Patent Publication Number: US-2019195285-A1

Title: Transfer apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a transfer technique, more particularly to a transfer apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In a transfer apparatus using magnetic screws, a male magnetic screw made of a magnetic material is rotated to move a female magnetic screw, such as a nut made of a magnetic material, in a direction of a central axis of the male magnetic screw. A transfer member on which an article to be transferred is disposed is fixed to the female magnetic screw. The transfer member also moves in the direction of the central axis of the male magnetic screw together with the movement of the female magnetic screw. 
     The male magnetic screw may be divided into a plurality of male magnetic screws and then they may be disposed. In this case, the female magnetic screw moves across the plurality of male magnetic screws. However, the female magnetic screw cannot move across the gaps between the male magnetic screws smoothly unless the interval between adjacent male magnetic screws is set appropriately. For example, PTL 1 proposes that the interval between the male magnetic screws is set to a multiple of the double of the pitch of the magnetized patterns of the male magnetic screws. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: JP-A-2002-68476 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In the transfer apparatus disclosed in PTL 1, adjacent male magnetic screws are disposed at predetermined intervals and the adjacent male magnetic screws are not coupled to or separated from each other. However, adjacent male magnetic screws are preferably coupled to or separated from each other in some cases. Therefore, one object of the invention is to provide a transfer apparatus in which rod-shaped members, such as male magnetic screws, can be coupled to or separated from each other. 
     Solution to Problem 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a transfer apparatus comprising (a) a first rod-shaped member that comprises a magnetic material, the first rod-shaped member being provided with a spiral pattern, (b) a first coupler that is fixed to an end portion of the first rod-shaped member, (c) a second rod-shaped member that comprises a magnetic material, the second rod-shaped member being provided with a spiral pattern, (d) a second coupler that is fixed to an end portion of the second rod-shaped member, the second coupler being coupled to the first coupler so as to make a relative angle between the spiral pattern of the first rod-shaped member and the spiral pattern of the second rod-shaped member constant when coupled to each other, (e) an opposite member that is opposed to parts of side surfaces of the first and second rod-shaped members, the opposite member comprising a magnetic material, and (f) a driving device configured to rotate the first and second rod-shaped members about central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members and move the opposite member along the first and second rod-shaped members. 
     In the transfer apparatus described above, the first and second couplers may be coupled to each other by bringing the first and second rod-shaped members close to each other while rotating at least one of the first and second rod-shaped members. 
     In the transfer apparatus described above, the first and second couplers may have spiral structures that engage with each other. 
     A spiral curved surface of the spiral structure of one of the first and second couplers of the transfer apparatus described above may be provided with a projection portion and a spiral curved surface of the spiral structure of the other of the first and second couplers may be provided with a concave portion into which the projection portion is inserted. 
     In the transfer apparatus described above, the first and second couplers may have first flat surfaces that are parallel with directions of the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members and oriented to a first rotational direction of the first and second rod-shaped members and second flat surfaces that are parallel with the directions of the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members and oriented to a second rotational direction of the first and second rod-shaped members. 
     In the transfer apparatus described above, the first and second couplers may have engagement structures that engage with each other and at least one of the first and second couplers may have an elastic member that contracts when the first and second couplers come into contact with each other and the first and second couplers do not engage with each other. 
     In the transfer apparatus described above, the first and second couplers may have engagement structures that engage with each other and the engagement structures may change a relative angle between the first and second couplers using at least one of an attraction force between different magnetic poles and a repulsion force between identical magnetic poles. Each of the first and second couplers may have a convex surface having a first magnetic pole and a concave surface having a second magnetic pole. 
     In the transfer apparatus described above, the first and second rod-shaped members and the opposite member may comprise hard magnetic materials and, when the number of poles in a combination of the first or second rod-shaped member and the opposite member is 2n (where n represents a natural number), the first and second couplers may be configured to be couplable to each other every relative rotation by 360×m/n degrees (where m represents a natural number). 
     In the transfer apparatus described above, one of the first and second rod-shaped members and the opposite member may comprise a hard magnetic material and the other may comprise a soft magnetic material and, when the number of poles in a combination between the first or second rod-shaped member and the opposite member is 2n (where n represents a natural number), the first and second couplers may be configured to be couplable to each other every relative rotation by 180×m/n degrees (where m represents a natural number). 
     In the transfer apparatus described above, the first rod-shaped member may be disposed in a furnace. The furnace may be a temperature-controlled furnace having a temperature-controlled space. The temperature-controlled furnace may be a freeze drying furnace. Alternatively, the furnace may be a cleaning furnace having a cleanliness-controlled space. Alternatively, the furnace may be a vacuum furnace having a vacuum-evacuated space. 
     The transfer apparatus described above may further comprise a transfer member for transferring an article, which transfer member is fixed to the opposite member. In the transfer apparatus described above, when the driving device rotates the first and second rod-shaped members, the opposite member may move along the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members and the transfer member fixed to the opposite member may move. The article may include a medicine. 
     In the transfer apparatus described above, the first and second couplers may be coupled to each other when the furnace is opened and the first and second couplers may be separated from each other when the furnace is closed. 
     The transfer apparatus described above may further comprise a base member, a table positioned on the base member, a table movement rod-shaped member that comprises a magnetic material, a table movement opposite member that is opposed to a part of a side surface of the table movement rod-shaped member and comprises a magnetic material, and a table driving device that rotates the table movement rod-shaped member or the table movement opposite member about a central axis of the table movement rod-shaped member, changes a relative position between the table movement rod-shaped member and the table movement opposite member, and moves the table and the second rod-shaped member may be disposed on the table. 
     In the transfer apparatus described above, when the table driving device rotates the table movement rod-shaped member, the table movement opposite member may move along the central axis of the table movement rod-shaped member and the table fixed to the table movement opposite member and the second rod-shaped member disposed on the table may move. Alternatively, when the table driving device rotates the table movement opposite member, the table movement rod-shaped member may move in a direction of the central axis and the table fixed to the table movement rod-shaped member and the second rod-shaped member disposed on the table may move. 
     In the transfer apparatus described above, the table may come close to the furnace to couple the first and second couplers to each other or the table may be separated from the furnace to separate the first and second couplers from each other. 
     The transfer apparatus described above may further comprise a wheel provided in the base member. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the invention, it is possible to provide a transfer apparatus in which rod-shaped members, such as male magnetic screws, can be coupled to or separated from each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view illustrating a transfer apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side view illustrating the transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating a rod-shaped member and an opposite member according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic plan view illustrating the transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic side view illustrating the transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating a coupler according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view illustrating a coupler according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view illustrating a coupler according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic view illustrating a coupler according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic view illustrating a coupler according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic view illustrating the coupler according to the fifth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic view illustrating a rod-shaped member and an opposite member according to a first modification of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic view illustrating a rod-shaped member and an opposite member according to the first modification of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 29  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a rod-shaped member and an opposite member according to a second modification of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a rod-shaped member and an opposite member according to the second modification of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a rod-shaped member and an opposite member according to the second modification of the embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the invention will be described below. In the description of the drawings given below, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are illustrated schematically. Accordingly, specific dimensions and the like should be decided with reference to the following description. It will be appreciated that the relationship or the ratio between dimensions may be different among the drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a transfer apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises first rod-shaped members  2 A and  2 B, comprising magnetic materials, that are provided with spiral patterns, first couplers  42 A and  42 B that are fixed to end portions of the first rod-shaped members  2 A and  2 B, second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B, comprising magnetic materials, that are provided with spiral patterns, and second couplers  52 A and  52 B, fixed to end portions of the second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B, that are coupled to the first couplers  42 A and  42 B so as to make relative angles between the spiral patterns of the first rod-shaped members  2 A and  2 B and the spiral patterns of the second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B constant. 
     The transfer apparatus further comprises an opposite member  3 A, opposed to parts of side surfaces of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A, that comprises a magnetic material, an opposite member  3 B, opposed to parts of side surfaces of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 B and  12 B, that comprises a magnetic material, a driving device that rotates the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A about central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A, moves the opposite member  3 A along the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A, rotates the first and second rod-shaped members  2 B and  12 B about central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 B and  12 B, and moves the opposite member  3 B along the first and second rod-shaped members  2 B and  12 B, and a transfer member  6  that moves together with the opposite members  3 A and  3 B and transfers an article  5 . 
     The first rod-shaped members  2 A and  2 B are disposed in, for example, a temperature-controlled furnace  1  in which the article  5  is disposed and that has a temperature-controlled space. The temperature-controlled furnace  1  is, for example, a freeze drying furnace. For example, a shelf board  7  is disposed in the temperature-controlled furnace  1  and the article  5 , including an object to be freeze-dried, is disposed on the shelf board  7 . The article  5  is, for example, a vial into which a medicine has been poured. 
     The cylindrical first rod-shaped member  2 A is rotatably held in the temperature-controlled furnace  1  by a bearing. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first rod-shaped member  2 A is a magnetic screw comprising a hard magnetic material, and a spiral pattern of S pole magnetized zones and a spiral pattern of N pole magnetized zones are alternately provided on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The first rod-shaped member  2 A may be inserted into a thin-walled pipe  20 A made of a nonmagnetic material. The pipe  20 A is made of, for example, stainless steel. The first rod-shaped member  2 A and the pipe  20 A are integrated with each other and, when the first rod-shaped member  2 A rotates, the pipe  20 A also rotates about the central axis of the first rod-shaped member  2 A. 
     The cylindrical first rod-shaped member  2 B illustrated in  FIG. 1  is also rotatably held in parallel with the first rod-shaped member  2 A by a bearing in the temperature-controlled furnace  1 . The structure of the first rod-shaped member  2 B is the same as that of the first rod-shaped member  2 A. 
     The cylindrical second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B are rotatably held by, for example, bearings or the like disposed on a table  22  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The structures of the second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B are the same as that of the first rod-shaped member  2 A illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first coupler  42 A is fixed to the end portion of the first rod-shaped member  2 A and the second coupler  52 A is fixed to the end portion of the second rod-shaped member  12 A. The first coupler  42 A and the second coupler  52 A can be coupled to or separated from each other. Accordingly, the first rod-shaped member  2 A and the second rod-shaped member  12 A can be separated from or coupled serially to each other via the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A. The first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A coupled to each other are rotated synchronously by a rotating force applied to at least one of them. 
     In addition, the first coupler  42 B is fixed to the end portion of the first rod-shaped member  2 B and the second coupler  52 B is fixed to the end portion of the second rod-shaped member  12 B. The first coupler  42 B and the second coupler  52 B can be coupled to or separated from each other. Accordingly, the first rod-shaped member  2 B and the second rod-shaped member  12 B can be separated from or coupled serially to each other via the first and second couplers  42 B and  52 B. The first and second rod-shaped members  2 B and  12 B coupled to each other are rotated synchronously by a rotating force applied to at least one of them. 
     The opposite member  3 A is a magnetic nut comprising a hard magnetic material and provided with a hole having an inner circumference larger than outer circumferences of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A. The first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A penetrate through the hole in the opposite member  3 A having a nut shape. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a spiral pattern of S pole magnetized zones and a spiral pattern of N pole magnetized zones are alternately provided on an inner peripheral surface of the hole in the opposite member  3 A. The pitch of the magnetized zones of the opposite member  3 A is substantially the same as the pitch of the magnetized zones of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A. 
     Guide rings  31  and  32 , such as bushes, may be provided on an inner peripheral surface of the opposite member  3 A. The inner circumferences of the guide rings  31  and  32  are smaller than the inner circumference of the opposite member  3 A and make contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe  20 A. Therefore, a constant interval is kept between the magnetized zones of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A and the magnetized zones of the opposite member  3 A. The guide rings  31  and  32  are made of materials having a small friction coefficient, such as fluororesin. 
     The structure of the opposite member  3 B illustrated in  FIG. 1  is the same as that of the opposite member  3 A. The first and second rod-shaped members  2 B and  12 B penetrate through a hole in the opposite member  3 B having a nut shape. 
     The transfer member  6  is fixed between the opposite member  3 A and the opposite member  3 B. The article  5  to be moved between the table  22  and the temperature-controlled furnace  1  is disposed in the transfer member  6 . Alternatively, the transfer member  6  may make contact with the article  5  and push the article  5  to be transferred. 
     A driving device  14 A illustrated in  FIG. 5  comprises, for example, a rotating motor. The driving device  14 A is fixed to the table  22 . In addition, the driving device  14 A is connected to a controlling device. The driving device  14 A may be covered with a shield or the like that prevents diffusion of dust that may be generated or the like. The driving device  14 A and the second rod-shaped member  12 A are connected to each other via, for example, a belt drive. The driving device  14 A and the belt drive are covered with, for example, a shield  144 A for prevention of dust. For example, a sealing member, such as an oil seal, is provided in a hole of the shield  144 A through which a mandrel connecting a pulley of the belt drive and the second rod-shaped member  12 A penetrates. 
     The driving device  14 A rotates the second rod-shaped member  12 A about the central axis and changes the relative position between the second rod-shaped member  12 A and the opposite member  3 A. In addition, a driving device (not illustrated) rotates the second rod-shaped member  12 B illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4  about the central axis and changes the relative position between the second rod-shaped member  12 B and the opposite member  3 B. 
     When the first rod-shaped member  2 A and the second rod-shaped member  12 A are coupled to each other and when the first rod-shaped member  2 B and the second rod-shaped member  12 B are coupled to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the driving device  14 A illustrated in  FIG. 5  and the driving device that drives the second rod-shaped member  12 B illustrated in  FIG. 1  synchronously rotate the second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B. When the second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B are rotated, the first rod-shaped members  2 A and  2 B coupled thereto are also rotated. 
     When the driving device  14 A illustrated in  FIG. 5  rotates the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a magnetic force acts between the magnetized zones of the first or second rod-shaped member  2 A or  12 A and the magnetized zones of the opposite member  3 A. The opposite member  3 A is fixed to the transfer member  6  and the opposite member  3 B and cannot rotate. Therefore, when the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A rotate, the opposite member  3 A moves along the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A. 
     In addition, when the driving device rotates the first and second rod-shaped members  2 B and  12 B, a magnetic force acts between the magnetized zones of the first or second rod-shaped member  2 B or  12 B and the magnetized zones of the opposite member  3 B. The opposite member  3 B is fixed to the transfer member  6  and the opposite member  3 A and cannot rotate. Therefore, when the first and second rod-shaped members  2 B and  12 B rotate, the opposite member  3 B moves along the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 B and  12 B. 
     With the movement of the opposite members  3 A and  3 B, the transfer member  6  fixed to the opposite members  3 A and  3 B also moves along the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A,  2 B,  12 A, and  12 B and moves from the table  22  onto the shelf board  7  or from the shelf board  7  onto the table  22  depending on the rotational directions of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A,  2 B,  12 A, and  12 B. This moves the article  5  from the table  22  onto the shelf board  7  or from the shelf board  7  onto the table  22 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the transfer apparatus further comprises a base member  121  positioned below the table  22 , a table movement rod-shaped member  102 A at least a part of which is disposed on the base member  121  and that comprises a magnetic material, a table movement opposite member  103 A that is opposed to a part of a side surface of the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A and comprises a magnetic material, and a table driving device  104 A that rotates the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A about a central axis and changes the relative position between the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A and the table movement opposite member  103 A. 
     The table movement rod-shaped member  102 A is held by, for example, a bearing or the like disposed on the base member  121 . The table driving device  104 A is fixed onto the base member  121  and covered with, for example, a shield  134 A for prevention of dust. The table driving device  104 A and the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A are connected to each other via, for example, a mandrel. A hole of the shield  134 A through which the mandrel penetrates is provided with a sealing member such as, for example, an oil seal. 
     On the base member  121 , for example, a table movement rail  125 A is disposed in parallel with the central axis of the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A. In addition, a driver transmission member  128  is disposed on the base member  121  via guides  126 A and  126 B that are slidable along the table movement rail  125 A. The drive transmission member  128  is fixed to the table movement opposite member  103 A and the table  22 . 
     When the table driving device  104 A rotates the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A, the table movement opposite member  103 A moves along the central axis of the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A by a magnetic force. With this, the drive transmission member  128  fixed to the table movement opposite member  103 A moves along the central axis of the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A. Furthermore, the table  22  fixed to the drive transmission member  128  moves along the central axis of the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A. 
     On the base member  121 , another set of a table driving device, a table movement rod-shaped member, and a table movement opposite member may be disposed in parallel with the table driving device  104 A, the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A, and the table movement opposite member  103 A. 
     When the first couplers  42 A and  42 B and the second couplers  52 A and  52 B illustrated in  FIG. 1  are coupled to each other, the table  22  is moved in the direction toward the temperature-controlled furnace  1  to bring the table  22  close to the temperature-controlled furnace  1 . The table  22  and the temperature-controlled furnace  1  may be couplable to each other. This brings the second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B disposed on the table  22  close to the first rod-shaped members  2 A and  2 B disposed in the temperature-controlled furnace  1 . 
     For example, when the door of the temperature-controlled furnace  1  is opened, the first couplers  42 A and  42 B and the second couplers  52 A and  52 B are coupled to each other. This enables the article  5  to move from the table  22  onto the shelf board  7  or from the shelf board  7  onto the table  22  when the temperature-controlled furnace  1  is opened. 
     When the first couplers  42 A and  42 B are separated from the second couplers  52 A and  52 B respectively, the table  22  is moved in the direction opposite to the temperature-controlled furnace  1  to move the table  22  away from the temperature-controlled furnace  1 . This moves the second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B disposed on the table  22  away from the first rod-shaped members  2 A and  2 B disposed in the temperature-controlled furnace  1 . 
     For example, after the article  5  is moved into the temperature-controlled furnace  1  or when the temperature-controlled furnace  1  is not used, the first couplers  42 A and  42 B are separated from the second couplers  52 A and  52 B, respectively. This enables the door of the temperature-controlled furnace  1  to be closed. 
     For example, wheels  123 A and  123 B illustrated in  FIG. 5  may be provided on a bottom surface side of the base member  121 . The wheels  123 A and  123 B may rotate on floor rails  124 A and  124 B, respectively, that extend in an orthogonal direction with respect to the central axis of the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A. The table  22  can be moved in the orthogonal direction with respect to the central axis of the table movement rod-shaped member  102 A via the wheels  123 A and  123 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A have, for example, spiral structures  142 A and  152 A that engage with each other. The spiral structures  142 A and  152 A are wound around the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A. 
     The spiral structure  142 A of the first coupler  42 A has a spiral curved surface  242 A. The spiral curved surface  242 A has, for example, a spiral shape formed along the cylindrical surface and the spiral structure  142 A may have, for example, one set of spiral curved surfaces  242 A that are 2-fold symmetric. Each of the one set of spiral curved surfaces  242 A is wound by a half turn. The first coupler  42 A further comprises a flat surface  342 A that is parallel with the central axis of the first rod-shaped member  2 A. The flat surface  342 A is orthogonal to the rotational direction of the first coupler  42 A. For example, the end portion of the spiral curved surface  242 A makes contact with the flat surface  342 A. 
     The spiral structure  152 A of the second coupler  52 A has a spiral curved surface  252 A. The spiral curved surface  252 A has, for example, a spiral shape formed along the cylindrical surface and the spiral structure  152 A may have, for example, one set of spiral curved surfaces  252 A that are 2-fold symmetric. Each of the one set of spiral curved surfaces  252 A is wound by a half turn. The second coupler  52 A further comprises a flat surface  352 A that is parallel with the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A. The flat surface  352 A is orthogonal to the rotational direction of the second coupler  52 A. For example, the end portion of the spiral curved surface  252 A makes contact with the flat surface  352 A. 
     When the first coupler  42 A and the second coupler  52 A are coupled to each other, as illustrated in  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 10 , for example, the second coupler  52 A is brought close to the first coupler  42 A by moving the second coupler  52 A in the direction of the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A while rotating the second coupler  52 A. The second coupler  52 A is rotated in a direction in which the flat surface  352 A of the second coupler  52 A comes close to the flat surface  342 A of the first coupler  42 A. 
     The approach speed and the rotational speed of the second coupler  52 A are controlled so that the angle formed by the flat surface orthogonal to the central axis of the second coupler  52 A and the spiral line drawn by the track of the end portion of the spiral curved surface  252 A when the second coupler  52 A comes close while rotating is smaller than the angle formed by the flat surface orthogonal to the central axis of the first coupler  42 A and the spiral line of the spiral curved surface  242 A. As illustrated in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , when the flat surface  352 A of the second coupler  52 A makes contact with the flat surface  342 A of the first coupler  42 A by inserting the end portion of the spiral structure  152 A of the second coupler  52 A into a deep portion of the spiral structure  142 A of the first coupler  42 A so that the end portion of the spiral curved surface  252 A of the second coupler  52 A does not collide with the spiral curved surface  242 A of the first coupler  42 A, the second coupler  52 A and the first coupler  42 A rotate together with a predetermined relative angle kept. When the second coupler  52 A is further brought close to the first coupler  42 A, the spiral curved surface  252 A of the second coupler  52 A makes contact with the spiral curved surface  242 A of the first coupler  42 A, the spiral structure  142 A engages with the spiral structure  152 A, and the second coupler  52 A and the first coupler  42 A are coupled to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     After the coupling, by rotating the second rod-shaped member  12 A without moving the second rod-shaped member  12 A in the direction of the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A, a rotating force or a torque is transmitted to the first rod-shaped member  2 A fixed to the first coupler  42 A coupled to the second coupler  52 A. 
     Since the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A have the engagement structures described above, the relative angle becomes a predetermined angle when they are coupled to each other. In addition, the relative angle between the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A when they are coupled to each other and the total length of the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A in the direction of the central axis when they are coupled to each other are set so that the phase of the spiral pattern of the first rod-shaped member  2 A coincides with the phase of the spiral pattern of the second rod-shaped member  12 A and the spiral pattern of the second rod-shaped member  12 A is present on an extension of the spiral pattern of the first rod-shaped member  2 A. 
     Therefore, when the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A are coupled to each other, the opposite member  3 A can move smoothly from the first rod-shaped member  2 A to the second rod-shaped member  12 A or from the second rod-shaped member  12 A to the first rod-shaped member  2 A by straddling the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A. This is true of other embodiments that will be described later. 
     When the first coupler  42 A and the second coupler  52 A are separated from each other, the second coupler  52 A is moved away from the first coupler  42 A without rotating the second coupler  52 A. Alternatively, the second coupler  52 A is moved away from the first coupler  42 A while rotating the second coupler  52 A in a direction in which the flat surface  352 A of the second coupler  52 A is separated from the flat surface  342 A of the first coupler  42 A. 
     The first and second couplers  42 B and  52 B illustrated in  FIG. 1  are also coupled to or separated from each other as in the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A. 
     In the transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment described above, a driving force is transmitted between the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A and the opposite member  3 A and between the first and second rod-shaped members  2 B and  12 B and the opposite member  3 B in a non-contact manner by a magnetic force. Accordingly, when a driving force is transmitted between the rod-shaped members and the opposite member, heat and dust are unlikely to be generated. Therefore, even when the first rod-shaped members  2 A and  2 B and the opposite members  3 A and  3 B are disposed in the temperature-controlled space of the temperature-controlled furnace  1 , an influence of heat generation in the temperature-controlled space can be suppressed and the temperature-controlled space can be kept clean. 
     In addition, the first rod-shaped members  2 A and  2 B are rotated via the second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B and the driving device that drives the second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B is disposed outside the temperature-controlled space of the temperature-controlled furnace  1 . Therefore, even if dust is generated in the driving device, the dust is unlikely to enter the temperature-controlled space of the temperature-controlled furnace  1 . In addition, if the driving device is disposed inside the temperature-controlled furnace, a temperature distribution may become uneven inside the temperature-controlled furnace, such as a freeze drying furnace, due to the heated driving device. In this case, the quality of a plurality of articles disposed in the temperature-controlled furnace may become uneven. In contrast, in the transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment, since the driving device is disposed outside the temperature-controlled space of the temperature-controlled furnace  1 , temperature unevenness is unlikely to occur inside the temperature-controlled furnace  1 . 
     Furthermore, in the transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment, it is possible to separate the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A and the first and second couplers  42 B and  52 B from each other after transferring the article  5  into the temperature-controlled furnace  1 . Therefore, the temperature-controlled space of the temperature-controlled furnace  1  can be hermetically sealed. Accordingly, the transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment can keep the inside of the temperature-controlled furnace  1  clean and suppress the temperature unevenness in the temperature-controlled furnace  1 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     In a transfer apparatus according to a second embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 11  to  FIG. 13 , a projection portion  452 A, such as a pin, is provided on the spiral curved surface  252 A of the second coupler  52 A. The projection portion  452 A is provided in parallel with the direction of the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A. In addition, a concave portion  442 A, such as a pin hole, is provided in the spiral curved surface  242 A of the first coupler  42 A. The concave portion  442 A is provided in parallel with the direction of the central axis of the first rod-shaped member  2 A. The concave portion  442 A provided in the first coupler  42 A and the projection portion  452 A provided in the second coupler  52 A have shapes that can engage with each other and the projection portion  452 A provided in the second coupler  52 A is inserted into the concave portion  442 A provided in the first coupler  42 A. 
     The other components of the transfer apparatus according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. 
     When the first coupler  42 A and the second coupler  52 A are coupled to each other, for example, the second coupler  52 A is brought close to the first coupler  42 A by moving the second coupler  52 A in the direction of the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A while rotating the second coupler  52 A. 
     As in the first embodiment, when the flat surface  352 A of the second coupler  52 A makes contact with the flat surface  342 A of the first coupler  42 A while controlling the approach speed and the rotational speed of the second coupler  52 A so that the end portion of the spiral curved surface  252 A of the second coupler  52 A does not collide with the spiral curved surface  242 A of the first coupler  42 A, the second coupler  52 A and the first coupler  42 A rotate together with a predetermined relative angle being kept. When the second coupler  52 A further comes close to the first coupler  42 A, then the projection portion  452 A provided in the second coupler  52 A is inserted into the concave portion  442 A provided in the first coupler  42 A, the spiral curved surface  252 A of the second coupler  52 A makes contact with the spiral curved surface  242 A of the first coupler  42 A, and the second coupler  52 A and the first coupler  42 A are coupled to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     After the coupling, by rotating the second rod-shaped member  12 A without moving the second rod-shaped member  12 A in the direction of the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A, a rotating force or a torque is transmitted to the first rod-shaped member  2 A fixed to the first coupler  42 A. 
     For example, when the second rod-shaped member  12 A is rotated in an outside direction with respect to the flat surface  352 A of the second coupler  52 A, the flat surface  352 A of the second coupler  52 A applies a rotating force or a torque to the flat surface  342 A of the first coupler  42 A and the first rod-shaped member  2 A rotates in synchronization with the second rod-shaped member  12 A. 
     Alternatively, when the second rod-shaped member  12 A is rotated in an inside direction with respect to the flat surface  352 A of the second coupler  52 A, the outer wall of the projection portion  452 A of the second coupler  52 A applies a rotating force or a torque to the inner wall of the concave portion  442 A of the second coupler  42 A and the first rod-shaped member  2 A rotates in synchronization with the second rod-shaped member  12 A. 
     When the first coupler  42 A and the second coupler  52 A are separated from each other, the second coupler  52 A is moved in a direction opposite to the first coupler  42 A without being rotated. When the spiral curved surface  242 A of the first coupler  42 A is provided with a concave portion and the spiral curved surface  252 A of the second coupler  52 A is provided with a projection portion, if the number of turns of the spiral structure  142 A and the number of turns of the spiral structure  152 A are one or less, the first coupler  42 A and the second coupler  52 A are easily separated from each other. 
     When the projection portion  452 A and the concave portion  442 A in parallel with the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A are absent, if the second rod-shaped member  12 A is rotated in an inside direction with respect to the flat surface  352 A of the second coupler  52 A, a rotating force or a torque is transmitted from the spiral curved surface  252 A of the second coupler  52 A to the spiral curved surface  242 A of the first coupler  42 A. At this time, a reactive force that depends on the inclined angles of the spiral curved surfaces  242 A and  252 A may be generated in the directions of the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A. Therefore, when the reactive force in the directions of the central axes are large, a gap may be generated between the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A. 
     When a gap is generated between the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A, the rotating force or the torque of the second rod-shaped member  12 A may not be transmitted sufficiently to the first rod-shaped member  2 A. In addition, when a gap is generated between the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A, the spiral pattern of the first rod-shaped member  2 A is not present on an extension of the spiral pattern of the second rod-shaped member  12 A and the movement position of the transfer member  6  may not be controlled accurately. 
     In contrast, since a rotating force or a torque is transmitted via the projection portion  452 A and the concave portion  442 A provided in parallel with the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A regardless of the rotational direction of the second rod-shaped member  12 A in the transfer apparatus according to the second embodiment, the generation of a reactive force in the directions of the central axes can be suppressed. 
     It should be noted here that the spiral curved surface  242 A of the first coupler  42 A may be provided with the projection portion and the spiral curved surface  252 A of the second coupler  52 A may be provided with the concave portion. 
     Third Embodiment 
     In a transfer apparatus according to a third embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the second coupler  52 A comprises the first flat surface  352 A that is parallel with directions of the central axes of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A and oriented to the first rotational direction of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A and a second flat surface  552 A that is oriented to the second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. For example, in the end portion of the second coupler  52 A, the spiral structure  152 A projects from a base portion  652 A having the first and second flat surfaces  352 A and  552 A. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the first coupler  42 A has a structure similar to that of the second coupler  52 A, comprises the first flat surface  342 A oriented in the first rotational direction of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A and a second flat surface  542 A oriented in the second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and engages with the second coupler  52 A. 
     The other components of the transfer apparatus according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. 
     When the first coupler  42 A and the second coupler  52 A are coupled to each other, for example, the second coupler  52 A is brought close to the first coupler  42 A by moving the second coupler  52 A in the direction of the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A while rotating the second coupler  52 A, as illustrated in  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 19 . 
     When the second coupler  52 A makes contact with the first coupler  42 A at any relative angle and the second coupler  52 A is brought close to the first coupler  42 A while rotating the second coupler  52 A as illustrated in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 , the end portion of the spiral structure  152 A of the second coupler  52 A is inserted into the concave portion of the spiral structure  142 A of the first coupler  42 A as illustrated in  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18 . 
     Furthermore, the first flat surface  352 A of the second coupler  52 A makes contact with the second flat surface  542 A of the first coupler  42 A as illustrated in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20 , the second flat surface  552 A of the second coupler  52 A makes contact with the first flat surface  342 A of the first coupler  42 A as illustrated in  FIG. 21 , and the second coupler  52 A and the first coupler  42 A are coupled to each other. 
     After the coupling, by rotating the second rod-shaped member  12 A without moving the second rod-shaped member  12 A in the direction of the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A, a rotating force or a torque is transmitted to the first rod-shaped member  2 A fixed to the first coupler  42 A. 
     Specifically, when the second rod-shaped member  12 A is rotated in the first rotational direction, a rotating force or a torque is transmitted from the first flat surface  352 A of the second coupler  52 A illustrated in  FIG. 20  to the second flat surface  542 A of the first coupler  42 A. In addition, when the second rod-shaped member  12 A is rotated in the second rotational direction, a rotating force or a torque is transmitted from the second flat surface  552 A of the second coupler  52 A illustrated in  FIG. 21  to the first flat surface  342 A of the first coupler  42 A. 
     When the first coupler  42 A and the second coupler  52 A are separated from each other, the second coupler  52 A is moved in a direction opposite to the first coupler  42 A without rotating the second coupler  52 A. 
     In the transfer apparatus according to the third embodiment, since a rotating force or a torque is transmitted to the first coupler  42 A via one of the first and second flat surfaces  352 A and  552 A of the second coupler  52 A regardless of the rotational direction of the second rod-shaped member  12 A, the generation of a reactive force in the direction of the central axis can be suppressed. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     In a transfer apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A have engagement structures  162 A and  172 A that engage with each other, as illustrated in  FIG. 22 . In the fourth embodiment, the engagement structures  162 A and  172 A may be spiral structures or may not be spiral structures. For example, the engagement structure  162 A has a concave portion with inner walls facing each other. In addition, the engagement structure  172 A has a projection portion to be inserted into the concave portion of the engagement structure  162 A. However, the engagement structures  162 A and  172 A may have any shapes as long as the relative angle becomes a predetermined angle when the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A engage with each other. 
     The second coupler  52 A has, for example, a cylindrical member  372 A that has a central axis aligned with the direction of the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A and a mandrel member  472 A, inserted into a hollow portion of the cylindrical member  372 A, that is movable in the direction of the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A. The mandrel member  472 A may be provided with a guide  572 A that prevents the rotation of the mandrel member  472 A in the cylindrical member  372 A and restricts the movement range in the direction of the central axis. The engagement structure  172 A is fixed to the end portion of the mandrel member  472 A. 
     The second coupler  42 A further comprises an elastic member  272 A with which the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A make contact and that contracts when the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A do not engage with each other. The elastic member  272 A is, for example, a coil spring wound around the mandrel member  472 A and disposed between the cylindrical member  372 A and the engagement structure  172 A. 
     The other components of the transfer apparatus according to the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. 
     When the first coupler  42 A and the second coupler  52 A are coupled to each other, for example, the second coupler  52 A is brought close to the first coupler  42 A by moving the second coupler  52 A in the direction of the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A, as illustrated in  FIG. 23  and  FIG. 24 . At this time, the second coupler  52 A may be brought close to the first coupler  42 A while rotating the second coupler  52 A or the second coupler  52 A may be brought close to the first coupler  42 A without rotating the second coupler  52 A. 
     When the second coupler  52 A makes contact with the first coupler  42 A at any relative angle and the engagement structures  162 A and  172 A do not engage with each other, if the second coupler  52 A is further brought close to the first coupler  42 A and the engagement structures  162 A and  172 A still do not engage with each other, the elastic member  272 A contracts, as illustrated in  FIG. 23 . 
     When the second coupler  52 A is rotated at this time, if the relative angle at which the engagement structures  162 A and  172 A engage with each other is reached, the force stored in the elastic member  272 A is released and the engagement structure  172 A is pushed into the engagement structure  162 A. This couples the first coupler  42 A and the second coupler  52 A to each other. 
     In the transfer apparatus according to the fourth embodiment described above, the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A can be coupled to each other without applying an excess force to the first rod-shaped member  2 A in the direction of the central axis. 
     Although the example in which the second coupler  42 A has the elastic member  272 A is described above, the first coupler may have the elastic member. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     In a transfer apparatus according to a fifth embodiment, the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A have engagement structures  182 A and  192 A that engage with each other, as illustrated in  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 26 . In the fifth embodiment, the engagement structures  182 A and  192 A may be spiral structures or may not be spiral structures. The engagement structures  182 A and  192 A may have any shapes as long as the relative angle becomes a predetermined angle when the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A engage with each other. The engagement structures  182 A and  192 A change the relative angle between the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A using at least one of an attraction force between different magnetic poles and a repulsion force between identical magnetic poles. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 26 , the engagement structure  182 A of the first coupler  42 A has a convex surface  282 A with the first magnetic pole and a concave surface  382 A with the second magnetic pole, which is a pole different from the first magnetic pole. In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the engagement structure  192 A of the second coupler  52 A has a convex surface  292 A with the first magnetic pole and a concave surface  392 A with the second magnetic pole. When the first magnetic pole is a north pole, the second magnetic pole is a south pole. In contrast, when the first magnetic pole is a south pole, the second magnetic pole is a north pole. 
     The other components of the transfer apparatus according to the fifth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. 
     When the first coupler  42 A and the second coupler  52 A are coupled to each other, the second coupler  52 A is brought close to the first coupler  42 A by, for example, moving the second coupler  52 A in the direction of the central axis of the second rod-shaped member  12 A. At this time, the second coupler  52 A may be brought close to the first coupler  42 A while rotating the second coupler  52 A or the second coupler  52 A may be brought close to the first coupler  42 A without rotating the second coupler  52 A. 
     Even when the second coupler  52 A makes contact with the first coupler  42 A at any relative angle and the engagement structures  192 A and  182 A do not engage with each other at that time, the convex surface  282 A of the first coupler  42 A that has the first magnetic pole and the concave surface  392 A of the second coupler  52 A that has the second magnetic pole attract each other and the concave surface  382 A of the first coupler  42 A that has the second magnetic pole and the convex surface  292 A of the second coupler  52 A that has the first magnetic pole attract each other. Alternatively, the convex surface  282  of the first coupler  42 A that has the first magnetic pole and the convex surface  292 A of the second coupler  52 A that has the first magnetic pole repel each other and the concave surface  382 A of the first coupler  42 A that has the second magnetic pole and the concave surface  392 A of the second coupler  52 A that has the second magnetic pole repel each other. 
     Therefore, the engagement structures  182 A and  192 A can engage with each other so that one of the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A is rotated by an attraction force between different magnetic poles and a repulsion force between identical magnetic poles, the convex surface  282 A of the first coupler  42 A that has the first magnetic pole makes contact with the concave surface  392 A of the second coupler  52 A that has the second magnetic pole, and the concave surface  382 A of the first coupler  42 A that has the second magnetic pole makes contact with the convex surface  292 A of the second coupler  52 A that has the first magnetic pole. 
     First Modification of Embodiment 
     The structures of the rod-shaped member  2 A and the opposite member  3 A are not limited to the example illustrated in  FIG. 3 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 27 , the first rod-shaped member  2 A may be formed of a soft magnetic material having a spiral pattern of threads. The structure of the opposite member  3 A is the same as that in  FIG. 3 . The pitch of the threads of the first rod-shaped member  2 A illustrated in  FIG. 27  is substantially the same as the pitch of the magnetized zones of the opposite member  3 A. The first rod-shaped member  2 A having a spiral pattern of threads may be inserted into the thin-walled pipe  20 A made of a nonmagnetic material. This can prevent foreign matters from adhering to the threaded groove of the first rod-shaped member  2 A. When the first rod-shaped member  2 A rotates, a magnetic force acts between the threads of the first rod-shaped member  2 A and the magnetized zones of the opposite member  3 A and the opposite member  3 A moves. 
     Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 28 , the opposite member  3 A may be formed of a soft magnetic material having a spiral pattern of threads. The surface of a threaded hole in the opposite member  3 A may be covered with a thin-walled pipe  30 A made of a nonmagnetic material. This can prevent foreign matters from adhering to the threaded groove of the opposite member  3 A. The structure of the first rod-shaped member  2 A is the same as that in  FIG. 3 . The pitch of the threads of the opposite member  3 A illustrated in  FIG. 28  is substantially the same as the pitch of the magnetized zones of the first rod-shaped member  2 A. When the first rod-shaped member  2 A rotates, a magnetic force acts between the magnetized zones of the first rod-shaped member  2 A and the threads of the opposite member  3 A and the opposite member  3 A moves. 
     The first rod-shaped member  2 B, the second rod-shaped members  12 A and  12 B, and the opposite member  3 B illustrated in  FIG. 1  may also have structures as illustrated in  FIG. 27  or  FIG. 28 . 
     Second Modification of Embodiment 
     When the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A and the opposite member  3 A comprise hard magnetic materials and the number of poles in a combination of the first or second rod-shaped member  2 A or  12 A and the opposite member  3 A is 2n (where n is a natural number) in  FIG. 1 , the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A may be configured to be couplable to each other every relative rotation by 360×m/n degrees (where m is a natural number). This is true of the first and second couplers  42 B and  52 B. 
     Here, the number of poles represents the number of combinations of a north pole and a south pole. For example, when, as illustrated in  FIG. 29 , one combination of a north pole and a south pole is present in each of the first rod-shaped member  2 A and the opposite member  3 A, the number of magnetic poles is 2(=2×1). In this case, the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A are configured to be couplable to each other every relative rotation by 360×m degrees. 
     When two combinations of a north pole and a south pole are present in each of the first rod-shaped member  2 A and the opposite member  3 A, as illustrated in  FIG. 30 , the number of magnetic poles is 4 (=2×2). In this case, the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A are configured to be couplable to each other every relative rotation by 180×m degrees. 
     When four combinations of a north pole and a south pole are present in each of the first rod-shaped member  2 A and the opposite member  3 A, as illustrated in  FIG. 31 , the number of magnetic poles is 8 (=2×4). In this case, the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A are configured to be couplable to each other every relative rotation by 90×m degrees. 
     Alternatively, when one of the first and second rod-shaped members  2 A and  12 A and the opposite member  3 A may comprise a hard magnetic material, the other may comprise a soft magnetic material, and the number of poles in a combination of the first or second rod-shaped member  2 A or  12 A and the opposite member  3 A is 2n (where n represents a natural number), the first and second couplers  42 A and  52 A may be configured to be couplable to each other every relative rotation by 180×m/n degrees. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Although the invention has been described by embodiments as described above, it should not be understood that the description and the drawings that are parts of the disclosure limit the invention. It must be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques are clarified based on the disclosure. For example, the articles transferred to or from the furnace are not limited to the inclusion of medicines, but may include foods, beverages, precision parts, etc., as well as any articles to be transferred to or from the furnace. In addition, the furnace in which the first rod-shaped members  2 A and  2 B are disposed is not limited to a temperature-controlled furnace, but includes any furnaces such as a fermentation furnace, a cleaning furnace having a cleanliness-controlled space, and a vacuum furnace having a vacuum-evacuated space. Furthermore, the shape of the opposite member is not limited to a nut shape, but may be, for example, a concave shape. In that case, the rod-shaped member passes through a concave portion of a concave opposite member. S pole magnetized zones and N pole magnetized zones are alternately provided on the side surface of the concave portion of the concave opposite member. As described above, it should be understood that the invention encompasses various embodiments and the like not described in the specification. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           1 : temperature-controlled furnace 
           2 A,  2 B: first rod-shaped member 
           3 A,  3 B: opposite member 
           5 : article 
           6 : transfer member 
           7 : shelf board 
           12 A,  12 B: second rod-shaped member 
           14 A: driving device 
           20 A,  30 A: thin-walled pipe 
           22 : table 
           31 : guide ring 
           42 A,  42 B: first coupler 
           52 A,  52 B: second coupler 
           102 A: table movement rod-shaped member 
           103 A: table movement opposite member 
           104 A: table driving device 
           121 : base member 
           123 A,  123 B: wheel 
           124 A,  124 B: floor rail 
           125 A: table movement rail 
           126 A,  126 B: guide 
           128 : drive transmission member 
           134 A,  144 A: shield 
           142 A,  152 A: spiral structure 
           162 A,  172 A,  182 A,  192 A: engagement structure 
           242 A,  252 A: spiral curved surface 
           272 A: elastic member 
           282 A,  292 A: convex surface 
           342 A,  352 A,  542 A,  552 A: flat surface 
           372 A: cylindrical member 
           382 A,  392 A: concave surface 
           442 A: concave portion 
           452 A: projection portion 
           472 A: mandrel member 
           572 A: guide 
           652 A: base portion