten metal outlet chamber, 16D... container of molten metal outlet chamber, 16E... liquid level sensor (detecting the upper limit of the liquid level in the molten metal outlet chamber), 17... convex portion, MM... molten metal, FS... front side, BS... rear side, HD... height direction, DS... lower side (downward), US... upper side (upward), WD... width direction, LS... left side, RS... right side

Claims

1. A tapping chamber for tapping molten metal, a molten metal holding chamber communicating with the tapping chamber and holding the molten metal, a regulating portion for allowing or blocking the movement of the molten metal from the molten metal holding chamber to the tapping chamber between the tapping chamber and the molten metal holding chamber, a tapping pipe provided in the tapping chamber and used for tapping the molten metal in the tapping chamber to the outside, and a gas supply portion capable of supplying gas from the outside to the inside of the tapping chamber, wherein the tapping pipe has an inlet for the molten metal on the lower end side and an outlet on the upper end side, and a tapping flow path is formed inside between the inlet and the outlet, a inlet member and an on-off valve member are provided on the lower end side of the tapping pipe, and the inlet member holds the on-off valve member, an inlet is formed at the center of the inlet member, and the on-off valve member closes the inlet under gravity and opens the inlet when the gas is pressurized and supplied from the gas supply portion into the tapping chamber, the inlet member is attachable and detachable to / from the tapping pipe, and the inlet constitutes the inlet for the molten metal of the tapping pipe, characterized in that it is a tapping furnace.

2. A tapping pipe of the tapping furnace according to Claim 1, wherein the tapping pipe has the inlet for the molten metal located at a lower position in the tapping chamber, and the outlet for the molten metal located at a higher position outside the tapping chamber, the upper surface of the inlet member holding the on-off valve member is shaped along the on-off valve member, and the space between the tapping pipe wall and the inlet member is sealed with a sealing material. Tapping pipe.

3. The on-off valve member is a sphere that sinks in the molten metal and closes the inlet, the tapping pipe according to Claim 2.

4. A movement restricting portion protruding into the flow path is provided between the on-off valve member and the outlet in the tapping pipe to restrict the movement of the on-off valve member, the movement restricting portion allows the flow of the molten metal, the tapping pipe according to Claim 2 or 3.

5. In a tapping furnace having a tapping chamber for tapping molten metal, a molten metal holding chamber communicating with the tapping chamber and holding the molten metal, a regulating portion for allowing or blocking the movement of the molten metal from the molten metal holding chamber to the tapping chamber between the tapping chamber and the molten metal holding chamber, a tapping pipe provided in the tapping chamber and used for tapping the molten metal in the tapping chamber to the outside, and a gas supply portion capable of supplying gas from the outside to the inside of the tapping chamber, The hot water outlet pipe has a molten metal inlet on the lower end side and an outlet on the upper end side, and a hot water flow path is formed inside between the inlet and the outlet. A inlet member and an on-off valve member are provided on the lower end side of the hot water outlet pipe, and the inlet member holds the on-off valve member. An inlet is formed at the center of the inlet member, and the on-off valve member is configured to block the inlet under gravity and open the inlet when gas is pressurized and supplied from the gas supply unit into the hot water chamber. The inlet member is attachable and detachable to and from the hot water outlet pipe. The inlet constitutes the molten metal inlet of the hot water outlet pipe. When gas is pressurized and supplied from the gas supply unit into the hot water chamber, the molten metal flows in from the inlet and flows out from the outlet. When the pressurized supply stops or the pressure decreases, the inflow of the molten metal from the inlet stops. With the regulating part blocked, the molten metal in the hot water chamber is discharged to the target location through the inside of the hot water outlet pipe by the pressurization of the gas supplied from the gas supply unit. This is a hot water discharging method characterized by the above.

6. After discharging hot water to the target location, the pressure is reduced by the gas supply unit. Then, with the regulating part allowing the movement of the molten metal from the molten metal holding chamber to the hot water chamber, the molten metal is moved from the molten metal holding chamber to the hot water chamber. Next, with the regulating part blocking the movement of the molten metal from the molten metal holding chamber to the hot water chamber, the operation of discharging the molten metal in the hot water chamber to the target location through the inside of the hot water outlet pipe by the pressurization of the gas supplied from the gas supply unit is repeated a plurality of times. The hot water discharging method according to Claim 5. ​

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