JP7494487B2 - Induction Heating Equipment - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to an induction heating device, and in particular to an induction heating device that includes an induction heating coil, a yoke, and a furnace frame.

Conventionally, induction heating devices equipped with an induction heating coil, a yoke, and a furnace frame have been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 describes a crucible-type induction melting furnace (induction heating device) including a crucible made of a refractory material, an induction coil (induction heating coil) wound around the outer periphery of the crucible, an L-shaped iron core (yoke section) arranged along the outer periphery of the induction coil, and a furnace frame including a plurality of steel pillars arranged on the outer periphery side of the L-shaped iron core. In the crucible-type induction melting furnace described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the L-shaped iron core is configured to be separable into two parts, an upper iron core and a lower iron core, in the vertical direction at a height position corresponding to the lower end of the induction coil. That is, the upper iron core (upper part of the yoke section) approximately corresponds to the height position where the induction coil is arranged, and the lower iron core (lower part of the yoke section) approximately corresponds to the height position where the induction coil is not arranged. Although not specified in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is considered that in the crucible-type induction melting furnace described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the induction coil and the steel pillars included in the furnace frame are not configured to be separable in the vertical direction.

Japanese Patent No. 3608240

Here, in the conventional induction heating device as described in the above Patent Document 1, when the capacity of the induction heating device is increased, the components constituting the induction heating device, such as the induction heating coil, the yoke section, and the furnace frame, also become larger in size to correspond to the capacity of the induction heating device. For this reason, in a factory that manufactures existing induction heating devices, it may be difficult to assemble the entire induction heating device with a large capacity. In this case, a method is considered in which the parts that can be assembled are assembled in the factory, and then the entire assembly is performed at the installation site of the induction heating device. And, when the above method is used for the conventional induction heating device as described in the above Patent Document 1, the upper part of the yoke section, the induction heating coil, and the furnace frame occupy a large part of the overall dimensions of the induction heating device (they are relatively large), so it is time-consuming and time-consuming. For this reason, there is a problem that the installation period of the induction heating device is extended. In addition, since the upper part of the yoke section, the induction heating coil, and the steel pillars included in the furnace frame must be transported to the installation site because they are relatively large, there is a problem that transportation may be difficult due to exceeding regulations on transport vehicles on public roads.

This invention was made to solve the above problems, and one of the objects of this invention is to provide an induction heating device that can be easily transported and has a shorter installation period, even when it is large.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an induction heating device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a crucible arranged in a vertical direction and into which a metal material is placed, an induction heating coil wound around the outer periphery of the crucible for heating and melting the metal material, a yoke arranged along the outer periphery of the induction heating coil for guiding the magnetic field generated by the induction heating coil to the metal material placed inside the crucible, and a furnace frame formed in a frame-like shape and arranged on the outer periphery of the yoke for pressing the yoke from the outer periphery so as to bring the yoke into close contact with the induction heating coil, and the induction heating coil, the yoke and the furnace frame are configured to be divisible into multiple pieces at approximately the same height in the vertical direction while being fixed together as a single unit.

In the induction heating device according to one aspect of the present invention, as described above, the induction heating coil, the yoke, and the furnace frame are configured to be vertically divisible into a plurality of parts while being fixed together. As a result, the induction heating coil, the yoke, and the furnace frame are vertically divisible into a plurality of parts while being fixed together, and the divided induction heating coil, the yoke, and the furnace frame, which are fixed together and fixed together, can be easily transported to the installation site of the induction heating device as a relatively small intermediate assembly. In addition, the induction heating device can be assembled by simply stacking and connecting the relatively small intermediate assemblies transported to the installation site. In other words, the induction heating device can be assembled at the installation site in a relatively short time. As a result, even if the induction heating device is large, it can be easily transported and the installation time can be shortened.
In addition, the induction heating coil, the yoke, and the furnace frame are each configured to be separable into a plurality of coil parts, a plurality of yoke parts, and a plurality of furnace frame parts at approximately the same height position, and the separated coil parts, the yoke parts, and the furnace frame parts are fixed together at approximately the same height position. With this configuration, the lengths of the separated coil parts, the yoke parts, and the furnace frame parts in the vertical direction can be made uniform, so that the intermediate assemblies (the coil parts, the yoke parts, and the furnace frame parts fixed together) can be easily stacked, and the intermediate assemblies can be easily joined together.

In this case, preferably, the induction heating coil, the yoke and the furnace frame are configured to be separable into a plurality of coil parts, a plurality of yoke parts and a plurality of furnace frame parts at approximately the same height position, and the plurality of coil parts separated at approximately the same height position are electrically connected in parallel to each other. With this configuration, by dividing the yoke parts and the furnace frame parts based on the coil parts to be connected in parallel, it is possible to divide the yoke parts and the furnace frame parts without dividing the coil parts to be connected in parallel.

In the above-mentioned configuration with multiple yoke parts, preferably, the induction heating coil, the yoke and the furnace frame are configured to be separable into multiple coil parts, multiple yoke parts and multiple furnace frame parts at approximately the same height position, and further includes plate members arranged along the radial direction of each of the multiple yoke parts and sandwiching the yoke part from both sides in the circumferential direction, and each of the vertically adjacent plate members is formed with a fixing part for fixing them to each other. With this configuration, the vertically adjacent plate members can be fixed to each other using the fixing parts, so that the vertically adjacent yoke parts sandwiched between the plate members can be fixed to each other. As a result, the divided intermediate assemblies can be easily fixed to each other.

In this case, the fixing portion is preferably formed on the lower part of the upper plate member that is located on the upper side of the vertically adjacent plate members, and on the upper part of the lower plate member that is located on the lower side of the vertically adjacent plate members, so as to protrude in the circumferential direction so as to be able to fasten the fastening member. With this configuration, the fixing portion formed on the lower part of the upper plate member so as to protrude in the circumferential direction and the fixing portion formed on the upper part of the lower plate member so as to protrude in the circumferential direction can be fastened by the fastening member, so that vertically adjacent plate members can be easily fastened to each other.

In the above-mentioned configuration having multiple yoke sections, preferably, the induction heating coil, the yoke and the furnace frame are each configured to be dividable into multiple coil sections, multiple yoke sections and multiple furnace frame sections at approximately the same height position, and each of the multiple yoke sections is further provided with a plate member that is arranged radially along the multiple yoke sections and sandwiches the yoke section from both sides in the circumferential direction, and when the lower end of the upper yoke section that is arranged on the upper side of the vertically adjacent yoke sections and the upper end of the lower yoke section that is arranged on the lower side of the vertically adjacent yoke sections are arranged to be in contact at a contact position, the lower end of the upper plate member that sandwiches the upper yoke section from both sides in the circumferential direction and the upper end of the lower plate member that sandwiches the lower yoke section from both sides in the circumferential direction do not come into contact, and at least a part of the contact position overlaps with the lower end of the upper plate member or the upper end of the lower plate member when viewed from the circumferential direction. With this configuration, when the lower end of the upper yoke portion and the upper end of the lower yoke portion are arranged to be in contact with each other at the contact position, the lower end of the upper plate member and the upper end of the lower plate member do not come into contact with each other. This makes it possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the upper yoke portion and the lower yoke portion when the upper intermediate assembly including the upper yoke portion and the lower intermediate assembly including the lower yoke portion are fixed together. As a result, it is possible to prevent the magnetic flux generated by the induction heating coil from leaking to the outer periphery of the yoke portion. In addition, when the lower end of the upper yoke portion and the upper end of the lower yoke portion are arranged to be in contact with each other at the contact position, at least a part of the contact position overlaps with the lower end of the upper plate member or the upper end of the lower plate member as viewed from the circumferential direction. This makes it possible to reduce the area of the lower end of the upper plate member and the upper end of the lower plate member exposed from the yoke portion as viewed from the circumferential direction, compared to when the entire contact position does not overlap with at least one of the lower end of the upper plate member and the upper end of the lower plate member. As a result, when the upper intermediate assembly including the upper yoke portion and the lower intermediate assembly including the lower yoke portion are brought into contact and fixed, the lower end portion of the upper yoke portion and the upper end portion of the lower yoke portion can be prevented from bending (buckling) circumferentially due to pressure acting in the vertical direction on the lower end portion of the upper yoke portion and the upper end portion of the lower yoke portion, by the lower end portion of the upper yoke portion and the upper end portion of the lower yoke portion.

In this case, preferably, the lower end of the upper plate member has a step shape including a first portion having a first height and a second portion having a second height different from the first height, and the upper end of the lower plate member has a step shape corresponding to the step shape of the lower end of the upper plate member. With this configuration, the intermediate assemblies are arranged vertically so that the step shapes of the lower ends of the upper plate member and the step shapes of the upper ends of the lower plate member match, thereby preventing the upper intermediate assembly and the lower intermediate assembly from being misaligned in the circumferential direction when viewed in the axial direction.

In a configuration in which the lower end of the upper plate member and the upper end of the lower plate member do not come into contact with each other, the lower end of the upper plate member and the lower end of the upper yoke portion are preferably configured to be at approximately the same height. This configuration makes it easier for the lower end of the intermediate assembly to be flat, compared to a configuration in which the lower end of the upper plate member and the lower end of the upper yoke portion are configured to be at different heights, thereby improving workability during transportation of the intermediate assembly.

In the induction heating device according to the above aspect, preferably, the device further comprises a deck section that is separable from the induction heating coil, the yoke, and the furnace frame, and is provided above the furnace frame so as to be tiltable around the pivot axis, and has a rectangular shape larger than the furnace frame when viewed from the top-bottom direction, and the deck section is configured to be split horizontally when viewed from the top-bottom direction in a portion where the pivot axis is not located. With this configuration, the deck section can be split horizontally after being separated from the induction heating coil, the yoke, and the furnace frame, so that it is possible to prevent the vehicle from exceeding regulations (regulations on horizontal size) for transport vehicles on public roads during transportation. In addition, since the deck section is split in a portion where the pivot axis is not located, it is possible to prevent distortion of the pivot axis when the split deck sections are connected, compared to when the pivot axis is split into multiple pieces.

According to the present invention, as described above, even in the case of large-scale installations, the installation period can be shortened while still allowing for easy transportation.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an induction heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the induction heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention, seen from a different direction than that shown in FIG. 1 . 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a furnace body of an induction heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 100-100 in FIG. 3. 1 is a perspective view showing an induction heating coil of an induction heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining division of a furnace body of an induction heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a furnace body of an induction heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is divided. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a yoke and a yoke backing plate of an induction heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the dividing positions of the yoke and the yoke backing plate of the induction heating device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the lower end of an upper yoke portion and the upper end of a lower yoke portion adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are brought into contact with each other from the state shown in FIG. 9 . FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a method for assembling an induction heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view showing a state in which a furnace body of an induction heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is divided. FIG. FIG. 11 is a side view of an induction heating device according to a modified example of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

The configuration of an induction heating device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. The induction heating device 100 is a device for heating and melting a metal material 2 (see Figure 3) placed inside a heat-resistant crucible 1 (see Figure 3) by induction heating.

As shown in FIG. 1, the induction heating device 100 includes a furnace seat 3, a deck section 4, an upper caster 5, a dust collection hood 6, a crucible 1, and a furnace body 7.

The furnace seat 3 supports the furnace body 7 and the deck section 4. The furnace body 7 and the deck section 4 are fixed to each other. As shown in FIG. 2, the furnace seat 3 is connected to the deck section 4 by a rotating shaft 3a. The furnace seat 3 is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 3b for tilting the deck section 4 around the rotating shaft 3a. The furnace seat 3 is installed on the installation surface of the installation location of the induction heating device 100. Although not shown, the furnace seat 3 is fixed so that it can be separated in the vertical direction (Z direction) when the hydraulic cylinder 3b etc. are removed.

The deck section 4 is disposed above (on the Z2 side) the furnace seat 3 and the furnace body 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the deck section 4 has a generally rectangular shape that is larger than the furnace body 7 when viewed from the top-bottom direction (Z direction). In other words, the deck section 4 is larger than the furnace frame 40, which will be described later, when viewed from the top-bottom direction (Z direction). The deck section 4 is fixed so as to be separable from the furnace body 7.

In this embodiment, the deck section 4 is configured to be split horizontally when viewed from the top-bottom direction (Z direction) in the portion where the pivot shaft 3a is not located. Specifically, an opening 4a in which the pivot shaft 3a is located is formed at the end of the deck section 4 on the X1 side. The deck section 4 is detachably (separably) fixed at the split position P1 in the center in the X direction into an X1 side portion 4b and an X2 side portion 4c. The deck section 4 is welded and fixed to the furnace frame 40 of the furnace body 7 before use at the installation site of the induction heating device 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper caster 5 is provided above the furnace body 7 (Z1 side). As shown in FIG. 7, the upper caster 5 is integrally formed with an annular refractory member 5a provided in the center and a metal outer frame portion 5b provided in an annular shape so as to surround the refractory member 5a. The upper caster 5 is fixed so as to be detachable (separable) from the furnace body 7. The upper caster 5 is provided with a tapping port 5c for discharging (tapping) the metal material 2 (molten metal) molten inside the crucible 1 (see FIG. 3) to the outside.

The dust collection hood 6 is provided above (on the Z1 side of) the upper caster 5. The dust collection hood 6 is configured to function as a top lid and a dust collection device when the metal material 2 (see FIG. 3) is heated in the crucible 1 (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 3, the crucible 1 has a cup shape with an open upper side (Z1 side) so that the metal material 2 can be poured inside. In other words, the crucible 1 is arranged so as to follow the vertical direction (Z direction). The crucible 1 is made of a fire-resistant material.

The furnace body 7 includes an induction heating coil 10, a yoke 20, a yoke backing plate 30, a furnace frame 40, and a furnace bottom member 50. The yoke backing plate 30 is an example of a "plate member" in the claims.

The furnace body 7 is provided to surround the outer periphery (R2 side) and bottom (Z2 side) of the crucible 1. The crucible 1 is arranged so as to be aligned in the up-down direction (Z direction).

The induction heating coil 10 is arranged so as to be wound around the outer periphery (R2 side) of the crucible 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the induction heating coil 10 is arranged so as to be substantially concentric with the crucible 1 when viewed from above (Z1 side). Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the induction heating coil 10 is arranged on the outer periphery (R2 side) of the crucible 1 over substantially the entire length in the up-down direction (Z direction).

The induction heating coil 10 is configured to heat and melt the metal material 2 inside the crucible 1 by induction heating. Specifically, the induction heating coil 10 is connected to an inverter device (not shown) and configured to receive alternating current from the inverter device. When alternating current is supplied to the induction heating coil 10, eddy currents are generated by electromagnetic induction in the metal material 2 (see FIG. 3) inside the crucible 1 (see FIG. 3), which is located inside the induction heating coil 10 (on the R1 side). The metal material 2 is then heated by Joule heat generated by this eddy current.

As shown in FIG. 4, multiple yokes 20 are arranged along the outer periphery (R2 side) of the induction heating coil 10. When viewed from above (Z1 side), the multiple yokes 20 are arranged so that they are spaced apart at approximately equal angles from one another along a circle that is approximately concentric with the induction heating coil 10. The yokes 20 are arranged over approximately the entirety of the outer periphery (R2 side) of the induction heating coil 10 in the up-down direction (Z direction). In other words, the yokes 20 restrict the movement of the induction heating coil 10 outward (R2 side) in the radial direction (R direction).

The yoke 20 is composed of multiple (silicon) steel plates stacked in the circumferential direction (C direction). The yoke 20 is arranged along the outer periphery (R2 side) of the induction heating coil 10. The yoke 20 is configured to guide the magnetic field generated by the induction heating coil 10 to the metal material 2 placed inside the crucible 1. In other words, by arranging the yoke 20 on the outer periphery (R2 side) of the induction heating coil 10, the magnetic flux generated during induction heating is prevented from leaking to the outside (outside (R2 side) in the radial direction (R direction)).

The yoke backing plates 30 are arranged along the radial direction (R direction) to sandwich the yoke 20 from both sides in the circumferential direction (C direction). A yoke backing plate 30 is provided for each of the multiple yokes 20. As shown in FIG. 8, a back beam member 51 extending in the circumferential direction (C direction) is provided between the yoke backing plates 30 that sandwich the yoke 20 from both sides in the circumferential direction (C direction). Both ends of the back beam member 51 are welded to the yoke backing plate 30. As a result, the yoke 20 is fixed to the yoke backing plate 30.

As shown in FIG. 4, the furnace frame 40 is disposed on the outer periphery (R2 side) of the yoke 20. The furnace frame 40 is composed of a plurality of plate-shaped members, columnar members, etc. In other words, the furnace frame 40 is formed in a frame shape. The furnace frame 40 is made of metal. The furnace frame 40 is configured to be capable of fastening a coil pressing fastening member 52 for pressing the yoke 20 from the outer periphery (R2 side) so as to bring the yoke 20 into close contact with the induction heating coil 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the furnace bottom member 50 is disposed below (Z2 side) the crucible 1, induction heating coil 10, yoke 20, yoke backing plate 30, etc. The furnace bottom member 50 is made of castable (fire-resistant concrete). The furnace bottom member 50 is fastened and fixed to the lower part of the yoke backing plate 30 by fastening members 54 such as bolts and nuts. In the induction heating device 100, the fastening members 54 are fastened to press the induction heating coil 10 downward (Z2 side) through the yoke backing plate 30.

In this embodiment, the induction heating coil 10, the yoke 20, and the furnace frame 40 are configured to be divisible into multiple parts in the vertical direction (Z direction) while being fixed together as one unit. In detail, as shown in FIG. 7, the induction heating coil 10, the yoke 20, and the furnace frame 40 are configured to be divisible into multiple coil sections 11, multiple yoke sections 21, and multiple furnace frame sections 41 at approximately the same height. The coil sections 11, the yoke sections 21, and the furnace frame sections 41 that are divided at approximately the same height are fixed together as one unit.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the induction heating coil 10 includes a plurality of (three) coil parts 11. The plurality of (three) coil parts 11 are electrically connected in parallel with each other and arranged side by side in the vertical direction (Z direction). In the following description, the coil part 11 arranged on the upper side (Z1 side), the coil part 11 arranged in the center, and the coil part 11 arranged on the lower side (Z2 side) in the vertical direction (Z direction) are respectively referred to as coil part 11a, coil part 11b, and coil part 11c. Each of the three coil parts 11 is wound approximately 13 times. At both ends of the coil part 11 in the vertical direction (Z direction), the coil pull-out part 12 connected to the external terminal is pulled out to the outer periphery side (R2 side). The induction heating coil 10 is configured to be divisible into a plurality of coil parts 11 (coil part 11a, coil part 11b, and coil part 11c).

As shown in FIG. 6, the yoke 20 includes a plurality (three) of yoke sections 21. The plurality (three) of yoke sections 21 are arranged in a line in the vertical direction (Z direction). In the following description, the yoke section 21 arranged on the upper side (Z1 side), the yoke section 21 arranged in the center, and the yoke section 21 arranged on the lower side (Z2 side) in the vertical direction (Z direction) are referred to as yoke section 21a, yoke section 21b, and yoke section 21c, respectively. The yoke section 21a, yoke section 21b, and yoke section 21c are arranged at approximately the same height as the coil section 11a, coil section 11b, and coil section 11c, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 8, the yoke backing plate 30 is provided on each of the yoke parts 21 arranged side by side in the vertical direction (Z direction). In this embodiment, each of the yoke backing plates 30 adjacent in the vertical direction (Z direction) is formed with a fixing portion 31 for fixing them to each other. The fixing portion 31 is formed to protrude in the circumferential direction (C direction) so that the yoke backing plate fastening member 53 can be fastened. The yoke backing plate fastening member 53 is an example of a "fastening member" in the claims.

As shown in FIG. 9, the fixing portion 31 is formed on the lower portion 32a of the upper yoke backing plate 32, which is disposed on the upper side (Z1 side) of the yoke backing plates 30 adjacent in the vertical direction (Z direction), and on the upper portion 33a of the lower yoke backing plate 33, which is disposed on the lower side (Z2 side) of the yoke backing plates 30 adjacent in the vertical direction (Z direction). In other words, the yoke portions 21 (see FIG. 8) adjacent in the vertical direction (Z direction) are fixed to each other by fastening and fixing the yoke backing plates 30 adjacent in the vertical direction (Z direction). The upper yoke backing plate 32 and the lower yoke backing plate 33 are examples of the "upper plate member" and "lower plate member" in the claims, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 7, by releasing the fastening member 53 for the yoke backing plate (see FIG. 6), the yoke 20 can be separated into a plurality of yoke sections 21 (yoke section 21a, yoke section 21b, and yoke section 21c) at approximately the same height as the plurality of coil sections 11 (coil section 11a, coil section 11b, and coil section 11c).

The furnace frame 40 also includes a plurality (three) of furnace frame parts 41. The plurality (three) of furnace frame parts 41 are arranged in a line in the vertical direction (Z direction). In the following description, the furnace frame part 41a arranged on the upper side, the furnace frame part 41b arranged in the center, and the furnace frame part 41c arranged on the lower side (Z2 side) in the vertical direction (Z direction) are respectively referred to as the furnace frame part 41a, the furnace frame part 41b, and the furnace frame part 41c. The furnace frame part 41a, the furnace frame part 41b, and the furnace frame part 41c are respectively arranged at approximately the same height as the coil part 11a, the coil part 11b, and the coil part 11c. The furnace frame parts 41 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (Z direction) are fastened and fixed to each other via a furnace frame fastening member not shown. By releasing the fastening fixation by the furnace frame fastening members, the furnace frame 40 is configured to be separable into multiple furnace frame sections 41 (furnace frame section 41a, furnace frame section 41b, and furnace frame section 41c) at approximately the same height position as the multiple coil sections 11 (coil section 11a, coil section 11b, and coil section 11c).

In addition, the coil pressing fastening members 52 for pressing the yoke 20 from the outer periphery (R2 side) so as to bring the yoke 20 into close contact with the induction heating coil 10 are provided on each of the multiple furnace frame parts 41 (furnace frame parts 41a, 41b, and 41c). Therefore, with the coil part 11, the yoke part 21, and the furnace frame part 41 fixed via the coil pressing fastening members 52, the fixing of the yoke parts 21 to each other and the fastening of the furnace frame parts 41 to each other can be released, so that the furnace body 7 can be divided into multiple intermediate assemblies 60 (intermediate assemblies 60a, 60b, and 60c) as shown in FIG. 7. The intermediate assembly 60a, intermediate assembly 60b, and intermediate assembly 60c are respectively an intermediate assembly 60 in which the coil portion 11a, the yoke portion 21a, and the furnace frame portion 41a are integrally fixed, an intermediate assembly 60 in which the coil portion 11b, the yoke portion 21b, and the furnace frame portion 41b are integrally fixed, and an intermediate assembly 60 in which the coil portion 11c, the yoke portion 21c, and the furnace frame portion 41c are integrally fixed. The intermediate assembly 60c may also have a hearth member 50 integrally fixed thereto.

Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, in a state (yoke contact state) in which the lower end 22a of the upper yoke portion 22 arranged on the upper side (Z1 side) of the yoke portions 21 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (Z direction) and the upper end 23a of the lower yoke portion 23 arranged on the lower side (Z2 side) of the yoke portions 21 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are arranged to contact each other at the contact position P2, the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 that sandwiches the upper yoke portion 22 from both sides in the circumferential direction and the upper end 33b of the lower yoke backing plate 33 that sandwiches the lower yoke portion 23 from both sides in the circumferential direction (C direction) are configured not to come into contact with each other. Also, in the yoke contact state, at least a part of the contact position P2 is configured to overlap the lower end 32c of the upper yoke backing plate 32 or the upper end 33c of the lower yoke backing plate 33 when viewed from the circumferential direction.

9, the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 has a stepped shape including a first portion 32d having a first height H1 and a second portion 32e having a second height H2 different from the first height H1. The upper end 33b of the lower yoke backing plate 33 has a stepped shape corresponding to the stepped shape of the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32. The first portion 32d and the second portion 32e are connected by an inclined portion 33f. The lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 and the upper end 33b of the lower yoke backing plate 33 are configured to be approximately parallel to each other when viewed from the circumferential direction (direction C). In addition, in a state where the yoke parts 21 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (Z direction) are not in contact with each other (as shown in FIG. 9), the distance D1 between the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 and the upper end 33b of the lower yoke backing plate 33 is configured to be larger than the distance D2 between the lower end 22a of the upper yoke part 22 and the upper end 23a of the lower yoke part 23. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the yoke parts are in contact with each other, a gap G is generated between the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 and the upper end 33b of the lower yoke backing plate 33. In this embodiment, the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 and the lower end 22a of the upper yoke part 22 are configured to be at approximately the same height position.

(Manufacturing method of induction heating device)
Next, a method of assembling the induction heating device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, in step S1, each part constituting the induction heating device 100 to be transported to the installation site is prepared in the factory. Specifically, a plurality of intermediate assemblies 60 (upper intermediate assembly 60a, central intermediate assembly 60b, and lower intermediate assembly 60c), upper casters 5, parts 4b and 4c (divided from deck section 4), each part into which hearth 3 is divided, etc. are prepared.

Here, in this embodiment, when multiple intermediate assemblies 60 are transported, the jig 70 is attached to each of the upper intermediate assembly 60a and the central intermediate assembly 60b. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the jig 70 is inserted into the inside (R1 side) of the coil section 11 for the upper intermediate assembly 60a and the central intermediate assembly 60b. The jig 70 has an annular portion 70a having a diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter dimension of the crucible 1. As a result, the annular portion 70a of the jig 70 bears the tightening load by the yoke backing plate fastening member 53 acting on the yoke 20, so that the coil section 11 can be prevented from being subjected to pressure loss in the upper intermediate assembly 60a and the central intermediate assembly 60b. In addition, the jig 70 has an upper jig portion 70b that is loaded on the upper (Z1 side) ends of the upper intermediate assembly 60a and the central intermediate assembly 60b. This prevents the intermediate assembly 60 from falling off when the upper intermediate assembly 60a and the central intermediate assembly 60b are transported.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, in step S2, each part constituting the induction heating device 100 prepared in step S1 is transported to the installation site of the induction heating device 100.

Next, in step S3, at the installation site of the induction heating device 100, the respective components constituting the induction heating device 100 transported to the installation site of the induction heating device 100 are assembled together. When assembling the multiple intermediate assemblies 60 together, the lower intermediate assembly 60c, the central intermediate assembly 60b, and the upper intermediate assembly 60a are stacked (layered) in this order to assemble the furnace body 7. Specifically, the central intermediate assembly 60b is stacked on top of the lower intermediate assembly 60c by lifting it with a crane or the like. Then, the jig 70 is removed from the central intermediate assembly 60b. Then, the upper intermediate assembly 60a is stacked on top of the central intermediate assembly 60b by lifting it with a crane or the like. Then, the jig 70 is removed from the upper intermediate assembly 60a. Then, the intermediate assemblies 60 are fastened together.

(Effects of the embodiment)
In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

In this embodiment, as described above, the induction heating coil 10, the yoke 20, and the furnace frame 40 are configured to be divisible into multiple pieces in the vertical direction (Z direction) while being fixed together. As a result, the induction heating coil 10, the yoke 20, and the furnace frame 40 are divided into multiple pieces in the vertical direction while being fixed together, and the divided induction heating coil 10, the yoke 20, and the furnace frame 40 that are fixed together can be easily transported to the installation site of the induction heating device 100 as a relatively small intermediate assembly 60. In addition, the induction heating device 100 can be assembled by simply stacking and joining the relatively small intermediate assemblies 60 transported to the installation site. In other words, the induction heating device 100 can be assembled at the installation site in a relatively short time. As a result, even if the induction heating device 100 is large, it can be easily transported and the installation period can be shortened.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the induction heating coil 10, the yoke 20, and the furnace frame 40 are each configured to be divisible into multiple coil parts 11, multiple yoke parts 21, and multiple furnace frame parts 41 at approximately the same height, and the divided coil parts 11, yoke parts 21, and furnace frame parts 41 are fixed together at approximately the same height. This allows the lengths of the divided coil parts 11, yoke parts 21, and furnace frame parts 41 in the vertical direction (Z direction) to be aligned, so that the intermediate assemblies 60 (the coil parts 11, yoke parts 21, and furnace frame parts 41 fixed together) can be easily stacked, and the intermediate assemblies 60 can be easily joined together.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the multiple coil sections 11 divided at approximately the same height position are electrically connected in parallel to each other. As a result, by dividing the yoke section 21 and the furnace frame section 41 based on the coil sections 11 that are to be connected in parallel, it is possible to divide the yoke section 21 and the furnace frame section 41 without disconnecting the coil sections 11 that are to be connected in parallel.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the induction heating device 100 includes a yoke backing plate 30 that is provided along the radial direction (R direction) of each of the multiple yoke parts 21 and sandwiches the yoke part 21 from both sides in the circumferential direction (C direction). Each of the yoke backing plates 30 adjacent in the vertical direction (Z direction) is formed with a fixing portion 31 for fixing them to each other. As a result, the fixing portions 31 can be used to fix the yoke backing plates 30 adjacent in the vertical direction to each other, so that the yoke parts 21 sandwiched between the yoke backing plates 30 adjacent in the vertical direction can be fixed to each other. As a result, the divided intermediate assemblies 60 can be easily fixed to each other.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the fixing portion 31 is formed to protrude in the circumferential direction (C direction) so that the yoke backing plate fastening member 53 can be fastened to the lower portion 32a of the upper yoke backing plate 32 arranged on the upper side (Z1 side) of the yoke backing plates 30 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (Z direction), and the upper portion 33a of the lower yoke backing plate 33 arranged on the lower side (Z2 side) of the yoke backing plates 30 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. As a result, the fixing portion 31 formed to protrude in the circumferential direction on the lower portion 32a of the upper yoke backing plate 32 and the fixing portion 31 formed to protrude in the circumferential direction on the upper portion 33a of the lower yoke backing plate 33 can be fastened by the yoke backing plate fastening member 53, so that the yoke backing plates 30 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction can be easily fixed to each other.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the induction heating device 100 is provided with a yoke support plate 30 that is arranged along the radial direction (direction R) of each of the multiple yoke portions 21 and clamps the yoke portion 21 from both sides in the circumferential direction (direction C). The induction heating device 100 is configured such that, when the lower end 22a of the upper yoke portion 22, which is located on the upper side (Z1 side) of the yoke portions 21 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (Z direction), and the upper end 23a of the lower yoke portion 23, which is located on the lower side (Z2 side) of the yoke portions 21 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, are in contact with each other at contact position P2, the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32, which sandwiches the upper yoke portion 22 from both sides in the circumferential direction, and the upper end 33b of the lower yoke backing plate 33, which sandwiches the lower yoke portion 23 from both sides in the circumferential direction, do not come into contact with each other, and at least a part of the contact position P2 overlaps with the lower end portion 32c of the upper yoke backing plate 32 or the upper end portion 33c of the lower yoke backing plate 33 when viewed from the circumferential direction. As a result, when the lower end 22a of the upper yoke portion 22 and the upper end 23a of the lower yoke portion 23 are arranged to be in contact with each other at the contact position P2, the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 and the upper end 33b of the lower yoke backing plate 33 do not come into contact with each other, so that when the upper intermediate assembly 60 including the upper yoke portion 22 and the lower intermediate assembly 60 including the lower yoke portion 23 are fixed together, it is possible to prevent a gap G from being generated between the upper yoke portion 22 and the lower yoke portion 23. As a result, it is possible to prevent the magnetic flux generated by the induction heating coil 10 from leaking to the outer periphery side (R2 side) of the yoke portion 21. In addition, when the lower end 22a of the upper yoke portion 22 and the upper end 23a of the lower yoke portion 23 are arranged to be in contact at contact position P2, at least a portion of the contact position P2 overlaps with the lower end portion 32c of the upper yoke backing plate 32 or the upper end portion 33c of the lower yoke backing plate 33 when viewed from the circumferential direction. Therefore, compared to a case where the entire contact position P2 does not overlap with at least one of the lower end portion 32c of the upper yoke backing plate 32 and the upper end portion 33c of the lower yoke backing plate 33, the area exposed from the yoke backing plate 30 by the lower end portion 32c of the upper yoke backing plate 32 and the upper end portion 33c of the lower yoke backing plate 33 can be made smaller when viewed from the circumferential direction. As a result, when the upper intermediate assembly 60 including the upper yoke portion 22 and the lower intermediate assembly 60 including the lower yoke portion 23 are brought into contact and fixed, the lower end of the upper yoke portion 22 or the upper end of the lower yoke portion 23 can be prevented from bending (buckling) in the circumferential direction due to the pressure acting in the vertical direction on the lower end of the upper yoke portion 22 and the upper end of the lower yoke portion 23.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 has a stepped shape including a first portion 32d having a first height H1 and a second portion 32e having a second height H2 different from the first height H1, and the upper end 33b of the lower yoke backing plate 33 has a stepped shape corresponding to the stepped shape of the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32. As a result, by arranging the intermediate assemblies 60 side by side in the vertical direction (Z direction) so that the stepped shape of the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 and the stepped shape of the upper end 33b of the lower yoke backing plate 33 match, it is possible to suppress the upper (Z1 side) intermediate assembly 60 and the lower (Z2 side) intermediate assembly 60 from being misaligned in the circumferential direction (C direction) when viewed from the axial direction (Z direction).

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 and the lower end 22a of the upper yoke portion 22 are configured to be at approximately the same height. This makes it easier for the lower end of the intermediate assembly 60 to be flat, compared to when the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 and the lower end 22a of the upper yoke portion 22 are configured to be at different heights, improving workability during transportation of the intermediate assembly 60.

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the induction heating device 100 is provided with a deck section 4 that is separable from the induction heating coil 10, the yoke 20, and the furnace frame 40, and is tiltable around the rotation axis 3a above the furnace frame 40 (Z1 side), and has a rectangular shape larger than the furnace frame 40 when viewed from the vertical direction (Z direction). The deck section 4 is configured to be split horizontally in the portion where the rotation axis 3a is not arranged when viewed from the vertical direction. This allows the deck section 4 to be split horizontally after being separated from the induction heating coil 10, the yoke 20, and the furnace frame 40, so that it is possible to prevent the vehicle from exceeding regulations (regulations on horizontal size) for transport vehicles on public roads during transportation. In addition, since the deck section 4 is split in the portion where the rotation axis 3a is not arranged, it is possible to prevent distortion of the rotation axis 3a when the split deck sections 4 are connected, compared to when the rotation axis 3a is split into multiple pieces.

[Modification]
The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications (alternatives) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the deck section 4 is configured to be separable in the horizontal direction in the portion where the pivot shaft 3a is not located when viewed from the top-bottom direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the deck section may be configured to be separable in the horizontal direction in the portion where the pivot shaft is located when viewed from the top-bottom direction. Also, the deck section may be configured not to be separable in the horizontal direction.

In the above embodiment, the lower end 32b of the upper yoke contact plate 32 (upper plate member) and the lower end 22a of the upper yoke portion 22 are configured to be at approximately the same height, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the lower end of the upper plate member and the lower end of the upper yoke portion may be configured to be at different heights.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the lower end 32b of the upper yoke contact plate 32 (upper plate member) and the upper end 33b of the lower yoke contact plate 33 (lower plate member) are configured to be approximately parallel to each other when viewed from the circumferential direction (direction C), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the lower end of the upper plate member and the upper end of the lower plate member may be configured to intersect each other when viewed from the circumferential direction.

In the above embodiment, the lower end 32b of the upper yoke contact plate 32 (upper plate member) has a stepped shape, and the upper end 33b of the lower yoke contact plate 33 (lower plate member) has a stepped shape that corresponds to the stepped shape of the lower end 32b of the upper yoke contact plate 32 (upper plate member), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the lower end of the upper plate member and the upper end of the lower plate member may have a flat shape that does not include a step.

In the above embodiment, the lower end 22a of the upper yoke portion 22 and the upper end 23a of the lower yoke portion 23 are arranged to contact each other at the contact position P2, and the lower end 32b of the upper yoke backing plate 32 (upper plate member) and the upper end 33b of the lower yoke backing plate 33 (lower plate member) do not contact each other, and at least a part of the contact position P2 overlaps with the lower end 32c of the upper yoke backing plate 32 (upper plate member) or the upper end 33c of the lower yoke backing plate 33 (lower plate member) when viewed from the circumferential direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the lower end of the upper plate member and the upper end of the lower plate member may be arranged to contact each other when the lower end of the upper yoke portion and the upper end of the lower yoke portion are arranged to contact each other at the contact position. In addition, when the lower end of the upper yoke portion and the upper end of the lower yoke portion are arranged to be in contact with each other at the contact position, the contact position may be configured so as not to overlap with the lower end of the upper plate member or the upper end of the lower plate member when viewed from the circumferential direction.

In the above embodiment, the fixing portion 31 is formed on the lower portion 32a of the upper yoke backing plate 32 (upper plate member) and the upper portion 33a of the lower yoke backing plate 33 (lower plate member) so as to protrude in the circumferential direction (direction C) so that the yoke backing plate fastening member 53 (fastening member) can be fastened, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the fixing portion may be formed to protrude in a direction other than the circumferential direction (direction C). Also, the fixing portion may be provided at a position other than the lower portion of the upper plate member and the upper portion of the lower plate member.

In the above embodiment, the induction heating coil 10, the yoke 20, and the furnace frame 40 are each configured to be divisible into multiple coil parts 11, multiple yoke parts 21, and multiple furnace frame parts 41 at approximately the same height position, and the coil parts 11, yoke parts 21, and furnace frame parts 41 divided at approximately the same height position are fixed together, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the induction heating coil, the yoke, and the furnace frame may each be configured to be divisible into multiple coil parts, multiple yoke parts, and multiple furnace frame parts at different height positions, and the coil parts, yoke parts, and furnace frame parts divided at different height positions may be fixed together.

In the above embodiment, the induction heating device 100 is provided with a dust collection hood 6 configured to function as a top cover and a dust collection device, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the induction heating device 200 may be provided with a top cover 206a and a dust collection device 206b separately, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 13.

In the above embodiment, a rear beam member 51 extending in the circumferential direction (C direction) is provided between the yoke backing plates 30 (plate members) that sandwich the yoke 20 from both sides in the circumferential direction (C direction), and both ends of the rear beam member 51 are welded to the yoke backing plate 30 (plate member), thereby fixing the yoke 20 to the yoke backing plate 30 (plate member), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, with the yoke sandwiched between the plate members from both sides in the circumferential direction, the yoke may be fixed to the plate members by bolts that pass through the yoke and the plate members on both sides and nuts that screw onto the bolts.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 crucible 2 metal material 3a rotating shaft 4 deck section 10 induction heating coil 11 (11a, 11b, 11c) coil section 20 yoke 21 (21a, 21b, 21c) yoke section 22 upper yoke section 22a lower end (of upper yoke section) 23 lower yoke section 23a upper end (of lower yoke section) 30 yoke backing plate (plate member)
31 Fixed portion 32 Upper yoke backing plate (upper plate member)
32a Lower portion (of upper plate member) 32b Lower end (of upper plate member) 32c Lower end portion (of upper plate member) 32d First portion (of lower end of upper plate member) 32e Second portion (of lower end of upper plate member) 33 Lower yoke backing plate (lower plate member)
33a (of lower plate member) upper portion 33b (of lower plate member) upper end 33c (of lower plate member) upper end portion 40 furnace frame 41 (41a, 41b, 41c) furnace frame portion 53 fastening member for yoke backing plate (fastening member)
100, 200 Induction heating device P2 Contact position H1 (first height)
H2 (second height)

Claims (8)

A crucible disposed along a vertical direction and into which a metal material is poured;
an induction heating coil wound around the outer periphery of the crucible for heating and melting the metal material;
a yoke disposed along an outer periphery of the induction heating coil for guiding a magnetic field generated by the induction heating coil to the metal material placed inside the crucible;
A furnace frame is provided, the furnace frame being arranged on an outer periphery of the yoke and configured to press the yoke from the outer periphery so as to bring the yoke into close contact with the induction heating coil.
The induction heating device, wherein the induction heating coil, the yoke and the furnace frame are integrally fixed to each other and are configured to be divisible into multiple pieces at approximately the same height in the vertical direction. The induction heating coil, the yoke, and the furnace frame are configured to be separable into a plurality of coil portions, a plurality of yoke portions, and a plurality of furnace frame portions at substantially the same height position,
The induction heating device according to claim 1 , wherein the coil portions divided at substantially the same height are electrically connected in parallel to each other. The induction heating coil, the yoke, and the furnace frame are configured to be separable into a plurality of coil portions, a plurality of yoke portions, and a plurality of furnace frame portions at substantially the same height position,
The bearing further includes a plate member provided along the radial direction of each of the plurality of yoke portions and sandwiching the yoke portion from both sides in the circumferential direction,
3. The induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plate members adjacent to each other in the vertical direction is formed with a fixing portion for fixing the plate members to each other. The induction heating device according to claim 3, wherein the fixing portion is formed on the lower part of the upper plate member arranged on the upper side of the plate members adjacent in the vertical direction, and on the upper part of the lower plate member arranged on the lower side of the plate members adjacent in the vertical direction, so as to protrude in the circumferential direction so as to be capable of fastening a fastening member. The induction heating coil, the yoke, and the furnace frame are configured to be separable into a plurality of coil portions, a plurality of yoke portions, and a plurality of furnace frame portions at substantially the same height position,
The bearing further includes a plate member provided along the radial direction of each of the plurality of yoke portions and sandwiching the yoke portion from both sides in the circumferential direction,
3. The induction heating device of claim 1 or 2, wherein when the lower end of the upper yoke portion located on the upper side of the vertically adjacent yoke portions and the upper end of the lower yoke portion located on the lower side of the vertically adjacent yoke portions are arranged to be in contact at a contact position, the lower end of the upper plate member that sandwiches the upper yoke portion from both sides in the circumferential direction and the upper end of the lower plate member that sandwiches the lower yoke portion from both sides in the circumferential direction do not come into contact, and at least a portion of the contact position overlaps with the lower end of the upper plate member or the upper end of the lower plate member when viewed from the circumferential direction. a lower end of the upper plate member has a stepped shape including a first portion having a first height and a second portion having a second height different from the first height,
The induction heating device according to claim 5 , wherein an upper end of the lower plate member has a stepped shape corresponding to a stepped shape of a lower end of the upper plate member. The induction heating device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the lower end of the upper plate member and the lower end of the upper yoke portion are configured to be at approximately the same height. The induction heating coil, the yoke and the furnace frame can be separated, and the deck part is provided above the furnace frame so as to be tiltable around a rotation axis, and has a rectangular shape larger than the furnace frame when viewed from the up-down direction.
The induction heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the deck section is configured so as to be separable in the horizontal direction in a portion where the rotation shaft is not arranged, when viewed from above and below.

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