Hardening device

Abstract

To provide a hardening device capable of hardening a hardening object located at a desired position.SOLUTION: A hardening device has a heating coil 2 and posture change means 10. The posture change means has a guide member 12 having guide parts 23, an engaging member 15 to engage with the guide part, and a supporting member 16 to support a work piece 100. Either of the guide member or the engaging member has degrees of freedom in an axis direction and a turning direction. The guide parts are placed at a peripheral surface of the guide member, and, when defining a rotation direction as a X axis and the axis direction as a Y axis, describe a trajectory reciprocating periodically in the Y axis direction as an engaging position between it and the engaging member advances to the X axis direction. The supporting member is mounted to the moving side member. The position where the engaging member engages with the guide part changes in the X axis direction, and the moving side member is turned to change a hardening object by placing the work piece on the supporting member and reciprocating and moving the moving side member in the axis direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hardening device that uses induction heating to heat a workpiece. The present invention is suitable for hardening a workpiece that has multiple hardening target locations. The hardening device of the present invention can also be used for hardening multiple workpieces sequentially. [Background technology]

[0002] Induction hardening is one of the methods for hardening steel workpieces. Induction hardening involves passing a high-frequency current through an induction heating coil, which is then brought close to the workpiece. As a result, eddy currents (induced currents) are generated in the workpiece, which is induction heated and becomes red-hot. The red-hot workpiece is then rapidly cooled to change its composition to martensite. Induction hardening can locally raise the temperature of a workpiece, so that the workpiece can be partially hardened. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-233339 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-58059 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, induction hardening allows partial hardening of a workpiece, so that multiple locations on the workpiece can be hardened. When hardening multiple locations on a workpiece, it may be necessary to change the position or orientation of the workpiece because the locations of the workpiece to be hardened must be close to the induction heating coil. In the prior art, for example, a workpiece is placed on an XY table, and the position and orientation of the workpiece are changed to harden multiple portions of the workpiece. Alternatively, the workpiece is placed on a turntable, and the turntable is rotated by a predetermined angle to change the position of the workpiece, thereby hardening multiple portions of the workpiece.

[0005] However, the XY table has a complicated structure and is expensive, and also occupies a large space and is bulky. Turntables have poor positioning accuracy and require complex control devices to stop them at specific angles.

[0006] The present invention focuses on the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and aims to provide a hardening device that has a simple structure, has high positioning accuracy for a workpiece, and can accurately harden an object to be hardened that is located at a desired position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An aspect for solving the above-described problems is a hardening device having a heating coil for heating a workpiece and a position changing means, wherein the position changing means includes a guide member having a guide portion, an engaging member that engages with the guide portion, and a support member that supports the workpiece, wherein either the guide member or the engaging member is a movable member that has a degree of freedom in the axial and rotational directions, the guide portion is on the circumferential surface of the guide member, and when the rotational direction is the X-axis and the axial direction is the Y-axis, the engagement position with the engaging member traces a locus that periodically reciprocates in the Y-axis direction as it progresses in the X-axis direction, the support member is attached to the movable member, and has a driving means that moves the movable member back and forth in the axial direction, and the hardening device is characterized in that the workpiece is placed on the support member and the moving member is moved back and forth in the axial direction by the driving means, whereby the position at which the engaging member engages with the guide portion changes in the X-axis direction, and the movable member rotates, changing the object to be hardened.

[0008] The hardening device of this embodiment changes the object to be hardened by applying a cam mechanism. The hardening device of this aspect moves the moving-side member back and forth in the axial direction, thereby changing the axial movement into a rotational direction and rotating the moving-side member. In the hardening device of this aspect, when the rotation direction of the guide part is the X axis and the axial direction is the Y axis, the engagement position with the engaging member traces a locus that periodically reciprocates in the Y axis direction as it advances in the X axis direction. Therefore, when the moving-side member is reciprocated in the axial direction, the moving-side member rotates by a predetermined rotation angle, and the hardening target changes.

[0009] Another aspect for solving the same problem is a hardening device having a heating coil for heating a workpiece and position changing means, wherein the position changing means includes a guide member having a guide portion, an engaging member that engages with the guide portion, and a support member that supports the workpiece, wherein either the guide member or the engaging member is a movable member that has degrees of freedom in the axial and rotational directions, the support member is attached to the movable member, and includes drive means for reciprocating the movable member in the axial direction, the guide portion is on the circumferential surface of the guide member, and when the rotational direction is the X-axis and the axial direction is the Y-axis, when the movable member is reciprocated in the axial direction, the engagement position between the guide portion and the engaging member traces a locus that reciprocates in the Y-axis direction and advances in the X-axis direction, and the hardening device is characterized in that by placing the workpiece on the support member and reciprocating the movable member in the axial direction with the drive means, the position at which the engaging member engages with the guide portion changes in the X-axis direction, and the movable member rotates, changing the object to be hardened.

[0010] The hardening device of this embodiment also uses a cam mechanism to change the object to be hardened. In the hardening device of this aspect, the moving-side member is reciprocated in the axial direction, thereby changing the axial movement into a rotational direction, and the moving-side member is rotated. In the hardening device of this aspect, when the rotation direction of the guide part is the X-axis and the axial direction is the Y-axis, when the moving-side member is moved back and forth in the axial direction, the engagement position between the guide part and the engagement member traces a locus that moves back and forth in the Y-axis direction, and the engagement position between the guide part and the engagement member advances in the X-axis direction at the end of the forward or backward path. Therefore, when the moving-side member is moved back and forth in the axial direction, the moving-side member rotates by a predetermined rotation angle, and the object to be hardened changes.

[0011] In the above-described aspect, when the movable member is moved back and forth in the axial direction, it is desirable that the engagement position between the guide portion and the engaging member traces a trajectory that moves back and forth in the Y-axis direction, and that the engagement position between the guide portion and the engaging member advances in the X-axis direction at the end of the forward or backward path.

[0012] According to this aspect, the workpiece can be rotated when it has reached a certain height or position.

[0013] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable to have a positioning member that engages with the workpiece and / or the support member to maintain the workpiece and / or the support member in a fixed rotational position.

[0014] According to this aspect, the positioning member engages with the workpiece and / or the support member, so that the workpiece or the like is accurately positioned.

[0015] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that the driving means moves the movable side member in one axial direction, causing the workpiece and / or the support member to move in one axial direction, thereby disengaging the workpiece and / or the support member from the positioning member, and that the driving means moves the movable side member in the other axial direction, causing the workpiece and / or the support member to move in the other axial direction, thereby engaging the workpiece and / or the support member with the positioning member.

[0016] In the hardening device of this aspect, the support member is attached to the movable member, so that by moving the movable member in the axial direction, the support member and the workpiece move in the axial direction. The axial movement of the support member and workpiece is utilized to engage and disengage the positioning member with the workpiece, etc. That is, in the hardening device of this embodiment, the drive means moves the movable member in one axial direction, causing the workpiece, etc. to move in one axial direction, and this movement is utilized to disengage the workpiece, etc. from the positioning member. Furthermore, when the drive means moves the movable member in the other axial direction, the axial position of the workpiece, etc. returns to its original position, and the workpiece, etc. re-engages with the positioning member. According to this aspect, the positioning member can be automatically engaged with and disengaged from the workpiece or the like.

[0017] In each of the above aspects, it is desirable that the guide portion has a linear portion that extends linearly along the axial direction of the guide member.

[0018] According to this aspect, while the engaging member is engaged with the straight portion of the guide member, even if the moving member is moved in the axial direction, the moving member does not rotate but moves straight. Since the support member is attached to the moving member, the support member and the workpiece move straight without rotating while the engaging member is engaged with the straight portion. Therefore, the workpiece approaches or moves away in a straight line without moving relative to the positioning member in the rotation direction, which makes it less likely for the workpiece to get caught when engaging or disengaging with the positioning member.

[0019] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that the guide portion has a plurality of linear regions extending approximately linearly in the axial direction, one end of each of the linear regions being connected, and when the moving-side member is moved back and forth in the axial direction, the engaging member engages with the same linear region both forward and backward in a certain reciprocating section.

[0020] According to this aspect, the support member moves linearly in one direction while the rotation is stopped, and then moves linearly in the opposite direction at the same angular position.

[0021] Another aspect for solving the above-mentioned problems is a quenching device having a heating coil for raising the temperature of a workpiece and position changing means, wherein the position changing means includes a guide member having a guide portion, an engaging member that engages with the guide portion, and a support member that supports the workpiece, wherein either the guide member or the engaging member is an axially moving member that has a degree of freedom in the axial direction, and either the guide member or the engaging member is a rotationally moving member that has a degree of freedom in the rotational direction, the guide portion is on the circumferential surface of the guide member, and when the rotational direction is the X-axis and the axial direction is the Y-axis, the engagement position with the engaging member describes a locus that periodically reciprocates in the Y-axis direction as it progresses in the X-axis direction, the support member is attached to the rotationally moving member, and includes drive means for reciprocating the axially moving member in the axial direction, wherein the workpiece is placed on the support member and the drive means reciprocates the axially moving member in the axial direction, thereby changing the position at which the engaging member engages with the guide portion in the X-axis direction and rotating the rotationally moving member to change the object to be quenched.

[0022] The hardening device of this embodiment also uses a cam mechanism to change the object to be hardened. The hardening device of this aspect reciprocates the axially moving member in the axial direction, thereby changing the axial movement to a rotational direction and rotating the rotational direction moving member. In the hardening device of this aspect, when the rotational direction of the guide part is the X-axis and the axial direction is the Y-axis, the engagement position with the engaging member traces a locus that periodically reciprocates in the Y-axis direction as it advances in the X-axis direction. Therefore, when the axially moving member reciprocates in the axial direction, the rotational direction moving member rotates by a predetermined rotation angle, changing the object to be hardened. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] The hardening device of the present invention has a simple structure, has high positioning accuracy for a workpiece, and can accurately harden an object to be hardened at a desired position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a quenching device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1(a) is a front view of the guide rod, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view thereof. [Figure 3] (a) is a schematic unfolded view of the surface of the guide rod, showing the guide portion on the circumferential surface of the guide rod, and (b) is a schematic unfolded view of the (a) view with the engagement trajectory of the engagement member added. [Figure 4] (a) is a schematic unfolded view of the surface of the guide rod, showing the state in which the guide rod is at its lower end and the engaging member is engaged with the upper end of the first linear groove, (b) is an oblique view of the hardening device and workpiece at that time, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the hardening device and the workpiece at that time. [Figure 5] 5 shows a state following that of FIG. 4, where (a) is a schematic unfolded view of the surface of the guide rod, showing the state in which the guide rod starts to rise from the lower end and the engaging member moves downward from the upper end of the first linear groove, (b) is an oblique view of the hardening device and workpiece at that time, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the hardening device and the workpiece at that time. [Figure 6] 5, where (a) is a schematic unfolded view of the surface of the guide rod, showing the state in which the guide rod has risen further and the engaging member is engaged with the downwardly inclined portion of the first connection region, (b) and (c) are oblique views of the hardening device and workpiece at that time, and (d) is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the hardening device and the workpiece at that time. [Figure 7] 7 shows a state following that of FIG. 6, where (a) is a schematic unfolded view of the surface of the guide rod, showing the state in which the guide rod has risen further and the engaging member is engaged with the straight portion of the first connection region, (b) is an oblique view of the hardening device and workpiece at that time, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the hardening device and the workpiece at that time. [Figure 8]7A and 7B show a state following FIG. 7A, in which (a) is a schematic unfolded view of the surface of the guide rod, showing the state in which the guide rod has descended and the engaging member is engaged with the straight portion of the first connection region, (b) is an oblique view of the hardening device and workpiece at that time, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the hardening device and the workpiece at that time. [Figure 9] 8, where (a) is a schematic unfolded view of the surface of the guide rod, showing the state in which the guide rod has further descended and the engaging member is engaged with the upwardly inclined portion of the first connection region, (b) and (c) are oblique views of the hardening device and workpiece at that time, and (d) is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the hardening device and the workpiece at that time. [Figure 10] 10 shows a state following that of FIG. 9, where (a) is a schematic unfolded view of the surface of the guide rod, showing the state in which the guide rod further descends and the engaging member faces upward from the lower end of the second linear groove, (b) is an oblique view of the hardening device and workpiece at that time, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the hardening device and the workpiece at that time. [Figure 11] 10 shows a state following that shown in FIG. 10, where (a) is a schematic unfolded view of the surface of the guide rod, showing the state in which the guide rod has further descended and the engaging member has reached the upper end of the second linear groove, (b) is an oblique view of the hardening device and workpiece at that time, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the hardening device and the workpiece at that time. [Figure 12] 11, where (a) is a schematic unfolded view of the surface of the guide rod, showing the state in which the guide rod starts to rise from the lower end and the engaging member moves downward from the upper end of the second linear groove, (b) is an oblique view of the hardening device and workpiece at that time, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the hardening device and the workpiece at that time. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a quenching device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of a quenching device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The hardening apparatus 1 of this embodiment is an induction hardening apparatus that hardens a disk-shaped workpiece 100 having a plurality of hardening targets 101, 102, and 103 as shown in FIG. 1 by induction heating. As described above, the workpiece 100 is disk-shaped and has an opening 105 in the center. Other openings are provided at equal angular intervals around the opening 105, and the inner surfaces of the openings are the targets 101, 102, and 103 of the workpiece 100 to be hardened.

[0026] The quenching device 1 of this embodiment has a heating coil 2 for raising the temperature of the workpiece 100 and a position changing means 10. The heating coil 2 is a known induction heating coil, and is connected to a high-frequency power source and a current transformer (not shown), through which a high-frequency current is passed.

[0027] The position changing means 10 has a base portion 11, a guide rod (guide member) 12, an engaging member 15, a support member 16, and a driving means 17. The base 11 is a fixed structure of the attitude changing means 10, and has a top plate 20. The top plate 20 is provided with a positioning member 21. The positioning member 21 is a protrusion in the shape of a truncated cone.

[0028] The guide rod (guide member) 12 is a long round rod, and as shown in FIG. 2, a guide groove (guide portion) 23 is provided on the circumferential surface. 2 and 3, the guide groove (guide portion) 23 is a combination of three linear grooves 30, 31, and 32 and connecting grooves 35, 36, and 37 that connect these. Figures 3 and 4 to 12(a) are merely schematic representations of the guide groove 23, and its width and length do not match those in Figure 2. Three parallel linear grooves 30, 31, and 32 are formed on the surface of the guide rod (guide member) 12. For ease of explanation, the three linear grooves will be referred to as a first linear groove 30, a second linear groove 31, and a third linear groove 32. The first linear groove 30, the second linear groove 31, and the third linear groove 32 all extend parallel to the axis of the guide rod (guide member) 12. The first linear groove 30, the second linear groove 31, and the third linear groove 32 are spaced at equal intervals, which are 120° apart in this embodiment.

[0029] The three linear grooves 30, 31, 32 are connected by connecting grooves 35, 36, 37 at the lower ends of adjacent linear grooves 30, 31, 32. For ease of explanation, the three connecting grooves will be referred to as a first connecting groove 35, a second connecting groove 36, and a third connecting groove 37. Each of the connecting grooves 35, 36, 37 has a downwardly inclined portion 40, a straight portion 41, and an upwardly inclined portion 42. The connecting portions of the linear grooves 30, 31, 32 and the connecting grooves 35, 36, 37 have steps or slopes.

[0030] The engaging member 15 is adapted to engage with the guide groove (guide portion) 23. The support member 16 has a disk portion 50 and a truncated cone portion 51. The support member 16 has an engaging portion (not shown). The driving means 17 is composed of a cam 52 and a geared motor 53 that drives the cam 52 .

[0031] Next, the positional relationship of each member will be described. 1, the support member 16 is fixed integrally to the upper end of the guide rod (guide member) 12. The guide rod (guide member) 12 is supported by a member (not shown) so as to be able to move linearly and rotate. The guide rod (guide member) 12 penetrates the top plate portion 20 of the base portion 11, and the support member 16 of the guide rod 12 protrudes above the top plate portion 20. The engagement member 15 is fixed to the base portion 11 by a member (not shown) and does not move. The engagement member 15 is engaged with the guide groove (guide portion) 23 of the guide rod (guide member) 12. The driving means 17 is located on the lower side of the guide rod (guide member) 12, and the cam 52 is engaged with the guide rod 12.

[0032] Next, the range of movement of each member will be described. In this embodiment, the guide rod (guide member) 12 has degrees of freedom in both the linear and rotational directions. In this embodiment, the guide rod 12 functions as a moving member. In addition, in this embodiment, the guide rod 12 also functions as an axially moving member and a rotationally moving member. The engaging member 15 is fixed to the base 11 and has no degree of freedom, and the base 11 cannot move or change its position.

[0033] Next, the function of the hardening device 1 will be described. A driving means 17 is provided below the guide rod (guide member) 12, and a cam 52 of the driving means 17 is engaged with the guide rod 12. Therefore, when the geared motor 53 is rotated to rotate the cam 52, the guide rod (guide member) 12 moves up and down periodically. An engaging member 15 is engaged with the guide groove (guide portion) 23 of the guide rod 12. The engaging member 15 is always engaged with the guide groove (guide portion) 23, and the contact locus between the engaging member 15 and the linear grooves 30, 31, 32 of the guide groove 23 is as shown in FIG. 3(b).

[0034] That is, when the rotation direction of guide rod 12 is defined as the X-axis and the axial direction (up and down) as the Y-axis, the engagement position between engaging member 15 and guide groove 23 describes a locus that periodically moves back and forth in the Y-axis direction as it progresses in the X-axis direction. Note that for ease of understanding, the upward path and downward path of the contact locus are shown separated, but the upward path and downward path in linear grooves 30, 31, 32 overlap, and engaging member 15 moves back and forth relatively along the same line. When viewed from the guide rod 12 side, when the engagement position between the engagement member 15 and the guide groove 23 reciprocates in the Y-axis direction, the engagement position advances in the X-axis direction. In other words, when the guide rod 12 is moved back and forth in the axial direction, the engagement position between the guide groove 23 and the engagement member 15 traces a trajectory that moves back and forth along the same path in the Y-axis direction, and the engagement position between the guide groove 23 and the engagement member 15 at the end of the outbound or return path advances in the X-axis direction.

[0035] 3(b) simply as a diagram, it is a diagram that periodically moves back and forth in the Y-axis direction as the engagement position advances in the X-axis direction. Guide rod 12 and engagement member 15 can be said to be a kind of three-dimensional cam, and functionally, guide rod 12 is both a driver and a follower. That is, in the cam mechanism of this embodiment, guide rod 12 moves up and down by power, and fixed engagement member 15 is constantly engaged with guide groove 23, following the guide groove 23 and causing guide rod 12 itself to rotate. Therefore, if the contact locus shown in the developed view of Figure 3(b) is viewed simply as a figure, it can be said to be a figure that periodically moves back and forth in the Y-axis direction as the engagement position moves in the X-axis direction, but functionally, when the engagement position between the engagement member 15 and the guide groove 23 moves back and forth in the Y-axis direction, the engagement position moves in the X-axis direction. In other words, when the guide rod 12 is moved back and forth in the axial direction, the engagement position between the guide groove 23 and the engagement member 15 traces a trajectory that moves back and forth in the Y-axis direction, and at the end of the outbound or return path, the engagement position between the guide groove 23 and the engagement member 15 advances in the X-axis direction.

[0036] In the contact locus shown in the developed view, the guide groove (guide portion) 23 has a plurality of linear regions (linear grooves 30, 31, 32) that extend in a substantially linear manner in the axial direction, and one end of adjacent linear regions is connected by connecting grooves 35, 36, 37. Therefore, as described above, the engagement position between the guide groove 23 and the engaging member 15 at the end of the forward or backward path advances in the X-axis direction. When the guide groove 23 is reciprocated up and down in the axial direction, the engaging member 15 engages with the same first linear groove 30, second linear groove 31, and third linear groove 32 (linear regions) when ascending and descending (forward and reverse) in a certain reciprocating section of the guide groove 23. Therefore, as described above, when the guide rod 12 is reciprocated in the axial direction, the engagement position between the guide groove 23 and the engaging member 15 traces a locus that reciprocates in the Y-axis direction.

[0037] As described above, the guide rod 12 moves up and down by power, and the fixed engaging member 15 is constantly engaged with the guide groove 23 and follows the guide groove 23. That is, as the guide rod 12 rises, the contact position of the engaging member 15 moves down the first linear groove 30. The first linear groove 30 has only a component in the Y-axis direction and no component in the X-axis direction, so the guide rod 12 moves up without rotating.

[0038] As the guide rod 12 rises, the contact position of the engaging member 15 moves down the first linear groove 30 and finally reaches the lower end of the first linear groove 30. At this point, the lower end of the first linear groove 30 is bifurcated as shown in Figure 3. That is, the lower end of the first linear groove 30 has a first connecting groove 35 and a third connecting groove 37, and is bifurcated as shown in Figure 3. Specifically, the lower end of the first linear groove 30 is bifurcated into a downwardly inclined portion 40 of the first connecting groove 35 and an upwardly inclined portion 42 of the third connecting groove 37.

[0039] In this embodiment, there is a step 60 at the bottom of the groove between the first straight groove 30 and the upwardly inclined portion 42 of the third connecting groove 37. Meanwhile, there is a slope (not shown) at the bottom between the first straight groove 30 and the downwardly inclined portion 40 of the first connecting groove 35. Therefore, when the guide rod 12 ascends and the contact position of the engaging member 15 reaches the lower end of the first straight groove 30, and the guide rod 12 continues to ascend, the step 60 prevents the engaging member 15 from moving toward the third connecting groove 37 and the engaging member 15 enters the downwardly inclined portion 40 of the first connecting groove 35. The downwardly inclined portion 40 has a component in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, since the engaging member 15 is in a fixed position and the guide rod 12 has a degree of freedom in the rotational direction, the guide rod 12 rotates. That is, while the engaging member 15 is engaged with the downwardly inclined portion 40 of the first connecting groove 35, the guide rod 12 ascends while rotating.

[0040] As the guide rod 12 rises further, the engaging member 15 enters the straight portion 41 of the first connecting groove 35. The straight portion 41 of the first connecting groove 35 does not have a component in the X-axis direction, so the guide rod 12 rises without rotating. As described above, the cam 52 of the driving means 17 is engaged with the guide rod 12, so as the rotation of the cam 52 progresses, the guide rod 12, which had been rising up until then, begins to fall. As a result, the engagement position between the engagement member 15 and the guide groove 23 rises. The upper end of the straight portion 41 of the first connecting groove 35 is bifurcated, and is divided into a downward inclined portion 40 and an upward inclined portion 42.

[0041] In this embodiment, there is a step 61 at the bottom of the groove between the straight portion 41 and the downwardly inclined portion 40. Meanwhile, there is a slope (not shown) at the bottom between the straight portion 41 and the upwardly inclined portion 42. Therefore, when the guide rod 12 descends and the contact position of the engaging member 15 reaches the upper end of the straight portion 41, and the guide rod 12 continues to descend, the step 61 prevents the engaging member 15 from moving toward the downwardly inclined portion 40, and the engaging member 15 enters the upwardly inclined portion 42. Since the upwardly inclined portion 42 has a component in the X-axis direction, the guide rod 12 rotates as it descends. The rotation direction of the guide rod 12 after the engaging member 15 enters the upwardly inclined portion 42 is the same as the rotation direction while the engaging member 15 was engaged with the downwardly inclined portion 40.

[0042] The guide rod 12 continues to descend and enters the second linear groove 31 from the first connecting groove 35. The second linear groove 31 has only a Y-axis component and no X-axis component, so the guide rod 12 descends without rotating. Then, the guide rod 12 reaches its lower limit, and the contact position of the engaging member 15 reaches the upper end of the second linear groove 31 . Then, the guide rod 12 starts to rise, and the contact position of the engaging member 15 moves down the second linear groove 31. Thereafter, this operation is repeated. In this way, while the guide rod 12 rises and the contact position of the engaging member 15 follows the linear regions of the first linear groove 30, the second linear groove 31, and the third linear groove 32, the guide rod 12 rises straight without rotating. When the guide rod 12 reaches the region where the ascending / descending direction changes and the contact position of the engaging member 15 is aligned with the connecting region, that is, the first connecting groove 35, the second connecting groove 36, and the third connecting groove 37, the guide rod 12 ascends and descends while rotating. More precisely, while the downward inclined portion 40 and the upward inclined portion 42 of the first connecting groove 35, the second connecting groove 36, and the third connecting groove 37 are aligned, the guide rod 12 ascends and descends while rotating.

[0043] Next, the operation of the quenching device 1 will be explained along with the actual quenching work. In the hardening apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the workpiece 100 is placed on the support member 16 of the position changing means 10 as shown in FIG. 4(b). The workpiece 100 has a central opening 105 through which the truncated cone portion 51 of the support member 16 is inserted, and an engaging portion (not shown) of the support member 16 engages with the workpiece 100. Therefore, the workpiece 100 moves up and down integrally with the support member 16, and rotates integrally with the support member 16.

[0044] In the first stage, the guide rod 12 is at the lower end position and the engaging member 15 is engaged with the upper end of the first linear groove 30 as shown in FIG. 4(a). In this embodiment, the openings of the workpiece 100 (hardening targets 101, 102, 103) engage with the positioning member 21 of the posture changing means 10, ensuring precise positioning accuracy of the workpiece 100. That is, in the first stage, the positioning member 21 engages with the hardening target 101 as shown in FIG. 4(b). In this state, the heating coil 2 is lowered and inserted into one of the other objects to be quenched 102, 103. For example, the heating coil 2 is inserted into the object to be quenched 103, the inner surface of the opening is heated to red heat, and then quenched by rapid cooling.

[0045] Next, the driving means 17 is driven to rotate the cam 52 once, thereby raising and lowering the guide rod 12. That is, the guide rod 12 is raised from the lower end position to the upper end, and then the guide rod 12 is lowered back to the lower end. During this time, the guide rod 12 rises straight up vertically, moving the workpiece 100 vertically and extracting the object 101 to be hardened from the positioning member 21, then the guide rod 12 is raised and rotated 60 degrees to rotate the workpiece 100 by 60 degrees, and then the guide rod 12 is lowered and rotated 60 degrees in the same direction to rotate the workpiece 100 another 60 degrees, and the guide rod 12 is lowered straight up vertically, moving the workpiece 100 vertically and engaging the object 102 to be hardened with the positioning member 21.

[0046] That is, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the guide rod 12 starts to rise from its bottom end, and the engaging member 15 moves downward from the top end of the first linear groove 30. As the guide rod 12 rises, the contact position of the engaging member 15 moves downward in the first linear groove 30. The first linear groove 30 has only a Y-axis component and no X-axis component. Therefore, the guide rod 12 rises without rotating, and the workpiece 100 rises vertically. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the object 101 to be hardened disengages from the positioning member 21, and the engagement is released.

[0047] 6, the guide rod 12 rises further and the engaging member 15 engages with the downwardly inclined portion 40 of the first connecting groove 35. Since the downwardly inclined portion 40 has a component in the X-axis direction, the guide rod 12 rises while rotating, and the workpiece 100 rotates 60 degrees, as shown in FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c).

[0048] 7, the guide rod 12 rises further and the engaging member 15 engages with the straight portion 41 of the first connecting groove 35. Since the straight portion 41 of the first connecting groove 35 does not have a component in the X-axis direction, the guide rod 12 rises without rotating, and the workpiece 100 also rises without rotating. Next, due to the action of cam 52, guide rod 12 begins to descend as shown in Figure 8. Since straight portion 41 of first connecting groove 35 does not have a component in the X-axis direction, guide rod 12 descends without rotating, and workpiece 100 also descends without rotating.

[0049] 9, the guide rod 12 further descends and the engaging member 15 engages with the upwardly inclined portion 42 of the first connecting groove 35. The upwardly inclined portion 42 has a component in the X-axis direction, so that as shown in FIG. As shown in 9(b) and 9(c), the guide rod 12 descends while rotating, and the workpiece 100 rotates another 60 degrees.

[0050] 10, the guide rod 12 is further lowered and the engaging member 15 enters the second linear groove 31. At this point, the workpiece 100 has rotated one-third of a turn, and the object 102 to be hardened has reached above the positioning member 21. 10(a), the guide rod 12 descends further, and the engaging member 15 moves upward from the lower end of the second linear groove 31. The second linear groove 31 has only a Y-axis component, and no X-axis component. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 10(b) and 10(c), the guide rod 12 descends without rotating, and the workpiece 100 descends straight, so that the object 102 to be hardened falls onto the positioning member 21.

[0051] 11, the guide rod 12 descends further and the engaging member 15 reaches the upper end of the second straight groove 31. As shown in Figures 11(b) and 11(c), the guide rod 12 descends further and the engaging member 15 moves upward from the lower end of the second straight groove 31, the guide rod 12 descends without rotating, and the workpiece 100 descends straight until the object 102 to be hardened engages with the positioning member 21.

[0052] As a result, only the workpiece 100 is rotated 120 degrees from the initial state, and is now in a position where the heating coil 2 can be inserted into the next hardening object 102. Next, the heating coil 2 is inserted into the next hardening object 103, the inner surface of the opening is heated to red heat, and then the workpiece is hardened by rapidly cooling it. Thereafter, the above-described steps are repeated. That is, the steps shown in FIG. 12 are the same as those shown in FIG. 5, which were first described. As shown in FIG. 12(b), the guide rod 12 begins to rise from its lower end, and the engaging member 15 moves downward from the upper end of the second linear groove 31. As the guide rod 12 rises, the contact position of the engaging member 15 moves downward in the second linear groove 31. The second linear groove 31 has only a Y-axis component and no X-axis component. Therefore, the guide rod 12 rises without rotating, and the workpiece 100 rises vertically. As a result, the object 102 to be hardened 102 disengages from the positioning member 21, and the engagement is released, as shown in FIG. 12(c). This process is then repeated until all of the objects 101, 102, and 103 to be hardened are hardened.

[0053] In the embodiment described above, three locations on one workpiece 100 are hardened, but the number of locations to be hardened is arbitrary. 13, a plate-shaped support member 70 may be used, and a plurality of workpieces 200 may be placed on the support member 70, and the workpieces 200 may be quenched one by one. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, an opening 71 is provided in a support member 70, and the opening 71 is engaged with a positioning member 21 to ensure positioning accuracy.

[0054] In the embodiment described above, the guide groove (guide portion) 23 is provided on the guide rod 12, but as in the hardening device 80 shown in Figure 14, an engaging member 15 may be provided on a rod-shaped member 68, the outer periphery of which is surrounded by an outer tube 72, and a guide groove 73 may be provided on the inner surface of the outer tube 72. In the quenching apparatus 80 shown in Fig. 14, the rod-shaped member 68 is fixed and does not rotate or move, and the outer cylinder 72 has degrees of freedom in the axial and rotational directions. In the quenching apparatus 80 shown in Fig. 14, the outer cylinder 72 functions as the moving member.

[0055] In each of the above-described embodiments, the guide member functions as a moving member having degrees of freedom in the axial and rotational directions, and the engaging member 15 functions as a fixed member having no degrees of freedom. Conversely, the engaging member 15 may function as a moving member having degrees of freedom in the axial and rotational directions, and the guide member may function as a fixed member having no degrees of freedom.

[0056] In each of the above-described embodiments, one of the guide member and the engaging member 15 functions as a moving-side member having degrees of freedom in the axial and rotational directions, and the other functions as a fixed-side member having no degrees of freedom, but one member may be an axially moving-side member having degrees of freedom only in the axial direction, and the other may be a rotationally moving-side member having degrees of freedom only in the rotational direction. For example, in the hardening device 1 shown in Fig. 1, the guide rod (guide member) 12 is configured to be non-rotatable and move only in the axial direction, and the engaging member 15 is configured to be only rotatable. Then, a support member for supporting a workpiece is fixed to the engaging member side.

[0057] The guide groove (guide portion) 23 of the guide rod (guide member) 12 employed in each of the above-described embodiments has linear grooves 30, 31, and 32, and the engaging member 15 reciprocates along the same linear grooves 30, 31, and 32 when the guide rod 12 ascends and descends. With this configuration, the support member 16 and workpiece 100 descend straight while rotation is stopped, engage with the positioning member 21, and the position of the workpiece 100 is determined, and hardening is performed. After hardening is completed, the support member 16 and workpiece 100 ascend in place without rotating and disengage from the positioning member 21. This allows smooth engagement and disengagement between the positioning member 21 and the workpiece 100, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the guide groove for ascending and the guide groove for descending may be separate.

[0058] In the embodiment described above, the guide rod 12 is raised and lowered by the cam 52, but the structure of the drive means for raising and lowering the guide rod 12 is arbitrary. For example, the guide rod may be directly moved back and forth by a cylinder or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1, 80 Quenching device 2 heating coils 10. Attitude change means 12 Guide rod 15 Engagement member 16 Support member 17 Driving means 21 Positioning member 23 Guide groove 30, 31, 32 Straight grooves 35, 36, 37 Connecting groove 80 Quenching equipment 100 Work 101, 102, 103 Hardening target

Claims

1. In a hardening device having a heating coil for heating a workpiece and a position changing means, The position changing means includes a guide member having a guide portion, an engaging member that engages with the guide portion, and a support member that supports the workpiece, Either the guide member or the engagement member is a movable member having degrees of freedom in an axial direction and a rotational direction, the guide portion is on the circumferential surface of the guide member, and when the rotational direction is the X-axis and the axial direction is the Y-axis, the engagement position with the engagement member traces a locus that periodically reciprocates in the Y-axis direction as it advances in the X-axis direction, the support member is attached to the moving member, a driving means for reciprocating the moving member in the axial direction; The workpiece is placed on the support member, and the driving means reciprocates the movable member in the axial direction, thereby changing the position at which the engaging member engages with the guide portion in the X-axis direction, and rotating the movable member to change the object to be hardened.

2. In a hardening device having a heating coil for heating a workpiece and a position changing means, The position changing means includes a guide member having a guide portion, an engaging member that engages with the guide portion, and a support member that supports the workpiece, Either the guide member or the engagement member is a movable member having degrees of freedom in an axial direction and a rotational direction, the support member is attached to the moving member, a driving means for reciprocating the moving member in the axial direction; the guide portion is on the circumferential surface of the guide member, and when the rotation direction is defined as the X axis and the axial direction is defined as the Y axis, when the movable member is moved back and forth in the axial direction, the engagement position between the guide portion and the engagement member traces a locus that moves back and forth in the Y axis direction and also moves in the X axis direction, The workpiece is placed on the support member, and the driving means reciprocates the movable member in the axial direction, thereby changing the position at which the engaging member engages with the guide portion in the X-axis direction, and rotating the movable member to change the object to be hardened.

3. 3. The hardening device according to claim 2, wherein when the movable member is moved back and forth in the axial direction, the engagement position between the guide portion and the engaging member traces a trajectory that moves back and forth in the Y-axis direction, and the engagement position between the guide portion and the engaging member advances in the X-axis direction at the end of the forward or return path.

4. 4. The hardening device according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning member that engages with the workpiece and / or the support member to maintain the workpiece and / or the support member in a fixed rotational position.

5. The hardening device according to claim 4, characterized in that the driving means moves the movable side member in one axial direction, causing the workpiece and / or the support member to move in one axial direction, thereby disengaging the workpiece and / or the support member from the positioning member, and the driving means moves the movable side member in the other axial direction, causing the workpiece and / or the support member to move in the other axial direction, thereby engaging the workpiece and / or the support member with the positioning member.

6. 6. The hardening device according to claim 5, wherein the guide portion has a linear portion extending linearly along the axial direction of the guide member.

7. The guide portion has a plurality of linear regions extending substantially linearly in the axial direction, and one ends of the linear regions adjacent to each other are connected to each other, 4. A hardening device according to claim 1, wherein when said movable member is reciprocated in the axial direction, said engaging member engages with the same linear region both forward and backward within a certain reciprocating section.

8. In a hardening device having a heating coil for heating a workpiece and a position changing means, The position changing means includes a guide member having a guide portion, an engaging member that engages with the guide portion, and a support member that supports the workpiece, either the guide member or the engaging member is an axially movable member having a degree of freedom in the axial direction, and either the guide member or the engaging member is a rotationally movable member having a degree of freedom in the rotational direction, the guide portion is on the circumferential surface of the guide member, and when the rotation direction is the X-axis and the axial direction is the Y-axis, the engagement position with the engagement member traces a locus that periodically reciprocates in the Y-axis direction as it advances in the X-axis direction, The support member is attached to the rotation direction moving member, a driving means for reciprocating the axially moving member in the axial direction; The workpiece is placed on the support member, and the axially moving member is reciprocated in the axial direction by the driving means, whereby the position at which the engaging member engages with the guide portion changes in the X-axis direction, and the rotational direction moving member rotates, thereby changing the object to be hardened.

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