Process enclosed transfer flexible automated heat treatment line

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of heat treatment, and especially relates to a process closed transfer flexible automatic heat treatment production line, which comprises at least three sealed process equipment and a workpiece conveying track; a docking station for docking and fixing the sealed process equipment is arranged on the left and right sides of the workpiece conveying track; a workpiece transport vehicle is arranged on the workpiece conveying track; a sealed accommodating cavity is arranged in the workpiece transport vehicle, and openable accommodating cavity doors are arranged on the left and right sides of the sealed accommodating cavity; a sealed processing cavity is arranged in the sealed process equipment, and an openable processing cavity door is arranged on one side of the sealed processing cavity. The process sequence of the production line can be dynamically reorganized according to process requirements, different sealed process equipment can be flexibly called to form a new production process, and the workpiece can be switched between the sealed process equipment in a state of air isolation and constant temperature continuity according to different process requirements, and flexible transfer transportation and processing are carried out.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat treatment technology, and more particularly to a flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop process transfer. Background Technology

[0002] Heat treatment is a key process that alters the internal structure of a solid metal or alloy by heating, holding, and cooling it to obtain desired properties. It does not change the shape of the workpiece, but rather improves the mechanical properties of the material, such as hardness, strength, toughness, and wear resistance, by precisely controlling the temperature and time.

[0003] Traditional heat treatment equipment consists of single, independent functions (gas quenching + oil quenching + tempering, annealing, cleaning, cryogenic treatment, carburizing, etc.). Each heat treatment unit is usually fixed at a fixed workstation. After a workpiece completes a process (such as quenching), it needs to be removed and exposed to the air before being transferred to the next unit (such as a tempering furnace) by manual labor or a simple robotic arm. For workpieces that need to be continuously treated at high temperatures, this exposure process causes the high-temperature workpiece to react with oxygen and water vapor in the air, resulting in changes in the microstructure and reducing the quality of the workpiece. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this section is to outline some aspects of the embodiments of the present invention and to briefly introduce some preferred embodiments. Some simplifications or omissions may be made in this section, as well as in the abstract and title of the present application, to avoid obscuring the purpose of this section, the abstract and title of the invention. Such simplifications or omissions shall not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0005] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention is proposed. To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution;

[0006] The closed-loop transfer flexible automated heat treatment production line includes at least three sealed process devices and a workpiece conveyor track;

[0007] On the left and right sides of the workpiece conveying track, docking stations for docking and fixing sealed process equipment are respectively set up;

[0008] A workpiece transport vehicle is adapted to be installed on the workpiece conveying track;

[0009] The workpiece transport vehicle is equipped with a sealed receiving cavity, and the sealed receiving cavity has openable receiving cavity doors on both the left and right sides.

[0010] The sealed process equipment is provided with a sealed processing chamber, and an openable processing chamber door is provided on one side of the sealed processing chamber.

[0011] A workpiece feeding device is also provided inside the sealed accommodating cavity;

[0012] The workpiece feeding device includes two forks, which have the functions of lifting and horizontal movement. The range of motion of the two forks is greater than the width of the workpiece transport vehicle, and they have the function of passing through the left and right sides of the workpiece transport vehicle.

[0013] A support platform located in the middle of the sealed receiving cavity is also provided between the two fork teeth;

[0014] The height of the support platform is higher than the lowest position after the two forks have descended, and lower than the highest position after the two forks have risen.

[0015] An electromagnetic heating system is embedded in the support platform;

[0016] The workpiece transport vehicle is equipped with an ion wind temperature equalization system;

[0017] The ion wind temperature equalization system includes a high-voltage power supply and at least four ion wind generating units.

[0018] The outlet end of the ion wind generating unit is equipped with an ion wind acceleration unit;

[0019] The ion wind acceleration unit includes an accelerating ion emission electrode and an accelerating collection electrode;

[0020] The connection terminal of the acceleration collection electrode is connected to the support platform, so that the workpiece to be processed placed on the support platform itself serves as the acceleration collection electrode.

[0021] The above design, by setting up multiple docking stations on both sides of the workpiece conveying track, and by using sealed process equipment like "modules" for plug-and-play operation, allows the production line's process sequence to be dynamically reorganized according to process requirements, and different sealed process equipment to be flexibly called up to form new production processes.

[0022] The workpiece transport vehicle serves as a conveying device for workpieces to be processed. It takes the workpieces out of one sealed process equipment and transports them to the next sealed process equipment on the workpiece transport track. The workpieces can be freely and flexibly switched between various sealed process equipment according to different process requirements, thus constructing a flexible and automated heat treatment production line.

[0023] The workpiece transport vehicle moves along the workpiece conveying track to the processing chamber door of a sealed process equipment. The fork of the workpiece delivery device moves out of the sealed receiving chamber of the workpiece transport vehicle and into the sealed processing chamber of the sealed process equipment to obtain the workpiece. The obtained workpiece is then sent into the sealed receiving chamber of the workpiece transport vehicle and temporarily placed on the support platform. The receiving chamber door and the processing chamber door are then closed to realize the delivery of the workpiece.

[0024] The workpiece transport vehicle moves along the workpiece transport track to another sealed process equipment. The sealed receiving cavity and the sealed processing cavity are connected and form an airtight mechanism. The fork teeth of the workpiece delivery device place the workpiece on the support platform into the sealed processing cavity of the other sealed process equipment, close the receiving cavity door and the processing cavity door, and realize the transfer and transportation of the workpiece.

[0025] The workpiece is conveyed in both directions by a pair of forks, reducing the need for conveying equipment and achieving gas isolation when the workpiece is transferred between the sealed process equipment and the workpiece transport vehicle. For workpieces that need to be continuously processed at high temperatures, this prevents them from being exposed to air and causing changes in their structure, without affecting the surface quality and mechanical properties of the product.

[0026] Furthermore, an electromagnetic heating system is embedded in the support platform, which not only keeps the workpiece warm during the transfer and transportation process, but can even continue to heat it. The workpiece can enter the next sealed process equipment at a temperature close to the requirements of the next process, preventing the workpiece from undergoing changes in its structure due to temperature drop during the transfer and transportation process, and improving the quality of the workpiece.

[0027] An ion wind temperature equalization system is installed on the workpiece transport vehicle, and the workpiece to be processed placed on the support platform acts as an accelerating collection electrode, generating a directional accelerating airflow toward the workpiece to be processed. This enhances the convection of hot air in the sealed cavity, improves the temperature uniformity of the workpiece during the heating and heat preservation process in the sealed cavity, and effectively eliminates local temperature differences.

[0028] This application achieves flexible transfer and processing of workpieces under a constant temperature and airtight condition by equipping the workpiece transport vehicle with a bidirectional reversing fork and an electromagnetic heating system, and sealingly docking with any modular sealed process equipment along the workpiece transport track. This solves the problems of oxidation, decarburization and temperature drop that occur during long-term transfer and transportation of workpieces in the heat treatment process, and improves the efficiency of heat treatment.

[0029] Preferably, there are no fewer than five docking stations; each sealed process device is docked to its respective docking station; at least three sealed process devices include at least two heating furnaces; at least three sealed process devices include at least one of a tempering furnace, a cryogenic chamber, an air quenching furnace, a salt cleaning chamber, an oil quenching furnace, and a salt bath furnace. A workpiece transport vehicle can transfer workpieces heated in one heating furnace to any one of the tempering furnace, cryogenic chamber, air quenching furnace, salt cleaning chamber, oil quenching furnace, or salt bath furnace. This separates the high-cost tempering furnace, cryogenic chamber, air quenching furnace, salt cleaning chamber, oil quenching furnace, and salt bath furnace from the heating furnace, organizing production by using multiple general-purpose heating furnaces to support the tempering furnace, cryogenic chamber, air quenching furnace, salt cleaning chamber, oil quenching furnace, and salt bath furnace, thus reducing equipment costs.

[0030] Preferably, the processing chamber door has a docking mechanism that connects with the receiving chamber door. After docking, the sealed receiving chamber and the sealed processing chamber are connected and form an airtight mechanism. The docking mechanism includes a docking frame located outside the sealed process equipment, with a docking interface running through the docking frame. The docking interface and the sealed processing chamber are isolated or connected by a retractable processing chamber door. When the receiving processing chamber, the docking interface, and the sealed processing chamber are connected, a transfer channel is formed for the workpiece to be transferred within the sealed processing chamber and the sealed receiving chamber. The docking mechanism also includes an annular sealing ring, which is located on the docking frame and surrounds the docking interface. After docking, the sealing ring makes the transfer channel an airtight space.

[0031] Preferably, the workpiece feeding device further includes a slide rail disposed on the bottom wall of the sealed receiving cavity; there are two slide rails, located on both sides of the support platform respectively; each slide rail is fitted with a slider that moves along the slide rail; a lifting platform is fixed on the slider, and a fork is disposed on the lifting platform. The slide rail, slider, and lifting platform cooperate to enable the fork to achieve vertical lifting and horizontal movement. The horizontal movement of the fork enables the transfer of the workpiece within the sealed processing cavity and the sealed receiving cavity, while the vertical lifting of the fork enables the workpiece to be temporarily placed on the support platform during the transfer and transportation process.

[0032] Preferably, another electromagnetic heating system is provided above the sealed receiving cavity; the lower electromagnetic heating system and the upper electromagnetic heating system are arranged opposite to each other; this achieves both gas isolation and heating insulation during transfer and transportation. When transporting high-temperature workpieces, the electromagnetic heating system and the other electromagnetic heating system are activated in advance before docking with the sealed process equipment, forming a double-sided heating environment in the vertical direction. Simultaneously, the workpiece can be heated to near the target temperature of the next process by the electromagnetic heating system and the other electromagnetic heating system while being transported to the next piece of equipment, shortening the process time and reducing energy consumption.

[0033] Preferably, the workpiece transport vehicle is equipped with the high-voltage power supply; the ion wind generating unit is located within a sealed accommodating cavity; the ion wind generating unit includes an ion emitting electrode, a collecting electrode, and a guide tube; the ion emitting electrode and the collecting electrode are fixed inside the guide tube; the ion emitting electrode is a ring-shaped metal sheet, and the front end of the ring-shaped metal sheet has a uniformly arranged serrated structure; the collecting electrode is a hollow conical tube, with the large end of the conical tube close to the ion emitting electrode and the small end close to the workpiece to be processed on the support platform. When the high voltage is applied to the tip of the serrated structure, a tip discharge occurs, increasing the electric field strength and thus increasing the ion wind speed.

[0034] Preferably, the accelerating ion emission electrode is fixed inside the air guide duct. The accelerating ion emission electrode and the accelerating collection electrode work together to accelerate the ion wind flow generated by the ion wind generating unit, so that the directional high-temperature airflow is blown toward the workpiece to be processed, improving the temperature uniformity of the processing area and effectively eliminating local temperature differences.

[0035] Preferably, the air guide duct is connected to the side wall of the sealed receiving cavity via an insulating bracket; at least four air guide ducts are symmetrically fixed to both sides of the sealed receiving cavity; the air inlet end of the air guide duct located on the lower side faces the electromagnetic heating system; the air inlet end of the air guide duct located on the upper side faces another electromagnetic heating system; and the air outlet end of the air guide duct faces the workpiece to be processed on the support platform. Through the air guide ducts, high-temperature airflow is blown towards the workpiece to be processed. The airflow generated by the ion wind generating unit and the ion wind accelerating unit located on the left and right sides of the sealed receiving cavity penetrates the dead zone of the workpiece to be processed, accelerating the heat conduction process from the workpiece surface to the interior, making the overall temperature of the workpiece more uniform.

[0036] Preferably, the ion emission electrode and the accelerating ion emission electrode are connected to the positive terminal of the high-voltage power supply via a high-temperature resistant insulated metal busbar; the collecting electrode and the accelerating collecting electrode are connected to the negative terminal of the high-voltage power supply via a high-temperature resistant insulated metal busbar.

[0037] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0038] 1. The process sequence of the production line can be dynamically reorganized according to process requirements, and different sealed process equipment can be flexibly used to form a new production process. The workpiece transport vehicle, as the conveying equipment for the workpieces to be processed, takes the workpieces out from one sealed process equipment and transports them to the next sealed process equipment on the workpiece transport track. The workpieces can be freely and flexibly switched between various sealed process equipment according to different process requirements, thus constructing a flexible and automated heat treatment production line. After the workpiece transport vehicle completes docking with the sealed process equipment through the docking structure, it forms an airtight transfer channel for the workpieces to be transferred in the sealed processing chamber and the sealed receiving chamber. For workpieces that need to be continuously processed at high temperature, it prevents them from being exposed to air and causing changes in the structure, without affecting the surface quality and mechanical properties of the product.

[0039] 2. The electromagnetic heating system embedded in the support platform and another electromagnetic heating system set above the sealed cavity form a double-sided heating environment in the vertical direction, which not only keeps the workpiece warm during the transfer and transportation process, but also allows it to continue to be heated, preventing the workpiece from undergoing changes in its structure due to temperature drop during the transfer and transportation process, and improving the quality of the workpiece.

[0040] 3. By using the ion wind temperature equalization system installed in the workpiece transport vehicle, the generated airflow can force the hot air generated by the electromagnetic heating system and another electromagnetic heating system to blow towards the workpiece, which enhances the convection of hot air in the sealed cavity and improves the temperature uniformity of the workpiece during the heating and heat preservation process in the sealed cavity. Attached Figure Description

[0041] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. Wherein:

[0042] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer of processes according to the present invention.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the docking frame of the flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer of processes according to the present invention.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the workpiece transport vehicle in the closed-loop transfer flexible automated heat treatment production line of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the air guide duct in the closed-loop transfer flexible automated heat treatment production line of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the air duct structure of the flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer of processes according to the present invention.

[0047] In the diagram, 1. Sealed process equipment; 101. Heating furnace; 102. Tempering furnace; 103. Cryogenic chamber; 104. Gas quenching furnace; 105. Salt cleaning chamber; 106. Oil quenching furnace; 107. Salt bath furnace; 2. Workpiece conveying track; 3. Docking station; 4. Workpiece transport vehicle; 5. Sealed receiving cavity; 6. Docking frame; 7. Docking interface; 8. Processing chamber door; 9. Sealing ring; 10. Slide rail; 11. Support platform; 12. Lifting platform; 13. Fork tooth; 14. Emitting electrode; 15. Collecting electrode; 16. Air guide duct; 17. Accelerating ion emission electrode; 19. Insulating support. Detailed Implementation

[0048] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of the present invention more readily understood, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the invention. However, the invention may also be practiced in other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0050] Secondly, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the schematic diagrams. When detailing the embodiments of the present invention, for ease of explanation, the cross-sectional views illustrating the device structure will be partially enlarged, not according to the usual scale. Furthermore, the schematic diagrams are merely examples and should not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, actual fabrication should include three-dimensional spatial dimensions of length, width, and depth.

[0051] Secondly, the term "one embodiment" or "embodiment" as used herein refers to a specific feature, structure, or characteristic that may be included in less than one implementation of the invention. The phrase "in one embodiment" appearing in different places in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a single embodiment or an embodiment selectively excluded from other embodiments.

[0052] Example 1, Reference Figures 1 to 5 The process is closed-loop transfer flexible automated heat treatment production line, including at least three sealed process equipment 1, and also includes a workpiece conveying production line;

[0053] The workpiece conveying production line includes a workpiece conveying track 2;

[0054] On the left and right sides of the workpiece conveying track 2, there are docking stations 3 for docking and fixing the sealed process equipment 1, respectively.

[0055] The workpiece transport vehicle 4 is adapted to be installed on the workpiece transport track 2 to transport workpieces along the workpiece transport track 2;

[0056] The workpiece transport vehicle 4 is equipped with a sealed receiving cavity 5, and the sealed receiving cavity 5 is equipped with an openable receiving cavity door on both the left and right sides.

[0057] The sealed process equipment 1 is equipped with a sealed processing chamber, and an openable processing chamber door 8 is provided on one side of the sealed processing chamber;

[0058] A workpiece feeding device is also provided inside the sealed receiving cavity 5;

[0059] The workpiece feeding device includes two forks 13, which have the working states of lifting and horizontal movement. The range of motion of the two forks 13 is greater than the width of the workpiece transport vehicle 4, and they have the working state of passing through the left and right sides of the workpiece transport vehicle 4.

[0060] A support platform 11 located in the middle of the sealed receiving cavity 5 is also provided between the two fork teeth 13;

[0061] The height of the support platform 11 is higher than the lowest position after the two forks 13 have descended, and lower than the highest position after the two forks 13 have risen.

[0062] An electromagnetic heating system is embedded in the support platform 11;

[0063] The workpiece transport vehicle 4 is equipped with an ion wind temperature equalization system;

[0064] The ion wind temperature equalization system includes a high-voltage power supply and at least four ion wind generating units;

[0065] An ion wind accelerating unit is installed at the air outlet of the ion wind generating unit;

[0066] The ion wind acceleration unit includes an accelerating ion emission electrode 17 and an accelerating collection electrode;

[0067] The connection terminal of the accelerating collection electrode is connected to the support platform 11, with the workpiece to be processed placed on the support platform 11 itself serving as the accelerating collection electrode.

[0068] In this embodiment, by setting up multiple docking stations 3 on the left and right sides of the workpiece conveying track 2, and by making the sealed process equipment 1 plug-and-play like a "module", the process sequence of the production line can be dynamically reorganized according to process requirements, and different sealed process equipment 1 can be flexibly called to form a new production process.

[0069] The workpiece transport vehicle 4 serves as a conveying device for the workpieces to be processed. It takes the workpieces out of one sealed process equipment 1 and transports them to the next sealed process equipment 1 on the workpiece transport track 2. The workpieces can be freely and flexibly switched between the various sealed process equipment 1 according to different process requirements, thus constructing a flexible and automated heat treatment production line.

[0070] The workpiece transport vehicle 4 moves along the workpiece transport track 2 to the processing chamber door 8 of a sealed process equipment 1. The fork 13 of the workpiece delivery device moves out of the sealed receiving chamber 5 of the workpiece transport vehicle 4 and into the sealed processing chamber of the sealed process equipment 1 to obtain the workpiece. The obtained workpiece is then sent into the sealed receiving chamber 5 of the workpiece transport vehicle 4 and temporarily placed on the support platform 11. The receiving chamber door and the processing chamber door 8 are then closed.

[0071] The workpiece transport vehicle 4 moves along the workpiece transport track 2 to another required docking station 3. The fork 13 of the workpiece delivery device places the workpiece on the support platform 11 into the sealed processing chamber of another sealed process equipment 1, closes the receiving chamber door and the processing chamber door 8, and realizes the transfer, transportation and delivery of the workpiece.

[0072] The workpiece is conveyed in both directions by a pair of forks 13, reducing the need for conveying equipment. At the same time, it achieves gas isolation when the workpiece is transferred between the sealed process equipment 1 and the workpiece transport vehicle 4. For workpieces that need to be continuously processed at high temperature, it prevents them from being exposed to air and causing changes in their structure, without affecting the surface quality and mechanical properties of the product.

[0073] Furthermore, an electromagnetic heating system is embedded in the support platform 11, which not only keeps the workpiece warm during the transfer and transportation process, but also allows it to continue to be heated. The workpiece can enter the next sealed process equipment 1 at a temperature close to the requirements of the next process, preventing the workpiece from undergoing changes in its structure due to temperature drop during the transfer and transportation process, and improving the quality of the workpiece.

[0074] An ion wind temperature equalization system is installed in the workpiece transport vehicle 4, and the workpiece to be processed placed on the support platform 11 acts as an accelerating collection electrode, generating a directional accelerating airflow toward the workpiece to be processed. This enhances the convection of hot air in the sealed cavity 5, improves the temperature uniformity of the workpiece during the heating and heat preservation process in the sealed cavity 5, and effectively eliminates local temperature differences.

[0075] This application achieves flexible transfer and processing of workpieces under a constant temperature and airtight condition by equipping the workpiece transport vehicle 4 with a bidirectional reversing fork 13 and an electromagnetic heating system, and sealingly docking with any modular sealed process equipment 1 along the workpiece transport track 2. This solves the problems of oxidation, decarburization and temperature drop of workpieces during long-term transfer and transportation in the heat treatment process, and improves the efficiency of heat treatment.

[0076] There are no fewer than five docking stations 3; each sealed process equipment 1 is docked to its respective docking station 3; at least three sealed process equipment 1 include at least two heating furnaces 101; at least three sealed process equipment 1 include at least one of the following: tempering furnace 102, deep cooling box 103, gas quenching furnace 104, salt washing chamber 105, oil quenching furnace 106, and salt bath furnace 107. The workpiece transport vehicle 4 can transfer workpieces heated in a heating furnace 101 to any one of the following: tempering furnace 102, cryogenic chamber 103, gas quenching furnace 104, salt cleaning chamber 105, oil quenching furnace 106, and salt bath furnace 107. This separates the high-cost tempering furnace 102, cryogenic chamber 103, gas quenching furnace 104, salt cleaning chamber 105, oil quenching furnace 106, and salt bath furnace 107 from the heating furnace 101. Production is organized by using multiple general-purpose heating furnaces 101 to support the tempering furnace 102, cryogenic chamber 103, gas quenching furnace 104, salt cleaning chamber 105, oil quenching furnace 106, and salt bath furnace 107, thereby reducing equipment costs.

[0077] The processing chamber door 8 has a docking mechanism that connects with the receiving chamber door. After docking, the sealed receiving chamber 5 and the sealed processing chamber are connected and form an airtight mechanism. The docking mechanism includes a docking frame 6 located outside the sealed process equipment 1, with a docking interface 7 running through it. The docking interface 7 and the sealed processing chamber are isolated or connected by the retractable processing chamber door 8. The docking interface 7 and the receiving processing chamber are isolated or connected by the retractable receiving chamber door. When the receiving processing chamber, docking interface 7, and sealed processing chamber are connected, a transfer channel is formed for the workpiece to be transferred within the sealed processing chamber and the sealed receiving chamber 5. The docking mechanism also includes an annular sealing ring 9, which is located on the docking frame 6 and surrounds the docking interface 7. After docking, the sealing ring 9 makes the transfer channel an airtight space.

[0078] The workpiece feeding device also includes a slide rail 10 located on the bottom wall of the sealed receiving cavity 5; there are two slide rails 10, located on both sides of the support platform 11 respectively; each slide rail 10 is fitted with a slider that moves along the slide rail 10; a lifting platform 12 is fixed on the slider, and a fork 13 is set on the lifting platform 12. The slide rail 10, slider and lifting platform 12 cooperate to enable the fork 13 to achieve vertical lifting and horizontal movement. The horizontal movement of the fork 13 enables the workpiece to be transferred within the sealed processing cavity and the sealed receiving cavity 5, and the vertical lifting of the fork 13 enables the workpiece to be temporarily placed on the support platform 11 during the transfer and transportation process.

[0079] Another electromagnetic heating system is installed above the sealed receiving cavity 5; the lower electromagnetic heating system and the upper electromagnetic heating system are arranged opposite each other; during transfer and transportation, gas isolation is achieved while heating and heat preservation are also achieved. When high-temperature workpieces need to be transported, the electromagnetic heating system and the other electromagnetic heating system are started in advance before docking with the sealed process equipment 1, forming a double-sided heating environment in the vertical direction, improving temperature uniformity. At the same time, the workpiece can be heated to near the target temperature of the next process by the electromagnetic heating system and the other electromagnetic heating system while it is being transported to the next piece of equipment, shortening the process time and reducing energy consumption.

[0080] The workpiece transport vehicle 4 is equipped with a high-voltage power supply; the ion wind generating unit is located inside the sealed receiving cavity 5; the ion wind generating unit includes an ion emitting electrode 14, a collecting electrode 15, and a guide tube 16; the ion emitting electrode 14 and the collecting electrode 15 are fixed inside the guide tube 16; the ion emitting electrode 14 is a ring-shaped metal sheet, and the front end of the ring-shaped metal sheet has a uniformly arranged serrated structure; the collecting electrode 15 is a hollow conical tube, with the large end of the conical tube close to the ion emitting electrode 14 and the small end close to the workpiece to be processed on the support platform 11. After the tip of the serrated structure is connected to the high voltage, it discharges, increasing the electric field strength and thus increasing the ion wind speed.

[0081] The accelerating ion emission electrode 17 is fixed inside the air guide duct 16. The accelerating ion emission electrode 17 works in conjunction with the accelerating collection electrode to accelerate the ion wind airflow generated by the ion wind generating unit, so that the airflow ejected from the air guide duct 16 is forced to blow towards the workpiece, which enhances the convection of hot air in the sealed receiving cavity 5 and improves the temperature uniformity of the workpiece during the heating and heat preservation process in the sealed receiving cavity 5.

[0082] The air guide duct 16 is connected to the side wall of the sealed cavity 5 via an insulating bracket 19; at least four air guide ducts 16 are symmetrically fixed on both sides of the sealed cavity 5; the air inlet end of the air guide duct 16 located on the lower side faces the electromagnetic heating system; the air inlet end of the air guide duct 16 located on the upper side faces another electromagnetic heating system; the air outlet end of the air guide duct 16 faces the workpiece to be processed on the support platform 11. Through the air guide duct 16, high-temperature airflow is blown towards the workpiece to be processed. The airflow generated by the ion wind generating unit and the ion wind accelerating unit located on the left and right sides of the sealed cavity 5 accelerates the heat conduction process from the surface of the workpiece to the interior, making the overall temperature of the workpiece more uniform.

[0083] Ion emission electrode 14 and accelerating ion emission electrode 17 are connected to the positive terminal of the high-voltage power supply via a high-temperature resistant insulated metal busbar; collecting electrode 15 and accelerating collecting electrode are connected to the negative terminal of the high-voltage power supply via a high-temperature resistant insulated metal busbar.

[0084] In use, the workpiece conveying track 2 is equipped with a loading platform, a unloading platform and a buffer platform on both sides. The workpiece to be processed is placed on the loading platform. The workpiece transport trolley 4 moves along the workpiece conveying track 2 to the loading platform position. The receiving cavity door on the side near the loading platform is opened. The transport flat trolley moves along the slide rail 10 to the receiving cavity door position. The fork 13 moves to the bottom of the workpiece to be processed. The lifting platform 12 controls the fork 13 to move upward. The fork 13 drives the workpiece to be processed to move upward until it is disconnected from the loading platform. Then the transport flat trolley moves in the opposite direction along the slide rail 10. The fork 13 drives the workpiece to be processed back into the sealed receiving cavity 5. When the workpiece to be processed is directly above the support platform 11, the lifting platform 12 controls the fork 13 to move downward, so that the workpiece to be processed is stably placed on the support platform 11.

[0085] Afterwards, the workpiece transport vehicle 4 moves along the workpiece transport track 2 to the docking position of the first sealed process equipment 1 set in the production process. The sealing ring 9 connected to the docking frame 6 of the sealed process equipment 1 makes the position airtight. Then, the processing chamber door 8 and the receiving chamber door are opened, and the receiving processing chamber, docking interface 7 and sealing processing chamber are connected to form an airtight transfer channel for the workpiece to be transferred in the sealing processing chamber and the sealing receiving chamber 5.

[0086] The lifting platform 12 controls the fork 13 to move upward, and the fork 13 drives the workpiece to be processed to move upward until it is disconnected from the support platform 11. Then the transport flatbed trolley moves along the slide rail 10 and sends the workpiece to be processed into the sealed processing chamber. Then the processing chamber door 8 is closed and the receiving chamber door is closed.

[0087] Afterwards, the workpiece transport vehicle 4 moves to the loading platform and sends another workpiece to the sealed process equipment 1 set in another production process, or transfers the workpiece in the sealed process equipment 1 in another production process to the next sealed process equipment 1. If the workpiece transferred between the two sealed process equipment 1 needs to be kept warm, the electromagnetic heating system and another electromagnetic heating system are turned on in advance to form a double-sided heating environment in the vertical direction, so that the workpiece is always heated to close to the target temperature of the next process while being transported to the next equipment.

[0088] Meanwhile, during the heat preservation or heating process, the workpiece transport vehicle 4 turns on the high-voltage power supply and applies DC voltage. This, together with the inert gas in the sealed cavity 5, forms a directional airflow that is forced towards the workpiece. This enhances the convection of hot air in the sealed cavity 5 and promotes efficient heat exchange between its surface and the surrounding environment, making the overall temperature of the workpiece more uniform.

[0089] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer process, comprising at least three sealed process devices (1), characterized in that: It also includes a workpiece conveying track (2); On the left and right sides of the workpiece conveying track (2), docking stations (3) are respectively set up for docking and fixing the sealed process equipment (1). The workpiece transport track (2) is fitted with a workpiece transport vehicle (4). The workpiece transport vehicle (4) is equipped with a sealed receiving cavity (5), and the sealed receiving cavity (5) is equipped with an openable receiving cavity door on both the left and right sides. The sealed process equipment (1) is provided with a sealed processing chamber, and an openable processing chamber door (8) is provided on one side of the sealed processing chamber. A workpiece feeding device is also provided inside the sealed receiving cavity (5); The workpiece delivery device includes two forks (13), which have the working states of lifting and horizontal movement. The range of motion of the two forks (13) is greater than the width of the workpiece transport vehicle (4), and they have the working state of passing through the left and right sides of the workpiece transport vehicle (4). A support platform (11) located in the middle of the sealed receiving cavity (5) is also provided between the two forks (13); The height of the support platform (11) is higher than the lowest position after the two forks (13) have descended, and lower than the highest position after the two forks (13) have risen. An electromagnetic heating system is embedded in the support platform (11); The workpiece transport vehicle (4) is equipped with an ion wind temperature equalization system; The ion wind temperature equalization system includes a high-voltage power supply and at least four ion wind generating units. The outlet end of the ion wind generating unit is equipped with an ion wind acceleration unit; The ion wind acceleration unit includes an accelerating ion emission electrode (17) and an accelerating collection electrode; The connection terminal of the acceleration collection electrode is connected to the support platform (11), so that the workpiece to be processed placed on the support platform (11) itself serves as the acceleration collection electrode.

2. The flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer of processes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of docking stations (3) shall not be less than five; The sealed process equipment (1) is respectively connected to its respective docking station (3); At least three hermetically sealed process units (1) include at least two heating furnaces (101); At least three sealed process equipment (1) include at least one of the following: tempering furnace (102), cryogenic chamber (103), gas quenching furnace (104), salt washing chamber (105), oil quenching furnace (106), and salt bath furnace (107).

3. The flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer of processes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processing chamber door (8) has a docking mechanism that docks with the receiving chamber door. After the docking mechanism completes docking, the sealed receiving chamber (5) is connected to the sealed processing chamber and forms an airtight mechanism. The docking mechanism includes a docking frame (6) located outside the sealed process equipment (1), and a docking interface (7) runs through the docking frame (6). The docking interface (7) and the sealed processing chamber are isolated or connected by a retractable and closable processing chamber door (8); The docking interface (7) and the receiving processing cavity are isolated or connected by a retractable and closable receiving cavity door; When the receiving processing cavity, docking interface (7), and sealing processing cavity are connected, a transfer channel is formed for the workpiece to be transferred within the sealing processing cavity and the sealing receiving cavity (5); The docking mechanism also includes an annular sealing ring (9), which is located on the docking frame (6) and surrounds the docking interface (7). After docking is completed, the sealing ring (9) makes the transfer channel an airtight space.

4. The flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer of processes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The workpiece delivery device also includes a slide rail (10) located on the bottom wall of the sealed receiving cavity (5). There are two slide rails (10), located on both sides of the support platform (11); Each of the slide rails (10) is fitted with a slider that moves along the slide rail (10); A lifting platform (12) is fixed on the slider, and a fork (13) is provided on the lifting platform (12).

5. The flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer of processes according to claim 1, characterized in that: Another electromagnetic heating system is provided above the sealed accommodating cavity (5); The electromagnetic heating system located below and the electromagnetic heating system located above are arranged opposite each other; It achieves gas isolation while simultaneously providing heating and insulation during transfer and transportation.

6. The flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer of processes according to claim 5, characterized in that: The workpiece transport vehicle (4) is equipped with the aforementioned high-voltage power supply; The ion wind generating unit is located inside the sealed accommodating cavity (5); The ion wind generating unit includes an ion emission electrode (14), a collection electrode (15), and a wind duct (16). The ion emission electrode (14) and the collection electrode (15) are fixed inside the air guide tube (16); The ion emission electrode (14) is made of an annular metal sheet, and the front end of the annular metal sheet is provided with a uniformly arranged serrated structure. The collecting electrode (15) is a hollow conical tube, with the large end of the conical tube close to the ion emission electrode (14) and the small end close to the workpiece to be processed on the support platform (11).

7. The flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer of processes according to claim 6, characterized in that: The accelerating ion emission electrode (17) is fixed inside the air duct (16).

8. The flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer of processes according to claim 6, characterized in that: The air guide tube (16) is connected to the side wall of the sealed receiving cavity (5) via an insulating bracket (19); At least four of the aforementioned air guide tubes (16) are symmetrically fixed on both sides of the sealed receiving cavity (5); The air inlet end of the air guide duct (16) located on the lower side faces the electromagnetic heating system; The air inlet end of the air guide duct (16) located on the upper side faces another electromagnetic heating system; The air outlet end of the air guide tube (16) faces the workpiece to be processed on the support platform (11).

9. The flexible automated heat treatment production line with closed-loop transfer of processes according to claim 6, characterized in that: The ion emission electrode (14) and the accelerating ion emission electrode (17) are connected to the positive terminal of the high-voltage power supply via a high-temperature resistant insulated metal busbar. The collecting electrode (15) and the accelerating collecting electrode are connected to the negative terminal of the high-voltage power supply via a high-temperature resistant insulated metal busbar.

Images