A method and device for straightening a large yield ratio metal composite plate by electromagnetic induction heating

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of straightening forming of bimetallic composite plate, in particular to a method and device for straightening a large yield ratio metal combined plate with electromagnetic induction heating assistance, aiming to solve the problem of high straightening difficulty and easy secondary deformation after straightening caused by large mechanical property difference and uneven residual stress of bimetallic composite plate. The device comprises an electromagnetic induction heating module controlled by a moving module, a refrigeration module connected to a conveying pipe, a straightening module and a conveying module. The electromagnetic induction heating module is connected to the engine on both sides of the workbench through a mechanical arm, the refrigeration module is placed below the platform and connected through the conveying pipe, the straightening module is connected behind the workbench, and the transmission module covers the workbench. The main operation process of the device is to heat the metal with low plasticity on one side of the composite plate through electromagnetic induction, to cool the metal with high plasticity on the other side through water cooling or air cooling, to convey the composite plate to the subsequent straightening module through the conveying module after reaching the required temperature, and to complete the straightening process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of straightening and forming of bimetallic composite sheets, and particularly to a method and apparatus for straightening metal composite sheets with a large yield strength ratio assisted by resistance wire induction heating. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of the national economy and the emergence of new technologies and industries, the market demand for engineering materials with diversified properties is becoming increasingly widespread. Single metal materials are often constrained by natural resources or have shortcomings in overall performance, leading to numerous limitations in their application scenarios. Therefore, the research, development, production, and application of composite materials are becoming increasingly important. Bimetallic composite sheets can combine the excellent properties of two materials, offering a significant cost-performance advantage and significantly improving the performance of single metals in terms of wear resistance, strength, and hardness, thus gaining widespread application. Bimetallic layered composite sheets are multi-layered structural materials formed by bonding two or more metal components with different properties through a specific composite method. In these materials, the different metals are arranged in layers rather than being uniformly mixed, allowing each component to retain its own performance characteristics while achieving complementary advantages, giving the overall material comprehensive performance that is difficult for a single metal or alloy to achieve. Currently, the most commonly used bimetallic composite sheets mainly include copper / steel, copper / aluminum, and steel / aluminum systems.

[0003] Bimetallic composite plate straightening is primarily aimed at metal composite plates with significant differences in mechanical properties, such as steel and aluminum. These plates, after being formed through composite processes like rolling and explosive bonding, are prone to problems such as shape defects, residual stress accumulation, and interface distortion in subsequent processing. This process uses a straightening machine to apply controlled, continuous, and repeated elasto-plastic bending deformation to achieve shape correction and stress homogenization, making it a crucial finishing step in composite plate production. However, traditional straightening techniques are ill-suited to the processing requirements of such high yield-to-strength ratio metal composite plates: room temperature roller straightening requires extremely high reducing force to induce effective plastic deformation in the less plastic metal layer, but excessive external force can lead to over-plastic deformation in the more plastic metal layer, resulting in uneven thickness reduction or even direct interfacial tearing; while overall heating straightening can reduce the deformation resistance of the less plastic metal layer, the melting point of the more plastic metal layer is much lower, making overall heating prone to overheating, softening, and localized melting of this layer, compromising the stability of the interfacial bond, and failing to fundamentally solve the core problem of the difference in deformation coordination between the two metals. Furthermore, existing heating straightening technologies mostly employ traditional methods such as flame heating, which suffer from drawbacks such as low heating efficiency, uneven temperature distribution, and the inability to achieve bimetallic layered temperature control. This results in insufficient flatness of the straightened sheet material, high residual stress, and susceptibility to secondary deformation, making it difficult to meet the stringent requirements of industrial production for product precision and stability. Electromagnetic induction heating-assisted straightening of high yield strength ratio metal composite plates is an innovative technology in this field. Its core principle is to use an alternating magnetic field to induce a current inside the conductor, using the Joule heating generated by the current to rapidly heat the metal material. This allows for precise, individual, and uniform surface heating of the less plastic metal layer, while simultaneously subjecting the more plastic metal layer to forced cooling. This approach improves the plasticity of the less plastic metal layer while minimizing the temperature rise of the more plastic metal layer, creating a heterothermic state of "high temperature on top, low temperature on the bottom," thereby reducing the difference in deformation coordination between the two metals and lowering the difficulty of sheet straightening.

[0004] This technology provides a novel technical approach for the straightening of bimetallic composite plates, effectively improving production efficiency and product quality. Therefore, to address the numerous problems encountered in the straightening process of high yield strength ratio bimetallic composite plates and improve straightening efficiency and quality, an electromagnetic induction heating device for assisting in the straightening of composite plates is designed. This is of significant practical importance and necessity in ensuring the flatness and structural stability of the straightened plates. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for straightening metal composite plates with a large yield strength ratio by using electromagnetic induction heating, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems, realize the different temperatures of the upper and lower layers of the metal composite plate with a large yield strength ratio, reduce the difference in deformation coordination between the two materials, reduce the difficulty of straightening, and achieve the purpose of reducing residual stress and improving the flatness of the plate after straightening.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A straightening device for metal composite plates with a high yield strength ratio assisted by electromagnetic induction heating is disclosed. The device includes a working platform, an electromagnetic induction heating module, a cooling module, a moving module, a transmission module, and a straightening module. The moving module includes a base, a rotating robotic arm, a medium-sized articulated arm, and a small-sized articulated arm. The electromagnetic induction heating module includes an electromagnetic induction heating controller, a conical lifting platform, a temperature sensor, an electromagnetic coil, a heating partition, a temperature-insulating blade, a small movable arm, a fixed telescopic arm, and a fixed telescopic tube. The cooling module includes a cooling box, a water tank controller, and a conveying pipe. The transmission module includes a conveyor belt, support columns, transmission rollers, a motor, a switch control box, and roller baffles. The straightening module includes a rotating roller, a straightening machine switch, a drive frame, a straightening machine electrical box, connecting parts, and a connecting frame. Preferably, the electromagnetic induction heating module has a rectangular heating area, and the heating position can be freely adjusted according to the placement of the plate. The position can also be freely adjusted according to the size and thickness of the plate by using a fixed telescopic arm, telescopic tube, and heat-insulating clamp. Heating can improve the plasticity of the upper metal material, reduce the difference in deformation coordination between the two materials, reduce the difficulty of straightening and the uneven distribution of residual stress in the plate, which is conducive to the completion of subsequent straightening work, and at the same time improves the flatness and stability of the plate after straightening.

[0007] Preferably, the electromagnetic induction heating area consists of a heating partition and an electromagnetic coil. The electromagnetic coil uses an alternating magnetic field to induce a current inside the conductor, and the Joule heating generated by the current rapidly heats the upper high-ductility metal material. The heating partition can fix the position of the electromagnetic coil, prevent coil misalignment, and protect the coil. The heating frequency and temperature are controlled by an electromagnetic induction heating controller to reduce the possibility of material damage.

[0008] Preferably, the end of the moving module is connected to the electromagnetic induction heating module. The position of the heating partition and coil in the front heating area is controlled by the conical lifting platform and the small articulated arm. The moving base connected to the transmission module engine and the robotic arm fixed on it can drive the electromagnetic induction heating area to move freely in any direction. After heating is completed, the moving base can be operated to move the heating area away from the surface of the plate and transported to the straightening module via the transmission module, reducing the impurities and damage to the plate caused by human intervention.

[0009] Preferably, the refrigeration module's working area is primarily inside the conveyor belt. A conveyor pipe connects the refrigeration tank and roller baffles, delivering water-cooled or air-cooled water into the conveyor belt to lower the temperature of the lower metal surface. A water tank controller can control the refrigeration efficiency and method, which can be selected based on material characteristics. Water-cooled water is conveyed into the working area via the right-side conveyor pipe and discharged back into the refrigeration tank via the left-side conveyor pipe, forming a circulation system. This effectively prevents the cold water temperature in the working area from rising, thus preventing insufficient cooling of the lower metal and preventing heat transfer from the upper layer to the lower layer, which could damage the material.

[0010] Preferably, the transmission module is driven by an engine that rotates rollers, which in turn drive the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt surface has small grooves to prevent the sheet metal from slipping, and small circular holes and slotted gaps to allow the lower metal layer to better receive cooling from the cooling module, thus improving efficiency. The transmission module is mainly responsible for moving the sheet metal to the straightening module after it has been heated to the correct temperature. The engine operation is controlled by a switch control box to eliminate the risk of human error.

[0011] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. The electromagnetic induction heating module of this invention can precisely and uniformly heat the upper layer of low-plasticity metal surface. The electromagnetic coil uses an alternating magnetic field to induce current inside the conductor, and the Joule heating generated by the current achieves rapid heating of the upper layer of high-plasticity metal material. The heating partition can fix the position of the electromagnetic coil, prevent coil misalignment, and protect the coil. Furthermore, the movable base and robotic arm connection system allow for free movement of the heating position and area. By regulating the heating frequency and temperature through the electromagnetic induction heating control box, the plasticity of the upper layer of metal material in the composite board is improved, the difference in deformation coordination between the two materials is reduced, the difficulty of straightening and the uneven distribution of residual stress in the board are reduced, which is beneficial for the completion of subsequent straightening work, and at the same time improves the flatness and stability of the straightened board. 2. The conveyor belt of the transmission module is made of heat-insulating material, and the surface grooves are provided with small circular water outlet holes and slot-shaped gaps to facilitate better contact between water cooling or air cooling and the plate. Its operation is achieved by the engine driving the rollers to rotate, which drives the plate to move horizontally. The running speed and frequency are controlled by the switch control box. Finally, it is transported to the subsequent straightening module, which helps to protect the plate heated in the previous step from the intrusion of impurities and reduce the damage to the plate caused by human operation. 3. The cooling module is designed to work in conjunction with the electromagnetic induction heating module. Its purpose is to maintain the low temperature of the highly ductile metal layer and reduce the heat generated by the upper layer after heating. The cooling module uses a conveying pipe connected to the cooling box and the roller baffle to deliver and discharge cold water or cold air, forming a water-cooled cooling circulation system. This achieves the purpose of straightening the composite board at different temperatures and improves the straightening efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1This is an overall structural diagram of the straightening device for a metal composite plate with a large yield strength ratio assisted by electromagnetic induction heating according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the electromagnetic induction heating module of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the transmission module of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the mobile module of the present invention; The attached diagram shows the markings and corresponding component names: 1. Mobile base; 2. Rotary robotic arm; 3. Medium-sized articulated arm; 4. Small-sized articulated arm; 11. Electromagnetic induction heating control box; 12. Conical lifting platform; 13. Temperature sensor; 14. Electromagnetic coil; 15. Heating partition; 16. Insulation clamp; 17. Small movable arm; 18. Fixed telescopic arm; 19. Fixed telescopic tube; 21. Refrigeration box; 22. Water tank controller; 23. Conveying pipe; 31. Conveyor belt; 32. Support column; 33. Transmission roller; 34. Engine; 35. Switch control box; 36. Roller baffle; 41. Rotary roller; 42. Straightening machine switch; 43. Drive frame; 44. Straightening machine electrical box; 45. Connecting frame; 51. Working platform. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0014] Reference Figure 1-4This embodiment provides a straightening device for metal composite plates with a large yield strength ratio assisted by electromagnetic induction heating. The device includes a working platform 51, a moving module, an electromagnetic induction heating module, a water cooling module, a transmission module, and a straightening module. The resistance wire induction heating module includes: a moving base 1; a rotating robotic arm 2; a medium-sized articulated arm 3; a small-sized articulated arm 4; an electromagnetic induction heating control box 11; a conical lifting platform 12; a temperature sensor 13; an electromagnetic coil 14; a heating partition 15; a heat-insulating clamping knife 16; a small movable arm 17; a fixed telescopic arm 18; and a fixed... Telescopic pipe 19; refrigeration box 21; water tank controller 22; conveying pipe 23; conveyor belt 31; support column 32; transmission roller 33; engine 34; switch control box 35; roller baffle 36; rotating roller 41; straightener switch 42; drive frame 43; straightener electrical box 44; connecting frame 45; working platform 51; the working platform 51 supports the moving module, transmission module and refrigeration module, wherein the first two modules are fixedly connected to the working platform 51 by the engine, the moving module is connected to the electromagnetic induction heating module, and the refrigeration module is placed below the working platform 51.

[0015] Further optimizing the solution, the electromagnetic induction heating module has a rectangular heating area, and the heating position can be freely adjusted according to the placement of the plate. The position can also be freely adjusted according to the size and thickness of the plate by fixing the telescopic arm 18, the telescopic tube 19, and the heat-insulating clamp 16. Heating can improve the plasticity of the upper metal material, reduce the difference in deformation coordination between the two materials, reduce the difficulty of straightening and the uneven distribution of residual stress in the plate, which is conducive to the completion of subsequent straightening work, and at the same time improves the flatness and stability of the plate after straightening.

[0016] In a further optimized design, the heating area of ​​the electromagnetic induction heating module consists of a heating partition 15 and an electromagnetic coil 14. The electromagnetic coil uses an alternating magnetic field to induce a current inside the conductor, and the Joule heating generated by the current rapidly heats the upper high-ductility metal material. The heating partition can fix the position of the electromagnetic coil, preventing misalignment and protecting the coil. The heating frequency and temperature are controlled by an electromagnetic induction heating controller to reduce the possibility of material damage.

[0017] In a further optimized design, the end of the moving module is connected to an electromagnetic induction heating module. The position of the heating partition and coil in the front heating area is controlled by the conical lifting platform 12 and the small hinged arm 4. The moving base connected to the transmission module engine and the robotic arm fixed on it can drive the electromagnetic induction heating area to move freely in any direction. After heating is completed, the moving base 1 can be moved to move the heating area away from the surface of the board and transported to the straightening module via the transmission module, reducing the impurities and damage to the board caused by human intervention.

[0018] In a further optimized design, the refrigeration module's working area is primarily located inside the conveyor belt. A conveyor pipe 23 connects the refrigeration tank 21 and the roller baffle 36, delivering cold water into the conveyor belt to lower the temperature of the lower metal surface. The refrigeration is controlled by a water tank controller 22, which delivers cold water into the working area via the right-side conveyor pipe 23 and discharges it back into the refrigeration tank 21 via the left-side conveyor pipe 23, forming a circulation system. This effectively prevents the cold water temperature in the working area from rising, thus ensuring the cooling effect on the lower metal is achieved and preventing heat transfer from the upper layer to the lower layer, which could damage the material.

[0019] To provide a clear and complete description of the technical solution of the present invention, specific embodiments of the device involved in the present invention will be described below. Here, we will take a thick steel-aluminum composite plate as an example for relevant description.

[0020] Example 1 1. Place the cleaned thick steel-aluminum composite plate on the work platform 51. After determining the heating position, operate the moving base 1 to move it to the center of the longitudinal direction of the plate and make it parallel to the plate. Adjust the position of the rotating mechanical arm 2, the medium connecting arm 3, and the small connecting arm 4. Position the conical lifting platform 12 directly over the upper steel surface of the composite plate. Adjust the fixed telescopic arm and the fixed telescopic tube according to the size of the plate so that the coil is placed around the steel layer. At the same time, press the tips of the four heat-insulating calipers tightly against the middle layer of the steel-aluminum surface. At this time, the lower surface of the aluminum layer is in contact with the surface of the conveyor belt. 2. Turn on the electromagnetic induction heating controller 11 and the cooling box 21 at the same time. Adjust the heating temperature and water cooling temperature through the feedback of the temperature sensor 13 so that the steel and aluminum layers on the thick steel-aluminum composite plate reach the required temperature state. 3. After heating is complete, turn off the electromagnetic induction heating controller. Wait until both the upper and lower metal layers reach the appropriate straightening temperature before turning off the cooling box switch. Remove the heat-insulating knife 16 and operate the conical lifting platform 12 and the heating area away from the composite plate. Then, turn on the engine switch 35 and the straightening machine switch 42 to transport the heated thick steel-aluminum composite plate to the subsequent straightening system via conveyor belt, completing the heterogeneous temperature straightening process for the thick steel-aluminum composite plate. After straightening, measurements and calculations show that the residual stress on the plate surface decreased by 36%, the interface bonding strength hardly decreased, and the flatness improved by 11%.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0022] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method and apparatus for straightening a metal composite sheet with a large yield strength ratio assisted by electromagnetic induction heating, characterized in that: The device includes a working platform (61), a moving module, an electromagnetic induction heating module, a cooling module, a transmission module, and a straightening module: The moving module includes: a moving base (11), a rotating robotic arm (12), a medium-sized articulated arm (13), and a small-sized articulated arm (14). The electromagnetic induction heating module includes: an electromagnetic induction heating control box (21), a conical lifting platform (22), a temperature sensor (23), an electromagnetic coil (24), a heating partition (25), a heat insulation clamp (26), a small movable arm (27), a fixed telescopic arm (28), and a fixed telescopic tube (29). The refrigeration module includes: a refrigeration box (31), a water tank controller (32), and a delivery pipe (33); The transmission module includes: a conveyor belt (41), a support column (42), a transmission roller (43), an engine (44), a switch control box (45), and a roller baffle (46). The straightening module includes: a rotary roller (51), a straightening machine switch (52), a drive frame (53), a straightening machine electrical box (54), and a connecting frame (55); The working platform (61) is fixedly connected to the engine (44) of the transmission module on both sides and to the electromagnetic induction heating module connected above it via the moving module. The cooling module is connected to the cooling module via the delivery pipe (33) of the cooling module on the lower side, and to the straightening module via the connecting frame (55) of the straightening module on the rear side.

2. The method and apparatus for straightening a metal composite plate with a large yield strength ratio assisted by electromagnetic induction heating as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The electromagnetic induction heating module is arranged on the moving modules on both sides of the conveyor belt (41) to induction heat the metal surface of the side with low plasticity of the composite plate to improve its plasticity, and to cool down the metal surface of the side with high plasticity so that the two are at different temperatures, thereby reducing the difference in deformation coordination between the two materials, which is beneficial to the subsequent straightening process. The heating temperature is designed according to the mechanical properties of the two materials.

3. The method and apparatus for straightening a metal composite plate with a large yield strength ratio assisted by electromagnetic induction heating as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The electromagnetic induction heating section consists of two parts: a heating partition (25) and an electromagnetic coil (24). This allows the metal surface on the side of the composite plate with low plasticity to be heated evenly. At the same time, the heat-insulating clamp (26) connected around the partition by a small movable arm (27) can be clamped onto the middle layer of the composite plate, ensuring that the temperature only spreads on the inner side of the metal as much as possible. This prevents excessively high temperatures from penetrating into the cooling module through the outer side of the metal during heating, thus affecting the cooling effect. The rotating mechanical arm (12), medium-sized articulated arm (13), small-sized articulated arm (14), and conical lifting platform (22) connected to the movable base (11) can freely move the position of the heating device and control the heating area. The frequency and temperature of heating can be controlled by the electromagnetic induction heating controller (21), reducing the risk of material damage.

4. The method and apparatus for straightening a metal composite plate with a large yield strength ratio assisted by electromagnetic induction heating as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission module is formed by connecting the engine (44) on the support column (42) through the transmission roller (43). At the same time, the conveyor belt (41) is placed on the surface of the transmission roller (43). The transmission roller (43) drives the transmission rail to work, which can send the composite plate with different temperatures after heating and cooling into the straightening machine for straightening. The movement process is realized by the transmission module, reducing the impurities and instability caused by human movement.

5. The method and apparatus for straightening a metal composite plate with a large yield strength ratio assisted by electromagnetic induction heating as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigeration module is a refrigeration box (31) connected to the roller baffle (46) through a conveying pipe (33). The cold water or cold air produced by the refrigeration box (31) is conveyed to the conveying guide rail through the conveying pipe (23) by the water tank controller (32). The metal on the side with low plasticity of the composite plate is kept at a low temperature, reducing the heat brought by the heating of the upper layer. While increasing the temperature of the upper layer, the influence on the lower layer is reduced, and the plasticity difference between the two materials is reduced, thereby achieving the purpose of heterothermal straightening.

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