Heat treatment system

Abstract

To provide a technique which can suppress foreign matters from entering saggers.SOLUTION: A heat treatment system comprises: a heat treatment furnace which has a carry-in port and a carry-out port and has an internal space through which plural saggers are conveyed from the carry-in port toward the carry-out port; and a return line which is arranged at the outside of the heat treatment furnace and conveys the saggers from the carry-out port to the carry-in port. The return line comprises a first mounting part which can mount the saggers. The heat treatment system comprises: a movement apparatus which moves the first mounting part; and a first separation part which separates a first space to be disposed with the first mounting part and a second space to be disposed with the movement apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a heat treatment system.

Background Art

[0002] [[ID=1l]] Patent Document 1 discloses a continuous firing system. The continuous firing system includes a continuous firing furnace that fires an object to be processed in a sagger, and a circulation line that circulates the sagger with respect to the continuous firing furnace. The circulation line includes a transport device that transports the sagger and a hood. The hood isolates a circulation space extending from the delivery port to the inlet port of the continuous firing furnace from the external space. In the circulation space, a removal device that removes the lid from the sagger and a reversal device that reverses the sagger are arranged.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the removal device or the reversal device operates, foreign matters such as wear powder may be generated. In the above heat treatment system, since the removal device and the reversal device are arranged in the circulation space, the generated foreign matters may enter the sagger.

[0005] This specification discloses a technology capable of suppressing foreign matters from entering the sagger.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In a first aspect of the technology disclosed herein, the heat treatment system comprises a heat treatment furnace having an inlet and an outlet, and having an internal space through which a plurality of saggers are transported from the inlet to the outlet; and a return line located outside the heat treatment furnace, which transports the plurality of saggers from the outlet to the inlet. The return line includes a first mounting section on which the saggers can be placed. The heat treatment system comprises a moving device for moving the first mounting section, and a first isolation section for separating a first space in which the first mounting section is located from a second space in which the moving device is located.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the moving device is located in a second space different from the first space where the saggar is placed. Therefore, even if foreign matter such as wear particles is generated from the moving device when it is driven, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from entering the first space. This prevents foreign matter from entering the saggar.

[0008] Furthermore, in a seventh aspect of the technology disclosed herein, the heat treatment system comprises a heat treatment furnace having an inlet and an outlet, and having an internal space through which a plurality of saggers are transported from the inlet to the outlet; a return line disposed outside the heat treatment furnace and sending the plurality of saggers from the outlet to the inlet; and an operating device for performing predetermined operations on the saggers on the return line. The return line includes a mounting section on which the saggers can be placed. The heat treatment system includes an isolation section that separates a first space on which the mounting section is located from a second space different from the first space. The operating device comprises a cylinder rod that moves back and forth relative to the saggers, and a cylinder body disposed in the second space, which slidably supports the cylinder rod and drives the cylinder rod. A portion of the cylinder rod is located in the first space.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the cylinder body is located in a second space different from the first space where the saggar is placed. Therefore, even if foreign matter such as wear particles is generated from the cylinder body as it operates, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from entering the first space. This prevents foreign matter from entering the saggar. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the heat treatment system in the example. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor and sagger in the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor and sagger in the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the conveyor, lifter, casing, and conveyor cover of the embodiment viewed in the vertical direction. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the conveyor, lifter, casing, and conveyor cover of the embodiment as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the vertical direction. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor, lifter, and casing of the embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor, lifter, and casing of the embodiment, when the inlet shutter and outlet shutter are in the closed position. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor, lifter, casing, and conveyor cover of the embodiment, when the inlet shutter is in the open position and the outlet shutter is in the closed position. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor, lifter, casing, and conveyor cover of the embodiment, when the inlet shutter is in the closed position and the outlet shutter is in the open position. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor, conveyor cover, cylinder, and roller drive device of the embodiment, when the pair of cylinders are not sandwiching the sag. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor, conveyor cover, cylinder, and roller drive device of the embodiment, showing a pair of cylinders sandwiching a saggar.

[0011] The main features of the embodiments described below are listed below. Note that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements that exhibit technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing.

[0012] In a second aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in the first aspect described above, the first isolation section is a casing fixed to the first mounting section and covering the first mounting section. The moving device is a lifter fixed to the casing and raising and lowering the casing. With the above configuration, the first mounting section and the sagger on the first mounting section are covered by the casing (first isolation section), and the lifter is positioned outside the casing. Therefore, even if foreign matter such as wear particles is generated from the lifter, it is possible to prevent the generated foreign matter from entering the inside of the casing. This prevents foreign matter from entering the sagger.

[0013] In a third aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in the second aspect described above, the first mounting section is arranged in a first direction and includes a plurality of rollers that allow the sagger to move in the first direction. The casing includes a body extending in the first direction, an inlet located at one end of the body in the first direction, an outlet located at the other end of the body in the first direction, an inlet shutter that can open and close the inlet, and an outlet shutter that can open and close the outlet. With the above configuration, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the inside of the casing by the inlet shutter closing the inlet and the outlet shutter closing the outlet. This prevents foreign matter from entering the sagger.

[0014] In a fourth aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in any one of the first to third aspects described above, the return line further comprises a second mounting portion on which the sagger can be placed. The heat treatment system further comprises an operating device for performing a predetermined operation on the sagger placed on the second mounting portion, and a second isolation portion. The operating device comprises a cylinder rod that moves back and forth relative to the sagger, and a cylinder body that slidably supports the cylinder rod and drives the cylinder rod. The second isolation portion isolates a third space on which a portion of the cylinder rod is located, and a fourth space on which the cylinder body is located. With the above configuration, even if foreign matter such as wear particles is generated from the cylinder body when the cylinder body drives the cylinder rod, it is possible to suppress the foreign matter from entering the third space. This makes it possible to suppress the foreign matter from entering the sagger.

[0015] In a fifth aspect of the technology disclosed herein, in the fourth aspect described above, the heat treatment system further comprises a rod cover located in the third space and covering at least partially the cylinder rod. Foreign matter such as wear particles generated from the cylinder body may pass through the gap between the cylinder body and the cylinder rod. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent foreign matter that has passed through the gap between the cylinder body and the cylinder rod from flowing out of the rod cover. This prevents foreign matter from entering the saggar.

[0016] In the sixth aspect of the technology disclosed in this specification, in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above, the contact portion of the first placement portion contacts the sagger and is made of a resin material or ceramics. When the sagger moves on the first placement portion, foreign matters such as wear powder may be generated from the first placement portion. In a configuration where the placement portion is made of a metal material, metal foreign matters are generated, and the quality of the workpiece is deteriorated when the metal foreign matters enter the sagger. In the above configuration, foreign matters such as wear powder made of resin or ceramics are generated from the contact portion of the first placement portion. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which the first placement portion is made of a metal material, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the quality of the workpiece that occurs when foreign matters enter the sagger.

[0017] (Example) As shown in FIG. 1, the heat treatment system 2 includes a heat treatment furnace 10, an in-furnace transfer device 12, and a return line 14.

[0018] The heat treatment furnace 10 fires, that is, heat-treats, the workpiece 6 (see FIG. 2) filled in the sagger 4 by the heat generation of a heater (not shown). The workpiece 6 is, for example, a raw material of a ceramic capacitor or a positive electrode material and a negative electrode material of a lithium ion battery.

[0019] The heat treatment furnace 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped heat insulating structure. The heat treatment furnace 10 has an internal space 16 inside. The heat treatment furnace 10 also has a carry-in port 18 disposed at one end of the heat treatment furnace 10 and a carry-out port 20 disposed at the other end of the heat treatment furnace 10. The internal space 16 communicates with the outside of the heat treatment furnace 10 through the carry-in port 18 and the carry-out port 20, respectively.

[0020] The in-furnace transfer device 12 is disposed in the internal space 16. The sagger 4 can be placed on the in-furnace transfer device 12. The in-furnace transfer device 12 transfers a plurality of saggers 4 in the transfer direction D1. As a result, the plurality of saggers 4 are carried into the internal space 16 from the outside space of the heat treatment furnace 10 through the carry-in port 18, transferred in the internal space 16 from the carry-in port 18 toward the carry-out port 20, and then carried out from the internal space 16 to the outside space of the heat treatment furnace 10 through the carry-out port 20.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the in-furnace transport device 12 is a conveyor 26 equipped with a plurality of rollers 24. Both ends of each roller 24 are rotatably supported. The sagger 4 is placed on the plurality of rollers 24. The plurality of rollers 24 are aligned in the transport direction D1. As the plurality of rollers 24 rotate, the sagger 4 moves along the conveyor 26 in the transport direction D1.

[0022] The roller 24 comprises a non-contact portion 30 and one or more (two in this embodiment) contact portions 32. The non-contact portion 30 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The non-contact portion 30 is made of a metal material. This increases the strength of the roller 24. In a modified example, the non-contact portion 30 may be made of ceramics. The contact portions 32 cover a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the non-contact portion 30. As shown in Figure 3, the two contact portions 32 are spaced apart. The contact portions 32 are made of a resin material or ceramics. Examples of resin materials include nylon, polyethylene, and polyetheretherketone. Examples of ceramics include alumina and mullite. The material of the contact portions 32 is, for example, the same as the material of the non-contact portion 30. When the sagger 4 moves on the conveyor 26, the sagger 4 comes into contact with the contact portions 32, and foreign matter such as wear particles made of resin or ceramics may be generated from the roller 24. Compared to cases where the foreign matter is made of metal, even if the foreign matter is mixed into the processed material 6 in the sagger 4, the deterioration of the quality of the processed material 6 is suppressed.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the return line 14 is located outside the heat treatment furnace 10. The return line 14 transports multiple saggers 4 in the transport direction D1, sending them from the outlet 20 to the inlet 18.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the return line 14 is a conveyor 38 equipped with multiple rollers 36, similar to the in-furnace transport device 12. Both ends of each roller 36 are rotatably supported. The sagger 4 is placed on the multiple rollers 36. The multiple rollers 36 are aligned in the transport direction D1. As the multiple rollers 36 rotate, the sagger 4 moves along the conveyor 38 in the transport direction D1.

[0025] The roller 36 comprises a non-contact portion 42 and one or more (two in this embodiment) contact portions 44. The configuration of the non-contact portion 42 is substantially the same as that of the non-contact portion 30. The configuration of the contact portion 44 is substantially the same as that of the contact portion 32. Specifically, the contact portion 44 covers a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the roller 36. The sagger 4 comes into contact with the contact portion 44 when it moves on the conveyor 38. Furthermore, the material of the contact portion 44 is, for example, the same as the material of the contact portion 32. Therefore, even when foreign matter such as wear particles made of resin or ceramics are generated from the contact portion 44 as the sagger 4 is transported, the deterioration of the quality of the workpiece 6 due to the inclusion of foreign matter is suppressed compared to when the foreign matter is made of metal.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the heat treatment system 2 includes a cooling device 50, a crushing device 52, a first lifter 54, a recovery device 56, a second lifter 58, a cleaning device 60, a crack detection device 62, a filling device 64, and a control device 66. The cooling device 50, the crushing device 52, the first lifter 54, the recovery device 56, the second lifter 58, the cleaning device 60, the crack detection device 62, and the filling device 64 are arranged on the return line 14 and are lined up in order from upstream to downstream of the return line 14 (i.e., in the conveying direction D1).

[0027] The cooling device 50 is configured so that the sagger 4 can pass through its interior. The cooling device 50 cools the sagger 4 and the material to be processed 6 (see Figure 2) filled inside the sagger 4 by a coolant (for example, air or water) flowing through a cooling pipe (not shown).

[0028] The crushing device 52 crushes the material to be processed 6 (see Figure 2) after firing by, for example, inserting a pin into the material to be processed 6 (see Figure 2) that is filled inside the sagger 4.

[0029] The first lifter 54 raises the sagger 4. In a modified version, the first lifter 54 may also lower the sagger 4. The configuration of the first lifter 54 will be described in detail later.

[0030] The recovery device 56 inverts the sagger 4, which has been raised by the first lifter 54, upside down. As a result, the material to be processed 6 (see Figure 2) is discharged from the sagger 4 and recovered.

[0031] The second lifter 58 lowers the saggar 4 after the material to be processed 6 has been discharged. In a modified example, the second lifter 58 may raise the saggar 4 after the material to be processed 6 has been discharged. The configuration of the second lifter 58 will be explained in detail later.

[0032] The cleaning device 60 cleans the sagger 4. This removes any remaining material to be processed 6 from the sagger 4.

[0033] The crack detection device 62 detects cracks and chips in the saggar 4.

[0034] The filling device 64 fills the sagger 4 with the material to be processed 6.

[0035] The control device 66 controls the cooling device 50, the crushing device 52, the first lifter 54, the recovery device 56, the second lifter 58, the cleaning device 60, the crack detection device 62, and the filling device 64. The control device 66 also controls the heat treatment furnace 10, the in-furnace transport device 12, the conveyor 26, and the conveyor 38.

[0036] The first lifter 54 and the second lifter 58 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 9. In this embodiment, the configuration of the first lifter 54 is substantially the same as that of the second lifter 58. For this reason, the first lifter 54 and the second lifter 58 are collectively referred to as the lifter 70.

[0037] First, the detailed configuration of the conveyor 38 will be described. As shown in Figure 4, the conveyor 38 comprises a lifter conveyor 74, an upstream conveyor 76, and a downstream conveyor 78. Multiple saggars 4 can be placed on the lifter conveyor 74. The lifter conveyor 74 is raised and lowered by a lifter 70. The upstream conveyor 76 is located upstream of the lifter conveyor 74 in the return line 14. The downstream conveyor 78 is located downstream of the lifter conveyor 74 in the return line 14. Both the upstream conveyor 76 and the downstream conveyor 78 are surrounded by a conveyor cover 120, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 5, the vertical position of the downstream conveyor 78 is different from the vertical position of the upstream conveyor 76. Specifically, when the lifter 70 is the first lifter 54, the downstream conveyor 78 is located above the upstream conveyor 76. In a modified configuration, when lifter 70 is the first lifter 54, the downstream conveyor 78 may be positioned below the upstream conveyor 76. Also, when lifter 70 is the second lifter 58, the downstream conveyor 78 may be positioned below the upstream conveyor 76. In another modified configuration, when lifter 70 is the second lifter 58, the downstream conveyor 78 may be positioned above the upstream conveyor 76. Note that the vertical direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction D1.

[0038] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the lifter 70 comprises a lifter section 82 and a drive section 84. The lifter section 82 is equipped with a chain 86. The lifter section 82 raises and lowers an object (for example, a lifter conveyor 74) when the chain 86 is driven. The drive section 84 drives the chain 86. The drive section 84 is controlled by a control device 66.

[0039] The heat treatment system 2 comprises a casing 90, an inlet shutter drive device 92, and an outlet shutter drive device 94.

[0040] The casing 90 has a lifter conveyor 74 and a storage space 98 for accommodating the saggers 4 on the lifter conveyor 74. The casing 90 isolates the storage space 98 from an external space 100 located outside the casing 90. The lifter 70 is located in the external space 100. The casing 90 comprises a main body 104, an inlet 106, an outlet 108, an inlet shutter 110, and an outlet shutter 112.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, the main body 104 is mounted on the lifter section 82 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 7, the main body 104 has a box shape that extends in the conveying direction D1. The main body 104 rotatably supports both ends of each roller 36 of the lifter conveyor 74. As shown in Figure 6, the rollers 36 are driven by a roller drive device 116 via a transmission unit 114. The transmission unit 114 is located in the storage space 98. The transmission unit 114 is surrounded by a transmission unit cover 115. This prevents foreign matter such as wear dust from being generated by the driving of the transmission unit 114 from being exposed to the outside of the transmission unit cover 115. As a result, foreign matter is prevented from entering the saggar 4. The roller drive device 116 is fixed to the main body 104. The roller drive device 116 is located in the external space 100. The roller drive device 116 is controlled by a control device 66. Note that the roller drive unit 116 is not shown in Figures 7 to 9.

[0042] As shown in Figure 7, the inlet 106 is located at one end of the main body 104 in the transport direction D1.

[0043] The outlet 108 is located at the other end of the main body 104 in the transport direction D1. The outlet 108 faces the inlet 106.

[0044] The entrance shutter 110 is located at the entrance 106. The entrance shutter 110 is mounted on the main body 104 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The entrance shutter 110 moves between an open position (see Figure 8) and a closed position. The entrance shutter 110 can open and close the entrance 106. As shown in Figure 8, the entrance shutter 110 opens the entrance 106 when it is in the open position. As shown in Figure 7, the entrance shutter 110 closes the entrance 106 when it is in the closed position. As a result, the storage space 98 does not communicate with the external space 100 through the entrance 106.

[0045] The exit shutter 112 is located at the exit 108. The exit shutter 112 is mounted on the main body 104 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The exit shutter 112 moves between an open position (see Figure 9) and a closed position. The exit shutter 112 can open and close the exit 108. As shown in Figure 9, the exit shutter 112 opens the exit 108 when it is in the open position. As shown in Figure 7, the exit shutter 112 closes the exit 108 when it is in the closed position. As a result, the storage space 98 does not communicate with the external space 100 through the exit 108.

[0046] The inlet shutter drive unit 92 and the outlet shutter drive unit 94 are fixed to the main body 104. The inlet shutter drive unit 92 and the outlet shutter drive unit 94 are located in an external space 100 isolated from the storage space 98. The inlet shutter drive unit 92 moves the inlet shutter 110 between the open and closed positions when the outlet shutter 112 is in the closed position. Therefore, the inlet shutter 110 opens the inlet 106 when the outlet shutter 112 is closing the outlet 108. The outlet shutter drive unit 94 moves the outlet shutter 112 between the open and closed positions when the inlet shutter 110 is in the closed position. Therefore, the outlet shutter 112 opens the outlet 108 when the inlet shutter 110 is closing the inlet 106.

[0047] The method for transporting the sagger 4 from the upstream conveyor 76 to the downstream conveyor 78 will now be explained. First, as shown in Figure 8, with the casing 90 facing the conveyor cover 120 surrounding the upstream conveyor 76 in the transport direction D1, the inlet shutter drive device 92 moves the inlet shutter 110 from the closed position to the open position. Also, the shutter 117 is attached to the conveyor cover 120 so as to be able to open and close the outlet 120a of the conveyor cover 120 surrounding the upstream conveyor 76, and the shutter 117 opens the outlet 120a of the conveyor cover 120 when the inlet shutter 110 moves to the open position. As a result, the storage space 98 communicates with the space inside the conveyor cover 120 (i.e., the conveyor space 130 described later) via the inlet 106 of the casing 90. Next, with the inlet shutter 110 in the open position, the rollers 36 of the upstream conveyor 76 and the rollers 36 of the lifter conveyor 74 rotate. As a result, multiple saggers 4 move from the upstream conveyor 76 onto the lifter conveyor 74 and are placed in the storage space 98. Next, the inlet shutter drive device 92 moves the inlet shutter 110 from the open position to the closed position. As a result, the storage space 98 is no longer in communication with the external space 100 or the space inside the conveyor cover 120 via the inlet 106 of the casing 90. Also, the shutter 117 closes the outlet 120a of the conveyor cover 120 when the inlet shutter 110 moves to the closed position.

[0048] Next, as shown in Figure 6, the drive unit 84 drives the chain 86. The casing 90 rises (or descends) to the position of the downstream conveyor 78 (see Figure 9) together with the lifter conveyor 74 and the multiple saggers 4. Next, as shown in Figure 9, the outlet shutter drive device 94 moves the outlet shutter 112 from the closed position to the open position. The shutter 118 is also attached to the conveyor cover 120 so as to be able to open and close the entrance 120b of the conveyor cover 120 that surrounds the downstream conveyor 78. The shutter 118 opens the entrance 120b of the conveyor cover 120 when the outlet shutter 112 moves to the open position. As a result, the storage space 98 communicates with the space inside the conveyor cover 120 (i.e., the conveyor space 130 described later) via the outlet 108 of the casing 90. Next, the rollers 36 of the lifter conveyor 74 and the rollers 36 of the downstream conveyor 78 rotate. As a result, multiple saggers 4 move from the lifter conveyor 74 onto the downstream conveyor 78 and are placed in the space inside the conveyor cover 120. Finally, the exit shutter drive device 94 moves the exit shutter 112 from the open position to the closed position. This prevents the storage space 98 from communicating with the external space 100 or the space inside the conveyor cover 120 via the exit 108 of the casing 90. Also, when the exit shutter 112 moves to the closed position, the shutter 118 closes the entrance 120b of the conveyor cover 120.

[0049] As shown in Figure 10, the heat treatment system 2 further comprises a conveyor cover 120, a pair of cylinders 122, a cylinder drive unit 124, a cylinder body cover 126, and a rod cover 128.

[0050] The conveyor cover 120 is positioned to surround the upstream conveyor 76 and the downstream conveyor 78, respectively. The conveyor cover 120 has a tunnel shape that extends in the conveying direction D1. The conveyor cover 120 has a conveyor space 130 in which the upstream conveyor 76 and the downstream conveyor 78 are arranged. The conveyor space 130 corresponds to the space inside the conveyor cover 120. The conveyor cover 120 isolates the conveyor space 130 from the external space 100 located outside the conveyor cover 120.

[0051] A pair of cylinders 122 adjust the orientation of the sagger 4. The pair of cylinders 122 are positioned upstream of each of the following in the return line 14: the crushing device 52, the first lifter 54, the recovery device 56, the second lifter 58, the cleaning device 60, the crack detection device 62, and the filling device 64. The pair of cylinders 122 are also positioned near each of the following: the crushing device 52, the first lifter 54, the recovery device 56, the second lifter 58, the cleaning device 60, the crack detection device 62, and the filling device 64. As a result, the sagger 4 is sent to the crushing device 52, the first lifter 54, the recovery device 56, the second lifter 58, the cleaning device 60, the crack detection device 62, and the filling device 64 with its orientation adjusted.

[0052] The pair of cylinders 122 are positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction. The left-right direction is perpendicular to the transport direction D1 and the up-down direction. The sagger 4 passes between the pair of cylinders 122.

[0053] Cylinder 122 is, for example, an air cylinder. In a modified example, cylinder 122 may be a hydraulic cylinder. Cylinder 122 comprises a cylinder body 136 and a cylinder rod 138.

[0054] The cylinder body 136 is fixed to the conveyor cover 120. The cylinder body 136 is located in the external space 100. The cylinder body 136 has an air intake / exhaust port 142. The air intake / exhaust port 142 is located in the external space 100. The cylinder drive unit 124 supplies air into the cylinder body 136 via the air intake / exhaust port 142 and exhausts air from inside the cylinder body 136. The cylinder drive unit 124 is located in the external space 100. The cylinder drive unit 124 is controlled by a control device 66.

[0055] The cylinder rod 138 is slidably supported in the cylinder body 136. The cylinder rod 138 passes through the conveyor cover 120. A portion of the cylinder rod 138 (the tip) is positioned in the conveyor space 130. The cylinder rod 138 moves axially with respect to the cylinder body 136 and moves back and forth relative to the sagger 4 as air is supplied into the cylinder body 136 via the supply and exhaust port 142 and exhausted from inside the cylinder body 136.

[0056] The cylinder body cover 126 is fixed to the conveyor cover 120. The cylinder body cover 126 is located in the external space 100. The cylinder body cover 126 covers the entire cylinder body 136. Therefore, the cylinder body 136 is located in the space between the cylinder body cover 126 and the conveyor cover 120. By providing the cylinder body cover 126, the entry of foreign matter such as dust into the conveyor space 130 through the gap between the cylinder body 136 and the conveyor cover 120 is suppressed.

[0057] The rod cover 128 is fixed to the conveyor cover 120. The rod cover 128 is positioned in the conveyor space 130. The rod cover 128 covers a portion of the cylinder rod 138 (the cylinder body 136 side). Therefore, a portion of the cylinder rod 138 is positioned in the space between the rod cover 128 and the conveyor cover 120. The presence of the rod cover 128 prevents foreign matter that enters through the gap between the cylinder rod 138 and the conveyor cover 120 from entering the workpiece 6 inside the sagger 4.

[0058] The return line 14 further includes a roller drive unit 146. The roller drive unit 146 rotates the rollers 36 of the upstream conveyor 76 and the rollers 36 of the downstream conveyor 78. The roller drive unit 146 includes a roller drive unit 148 and a transmission unit 150.

[0059] The roller drive unit 148 is located in the external space 100. The roller drive unit 148 is controlled by the control device 66.

[0060] The transmission unit 150 is located in the conveyor space 130. The transmission unit 150 is surrounded by a transmission unit cover 152. This prevents foreign matter such as wear particles from escaping outside the transmission unit cover 152, even if foreign matter is generated by the operation of the transmission unit 150. As a result, foreign matter is prevented from entering the sagger 4. The transmission unit 150 is connected to the roller drive unit 148. When the roller drive unit 148 is driven, the transmission unit 150 rotates the roller 36.

[0061] The method for adjusting the position of the crest 4 is described below. First, the roller drive unit 148 is driven, and the transmission unit 150 rotates the roller 36. As the roller 36 rotates, the crest 4 moves along the return line 14 (specifically, along the upstream conveyor 76 or the downstream conveyor 78). The roller drive unit 148 stops when the crest 4 is positioned between the pair of cylinders 122. This stops the rotation of the roller 36. Next, as shown in Figure 11, the cylinder drive unit 124 supplies air to the cylinders 122 through the intake / exhaust port 142. This causes the cylinder rod 138 to move forward (to approach the crest 4). As a result, the crest 4 is sandwiched between the pair of cylinder rods 138. This adjusts the position of the crest 4 to a predetermined position. Next, as shown in Figure 10, the cylinder drive unit 124 exhausts air from the cylinders 122 through the intake / exhaust port 142. This causes the cylinder rod 138 to retract (move) away from the sagger 4. Finally, the roller drive unit 148 is driven, and the transmission unit 150 rotates the roller 36. As the roller 36 rotates, the sagger 4 moves along the return line 14 (specifically, along the upstream conveyor 76 or the downstream conveyor 78). This sends the sagger 4, now in the correct position, to the crushing device 52, the first lifter 54, the recovery device 56, the second lifter 58, the cleaning device 60, and the crack detection device 62 and filling device 64.

[0062] (effect) In the above embodiment, the lifter conveyor 74 on which the saggar 4 is placed is located in the containment space 98 within the casing 90, and the lifter 70 that moves the lifter conveyor 74 is located in the external space 100. Since the containment space 98 and the external space 100 are isolated, even if foreign matter such as wear dust is generated by the driving of the lifter 70, it is possible to prevent that foreign matter from entering the containment space 98. This prevents foreign matter from entering the saggar 4.

[0063] Furthermore, the upstream conveyor 76 and downstream conveyor 78 on which the sagger 4 is placed are located within the conveyor space 130, and the conveyor space 130 and the external space 100 are separated by the conveyor cover 120. In the cylinder 122 that adjusts the position of the sagger 4, the cylinder body 136 is located in the external space 100, and a portion of the cylinder rod 138 is located in the conveyor space 130. Therefore, even if foreign matter such as wear particles is generated from the cylinder body 136 when the cylinder body 136 drives the cylinder rod 138, it is possible to prevent that foreign matter from entering the conveyor space 130. This prevents foreign matter from entering the sagger 4.

[0064] (Correspondence) The lifter conveyor 74 is an example of the "first mounting section". The lifter 70 is an example of the "moving device". The casing 90 is an example of the "isolation section". The upstream conveyor 76 is an example of the "second mounting section" and "mounting section". The downstream conveyor 78 is an example of the "second mounting section" and "mounting section". The cylinder 122 is an example of the "operating device". The conveyor cover 120 is an example of the "first isolation section" and "second isolation section". The conveyor space 130 is an example of the "first space" and "third space". The external space 100 is an example of the "second space" and "fourth space".

[0065] (modified version) In one embodiment, the conveyors 26 and 38 may be chain conveyors equipped with chains.

[0066] In one embodiment, the cylinder 122 may be a pusher that pushes out the sagger 4.

[0067] The specific examples of the technology disclosed herein have been described in detail above, but these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples described above. Furthermore, the technical elements described herein or in the drawings exhibit technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated herein or in the drawings achieves multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical usefulness. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 2: Heat treatment system 4: Sagger 6: Items to be processed 10: Heat treatment furnace 14: Return Line 36: Laura 38: Conveyor 42: Non-contact part 44: Contact area 54: First Lifter 58: Second Lifter 70: Lifter 74: Conveyor for lifters 76: Upstream conveyor 78: Downstream conveyor 90: Casing 98: Containment space 100: External space 104: Main unit 106: Entrance 108:Exit 110: Entrance shutter 112: Exit shutter 120: Conveyor cover 122: Cylinder 124: Cylinder drive unit 126: Cylinder body cover 128: Rod cover 130: Conveyor space 136: Cylinder body 138: Cylinder rod D1: Conveying direction

Claims

1. A heat treatment system, A heat treatment furnace having an entrance and an exit, and having an internal space through which multiple saggers are transported from the entrance to the exit, It is located outside the heat treatment furnace and includes a return line that sends the plurality of saggars from the outlet to the inlet, The return line is equipped with a first mounting section on which the sagger can be placed, The heat treatment system is A moving device for moving the first mounting section, A heat treatment system comprising a first isolation section that separates a first space in which the first mounting section is located from a second space in which the moving device is located.

2. The first isolation portion is fixed to the first mounting portion and is a casing that covers the first mounting portion. The heat treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the moving device is fixed to the casing and is a lifter for raising and lowering the casing.

3. The first mounting section is arranged in a first direction and is equipped with a plurality of rollers that allow the sagger to move in the first direction. The aforementioned casing is The main body extending in the first direction, An entrance located at one end of the main body in the first direction, An outlet located at the other end of the main body in the first direction, An entrance shutter that can open and close the aforementioned entrance, The heat treatment system according to claim 2, further comprising an outlet shutter that can open and close the aforementioned outlet.

4. The return line further comprises a second mounting section on which the sagger can be placed, The heat treatment system is An operating device for performing a predetermined operation on the sagger placed on the second mounting section, It also includes a second isolation section, The aforementioned operating device is A cylinder rod that moves back and forth relative to the aforementioned sagger, The system includes a cylinder body that slidably supports the cylinder rod and drives the cylinder rod, The heat treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the second isolation section isolates a third space in which a portion of the cylinder rod is located from a fourth space in which the cylinder body is located.

5. The heat treatment system according to claim 4, further comprising a rod cover located in the third space and at least partially covering the cylinder rod.

6. The heat treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact portion of the first mounting portion is in contact with the sagger and is made of a resin material or ceramics.

7. A heat treatment system, A heat treatment furnace having an entrance and an exit, and having an internal space through which multiple saggers are transported from the entrance to the exit, A return line is located outside the heat treatment furnace and sends the plurality of saggars from the outlet to the entrance, The system includes an operating device for performing a predetermined operation on the sagger on the return line, The return line is equipped with a mounting section on which the sagger can be placed, The heat treatment system includes an isolation section that separates a first space in which the above-described mounting section is arranged from a second space different from the first space. The aforementioned operating device is A cylinder rod that moves back and forth relative to the sagger, wherein a portion of the cylinder rod is positioned in the first space, The device comprises a cylinder body located in the second space, which slidably supports the cylinder rod and drives the cylinder rod, The heat treatment system is A rod cover is provided in the first space and covers the cylinder rod at least partially, A heat treatment system comprising a cylinder body cover, which is located in the second space and covers the entire cylinder body.

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