Cleaning device and heat treatment system using the same

Abstract

To provide a cleaning device that can be installed in a small space and efficiently cleans lids and containers. [Solution] A cleaning device 70 capable of cleaning a box-shaped container 3 and a lid 6 attached to the top of the container 3, comprising a lid cleaning unit 71 and a container cleaning unit 72. The lid cleaning unit 71 is provided on the transport path R1 of the container 3 to which the lid 6 is attached, and is capable of cleaning the lid 6. The container cleaning unit 72 is provided on the transport path R1, and is capable of cleaning the container 3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device and a heat treatment system using the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cleaning device capable of cleaning a container and a lid that house a processed object after processing is known. For example, the cleaning devices of Patent Documents 1 and 2 include a container cleaning device capable of cleaning a container such as a crucible, and a lid cleaning device capable of cleaning a lid removed from the container.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the cleaning devices of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the container cleaning device and the lid cleaning device are provided on different transport paths. Therefore, space for installing the cleaning device is required, and the efficiency of cleaning the container and the lid may decrease.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device that can be installed in a space-saving manner and can efficiently clean a lid and a container, and a heat treatment system using the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a cleaning device (70) capable of cleaning a box-shaped container (3) and a lid (6) attached to the top of the container, comprising a lid cleaning unit (71) and a container cleaning unit (72). The lid cleaning unit is provided on a transport path (R1) of the container with the lid attached, and is capable of cleaning the lid while it is attached to the container. The container cleaning unit is provided on the transport path, and is capable of cleaning the container with the lid attached. In the present invention, the lid cleaning unit capable of cleaning the lid and the container cleaning unit capable of cleaning the container are provided on the same transport path. Therefore, the cleaning device can be installed in a space-saving manner, and the lid and container can be cleaned efficiently. A first aspect of the present invention further comprises a container lifting unit (75) capable of raising and lowering a container. The container lifting unit is provided below the container cleaning unit. The container cleaning unit is capable of cleaning the container when the container is raised or lowered by the container lifting unit. In a second aspect of the present invention, the container is formed in the shape of a rectangular box. The container cleaning unit has a first side wall cleaning unit (741) capable of cleaning the outer surface of a first side wall (201), which is one of the four side walls (4) of the container; a second side wall cleaning unit (742) capable of cleaning the outer surface of a second side wall (202), which is adjacent to the first side wall; a third side wall cleaning unit (743) capable of cleaning the outer surface of a third side wall (203), which is adjacent to the second side wall; and a fourth side wall cleaning unit (744) capable of cleaning the outer surface of a fourth side wall (204), which is adjacent to the third side wall. The container cleaning unit can simultaneously clean the first, second, third, and fourth side walls using the first, second, third, and fourth side wall cleaning units. The first side wall cleaning section and the third side wall cleaning section are arranged approximately parallel to each other. The second side wall cleaning section and the fourth side wall cleaning section are arranged approximately parallel to each other. The first side wall cleaning section and the third side wall cleaning section are located at a position offset vertically above or vertically below the second side wall cleaning section and the fourth side wall cleaning section. A third aspect of the present invention comprises the cleaning device (70), a heat treatment section (10, 11, 12) capable of heat treating the workpiece (8), and a heat treatment conveyor (20, 21, 22) provided to pass through the heat treatment section and to transport a container containing the workpiece and a lid attached to the container. The cleaning device is capable of cleaning the container and lid transported by the heat treatment conveyor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing a heat treatment system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] A plan view showing a cleaning device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a view from the direction of arrow III. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along line VV. [Figure 6] A plan view showing a lid removal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII. [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII. [Figure 9] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the operation of the lid removal device according to the first embodiment, where (A) shows the state before the lid is gripped by the gripping part, and (B) shows the state after the lid has been gripped by the gripping part. [Figure 11]This diagram illustrates the operation of the lid removal device according to the first embodiment, where (A) shows the state in which the lid is gripped and lifted by the gripping part, and (B) shows the state in which the support part is rotated. [Figure 12] A schematic diagram showing a heat treatment system according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Below, heat treatment systems, cleaning devices, and lid removal devices according to multiple embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, substantially identical components in multiple embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0009] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 shows a heat treatment system according to the first embodiment. The heat treatment system 1 comprises a heat treatment unit 10 and a transport system 2. The heat treatment unit 10 is for heat treatment of the workpiece 8, which will be described later, and is, for example, a firing furnace. The transport system 2 is provided to pass through the heat treatment unit 10 and can transport containers 3 containing the workpiece 8.

[0010] The transport system 2 includes a heat treatment transport conveyor 20, a post-processing transport conveyor 30, a lid transport conveyor 40, a container transport conveyor 50, a pre-processing transport conveyor 60, a cleaning device 70, a lid removal device 80, and the like.

[0011] One heat treatment unit 10 is provided in the heat treatment system 1. One heat treatment transport conveyor 20 is provided. One post-treatment transport conveyor 30 is provided. Three lid transport conveyors 40 are provided. For convenience, these lid transport conveyors 40 will be referred to as lid transport conveyors 41, 42, and 43. Two container transport conveyors 50 are provided. For convenience, these container transport conveyors 50 will be referred to as container transport conveyors 51 and 52. One pre-treatment transport conveyor 60 is provided. In this embodiment, the heat treatment unit 10, the heat treatment transport conveyor 20, and the lid transport conveyors 40 are set to a length of, for example, about 100m.

[0012] Here, xyz coordinates are defined in the space where the heat treatment system 1 is installed. The x-axis, y-axis, and xy plane are along the horizontal direction. The z-axis, zx plane, and zy plane are along the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the heat treatment unit 10 is provided along the x-axis. The heat treatment conveyor 20 is provided so as to pass through the heat treatment unit 10, that is, along the x-axis. The post-treatment conveyor 30 is provided along the y-axis. The lid conveyor 41 is provided along the y-axis, that is, in parallel with the post-treatment conveyor 30. The lid conveyor 42 is provided along the x-axis, and one end thereof is connected to the end of the lid conveyor 41. The lid conveyor 43 is provided along the y-axis, and one end thereof is connected to the other end of the lid conveyor 42. The container conveyor 51 is provided along the x-axis, and one end thereof is connected to the end of the post-treatment conveyor 30 on the side opposite to the heat treatment conveyor 20. The container conveyor 52 is provided along the x-axis at a position separated from the end of the container conveyor 51 on the side opposite to the post-treatment conveyor 30 by a predetermined distance. The pre-treatment conveyor 60 is provided along the y-axis, and one end thereof is connected to the end of the container conveyor 52 on the side opposite to the container conveyor 51.

[0013] The heat treatment conveyor 20 conveys a container 7 with a lid, which consists of a container 3 and one lid 6 attached to the upper side in the vertical direction thereof, by rotating a conveying roller (not shown). The container 3 is formed in a rectangular box shape made of a ceramic material such as alumina, having a bottom wall at the lower part, four side walls 4, and an opening at the upper part. The container 3 is set to, for example, approximately 330 mm in length, approximately 300 mm in width, and approximately 120 mm in height. The lid 6 is formed in a rectangular plate shape made of a ceramic material such as alumina. The lid 6 is set to, for example, approximately 328 mm in length, approximately 298 mm in width, and approximately 10 mm in height (thickness).

[0014] The container 3 contains a workpiece 8. The workpiece 8 is, for example, a mixture of a lithium-containing compound and a transition metal compound, or an electrode material of a lithium-ion battery, etc., and is contained in the container 3 in a state where a powder-like material is pressed firmly under a predetermined pressure.

[0015] The heat treatment transfer conveyor 20 conveys the covered containers 7 arranged in plurality in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the heat treatment transfer conveyor 20. In the present embodiment, the heat treatment transfer conveyor 20 conveys the covered containers 7 arranged in two rows in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the heat treatment transfer conveyor 20, that is, the covered containers in two rows and one tier. The conveyance direction of the covered containers 7 on the heat treatment transfer conveyor 20 is the +x direction. Here, the “+x direction” means the positive direction on the x-axis (the same applies to the “+y direction” and the “+z direction” hereinafter). Also, the “-x direction” means the negative direction on the x-axis (the same applies to the “-y direction” and the “-z direction” hereinafter).

[0016] The heat treatment unit 10 has a furnace body 100 and a heater (not shown). The furnace body 100 is formed in a tunnel shape by, for example, heat insulating materials such as refractory bricks and ceramic boards, and a casing that coats the heat insulating materials. The heater is provided inside the furnace body 100. The heat treatment transfer conveyor 20 is provided such that parts other than both ends are located inside the heat treatment unit 10. The covered container 7 conveyed by the heat treatment transfer conveyor 20 is carried into the furnace body 100 from the furnace body inlet 101, heated by the heater, and carried out from the furnace body outlet 102. When the covered container 7 passes through the heat treatment unit 10, the workpiece 8 in the container 3 is heat treated by the heater of the heat treatment unit 10.

[0017] The post-treatment transfer conveyor 30 is connected at the end on the +y direction side to the end on the +x direction side of the heat treatment transfer conveyor 20. The covered container 7 containing the workpiece 8 heat treated in the heat treatment unit 10 is conveyed from the heat treatment transfer conveyor 20 to the post-treatment transfer conveyor 30. The covered container 7 conveyed to the post-treatment transfer conveyor 30 is conveyed in the -y direction by the post-treatment transfer conveyor 30. Thus, the post-treatment transfer conveyor 30 conveys the container 3 containing the workpiece 8 after being heat treated in the heat treatment unit 10 and the lid 6 attached to the container 3 in the -y direction.

[0018] The cleaning device 70 is installed in the middle of the post-processing transport conveyor 30. The cleaning device 70 can clean the top surface of the lid 6 and the side walls 4 of the container 3 as they are transported on the post-processing transport conveyor 30.

[0019] Two lid removal devices 80 are provided in the heat treatment system 1 (conveying system 2). For convenience, each lid removal device 80 will be referred to as a lid removal device 801 and a lid attachment device 802. The lid removal device 801 is provided downstream of the cleaning device 70 of the post-processing conveying conveyor 30, straddling the post-processing conveying conveyor 30 and the y-direction end of the lid conveying conveyor 41. The lid removal device 801 can remove the lid 6 from the container 3 (container with lid 7) being transported by the post-processing conveying conveyor 30 and transport it to the lid conveying conveyor 41.

[0020] The lid conveyor 41 transports the lid 6 removed by the lid removal device 801 in the -y direction. The lid 6 transported to the -y direction end of the lid conveyor 41 is transported to the lid conveyor 42 and transported in the -x direction. The lid 6 transported to the -x direction end of the lid conveyor 42 is transported to the lid conveyor 43 and transported in the y direction.

[0021] The container 3, from which the lid 6 has been removed by the lid removal device 801, is transported to the -y-direction end of the post-processing transport conveyor 30. The +x-direction end of the container transport conveyor 51 is connected to the -y-direction end of the post-processing transport conveyor 30. The container transport conveyor 51 transports the container 3, which has been transported to the -y-direction end of the post-processing transport conveyor 30, in the -x direction.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, a material recovery unit 150 and a material filling unit 160 are provided between the -x-direction end of the container transport conveyor 51 and the +x-direction end of the container transport conveyor 52. The material recovery unit 150 recovers the processed material 8 contained in the containers 3 by, for example, inverting the containers 3 transported by the container transport conveyor 51, causing them to fall out. The recovered processed material 8 is then crushed and used as a material for lithium-ion battery electrodes, etc.

[0023] The material to be processed filling unit 160 fills the container 3, which has been emptied by the material to be processed recovery unit 150, with the material to be processed 8 before processing. The material to be processed filling unit 160 fills the container 3 with, for example, a mixture of powdered lithium-containing compound and transition metal compound, and compacts it from the vertically upward side with a predetermined pressure.

[0024] The container transport conveyor 52 transports the containers 3, which have been filled with the material to be processed 8 in the material to be processed filling section 160, in the -x direction. The end of the pre-processing transport conveyor 60 on the +y direction side is connected to the -x direction end of the heat treatment transport conveyor 20. The -x direction end of the container transport conveyor 52 is connected to the -y direction end of the pre-processing transport conveyor 60.

[0025] The pre-processing transport conveyor 60 transports the containers 3, which have been filled with the pre-processing material 8 in the material filling section 160 and transported to the -x end of the container transport conveyor 52, in the +y direction.

[0026] The lid attachment device 802 is installed so as to straddle the y-direction end of the lid transport conveyor 43 and the middle of the pre-processing transport conveyor 60. The lid attachment device 802 can attach the lid 6, which has been transported to the y-direction end of the lid transport conveyor 43, to the container 3 being transported by the pre-processing transport conveyor 60.

[0027] The container 3 (lidded container 7) with the lid 6 attached by the lid attachment device 802 is transported in the +y direction on the pre-processing transport conveyor 60. The lidded containers 7 that have been transported to the +y end of the pre-processing transport conveyor 60 are each transported to the heat treatment transport conveyor 20. The lidded containers 7 containing the unprocessed material 8 that have been transported to the heat treatment transport conveyor 20 are heated by the heat treatment unit 10. In this way, the heat treatment system 1 can efficiently and continuously obtain processed material 8 by repeatedly filling the container 3 with the unprocessed material 8 in the material filling unit 160, passing the material 8 through the heat treatment unit 10 in the transport system 2 for heat treatment, and recovering the processed material 8 from the container 3 in the material recovery unit 150.

[0028] Next, we will describe in detail each part of the heat treatment system 1.

[0029] The cleaning device 70 will be described below.

[0030] The cleaning device 70 is installed on the post-processing transport conveyor 30, that is, on the transport path R1 of the container 3 (lidded container 7) with the lid 6 attached (see Figure 2). The post-processing transport conveyor 30 has transport rollers 300, a rotating shaft 301, and roller support parts 306. The transport rollers 300 are formed in a cylindrical shape from a ceramic material such as alumina. The rotating shaft 301 is formed in a rod shape from a metal, for example, and is installed integrally with the transport rollers 300 so as to pass through the center of the transport rollers 300. The roller support parts 306 are formed in an elongated shape and are installed on both sides in the width direction (x-axis direction) of the post-processing transport conveyor 30 so as to be along the y-axis. The roller support parts 306 rotatably support both ends of the rotating shaft 301. Multiple transport rollers 300 and rotating shafts 301 are installed at predetermined intervals along the length direction (y-axis direction) of the post-processing transport conveyor 30. The conveyor roller 300 (rotating shaft 301) is rotatable in a predetermined direction by a drive device (not shown). As a result, the container 7 with a lid on the conveyor roller 300 is conveyed in the -y direction on the post-processing conveyor 30 (conveying path R1).

[0031] As shown in Figures 2-5, the cleaning device 70 includes a lid cleaning unit 71, a container cleaning unit 72, a container lifting unit 75, a cleaning-side hopper 76, a clamping unit 77, cleaning-side stoppers 781 and 782, a hood 79, and the like. The hood 79 is provided so as to cover the upper surface of the post-processing transport conveyor 30.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2-4, the lid cleaning unit 71 includes a lid top surface cleaning unit 73, a lid cleaning unit body 700, a lid cleaning unit support 711, a lid cleaning unit motor 712, a timing belt 713, etc. The lid top surface cleaning unit 73 has a brush shaft portion 731 and brush bristles 732. The brush shaft portion 731 is formed in a rod shape, for example, from metal. The brush bristles 732 are formed in a hair shape, for example, from aramid fibers, and are provided in large numbers in the circumferential and axial directions along the radial direction of the brush shaft portion 731. The lid top surface cleaning unit 73 is a so-called rotating brush. The lid top surface cleaning unit 73 is provided inside the hood 79 with the brush shaft portion 731 aligned with the x-axis. The lid cleaning unit body 700 is provided on the upper part of the hood 79 and is reciprocally movable along the y-axis by a drive unit (not shown).

[0033] The lid cleaning unit support 711 is provided so as to rotatably support both ends of the brush shaft portion 731 of the lid top surface cleaning unit 73, and its upper part is connected to the lid cleaning unit body 700. As a result, the lid top surface cleaning unit 73 and the lid cleaning unit support 711 can reciprocate along the y-axis together with the lid cleaning unit body 700. The lid cleaning unit motor 712 is provided on the upper part of the lid cleaning unit body 700, and its rotation is controlled by a control unit (not shown). The timing belt 713 is provided between the rotating shaft of the lid cleaning unit motor 712 and the brush shaft portion 731 of the lid top surface cleaning unit 73, and can transmit power from the lid cleaning unit motor 712 to the lid top surface cleaning unit 73. With the above configuration, the lid top surface cleaning unit 73 can reciprocate along the y-axis while rotating inside the hood 79.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the container cleaning unit 72 includes a side wall cleaning unit 74, a container cleaning unit support 721, a container cleaning unit motor 722, a timing belt 723, and the like. The side wall cleaning unit 74 has a brush shaft 745 and brush bristles 746. The brush shaft 745 is formed in a rod shape from, for example, metal. The brush bristles 746 are formed in a hair shape from, for example, aramid fibers, and are arranged in large numbers in the circumferential and axial directions along the radial direction of the brush shaft 745. The side wall cleaning unit 74 is a so-called rotating brush.

[0035] In this embodiment, four side wall cleaning sections 74 are provided. For convenience, each of the side wall cleaning sections 74 will be referred to as the first side wall cleaning section 741, the second side wall cleaning section 742, the third side wall cleaning section 743, and the fourth side wall cleaning section 744. As shown in Figure 2, the first side wall cleaning section 741 is provided inside the hood 79 with the brush shaft portion 745 aligned with the x-axis. The second side wall cleaning section 742 is provided with the brush shaft portion 745 aligned with the y-axis, and with the -y-direction end of the brush shaft portion 745 overlapping the -x-direction end of the brush shaft portion 745 of the first side wall cleaning section 741 when viewed from the z-axis direction. The third side wall cleaning section 743 is provided such that the brush shaft portion 745 is aligned with the x-axis, and when viewed from the z-axis direction, the -x-side end of the brush shaft portion 745 overlaps with the y-side end of the brush shaft portion 745 of the second side wall cleaning section 742. The fourth side wall cleaning section 744 is provided such that the brush shaft portion 745 is aligned with the y-axis, and when viewed from the z-axis direction, the y-side end of the brush shaft portion 745 overlaps with the x-side end of the brush shaft portion 745 of the third side wall cleaning section 743.

[0036] Here, the first side wall cleaning section 741 and the third side wall cleaning section 743 are arranged approximately parallel to each other. The second side wall cleaning section 742 and the fourth side wall cleaning section 744 are arranged approximately parallel to each other. Here, "approximately parallel" means not only a state in which the two elements are strictly parallel, but also a state in which they are slightly non-parallel due to manufacturing and assembly errors, etc. (the same applies hereinafter). The first side wall cleaning section 741 and the third side wall cleaning section 743 are provided at a position offset vertically upward relative to the second side wall cleaning section 742 and the fourth side wall cleaning section 744 (see Figures 3 and 5).

[0037] The container cleaning unit support 721 is provided so as to rotatably support both ends of the brush shaft portion 745 of each of the four side wall cleaning units 74, with its upper part connected to the upper wall of the hood 79. The container cleaning unit motor 722 is provided on the upper side of the hood 79 and its rotation is controlled by a control unit (not shown). A timing belt 723 is provided between the rotating shaft of the container cleaning unit motor 722 and the brush shaft portion 745 of the side wall cleaning unit 74, and is capable of transmitting power from the container cleaning unit motor 722 to the four side wall cleaning units 74. As a result, the four side wall cleaning units 74 can rotate simultaneously inside the hood 79.

[0038] The container lifting unit 75 is located vertically below the post-processing transport conveyor 30, at a position corresponding to the four side wall cleaning units 74 of the container cleaning unit 72 (vertically below). The container lifting unit 75 is driven to reciprocate up and down through a plurality of transport rollers 400 by a drive unit (not shown). The container lifting unit 75 supports the bottom surface of the container 3 at its upper end and, by reciprocating up and down, can lift the lidded container 7 within the area A1 surrounded by the four side wall cleaning units 74 (see Figure 2). The container lifting unit 75 can lift the lidded container 7 to a position where the bottom surface of the container 3 corresponds to the upper end of the brush shaft 745 of the first side wall cleaning unit 741 (see Figure 5).

[0039] The clamp section 77 is positioned to correspond to the lid cleaning section 71. The clamp section 77 has a clamp body 771 and a clamp body 772. The clamp section 77 can grip the side wall 4 of the container 3 on the post-processing transport conveyor 30 from both sides in the x-axis direction using the clamp body 771 and the clamp body 772 (see Figure 4).

[0040] The cleaning-side stopper 781 is positioned to correspond to the lid cleaning section 71 of the post-processing transport conveyor 30. The cleaning-side stopper 782 is positioned to correspond to the container cleaning section 72 of the post-processing transport conveyor 30. When the cleaning-side stoppers 781 and 782 are rotationally driven by a drive unit (not shown), their ends are positioned vertically above the upper end of the transport roller 400 of the post-processing transport conveyor 30 (see Figure 3). The cleaning-side stopper 781 contacts the lower part of the front surface (-y direction side) of the lidded container 7 being transported on the post-processing transport conveyor 30, thereby stopping the lidded container 7 at the position corresponding to the lid cleaning section 71. The cleaning-side stopper 782 contacts the lower part of the front surface (-y direction side) of the lidded container 7 being transported on the post-processing transport conveyor 30, thereby stopping the lidded container 7 at the position corresponding to the container cleaning section 72.

[0041] Next, we will describe how to clean the lidded container 7 using the cleaning device 70.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2-4, the lidded container 7, being transported in the -y direction on the post-processing transport conveyor 30, comes into contact with the end of the cleaning-side stopper 781 and stops at a position corresponding to the lid cleaning section 71. Subsequently, the lidded container 7 is gripped from both sides in the x-axis direction by the clamp bodies 771 and 772 of the clamp section 77. Next, the lid top surface cleaning section 73 rotates and moves in the -y direction, allowing the brush bristles 732 of the lid top surface cleaning section 73 to scrape off foreign matter adhering to the upper surface of the lid 6. This cleans the upper surface of the lid 6. The rotation direction of the lid top surface cleaning section 73 at this time is, for example, the rotation direction in which the tip of the brush bristles 732 moves towards the y direction on the upper surface of the lid 6. After that, the grip of the lidded container 7 by the clamp section 77 and contact with the cleaning-side stopper 781 are released, and the container is transported to the container cleaning section 72 side in the -y direction.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the lidded container 7, which is transported on the post-processing conveyor belt 30 towards the container cleaning unit 72, stops at a position corresponding to the container cleaning unit 72 when it comes into contact with the end of the cleaning-side stopper 782. Subsequently, the lidded container 7 is lifted by the container lifting unit 75 and passes vertically upward through the inside of the four rotating side wall cleaning units 74. At this time, the brush bristles 746 of the side wall cleaning unit 74 can scrape off foreign matter adhering to the outer surfaces of the four side walls 4. This cleans the outer surfaces of the four side walls 4. The rotation direction of the side wall cleaning unit 74 at this time is, for example, the rotation direction in which the tips of the brush bristles 746 move in the -z direction on the outer surface of the side wall 4. The first side wall cleaning unit 741 can clean the outer surface of the first side wall 201, which is one of the four side walls 4 of the container 3. The second side wall cleaning unit 742 is capable of cleaning the outer surface of the second side wall 202, which is the side wall 4 adjacent to the first side wall 201. The third side wall cleaning unit 743 is capable of cleaning the outer surface of the third side wall 203, which is the side wall 4 adjacent to the second side wall 202. The fourth side wall cleaning unit 744 is capable of cleaning the outer surface of the fourth side wall 204, which is the side wall 4 adjacent to the third side wall 203. When the container lifting unit 75 is lowered, the container with a lid 7 is placed on the transport roller 400 of the post-processing transport conveyor 30 and transported in the -y direction.

[0044] The cleaning-side hopper 76 is located vertically below the post-processing transport conveyor 30, at a position corresponding to the lid cleaning section 71 and the container cleaning section 72 (vertically below). The cleaning-side hopper 76 can collect foreign matter scraped off when the lid 6 and container 3 are cleaned by the lid cleaning section 71 and the container cleaning section 72. In addition, since the hood 79 is provided so as to cover the upper surface of the post-processing transport conveyor 30, it is possible to suppress the scattering of foreign matter scraped off when the lid 6 and container 3 are cleaned by the lid cleaning section 71 and the container cleaning section 72 into the surrounding area.

[0045] The lid removal device 80 will be described below.

[0046] As shown in Figures 6-11, the lid removal device 801, which serves as the lid attachment / detachment device 80, includes a gripping part 81, a support part 82, a seating stopper 83, a guide 84, detachment-side stoppers 851 and 852, a lid bottom surface cleaning part 86, a detachment-side hopper 87, a hood 88, a drive base 91, an up / down drive air cylinder 92, a transfer drive part 93, and the like. The hood 88 is located downstream of the cleaning device 70 of the post-processing transport conveyor 30, straddling the post-processing transport conveyor 30 and the y-direction end of the lid transport conveyor 41, and is provided so as to cover the upper surfaces of the post-processing transport conveyor 30 and the lid transport conveyor 41.

[0047] The drive base 91 is located inside the hood 88. The vertical drive air cylinder 92 is located on the upper part of the hood 88, and the end of the piston rod is connected to the drive base 91. The vertical drive air cylinder 92 can drive the drive base 91 vertically up and down by driving the piston rod vertically up and down. The transfer drive unit 93 is located on the vertically upper side of the hood 88 and can reciprocate the vertical drive air cylinder 92 in the x-axis direction.

[0048] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the gripping section 81 has gripping pieces 811 and 812. The lid removal device 801 also has two gripping contact sections 813, an air chuck 814, etc. The gripping pieces 811 and 812 are formed in a plate shape and are provided at a predetermined distance apart in the y-axis direction so that one surface faces the other. The two gripping contact sections 813 are formed of an elastic material such as nitrile rubber and are provided so as to face each other at the lower ends of the gripping pieces 811 and 812. The air chuck 814 is fixed to the drive base 91 and is movable integrally with the drive base 91. The air chuck 814 can be controlled by a control unit (not shown) to drive the gripping pieces 811 and 812 so that they move closer to each other or move further apart from each other. As a result, the gripping portion 81 can grip the outer edge (side surface) of the lid 6 from both sides in the horizontal direction (y-axis direction) using the gripping pieces 811 and 812 (see Figure 10(B)). At this time, the gripping contact portion 813 comes into contact with the outer edge (side surface) of the lid 6.

[0049] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the support section 82 has support pieces 821 and 822. The lid removal device 801 also has two air cylinders 823, two knuckle joints 824, etc. The support pieces 821 and 822 are formed, for example, so that their cross-sectional shape in the yz plane is L-shaped, and are provided on the opposite side of the gripping pieces 811 and 812 from the air chucks 814. In this embodiment, there are two support pieces 821 and 822 in the x-axis direction (see Figure 6).

[0050] The two air cylinders 823 are connected to each of the gripping pieces 811 and 812 so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and are mounted to be movable as a single unit in the vertical direction (z-axis direction). The two knuckle joints 824 are mounted integrally with each of the support pieces 821 and 822. The knuckle joints 824 and the support pieces 821 and 822 are rotatable relative to each of the gripping pieces 811 and 812 around a rotating shaft portion 825 fixed to each of the gripping pieces 811 and 812. The tip of the piston rod of the air cylinder 823 is connected to the end of the knuckle joint 824 opposite to the rotating shaft portion 825 so as to be rotatable relative to each other.

[0051] With the above configuration, when the piston rod of the air cylinder 823 protrudes vertically downward, the knuckle joint 824 and the support pieces 821 and 822 rotate approximately 90 degrees around the rotation shaft portion 825 (see Figure 11). As a result, the support ends 826 and 827 of the support pieces 821 and 822, which are the ends opposite to the rotation shaft portion 825, are positioned below both ends in the y-axis direction of region A2 between the two gripping contact portions 813 at the lower ends of the gripping pieces 811 and 812 (see Figure 11(B)).

[0052] The seating stopper 83 is formed in the shape of a long plate, and two are provided in the x-axis direction with their longitudinal direction aligned with the y-axis (see Figure 6). The seating stopper 83 is fixed to the drive base 91 so that it can contact the upper surface of the lid 6.

[0053] With the lid 6 being held by the gripping unit 81, the lid 6 can be transferred from the processed transport conveyor 30 to the lid transport conveyor 41 by moving the vertical drive air cylinder 92 in the -x axis direction using the transport drive unit 93.

[0054] As shown in Figure 6, the lid conveying conveyor 40 (lid conveying conveyor 41) has a conveying roller 400, a rotating shaft 401, and a roller support part 406. The conveying roller 400 is formed in a cylindrical shape from a ceramic material such as alumina. The rotating shaft 401 is formed in a rod shape from a metal, for example, and is provided integrally with the conveying roller 400 so as to pass through the center of the conveying roller 400. The roller support part 406 is formed in an elongated shape and is provided on both sides in the width direction of the lid conveying conveyor 40 (lid conveying conveyor 41) along the y-axis. The roller support part 406 rotatably supports both ends of the rotating shaft 401. Multiple conveying rollers 400 and rotating shafts 401 are provided at predetermined intervals along the length direction of the lid conveying conveyor 40 (lid conveying conveyor 41). The conveying roller 400 (rotating shaft 401) is rotatable in a predetermined direction by a drive device (not shown). As a result, the lid 6 placed on the conveyor roller 400 is transported in the -y direction on the lid conveyor 41.

[0055] Guides 84 are provided on both sides of the post-processing transport conveyor 30 in the width direction (x-axis direction) and on both sides of the lid transport conveyor 41 in the width direction (x-axis direction). Guides 84 have guide rollers 841. The guide rollers 841 are formed in an annular shape from a ceramic material such as alumina and are rotatable about an axis of rotation along the vertical direction (z-axis direction). Multiple guide rollers 841 are provided along the length direction (x-axis direction) of the post-processing transport conveyor 30 and the lid transport conveyor 41. This prevents the lidded containers 7 on the post-processing transport conveyor 30 and the lids 6 on the lid transport conveyor 41 from falling off and guides their transport.

[0056] The detachable-side stopper 851 is positioned to correspond to the lid removal device 801 of the post-processing transport conveyor 30 (see Figure 8). The detachable-side stopper 852 is positioned upstream (y-direction) of the detachable-side stopper 851 on the post-processing transport conveyor 30. When the detachable-side stoppers 851 and 852 are rotationally driven by a drive unit (not shown), their ends are positioned vertically above the upper end of the transport roller 400 of the post-processing transport conveyor 30 (see Figure 8). The detachable-side stopper 851 contacts the lower part of the front surface (-y-direction side) of the lidded container 7 being transported on the post-processing transport conveyor 30, thereby stopping the lidded container 7 in the position corresponding to the lid removal device 801. The detachable stopper 852 contacts the lower part of the front surface (-y direction side) of the lidded container 7 being transported on the post-processing transport conveyor 30, thereby stopping the lidded container 7 upstream of the position corresponding to the lid removal device 801.

[0057] As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 9, the lid underside cleaning section 86 has a brush shaft 861 and brush bristles 862. The brush shaft 861 is formed in a rod shape, for example, from metal. The brush bristles 862 are formed in a hair shape, for example, from aramid fibers, and are arranged in large numbers in the circumferential and axial directions along the radial direction of the brush shaft 861. The lid underside cleaning section 86 is a so-called rotating brush. The lid underside cleaning section 86 is provided between the post-processing conveyor 30 and the lid conveyor 41 inside the hood 88, with the brush shaft 861 aligned with the y-axis. The detachable hopper 87 is provided below the lid underside cleaning section 86.

[0058] A motor 863 for the lid underside cleaning unit is connected to one end of the brush shaft portion 861. The rotation of the lid underside cleaning unit motor 863 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). As a result, the lid underside cleaning unit 86 can rotate above the detachable hopper 87.

[0059] Next, we will explain how to remove the lid 6 using the lid removal device 801.

[0060] As shown in Figures 6-8, when the lidded container 7, which is transported in the -y direction on the post-processing transport conveyor 30, comes into contact with the end of the detachment-side stopper 851, it stops at a position corresponding to the lid removal device 801.

[0061] Next, the vertical drive air cylinder 92 moves the drive base 91 (air chuck 814, gripping part 81, support part 82, air cylinder 823, seating stopper 83) downward in the vertical direction. As a result, the seating stopper 83 comes into contact with the upper surface of the lid 6 of the container with a lid 7, and the gripping contact parts 813 of the gripping pieces 811 and 812 are positioned on both sides of the lid 6 in the y-axis direction (see Figure 10(A)).

[0062] Next, the air chuck 814 moves the gripping pieces 811 and 812 toward each other (see Figures 10(A) and (B)). As a result, the lid 6 is gripped by the gripping pieces 811 and 812 on both sides of its outer edge (side) in the horizontal direction (y-axis direction) (see Figure 10(B)).

[0063] Next, the vertical drive air cylinder 92 moves the drive base 91 (air chuck 814, gripping part 81, support part 82, air cylinder 823) vertically upward (see Figures 10(B) and 11(A)). As a result, the lid 6 separates from the container 3, and a gap G1 is formed between the container 3 and the lid 6 (see Figure 11(A)).

[0064] Next, the air cylinder 823 rotates the knuckle joint 824 (support pieces 821, 822) 90 degrees relative to the gripping pieces 811, 812 (see Figures 11(A) and (B)). As a result, the support ends 826, 827 of the support pieces 821, 822 are positioned below both ends of the lid 6 in the y-axis direction (see Figure 11(B)). Therefore, the support ends 826, 827 can support the lower surface of the lid 6. Consequently, the lid 6 can be prevented from falling from the gripping part 81.

[0065] Next, with the gripping section 81 gripping the lid 6, the transfer drive section 93 moves the vertical drive air cylinder 92 in the -x axis direction (see Figures 6 and 7). As the lid 6 moves in the -x axis direction over the upper part of the lid underside cleaning section 86, the brush bristles 862 of the rotating lid underside cleaning section 86 can scrape off foreign matter such as the material to be processed 8 adhering to the underside of the lid 6. The detachable hopper 87 can collect the foreign matter scraped off when the lid underside cleaning section 86 cleans the underside of the lid 6.

[0066] Next, when the lid 6, which is gripped by the gripping part 81, is transported to a position above the lid transport conveyor 41, the vertical drive air cylinder 92 moves the drive base 91 (air chuck 814, gripping part 81, support part 82, air cylinder 823) downward in the vertical direction.

[0067] Next, when the lid 6 descends to a position near the top of the conveyor roller 400, the air cylinder 823 rotates the support pieces 821 and 822, and the air chuck 814 moves the gripping piece 811 and gripping piece 812 away from each other, releasing the grip of the lid 6 by the gripping part 81. As a result, the lid 6 is placed on the conveyor roller 400.

[0068] The lid attachment device 802, which functions as a lid removal device 80, has the same configuration as the lid removal device 801, so a detailed explanation of its configuration will be omitted. The lid attachment device 802 grips the lid 6 on the lid transport conveyor 43 with its gripping part 81, transports it above the container 3 on the pre-processing transport conveyor 60, and can be attached to the top of the container 3.

[0069] As described above, (1) this embodiment is a cleaning device 70 capable of cleaning a box-shaped container 3 and a lid 6 attached to the top of the container 3, comprising a lid cleaning unit 71 and a container cleaning unit 72. The lid cleaning unit 71 is provided on the transport path R1 of the container 3 to which the lid 6 is attached, and is capable of cleaning the lid 6. The container cleaning unit 72 is provided on the transport path R1, and is capable of cleaning the container 3.

[0070] In this embodiment, a lid cleaning unit 71 capable of cleaning the lid 6 and a container cleaning unit 72 capable of cleaning the container 3 are provided on the same transport path R1. Therefore, the cleaning device 70 can be installed in a space-saving manner, and the lid 6 and container 3 can be cleaned efficiently.

[0071] (2) In this embodiment, the container 3 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box. The container cleaning unit 72 has a first side wall cleaning unit 741 capable of cleaning the outer surface of the first side wall 201, which is one of the four side walls 4 of the container 3; a second side wall cleaning unit 742 capable of cleaning the outer surface of the second side wall 202, which is a side wall 4 adjacent to the first side wall 201; a third side wall cleaning unit 743 capable of cleaning the outer surface of the third side wall 203, which is a side wall 4 adjacent to the second side wall 202; and a fourth side wall cleaning unit 744 capable of cleaning the outer surface of the fourth side wall 204, which is a side wall 4 adjacent to the third side wall 203. The container cleaning unit 72, with its first side wall cleaning unit 741, second side wall cleaning unit 742, third side wall cleaning unit 743, and fourth side wall cleaning unit 744, can simultaneously clean the first side wall 201, second side wall 202, third side wall 203, and fourth side wall 204. Therefore, the container 3 can be cleaned efficiently.

[0072] Furthermore, (3) in this embodiment, the first side wall cleaning section 741 and the third side wall cleaning section 743 are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The second side wall cleaning section 742 and the fourth side wall cleaning section 744 are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The first side wall cleaning section 741 and the third side wall cleaning section 743 are provided at a position offset vertically upward relative to the second side wall cleaning section 742 and the fourth side wall cleaning section 744. Therefore, the ends of each side wall cleaning section can be arranged without interfering with each other.

[0073] Furthermore, (4) In this embodiment, the lid 6 is cleaned by the lid cleaning unit 71, and then the container 3 is cleaned by the container cleaning unit 72. If, for a container with a lid 7, the sides of the container 3 are cleaned first, and then the top surface of the lid 6 is cleaned, there is a risk that foreign matter scraped off during the cleaning of the lid 6 may adhere to the sides of the container 3. In this embodiment, the lid 6 is cleaned first, and then the container 3 is cleaned, thus solving the above problem.

[0074] Furthermore, (5) this embodiment further includes a container lifting unit 75 that can raise and lower the container 3. Therefore, the sides of the container 3 can be cleaned without raising or lowering the container cleaning unit 72, which has a complex structure.

[0075] Furthermore, (6) this embodiment is a heat treatment system 1 comprising a heat treatment unit 10, a heat treatment conveyor belt 20, and a cleaning device 70. The heat treatment unit 10 is capable of heat treating the workpiece 8. The heat treatment conveyor belt 20 is provided to pass through the heat treatment unit 10 and transports the container 3 containing the workpiece 8 and the lid 6 attached to the container 3. The cleaning device 70 is capable of cleaning the container 3 and lid 6 transported by the heat treatment conveyor belt 20. In this embodiment, the cleaning device 70 can be installed in a space-saving manner, and the lid 6 and container 3 can be cleaned efficiently. Therefore, the heat treatment system 1 can be installed in a space-saving manner, and the lid 6 and container 3 can be cleaned efficiently after heat treatment.

[0076] Furthermore, (7) this embodiment further includes a lid removal device 80 (lid removal device 801) that allows the lid 6 to be removed from the container 3 that has been cleaned by the cleaning device 70. The lid removal device 80 has a lid bottom cleaning section 86 that can clean the bottom surface of the lid 6 that has been removed from the container 3. Therefore, in addition to cleaning the sides of the container 3 and the top surface of the lid 6 by the cleaning device 70, it is also possible to clean the bottom surface of the lid 6 by the lid bottom cleaning section 86.

[0077] (Second Embodiment) Figure 12 shows the heat treatment system according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the heat treatment unit 10, the heat treatment conveying conveyor 20, the lid conveying conveyor 40, the container conveying conveyor 50, and the lid attachment / detachment device 80. The main differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0078] In this embodiment, two heat treatment units 10, two heat treatment conveyor belts 20, and two lid conveyor belts 40 are provided in the heat treatment system 1. For convenience, the two heat treatment units 10 are referred to as heat treatment units 11 and 12. For convenience, the two heat treatment conveyor belts 20 are referred to as heat treatment conveyor belts 21 and 22. For convenience, the two lid conveyor belts 40 are referred to as lid conveyor belts 44 and 45. Four container conveyor belts 50 are provided. For convenience, the four container conveyor belts 50 are referred to as container conveyor belts 51, 52, 53, and 54. Two lid attachment / detachment devices 80 are provided, as in the first embodiment. One of the lid attachment / detachment devices 80 is designated as the lid removal device 801, and the other as the lid attachment device 802.

[0079] The heat treatment units 11 and 12 are arranged in parallel along the x-axis. The heat treatment conveyor belts 21 and 22 are arranged in parallel so as to pass through the heat treatment units 11 and 12, i.e., along the x-axis. One end of each heat treatment conveyor belt 21 and 22 is connected to the post-treatment conveyor belt 30, and the other end of each is connected to the pre-treatment conveyor belt 60. The lid conveyor belts 44 and 45 are arranged in parallel along the x-axis. The container conveyor belts 51 and 52 are arranged in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The container conveyor belt 53 is arranged in parallel with the container conveyor belt 51 along the x-axis, and one end is connected to the post-treatment conveyor belt 30. The container transport conveyor 54 is installed parallel to the container transport conveyor 52 along the x-axis at a predetermined distance from the end of the container transport conveyor 53 opposite to the post-processing transport conveyor 30, and the end opposite to the container transport conveyor 53 is connected to the pre-processing transport conveyor 60.

[0080] In this embodiment, the lid removal device 80 (lid removal device 801, lid attachment device 802) is equipped with two gripping parts 81, two support parts 82, and two lid underside cleaning parts 86. In other words, two gripping parts 81 and two support parts 82 are provided on the transport path R1 of the lidded container 7. The lid removal device 801 can simultaneously remove two lids 6 from two lidded containers 7 on the post-processing transport conveyor 30 using its two gripping parts 81, simultaneously clean the undersides of the two lids 6 using the lid underside cleaning parts 86, and then place each of the two lids 6 on the x-direction end of the lid transport conveyors 44 and 45. Thus, the lid removal device 801 of this embodiment can simultaneously remove two lids 6 from two lidded containers 7 on the post-processing transport conveyor 30 and transport them to the lid transport conveyors 44 and 45 which are perpendicular to the post-processing transport conveyor 30.

[0081] Similar to the container conveyor 51, the container conveyor 53 transports the containers 3 that have been transported to the -y-direction end of the post-processing transport conveyor 30 to the processed material recovery section 150 in the -x direction. Similar to the container conveyor 52, the container conveyor 54 transports the containers 3 that have been filled with the processed material 8 in the processed material filling section 160 to the pre-processing transport conveyor 60 in the -x direction.

[0082] In the lid mounting device 802, one of the two gripping parts 81 and support part 82 is located on the lid transport conveyor 44, and the other is located on the lid transport conveyor 45. The lid mounting device 802 simultaneously grips the lid 6 on the lid transport conveyor 44 and the lid 6 on the lid transport conveyor 45 with the two gripping parts 81, cleans the underside of both lids 6 simultaneously with the lid underside cleaning part 86, and then transports each of the two lids 6 above the two containers 3 on the pre-processing transport conveyor 60, where they can be attached to the top of the containers 3.

[0083] As described above, this embodiment includes multiple heat treatment units 10, heat treatment conveyor belts 20, lid conveyor belts 40, and container conveyor belts 50. Therefore, a large number of lidded containers 7 containing the workpieces 8 can be transported by the transport system 2, allowing for more efficient and continuous production of processed workpieces 8.

[0084] Furthermore, the cleaning device 70 can efficiently clean the numerous lidded containers 7 transported by the transport system 2, the lid removal device 801 can efficiently remove the lids 6 from the lidded containers 7, and the lid attachment device 802 can efficiently remove the lids 6 from the containers 3.

[0085] (Other embodiments) In other embodiments, the process is not limited to arranging two lidded containers 7 in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the heat treatment conveyor 20 for transport; one, three or more containers may be arranged in the y-axis direction for transport.

[0086] In other embodiments, the number of heat treatment units 10, heat treatment conveyor belts 20, lid conveyor belts 40, and container conveyor belts 50 may be provided in the heat treatment system 1 depending on the amount of material to be treated, etc.

[0087] In other embodiments, the lid mounting device 802 may not be equipped with a lid bottom surface cleaning section 86.

[0088] In another embodiment, the heat treatment conveyor may transport a multi-tiered container with a lid, consisting of multiple containers stacked vertically and one lid attached to the vertically upper side thereof.

[0089] Thus, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 3 container, 6 lid, 70 cleaning device, 71 lid cleaning unit, 72 container cleaning unit, R1 transport route

Claims

1. A cleaning device (70) capable of cleaning a box-shaped container (3) and a lid (6) attached to the top of the container, A lid cleaning unit (71) is provided on the transport path (R1) of the container with the lid attached, and is capable of cleaning the lid while it is attached to the container. A container cleaning unit (72) is provided on the transport path and capable of cleaning the container with the lid attached, The device comprises a container lifting unit (75) that can raise and lower the container, The container lifting unit is provided below the container cleaning unit. The container cleaning unit is a cleaning device capable of cleaning the container when the container is raised or lowered by the container lifting unit.

2. A cleaning device (70) capable of cleaning a box-shaped container (3) and a lid (6) attached to the top of the container, A lid cleaning unit (71) is provided on the transport path (R1) of the container with the lid attached, and is capable of cleaning the lid while it is attached to the container. The system includes a container cleaning unit (72) provided on the transport path, capable of cleaning the container with the lid attached, The container is formed in the shape of a rectangular box, The container cleaning unit is, A first side wall cleaning unit (741) capable of cleaning the outer surface of the first side wall (201), which is one of the four side walls (4) of the container, A second side wall cleaning unit (742) capable of cleaning the outer surface of the second side wall (202), which is a side wall adjacent to the first side wall, A third side wall cleaning unit (743) capable of cleaning the outer surface of the third side wall (203), which is a side wall adjacent to the second side wall, and The fourth side wall cleaning section (744) is capable of cleaning the outer surface of the fourth side wall (204), which is a side wall adjacent to the third side wall. The container cleaning unit is capable of simultaneously cleaning the first side wall, second side wall, third side wall, and fourth side wall by comprising the first side wall cleaning unit, the second side wall cleaning unit, the third side wall cleaning unit, and the fourth side wall cleaning unit. The first side wall cleaning section and the third side wall cleaning section are arranged substantially parallel to each other. The second side wall cleaning section and the fourth side wall cleaning section are arranged substantially parallel to each other. A cleaning device in which the first side wall cleaning section and the third side wall cleaning section are provided at positions offset vertically upward or vertically downward from the second side wall cleaning section and the fourth side wall cleaning section.

3. The container cleaning unit is provided downstream of the lid cleaning unit in the transport path, The cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid is cleaned by the lid cleaning unit, and then the container is cleaned by the container cleaning unit.

4. The box-shaped container (3) and the lid (6) attached to the top of the container are cleanable. A lid cleaning unit (71) is provided on the transport path (R1) of the container with the lid attached, and is capable of cleaning the lid while it is attached to the container. A container cleaning unit (72) is provided on the transport path and capable of cleaning the container with the lid attached, A cleaning device (70) equipped with, A heat treatment section (10, 11, 12) capable of heat treating the workpiece (8), The system includes a heat treatment conveyor (20, 21, 22) that is provided to pass through the heat treatment section and contains the object to be treated, and a heat treatment conveyor that transports the lid attached to the container, The cleaning device is a heat treatment system capable of cleaning the container and lid that have been transported by the heat treatment conveyor.

5. The system further includes a lid removal device (80) that allows the lid to be removed from the container after it has been cleaned by the cleaning device, The heat treatment system according to claim 4, wherein the lid removal device has a lid underside cleaning section (86) capable of cleaning the underside of the lid removed from the container.

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