Sample dissolution device

Abstract

To improve the throughput of dry type assay analysis.SOLUTION: A sample melting device 1 comprises a hand 6 that moves crucibles 21 each stored with a sample for dry type assay analysis from the outside of a melting furnace 3 to the inside of the melting furnace 3 and also casts the sample melted by moving each crucible 21 from the inside of the melting 3 to the outside of the melting furnace 3 in a mold 4 and capable of simultaneously grasping the plural crucibles 21, and also provided is a related technique thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample dissolution device, and more particularly to a device for dissolving samples for dry assay analysis. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of an apparatus for melting samples for dry assay analysis is the apparatus described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a melting furnace having a circular, annular, rotatable furnace bottom, a means for rotating the furnace bottom, and a housing portion forming a circular tunnel that covers the furnace bottom. It also discloses that heating means are provided at regular intervals within the furnace of the circular tunnel, and that the temperature within the furnace is formed into multiple temperature zones for heating samples for dry assay analysis. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-132676 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the device described in Patent Document 1, the crucibles are moved one by one by an arm. If the crucibles are moved one by one by an arm, there is a possibility that the crucibles will not be loaded into the melting furnace in time if all the crucibles must be loaded into the furnace within a certain time period to analyze multiple predetermined samples.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve the throughput of dry assay analysis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The aspects of the present invention, which have been made based on the above findings, are as follows. A first aspect of the present invention is This sample melting device is equipped with a hand that moves a crucible containing a sample for dry assay analysis from outside a melting furnace into the melting furnace, and moves the crucible from inside the melting furnace to outside the melting furnace, and casts the melted sample into a mold, and is equipped with a hand that can hold multiple crucibles simultaneously.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the first aspect, The hand can simultaneously hold a plurality of crucibles using a cup holder method that utilizes the difference in outer diameter between the top and bottom of the crucibles, or a tweezers method that holds the entire crucible from the outside.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the second aspect, The hand uses a cup holder system to simultaneously hold the plurality of crucibles, The hand has a plurality of notches corresponding to one crucible, and also has a safety bar for simultaneously holding a plurality of crucibles that are gripped.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, The apparatus further includes a camera for capturing images of the interior of the melting furnace from above.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, The melting furnace is further provided as a batch type.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the fifth aspect, A receiving portion for receiving the bottom of the crucible is provided at the intended position of the crucible in the hearth portion of the melting furnace.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the fifth or sixth aspect, A marking of a different color from the hearth portion is applied to the position on the hearth portion of the melting furnace where the crucible is to be placed.

[0013] An eighth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the seventh aspect, The material of the mark used in the marking process includes SiC.

[0014] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, When the hand approaches the door of the melting furnace, the door opens automatically. When the hand enters and exits through the door of the melting furnace, the door closes automatically.

[0015] A tenth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the fifth to ninth aspects, The hearth of the melting furnace is rotatable around a vertical axis.

[0016] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the tenth aspect, When the crucible is moved from outside the melting furnace into the melting furnace, after the door of the melting furnace is automatically closed and before the hand grasps other crucibles and approaches the door of the melting furnace again, the hearth is rotated by a predetermined angle to open a space in front of the door of the hearth, and When the crucible is moved from inside the melting furnace to outside the melting furnace, after the door of the melting furnace closes automatically and before the hand not holding the crucible approaches the door of the melting furnace again, the hearth is rotated a predetermined angle and the crucible containing the melted sample is placed in front of the door of the hearth. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, the throughput of dry assay analysis can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall plan view of the sample melting apparatus according to this embodiment (the ceiling of the melting furnace is transparent). [Figure 2]Fig. 2(a) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion (Type A) when viewed from the +X, -Y, and +Z directions, and Fig. 2(b) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion (Type A) when viewed from the +X, +Y, and +Z directions. [Figure 3] Fig. 3(a) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion (Type B) when viewed from the +X, -Y, and +Z directions, and Fig. 3(b) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion (Type B) when viewed from the +X, +Y, and +Z directions. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(a) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion (Type C) when viewed from the +X direction, the -Y direction, and the +Z direction. Fig. 4(b) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion (Type C) when viewed from the +X direction, the +Y direction, and the +Z direction. [Figure 5] Figure 5(a) is a schematic plan view seen through the ceiling of the melting furnace, Figure 5(b) is a schematic cross-sectional side view taken along line TT in Figure 5(a), and Figure 5(c) is a schematic front view seen from the door of the melting furnace. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace with three crucibles initially placed on the hearth, Figure 6(b) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace with three crucibles subsequently placed on the hearth, and Figure 6(c) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace with all intended crucibles placed on the hearth. [Figure 7] Figure 7(a) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace with three crucibles initially placed on the hearth, Figure 7(b) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace with three crucibles subsequently placed on the hearth, Figure 7(c) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace with all of the planned crucibles placed on the hearth, Figure 7(d) is a schematic view showing the state in which the gripping part has been rotated 180 degrees in the X-axis direction to change the direction of the notch from the +Y direction to the -Y direction, and Figure 7(e) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace showing the state in which the crucible is removed from the melting furnace while maintaining the rotation direction of the hearth in Figures 7(a) and (b). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes embodiments of the present invention. In this specification, the symbol "to" indicates a value greater than or equal to a predetermined value and less than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an overall plan view of the sample melting apparatus according to this embodiment (the ceiling of the melting furnace is transparent).

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the sample dissolving apparatus 1 according to this embodiment preferably has the following configuration. Crucible box 2 in which crucibles 21 containing samples for dry assay analysis are arranged in a row A melting furnace 3 for melting the sample in the crucible 21 A mold 4 arranged in a line, into which the molten sample is poured A waste box 5 into which the empty crucible 21 is disposed after the sample is cast. A hand 6 capable of simultaneously holding a plurality of crucibles 21 A camera 8 capable of observing the crucible 21 placed in the melting furnace 3 (described in detail later with reference to FIG. 5) Below, the movement of the hand 6 will be explained, and each component will be explained.

[0022] The hand 6 of this embodiment is a hand 6 that moves a crucible 21 containing a sample for dry assay analysis from outside the melting furnace 3 into the melting furnace 3, and moves the crucible 21 from inside the melting furnace 3 to outside the melting furnace 3, and casts the melted sample into a mold 4, and is capable of simultaneously holding a plurality of crucibles 21. This hand 6 is a so-called robot arm.

[0023] The hand 6 has a configuration similar to a human arm. Specifically, it preferably includes an upper arm portion 62 corresponding to a human upper arm, a forearm portion 63 connected to the upper arm portion 62 and corresponding to a human forearm, a gripping portion 64 connected to the forearm portion 63 and corresponding to a human hand, and a control portion (not shown) that controls the operation of the entire hand 6. The upper arm portion 62 is preferably disposed on a fixed base portion 61. There are no limitations on the material of each portion, but a heat-resistant metal member (e.g., SUS) is preferred due to the nature of the melting device.

[0024] 1, the hand 6 preferably moves around a base 61 located at a predetermined position as the center of rotation in a plan view. The crucible box 2, melting furnace 3, mold 4, and waste box 5 are preferably arranged on the rotational path of the gripper 64 at the end of the hand 6. However, as long as the upper arm 62 and the forearm 63 are extendable, they are not limited to being arranged on such a rotational path.

[0025] The control unit preferably controls the rotation angle of upper arm 62 in a plan view, the inclination angle when upper arm 62 extends obliquely upward from the horizontal, the angle of the extension direction of forearm 63 relative to the extension direction of upper arm 62, the angle of the extension direction of gripper 64 relative to the extension direction of forearm 63, the action of gripper 64 gripping and releasing crucible 21, the rotation angle when gripper 64 is rotated around the extension direction of gripper 64 as the rotation axis (an action similar to turning a palm), etc. The control unit may be mounted inside base 61.

[0026] There is no limitation on the configuration of the upper arm 62 as long as it can rotate around the base 61 as the center of rotation. There is no limitation on the configuration of the forearm 63, but it is preferable that the angle of the extension direction of the forearm 63 relative to the extension direction of the upper arm 62 can be changed. It is also preferable that the gripping part 64 can be rotated by the forearm 63 (like a wrist). Furthermore, the upper arm 62 and the forearm 63 may be able to extend, contract, and rotate independently of each other.

[0027] There is no limitation on the configuration of the gripping part 64 as long as it can simultaneously grip a plurality of crucibles 21. Variations of the gripping part 64 will be described below. For ease of explanation, an example will be shown in which three crucibles 21 are simultaneously gripped, but there is no limitation on the number as long as there is more than one. In addition, an example will be shown in which the shape of the crucible 21 has both an inner diameter and an outer diameter that decrease from the upper end (opening) to the lower end (bottom).

[0028] Hereinafter, the direction of the heavens (upward) will be referred to as the +Z direction, and the direction of the earth (downward) will be referred to as the -Z direction. The extending direction of the grip portion 64, that is, the direction from the base end of the grip portion 64 connected to the forearm portion 63 to the distal end, is defined as the +X direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the -X direction. A direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions, from left to right when facing the end of the grip portion 64, is defined as the +Y direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the -Y direction.

[0029] Fig. 2(a) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion 64 (type A) when viewed from the +X direction, the -Y direction, and the +Z direction. Fig. 2(b) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion 64 (type A) when viewed from the +X direction, the +Y direction, and the +Z direction. Fig. 3(a) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion 64 (type B) when viewed from the +X direction, the -Y direction, and the +Z direction. Fig. 3(b) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion 64 (type B) when viewed from the +X direction, the +Y direction, and the +Z direction. Fig. 4(a) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion 64 (type C) when viewed from the +X direction, the -Y direction, and the +Z direction. Fig. 4(b) is a schematic perspective view of the gripping portion 64 (type C) when viewed from the +X direction, the +Y direction, and the +Z direction.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the gripping portion 64 (type A) includes a gripping portion 64 main body which is a plate-shaped metal member and supports the crucible 21, and a hook 72a which hooks and holds the crucible 21 supported by the support portion .

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, a through hole 71 is formed in the support portion 70. The through hole 71 is composed of a large hole 71a having a diameter larger than the maximum outer diameter of the crucible 21 and a small hole 71b having a diameter smaller than that of the large hole 71a. As shown in FIG. 2, the large hole 71a and the small hole 71b overlap each other. A set of large and small holes 71a, 71b is provided in at least the number of crucibles 21 that will be simultaneously held. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the following order is provided from the base end to the distal end of the gripping portion 64: large hole 71a → small hole 71b → large hole 71a → small hole 71b → large hole 71a → small hole 71b → large hole 71a. Adjacent sets of large and small holes 71a, 71b also overlap each other, resulting in a single through hole 71 being provided in the support portion 70.

[0032] The simultaneous holding of the crucible 21 by the holding part 64 (type A) is outlined below. First, the gripping portion 64 is placed on three crucibles 21 lined up in a row. The gripping portion 64 is then lowered to fit into all of the large holes 71a except for the largest large hole 71a located closest to the base end, and the gripping portion 64 is lowered until it reaches the vicinity of the bottom of the gripping portion 64. When the outer diameter of the crucible 21 becomes smaller than the width of the connecting portion between the small holes 71b and the large holes 71a, the gripping portion 64 is moved in the +X direction to fit each of the three crucibles 21 into the small holes 71b. The gripping portion 64 is then raised, supporting each of the three crucibles 21 at the periphery of the small holes 71b. In this state, the three crucibles 21 are inserted into the melting furnace 3 (described below) along with the gripping portion 64. The gripping portion is then released, and the three crucibles 21 are placed on the hearth 34. To release the grip, simply follow the procedure described in this paragraph in reverse order.

[0033] When the three crucibles 21 are moved from inside the melting furnace 3 to outside the melting furnace 3 and the melted samples are cast into the mold 4, the hook 72a is hooked onto the edge of the opening at the top end of the crucible 21. The hook 72a can be rotated by the hook rotation part 72b around the X direction as the rotation axis. The hook 72a is provided on the +Y direction side of the support part 70. The melted samples are poured from the crucibles 21 into the mold 4 from the -Y direction side. At this time, the entire gripping part 64 is rotated around the X direction as the rotation axis, but the hook 72a prevents the crucibles 21 from falling off the support part 70.

[0034] In this embodiment, the case where the large hole 71a on the most proximal side is not used has been described, but of course, this large hole 71a may be used. In that case, the large hole 71a on the most distal side would not be used. In other words, the gripping portion 64 (Type A) shown in Figure 2 is provided with large holes 71a on both the proximal and distal sides so that it can be used in either case.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the gripping portion 64 (type B) grips the crucible 21 using tweezers.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, there is no limitation on the shape of the first long portion 73 (the +Y direction side in Figure 3), which corresponds to one side of the tweezers, but when viewed from the +Z direction to the -Z direction, it is preferable that the first long portion 73 has a curved shape that follows the outer contour of the crucible 21, as this makes it easier to grip the crucible 21.

[0037] The second long portion 74 (the -Y direction side in Figure 3), which corresponds to the other half of the tweezers, is composed of three long plate-like members 74a-c stacked from the -Z direction to the +Z direction. The long plate-like member 74a holds the crucible closest to the base end of the three crucibles lined up in a row. The long plate-like member 74b holds the crucible next to it. The long plate-like member 74c holds the crucible closest to the base end. When the long plate-like members 74a-c are viewed from the +Z direction to the -Z direction, it is preferable that the ends of the long plate-like members 74a-c have a curved shape that follows the outer contour of the crucible 21, making it easier to hold the crucible 21.

[0038] Two connecting plate members 75a are provided above and below between the first long portion 73 and the second long portion 74. One end of each of the two connecting plate members 75a is fixed to the first long portion 73. The other ends are used to sandwich each of the long plate members 74a-c between fixing members 75b above and below. In this case, each of the long plate members 74a-c is not completely fixed, but can be moved toward the first long portion 73 like tweezers.

[0039] The simultaneous holding of the crucible 21 by the holding part 64 (type B) is outlined below. First, three crucibles 21 lined up in a row are fitted into the distal end of the gripping portion 64, i.e., into the gap formed between the first long portion 73 and the second long portion 74. Then, the crucibles 21 are fitted to the curved shape formed on the first long portion 73 that follows the outer contour of the crucibles 21. Then, the long plate-like members 74a to 74c of the second long portion 74 are brought close together toward the first long portion 73 like tweezers, and the three crucibles 21 are sandwiched and held. The entire crucible 21 is sandwiched from both outsides of the crucible 21 (the outside of the crucible 21 in the +Y direction and the outside of the crucible 21 in the -Y direction). In this state, the three crucibles 21 are inserted into the melting furnace 3 together with the gripping portions 64, the gripping is released, and the three crucibles 21 are placed on the hearth 34. The gripping can be released by reversing the gripping procedure described in this paragraph.

[0040] When the three crucibles 21 are moved from inside the melting furnace 3 to outside the melting furnace 3 and the melted samples are cast into the mold 4, the gripping unit 64 can rotate around the X direction as the rotation axis while holding the crucibles 21. In this case, the melted samples are poured from the crucibles 21 into the mold 4 from the +Y direction side. At this time, the entire gripping unit 64 is rotated around the X direction as the rotation axis.

[0041] Unlike the above-mentioned gripping portion 64 (Type A) and the gripping portion 64 (Type C) described below (together referred to as the cup holder method which utilizes the difference in outer diameter of the crucible 21 in the vertical direction), the tweezers-type gripping portion 64 (Type B) has the advantage of being able to grip the crucible 21 even if the outer diameter of one crucible 21 is the same in the vertical direction.

[0042] 4, the gripping portion 64 (Type C) includes a gripping portion 64 main body which is a plate-shaped metal member and supports the crucible 21, and a safety bar 77a which hooks and holds the crucible 21 supported by the support portion 70. The gripping portion 64 (Type C) differs from the previously described gripping portion 64 (Type A) in that the through-hole 71 is modified to a notch 76 (formed in the -Y direction in FIG. 4) and accordingly, three notches 76 (with a maximum diameter less than the maximum outer diameter and exceeding the minimum outer diameter of the crucible 21, preferably about 2 / 3 to 3 / 4 of the maximum outer diameter of the crucible 21) corresponding to each crucible 21 are provided according to the number of crucibles 21, and in that a safety bar 77a is provided to hold three crucibles 21 simultaneously, rather than providing a hook 72a for each crucible 21. In this specification, members such as hook 72a and safety bar 77a for preventing crucible 21 from falling off when gripping portion 64 is rotated are also collectively referred to as "fall-off prevention portion."

[0043] The gripping unit 64 (type C) simultaneously grips the crucible 21 as follows. First, the gripping part 64 is positioned in the +Y direction as viewed from the three crucibles 21 lined up in a row, and then the gripping part 64 is lowered. Thereafter, the gripping part 64 is moved in the -Y direction, and each crucible 21 is fitted into the notch 76. The gripping part 64 is then raised, and each of the three crucibles 21 is supported by the periphery of the notch 76. In this state, the three crucibles 21 together with the gripping part 64 are inserted into the melting furnace 3 described below, the gripping is released, and the three crucibles 21 are placed on the hearth 34. The gripping can be released by reversing the gripping procedure described in this paragraph.

[0044] When the three crucibles 21 are moved from inside the melting furnace 3 to outside the melting furnace 3 and the molten samples are cast into the mold 4, the safety bar 77a is hooked onto the edge of the opening at the top end of the crucible 21. The safety bar 77a can be rotated by the safety bar rotation part 77b around the X direction as the rotation axis. The safety bar 77a is provided on the +Y direction side of the support part 70. The molten samples are poured from the crucibles 21 into the mold 4 from the -Y direction side. At this time, the entire gripping part 64 is rotated around the X direction as the rotation axis, but the safety bar 77a prevents the crucibles 21 from falling off the support part 70.

[0045] The above is an overview of the hand 6. An example in which the gripping unit 64 (type C) is used will be given below. Other components of the hand 6 will be explained along with the operation of the hand 6.

[0046] 1, the present embodiment illustrates a case in which, as viewed from the hand 6, the crucible box 2 is arranged at the 12 o'clock position, the melting furnace 3 is arranged at the 5 o'clock position, the mold 4 is arranged at the 2 o'clock position, and the waste box 5 is arranged at the 3 o'clock position. However, there are no limitations on the arrangement of each component, and the arrangement can be changed as appropriate depending on the work content and work environment.

[0047] The crucible box 2 is lined with crucibles 21 containing samples for pyrometallurgical analysis. There is no limitation on the samples. It is preferable to charge the crucibles 21 with a flux together with the samples. There is no limitation on the material of the crucibles 21 as long as it is fire-resistant.

[0048] It is preferable to arrange a predetermined number (three in this case) of crucibles 21 in the crucible box 2 along the extending direction (+X direction) of the gripping portion 64 of the hand 6 (vertical direction in FIG. 1). It is also preferable to arrange multiple rows (for example, five rows) of three crucibles in one row in the crucible box 2 in a direction perpendicular to the row direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 1).

[0049] In FIG. 1, 3×5=15 crucibles 21 can be placed in one crucible box 2, and a total of four crucible boxes 2 are prepared, but any other number may be used.

[0050] Furthermore, the crucibles 21 may be transported by a belt conveyor instead of the crucible box 2. In this case, the belt conveyor may be moved in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 32 of the melting furnace 3 and the rotation of the hearth 34, which will be described later, so that a row of three crucibles 21 on the belt conveyor approaches the hand 6 (if the crucible box 2 in FIG. 1 is replaced with a belt conveyor, the new row of three crucibles 21 will move to the right).

[0051] The melting furnace 3 is not limited as long as it can melt the sample in the crucible 21, and a commercially available melting furnace 3 may be used. The melting furnace 3 described below is merely one specific example.

[0052] Figure 5(a) is a schematic plan view seen through the ceiling 31 of the melting furnace 3, Figure 5(b) is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the melting furnace 3, and Figure 5(c) is a schematic front view of the melting furnace 3 facing the door 32.

[0053] The melting furnace 3 in this embodiment is a cylindrical batch-type melting furnace. Heating sections (neither shown) are provided at the center and on the periphery of the melting furnace 3, and the crucible 21 is accommodated in the crucible placement area 33 sandwiched between the two heating sections. This crucible placement area 33 is annular in plan view, but is not divided into multiple temperature zones.

[0054] When the hand 6, which simultaneously holds three crucibles 21, approaches the door 32 of the melting furnace 3 to store the crucibles 21, the door 32 automatically slides downward, opening the entrance to the melting furnace 3. Then, the end of the hand 6 enters through the entrance of the melting furnace 3 and carries the three crucibles 21 into the melting furnace 3. The hand 6 then releases its simultaneous grip on the crucibles 21 and places the three crucibles 21 on the hearth 34. The hand 6 then exits the melting furnace 3. After the hand 6 has completely exited the entrance to the melting furnace 3, the door 32 automatically slides upward, closing the entrance to the melting furnace 3.

[0055] By linking the opening and closing of the door 32 of the melting furnace 3 with the movement of the hand 6 in this way, the time that the door 32 of the melting furnace 3 is left open can be minimized, and the temperature inside the melting furnace 3 can be kept close to constant. The door 32 of the melting furnace 3 can be controlled by a control unit of the hand 6, or by a separate control unit provided in the sample melting apparatus 1.

[0056] Fig. 6(a) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace 3 in a state where three crucibles 21 are initially placed on the hearth 34, Fig. 6(b) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace 3 in a state where three crucibles 21 are subsequently placed on the hearth 34, and Fig. 6(c) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace 3 in a state where all of the intended crucibles 21 are placed on the hearth 34. This arrangement order of the crucibles 21 is merely an example and is not limited to this order.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6( a), the three crucibles 21 initially placed on the hearth 34 are aligned radially from the center of the melting furnace 3 (in the radial direction of the melting furnace 3) in the radially closest region from the door 32. In this embodiment, the hearth 34 is rotatable around the Z direction (vertical direction) as the rotation axis. For example, after the door 32 of the melting furnace 3 is closed, the hearth 34 is rotated clockwise. As a result, the row of the three crucibles 21 moves clockwise, freeing up a space in front of the entrance. The hand 6, which enters through the entrance again, simultaneously grips the three crucibles 21 and places them in this space ( FIG. 6( b)). This operation is repeated until the crucibles 21 are aligned radially in multiple rows on the hearth 34, leaving a space S large enough to prevent the crucibles 21 from interfering with the hand 6 ( FIG. 6( c)).

[0058] This configuration makes it possible for the hand 6 to release its grip on the crucible 21 immediately after entering through the door 32, and after the release, the hand 6 can quickly exit through the door 32. This not only eliminates the need for complex movements of the hand 6, but also leads to a reduction in the work time inside the melting furnace 3 and a reduction in the thermal load on the hand 6. Furthermore, the time that the door 32 is left open can be minimized, allowing the temperature inside the melting furnace 3 to remain nearly constant.

[0059] Furthermore, when the gripping portion 64 (Type C) is employed, the presence of the notch 76 significantly reduces the chance of contact between the crucible 21 already placed in the hearth 34 and the gripping portion 64, as long as the space S is left intact. As a result, the chance of the crucible 21 tipping over inside the melting furnace 3 can be significantly reduced.

[0060] It is preferable to provide recesses (not shown) in the hearth 34 at the positions where the crucible 21 is to be disposed. That is, in the example of Fig. 1, it is preferable to provide a plurality of rows of three recesses in the radial direction in the hearth 34.

[0061] The diameter and depth of the recess may be set appropriately depending on the size of crucible 21, but for example, the depth of the recess may be about 1 / 15 to 1 / 4 of the height of crucible 21. The diameter of the recess needs to be larger than the outer diameter of the bottom of crucible 21.

[0062] This depression may be provided directly in hearth 34, or a separate disk-shaped member may be provided on hearth 34, making hearth 34 a so-called double bottom, with the depression provided on the upper surface of the separate member directly above hearth 34. Furthermore, instead of providing a depression in hearth 34 or the separate member, for example, a crucible stand 35 that fits with the bottom of crucible 21 may be provided on hearth 34. These examples are all included in the phrase "providing a receiving portion for receiving the bottom of crucible 21 at the intended position of crucible 21 on hearth portion 34."

[0063] It is preferable to form a sight window 36a in the melting furnace 3 in the radial area closest to the door 32 and directly above the area where the hand 6 places the crucible 21. The sight window 36a in this embodiment is a portion that protrudes above the ceiling 31 of the melting furnace 3, and a heat-resistant transparent member 36b (e.g., glass) is provided at the top.

[0064] A CCD camera 8 is disposed on the heat-resistant transparent member 36b. This CCD camera 8 is preferably subjected to heat resistance treatment or is housed in a housing 81 that has been subjected to heat resistance treatment. The lower surface of the housing 81 is preferably made of the heat-resistant transparent member 36b (e.g., glass) so that the CCD camera 8 can capture images of each crucible 21.

[0065] A total of three CCD cameras 8 are arranged according to the arrangement of the crucibles 21. The present invention is not limited to the number of CCD cameras 8, and one or two relatively wide-angle CCD cameras may be used to image three crucibles 21, or multiple CCD cameras 8 may be provided for one crucible 21. If a CCD camera uses a telecentric lens, one CCD camera can image multiple crucibles. Also, a type of camera 8 other than a CCD may be used. In this embodiment, the viewing window 36a allows the CCD camera 8 to image only the radial area closest to the door 32 (only the range of the planned arrangement of three crucibles 21 in a row).

[0066] This CCD camera 8 allows the operator to check the state of the hearth 34 below the CCD camera 8. Even if the crucible 21 falls over on the hearth 34 when the hand 6 releases its grip on the crucible 21, the operator can quickly detect that the crucible 21 has fallen over. However, there is another advantage to providing the CCD camera 8. This will be described in detail below.

[0067] For example, if a recess is provided in the hearth 34, it becomes easier to place the crucible 21 in the predetermined position where the recess is provided. Without a recess, the crucible 21 can easily stand upright even if it is displaced from the predetermined position. However, if a recess is provided, for example, if the position of the crucible 21 is displaced from the recess by several millimeters, the crucible 21 will be placed on the slope of the recess, and the upright state of the crucible 21 will become unstable. This means that if three crucibles 21 are held and placed at the same time, the upright state of all three crucibles 21 will become unstable, and the crucibles 21 that have been properly placed in the melting furnace 3 may collide with the newly placed crucible 21, which could cause the sample in the crucible 21 to spill onto the hearth 34.

[0068] Therefore, this can be improved by utilizing the CCD camera 8. Specifically, it is preferable to mark the recess in the hearth portion 34 with a color that is significantly different from the color of the hearth portion 34 (for example, black when the hearth portion 34 is gray). The material of this mark is not limited as long as it is heat-resistant, and may be, for example, SiC (silicon carbide). When a crucible stand 35 is used instead of a recess, the crucible stand 35 itself may be made of SiC (this case is illustrated in FIG. 5(b)).

[0069] In this state, the position of the hand 6 that has entered the melting furnace 3 can be adjusted while checking the black mark with the CCD camera 8. This adjustment can be performed by an operator, or an image analysis program can be used to identify the color of the image sent from the CCD camera 8 and the control unit can automatically adjust the position of the hand 6. Whether manual or automatic, this adjustment can reduce errors in the actual placement position of the crucible 21 relative to the planned placement position (particularly errors in the placement position around the hearth 34).

[0070] In addition to or instead of the above adjustment, after placing the crucible 21 in the hearth 34, the placement state of the crucible 21 may be confirmed using the CCD camera 8. For example, if the black mark is completely hidden by the crucible 21, there is no problem, but conversely, if the black mark appears to protrude from the crucible 21, it may be determined that further adjustment using the hand 6 is required.

[0071] Alternatively, instead of providing a recess, a marking may be provided at the position where the crucible 21 is to be placed, and the position of the hand 6 that has entered the melting furnace 3 may be adjusted while checking the black mark with the CCD camera 8. In this case, the marking may be provided directly on the hearth 34, as with the recess, or a separate disk-shaped member may be provided on the hearth 34, making the hearth 34 a so-called double bottom, and the marking may be provided on the upper surface of the separate member directly above the hearth 34. Also, to reiterate, the crucible stand 35 itself may be made of SiC. These examples are all included in the phrase "providing a marking at the intended position of the crucible 21 on the hearth portion 34."

[0072] After placing the crucibles 21 in the melting furnace 3 and completely withdrawing the hand 6 through the door 32 of the melting furnace 3, the hand 6 preferably rotates again toward the crucible box 2, grips multiple crucibles 21, and then rotates again toward the melting furnace 3 to place the crucibles 21 in the melting furnace 3. This process is preferably repeated until all of the intended crucibles 21 have been placed in the melting furnace 3.

[0073] As with the crucible box 2, a predetermined number of molds 4 may be arranged along the direction in which the gripping portion 64 of the hand 6 extends (the +X direction). As shown in FIG. 1, six molds 4 may be arranged in a row (horizontally in FIG. 1). In this case, for example, three molds 4 on the right side are used in one casting, and three molds 4 on the left side are used in the next casting (after the hand 6 rotates again to the melting furnace 3 and retrieves the three crucibles 21). Multiple rows of six molds in a row may be arranged in the crucible box 2 perpendicular to the row direction (vertically in FIG. 1). The crucibles 21 are tilted while being held simultaneously by the hand 6, and the melted sample is cast into the molds 4.

[0074] There are no limitations on the type of waste box 5, as long as it is capable of disposing of the empty crucibles 21 after the samples have been cast into them. When the hand 6 releases its simultaneous grip on each crucible 21 above the waste box 5, each crucible 21 after casting falls into the waste box 5. It is preferable to provide wheels (not shown) below the waste box 5, so that the waste box 5 can be transported to a disposal location for the crucibles 21.

[0075] The empty crucible 21 may be reused. Instead of discarding the empty crucible 21 in the disposal box 5, the empty crucible 21 may be moved to the crucible box 2. The sample dissolving apparatus 1 may be provided with a mode selection unit that selects one of a disposal mode in which the empty crucible 21 is discarded and a reuse mode in which the empty crucible 21 is moved to the crucible box 2 and reused. The control unit of the hand 6 may also function as the mode selection unit, or a control unit separately provided in the sample dissolving apparatus 1 may also function as the mode selection unit.

[0076] After each crucible 21 held by hand 6 is disposed of in waste box 5 (or after moving crucible 21 to crucible box 2 if the crucible 21 is to be reused), hand 6 is rotated again toward melting furnace 3 to simultaneously hold the three crucibles 21 inside melting furnace 3. To achieve this holding, after door 32 of melting furnace 3 is automatically closed and before hand 6, which is not holding a crucible 21, approaches door 32 of melting furnace 3 again, it is preferable to rotate hearth 34 counterclockwise around the vertical direction as the rotation axis (the opposite direction from when crucible 21 is moved from outside melting furnace 3 into melting furnace 3), so that the three crucibles 21 are positioned near hand 6 when hand 6 enters through door 32 of melting furnace 3. The molten samples in these three crucibles 21 are poured into the mold 4, and this operation is preferably repeated until the molten samples in all the intended crucibles 21 have been poured.

[0077] According to this embodiment, the throughput of the pyrometallurgical analysis can be improved because the work is performed by simultaneously holding a plurality of crucibles 21. Moreover, the processes of loading into the furnace, unloading from the furnace, and pouring can be automated, ensuring the safety of the workers.

[0078] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but also includes forms in which various modifications and improvements are made within the scope that can derive specific effects obtained by the constituent elements of the invention and their combinations.

[0079] For example, there is no limit to the number of the hands 6. However, the present invention can fully exert its effects even when there is only one hand 6. Furthermore, if there is only one hand 6, the floor area of ​​the entire sample dissolution apparatus 1 can be reduced, and the entire apparatus can be made into a small room (for example, FIG. 1), in which case the safety of the operator can be further ensured.

[0080] There is no limit to the number of doors 32 of the melting furnace 3. However, the present invention can be fully effective even when there is only one hand 6, and accordingly, if the hearth 34 is configured to be rotatable, only one door 32 will be required.

[0081] In this embodiment, the rotation direction of the hearth 34 when the crucible 21 is moved from outside the melting furnace 3 into the melting furnace 3 is clockwise, and the rotation direction of the hearth 34 when the crucible 21 is moved from outside the melting furnace 3 into the melting furnace 3 is counterclockwise. This is because the notch 76 of the cup holder type gripper 64 (Type C) is provided in the -Y direction, and when the gripper 64 is inserted into the melting furnace 3, the -Y direction coincides with the left side when facing the door 32 of the melting furnace 3.

[0082] If the notch 76 is provided in the +Y direction (i.e., if the notch 76 is provided on the right side facing the door 32 of the melting furnace 3), it is preferable that the rotation direction of the hearth portion 34 when moving the crucible 21 from outside the melting furnace 3 into the melting furnace 3 be counterclockwise, and that the rotation direction of the hearth portion 34 when moving the crucible 21 from outside the melting furnace 3 into the melting furnace 3 be clockwise.

[0083] Furthermore, the crucible 21 may be moved into and out of the melting furnace 3 while the rotation direction of the hearth 34 is fixed in one direction.

[0084] Figure 7(a) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace with three crucibles initially placed on the hearth, Figure 7(b) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace with three crucibles subsequently placed on the hearth, Figure 7(c) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace with all of the planned crucibles placed on the hearth, Figure 7(d) is a schematic view showing the state in which the gripping part has been rotated 180 degrees in the X-axis direction to change the direction of the notch from the +Y direction to the -Y direction, and Figure 7(e) is a schematic plan view of the melting furnace showing the state in which the crucible is removed from the melting furnace while maintaining the rotation direction of the hearth in Figures 7(a) and (b).

[0085] In this example, the rotation direction of the hearth portion 34 is fixed counterclockwise. As shown in Fig. 7(a), the control unit of the hand 6 rotates the gripping portion 64 (Type C) 180 degrees around the X-axis as the rotation axis, and the notch 76 is pre-positioned on the +Y direction side.

[0086] When the gripping portion 64 (type C) rotates 180 degrees, the safety bar 77a may also rotate approximately 180 degrees in accordance with the rotation, so that the crucible 21 can be held by the safety bar 77a even when the gripping portion 64 (type C) has rotated 180 degrees.

[0087] 7(a) to 7(c), all of the intended crucibles 21 are placed on the hearth 34. Up to this point, the process is the same as that shown in FIG. 6, except that the direction in which the notch 76 faces and the rotation direction of the hearth 34 are opposite.

[0088] Thereafter, the gripper 64 (Type C) is rotated 180 degrees around the X-axis as the rotation axis, so that the notch 76 is now positioned on the -Y direction side. This rotation may be performed after the gripper 64 has been temporarily removed from the melting furnace 3, or, if the space S shown in FIG. 7(c) is large enough, the hearth 34 may be rotated counterclockwise so that the space S is positioned in front of the door 32, and then the rotation may be performed in the space S. This rotation allows the crucible 21 to be moved into and out of the melting furnace 3 while the rotation direction of the hearth 34 is fixed in one direction.

[0089] In the first place, in the case of Type B, which is a tweezers system, the widths in the Y direction of both the first long portion 73 and the second long portion 74 are roughly the same, and three crucibles 21 on the hearth portion 34 can be arranged in a row between the first long portion 73 and the second long portion 74. In the case of Type A, which is a cup holder system like Type C, there is no need to leave a large space on the right side of the door 32. In this case, the rotation direction of the hearth portion 34 can be the same whether the crucible 21 is moved from outside the melting furnace 3 into the melting furnace 3 or from outside the melting furnace 3 into the melting furnace 3.

[0090] That is, the present invention does not limit the rotation direction of the hearth portion 34. The rotation angle may be set in consideration of the interval between the crucibles 21 arranged on the hearth portion 34, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1...Sample dissolution device 2…Crucible box 21...crucible 3…Melting furnace 31...Ceiling 32...door 33...Cucible placement area 34...Hearth (Hearth part) 35...Crucible stand (and mark) 36a...Sightseeing window 36b...Heat-resistant transparent material 4...Mold 5...Disposal box 6...Hand 61...Base 62...Upper arm 63...Forearm 64...Gripping part 70…Support part 71...Through hole 71a…Large hole 71b…Small hole 72a…Hook 72b...Hook rotation part 73...First long section 74...Second long section 74a-c...Long plate-shaped members 75a...Connecting plate-shaped member 75b...Fixing member 76...Notch 77a…Safety bar 77b...Safety bar rotation part 8...Camera (CCD camera) 81...(CCD camera housing) S: Space (enough so that the crucible placed on the hearth does not interfere with the hand)

Claims

1. A hand that moves a crucible containing a sample for dry assay analysis from outside a melting furnace into the melting furnace, moves the crucible from inside the melting furnace to outside the melting furnace, and casts the melted sample into a mold, the hand being capable of simultaneously holding a plurality of the crucibles; a cup holder system that utilizes the difference in outer diameter of the crucibles in the vertical direction when the hand simultaneously holds the plurality of crucibles; the hand has a plurality of notches corresponding to one crucible; The direction of the sky is the +Z direction, and the direction of the earth is the -Z direction. The extending direction of the hand from the base end to the distal end is defined as the +X direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the −X direction, A direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction, where the direction from left to right when facing the end of the hand is the +Y direction, and the opposite direction is the -Y direction. A sample dissolving apparatus, wherein the maximum diameter of the notch corresponding to the one crucible is less than the maximum outer diameter and exceeds the minimum outer diameter of the crucible, and the notch corresponding to the one crucible allows the crucible to be fitted in the +Y direction or the -Y direction.

2. A hand for moving a crucible containing a sample for dry assay analysis from outside a melting furnace into the melting furnace, and for moving the crucible from inside the melting furnace to outside the melting furnace to cast the melted sample into a mold, the hand being capable of holding a plurality of the crucibles simultaneously; a cup holder system that utilizes the difference in outer diameter of the crucibles in the vertical direction when the hand simultaneously holds the plurality of crucibles; the hand has a plurality of notches corresponding to one crucible; The direction of the sky is the +Z direction, and the direction of the earth is the -Z direction. The extending direction of the hand from the base end to the distal end is defined as the +X direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the −X direction, A direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction, where the direction from left to right when facing the end of the hand is the +Y direction, and the opposite direction is the -Y direction. The sample dissolving apparatus, wherein the notches are all on the +Y direction side or both on the −Y direction side.

3. A hand for moving a crucible containing a sample for dry assay analysis from outside a melting furnace into the melting furnace, and for moving the crucible from inside the melting furnace to outside the melting furnace to cast the melted sample into a mold, the hand being capable of holding a plurality of the crucibles simultaneously; a cup holder system that utilizes the difference in outer diameter of the crucibles in the vertical direction when the hand simultaneously holds the plurality of crucibles; the hand has a safety bar for simultaneously holding a plurality of held crucibles or a hook for hooking and holding each of the held crucibles; A sample dissolution apparatus, wherein the safety bar or the hook is hooked onto the edge of the opening at the upper end of each of the crucibles.

4. 3. The sample dissolution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hand has a safety bar for simultaneously holding a plurality of gripped crucibles or a hook for hooking and holding each of the gripped crucibles.

5. 4. The sample dissolving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hand has a plurality of notches each corresponding to one crucible.

6. 6. The sample dissolving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a camera for capturing an image of the inside of the melting furnace from above.

7. 7. The sample dissolving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the melting furnace being of a batch type.

8. 8. The sample melting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a receiving portion for receiving the bottom of the crucible is provided at a position on the hearth of the melting furnace where the crucible is to be disposed.

9. 9. The sample melting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a marking of a different color from that of the hearth portion is provided at a position on the hearth portion of the melting furnace where the crucible is to be disposed.

10. 10. The sample dissolving apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the material of the mark used in the marking process includes SiC.

11. When the hand approaches the door of the melting furnace, the door opens automatically.

11. The sample dissolving apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the door of the melting furnace is automatically closed when the hand enters and exits through the door.

12. 12. The sample melting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the hearth of the melting furnace is rotatable about an axis of rotation in the vertical direction.

13. When the crucible is moved from outside the melting furnace into the melting furnace, after the door of the melting furnace is automatically closed and before the hand grasps other crucibles and approaches the door of the melting furnace again, the hearth is rotated by a predetermined angle to open a space in front of the door of the hearth, and 13. The sample melting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, when the crucible is moved from inside the melting furnace to outside the melting furnace, after the door of the melting furnace is automatically closed and before the hand not holding the crucible approaches the door of the melting furnace again, the hearth is rotated by a predetermined angle to place the crucible containing the melted sample in front of the door of the hearth.

Images