JP2003062662A - Molten-metal supply device, molten-metal supply method and die-casting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a die-casting machine provided with a molten-metal supply device which can melt the necessary quantity of metallic material for each casting and supply molten-metal at each time of casting in a casting equipment for continuous casting. SOLUTION: The die-casting machine is provided with a shutter member 370 covering an inlet 323 which is made at a base part of a closed chamber 320 and is used to pour molten metallic material flowing out by change of a position of a container into a sleeve, an air cylinder 372 making the shutter member 370 slide along the base part of the closed chamber 320, and a pressing system transforming a driving force of the air cylinder 372 into a force pressing the surface of the shutter member 370 facing the inlet on the surface surrounding the inlet and closing the inlet 323, while the shutter member 370 is covering the inlet 323.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a molten metal supply apparatus and method applied to a casting apparatus such as a die casting machine, and a die casting machine provided with this molten metal supply apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A die casting machine is, for example, a pair of a fixed die and a movable die, a fixed die plate and a movable die plate which respectively hold the fixed die and the movable die, and a tie bar which is extended to form a fixed die. It is equipped with a mold clamping device for clamping the moving mold, an injection device for injecting molten metal into a cavity formed between the fixed mold and the moving mold, a hot water supply device for supplying molten metal to the injection device, and the like. There is. In such a die casting machine, while the fixed mold and the movable mold are clamped by the mold clamping device, the molten metal is supplied to the sleeve of the injection device by the hot water supply device, and the plunger fitted to the sleeve is driven. Thus, a die cast product is cast by injecting and filling molten metal into the mold cavity. The molten metal is supplied to the sleeve of the injection device by, for example, pumping a sufficient amount of metal material previously melted in a melting furnace using a ladle to pump the amount required for casting,
This is carried out by carrying this to the hot water supply port of the sleeve.

[0003]

By the way, when the molten metal is supplied by the above method, the melting furnace melts a large amount of metal and thus has a large surface area, so that the thermal efficiency is lowered due to the release of heat to the atmosphere. For the above reasons, there is a disadvantage that the cost required for melting the metal material increases. Further, there is a disadvantage that the molten metal may be scattered during the transportation of the molten metal by the ladle, and the environment of the site where the die cast product is manufactured is likely to be deteriorated. Furthermore, if you do not use all the molten metal in the melting furnace for casting,
There is a disadvantage that the electric power cost required for melting is wasted. Furthermore, it dissolves metallic materials in the atmosphere,
When transported, there is a disadvantage that the quality of the die-cast product is likely to be deteriorated because it is likely to solidify due to heat dissipation and to be easily oxidized.

On the other hand, a technique of melting a sufficient amount of a metal material required for one casting and supplying it to the sleeve instead of melting a sufficient amount of the metal material in the above-mentioned melting furnace is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-38867. It is disclosed in the publication. According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-38867, powdery or granular metal materials are supplied into a plurality of crucibles, which are melted by induction heating and conveyed to a hot water supply port of a die casting machine for injection. It is a thing. However, in the above technique, since the metal material is melted and conveyed in the atmosphere, the time in which the metal material is exposed to the atmosphere is long, the molten metal is easily solidified, and easily oxidized. Therefore, a film is formed on the surface of the molten metal, and this film remains in the crucible, so that the amount of the molten metal supplied to the die casting machine tends to vary.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is a melting apparatus capable of melting and supplying a necessary amount of metal material for each casting in a casting apparatus for continuously casting. A metal supply device and method thereof are provided. Another object of the present invention is to provide a molten metal supply apparatus and method capable of shortening the melting time of a metal material and capable of dealing with continuous casting in a constant cycle. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a molten metal supply apparatus and method capable of suppressing deterioration of the quality of a cast product due to solidification and oxidation of the melted metal material before the supply to the casting apparatus. . Still another object of the present invention is to provide a die casting machine to which the above molten metal supply device is applied.

[0006]

A molten metal supply apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a molten metal supply apparatus which melts and supplies a metal material to a casting apparatus for each casting. In contrast, a container arranged at a predetermined position, a closed chamber surrounding the periphery of the container, a material supply means for supplying a metal material from outside the closed chamber to the container at each casting, and a metal housed in the container Induction heating means for melting the material by induction heating, tilting means for inclining the attitude of the container to inject the melted metal material into the casting apparatus from the opening of the container, and formed on the bottom surface of the closed chamber. Also, there is an opening and closing means for opening and closing an injection port for injecting the molten metal material flowing out due to the change of the attitude of the container into the casting apparatus, the opening and closing means, a shutter member for covering the injection port, The shutter section An actuator that slides along the bottom surface of the closed chamber, and a driving force of the actuator in a state in which the shutter member covers the inlet, a surface of the shutter member on the inlet side is a surface around the inlet. And a pressing mechanism that closes the injection port.

[0007] Preferably, the pressing mechanism has an abutting member which is disposed so as to face the shutter member and which abuts on the shutter member in a state where the shutter member covers the inlet.
The contact surfaces of the contact member and the shutter member that contact each other are inclined surfaces, and the wedge effect of the inclined surfaces converts the driving force of the actuator into the pressing force.

More preferably, the shutter member is connected to the actuator so as to be capable of floating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the closed chamber.

More preferably, gas supply means for supplying an inert gas having a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure into the closed chamber while the injection port is closed by the shutter member and maintaining the pressure is further provided. Have.

A molten metal supply apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a molten metal supply apparatus that melts and supplies a metal material to a casting apparatus for each casting, and is located at a predetermined position with respect to the casting apparatus. A container arranged, a closed chamber surrounding the periphery of the container, a material supply means for supplying a metal material from outside the closed chamber to the container at each casting, and a metal material housed in the container melted by induction heating. Induction heating means, tilting means for inclining the attitude of the container to inject the molten metal material into the casting apparatus from the opening of the container, and attitude of the container formed on the bottom surface of the closed chamber. The opening and closing means for opening and closing the injection port for injecting the molten metal material flowing out by the change of the casting device, and the injection port closed by the opening and closing means, higher than the atmospheric pressure in the closed chamber. No pressure Supplying sex gas, and a gas supply means for maintaining the pressure.

In the molten metal supply method of the present invention, a required amount of metal material is supplied for each casting to a container installed in a closed chamber arranged at a predetermined position with respect to a casting device, and the metal material in the container is supplied. Is melted by induction heating, the injection port formed in the bottom of the closed chamber is opened, and the molten metal material is injected by inclining the container into the casting apparatus through the injection port. In the state where the inlet of the closed chamber is closed by a shutter member, an inert gas having a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is supplied to the closed chamber, and the metal material supplied to the container is maintained at the pressure. It is characterized by being dissolved.

A die casting machine according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with a mold clamping device which holds a pair of molds, opens and closes the molds and clamps the molds, and the molds clamped. A die casting machine having an injection device for injecting and filling a cavity with a molten metal material, and a molten metal supply device for injecting the molten metal into a hot water supply port of a sleeve of the injection device, wherein the molten metal supply device is A container arranged directly above the hot water supply port of the sleeve, a closed chamber surrounding the circumference of the container, a material supply means for supplying a metal material from outside the closed chamber to the container at each time of casting, and contained in the container. Induction heating means for melting the metallic material by induction heating, tilting means for inclining the posture of the container to inject the molten metal material into the hot water supply port of the sleeve from the opening of the container, and the closed chamber And an opening / closing means formed on a surface portion for opening and closing an injection port for injecting a melted metal material that flows out due to a change in the attitude of the container into the sleeve, and the opening / closing means covers the injection port. A shutter member, an actuator that slides the shutter member along the bottom surface of the closed chamber, and a driving force of the actuator in a state where the shutter member covers the injection port is applied to a surface of the shutter member on the injection port side. A pressing mechanism that closes the injection port by converting it into a pressing force on the surface around the injection port.

A die casting machine according to a second aspect of the present invention is formed with a mold clamping device for holding a pair of molds, opening and closing the molds and clamping the molds, and the molds clamped. A die casting machine having an injection device for injecting and filling a cavity with a molten metal material, and a molten metal supply device for injecting the molten metal into a hot water supply port of a sleeve of the injection device, wherein the molten metal supply device is A container arranged directly above the hot water supply port of the sleeve, a closed chamber surrounding the circumference of the container, a material supply means for supplying a metal material from outside the closed chamber to the container at each time of casting, and contained in the container. Induction heating means for melting the metallic material by induction heating, tilting means for inclining the posture of the container to inject the molten metal material into the hot water supply port of the sleeve from the opening of the container, and the closed chamber Surface formed on the molten metal material flowing out by changing the attitude of said container and a closing means for opening and closing the inlet for injecting into the sleeve,
Gas supply means for supplying an inert gas having a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure to the closed chamber and maintaining the pressure in a state where the inlet is closed by the opening / closing means.

In the present invention, when the metal material is supplied and melted in the container, the temperature of the container and the closed chamber surrounding the container also becomes high. On the other hand, if the air flows into the closed chamber while melting the metal material, the metal is likely to be oxidized and the temperature of the closed chamber is lowered, and the melted metal material is easily solidified. For this reason, it is necessary to surely close the injection port of the closed chamber during melting of the metal material, but it is difficult to seal using a resin sealing member because the closed chamber becomes hot. In the present invention, the inlet is opened and closed by the shutter member that slides with respect to the inlet. At this time, if the shutter member is simply slid with respect to the inlet, air may enter the sealed chamber from between the inlet and the shutter member. Therefore, the surface of the shutter member is brought into close contact with the surface around the injection port by converting the driving force of the actuator that drives the shutter member into a force that presses the surface of the shutter member against the surface around the injection port. Furthermore, in the present invention, an inert gas having a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is supplied into the closed chamber. Thereby, even if the sealing between the inlet of the closed chamber and the shutter member is not reliable, the invasion of air into the sealed chamber is reliably prevented. Further, since the closed chamber is maintained at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, it is possible to prevent air from flowing into the closed chamber when the shutter member is opened.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a top view showing the configuration of a die casting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the die casting machine 1 includes a mold clamping device 100, an injection device 200, and a molten metal supply device 2. The mold clamping device 100 includes a fixed die plate 110, a movable die plate 120, and a link housing 130 which are respectively installed on the base frame BF. Fixed die plate 110
Is fixed on the base frame BF, and the fixed die 101 is attached to the fixed die plate 110. Contact plates 111, 112, and 113, which will be described later, are provided on the back side of the fixed die plate 110.

The movable die plate 120 is provided on the base frame BF so as to face the fixed die plate 110, and is movable in the mold opening / closing direction indicated by arrows A1 and A2. A moving die 102 that forms a cavity C with the fixed die 101 is attached to the moving die plate 120.

The link housing 130 is installed on the base frame BF.
0 is fixed die plate 1 by four tie bars 150
It is connected with 10. The tie bar 150 has an end portion on the fixed die plate 110 side fixed to the fixed die plate 110 and penetrates the movable die plate 120. Also,
A thread portion (not shown) is formed at an end portion of the tie bar 150 on the link housing 130 side, and a nut member (not shown) rotatably held by the link housing 130 is screwed into the thread portion. By rotating the four nut members in synchronization, the link housing 130 can move along the tie bar 150. On the back surface side of the link housing 130, the four nut members are rotated in synchronization, so that the link housing 13
A drive mechanism 131 for adjusting the position of 0 is provided.
The drive mechanism 131 drives a toggle mechanism 140 described later, in addition to adjusting the position of the link housing 130.

The toggle mechanism 14 having a first link 141 and a second link 142 is provided in the link housing 130.
0 is provided. Although not shown, the first link 141 and the second link 142 are provided in two sets up and down, the first link 141 is a linear link, and the second link 142 is an angled link.
One end of the first link 141 has a movable die plate 120.
Is rotatably connected to the second link 142 and the other end is rotatably connected to the second link 142. The second link 142 is rotatably connected to the first link 141, and is also rotatably connected to a link housing 130 and a moving member (not shown) movably provided in the mold opening / closing directions A1 and A2. A screw shaft (not shown) rotated by a servomotor included in the drive mechanism 131 is screwed into the moving member (not shown). The toggle mechanism 140 operates by directly moving a moving member (not shown) by the driving mechanism 131, and moves the moving die plate 120 in the mold opening / closing direction A1 or A2. In addition, the fixed mold 101 and the movable mold 102 are clamped in a state where the first link 141 and the second link 142 are completely extended linearly and self-locked.

The injection device 200 is a fixed mold 1 that is clamped.
The molten metal is injected and filled in the cavity C formed between 01 and the moving mold 102. Injection into cavity C,
A solid casting of the molten metal results in a die cast product. The injection device 200 includes a cylindrical sleeve 20 provided on the back side of the fixed die plate 110.
6, a plunger tip 205 fitted to the inner circumference of the sleeve 206, a plunger rod 204 having one end connected to the plunger tip 205, and a plunger rod 2
A cylinder device 201 that expands and contracts a piston rod 202 connected to the other end of the cylinder 04.

The sleeve 206 communicates with the cavity C. The sleeve 206 has a hot water supply port 206a, through which molten metal is supplied from a molten metal supply device 2 described later. The cylinder device 201 has a built-in piston, and a piston rod 202 and a plunger rod 2 connected to the piston.
04 and 04 are connected by a coupling 203.
The cylinder device 201 is hydraulically driven.

The plunger tip 205 is connected to the plunger rod 204, and moves inside the sleeve 206 when the cylinder device 201 is driven. The plunger tip 205 moves toward the fixed mold 101 side in the sleeve 206 to which the molten metal is supplied, so that the molten metal is injected and filled in the cavity C.

The molten metal supply device 2 melts the material supply mechanism 51 for supplying a required amount of metal material for each casting, and the metal material supplied from the material supply mechanism 51 for each casting, and the melted metal. The melting mechanism unit 11 for injecting the material into the hot water supply port 206a of the sleeve 206 is provided. Dissolution mechanism 1
1 and the material supply mechanism 51 are connected to each other, and these are provided on the movable plate 5. Two guide rails 6 are installed on the upper surface of the movable plate 5.
The guide rail 6 is arranged in the direction along the tube axis of the sleeve 206 described above. The molten metal supply device 2 is movable along the guide rail 6 in the directions of arrows C1 and C2.

The movable plate 5 is installed on the support base 3. On the frame of the support base 3, two guide rails 4 are installed along a direction orthogonal to the tube axis of the sleeve 206 described above. The movable plate 5 is movable along the guide rail 4 on the support base 3 in the directions of arrows B1 and B2. Therefore, the molten metal supply device 2 is movable in the directions of arrows C1 and C2 and the directions of arrows B1 and B2.

FIG. 2 shows the molten metal supply device 2 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which is moved to the back side of the fixed die plate 100. When casting is performed in the die casting machine 1, the molten metal supply device 2 is moved relative to the fixed die plate 100 from a state where the melting mechanism portion 11 of the molten metal supply device 2 shown in FIG. 1 is separated from the fixed die plate 100. Lock in place. Specifically, after the molten metal supply device 2 is moved in the direction of arrow B1, the melting mechanism unit 11 reaches a position facing the contact plates 111, 112, 113 provided on the back surface of the fixed die plate 100. , The molten metal supply device 2 is moved in the direction of arrow C2, and the melting mechanism 11 is attached to the contact plates 111, 112, 113.
Press each side of the. The contact plate 112 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the tube axis of the sleeve 206, and the contact plate 1 adjacent to the contact plate 112 is disposed.
Each of 11 and 113 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the contact plate 112. Abutment plate 111,
The fixed die plate 110 of the molten metal supply apparatus 2 is pressed by pressing the melting mechanism unit 11 against 112 and 113.
Is positioned relative to.

Fixed die plate 1 of molten metal supply device 2
Fixing to 10 is performed by a pushing rod 30 shown in FIG. The length of the pushing rod 30 can be adjusted, and one end of the pushing rod 30 is pivotally connected to the frame of the molten metal supply device 2. The pushing rod 30 is oriented along the tube axis direction of the sleeve 206, and the other end of the pushing rod 30 is connected to the injection device 200.
The other end of the pushing rod 30 is pressed against the frame FL by facing the frame FL on the side and adjusting the length. As a result, the movement of the molten metal supply device 2 is restricted, and the molten metal supply device 2 is fixed to the back surface of the fixed die plate 110.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a concrete structure of the molten metal supply apparatus 2 described above, and is a view including a sectional view in a part of the molten metal supply apparatus 2 viewed from the back side of the fixed die plate 110. Is. As shown in FIG. 3, the base frame BF of the mold clamping device 100 includes a support base 50 installed on a base BS.
0, and the fixed base plate 110 is arranged at a predetermined height from the base BS. On the other hand, the upper surface of the support base 3 on which the molten metal supply device 2 is installed is
It is located higher than the upper surface of 0 and, as described above, the guide rail 4 is installed on the support base 3. The support base 3 is provided with stairs 600 for moving up and down the support base 3 in order to perform various operations on the molten metal supply apparatus 2 on the support base 3. There are 6 handrails on this staircase 600.
01 is provided.

In FIG. 3, the molten metal supply device 2 is on the rear side of the fixed die plate 110 and is on the sleeve 206.
In addition to the above-mentioned melting mechanism section 11 arranged immediately above and the material supply mechanism section 51 connected to this melting mechanism section 11,
It has a capacitor housing part 300 installed below the material supply mechanism part 51, and a control device 400 installed below the support base 3 for performing various controls of the molten metal supply device 2.

Material Supply Mechanism Section FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a specific structure of the material supply mechanism section 51. The material supply mechanism unit 51 includes a storage unit 60, a weighing unit 70, a buffer unit 80, and an introduction unit 90.

The accumulating section 60 accumulates the metallic material before melting and supplying it to the sleeve 206. This storage unit 60 is
A hopper 61 and a lid 62 are provided. The hopper 61 is
It has a conical outer shape and has a space for housing the metal material M therein. The upper end of the hopper 61 has a circular opening, and the lower end has a supply port 61a for feeding the metal material M. Further, the hopper 61 has fixing members 69a and 69b for fixing the outer circumference of the lower end portion of the hopper 61 to a support member 69c fixed to the upper surface of the case 30c of the capacitor housing portion 30.
Is fixed by.

The metal material M accumulated in the hopper 61 is, for example, a granular metal such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy used for casting. The particle size is preferably about 1 to 10 mm, for example. The use of the granular metal material M makes it easier to accurately measure a relatively small amount of metal material, as compared with, for example, the case of cutting an ingot-shaped metal material. Further, when the metal material used for casting is granular, the surface of the material is always oxidized, and the quality when melted is inferior to that when an ingot is used, for example. Therefore, even when a granular metal material is used, if the particle size is made too small, the quality at the time of melting deteriorates, and if the particle size is made too large, accurate measurement becomes difficult. Therefore, it is preferable to set the particle size in the above range.

The lid 62 has a peripheral wall portion 63 on the outer peripheral edge of a circular metal plate, and the peripheral wall portion 63 is fitted to the outer periphery of the upper end of the hopper 61 to cover the opening of the upper end of the hopper 61. A ring-shaped seal member 62a is provided on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall portion 63 of the lid 62 to seal between the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the hopper 61 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 63. The opening at the upper end of the hopper 61 is sealed by the sealing member 62a.

A remaining amount detector 64 is provided at a substantially central portion of the lid 62.
And a gas introduction pipe 65. Remaining amount detector 6
4 is connected to the sensor amplifier 67, for example,
The distance L between the upper surface of the metal material M housed in the hopper 61 and the remaining amount detector 64 is detected in a non-contact manner, and a detection signal is output to the sensor amplifier 67. As the remaining amount detector 64, for example, a length measuring sensor using light, ultrasonic waves, or the like can be used. The sensor amplifier 67 is connected to the control device 400 described above, amplifies the detection signal of the remaining amount detector 64,
The distance L is calculated based on the amplified signal and is output to the control device 400. The control device 400 determines the remaining amount of the metal material M accommodated in the hopper 61 based on the distance L. When the control device 400 determines that the inside of the hopper 61 is empty, it outputs an alarm, for example.

The gas introduction pipe 65 guides an inert gas G such as nitrogen gas or argon gas supplied from a gas supply source 66 provided outside the hopper 61 into the hopper 61. The inert gas G is supplied into the hopper 61 in order to prevent the metal material M contained in the hopper 61 from being oxidized. The inert gas G supplied into the hopper 61 is supplied to the metering unit 70 and the buffer unit 80 through the supply port 61a at the bottom of the hopper 61.
And is introduced into the introduction unit 90.

The weighing section 70 has a supply port 61a of the hopper 61.
The required amount of the metal material ML sent out by the self-weight is weighed and sent to the buffer unit 80. This weighing unit 70
Is a cylinder 71 supported substantially horizontally by the support member 69c and the screw 7 inserted in the cylinder 71.
2 and.

The cylinder 71 has a supply port 61 of the hopper 61.
It has an opening 71a for communicating a with the inside of the cylinder 71. The metal material M is supplied into the cylinder 71 from the hopper 61 through the opening 71a.

The screw 72 is a rotary shaft 7 having a circular cross section.
3 and a coil spring 74 fitted and fixed to the outer circumference of the rotary shaft 73. The rotating shaft 73 is
A tip portion projects from the cylinder 71, and the tip portion is rotatably supported by a bearing BR provided in the buffer portion 80. The rear end of the rotating shaft 73 is rotatably held by a bearing BR held by a supporting member 69c via a flange member 77, and the rotating shaft 76 of a servomotor 76 is connected via a coupling 75.
It is connected to a. The end of the cylinder 71 is sealed by the flange member 77 and the bearing BR held by the flange member 77.

The coil spring 74 is, for example, a wire material made of metal such as iron formed into a spiral shape at a substantially constant pitch, and has an inner diameter that fits the outer diameter of the rotating shaft 73. . Both ends of this coil spring 74 are
For example, it is connected to the rotating shaft 73 by welding.

The reason why the screw 72 is configured as described above is that the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where a screw is manufactured by cutting a bar material to form a spiral groove. Is.

The servo motor 76 is fixed to the support member 69c and is connected to the servo driver 79.
The servo driver 79 receives the control command 79s from the control device 400 and controls the rotation of the servo motor 76.

When the screw 72 is rotated in a predetermined direction, the metal material M supplied into the cylinder 71 is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow J in FIG. 4, and is sent to the buffer section 80 through the tip opening of the cylinder 71. This screw 7
The carry amount of 2 is determined according to the rotation amount of the screw 72.

Therefore, in the weighing unit 70, the control device 4
00 is a servo driver 79 for issuing a control command for instructing the rotation of the screw 72 that conveys the amount of the metal material M required for casting.
Measurement is performed by outputting to.

The buffer section 80 temporarily holds the metal material sent from the weighing section 70. This buffer section 8
Reference numeral 0 denotes a cylindrical member 81 connected to the support member 69c by a connecting member 78, an air cylinder 82 for expanding and contracting a piston rod 83 inserted in the cylindrical member 81, and a valve connected to a tip portion 83 of the piston rod 83. And a body 84.

The cylindrical member 81 has an accommodation space 81s for accommodating the metal material M sent out from the measuring section 70 therein. The opening on the upper end side is closed by the closing member 85, and the opening 81a on the lower end side is formed. The valve seat surface 81 of the valve body 84 around the circumference
b.

The air cylinder 82 is fixed to the closing member 85, and the piston rod 83 of the air cylinder 82 is inserted into the cylindrical member 81 through the through hole 85a formed in the closing member 85. The air cylinder 82 is connected to an air source 87 via a control valve 86.

The control valve 86 is the control device 400 described above.
In response to the control command from, the supply of the compressed air supplied from the air source 87 to the air cylinder 82 is controlled, and the piston rod 83 is driven in the directions of arrows K1 and K2.

The valve element 84 is made of a conical member and has a taper surface 84a that matches the valve seat surface 81b. The taper surface 84a of the valve element 84 is seated on the valve seat surface 81b when the piston rod 83 moves up in the direction of arrow K1 by the driving of the air cylinder 82. Thereby, the cylindrical member 8
The opening 81a on the lower end side of 1 is closed. When the metal material M is supplied from the measuring unit 70 in a state where the opening 81a on the lower end side of the cylindrical member 81 is closed, the metal material M falls from the tip of the cylinder 71 into the accommodation space 81s, and the metal material M It is held in the accommodation space 81s. Tapered surface 84 of valve body 84
When the piston rod 83 descends in the direction of arrow K2, a is separated from the valve seat surface 81b, and a gap is formed between the tapered surface 84a and the valve seat surface 81b. In the state where the metal material M is held in the accommodation space 81s, the metal material M falls downward of the cylindrical member 81 by its own weight through this gap.

The introduction part 90 has an introduction pipe 91 for guiding the metal material released from the buffer part 80 and falling by its own weight into the melting mechanism part 11. The introduction pipe 91 is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical member 81 by, for example, welding, and the connection between the lower end of the cylindrical member 81 and the introduction pipe 91 is sealed. Further, the introduction pipe 91 is arranged obliquely vertically downward and guides the metal material M falling from the buffer section 80 directly to a container in the melting mechanism section 11 described later.

As described above, the material supply mechanism section 5
The conveying path of the metal material M of the accumulation unit 60, the measuring unit 70, the buffer unit 80, and the introduction pipe unit 90 of No. 1 is closed, and the inert gas G is supplied from the accumulation unit 60 to prevent the metal material M Weighing and transportation are performed under an inert gas atmosphere.

Dissolution Mechanism Section FIG. 5 is a view of the dissolution mechanism section 11 seen from above, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line EE of the dissolution mechanism section 11 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the melting mechanism section 11 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the melting mechanism unit 11 includes a closed chamber 320 provided on the base plate 325.
The base plate 325 has a flange portion 325a connected to a predetermined portion of the capacitor housing portion 300 described above by a fastening means such as a bolt.

As shown in FIG. 6, the closed chamber 320 includes a base plate 325, a side plate 320a fixed to the base plate 325 by welding, and an upper plate 320b fixed to the upper end of the side plate 320a by welding. A substantially closed space 3 which is basically constructed and is surrounded by a base plate 325, side plates 320a and an upper plate 320b.
22. As shown in FIG. 6, the closed chamber 320 is provided with the sleeve 2 in a state in which it is arranged at a predetermined position on the back surface of the fixed die plate 110 of the die casting machine 1.
It is arranged directly above the hot water supply port 206a of 06.

The base plate 325, the side plate 320a and the upper plate 320b are made of a highly heat resistant material having a melting point higher than that of the metal material M. Examples of these materials include stainless steel. The surfaces of the base plate 325, the side plate 320a, and the upper plate 320b are surface-treated by hot-dip aluminum plating.

The above-mentioned introduction pipe 91 is connected to the side plate 320a by welding, and the inside of the introduction pipe 91 and the closed space 322 of the closed chamber 320 are communicated with each other. Introductory pipe 91
The connecting portion between the side plate 320a and the side plate 320a is sealed.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the closed chamber 320,
A container 330, a shielding lid 360, and a shutter member 370 are provided. A melting coil 350 is provided below the closed chamber 320. Furthermore, the closed chamber 32
A heating device 380 is installed on the upper plate 321 of No. 0.

The container 330 is arranged at a position where the metal material M guided by the introduction pipe 91 and falling into the closed chamber 320 can be accommodated. The container 330 has an open upper end,
A cup-shaped accommodating portion 330a capable of accommodating the metal material M,
A pouring part 33 extending laterally continuously from the accommodating part 330a
It has 0b.

The container 330 is made of an insulating and highly heat resistant material. Examples of the material for forming the container 330 include ceramics. A coating material is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the container 330 to prevent adherence of molten metal. Examples of the anti-adhesive agent include paints containing materials such as boron nitride, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide and the like. Since this paint peels off as the metal in the container 330 is repeatedly melted, it is necessary to apply the paint periodically.

The lower portion of the container 330 a of the container 330 is opened through the opening 324 formed in the base plate 325,
It projects below the base plate 325.

The melting coil 350 surrounds the portion of the container 330 protruding below the base plate 325.
It is attached to the base plate 325. Melting coil 3
Reference numeral 50 is a pipe material 351 made of a copper alloy formed into a spiral shape. Cooling water CW is supplied to the inside of the pipe material 351. The periphery of the melting coil 350 is covered with an insulating member 352 such as ceramics. The insulating member 352 is
The opening 32 formed in the base plate 325 of the closed chamber 320
4 is formed into a truncated cone shape capable of sealing. A cover 352 that holds the periphery of the insulating member 352 is fixed to the lower surface of the base plate 325 with bolts. By fixing the cover 352 to the base plate 325, the opening 324 of the base plate 325 is sealed by the insulating member 352. The melting coil 350 has, for example, several tens of kHz when the metal material M contained in the container 330 is melted.
A high-frequency current of about a degree is supplied, and an induction current is induced in the metal material M. The Joule heat of this induced current heats and melts the metal material M. Note that the opening 324 of the base plate 325 is supplied by supplying a high-frequency current to the melting coil 350.
Induced current may be induced along the perimeter of. Therefore, a part of the periphery of the opening 324 of the base plate 325 is
It is made of an insulating material such as ceramics so as to block the induced current.

The container 330 is supported by a rotating shaft 392, and can be tilted in the direction of arrow K1 by rotating the rotating shaft 392 from the arrangement shown in FIG. The rotating shaft 392 is formed of a highly heat resistant metal such as stainless steel. On the other hand, the pouring part 3 of the container 330 of the base plate 325
The hot water supply port 2 of the sleeve 206 is provided on the lower side of the front end of 30b.
The injection port 323 is formed so as to be located directly above 06a. The metal material M melted in the container 330 is poured into the sleeve 206 through the injection port 323 and the hot water supply port 206a when the container 330 is tilted by the rotation of the rotating shaft 392.

As shown in FIG. 7, the container 330 and the rotary shaft 392 are connected via a support 390. The support 390 holds the pouring portion 330b side of the container 330, and the fitting member 391 is connected to the end of the support 390. The fitting member 391 is formed of a highly heat-resistant metal such as stainless steel. The fitting member 391 has, for example, a polygonal fitting hole such as a hexagon, and the tip portion 392a of the rotating shaft 392 is fitted into the fitting hole. The cross section of the tip portion 392a is a polygon that matches the fitting hole of the fitting member 391. The fitting member 391 is not fastened to the rotary shaft 392, and is removed by moving in the axial direction from the tip of the rotary shaft 392. That is, by moving the container 330 in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 392, the rotation shaft 39
It is removable from 2. This configuration is for facilitating the removal of the container 330 from the rotating shaft 392 when the above-mentioned paint is applied to the container 330 or when the container 330 is replaced due to damage or the like. Also,
If the container 330 and the rotating shaft 392 are connected using a fastening member such as a bolt, the bolt may not be released due to the influence of heat.

Removing the container 330 from the rotary shaft 392,
An opening 326 is formed in the side plate 320a of the closed chamber 320 so as to be taken out of the closed chamber 320, as shown in FIG. A lid plate 320c for opening and closing the opening 326 is attached to the outside of the opening 326. The lid plate 320c is made of the same material as the side plate 320a. As shown in FIG. 8, the cover plate 320c has two elongated holes 320d formed at the upper end. These elongated holes 320d are locked to pins 320p provided so as to project from the surface of the side plate 320a of the closed chamber 320. That is, the lid plate 320c is not fastened to the side plate 320a. Therefore, at the time of maintenance, the lid plate 320c can be safely and easily removed even if the closed chamber 320 has a high temperature. On the other hand, the lid plate 320c has an outer surface pressed against the contact plate 113 of the fixed die plate 110 in a state where the closed chamber 320 is installed on the back surface of the fixed die plate 110. Thereby, the cover plate 320c
Is fixed to the opening 326.

A seal member is provided on the surface of the cover plate 320c or around the opening 326 to seal the space between the cover plate 320c and the opening 326. Lid plate 320c
By providing the sealing member between the cover plate 320c and the periphery of the opening 326, when the cover plate 320c is pressed against the contact plate 113, the cover plate 320c and the opening 326 are sealed. As the sealing member, for example, a member having heat resistance such as glass fiber cloth is used.

Since the container 330 is not fixed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 392, it is necessary to regulate the axial movement of the rotating shaft 392 of the container 330. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, a contact pin 399 is provided on the side plate 320a near the container 330 in a direction parallel to the rotation shaft 392. The contact pin 399 is removably inserted into a through hole formed in the side plate 320a, and has a structure in which the cover plate 320c is attached to the opening 326 so as not to move. The tip end of the contact pin 399 contacts the container 330 with the cover plate 320c attached to the opening 326, so that the axial movement of the rotary shaft 392 of the container 330 is restricted. The contact pin 399 can be pulled out by removing the cover plate 320c. When the container 330 is pulled out in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 392 after the contact pin 399 is pulled out, the container 330 is closed through the opening 326.
20 can be taken out.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rotary shaft 392 has a rear end portion protruding outside the sealed chamber 320, and a side plate 320.
It is rotatably supported by a bearing 393 fixed to the outside of a. The bearing 393 is, for example, a sliding bearing made of alumina or ceramics. The rotating shaft 392 is
It is connected to a servomotor 395 fixed to the outside of the sealed chamber 320 via a gear train.

FIG. 9 shows the rotary shaft 392 and the servomotor 39.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a connection relationship with No. 5. As shown in FIG. 9, the rotary shaft 392 and the servo motor 395 are connected by a gear train 394 including a gear 394a connected to the shaft end of the rotary shaft 392 and a gear 394b connected to the output shaft 395a of the servo motor 395. Has been done. By the gear train 394, the rotation shaft 392 and the output shaft 395 of the servo motor 395
By connecting with a, heat conduction from the rotary shaft 392 to the servo motor 395 can be suppressed. That is, the contact area between the tooth flanks of the gear 394a and the gear 394b is sufficiently small, and the contact area between the rotary shaft 392 and the output shaft 395a is sufficiently smaller than that in the case where they are connected by a coupling.
Therefore, heat conduction from the rotary shaft 392 to the output shaft 395a can be suppressed, and damage to the servo motor 395 due to heat can be prevented. Further, in the transmission mechanism using a chain, a sprocket, and the like, a mechanical transmission error increases due to a temperature rise, but the gear train 394 hardly causes a transmission error even if the temperature rises. Therefore, the container 330 can be positioned at an accurate position. The gear 39
Ratio of the number of teeth Z2 of 4b and the number of teeth Z1 of the gear 394a Z2 /
Z1 is set to 1 or less.

The servo motor 395 is connected to the servo driver 396, as shown in FIG. The servo driver 396 is connected to the control device 400, and receives a control command from the control device 400 to control the rotation speed and the rotation position of the servo motor 395. That is, the control device 400 controls the inclination speed and the inclination posture of the container 330.

The heating device 380 heats the atmosphere in the closed chamber 320 and the closed chamber 320 itself to promote the melting of the metal material M in the container 330 by induction heating, and the container 33.
It is provided in order to suppress heat release from the metal material M melted within 0 and to prevent solidification. Heating device 380
The heating temperature is about the melting point of the molding material M or higher. As shown in FIG. 6, the heating device 380 has an opening 321 formed in the upper plate 320b of the closed chamber 320.
Is fixed to the upper plate 320b so as to cover the. The heating device 380 has a flat plate-shaped resistance heating body 382 held in a case 381 and a heating wire 383 embedded in the resistance heating body 382.

The heating wire 383 is connected to an AC power source 386 via a connection terminal 385 as shown in FIG. The AC power supply 386 is connected to the control device 400 and supplies an AC current to the heating wire 383 in response to a command from the control device 400. Note that a DC power supply can be used instead of the AC power supply 386.

The resistance heating element 382 is arranged above the container 330, and the lower surface of the resistance heating element 382 is substantially parallel to the opening of the container 330. The resistance heating element 382 generates heat when electric current is supplied to the heating wire 383. When the resistance heating element 382 generates heat, the atmosphere inside the sealed chamber 320 and the sealed chamber 320 itself are heated.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heating device 3
At 80, a thermometer 375 and a gas supply pipe 376 are provided. The thermometer 375 is used for the housing portion 33 of the container 330.
0a and through the through hole 382h penetrating the resistance heating element 382, the temperature of the metal material M melted in the housing portion 330a of the container 330 is detected in a non-contact manner. A radiation thermometer is used as the thermometer 375. The radiation thermometer receives infrared rays emitted from the molten metal material M through the through holes 382h and detects the amount of the infrared rays. In the present embodiment, a case where a radiation thermometer is used as the thermometer 375 will be described, but other thermometers such as thermocouples can be used.

The thermometer 375 is connected to the sensor amplifier 391 as shown in FIG.
Amplifies the detection signal of the thermometer 375 and detects the temperature of the metal material M based on this signal. Further, the sensor amplifier 391 is connected to the control device 400 and outputs the detected temperature to the control device 400. The control device 400 uses, for example, the melting coil 35 based on the input temperature.
Control current supply to 0. For example, when the input temperature reaches the set temperature, the current to the melting coil 350 is cut off, and when the input temperature does not reach the set temperature, the current supply amount to the melting coil 350 is increased. Control.

The gas supply pipe 376, as shown in FIG.
Through the inside of the resistance heating element 382, the above-mentioned thermometer 375
Is communicated with the through hole 382h. As shown in FIG. 5, a gas supply source 377 is connected to the gas supply pipe 376. The gas supply source 377 supplies, for example, an inert gas G such as argon gas or nitrogen gas. The inert gas G supplied from the gas supply source 377 is introduced into the sealed chamber 320 through the gas supply pipe 376. The inert gas G prevents the metal material M dissolved in the container 330 from being oxidized. Further, the inert gas G is supplied at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure in order to prevent the air from flowing into the closed chamber 320.

The inert gas G is supplied into the closed chamber 320 through the through hole 382h for the thermometer 375. The metal dissolved in the container 320 is evaporated and adhered to the detection surface of the thermometer 375. This is to prevent this. That is, since the inert gas G is blown out from the through hole 382h toward the container 330 side, the evaporated metal is absorbed in the through hole 3
Can not enter into 82h.

As shown in FIG. 7, the shielding lid 360 is arranged near the container 330 and is fixed to the rotating shaft 361, and the opening of the container 330 is opened and closed by the rotation of the rotating shaft 361. When a high frequency current is passed through the melting coil 350 while the granular metal material M is supplied to the container 330, an induced current flows through the metal material M. On the other hand, the melting coil 35
Due to the electromagnetic force generated between the magnetic field generated by 0 and the induced current flowing in the metal material M, the granular metal material M moves violently and tends to be ejected from the container 330. Therefore, when the metal material M is induction-heated in the container 330, the container 330 is shielded by the shielding lid 360, and the metal material M is prevented from being ejected from the container 330. In addition, the shielding lid 360
Since a space is formed between the horizontal plate 360a and the housing portion 330a of the container 330, the granular metal material M can move in this space. For this reason, the shielding lid 360 is shaped so as to project into the housing portion 330a, and the space between the horizontal plate 360a and the housing portion 330a is made as narrow as possible to prevent the metal material M from moving in the container 330. It is also possible to adopt a structure that regulates as much as possible.

As shown in FIG. 6, the shielding lid 360 includes a horizontal plate 360a made of a flat plate member for covering the upper part of the container 330a of the container 330, and a horizontal plate 360a at one end of the horizontal plate 360a. And a vertical plate 360b formed of a flat plate member for blocking the gap between the pouring part 330 and the containing part 330a. Shield lid 36
The horizontal plate 360a and the vertical plate 360b of No. 0 are formed of a highly heat resistant material such as ceramics.

The rotary shaft 361 supporting the shield lid 360 is
As shown in FIG. 7, it is rotatably supported by a slide bearing 362 fixed to the side plate 320a. Plain bearing 3
62 is made of a highly heat-resistant material such as alumina or ceramics. In addition, the closed chamber 320 of the rotary shaft 361
A gear 342 is connected to the end portion on the side protruding from the. The gear 342 is a gear 341 connected to the output shaft 340a of the air motor 340 fixed to the base plate 325.
Meshes with. As shown in FIG. 5, the air motor 340 is connected to the air source 374 via the control valve 336. The control valve 336 receives the control command from the control device 400 and controls the supply of air pressure from the air source 374 to the air motor 340. Thereby, the rotation of the air motor 340 is controlled.

Shutter member 370 opens and closes inlet 323 located directly above hot water inlet 206a of sleeve 206. That is, the shutter member 370 closes the inlet 323 and prevents air from flowing into the sealed chamber 320 when the metal material 330 is melted in the container 330. Shutter member 370
Is a sleeve 206 for the metal material M melted in the container 330.
When supplying water to the hot water supply port 206a, the inlet 323 is opened to secure the flow path of the metal material M.

The shutter member 370 is supported by the tip portion of the connecting rod 371, as shown in FIG. The connecting rod 371 is attached to the base plate 3 by the slide bearing 387.
It is movably supported in a direction parallel to 25. The piston rod 372a of the air cylinder 372 is connected to the rear end of the connecting rod 371. Air cylinder 372
Is connected to an air source 374 via a control valve 373, as shown in FIG. The control valve 373 receives the control command from the control device 400 and receives the air source 37.
The supply of compressed air from No. 4 to the air cylinder 372 is controlled. As a result, the piston rod 372a of the air cylinder 372 expands and contracts.

When the piston rod 372a contracts, the shutter member 370 opens the inlet 323, and when the piston rod 372a extends, the shutter member 37 extends.
0 closes the inlet 323. When the shutter member 370 closes the inlet 323, the shutter member 370 is provided at a position facing the shutter member 370, and the contact member 3 is provided.
Abut 89. Thereby, the shutter member 370 is positioned.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the connection relationship between the capacitors housed in the capacitor housing section 300 and the melting coil 350. As shown in FIG. 10, the capacitor 302 is installed in the case 301 of the capacitor housing portion 300.

The capacitor 302 is a capacitor that is connected in parallel with the melting coil 350 to form a resonance circuit. This capacitor 302 is, for example,
It is a capacitor with a relatively large capacity of about 0.13 μF,
It has a larger size than the melting coil 350.

The case 301 is installed below the material supply mechanism 51. In the material supply mechanism unit 51, the metal material M is supplied to the container 330 of the melting mechanism unit 11 by dropping the metal material M by its own weight. Therefore, it is necessary to install the material supply mechanism section 51 at a position higher than the melting mechanism section 11. As a result, a space is formed below the material supply mechanism section 51. Capacitor 3 in this space
02 is installed, and the capacitor 302 is the melting coil 35.
It is adjacent to 0.

At the connection terminal 303 of the capacitor 302,
Two rigid copper plates 304 and 305 are connected to each other, and the copper plates 304 and 305 and the capacitor 302 are connected.
And are electrically connected to. Copper plates 304 and 305
Are arranged in parallel and extend from the case 301 to a position close to the melting coil 350. On the surfaces of the copper plates 304 and 305, a pipe material 351 made of a copper alloy that constitutes the melting coil 350 is brazed. Thereby, the melting coil 350 and the copper plate 3
04 and 305 are integrally connected. Also,
Capacitor 302 and melting coil 350 are electrically coupled by copper plates 304 and 305.

Cooling water CW is supplied from a cooling water supply source 310 from one end of the pipe material 351 brazed to the copper plates 304 and 305, and this cooling water CW circulates through the pipe material 351 and flows out from the other end. . The cooling water CW is supplied to the pipe material 351 in order to prevent the pipe material 351 from being melted due to the temperature rise of the dissolution mechanism section 11.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the supply system of the high frequency current to the melting coil 350. As shown in FIG. 11, the melting coil 350 is connected in parallel with the capacitor 302, so that the resonance circuit 3
Make up twelve. An inverter 314, a smoothing reactor 315, a rectifier circuit 316, and an AC power supply 317 are connected to the resonance circuit 312.

The AC power supply 317 supplies an AC current to the rectifier circuit 316. The rectifier circuit 316 rectifies the AC current supplied from the AC power supply 317, and smoothes the reactor 315.
Supply to. The smoothing reactor 315 has a rectifying circuit 316.
Smoothes the ripple contained in the DC current supplied from
It is supplied to the inverter 314.

The inverter 314 is a smoothing reactor 31.
The current supplied from No. 5 is converted into an alternating current having a required frequency and supplied to the resonance circuit 312. In addition, the inverter 314
Is connected to the control device 400,
The operation is controlled in accordance with the control command from. The control device 400 uses, for example, the resonance circuit 3 based on the temperature of the molten metal in the container 330 detected by the thermometer 375.
Control the supply of alternating current to 12.

In the resonance circuit 312, in order to stably and efficiently dissolve the granular metal material M supplied to the container 330, the oscillated frequency is required to be as stable as possible. To be done. The frequency oscillated by the resonance circuit 312 is determined by the melting coil 350 and the capacitor 3
If the inductance between 0 and 02 fluctuates, it fluctuates sensitively. If the frequency oscillated by the resonance circuit 312 varies,
The penetration depth of the induced current induced in the metal material M into the metal material M fluctuates, the temperature of the metal material M does not rise stably, and the time required for melting the metal material M is increased for each casting. Vary. For example, when the melting coil 350 and the capacitor 302 are connected by a twisted pair cable, the melting coil 3 is deformed due to the deformation of the twisted pair cable.
The inductance between the capacitor 50 and the capacitor 302 easily fluctuates.

In this embodiment, the melting coil 350 and the capacitor 302 are brought close to each other, and the melting coil 350 and the capacitor 302 are connected by the copper plates 304 and 305, whereby the inductance between the melting coil 350 and the capacitor 302 is reduced. Of the resonance circuit 31 can be prevented.
The frequency oscillated by 2 can be stabilized. When the melting coil 350 and the capacitor 302 are separated from each other, the melting coil 350 and the capacitor 302 are separated from each other by the copper plate 30.
In reality, it is difficult to connect them with 4, 305, but in the present embodiment, the melting coil 350 and the capacitor 3 are connected.
Since it has a structure that can minimize the distance to 02, it is possible to connect by the copper plates 304 and 305.

Next, an example of the operation of the molten metal supply apparatus 2 having the above structure will be described with reference to FIGS. The operation of the molten metal supply device 2 is controlled by the control device 400.
Controlled by. First, the inert gas G is supplied from the gas introduction pipe 65 to the hopper 60 to which the granular metal material M has been supplied, and the metal material M is placed in the atmosphere of the inert gas G. Further, the inert gas G is supplied from the gas supply pipe 376 of the dissolution mechanism section 11 to make the inside of the sealed chamber 320 an atmosphere of the inert gas G. Further, an electric current is supplied to the heating device 380 to heat the closed chamber 320 and the atmosphere in the closed chamber 320 to the melting point of the metal material M or higher.

From this state, the measuring section 70 of the material supply mechanism section 51 is operated to measure the amount of the metal material M required for casting and send it to the buffer section 80.

Next, after the metal material M weighed in the buffer portion 80 is held, after the metal material M can be supplied to the container 330, the valve body 84 is lowered and the metal material M is dropped. Let After the drop of the metal material M is completed, the valve body 84 is raised to open the opening 81 of the buffer portion 80.
The introduction pipe 91 side of the closed chamber 320 is closed by closing a.

Metal material M dropped from the buffer section 80
Is guided to the introduction pipe 91 as shown in FIG.
It falls into the accommodating portion 330a of 30.

Then, after the supply of the metal material M to the container 330 is completed, the shielding lid 360 is driven to shield the opening of the container 330, as shown in FIG. The container 33
After the supply of the metal material M to 0 is completed, the measurement for the next casting is started, and the new metal material M is sent to the buffer section 80 again.

After the opening of the container 330 is shielded by the shield lid 360, a high frequency current is supplied to the melting coil 350. The high frequency current supplied to the melting coil 350 is, for example, about 50 kHz.

When a high frequency current is supplied to the melting coil 350, an induced current is induced in the metal material M, and the metal material M
Is heated. At this time, as described above, the metallic material M violently moves due to the electromagnetic force and tries to be ejected from the container 330, but the metallic material M is not scattered from the container 330 by the shielding lid 360. If induction heating is continued in this state, as shown in FIG. 14, the metal material M is melted and becomes a metal melt ML.

Next, after a high-frequency current is supplied to the melting coil 350, when a predetermined time has passed, that is, when the metal material M is melted and does not scatter from the container 330, as shown in FIG. Open the lid 360. The reason why the shield lid 360 is opened is to detect the temperature of the molten metal ML.

After the shield lid 360 is opened, when the temperature of the molten metal ML in the container 330 is detected by the thermometer 375, the current supply to the melting coil 350 is controlled based on the detected temperature. . For example, molten metal ML
When the temperature of 1 reaches a predetermined temperature, the current supply to the melting coil 350 is cut off. When the temperature of the molten metal ML does not reach a predetermined temperature, the melting coil 3
The current supply to 50 is continued or the current supply amount is increased.

Next, after the electric current supply to the melting coil 350 is cut off, the shutter member 370 is moved to open the inlet 323. After opening the inlet 323, the container 330 is tilted as shown in FIG.

When tilting the container 330, the container 33
The tilt speed and tilt attitude of 0 are controlled. Container 3
The tilting speed and tilting attitude are controlled so that all the molten metal ML in 30 is poured into the sleeve 206 with certainty.
For example, when inclining the container 330, the container 330 is rotated at a relatively low speed so that the molten metal ML in the container 330 does not scatter, and after the container 330 is inclined to some extent, the container 330 is rotated at a relatively high speed. Then, the container 330 is again rotated at a relatively low speed before reaching the predetermined tilted posture as shown in FIG. The metal melt ML remaining in the container 330 is poured into the sleeve 206 by slowly rotating the container 330 at a relatively low speed before reaching the predetermined tilted posture.

When the molten metal ML is injected into the sleeve 206, the plunger tip 205 of the injection device 200 is driven to inject and fill the cavity C with the molten metal ML. When the container 330 reaches the predetermined tilted posture, the sleeve 20
After the injection of the molten metal ML into the container 6 is completed, the container 33
0 is returned to the normal posture. After returning the container 330 to the normal posture, and after the state in which the metal material M can be supplied to the container 330, the metal material M is supplied again from the buffer unit 80 to the container 330, and the same operation as above is performed. I do.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the die casting machine 1, the molten metal ML is supplied to the sleeve 206 by the above-described operation, so that die casting products are continuously cast in a constant cycle. be able to. Further, according to the present embodiment, since the granular metal material M is accurately measured in advance and melted, it is possible to supply the metal melt ML required for casting of the die cast product without excess or deficiency, and as a result, The quality can be improved. Further, according to the present embodiment, since the metal material is supplied and melted in the inert gas atmosphere, the metal material is less likely to be oxidized and the quality of the die cast product can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, by enclosing the container 330 with the closed chamber 320 and heating the atmosphere in the closed chamber 320, the melting rate of the metal material can be improved and a fast casting cycle can be dealt with. . Further, according to the present embodiment, the container 330 is surrounded by the closed chamber 320, and
By heating the atmosphere inside, solidification of the melted metal material can be prevented, and as a result, the quality of the product can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, a current having a stable frequency can be stably supplied to the melting coil 350.
The metal material can be efficiently melted by induction heating, the time required for melting can be shortened, and the time required for melting can be suppressed from varying between castings.
Further, according to the present embodiment, when the molten metal ML melted in the container 330 is poured into the sleeve 206, the container 33
Since the rotational speed control and the rotational position control of 0 are possible, the molten metal ML can be surely poured into the sleeve 206. Further, since the rotational position of the container 330 can be accurately controlled, even if the volume of the closed chamber 320 is made as small as possible, the collision between the container 330 and the closed chamber 320 can be reliably prevented.

Furthermore, since the rotation position and rotation speed of the container 330 can be controlled accurately, it is possible to adjust the amount of the molten metal ML to be poured from the container 330 into the sleeve 206. For example, by controlling the rotational position of the container 330 so that the molten metal ML always remains in the container 330, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of violent movement of the granular metal material at the start of induction heating.

Further, according to the present embodiment, from the state where the melting mechanism section 11 of the molten metal supply device 2 is arranged on the back surface of the fixed die plate 110, the melting mechanism section 11 is moved to a position separated from the fixed die plate 110. It is movable. Therefore, it is possible to easily maintain the container 330 and the like in the closed chamber 320 of the dissolution mechanism section 11.

Second Embodiment In the molten metal supply apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment described above, in order to prevent oxidation of the molten metal, it is necessary to reliably prevent air from entering the sealed chamber 320. In the present embodiment, in the molten metal supply device 2 having the above structure, the closed chamber 3
A configuration capable of more reliably preventing sealing of 20 will be described.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure in the vicinity of the injection port of the closed chamber of the molten metal supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The molten metal supply apparatus according to this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used for the same components. Also, FIG.
6 is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the sealing mechanism that prevents the inflow of the atmosphere from the inlet 323, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 16, the base plate 325 of the closed chamber 320 is provided with an injection port 323 for injecting the metal material melted in the container 330 into the hot water supply port 206a of the sleeve 206. The contact member 389 is provided on the indoor side surface 325a of the base plate 325 near the inlet 323.
Are fixed by bolts BT.

An air cylinder 372 is horizontally fixed to the outer side surface of the closed chamber 320 via a cylindrical fixing member 701. The air cylinder 372 includes a piston rod 372a that expands and contracts, and the piston rod 372a is inserted into the fixing member 701.

The tip of the piston rod 372a is connected to one end of the connecting rod 371 by a floating joint FC. This connecting rod 37
A shutter member 370 is fixed to the other end of the bolt 1 by a bolt BT. The connecting rod 371 is provided in the closed chamber 32.
It is inserted into a through hole 320h formed in the side wall 320a of No. 0 through a packing PK and is movable in the horizontal direction indicated by arrows F1 and F2. Further, a part of the connecting rod 371 projects from the closed chamber 320 toward the outside.

The above floating joint FC is
The piston rod 372a and the connecting rod 371 are connected so as to be relatively movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis, and are connected so as not to move relatively in the axial direction. For this reason, the connecting rod 371 is shown in FIG.
It can float in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis shown by 2.

The packing PK is composed of a flexible annular member having heat resistance. The material for forming the packing PK is, for example, a bulk fiber sheet or a graphite sheet of alumina or silica. In addition, packing PK
Is flexible, the connecting rod 371 can move in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axes indicated by the arrows G1 and G2 within the range in which the packing PK is deformed.

The shutter member 370 covers the inlet 323 while being in contact with the contact member 389. A surface 370a of the shutter member 370 facing the injection port 323 side is a flat surface. The contact surfaces of the shutter member 370 and the contact member 389 that contact each other are inclined surfaces 370f and 389f that are inclined in opposite directions at a predetermined angle. As will be described later, due to the wedge effect of the inclined surfaces 370f and 389f, the surface 370a of the shutter member 370 facing the inlet 323 is pressed toward the indoor side surface 325a of the base plate 325.

On the other hand, the gas supply source 377 for supplying the inert gas G to the closed chamber 320 described in the first embodiment also supplies the inert gas G so that the pressure in the closed chamber 320 becomes P _1. Supply. This pressure P ₁ is higher than the atmospheric pressure P ₀ . From the viewpoint of reducing the amount of consumption of the inert gas G, it is preferable that the pressure P ₁ be slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure P ₀ .

Next, the operation of the seal mechanism having the above structure will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when the air cylinder 372 is driven to move the shutter member 370 along the indoor side surface 325a of the base plate 325 in the direction of the arrow F ₁ , the inclined surface 370f of the shutter member 370 comes into contact. The contact member 389 contacts the inclined surface 389f. The inclined surface 370f of the shutter member 370 is the inclined surface 3 of the contact member 389.
After abutting against 89f, the air cylinder 372 further presses the shutter member 370 against the abutting member 389.
The pressing force (driving force) of the air cylinder 372 at this time is F
If a, the pressing force Fa causes the shutter member 370 to move to the base plate 32 due to the wedge effect of the inclined surface 370f of the shutter member 370 and the inclined surface 389f of the contact member 389.
5 is converted into a pressing force Va which is pressed toward the indoor side surface 325a.

When the pressing force Va acts on the shutter member 370, as described above, the shutter member 370 causes the base plate 3 to move.
25, the surface 370a of the shutter member 370 facing the inlet 323 is pressed around the inlet 323 of the indoor side surface 325a because the surface 370a of the shutter member 370 can float in directions G1 and G2 perpendicular to the indoor side surface 325a. As a result, the injection port 323 is reliably sealed. When the inlet 323 is securely sealed, the inflow of air into the sealed chamber 320 is prevented, and thus the metal material melted in the container 330 can be prevented from being oxidized. Further, since the pressure inside the closed chamber 320 is maintained at a pressure P ₁ higher than the atmospheric pressure P ₀ , even if there is some gap between the shutter member 370 and the inlet 323, the inflow of the atmosphere is ensured. To be prevented.

When the melting of the metal material in the container 330 is completed and the molten metal is injected into the sleeve 206, the shutter member 370 is inserted into the injection port 323 as shown in FIG.
And the air cylinder 372 is driven in a state where the pressure of the inert gas G in the closed chamber 320 is maintained at P ₁ , and, for example, as shown in FIG.
0 is moved in the direction of arrow F ₂ to open the injection port 323. When the inlet 323 is opened, the container 330 is tilted, and the metal material ML melted from the container 330 is poured into the hot water inlet 206a of the sleeve 206.

When the inlet 323 is opened, the closed chamber 32
Atmospheric pressure P in 0₀ Higher pressure P ₁ Maintained in
Therefore, the inert gas G is introduced into the closed chamber 32 through the inlet 323.
It is discharged outside 0. Inert gas G is discharged from the inlet 323.
By being discharged, the closed chamber 32 is passed through the inlet 323.
Atmosphere is prevented from flowing into zero. In addition, in FIG.
As shown, the inert gas G discharged from the inlet 323
Most of the sleeve 2 is located directly below the inlet 323.
Head toward the hot water supply port 206a of 06. Therefore, the container 330
The metal material melted inside is injected from the inlet 323 into the sleeve 2
Melted metal when pouring into the hot water supply port 206a of No. 06
Prevents the material from coming into contact with the atmosphere and prevents the oxidation of molten metal.
You can In addition, the inert gas discharged from the inlet 323
The characteristic gas G is generated by the heat generated by the melting of the metal material.
Since it is heated to a high temperature,
Of the molten metal ML injected into the hot water inlet 206a of the roof 206
Prevent cooling.

When the injection of the molten metal ML is completed, FIG.
The shutter member 370 is closed again as shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the inlet 323 is opened and closed by sliding the shutter member 370 with the air cylinder 372, when the container 330 is tilted, the tip of the container 330 and the shutter are closed. The member 370 is less likely to interfere with each other, and the distance between the tip of the container 330 and the injection port 323 can be minimized. Therefore, the molten metal ML can be reliably supplied to the sleeve 206.

According to the present embodiment, the driving force of the air cylinder 372 is used not only to open and close the inlet 323 but also to generate a force for pressing the shutter member 370 toward the inlet 323. With a simple structure, the inlet 323 can be reliably sealed.

Further, according to this embodiment, the inert gas G for preventing the oxidation of the metal material is supplied to the sealed chamber 320 so as to have a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, and the pressure is maintained. Inflow of air into 320 can be prevented more reliably.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
In the above-described embodiment, the material supply mechanism unit 51 as the material supply means is configured to measure and supply the granular metal material, but for example, the ingot-shaped metal material is cut,
This may be directly supplied to the container 330, or a billet-shaped metal material may be cut into a required amount and supplied. A relatively small amount of granular metal material, for example, 10 cc-100
Suitable for casting with 0 cc of molten metal, 100
When casting with a large amount of molten metal of 0 cc or more, it is preferable to use an ingot-shaped or billet-shaped metallic material.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the case of a so-called cold chamber die casting machine was described as the casting apparatus, but the present invention is applicable to other types of die casting machines, sand mold casting machines, gravity mold casting machines, low pressure casting machines and the like. Is also applicable.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing a configuration of a die casting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state where the molten metal supply device 2 shown in FIG. 1 is moved to the back side of a fixed die plate 100.

3 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the molten metal supply device 2, and is a diagram including a sectional view in a part of the molten metal supply device 2 viewed from the back side of the fixed die plate 110. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a specific configuration of a material supply mechanism section 51.

FIG. 5 is a view of the melting mechanism section 11 seen from above.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the melting mechanism section 11 shown in FIG. 5 taken along the line EE.

7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the melting mechanism section 11 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of a cover plate 320c for opening and closing an opening 326.

9 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a rotary shaft 392 and a servo motor 395. FIG.

10 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a capacitor housed in a capacitor housing unit 300 and a melting coil 350. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a supply system of a high frequency current to a melting coil 350.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation procedure of the molten metal supply device 2.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the operation procedure of the molten metal supply device 2 following FIG.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining an operation procedure of the molten metal supply device 2 following FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining the operation procedure of the molten metal supply device 2 following FIG.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration near an injection port of a closed chamber of a molten metal supply apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the action when the inlet of the closed chamber is closed by the shutter member.

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining the action when the inlet of the closed chamber is opened.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Die casting machine 2 ... Molten metal supply device 51 ... Material Supply Department 60 ... Accumulation unit Measurement unit 70 ... Weighing unit 80 ... buffer section 90 ... Introduction 91 ... Introduction tube 100 ... Mold clamping device 110 ... Fixed die plate 120 ... Moving die plate 130 ... Link housing 300 ... Capacitor housing 320 ... Closed chamber 330 ... container 350 ... Coil for melting 360 ... Shielding lid 370 ... Shutter member 375 ... Thermometer 376 ... Gas supply pipe 380 ... Heating device 400 ... Control device 500 ... Support stand

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A molten metal supply apparatus for melting and supplying a metal material to a casting apparatus for each casting, and a container arranged at a predetermined position with respect to the casting apparatus, and a hermetic seal surrounding the circumference of the container. A chamber, a material supply means for supplying a metal material to the container from outside the closed chamber for each casting, an induction heating means for melting the metal material accommodated in the container by induction heating, and an inclination of the attitude of the container Tilting means for injecting the melted metal material into the casting apparatus from the opening of the container, and the melted metal material that is formed on the bottom surface of the closed chamber and flows out by changing the posture of the container. An opening / closing means for opening / closing an injection port for injecting into the container, the opening / closing means including a shutter member for covering the injection port, and an actuator for sliding the shutter member along a bottom surface portion of the closed chamber. And a shutter member covering the inlet, the driving force of the actuator is converted into a force for pressing the surface of the shutter member on the inlet side against the surface around the inlet, and closing the inlet. And a pressing mechanism for melting molten metal. 2. The pressing mechanism includes an abutting member that is disposed so as to face the shutter member and that abuts against the shutter member in a state where the shutter member covers the inlet, the abutting member and the shutter member. 2. The molten metal supply device according to claim 1, wherein each of the contact surfaces that contact each other is an inclined surface, and the driving force of the actuator is converted into the pressing force by the wedge effect of each inclined surface. 3. The molten metal supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shutter member is connected to the actuator so as to be capable of floating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the closed chamber. 4. The shutter member is connected to the actuator via a rod, a part of which is projected to the outside of the closed chamber, and the rod and the actuator form the shutter member at the bottom surface of the closed chamber. 4. The molten metal supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the molten metal supply apparatus is connected by a floating joint that enables floating in a direction substantially perpendicular to, and the rod and the closed chamber are sealed by a flexible packing. 5. A gas supply means for supplying an inert gas having a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure into the closed chamber and maintaining the pressure in a state where the inlet is closed by the shutter member. The molten metal supply device according to any one of 1 to 4. 6. A molten metal supply device which melts and supplies a metal material to a casting device for each casting, and a container arranged at a predetermined position with respect to the casting device, and a hermetic seal surrounding the periphery of the container. A chamber, a material supply means for supplying a metal material to the container from outside the closed chamber for each casting, an induction heating means for melting the metal material accommodated in the container by induction heating, and an inclination of the attitude of the container Tilting means for injecting the melted metal material into the casting apparatus from the opening of the container, and the melted metal material that is formed on the bottom surface of the closed chamber and flows out by changing the posture of the container. An opening / closing means for opening / closing an injection port for injecting into, and a state in which the injection port is closed by the opening / closing means, supplying an inert gas having a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure to the closed chamber to maintain the pressure. Gas A molten metal supply device having a supply means. 7. A required amount of metal material is supplied for each casting to a container installed in a closed chamber arranged at a predetermined position with respect to a casting device, and the metal material in the container is melted by induction heating, A molten metal supply method of opening a pouring port formed in a bottom surface portion of the closed chamber, inclining the container to inject a molten metal material into the casting apparatus through the pouring port, In a state in which the inlet is closed by a shutter member, an inert gas having a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is supplied to the closed chamber, and the pressure is maintained to melt the metal material supplied to the container. Method for supplying molten metal. 8. A mold clamping device which holds a pair of molds and opens and closes and molds the molds, and a molten metal material is injected and filled in a cavity formed in the molds that have been clamped. A die casting machine having an injection device and a molten metal supply device for injecting molten metal into the hot water supply port of the sleeve of the injection device, wherein the molten metal supply device is arranged directly above the hot water supply port of the sleeve. A container, a closed chamber surrounding the circumference of the container, a material supply means for supplying a metal material from outside the closed chamber to the container for each casting, and an induction heating for melting the metal material housed in the container by induction heating. Means, tilting means for inclining the attitude of the container to inject the molten metal material into the hot water supply port of the sleeve from the opening of the container, and the attitude of the container formed on the bottom surface of the closed chamber. Change An opening / closing means for opening / closing an injection port for injecting the melted molten metal material into the sleeve, wherein the opening / closing means includes a shutter member for covering the injection port, and the shutter member for the closed chamber. An actuator that slides along a bottom surface portion, and a driving force of the actuator is converted into a force that presses the inlet-side surface of the shutter member against a surface around the inlet while the shutter member covers the inlet. And a pressing mechanism for closing the injection port. 9. A mold clamping device which holds a pair of molds and opens and closes and molds the molds, and a molten metal material is injected and filled into a cavity formed in the molds that have been clamped. A die casting machine having an injection device and a molten metal supply device for injecting molten metal into the hot water supply port of the sleeve of the injection device, wherein the molten metal supply device is arranged directly above the hot water supply port of the sleeve. A container, a closed chamber surrounding the circumference of the container, a material supply means for supplying a metal material from outside the closed chamber to the container for each casting, and an induction heating for melting the metal material housed in the container by induction heating. Means, tilting means for inclining the attitude of the container to inject the molten metal material into the hot water supply port of the sleeve from the opening of the container, and the attitude of the container formed on the bottom surface of the closed chamber. Change And an opening / closing means for opening / closing an inlet for injecting the melted molten metal material into the sleeve, wherein the inlet is closed by the opening / closing means and higher than the atmospheric pressure in the closed chamber. A die casting machine having a gas supply means for supplying an inert gas having a pressure and maintaining the pressure.