Locally varying thermal treatment of a component

Abstract

Temperature control device (1) for locally different thermal treatment of a component (2), comprising - a heated heating chamber (3) wherein the component (2) can be received in a treatment position (4) within the heating chamber (3) for thermal treatment, - a nozzle box (5), which ▪ is formed at least partially within the heating chamber (3), ▪ is located above the treatment position (4), ▪ is open on a lower side (6), ▪ has an interior (15), ▪ in the interior (15) has at least one nozzle (9) for dispensing a cooling fluid (10) in the direction of the treatment position (4), and ▪ has a fluid connection (8) to an environment of the heating chamber (3), wherein the temperature control device (1) is configured to thermally treat the component (2) when it is received in the treatment position (4) in such a way that a first area (11) of the component (2) is cooled with the at least one nozzle (9) of the nozzle box (5) and heat energy from the heating chamber (3) is supplied to a second area (12) of the component (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tempering device and a method for locally varying thermal treatment of a component. Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of the tempering device and an arrangement for locally varying thermal treatment and press hardening of a component, which arrangement comprises the tempering device. The invention can be used in particular in automotive engineering to obtain steel body components with locally varying ductility.

[0002] It is well known to subject steel components to locally different thermal treatments and then press-harden them. This is used particularly in automotive manufacturing to obtain body components such as B-pillars with locally different ductilities. This is advantageous for crash behavior.

[0003] However, with existing solutions, it is often difficult to achieve the desired sharp separation between regions of different ductility. One possible way to improve this is described in DE 10 2016 121 699 A1. According to this approach, the component is thermally treated differently locally by placing it beneath a nozzle box with a heating zone and a separate nozzle zone. The area of ​​the component beneath the heating zone is heated, while the area beneath the nozzle zone is exposed to a cooling fluid from nozzles and thus cooled. Even though this solution can already achieve advantageous results, there is still a need to be able to separate the zones even more sharply.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to thermally treat a component in such a way that a particularly sharp separation between the different areas is obtained.

[0005] This object is achieved with a temperature control device, a method, a use, and an arrangement according to the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. The features presented in the claims and in the description can be combined with one another in any technologically expedient manner.

[0006] According to the invention, a tempering device for locally varying thermal treatment of a component is presented. The tempering device comprises: - a heatable heating chamber, wherein the component for thermal treatment can be accommodated in a treatment position within the heating chamber, - a nozzle box, which ▪ is formed at least partially within the heating chamber, ▪ is located above the treatment position, ▪ is open on one lower side, ▪ has an interior space, ▪ has at least one nozzle in the interior for discharging a cooling fluid in the direction of the treatment position, and ▪ has a fluidic connection to an environment of the heating chamber, wherein the temperature control device is designed to thermally treat the component when it is received in the treatment position in such a way that a first region of the component is cooled with the at least one nozzle of the nozzle box and thermal energy is supplied from the heating chamber to a second region of the component.

[0007] The temperature control device can be used, in particular, to apply locally different thermal treatments to a metallic component. Thermal treatment is the generic term for heating and cooling. Which component is ultimately treated with the temperature control device naturally depends on the application of the temperature control device. The temperature control device is therefore preferably used to apply locally different thermal treatments to a metallic component, particularly preferably a steel component. The component is preferably coated, particularly preferably with AlSi or zinc. However, for the design of the temperature control device itself, the material of the component and whether and how it is coated are ultimately irrelevant.

[0008] The component subjected to locally different thermal treatment using the described tempering device is preferably a component for a motor vehicle body. Particularly with such components, favorable properties can be achieved through locally different thermal treatment during subsequent press hardening. However, the described tempering device can also be used in any other context in which components are locally different thermally treated.

[0009] The temperature control device has a heatable heating chamber. How the heating chamber is heated is irrelevant. For example, the heating chamber can be gas-heated and / or electrically heated. For example, the heating chamber can have one or more heating elements. A radiant tube, for example, can be used as a heating element. The component can be thermally treated in the heating chamber. This can be achieved, in particular, by heating part of the component using radiant heat or convection in the heating chamber.

[0010] The heating chamber is preferably designed as a thermally insulated chamber. For this purpose, the heating chamber can be defined by a wall, a floor, and a ceiling. Thermal insulation is preferably applied to the wall, floor, and / or ceiling. An inlet opening is preferably provided in the wall, through which the component can be introduced into the heating chamber. An outlet opening is preferably provided in the wall, through which the component can be removed from the heating chamber. The inlet opening and the outlet opening can be designed as separate openings. Alternatively, one opening can serve as both an inlet opening and an outlet opening.

[0011] The component can be accommodated in a treatment position within the heating chamber for thermal treatment. The treatment position is a position that the component can assume. The treatment position does not have to be separately identifiable as such if no component is accommodated in the treatment position. It is sufficient that the temperature control device is designed such that the component can be held in at least one position that meets all the requirements for the treatment position described herein. This position of the component can then be understood as the treatment position. The use of the term treatment position merely serves to enable reference to the position of the component in the description of the temperature control device, even though the component is not part of the described temperature control device.

[0012] The temperature control device further comprises a nozzle box which is at least partially formed within the heating chamber. Preferably, a first part of the nozzle box is formed within the heating chamber and a second part of the nozzle box outside the heating chamber. The nozzle box is arranged above the treatment position. The nozzle box can therefore primarily act on the upper side of the component when the component is arranged in the treatment position. The nozzle box is open on its lower side. The nozzle box is therefore open on the side facing the component when the component is accommodated in the treatment position. A cooling fluid can be discharged from the nozzle box at the lower open side of the nozzle box in order to act on the component located below the nozzle box in the treatment position.The part of the component located below the nozzle box, referred to herein as the first region, can be cooled in this way. The first region of the component is the area that can be cooled with the nozzle box. The position, shape, and size of the first region are therefore generally determined by the position, shape, and size of the nozzle box. It is therefore preferred that a component-specific nozzle box be used and / or that the nozzle box be arranged within the heating chamber in a component-specific manner.

[0013] The nozzle box has an interior space. At least one nozzle for discharging a cooling fluid toward the treatment position is arranged within the interior space. The at least one nozzle is considered part of the nozzle box. Preferably, the nozzle box has a plurality of nozzles in the interior space for discharging a cooling fluid toward the treatment position, particularly preferably between 5 and 100 nozzles.

[0014] The at least one nozzle can be used to discharge the cooling fluid, which acts on the component located in the treatment position. The at least one nozzle is aligned so that the cooling fluid is discharged in the direction of the treatment position. In the simplest case, the at least one nozzle is arranged so that the cooling fluid is discharged downwards. However, the cooling fluid can also reach the component if the nozzle is aligned diagonally downwards, for example. Because the nozzle box is open at the bottom and is arranged above the treatment position, the cooling fluid discharged from the at least one nozzle can reach the component.

[0015] The cooling fluid is preferably air, in particular compressed air. However, this is not mandatory. In particular, the cooling fluid does not necessarily have to meet the definition of air. For example, nitrogen can also be used as the cooling fluid. Numerous other gases also achieve the same result as air, as long as they are relevant to the essential functional principle of the described temperature control device. It is therefore generally preferred that the cooling fluid is a cooling gas. A cooling effect can naturally also be achieved with a liquid. Since a liquid generally evaporates in the process, the use of a gas is preferred. Nevertheless, the possibility cannot be ruled out that the cooling fluid could be a cooling liquid. It should also be noted that the present description of the temperature control device only concerns the suitability of the temperature control device for use with a cooling fluid.As far as relevant for the essential functional principle of the temperature control device, the suitability for a cooling gas does not differ from the suitability for a cooling liquid.

[0016] Preferably, however, the temperature control device also comprises a cooling gas source connected to the at least one nozzle. In this case, the temperature control device is not only suitable for use with a cooling gas, but is limited to this by the presence of the cooling gas source.

[0017] The tempering device is designed to thermally treat the component, when it is received in the treatment position, in such a way that a first region of the component is cooled with the at least one nozzle of the nozzle box and thermal energy is supplied from the heating chamber to a second region of the component.

[0018] The thermal treatment of the first region is cooling. This is achieved, as previously described, by discharging the cooling fluid from at least one nozzle.

[0019] The thermal treatment of the second area involves supplying it with heat energy from the heating chamber. This can be heating. However, the introduction of heat energy can also simply slow down or completely stop the cooling of the second area. In the latter case, the thermal treatment consists of maintaining the temperature. Heat energy can be introduced into the second area of ​​the component by exposing it to the heating chamber outside the influence of the nozzle box. The second area is thus thermally treated in the same way as in a furnace.

[0020] The tempering device can be used, in particular, to thermally treat a component prior to press hardening. The tempering device, also in combination with other devices such as furnaces, can ensure that the first area of ​​the press hardening process exhibits greater ductility than the second area.

[0021] With the described tempering device, a particularly sharp separation between the first and second regions can be achieved. This applies first of all to the temperature at which these regions each leave the tempering device. Furthermore, this also applies to the resulting microstructure composition.

[0022] The sharp separation is initially achieved by arranging at least one nozzle in the nozzle box. The nozzle box allows the cooling fluid to be directed specifically to the first area of ​​the component and kept away from the second area of ​​the component. This basic principle is already known from the prior art. In the past, attempts have also been made to design nozzle boxes so that the resulting separation of the areas is as sharp as possible. The focus was on the area between the nozzle box and the component. This is naturally the case because it is precisely at this point that the cooling fluid can escape from the nozzle box and enter the second area. This also cools the edge of the second area surrounding the first area, creating a transition area between the two areas.However, the invention is based on the realization that not only the area between the component and the nozzle box is relevant for a sharp separation of the areas. Rather, it was recognized according to the invention that the drainage of the cooling fluid discharged from the at least one nozzle after it has hit the component also influences how sharply the areas are separated from one another. According to the invention, the nozzle box has a fluidic connection to an area surrounding the heating chamber. Via this fluidic connection, the fluid discharged from the at least one nozzle can be drained from the nozzle box, in particular after it has come into contact with the first area of ​​the component. This prevents the cooling fluid introduced into the nozzle box from building up pressure in the nozzle box, which pressure drives the cooling fluid out of the nozzle box towards the second area of ​​the component.

[0023] The fluidic connection can be designed in any way desired. To achieve the desired sharp separation between the zones, it is sufficient for even a small fluidic connection to the surroundings of the heating chamber. However, the larger the flow cross-section of the fluidic connection, the greater the effect. Therefore, it is preferred, for example, for the nozzle box to pass through a ceiling of the heating chamber and be open at one upper side. In this case, the entire cross-section of the nozzle box is available as a fluidic connection. Particularly preferably, the nozzle box has a constant cross-section between the lower and upper sides.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the temperature control device, the nozzle box has a circumferential wall which, at least in sections, is beveled on the lower side of the nozzle box, facing the interior of the nozzle box. Preferably, the circumferential wall on the lower side of the nozzle box is beveled at all points, facing the interior of the nozzle box.

[0025] The surrounding wall encloses the interior of the nozzle box. The interior of the nozzle box is therefore formed primarily by the surrounding wall. The surrounding wall is preferably made of steel.

[0026] The wall on the lower side of the nozzle box is beveled. This can generally be done in two directions. According to the invention, the direction facing the interior of the nozzle box is chosen. If cooling fluid flows downwards along the inside of the wall, the cooling fluid is directed away from the second area of ​​the component by this beveled design. This allows a particularly sharp separation between the areas to be achieved.

[0027] The present embodiment is particularly preferred in combination with the configuration in which the at least one nozzle is held on the circumferential wall. In this case, the cooling fluid exits the at least one nozzle, flows downward along the inside of the wall, and is deflected toward the center of the interior space by the beveled configuration of the wall on the lower side. However, the beveled configuration of the circumferential wall is also preferred regardless of the position of the nozzle. In any case, a flow of cooling fluid directed toward the component is generated within the nozzle box. This allows the described deflection to be achieved in any case.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment, the tempering device further comprises a transport device arranged at least partially within the heating chamber for introducing the component into the tempering device and for removing the component from the tempering device, wherein the treatment position is arranged at a distance upwards from the transport device, and wherein the tempering device further comprises a lifting device for lifting the component from the transport device into the treatment position.

[0029] The transport device can, in particular, comprise a roller conveyor. The component can be lifted by the transport device into the treatment position. This allows the component to be brought closer to the underside of the nozzle box than if the component remained in the transport plane during the thermal treatment. The closer the component is to the underside of the nozzle box, the sharper the separation between the areas generally is. Particularly preferably, the component is in contact with the underside of the nozzle box even during the thermal treatment and is pressed beneath the nozzle box by the lifting device. "Being in contact" here means "touching."

[0030] As an alternative to the described configuration, the component can remain in the transport plane and the nozzle box can be moved toward the component. However, this is more complex from a practical perspective.

[0031] In a further preferred embodiment of the tempering device, the lifting device has a frame that is open at least upwards, wherein the lifting device is designed to hold the component, when it is in the treatment position, with an upper edge of the frame.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the component is held from below by the frame when the component is in the treatment position. The frame preferably has the same cross-section on its upper side as the nozzle box on its underside. The frame is preferably arranged below the nozzle box such that the frame and the nozzle box overlap when viewed perpendicular to the transport plane. In this case, the component can be clamped exactly between the nozzle box and the frame. In this ideal case, the nozzle box is particularly well sealed. However, the advantages described here can also be achieved in a lesser form if this ideal case is deviated from.

[0033] The frame is open at the top. This allows the component to rest on the frame with a comparatively small contact area. The frame can also be open at the bottom. Alternatively, the frame can be closed at the bottom by a base plate. The frame and base plate together form a box that is open at the top. The closed frame at the bottom also allows the underside of the component to be insulated from the temperature prevailing in the heating chamber. This can assist in cooling the first area of ​​the component.

[0034] There are various ways the component can be transported through the tempering device despite the frame. For example, the tempering device can have a roller conveyor with multiple rollers. One or more of the rollers of the roller conveyor can be arranged in the area of ​​the frame. This is possible, for example, if the frame has a respective upwardly open recess for each of these rollers, which can be designed like an elongated hole. Alternatively, the frame can be arranged between two adjacent rollers of the roller conveyor. This can be sufficient, in particular, for the treatment of small components.

[0035] In a further preferred embodiment of the tempering device, the lifting device has a plurality of blades, at least some of which have an enlarged support area for the component on their upper side.

[0036] Lifting a component using blades is known in itself. However, it is generally desired that the blades have the smallest possible support area. This is intended to keep contact between the heated component and the blades as low as possible. In the present embodiment, however, it is provided that at least some of the blades each have an enlarged support area for the component on their upper side. The support area is enlarged in such a way that the support area is larger than the rest of the blade in a plane in which the component is located when it is lifted by the blades.

[0037] The blades are preferably arranged perpendicular to the transport direction. The support area can extend beyond the rest of the blade in the transport direction. In this case, the blade can have a profile in the shape of an upside-down “L”. Alternatively, the support area can extend beyond the rest of the blade in the opposite direction to the transport direction. In this case, the blade can also have a profile in the shape of an upside-down “L”, but mirror-inverted to the previously described case. Alternatively, the support area can extend beyond the rest of the blade both in the transport direction and against the transport direction. In this case, the blade can have a profile in the shape of a “T”. This case is particularly preferred because it allows the largest support area. The support area can extend over the entire length of the respective blade.Alternatively, the support area can be limited to one or more sections along the length of the respective blade. The latter is preferred. In particular, it is preferred that the support area be limited to an area below the nozzle box.

[0038] The desired separation between the two areas of the component is sharper the closer the component is held to the underside of the nozzle box during thermal treatment. However, if the component is lifted by blades with a comparatively small contact surface, the component can sag between the blades. Precise positioning of the component in the vertical direction is therefore generally only possible directly at the points where a blade is arranged. This is especially true if the component is pressed against the underside of the nozzle box during thermal treatment. If the wall of the nozzle box does not engage the component directly above a blade, the component can be bent.

[0039] The enlarged support areas of the present embodiment mitigate this effect. The enlarged support areas of the blades make it easier for the nozzle box wall to engage the component directly above a blade.

[0040] Alternatively, the blades could be positioned directly beneath the nozzle box wall without an enlarged support area. However, this can only be easily implemented for a few selected component geometries. Flexible use of the temperature control device for different component geometries could require complex modifications. The described design of the blades with an enlarged support area can avoid this.

[0041] It is preferred that the blades arranged below the edge of the nozzle box have an enlarged contact area, as described. The remaining blades preferably do not have an enlarged contact area. This allows the contact area between these blades and the component to be kept to a minimum.

[0042] As a further aspect of the invention, a method for locally varying thermal treatment of a steel component using a tempering device designed as described is presented. The method comprises: a) Positioning the component within the heating chamber in the treatment position, b) Applying a cooling fluid to the first region of the component via at least one nozzle of the nozzle box and introducing heat energy into the second region of the component.

[0043] The advantages and features of the temperature control device are applicable and transferable to the process, and vice versa. The temperature control device is preferably configured for use in the process.

[0044] Preferably, the method further comprises the following step c) Press hardening the component after it has been subjected to locally different thermal treatments in step b).

[0045] In this case, the process can also be described as a process for locally different thermal treatment and press hardening of a component.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the component is in contact with the nozzle box in the treatment position.

[0047] In this embodiment, a particularly sharp separation of the areas can be achieved because particularly little gas flows out of the nozzle box into the second area of ​​the component.

[0048] In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the nozzle box has several nozzles from which the cooling fluid is discharged at different times in step b).

[0049] Turbulence can be reduced by discharging the cooling fluid from the nozzles at different times.

[0050] As a further aspect of the invention, a use of a tempering device designed as described for the locally different thermal treatment of a component made of steel is presented, wherein the component is a door ring or a double door ring for a motor vehicle.

[0051] The advantages and features of the temperature control device and method are applicable and transferable to the use, and vice versa. The temperature control device is preferably configured for the use.

[0052] It has been found that the described temperature control device is particularly suitable for dorrings and double dorrings. This is due in particular to the comparatively large size of these components. Especially in the case of a dorring or a double dorring as the component to be treated, it is preferred that the heating chamber be designed as a thermally insulated chamber into which the entire component can be accommodated. Due to the thermal insulation, the temperature of the component can be maintained with particularly low energy consumption, which is particularly important for large components such as a dorring or double dorring.

[0053] As a further aspect of the invention, an arrangement for locally varying thermal treatment and press hardening of a component is presented. The arrangement comprises: - a first oven for heating the component, - a tempering device arranged downstream of the first furnace for locally different thermal treatment of the component, which is designed as described, - a pressing device arranged downstream of the tempering device for press hardening the component.

[0054] The advantages and features of the temperature control device, the method, and the use are applicable and transferable to the arrangement, and vice versa. The temperature control device is preferably configured for use in the arrangement.

[0055] The term "downstream" refers to a transport direction in which the component can be moved through the assembly. Thus, the tempering device is downstream of the first furnace in the transport direction, and the pressing device is downstream of the tempering device in the transport direction.

[0056] Preferably, the arrangement further comprises a second furnace for introducing heat energy into the entire component, which is arranged downstream of the tempering device in the transport direction. The second furnace can be used, in particular, to control the microstructural transformation in the soft areas. This allows the desired strength values ​​to be achieved after press hardening.

[0057] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show particularly preferred embodiments, to which the invention is not limited, however. The figures and the proportions depicted therein are merely schematic. They show: Fig. 1a: a side view of a first embodiment of a tempering device according to the invention while a component is being inserted into it, Fig. 1b: the tempering device from Fig. 1a in the same view, while the component is thermally treated in the treatment position, Fig. 1c: an enlargement of a section of the tempering device from Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b in the situation Fig. 1b, Fig. 2a: a side view of a second embodiment of a tempering device according to the invention, while a component is being inserted into it, Fig. 2b: the tempering device from Fig. 2a in the same view, while the component is thermally treated in the treatment position, Fig. 2c: an enlargement of a section of the tempering device from Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b in the situation Fig. 2b, Fig. 3: an arrangement according to the invention.

[0058] Fig. 1a shows a tempering device 1 for the locally varied thermal treatment of a component 2. The tempering device 1 has a heating chamber 3, which can be heated via a (only schematically indicated) heating element 26. The tempering device 1 also has a transport device 16 with transport rollers 27. The transport rollers 27 form a transport plane 28. The component 2 can be moved in a transport direction 31 via the transport rollers 27. On the left side, the heating chamber 3 has an inlet opening 29, through which the component 2 can be introduced into the heating chamber 3. On the right side, the heating chamber 3 has an outlet opening 30, through which the component 2 can be discharged from the heating chamber 3.

[0059] Furthermore, the temperature control device 1 has a lifting device 17, which has a frame 21 that is open at the top. The lifting device 17 is designed to hold the component 2, when it is in the treatment position 4, with an upper edge 32 of the frame 21. The frame 21 is closed at the bottom. In this respect, the frame 21 can also be referred to as a box that is open at the top. The lifting device 17 also has a plurality of blades 18. The frame 21 is held by some of the blades 18, so that the frame 21 can be lifted via the blades 18.

[0060] The temperature control device 1 further comprises a nozzle box 5, which is partially formed within the heating chamber 3, which is open on a lower side 6, and which has a fluid connection 8 to the surroundings of the heating chamber 3 on an upper side 7. The nozzle box 5 is formed by a circumferential wall 13, which encloses an interior space 15.

[0061] In Fig. 1a shows how the component 2 can be introduced into the heating chamber 3 of the temperature control device 1.

[0062] Fig. 1b shows the tempering device 1 from Fig. 1a in the same view as in Fig. 1a. In Fig. However, Figure 1b shows the situation in which the component 2 is in a treatment position 4. The tempering device 1 is configured to subject the component 2 to locally different thermal treatments in the treatment position 4 within the heating chamber 3. For this purpose, the component 2 has been lifted from the transport plane 28 by the lifting device 17. The treatment position 4 is thus spaced upwards from the transport plane 28. In the treatment position 4, the component 2 is in contact with the nozzle box 5, in that the component 2 touches the nozzle box 5 on its lower side 6.

[0063] Component 2 can, if it is as in Fig. 1b is received in the treatment position 4, are thermally treated in such a way that a first region 11 of the component 2 is provided with one or more (in Fig. 1c) nozzles 9 of the nozzle box 5 and heat energy from the heating chamber 3 is supplied to a second region 12 of the component 2.

[0064] Fig. 1c shows an enlarged section of the tempering device 1 from Fig. 1b. It can be seen that the nozzle box 5 has several nozzles 9 for discharging a cooling fluid 10. The cooling fluid 10 can be used to cool the first region 11 of the component 2. Each of the nozzles 9 is connected to a respective line 33, via which the cooling fluid 10 can be directed to the corresponding nozzle 9.

[0065] In addition, Fig. 1c shows that the circumferential wall 13 of the nozzle box 5 is beveled at least in sections on the lower side 6, facing the interior 15 of the nozzle box 5. A lower edge 14 of the wall 13 touches the upper side of the component 2 at the transition between the first region 11 and the second region 12 of the component.

[0066] Furthermore, Fig. 1c shows that the frame 21 has a recess 34 in which one of the transport rollers 27 is accommodated. Due to the elongated shape of the recess 34, the frame 21 can move up and down relative to the transport roller 27. In Fig. 1c shows the upper position. Component 2 is in treatment position 4. To lower component 2 from this position onto transport level 28, frame 21 can be moved downward, which is possible despite the transport roller 27 due to the shape of recess 34. Since recess 34 is open at the top, the upper edge 32 of frame 21 can also be moved downward beyond transport level 28. This allows component 2 to be transferred from frame 21 to transport rollers 27.

[0067] The Fig. The temperature control device 1 shown in Figures 1a to 1c can be used in particular to subject a door ring or a double door ring for a motor vehicle to locally different thermal treatments. This can be achieved by positioning the component 2 in the treatment position 4 and then exposing the first region 11 of the component 2 to a cooling fluid 10 via the nozzles 9 of the nozzle box 5, and introducing thermal energy into the second region 12 of the component 2. The cooling fluid 10 is preferably discharged from the nozzles 9 at different times in order to minimize turbulence in the nozzle box 5. For example, the cooling fluid 10 can be discharged alternately from the nozzles 9 held on the wall 13 of the nozzle box 5 and the central nozzle 9.

[0068] Fig. 2a to 2c are the Fig. 1a to 1c. However, the lifting device 17 in the embodiment of the Fig. 2a to 2c are designed differently than in the Fig. 1a to 1c. In Fig. 2a to 2c, the lifting device 17 has several blades 18. Some of these have a support area 20 on an upper side 19. These are the blades 8, which are arranged below the edge of the nozzle box 5.

[0069] Fig. 3 shows an arrangement 22 for locally different thermal treatment and press hardening of a component 2. The arrangement 22 comprises a first furnace 23 for heating the component 2. Furthermore, the arrangement 22 comprises a tempering device 1 arranged downstream of the first furnace 23 for locally different thermal treatment of the component 2, which as in the embodiment according to Fig. 1a to 1c or according to the embodiment according to Fig.2a to 2c. Furthermore, the arrangement 22 comprises a second furnace 24 arranged downstream of the tempering device 1 for the thermal treatment of the component 2, as well as a pressing device 25 arranged downstream of the second furnace 24 for press-hardening the component 2. The component 2 can be moved through the arrangement 22 in the transport plane 28 in the transport direction 31. List of reference symbols 1 tempering device 2 component 3 heating chamber 4 Treatment position 5 nozzle box 6 bottom side 7 upper side 8 fluid connection 9 Nozzle 10 Cooling fluid 11 first area 12 second area 13 Wall 14 lower edge of the wall 15 Interior 16 Transport device 17 Lifting device 18 Sword 19 Top 20 support area 21 frames 22 Arrangement 23 first oven 24 two-burner oven 25 Pressing device 26 Heating element 27 Transport roller 28 Transport level 29 Entrance opening 30 Exit opening 31 Transport direction 32 upper edge of the box 33 Line 34 recess QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2016 121 699 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Tempering device (1) for locally different thermal treatment of a component (2), comprising - a heatable heating chamber (3), wherein the component (2) for thermal treatment can be accommodated in a treatment position (4) within the heating chamber (3), - a nozzle box (5), which ▪ is formed at least partially within the heating chamber (3), ▪ is arranged above the treatment position (4), ▪ is open on one lower side (6), ▪ has an interior space (15), ▪ in the interior (15) has at least one nozzle (9) for discharging a cooling fluid (10) in the direction of the treatment position (4), and ▪ has a fluidic connection (8) to an environment of the heating chamber (3), wherein the temperature control device (1) is designed to thermally treat the component (2), when it is accommodated in the treatment position (4), in such a way that a first region (11) of the component (2) is cooled with the at least one nozzle (9) of the nozzle box (5) and thermal energy from the heating chamber (3) is supplied to a second region (12) of the component (2). [2] Tempering device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle box (5) has a circumferential wall (13) which is bevelled at least in sections on the lower side (6) of the nozzle box (5) facing the interior (15) of the nozzle box (5). [3] Tempering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a transport device (16) arranged at least partially within the heating chamber (3) for introducing the component (2) into the tempering device (1) and for removing the component (2) from the tempering device (1), wherein the treatment position (4) is arranged at a distance upwards from the transport device (16), and wherein the tempering device (1) further comprises a lifting device (17) for lifting the component (2) from the transport device (16) into the treatment position (4). [4] Tempering device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the lifting device (17) has a frame (21) which is open at least upwards, and wherein the lifting device (17) is designed to hold the component (2), when it is in the treatment position (4), with an upper edge (32) of the frame (21). [5] Tempering device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the lifting device (17) has a plurality of blades (18), at least some of which have an enlarged support area (20) for the component (2) on their upper side (19). [6] Method for the locally different thermal treatment of a component (2) made of steel with a tempering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a) Positioning the component (2) within the heating chamber (3) in the treatment position (4), b) applying a cooling fluid to the first region (11) of the component (2) via the at least one nozzle (9) of the nozzle box (5) and introducing thermal energy into the second region (12) of the component (2). [7] Method according to claim 6, wherein the component (2) is in contact with the nozzle box (5) in the treatment position (4). [8] Method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the nozzle box (5) has a plurality of nozzles (9) from which the cooling fluid is discharged in step b) at different times. [9] Use of a tempering device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 for the locally different thermal treatment of a component (2) made of steel, wherein the component (2) is a door ring or a double door ring for a motor vehicle. [10] Arrangement (22) for locally different thermal treatment and press hardening of a component (2), comprising: - a first furnace (23) for heating the component (2), - a tempering device (1) arranged downstream of the first furnace (23) for locally different thermal treatment of the component (2), which is designed according to one of claims 1 to 5, - a pressing device (25) arranged downstream of the tempering device (1) for press hardening the component (2).

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