Induction quenching device

Abstract

The invention discloses an induction quenching device, and belongs to the technical field of heat treatment equipment, the induction quenching device comprises a rotatable index plate, the edge of the index plate is connected with a plurality of clamping mechanisms which are uniformly distributed on the circumference, and the clamping mechanisms are used for clamping workpieces; the index plate is located on a supporting plate, the upper end of the supporting plate is fixedly connected with a plurality of ball retainers which are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, a ball groove is formed in the middle of each ball retainer, and a steel ball is arranged in each ball groove; the top end of the steel ball abuts against the lower surface of the index plate. The index plate is provided with ball holes in one-to-one correspondence with the steel balls, and when the index plate rotates to a preset position and falls down, the lower end of the corresponding workpiece falls in the center of the induction coil; and the timing mechanism is electrically connected with the unlocking mechanism. The heating time can be automatically controlled, the heating position can be automatically entered, the efficiency is high, and time and labor are saved; and the workpiece is uniformly and stably heated, and the yield of parts reaches 99.9%.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of heat treatment processing, in particular to an induction quenching device. Background Art

[0002] Quenching is a heat treatment process that heats steel above a critical temperature and then cools it at a rate greater than the critical cooling rate, thereby achieving an unbalanced structure dominated by martensite. Quenching is the most widely used process in steel heat treatment, as it can significantly improve the mechanical properties of metals, resulting in a wide range of applications. When used for quenching ball screws, the traditional method involves heating the part by hand, manually timing the heating time, and then placing it in the quenching liquid to cool. This method is labor-intensive, difficult to control the heating position of the part, and unable to achieve precise control of the quenching area of the part. The workpiece shakes when held, and the workpiece is not centered in the induction coil, resulting in uneven heating and the tendency to crack. Furthermore, manual timing errors are large, resulting in poor quality stability of the quenched part and a low yield rate. The yield rate of existing manually held high-frequency quenching methods is only 60%. The existing technology lacks efficient induction quenching equipment that can automatically time and position the part and continuously load materials. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the background technology, the present invention provides an induction hardening device. The purpose is to design an induction hardening device for workpieces that require local hardening at one end, such as ball head screws. The induction hardening device does not require manual hand-held heating, can automatically position and automatically control the heating time, and can efficiently and continuously load and automatically blank materials, thereby improving production efficiency and automation level, reducing labor intensity, and ensuring the quality of heat treatment and yield rate.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: an induction quenching device, comprising an induction heating machine; the induction heating machine has an outwardly protruding induction coil for heating the workpiece, and a cooling box filled with quenching liquid is arranged directly below the induction coil; a rotatable indexing plate is provided on the side of the induction coil, and the edge of the indexing plate is connected to a plurality of circumferentially evenly distributed clamping mechanisms, each of the clamping mechanisms comprises a rotatable clamping foot and a fixed clamping seat, the upper part of the clamping foot is connected to a tension spring, and the other end of the tension spring is connected to the indexing plate, for driving the lower end of the clamping foot close to the clamping seat to clamp the workpiece; the indexing plate is located at the upper end of the support assembly; the support assembly comprises a support plate, the upper end of the support plate is fixedly connected to a plurality of circumferentially evenly distributed ball retainers, and the middle of the ball retainer is provided with a ball groove. A steel ball is provided in the ball groove; the top of the steel ball abuts the lower surface of the dividing plate; the dividing plate is provided with ball holes corresponding to the steel balls one by one, so that when the dividing plate rotates to the position of the steel ball corresponding to the ball hole, the steel ball is embedded in the ball hole to make the dividing plate fall; one of the ball groove positions is a heating station corresponding to the position of the induction coil, so that when the dividing plate falls, the lower end of the workpiece at the heating station falls into the central heating area of the induction coil; it also includes a timing mechanism electrically connected to the unlocking mechanism; the timing mechanism is used to start timing when the dividing plate falls, and send an unlocking signal after a predetermined time; the unlocking mechanism is used to push the upper part of the clamping foot when receiving the unlocking signal to make the workpiece at the heating station fall into the cooling box.

[0005] As a further optimization, the timing mechanism includes a position sensor for detecting when the index plate falls and starting timing; the position sensor is electrically connected to a timing controller, and the timing controller is electrically connected to the unlocking mechanism.

[0006] As a further optimization, the position sensor is a travel switch fixedly connected to the support plate; the detection end of the travel switch faces the lower surface of the dividing plate, and is used to send a start timing signal to the timing controller when the dividing plate falls.

[0007] As a further optimization, the support assembly also includes a screw shaft; the support plate is fixedly connected to the middle part of the screw shaft; the dividing plate is mounted on the screw shaft; the lower end of the screw shaft is threadedly connected to the base, so that the position of the screw shaft can be adjusted up and down.

[0008] As a further optimization, the unlocking mechanism includes a support plate fixedly connected to the top end of the screw shaft, an electric cylinder is installed on the support plate, the end of the telescopic shaft of the electric cylinder is hinged to one end of the push rod, the middle part of the push rod is hinged to the stand, and the lower end of the stand is fixed to the support plate, which is used to drive the push rod to push the top of the clamping foot located at the heating station when the telescopic shaft retracts, so that the workpiece at the heating station falls into the cooling box; the electric cylinder is electrically connected to the timing controller, and is used to control the retraction of the telescopic shaft according to the unlocking signal sent by the timing controller.

[0009] As a further optimization, it also includes a positioning piece fixedly connected to one side of the support plate; the positioning piece is located at a loading station away from the heating station; at the loading station, the lower end of the workpiece clamped by the clamping mechanism rests against the upper surface of the positioning piece, which is used to control the height of the workpiece at the loading station to be consistent with that of the workpiece at the heating station.

[0010] As a further optimization, one end of the positioning piece is bent, and an oblong hole is provided on the positioning piece at the bend. The positioning piece screw passes through the oblong hole and is screwed into a screw hole opened on one side of the support plate.

[0011] As a further optimization, at least three stepped holes evenly distributed around the circumference are opened on the support plate corresponding to the position of the steel ball, with the large hole of the stepped holes on the top and the small hole on the bottom. The lower end of the steel ball is seated on the large hole, and the inner wall of the small hole is provided with a thread for threaded connection to a support nail; the top end of the support nail supports the steel ball.

[0012] As a further optimization, an annular slideway is provided on the lower surface of the dividing plate; and the circumferences of the plurality of ball holes are evenly distributed on the slideway.

[0013] As a further optimization, the timing mechanism is electrically connected to the induction heater, and is used to control the induction coil to be powered off when the unlocking signal is issued.

[0014] The advantages of this invention are that it can automatically time the workpiece's heating duration and automatically enter the heating position. It can also load materials simultaneously with heating, allowing for continuous loading and improved efficiency. The workpiece's heated position is fixed each time, heating is uniform, and the heating time and heating area are controlled, improving quenching quality and achieving a 99.9% yield rate. Workers no longer need to hold the workpiece and are kept away from the heating area, significantly reducing labor intensity and saving time and effort. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention during induction heating;

[0016] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A top view of

[0018] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the indexing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the screw shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the support plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] In the figure: 1 bolt, 2 support nail, 3 travel switch, 4 clamp seat, 5 pin shaft, 6 clamp foot, 7 tension spring, 8 electric cylinder, 9 support plate, 10 mounting screw, 11 indexing plate, 12 steel ball, 14 positioning plate, 15 ball cage, 16 cage screw, 17 support plate, 18 clamp seat screw, 19 screw shaft, 20 stand, 21 push rod, 22 telescopic shaft, 23 articulated shaft, 100 induction heating machine, 101 induction coil, 102 cooling box, 103 ball head screw, 111 ball hole, 112 slideway, 113 mounting plane, 114 through hole, 115 retreat groove, 171 stepped hole, 172 round hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following is a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some preferred embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only used to explain the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] Example; see Figure 1-6 .

[0024] The present embodiment provides an induction hardening device, which is used for quenching the ball head of a ball head screw 103, including an induction heating machine 100; the induction heating machine 100 has an outwardly protruding induction coil 101 for heating a workpiece, and a cooling box 102 filled with quenching liquid is provided directly below the induction coil 101; a rotatable indexing plate 11 is provided on the side of the induction coil 101, and the edge of the indexing plate 11 is connected to a plurality of circumferentially evenly distributed clamping mechanisms, each of the clamping mechanisms includes a rotatable clamping foot 6 and a fixed clamping seat 4, the upper part of the clamping foot 6 is connected to a tension spring 7, and the other end of the tension spring 7 is connected to the indexing plate 11, for driving the lower end of the clamping foot 6 to approach the clamping seat 4 to clamp the workpiece; the indexing plate 11 is located at the upper end of the support assembly; the support assembly includes a support plate 17, the upper end of the support plate 17 is fixedly connected to a plurality of circumferentially evenly distributed ball retainers 15, and the middle of the ball retainer 15 is provided with a ball groove, A steel ball 12 is provided in the ball groove; the top of the steel ball 12 abuts the lower surface of the dividing plate 11; the dividing plate 11 is provided with a ball hole 111 corresponding to the steel ball 12, which is used for the steel ball 12 to be embedded in the ball hole 111 when the dividing plate 11 rotates to the position of the steel ball 12 corresponding to the ball hole 111, so that the dividing plate 11 falls; one of the ball groove positions is a heating station corresponding to the position of the induction coil 101, which is used for the lower end of the workpiece at the heating station to fall into the central heating area of the induction coil 101 when the dividing plate 11 falls; it also includes a timing mechanism electrically connected to the unlocking mechanism; the timing mechanism is used to start timing when the dividing plate 11 falls, and send an unlocking signal after a predetermined time; the unlocking mechanism is used to push the upper part of the clamping foot 6 when receiving the unlocking signal, so that the workpiece at the heating station falls into the cooling box 102.

[0025] Regarding the clamping mechanism, the clamping seat 4 is a U-shaped structure with connecting parts fixed on both sides, and is installed on the dividing plate 11 by two clamping seat screws. The upper end of the clamping seat 4 is fixed with a support ear, and the clamping foot 6 is hinged to the support ear. Correspondingly, the side wall of the dividing plate 11 is provided with a plurality of mounting planes 113 evenly distributed around the circumference for mounting the clamping seat 4. A retreat groove 115 is provided in the middle of the mounting plane 13 to leave enough swing space for the clamping leg 6 to avoid interference. Under normal circumstances, the tension spring 7 pulls the upper part of the clamping foot 6, driving the lower part of the clamping foot 6 to move closer to the clamping seat 4, and the workpiece (i.e., the ball head screw 103) is located in the gap between the clamping seat 4 and the clamping foot 6. The force of the tension spring 7 drives the clamping foot 6 to clamp the workpiece, and the friction between the workpiece and the clamping foot 6 and the clamping seat 4 controls the workpiece to prevent it from falling.

[0026] For example, in this embodiment, there are six steel balls 12, six clamping mechanisms, six ball grooves, six ball holes 111, and six mounting surfaces 113. The ball retainer 15 is mounted on the support plate 17 via retainer screws 16. Thus, the ball retainer 15 and the steel balls 12 are both removable, allowing for easy maintenance and replacement.

[0027] Regarding the timing mechanism, at least electromagnetic sensors, photoelectric sensors, etc. can be used to detect whether the dividing plate 11 has fallen. The timing method of the duration is an existing electronic timing device to control the heating time of the ball head of the ball head screw 103, and the duration can be adjusted as needed. The unlocking signal sent can be a wired signal or a wireless signal, which can be selected as needed. The preferred timing mechanism of this embodiment includes a position sensor for detecting when the dividing plate 11 falls and starting timing; the position sensor is electrically connected to the timing controller, and the timing controller is electrically connected to the unlocking mechanism. Among them, the position sensor is preferably a travel switch 3 fixed to the support plate 17; the detection end of the travel switch 3 faces the lower surface of the dividing plate 11, and is used to send a start timing signal to the timing controller when the dividing plate 11 falls.

[0028] As for the unlocking mechanism, it can be at least an oil cylinder or an air cylinder, which is set at the position of the clamping foot 6 corresponding to the heating station. The extension and contraction of the oil cylinder or the air cylinder can push and pull the clamping foot 6, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the clamping mechanism.

[0029] Regarding workpiece loading, it should be kept away from the heating station and the heat source (i.e., the induction coil 101) to improve comfort and reduce labor intensity. Preferably, the loading station is on the opposite side of the heating station. By manually moving the upper end of the clamping foot 6, the workpiece is placed into the clamping seat 4. The clamping foot 6 is released, and the workpiece is automatically clamped under the action of the tension spring 7. According to the quenching position required by the workpiece drawing, ensure that the workpiece is heated at the preset workpiece position when it rotates with the indexing plate 11 into the induction coil 101, thereby achieving workpiece positioning.

[0030] During use, after all parts are assembled, manually move the clamping foot 6, install the workpiece, and position the quenching downwards. Release the clamping foot 6 to automatically clamp the workpiece. Then rotate the indexing plate 11 to the next station. When the workpiece at the heating station is close to the induction coil 101, the steel ball just enters the ball hole 111, the indexing plate 11 falls, and the lower end of the workpiece falls into the induction coil 101. As the indexing plate 11 falls, the timing mechanism starts. When the set heating time is reached, the timing mechanism transmits a signal to the unlocking mechanism, pushing the clamping foot 6 to release, and the workpiece falls into the quenching liquid for cooling, thereby realizing the control of the workpiece heating time. After the part falls into the quenching liquid, continue to rotate the indexing plate 11 to the next station, release the clamping foot 6 to continue loading, and this process realizes continuous loading of the workpiece.

[0031] To provide a support base for the indexing disk 11, the support assembly illustratively includes a screw shaft 19. A circular hole 172 is provided in the center of the support plate 17 for the screw shaft 19 to pass through, which is fixed to the screw shaft 19 via a screw assembly. A through hole 114 is provided in the center of the indexing disk 11 for being fitted onto the screw shaft 19. The lower end of the screw shaft 19 is threadedly connected to the base, allowing the screw shaft 19 to be adjusted up and down. It can be seen that the screw shaft 19 not only provides a support base for the indexing disk 11, but also serves as a coarse height adjustment device for the indexing disk 11, preliminarily adjusting the height position of the workpiece and the induction coil 101. The radial position of the workpiece is fixed by the support assembly. As the indexing disk 11 rotates, the workpiece can pass through the induction coil 101 in sequence.

[0032] In this embodiment, the unlocking mechanism preferably includes a support plate 9 fixedly connected to the top end of the screw shaft 19, an electric cylinder 8 mounted on the support plate 9, the end of the telescopic shaft 22 of the electric cylinder 8 being hinged to one end of a push rod 21, the middle portion of the push rod 21 being hinged to a stand 20 via a pin 5, the lower end of the stand 20 being fixedly connected to the support plate 9, and being used to drive the push rod 21 to push against the top of the clamping foot 6 located at the heating station when the telescopic shaft 22 retracts, causing the workpiece at the heating station to fall into the cooling box 102; the electric cylinder 8 is electrically connected to the timing controller, and is used to control the retraction of the telescopic shaft 22 according to the unlocking signal issued by the timing controller. The support plate 9 is connected to the top end of the screw shaft 19 by mounting screws 10, so that the support plate 9 is detachable, can be repaired and replaced, and is convenient to use.

[0033] To improve the accuracy of workpiece placement during loading, a positioning plate 14 is also included, fixed to one side of the support plate 17. This positioning plate 14 is located at the loading station, away from the heating station. At this loading station, the lower end of the workpiece clamped by the clamping mechanism rests against the upper surface of the positioning plate 14, ensuring that the workpiece in the loading station and the workpiece in the heating station are at the same height. This positioning plate 14 acts as a limiting device. After the workpiece is clamped at the loading station, pressing the top of the workpiece forces its lower end to rest against the positioning plate 14, completing the positioning. This ensures that the workpiece's height is precisely positioned during loading.

[0034] To facilitate workpiece position adjustment, one end of the positioning piece 14 is bent, and an oblong hole is provided on the positioning piece 14 at the bend. The positioning piece screw 13 passes through the oblong hole and is screwed into a screw hole provided on one side of the support plate 17. The oblong hole allows the height of the horizontal side of the positioning piece 14 to be adjusted, allowing the height position of the workpiece to be flexibly and accurately set as needed.

[0035] To precisely adjust the height of the indexing disk 11 and thus control the distance between the workpiece and the induction coil 101, at least three stepped holes 171, evenly spaced around the circumference, are provided on the support plate 17, corresponding to the positions of the steel balls 12. The large holes of these stepped holes 171 are located at the top, and the small holes are located at the bottom. The lower end of the steel ball 12 rests on the large holes, and the inner walls of the small holes are threaded for threaded connection with support pins 2. The top ends of the support pins 2 support the steel balls 12. Six support pins 2 are preferably used in this embodiment. As can be seen, the support pins 2 serve to fine-tune the height of the indexing disk 11, and the height adjustment precision of the support pins 2 is higher than that of the lead screw shaft 19.

[0036] To improve the rotational stability of the indexing plate 11, an annular slideway 112 is provided on the lower surface of the indexing plate 11. Multiple ball holes 111 are evenly distributed around the slideway 112. As the indexing plate 11 rotates, the tops of the steel balls 12 remain within the slideway 112, ensuring smooth rotation of the indexing plate 11.

[0037] In order to prevent the workpiece from hitting the coil and igniting when falling, preferably, the timing mechanism is electrically connected to the induction heating machine 100, and is used to control the induction coil 101 to be powered off when the unlocking signal is issued.

[0038] The advantages of this embodiment are that it can automatically time the workpiece's heating time and automatically enter the heating position. It can also simultaneously load the workpiece at the heating station and the loading station, enabling continuous loading and improving efficiency. The workpiece is heated in a fixed position each time, heating is uniform, and the heating time and heating area are controlled, improving quenching quality and achieving a part yield rate of 99.9%. Workers no longer need to hold the workpiece and are kept away from the heating area, significantly reducing labor intensity and saving time and effort.

[0039] The parts not described in detail in this invention are prior art. For those skilled in the art, the technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. To simplify the description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction between the combinations of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An induction hardening device, comprising an induction heating machine (100); the induction heating machine (100) having an outwardly protruding induction coil (101), and a cooling box (102) being arranged directly below the induction coil (101); characterized in that: A rotatable indexing plate (11) is provided on the side of the induction coil (101), and a plurality of circumferentially evenly distributed clamping mechanisms are connected to the edge of the indexing plate (11), each of the clamping mechanisms comprises a rotatable clamping foot (6) and a fixed clamping seat (4), the upper part of the clamping foot (6) is connected to a tension spring (7), and the other end of the tension spring (7) is connected to the indexing plate (11); The indexing plate (11) is located at the upper end of the support assembly; the support assembly includes a support plate (17), the upper end of the support plate (17) is fixedly connected to a plurality of circumferentially evenly distributed ball retainers (15), the middle of the ball retainer (15) is provided with a ball groove, and a steel ball (12) is provided in the ball groove; the top of the steel ball (12) abuts the lower surface of the indexing plate (11); the indexing plate (11) is provided with ball holes (111) corresponding to the steel balls (12) one by one, and is used for the indexing plate (11) to fall when the steel balls (12) are embedded in the ball holes (111); one of the ball grooves is located at a heating station corresponding to the position of the induction coil (101), and is used for the lower end of the workpiece at the heating station to fall into the central heating area of the induction coil (101) when the indexing plate (11) falls; It also includes a timing mechanism electrically connected to the unlocking mechanism; the timing mechanism is used to start timing when the dividing plate (11) falls, and send an unlocking signal after a predetermined time; the unlocking mechanism is used to push the upper part of the clamping foot (6) when receiving the unlocking signal, so that the workpiece at the heating station falls into the cooling box (102).

2. The induction hardening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The timing mechanism comprises a position sensor for detecting when the index plate (11) falls and starts timing; the position sensor is electrically connected to a timing controller, and the timing controller is electrically connected to the unlocking mechanism.

3. The induction hardening device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The position sensor is a travel switch (3) fixedly connected to the support plate (17); the detection end of the travel switch (3) faces the lower surface of the index plate (11) and is used to send a start timing signal to the timing controller when the index plate (11) falls.

4. The induction hardening device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support assembly also includes a screw shaft (19); the support plate (17) is fixedly connected to the middle part of the screw shaft (19); the indexing plate (11) is sleeved on the screw shaft (19); the lower end of the screw shaft (19) is threadedly connected to the base, so that the position of the screw shaft (19) can be adjusted up and down.

5. The induction hardening device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The unlocking mechanism includes a support plate (9) fixedly connected to the top end of the screw shaft (19), an electric cylinder (8) is installed on the support plate (9), the end of the telescopic shaft (22) of the electric cylinder (8) is hinged to one end of the push rod (21), the middle part of the push rod (21) is hinged to the stand (20), the lower end of the stand (20) is fixed to the support plate (9), and is used to drive the push rod (21) to push the top of the clamping foot (6) located at the heating station when the telescopic shaft (22) retracts, so that the workpiece at the heating station falls into the cooling box (102); the electric cylinder (8) is electrically connected to the timing controller, and is used to control the retraction of the telescopic shaft (22) according to the unlocking signal sent by the timing controller.

6. The induction hardening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a positioning piece (14) fixedly connected to one side of the support plate (17); the positioning piece (14) is located at a loading station away from the heating station; at the loading station, the lower end of the workpiece clamped by the clamping mechanism abuts against the upper surface of the positioning piece (14) to control the height of the workpiece at the loading station to be consistent with that of the workpiece at the heating station.

7. The induction hardening device according to claim 6, characterized in that: One end of the positioning piece (14) is bent, and an oblong hole is provided on the positioning piece (14) at the bent portion. The positioning piece screw (13) passes through the oblong hole and is screwed into a screw hole provided on one side of the support plate (17).

8. The induction hardening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least three stepped holes (171) are evenly distributed on the circumference of the support plate (17) at positions corresponding to the steel balls (12). The large holes of the stepped holes (171) are on the top and the small holes are on the bottom. The lower ends of the steel balls (12) are seated on the large holes. The inner walls of the small holes are provided with threads for threaded connection with the support pins (2); the top ends of the support pins (2) support the steel balls (12).

9. The induction hardening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An annular slideway (112) is provided on the lower surface of the dividing plate (11); a plurality of ball holes (111) are evenly distributed on the slideway (112) on a circumference thereof.

10. The induction hardening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The timing mechanism is electrically connected to the induction heating machine (100) and is used to control the induction coil (101) to be powered off when the unlocking signal is issued.

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