Quenching apparatus

Abstract

A quenching apparatus comprises a motor that generates rotational power, a carrier that carries a member to be treated, and a drive mechanism that transmits the rotational power to the carrier to change a position assumed by the carrier in the vertical direction. The drive mechanism includes a first wheel and a second wheel aligned in the vertical direction, and a chain extending between and engaged with the first and second wheels to transmit rotation of the first and second wheels. The motor applies the rotational power to rotate either the first wheel or the second wheel. The position assumed by the carrier in the vertical direction is determined by how many times the motor rotates, and a speed at which the carrier moves in the vertical direction is determined by a speed at which the motor rotates.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This nonprovisional application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-013985 filed on Jan. 30, 2025 with the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a quenching apparatus.Description of the Background Art

[0003] WO2020 / 203226 discloses a quenching apparatus. The quenching apparatus described in WO2020 / 203226 comprises a cooling bath, a support base, and a moving device. The cooling bath has a coolant reserved therein. The support base carries a member to be treated. The moving device vertically moves the member to be treated.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The quenching apparatus described in WO2020 / 203226 has room for improvement in controlling a position assumed by the support base in the vertical direction and a speed at which the support base moves in the vertical direction. The present disclosure provides a quenching apparatus allowing a member to be treated on a carrier positioned more accurately in the vertical direction and moved at a more accurate speed in the vertical direction.

[0005] The presently disclosed quenching apparatus comprises a motor that generates rotational power, a carrier that carries a member to be treated, and a drive mechanism that transmits the rotational power to the carrier to change a position assumed by the carrier in a vertical direction. The drive mechanism includes a first wheel and a second wheel aligned in the vertical direction, and a chain extending between and engaged with the first and second wheels to transmit rotation of the first and second wheels. The motor applies the rotational power to rotate either the first wheel or the second wheel. The position assumed by the carrier in the vertical direction is determined by how many times the motor rotates, and a speed at which the carrier moves in the vertical direction is determined by a speed at which the motor rotates.

[0006] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 schematically shows a quenching apparatus 100.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process of a quenching method using quenching apparatus 100.

[0009] FIG. 3 schematically shows quenching apparatus 100 according to a first variation.

[0010] FIG. 4 schematically shows quenching apparatus 100 according to a second variation.

[0011] FIG. 5 schematically shows quenching apparatus 100 according to a third variation.

[0012] FIG. 6 schematically shows quenching apparatus 100 according to a fourth variation.

[0013] FIG. 7 schematically shows quenching apparatus 100 according to a fifth variation.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process of a quenching method using quenching apparatus 100 according to a variation.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure will more specifically be described with reference to the drawings. In the following figures, identical or equivalent components are identically denoted and will not be described repeatedly. A quenching apparatus according to an embodiment will be referred to as a quenching apparatus 100.Configuration of Quenching Apparatus 100

[0016] Hereinafter, a configuration of quenching apparatus 100 will be described.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, quenching apparatus 100 comprises a casing 10, a motor 20, a carrier 30, and a drive mechanism 40. Quenching apparatus 100 may further comprise a connection member 50 and a sensor 60.

[0018] Casing 10 includes a cooling bath 11 and a waiting chamber 12. Cooling bath 11 reserves a coolant CL therein. Coolant CL is not particularly limited. Coolant CL is, for example, water, an aqueous solution of a polymer, oil, or the like. Waiting chamber 12 is located above cooling bath 11 in the vertical direction. An upward / downward direction in FIG. 1 corresponds to the vertical direction. Waiting chamber 12 has an internal space connected to an internal space of cooling bath 11 in the vertical direction.

[0019] Motor 20 is, for example, a servo motor. Note, however, that motor 20 is not limited to a servo motor. For example, motor 20 is connected to a servo amplifier (not shown), and the servo amplifier is connected to a controller (not shown). The controller generates a control signal for how many times motor 20 rotates and a speed at which the motor rotates, and the controller outputs the control signal to the servo amplifier. In response to the control signal, the servo amplifier outputs a drive signal for motor 20, and in response to the drive signal, motor 20 rotates and thus generates rotational power.

[0020] Carrier 30 carries a member to be treated W. The member to be treated W is made for example of steel. Although not shown, waiting chamber 12 is provided with an openable and closable first opening that allows waiting chamber 12 to have its internal space in communication with outside. Waiting chamber 12 is also provided with another openable and closable, second opening in communication with a heating chamber (not shown) used for heating the member to be treated W. Carrier 30 is disposed in the internal space of waiting chamber 12 at a stage before the member to be treated W is cooled. The member to be treated W is moved through the second opening and thus carried on carrier 30 in a heated state. Casing 10 conserves heat to prevent the member to be treated W from having a rapid decrease in temperature when the member to be treated is ejected from the heating chamber. Furthermore, while immersing in coolant CL the member to be treated W ejected from the heating chamber generates vapor, casing 10 suppresses diffusion of the vapor to the surroundings. Furthermore, casing 10 isolates the member to be treated W that is ejected from the heating chamber from the atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the member to be treated W.

[0021] Drive mechanism 40 transmits rotational power of motor 20 to carrier 30 to move carrier 30 in the vertical direction. Carrier 30 assumes a position as uniquely determined by how many times motor 20 rotates, and the carrier is moved at a speed as uniquely determined by a speed at which the motor rotates. More specifically, drive mechanism 40 for example includes a wheel 41 and a wheel 42, and a chain 43.

[0022] Wheels 41 and 42 are aligned in the vertical direction with a spacing therebetween. Wheel 41 is located above wheel 42 in the vertical direction. Chain 43 extends between and is engaged with wheels 41 and 42. Chain 43 is a loop chain. Wheels 41 and 42 are sprockets, for example. That is, wheels 41 and 42 each have a toothed outer circumferential surface. Wheels 41 and 42 have their respective teeth meshed with chain 43. Chain 43 is located between wheels 41 and 42 and has a linearly moving portion 43a that moves in the vertical direction. Motor 20 is connected to wheel 42. This allows the rotational power of motor 20 to be transmitted to wheel 42, and as wheel 42 rotates, chain 43 also rotates.

[0023] Connection member 50 is, for example, a rod-shaped member extending in the vertical direction. Waiting chamber 12 has an upper wall provided with a through hole. Connection member 50 is passed through the through hole provided through the upper wall of waiting chamber 12. Connection member 50 has a lower end connected to carrier 30. Connection member 50 is also attached to drive mechanism 40. More specifically, a coupler 43b is attached to linearly moving portion 43a for example with a pin, and connection member 50 is connected to coupler 43b for example by welding. Accordingly, when the rotational power of motor 20 is applied to drive drive mechanism 40 (or chain 43), connection member 50 moves in the vertical direction, and as connection member 50 moves, carrier 30 moves in the vertical direction. That is, drive mechanism 40 indirectly transmits the rotational power of motor 20 to carrier 30 via connection member 50.

[0024] How many times motor 20 rotates and a speed at which the motor rotates uniquely determine how many times wheel 42 rotates and a speed at which the wheel rotates. How many times wheel 42 rotates and the speed at which the wheel rotates uniquely determine a distance that linearly moving portion 43a moves in the vertical direction and a speed at which the linearly moving portion moves in the vertical direction, and hence a distance that carrier 30 moves in the vertical direction and a speed at which the carrier moves in the vertical direction. As described above, using drive mechanism 40 allows carrier 30 to assume a position and move at a speed, as uniquely determined by how many times motor 20 rotates and the speed at which the motor rotates, respectively.

[0025] Sensor 60 senses carrier 30 in position and speed in the vertical direction. Sensor 60 for example includes an encoder 61. Encoder 61 is attached to motor 20. Encoder 61 is, for example, an optical encoder, a magnetic encoder, or an electromagnetic induction type encoder. Encoder 61 senses how many times motor 20 rotates. A position assumed by carrier 30 in the vertical direction is calculated based on how many times motor 20 rotates as sensed by encoder 61. For example, how many times wheel 42 rotates is known from how many times motor 20 rotates. A distance that linearly moving portion 43a moves in the vertical direction is known from how many times wheel 42 rotates. A position assumed by connection member 50 and hence a position assumed by carrier 30 connected to the lower end of connection member 50 are known from the distance that linearly moving portion 43a moves in the vertical direction. Furthermore, a speed at which wheel 42 rotates is known from a speed at which motor 20 rotates. A speed at which linearly moving portion 43a moves in the vertical direction is known from the speed at which wheel 42 rotates. A speed at which connection member 50 moves and hence a speed at which carrier 30 connected to the lower end of connection member 50 moves are known from the speed at which linearly moving portion 43a moves in the vertical direction.

[0026] Sensor 60 for example includes a distance sensor 62. Distance sensor 62 is attached to an exterior of casing 10. More specifically, distance sensor 62 is attached on the upper wall of waiting chamber 12. Connection member 50 has a sensing unit 51. Sensing unit 51 is vertically spaced from and thus faces distance sensor 62. Distance sensor 62 is, for example, an optical distance sensor. That is, distance sensor 62 has a light emitting unit to emit laser light toward sensing unit 51, and sensing unit 51 receives and reflects the laser light, which is received by distance sensor 62. A position assumed by sensing unit 51 in the vertical direction, that is, a position assumed by carrier 30 in the vertical direction is sensed based on a period of time elapsing between the emission of the laser light and the reflection of the laser light. When carrier 30 moves in the vertical direction, connection member 50 also moves in the vertical direction together with carrier 30. Accordingly, a distance between sensing unit 51 and distance sensor 62 in the vertical direction varies with time. A speed at which carrier 30 moves in the vertical direction is sensed based on the variation with time of the distance between sensing unit 51 and distance sensor 62 in the vertical direction.

[0027] Quenching apparatus 100 may further comprise an agitator 70. Agitator 70 includes a motor, a rotary shaft, and a propeller. The motor is attached to casing 10 (or cooling bath 11). The rotary shaft is connected to the motor. The rotary shaft extends in cooling bath 11 in the vertical direction. The propeller is connected to the rotary shaft. The propeller is immersed in coolant CL reserved in cooling bath 11. As the motor's rotational power rotates the rotary shaft, the propeller rotates in the coolant. Furthermore, a partition member 71 is disposed in cooling bath 11. As the propeller rotates in the coolant, a flow of liquid is caused in coolant CL, and formed by partition member 71, as desired.Quenching Method Using Quenching Apparatus 100

[0028] Hereinafter, a quenching method using quenching apparatus 100 will be described.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the quenching method using quenching apparatus 100 comprises a preparation step S1. In the preparation step S1, the member to be treated W is prepared. In the preparation step S1, the member to be treated W is subjected to a heat treatment. The member to be treated W is subjected to the heat treatment while the member to be treated W is held at a temperature equal to or higher than the A3 transformation point of the steel constituting the member to be treated W. The member to be treated W may be heated in a carburizing atmosphere such as RX gas or in a carbonitriding atmosphere that is a carburizing atmosphere with ammonia gas or the like added thereto. That is, in the preparation step S1, the member to be treated W may be carburized or carbonitrided. After the heat treatment is performed, the member to be treated W is moved through the second opening of waiting chamber 12 and thus carried on carrier 30 located in waiting chamber 12.

[0030] The quenching method using quenching apparatus 100 further comprises a carrier lowering step S2, a coolant agitation step S3, a holding step S4, and a carrier raising step S5. In the carrier lowering step S2, carrier 30 with the member to be treated W carried thereon is moved in the vertical direction downward. Carrier 30 is moved downward by the rotational power of motor 20 transmitted to carrier 30 via drive mechanism 40. When the member to be treated W is immersed in coolant CL and carrier 30 reaches a predetermined position in the vertical direction, moving carrier 30 downward is stopped, and carrier 30 will be held at the predetermined position.

[0031] The coolant agitation step S3 includes a first step S31. The first step S31 is performed together with the carrier lowering step S2. In the first step S31, agitator 70 is driven to generate a flow of liquid of coolant CL flowing in a vicinity of the member to be treated W from above to below in the vertical direction. The flow of liquid is assumed to have a first speed. Carrier 30 is assumed to be moved in the vertical direction downward at a second speed. The first speed is smaller than or equal to the second speed. The first speed preferably matches the second speed. From another point of view, a difference (or a relative speed) between the first speed and the second speed is smaller than the second speed, and is preferably 0. When the carrier lowering step S2 ends, the first step S31 also ends.

[0032] In the holding step S4, the member to be treated W is held in coolant CL. Martensitic transformation thus proceeds in the member to be treated W. The coolant agitation step S3 further includes a second step S32. The second step S32 starts after the holding step S4 starts when a predetermined period of time elapses. This period of time is previously calculated as at least a period of time elapsing before martensitic formation is started at a surface of the member to be treated W. In the second step S32, agitator 70 is driven again. This causes a flow of liquid of coolant CL and the member to be treated W is cooled at an increased rate, which reduces a period of time required to complete quenching the member to be treated W.

[0033] The carrier raising step S5 is performed after quenching the member to be treated W is completed. In the carrier raising step S5, carrier 30 is moved in the vertical direction upward and returned to waiting chamber 12. Carrier 30 is moved upward by the rotational power of motor 20 transmitted to carrier 30 via drive mechanism 40. After quenching the member to be treated W is completed, the member to be treated W is moved through the first opening of waiting chamber 12 and thus ejected out of quenching apparatus 100. While in the above description the coolant agitation step S3 is performed by way of example, the coolant agitation step S3 (the first step S31 and the second step S32) may not be performed.Variation of Quenching Apparatus 100

[0034] Hereinafter, variations of quenching apparatus 100 will be described.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, quenching apparatus 100 may not comprise connection member 50. In that case, carrier 30 is attached to linearly moving portion 43a. In that case, the rotational power of motor 20 is transmitted to wheel 41. Furthermore, in that case, as quenching apparatus 100 does not comprise connection member 50, waiting chamber 12 has an upper wall without a through hole to pass connection member 50 therethrough.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, drive mechanism 40 may not include wheels 41 and 42 and chain 43, and instead include a guide rail 44, a housing 45, and a screw shaft 46. Guide rail 44 extends in the vertical direction. Housing 45 is attached to guide rail 44 slidably in the vertical direction. Screw shaft 46 is screwed into a nut (not shown) included in housing 45. Screw shaft 46 is rotated about the central axis of screw shaft 46 by the rotational power of motor 20 transmitted thereto. As screw shaft 46 rotates, the nut (or housing 45) moves forward and backward in the vertical direction. Connection member 50 is connected to housing 45. Therefore, in this case as well, carrier 30 is moved in the vertical direction as the rotational power of motor 20 is transmitted.

[0037] In this case, how many times motor 20 rotates and a speed at which the motor rotates determine how many times screw shaft 46 rotates and a speed at which the screw shaft rotates, respectively, and how many times screw shaft 46 rotates and the speed at which the screw shaft rotates determine a position assumed by housing 45 in the vertical direction and a speed at which the housing moves in the vertical direction, respectively. Therefore, in this case as well, a position assumed by carrier 30 and a speed at which the carrier moves are uniquely determined by how many times motor 20 rotates and the speed at which the motor rotates, respectively.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, drive mechanism 40 may not include wheels 41 and 42 and chain 43, and instead include a zip chain®47a and a zip chain®47b, and a wheel 48a and a wheel 48b. Wheels 48a and 48b are sprockets, for example, and mesh with zip chains 47a and 47b, respectively. Furthermore, zip chains 47a and 47b mesh with each other below wheels 48a and 48b.

[0039] Wheels 48a and 48b are rotated by the rotational power of motor 20. As a result, zip chains 47a and 47b are fed downward or wound upward. Connection member 50 is connected to where zip chains 47a and 47b mesh with each other. How many times motor 20 rotates and a speed at which the motor rotates determine how many times wheels 48a and 48b rotate and a speed at which the wheels rotate, respectively. Furthermore, how many times wheels 48a and 48b rotate and the speed at which the wheels rotate determine an amount by which zip chains 47a and 47b are fed (or wound upward) and a speed at which the zip chains are done so, and hence where zip chains 47a and 47b mesh with each other in the vertical direction and a speed at which where zip chains 47a and 47b mesh with each other shifts in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this case as well, a position assumed by carrier 30 and a speed at which the carrier moves are uniquely determined by how many times motor 20 rotates and the speed at which the motor rotates, respectively.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, drive mechanism 40 may not include wheels 41 and 42 and chain 43 and instead include a rack and pinion mechanism, that is, a rack 49a and a pinion 49b. Rack 49a is attached to carrier 30. Rack 49a has teeth aligned in the vertical direction. Pinion 49b meshes with the teeth of rack 49a and is rotated by the rotational power of motor 20 transmitted thereto. As pinion 49b rotates, rack 49a and carrier 30 with rack 49a attached thereto move in the vertical direction. How many times motor 20 rotates and a speed at which the motor rotates determine how many times pinion 49b rotates and a speed at which the pinion rotates, respectively. Furthermore, how many times pinion 49b rotates and the speed at which the pinion rotates determine a position assumed by rack 49a and a speed at which the rack moves. Therefore, in this case as well, a position assumed by carrier 30 and a speed at which the carrier moves are uniquely determined by how many times motor 20 rotates and the speed at which the motor rotates, respectively.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, quenching apparatus 100 may comprise a pump 72 rather than agitator 70 as an agitator. Cooling bath 11 has an inlet 11a and an outlet 11b. A pipe 13a has one end connected to inlet 11a, and a pipe 13b has one end connected to outlet 11b. Pump 72 is connected to the other end of pipe 13a and also connected to the other end of pipe 13b. When pump 72 is driven, the coolant reserved in cooling bath 11 is suctioned through inlet 11a, passes through pipe 13a, pump 72 and pipe 13b, and is returned to cooling bath 11 through outlet 11b. As coolant CL thus circulates, coolant CL is agitated in cooling bath 11. The agitator used in quenching apparatus 100 is not limited to agitator 70 and pump 72. Although not shown, the agitator used in quenching apparatus 100 may be a blade.Variation of Quenching Method Using Quenching Apparatus 100

[0042] Hereinafter, a variation of the quenching method using quenching apparatus 100 will be described.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 8, the quenching method using quenching apparatus 100 may not comprise the coolant agitation step S3 including the first step S31. That is, in the carrier lowering step S2, agitator 70 may not be driven to cause a flow of liquid in coolant CL. In that case, when immersing the member to be treated W in coolant CL is started, a vapor layer is formed around the member to be treated W located in coolant CL. The immersion of the member to be treated W is completed for example before the vapor layer disappears. The member to be treated W (or carrier 30) is moved for example to a predetermined position before the vapor layer disappears.Effects of Quenching Apparatus 100

[0044] Quenching apparatus 100 has effects, as described below.

[0045] In the first step S31, a difference (or a relative speed) between the first speed and the second speed can be set to be smaller than the second speed (preferably, zeroed) to reduce strain caused in the member to be treated W. This requires accurately controlling the second speed, that is, a position assumed by carrier 30 in the vertical direction and a speed at which the carrier moves in the vertical direction.

[0046] Quenching apparatus 100 allows drive mechanism 40 to transmit rotational power of motor 20 to carrier 30 to move carrier 30 in the vertical direction, and a position assumed by carrier 30 in the vertical direction and a speed at which the carrier moves are uniquely determined by how many times motor 20 rotates and a speed at which the motor rotates, respectively. And how many times motor 20 rotates and the speed at which the motor rotates can be accurately controlled for example through servo control. Quenching apparatus 100 can thus accurately control the position assumed by carrier 30 in the vertical direction and the speed at which the carrier moves in the vertical direction.

[0047] Quenching apparatus 100 allows carrier 30 and drive mechanism 40 to be interconnected by connection member 50 to allow drive mechanism 40 to transmit rotational power of motor 20 to carrier 30 to move carrier 30. Accordingly, quenching apparatus 100 can have drive mechanism 40 disposed outside casing 10, and thus suppress damaging drive mechanism 40 by heat of coolant CL and the member to be treated W. In contrast, when drive mechanism 40 is disposed in casing 10 and transmits the rotational power of motor 20 directly to carrier 30 to move carrier 30 (see FIGS. 3 and 6), connection member 50 is dispensed with, and as a result, it is unnecessary to provide a through hole through an upper wall of waiting chamber 12 to pass connection member 50 therethrough, and the member to be treated W can be quenched in a hermetic environment.

[0048] When the first step S31 is not performed, then, to reduce strain of the member to be treated W, carrier 30 will be moved (downward) at an increased speed so that before a vapor layer produced around the member to be treated W disappears, immersing and moving the member to be treated W to a predetermined position will be completed to reduce a difference in temperature of the member to be treated W for each location. In doing so, for example when carrier 30 is suspended by a chain and the chain is fed to move carrier 30 downward, the chain sags and carrier 30 cannot be moved downward at a speed exceeding free fall. As a result, immersing and moving the member to be treated W to the predetermined position cannot be completed before the vapor layer disappears, and this may insufficiently reduce strain of the member to be treated W.

[0049] In this regard, quenching apparatus 100 allows carrier 30 to be moved in the vertical direction at a speed uniquely determined by a speed at which motor 20 rotates, and rotating motor 20 at an increased speed allows carrier 30 to be moved downward at a speed exceeding free fall to complete immersing and moving the member to be treated W to the predetermined position before the vapor layer disappears, and thus reduce strain of the member to be treated W. Furthermore, with motor 20 connected to wheel 42, when carrier 30 is pulled downward, the rotational power of motor 20 is directly transmitted to carrier 30, and carrier 30 can be moved downward at a higher speed.

[0050] Quenching apparatus 100 comprises sensor 60 (encoder 61 and distance sensor 62) that can sense a position assumed by carrier 30 in the vertical direction and a speed at which the carrier moves in the vertical direction, and the quenching apparatus can thus suppress a discrepancy caused between how many times motor 20 rotates / a speed at which the motor rotates and a position actually assumed by carrier 30 / a speed at which the carrier actually moves. Furthermore, even when motor 20 idles with respect to wheel 42 or a similar event arises and the measurement through encoder 61 of a position assumed by carrier 30 and a speed at which the carrier moves does not function, distance sensor 62 can confirm whether a position actually assumed by carrier 30 is a normal position.Additional Notes

[0051] The above embodiments include the following configurations.Additional Note 1

[0052] A quenching apparatus comprising:

[0053] a motor that generates rotational power;

[0054] a carrier that carries a member to be treated; and

[0055] a drive mechanism that transmits the rotational power to the carrier to change a position assumed by the carrier in a vertical direction, wherein

[0056] the drive mechanism includes a first wheel and a second wheel aligned in the vertical direction, and a chain extending between and engaged with the first and second wheels to transmit rotation of the first and second wheels,

[0057] the motor applies the rotational power to rotate either the first wheel or the second wheel, and

[0058] the position assumed by the carrier in the vertical direction is determined by how many times the motor rotates, and a speed at which the carrier moves in the vertical direction is determined by a speed at which the motor rotates.Additional Note 2

[0059] The quenching apparatus according to Additional Note 1, further comprising:

[0060] a casing; and

[0061] a connection member, wherein

[0062] the carrier is disposed in the casing,

[0063] the drive mechanism is disposed outside the casing, and

[0064] the connection member interconnects the carrier and the drive mechanism.Additional Note 3

[0065] The quenching apparatus according to Additional Note 1, further comprising a casing, wherein

[0066] the drive mechanism is disposed in the casing, and

[0067] the carrier is attached to the drive mechanism.Additional Note 4

[0068] The quenching apparatus according to any one of Additional Notes 1 to 3, further comprising a sensor that senses the position assumed by the carrier.Additional Note 5

[0069] The quenching apparatus according to Additional Note 4, wherein the sensor includes an encoder that senses how many times the motor rotates, and, based on how many times the motor rotates, the sensor senses the position assumed by the carrier in the vertical direction and the speed at which the carrier moves in the vertical direction.Additional Note 6

[0070] The quenching apparatus according to Additional Note 4 or 5, further comprising:

[0071] a casing; and

[0072] a connection member, wherein

[0073] the carrier is disposed in the casing,

[0074] the drive mechanism is disposed outside the casing,

[0075] the connection member interconnects the carrier and the drive mechanism,

[0076] the connection member has a portion to constitute a sensing unit, and

[0077] the sensor includes a distance sensor that senses a distance between the sensing unit disposed outside the casing and the sensor, and, based on the distance, the sensor senses the position assumed by the carrier in the vertical direction.Additional Note 7

[0078] The quenching apparatus according to Additional Note 6, wherein the sensor is disposed outside the casing.

[0079] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in any respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to encompass any modification falling within the meaning and scope equivalent to the terms of the claims.

Claims

1. A quenching apparatus comprising:a motor that generates rotational power;a carrier that carries a member to be treated; anda drive mechanism that transmits the rotational power to the carrier to change a position assumed by the carrier in a vertical direction, whereinthe drive mechanism includes a first wheel and a second wheel aligned in the vertical direction, and a chain extending between and engaged with the first and second wheels to transmit rotation of the first and second wheels,the motor applies the rotational power to rotate either the first wheel or the second wheel, andthe position assumed by the carrier in the vertical direction is determined by how many times the motor rotates, and a speed at which the carrier moves in the vertical direction is determined by a speed at which the motor rotates.

2. The quenching apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:a casing; anda connection member, whereinthe carrier is disposed in the casing,the drive mechanism is disposed outside the casing, andthe connection member interconnects the carrier and the drive mechanism.

3. The quenching apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a casing, whereinthe drive mechanism is disposed in the casing, andthe carrier is attached to the drive mechanism.

4. The quenching apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor that senses the position assumed by the carrier.

5. The quenching apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sensor includes an encoder that senses how many times the motor rotates, and, based on how many times the motor rotates, the sensor senses the position assumed by the carrier in the vertical direction and the speed at which the carrier moves in the vertical direction.

6. The quenching apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:a casing; anda connection member, whereinthe carrier is disposed in the casing,the drive mechanism is disposed outside the casing,the connection member interconnects the carrier and the drive mechanism,the connection member has a portion to constitute a sensing unit, andthe sensor includes a distance sensor that senses a distance between the sensing unit disposed outside the casing and the sensor, and, based on the distance, the sensor senses the position assumed by the carrier in the vertical direction.

7. The quenching apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the sensor is disposed outside the casing.

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