Heat treatment system

Abstract

To provide a heat treatment system capable of improving the quality of quenching treatment.SOLUTION: A heat treatment system (1) includes: an oil tank (10) in which quenching treatment is performed on a steel member (2); a first tank (21) in which first oil is stored; a second tank (22) in which second oil having viscosity or a temperature different from that of the first oil is stored; a supply adjustment unit (40) that supplies one of the first oil and the second oil to the oil tank at a predetermined flow rate; and a control device (60) that acquires information on the steel member, determines a control parameter for specifying an operation sequence during the quenching treatment based on the acquired information, and controls an operation of the supply adjustment unit so as to perform the operation sequence according to the determined control parameter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat treatment system for steel components. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, heat treatment systems for performing heat treatment such as quenching on steel members have been known.

[0003] In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a quenching method in which, in a quenching treatment using quenching oil, the oil temperature is raised to 150°C to 300°C, with the starting temperature of the convection stage being 400°C to 600°C, and the stirring speed is set to 30 to 200 cm / s. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-269535 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, although the quality of heat treatment is controlled by controlling the flow rate of quenching oil in quenching treatment, no consideration is given to the effect of a decrease in the surface temperature of the steel member on the flow rate of quenching oil. Therefore, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when the quenching oil has high viscosity, the flow rate of the quenching oil around the steel member decreases as the surface temperature of the steel member decreases, resulting in a problem of a decrease in the quality of the quenching treatment.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat treatment system that can improve the quality of the hardening treatment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the heat treatment system of the present invention comprises an oil tank for performing a quenching treatment on steel members, a first tank for storing a first oil used in the quenching treatment, a second tank for storing a second oil used in the quenching treatment that has a different viscosity or temperature from the first oil, a supply adjustment unit that supplies either the first oil or the second oil to the oil tank at a predetermined flow rate, and a control device that acquires information about the shape and type of the steel members, determines control parameters that specify an operation sequence during the quenching treatment based on the acquired information, and controls the operation of the supply adjustment unit to perform an operation sequence in accordance with the determined control parameters.

[0008] The control parameters include a parameter relating to which of the first oil and the second oil is to be supplied to the oil tank, and the predetermined flow rate.

[0009] The supply adjustment unit also includes a pump that adjusts the flow rate of the oil supplied from the first tank or the second tank, a first valve that opens and closes a flow path from the first tank to the pump, a second valve that opens and closes a flow path from the second tank to the pump, a third valve that opens and closes a flow path from the oil tank to the first tank, and a fourth valve that opens and closes a flow path from the oil tank to the second tank, and the control parameters include the opening and closing timings of the first valve to the fourth valve and the rotational speed of the pump.

[0010] In addition, the second oil has a lower viscosity or temperature than the first oil, and the control device controls the operation of the supply adjustment unit so that the flow rate of the first oil when the first oil is supplied to the oil tank is faster than the flow rate of the second oil when the second oil is supplied to the oil tank.

[0011] The information also includes values ​​related to the representative diameter, surface area, and steel type of the steel member, and values ​​related to the packaging style, and the control device selects one operation sequence from a plurality of operation sequences that are pre-associated with combinations of values ​​included in the information, and controls the operation of the supply adjustment unit so as to perform an operation in accordance with the selected one operation sequence.

[0012] The information also includes values ​​related to the representative diameter, surface area, steel type, and packaging style of the steel member, and the control device determines the control parameters by performing numerical analysis using the values ​​included in the information as conditions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the heat treatment system can improve the quality of the hardening treatment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a heat treatment system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device illustrated in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation sequence of a quenching process in the heat treatment system shown in FIG. [Figure 4A] 2 is a diagram showing an oil flow path in the heat treatment system shown in FIG. 1 when a first oil is being supplied from a first tank to an oil tank. FIG. [Figure 4B] 2 is a diagram showing the oil flow path in the heat treatment system shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the quenching oil supplied to the oil tank is being switched from the first oil to the second oil. [Figure 4C] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the oil flow path in the heat treatment system shown in FIG. 1 when a second oil is being supplied from a second tank to an oil tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components and steps in each drawing will be designated by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0016] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a heat treatment system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the heat treatment system 1 is mainly composed of an oil vat 10, tanks 21 (first tank), 22 (second tank), and 30, a supply adjustment unit 40, an imaging device 50, and a control device 60.

[0017] The oil tank 10 is an oil tank in which oil used for heat treatment is supplied or discharged (supply / discharge) while the steel members 2 are placed inside, thereby performing, for example, quenching treatment on the steel members 2. The oil tank 10 is filled with oil supplied from a tank 21 or 22 to the oil tank 10 through a supply port at the bottom so that the steel members 2 are immersed in the oil tank 10. The oil stored in the oil tank 10 is discharged from a discharge port at the top. The steel members 2 are transported and placed in the oil tank 10 by a lifting device (not shown), such as a lifter.

[0018] Oil used for heat treatment is supplied to and discharged from oil tank 10 by the operation of pump 405, which adjusts the oil flow rate, and by the opening and closing of valves 401 to 404 provided in the oil flow path. Oil used for heat treatment is also supplied to and discharged from oil tank 10 by the pressure difference generated by reducing pressure (evacuation) and pressurizing with nitrogen gas between oil tank 10 and tank 21, or between oil tank 10 and tank 22. When supplying or discharging oil from oil tank 10 by pressurizing with nitrogen gas, the oil is pressure-fed by supplying nitrogen gas to the tank on the oil supply side or the oil discharge side.

[0019] Tanks 21 and 22 are oil tanks that store quenching oil therein. Tank 21 stores a first oil, which is a quenching oil. Tank 22 stores a second oil, which is a quenching oil with a different viscosity or temperature from the first oil. The first oil is, for example, hot oil, and is stored in tank 21 at a temperature of approximately 120°C. The second oil is, for example, cold oil with a lower viscosity than the first oil, and is stored in tank 22 at a temperature of approximately 30°C, which is lower than the temperature of the first oil.

[0020] The tank 30 is a gas tank that stores nitrogen gas therein. The tank 30 supplies nitrogen gas to the oil tank 10 and the tanks 21 and 22 via a nitrogen gas supply path.

[0021] The supply adjustment unit 40 supplies either the first oil stored in the tank 21 or the second oil stored in the tank 22 to the oil tank 10 at a predetermined flow rate. The supply adjustment unit 40 mainly includes, for example, valves 401-404 and 411-416 and pumps 405 and 417.

[0022] The pump 405 is, for example, a variable flow rate pump, and supplies quenching oil to the oil tank 10 at a predetermined flow rate. The pump 405 is provided on a quenching oil supply path connecting the oil tank 10 with the tanks 22 and 22. When a first oil is supplied to the pump 405 from the tank 21, the pump 405 adjusts the flow rate of the first oil to the predetermined flow rate and supplies the first oil to the oil tank 10. When a second oil is supplied to the pump 405 from the tank 22, the pump 405 adjusts the flow rate of the second oil to the predetermined flow rate and supplies the second oil to the oil tank 10. The predetermined flow rate is determined by a control command transmitted from the control device 60.

[0023] Valve 401 (first valve) opens and closes the flow path of quenching oil from tank 21 to pump 405. The inlet side of valve 401 is connected to the oil outlet of tank 21, and the outlet side is connected to the quenching oil supply path. Valve 402 (second valve) opens and closes the flow path of quenching oil from tank 22 to pump 405. The inlet side of valve 402 is connected to the oil outlet of tank 22, and the outlet side is connected to the quenching oil supply path.

[0024] Valve 403 (third valve) opens and closes the flow path of quenching oil from oil tank 10 to tank 21. The inlet side of valve 403 is connected to a quenching oil discharge path connecting oil tank 10 to tanks 21 and 22, and the outlet side is connected to an oil supply port of tank 21. Valve 404 (fourth valve) opens and closes the flow path of quenching oil from oil tank 10 to tank 22. The inlet side of valve 404 is connected to a quenching oil discharge path, and the outlet side is connected to an oil supply port of tank 22. The opening and closing operations of valves 401 to 404 are controlled in accordance with control commands transmitted from control device 60.

[0025] Valve 411 opens and closes the flow path of nitrogen gas from tank 21 to oil tank 10. The inlet side of valve 411 is connected to the nitrogen gas supply path, and the outlet side is connected to the intake port of oil tank 10. Valve 412 opens and closes the flow path of nitrogen gas from tank 30 to tank 21. The inlet side of valve 412 is connected to the nitrogen gas supply path, and the outlet side is connected to the intake port of tank 21. Valve 413 opens and closes the flow path of nitrogen gas from tank 30 to tank 22. The inlet side of valve 413 is connected to the nitrogen gas supply path, and the outlet side is connected to the intake port of tank 22.

[0026] Valve 414 opens and closes the flow path of nitrogen gas from oil tank 10 to pump 417. The inlet side of valve 414 is connected to the exhaust port of oil tank 10, and the outlet side is connected to the exhaust path. Valve 414 opens and closes the flow path of nitrogen gas from tank 21 to pump 417. The inlet side of valve 414 is connected to the exhaust port of tank 21, and the outlet side is connected to the exhaust path. Valve 416 opens and closes the flow path of nitrogen gas from tank 22 to pump 417. The inlet side of valve 416 is connected to the exhaust port of tank 22, and the outlet side is connected to the exhaust path. The opening and closing operations of valves 411 to 416 are controlled in accordance with control commands transmitted from control device 60.

[0027] Pump 417 is, for example, a vacuum pump, and exhausts nitrogen gas sent from either oil tank 10 or tanks 21 and 22 via an exhaust path to the outside in accordance with a control command transmitted from control device 60. Pump 417 exhausts nitrogen gas via valves 414 to 416 and the exhaust path, thereby reducing the pressure (evacuating) inside oil tank 10, tanks 21, and 22 individually or collectively.

[0028] The imaging device 50 is, for example, a camera, and captures images of the steel members 2 before they are carried into the oil tank 10 in accordance with a control command transmitted from the control device 60, and transmits image data of the captured steel members 2 to the control device 60. Note that a plurality of imaging devices 50 are provided in the heat treatment system 1 in order to capture top and side views of the steel members 2 when capturing images of the steel members 2.

[0029] The control device 60 transmits a control command to the supply adjustment unit 40 and controls the operation of the supply adjustment unit 40 so that the supply adjustment unit 40 operates in accordance with the control command. Specifically, the control device 60 determines control parameters that specify an operation sequence during the quenching process based on information about the shape and type of the steel member 2, and controls the operation of the supply adjustment unit 40 so that the operation sequence operates in accordance with the determined control parameters. In determining the control parameters, the control device 60 determines the control parameters so that the flow rate of the first oil when the first oil is supplied from the tank 21 to the oil vat 10 is faster than the flow rate of the second oil when the second oil is supplied from the tank 22 to the oil vat 10. In addition, in acquiring information about the steel member 2, the control device 60 transmits a control command to the imaging device 50 to cause the imaging device 50 to capture an image of the steel member 2, and extracts the information from the image data of the steel member 2 transmitted from the imaging device 50.

[0030] The control device 60 also acquires various information related to the heat treatment system 1, such as image data transmitted from the imaging device 50 and measurement data from measuring instruments such as pressure gauges and flow meters installed in the oil vat 10, tanks 21 and 22, and supply adjustment unit 40. The control device 60 primarily includes a storage device 61 that stores various programs, information, and processing result information required for the CPU 64 to execute processes, and a central processing unit (CPU) 64 that functions as various functional means by executing predetermined programs stored in the memory 65 or storage device 61. The control device 60 also primarily includes a memory 65 that temporarily stores predetermined programs and data required for the CPU 64 to execute the predetermined programs, and a communication device 62 for communicating with external devices. The control device 60 also primarily includes an input / output device 63 that accepts operations from an operator of the heat treatment system 1 and outputs screen displays and audio to the operator. The control device 60 can be implemented using an information processing device such as a dedicated or general-purpose computer, and may be configured as a single information processing device or multiple information processing devices.

[0031] <Functional configuration> The overall configuration of the heat treatment system 1 has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the control device 60 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device 60 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 60 is configured such that its main functional components include, for example, an acquisition unit 610, a determination unit 620, a gas control unit 630, an oil control unit 640, and a memory unit 650. Note that the functional means other than the memory unit 650 are realized by the CPU 64 executing programs stored in the memory device 61 or the like.

[0032] The acquisition unit 610 acquires information regarding the shape and type of the steel member 2. Specifically, the acquisition unit 610 transmits a control command to the imaging device 50 to capture an image of the steel member 2. Next, the acquisition unit 610 acquires image data of the top and front surfaces of the steel member 2 from the imaging device 50. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 610 extracts information regarding the shape and type of the steel member 2 by performing image analysis on the image data acquired from the imaging device 50, and stores the extracted information in the storage unit 650 as steel member information 651. Note that the acquisition unit 610 may acquire the steel member information 651 stored in advance from the storage unit 650 as information regarding the shape and type of the steel member 2. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 610 may acquire information regarding the shape and type of the steel member 2 from an input by an operator of the heat treatment system 1.

[0033] The determination unit 620 determines control parameters that specify an operation sequence 652 during the hardening process, based on the information on the shape and type of the steel member 2 acquired by the acquisition unit 610. Specifically, the determination unit 620 determines the control parameters by performing a numerical analysis using, as conditions, each value included in the information on the shape and type of the steel member 2. This numerical analysis uses the "finite element method," which divides the analysis target, which is a continuum, into a large number of model elements and solves the problem. The shape, size, arrangement, or combination thereof of the model elements are selected as appropriate depending on the shape of the steel material, etc. Next, the determination unit 620 generates an operation sequence 652 in accordance with the determined control parameters, and stores the generated operation sequence 652 in the storage unit 650.

[0034] The control parameters are parameters for identifying the operation sequence 652 of the heat treatment system 1. The control parameters include values ​​of the opening and closing timings of the valves 401 to 404 as parameters relating to which of the first oil stored in the tank 21 and the second oil stored in the tank 22 is to be supplied to the oil vat 10. The control parameters also include values ​​of the rotational speed of the pump 405 and values ​​of the pressure inside the oil vat 10 and the tanks 21 and 22 as parameters relating to a predetermined flow rate when oil is supplied from the pump 405 to the oil vat 10. The values ​​relating to the pressure inside the oil vat 10 and the tanks 21 and 22 are, for example, values ​​of the opening and closing timings of the valves 411 to 416 and a value of the rotational speed of the pump 417. The control parameters also include values ​​of the rotational speed of the pump 405 as parameters relating to a predetermined flow rate when oil is supplied from the pump 405 to the oil vat 10.

[0035] The gas control unit 630 controls the exhaust operation by the pump 417 and the opening and closing operations of the valves 411 to 416 in accordance with an operation sequence 652 stored in the storage unit 650.

[0036] The oil control unit 640 controls the supply and discharge of quenching oil by the pump 405 and the opening and closing of the valves 401 to 404 in accordance with an operation sequence 652 stored in the storage unit 650.

[0037] The storage unit 650 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the heat treatment system 1, steel member information 651, an operation sequence 652, and numerical analysis information 653. The storage unit 650 further stores various other values ​​and information that the heat treatment system 1 needs to store in advance.

[0038] The steel member information 651 is information relating to the shape and type of the steel member 2. The steel member information 651 includes, for example, a value of a representative diameter such as an equivalent diameter of the steel member 2, a value of the surface area of ​​the steel member 2, and a value indicating the steel grade, which is the type of the steel member 2. The steel member information 651 also includes, for example, a value indicating the shape of the packaging in which the steel members 2 are delivered to the oil tank 10, a value indicating the arrangement position of the steel members 2 in the packaging, and values ​​indicating the length of the sides, diameter, etc. associated with the shape of the packaging.

[0039] The operation sequence 652 is information showing the flow of processing of the quenching treatment operation on the steel member 2. The operation sequence 652 includes timing charts relating to the operation control of the valves 401 to 404 and 411 to 416, the operation control of the pumps 405 and 417, and the operation control of the mechanism for transporting the steel member 2 to the oil tank 10.

[0040] The numerical analysis information 653 is information related to the numerical analysis performed by the determination unit 620, and includes, for example, model information related to a heat transfer model that describes heat transfer in steel material, and analysis result information related to the analysis results of the steel material. The model information includes, for example, [1] "shape information" related to the shape of model elements in the finite element method, [2] "arrangement information" related to the arrangement of model elements, [3] "temperature information" related to temperature constraints, or [4] "physical property information" related to the physical properties of model elements. Furthermore, the analysis result information includes, for example, [1] temperature change over time, [2] temperature position distribution, [3] hardness position distribution, and [4] metal structure.

[0041] The functional configuration of the control device 60 has been described above. Next, the operation flow of the heat treatment system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4A to Fig. 4C. Fig. 3 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation sequence 652 of the quenching process of the heat treatment system 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0042] At time t10, the control device 60 controls the operation of the valves 401 to 404 so that all of the valves 401 to 404 are closed. The control device 60 also controls the operation of the pump 405 so that the supply of quenching oil to the oil tank 10 by the pump 405 is stopped.

[0043] At time t12, which is after time t10, the control device 60 starts the quenching treatment on the steel member 2. Specifically, at time t12, the control device 60 controls the opening and closing operation of the valve 401 so as to open the valve 401. At time t12, the valve 401 starts to transition from a closed state to an open state.

[0044] At time t14, which is after time t12, the control device 60 controls the opening and closing operation of the valve 403 to open the valve 403. At time t14, the valve 403 starts to transition from a closed state to an open state. Also at time t14, the valve 401 completes its transition to the open state. Also at time t14, the control device 60 operates the pump 405 and controls the operation of the pump 405 so that the rotation speed becomes a "high speed" state. At time t14, the pump 405 starts operating and gradually increases the rotation speed. As a result, at time t14, in the heat treatment system 1, the first oil is supplied from the tank 21 to the oil vat 10, a flow path is formed through which the first oil that has convected through the oil vat 10 returns to the tank 21, and the first oil begins to convect within the oil vat 10.

[0045] At time t16, which is after time t14, the pump 405 reaches a state in which its rotation speed is "high speed." Also, at time t16, the valve 403 completes its transition to the open state. Here, the flow path of the quenching oil in the heat treatment system 1 at time t16 will be described with reference to FIG. 4A. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the oil flow path in the heat treatment system 1 shown in FIG. 1, in a state in which the first oil is being supplied from the tank 21 (first tank) to the oil vat 10. As shown in FIG. 4A, at time t16, in the heat treatment system 1, the first oil, which is hot oil and has a temperature of approximately 120°C, is supplied from the tank 21 to the oil vat 10 by the pump 405 via the supply path at a flow rate associated with "high speed," and the first oil convects within the oil vat 10. Also, in the heat treatment system 1, the first oil that has convected within the oil vat 10 is returned to the tank 21 via the discharge path.

[0046] Returning to FIG. 3 , at time t18, which is after time t16, the control device 60 controls the opening and closing operation of the valve 401 so as to close the valve 401. At time t18, the valve 401 starts to transition from an open state to a closed state. Also at time t18, the control device 60 controls the opening and closing operation of the valve 402 so as to open the valve 402. At time t18, the valve 402 starts to transition from a closed state to an open state. Also at time t18, the control device 60 controls the operation of the pump 405 so that the rotational speed of the pump 405 becomes a "medium speed" state, which is slower than the "high speed" state. At time t18, the rotational speed of the pump 405 gradually decreases.

[0047] At time t20, after time t18, the pump 405 reaches a rotational speed of "medium speed." Also, at time t20, the valve 401 completes its transition to a closed state. Also, at time t20, the valve 402 completes its transition to an open state. Here, the flow path of the quenching oil in the heat treatment system 1 at time t20 will be described with reference to FIG. 4B. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the oil flow path in the heat treatment system 1 shown in FIG. 1, in a state in which the quenching oil supplied to the oil tank 10 is switched from the first oil to the second oil. As shown in FIG. 4B, at time t20, in the heat treatment system 1, the second oil, which is cold oil and has a temperature of approximately 30°C, is supplied from the tank 21 to the oil tank 10 by the pump 405 via the supply path at a flow rate associated with "medium speed." Also, in the heat treatment system 1, the first oil that has convected within the oil tank 10 is returned to the tank 21 via the discharge path.

[0048] Returning to FIG. 3 , at time t22, which is after time t20, the control device 60 controls the opening and closing operation of the valve 403 so as to close the valve 403. At time t22, the valve 403 starts to transition from an open state to a closed state. Also at time t22, the control device 60 controls the opening and closing operation of the valve 404 so as to open the valve 404. At time t22, the valve 404 starts to transition from a closed state to an open state. Also at time t22, the control device 60 controls the operation of the pump 405 so that the rotational speed of the pump 405 becomes a "low speed" state, which is slower than the "medium speed". At time t22, the rotational speed of the pump 405 gradually decreases.

[0049] At time t24, after time t22, the pump 405 reaches a state where its rotation speed is "low speed." Also, at time t24, the valve 403 completes its transition to the closed state. Also, at time t24, the valve 404 completes its transition to the open state. Here, the flow path of the quenching oil in the heat treatment system 1 at time t24 will be described with reference to FIG. 4C. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing the oil flow path in the heat treatment system 1 shown in FIG. 1, in a state where the second oil is being supplied from the tank 22 (second tank) to the oil vat 10. As shown in FIG. 4C, at time t24, in the heat treatment system 1, the second oil, which is cold oil and has a temperature of approximately 30°C, is supplied from the tank 22 to the oil vat 10 by the pump 405 via the supply path at a flow rate associated with "low speed," and the second oil convects within the oil vat 10. Also, in the heat treatment system 1, the second oil that has convected within the oil vat 10 is returned to the tank 22 via the discharge path.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 3 , at time t26, which is after time t24, the control device 60 controls the opening and closing operation of the valve 402 to close the valve 402. At time t26, the valve 402 starts to transition from an open state to a closed state. Also at time t26, the control device 60 controls the opening and closing operation of the valve 404 to close the valve 404. At time t26, the valve 404 starts to transition from an open state to a closed state. Also at time t26, the control device 60 controls the operation of the pump 405 to stop operation. At time t26, the rotation speed of the pump 405 gradually decreases.

[0051] At time t28, which is later than time t26, the pump 405 stops operating. Also at time t28, the valve 402 completes its transition to a closed state. Also at time t28, the valve 404 completes its transition to a closed state. As a result, at time t28, the heat treatment system 1 completes the quenching treatment on the steel member 2, and moves on to the next process after the quenching treatment or completes the heat treatment.

[0052] <Effects> As described above, in this embodiment, the heat treatment system 1 supplies one of the first oil, the second oil, and the second oil having a different viscosity or temperature to the oil tank 10 performing the quenching treatment at a predetermined flow rate. Furthermore, when supplying the oil, the heat treatment system 1 determines control parameters that specify an operation sequence 652 during the quenching treatment based on information about the shape and type of the steel member 2, and controls the operation to perform the operation sequence 652 in accordance with the determined control parameters. Therefore, the heat treatment system 1 can improve the quality of the quenching treatment.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control parameters of the operation sequence 652 of the heat treatment system 1 include a parameter relating to which of the first oil and the second oil is to be supplied to the oil vat 10, and a predetermined flow rate. Therefore, the heat treatment system 1 can perform heat treatment with quenching oil and a flow rate suitable for the temperature change of the steel member 2 in the oil vat 10, thereby further improving the quality of the quenching treatment.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control parameters of the heat treatment system 1 include the opening and closing timings of the valves 401 to 404 and the rotation speed of the pump 405. Therefore, the heat treatment system 1 can perform heat treatment with quenching oil and a flow rate that are suitable for the temperature change of the steel member 2 in the oil tank 10, thereby further improving the quality of the quenching treatment.

[0055] In this embodiment, the second oil has a lower viscosity or temperature than the first oil. The control device 60 controls the operation of the supply adjustment unit 40 so that the flow rate when the first oil is supplied from the tank 21 (first tank) to the oil tank 10 is faster than the flow rate when the second oil is supplied from the tank 22 (second tank) to the oil tank 10. Therefore, the heat treatment system 1 controls the flow rate according to the viscosity or temperature of the quenching oil, thereby further improving the quality of the quenching treatment.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information on the shape and type of the steel member 2 includes a representative diameter, a surface area, a value related to the steel type, and a value related to the packaging style of the steel member 2. Furthermore, the control device 60 determines the control parameters of the operation sequence 652 by performing a numerical analysis using the values ​​included in the information as conditions. Therefore, the heat treatment system 1 performs a numerical analysis according to the information on the steel member 2, thereby further improving the quality of the hardening treatment.

[0057] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In other words, variations of the above-described embodiments, which are appropriately modified by a person skilled in the art, are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described embodiments and the modifications described below can be combined to the extent technically possible, and such combinations are also included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention.

[0058] For example, in this embodiment, the heat treatment system 1 determines control parameters for the operation sequence 652 through numerical analysis and controls the supply adjustment unit 40 to perform the operation sequence 652 in accordance with the determined control parameters, but this is not limited to this. The heat treatment system 1 may select one operation sequence 652 from multiple operation sequences 652 based on information about the shape and type of the steel member 2 and control the operation of the supply adjustment unit 40 to perform an operation in accordance with the selected operation sequence 652. Specifically, the heat treatment system 1 determines which of multiple ranges associated with the representative diameter, surface area, values ​​related to the steel type, and values ​​related to the packaging style each fall into. The heat treatment system 1 selects one operation sequence 652 associated with the combination of ranges to which each value falls from the multiple operation sequences 652. The heat treatment system 1 then controls the operation of the supply adjustment unit 40 to perform an operation in accordance with the selected operation sequence 652. According to this configuration, the heat treatment system 1 can determine the operation sequence 652 by selecting one operation sequence 652 from the plurality of operation sequences 652, and therefore the quality of the hardening treatment can be easily improved.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the heat treatment system 1 determines the control parameters for the operation sequence 652 through numerical analysis and controls the supply adjustment unit 40 to perform the operation sequence 652 in accordance with the determined control parameters, but this is not limited to this. The heat treatment system 1 may also determine the operation sequence 652 using regression analysis such as a neural network, using information on the shape and type of the steel member 2 as input. Furthermore, the heat treatment system 1 may adjust the operation of the supply adjustment unit 40 so that the operation is performed in accordance with the operation sequence 652 determined by the regression analysis. With this configuration, the heat treatment system 1 determines the operation sequence 652 using regression analysis such as a neural network, thereby further improving the quality of the hardening process.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the heat treatment system 1 adjusts the flow rate of the oil supplied from the tank 21 or 22 using the pump 405, but this is not limited to this. The heat treatment system 1 may adjust the flow rate of the oil using, for example, a throttle valve. The heat treatment system 1 may also adjust the flow rate of the oil supplied from the tank 21 or 22 by controlling the operation of the valves 411 to 416 and the pump 417 to generate a pressure difference inside the oil tank 10 and the tanks 21 and 22, thereby pressurizing the oil. With this configuration, the heat treatment system 1 can improve the quality of the quenching process even without using the pump 405. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...heat treatment system, 2...steel member, 10...oil tank, 21...tank, 22...tank, 40...supply adjustment unit, 401...valve (first valve), 402...valve (second valve), 403...valve (third valve), 404...valve (fourth valve), 405...pump, 60...control device, 652...operation sequence

Claims

1. an oil tank for performing quenching treatment on the steel member; a first tank in which a first oil used in the quenching treatment is stored; a second tank storing a second oil used in the quenching treatment, the second oil having a viscosity or temperature different from that of the first oil; a supply adjusting unit that supplies either the first oil or the second oil to the oil tank at a predetermined flow rate; a control device that acquires information about the shape and type of the steel member, determines control parameters that specify an operation sequence during the quenching treatment based on the acquired information, and controls the operation of the supply adjustment unit so as to perform the operation sequence in accordance with the determined control parameters; A heat treatment system comprising:

2. The heat treatment system according to claim 1 , wherein the control parameters include a parameter relating to which of the first oil and the second oil is to be supplied to the oil tank and the predetermined flow rate.

3. the supply adjustment unit includes a pump that adjusts the flow rate of the oil supplied from the first tank or the second tank, a first valve that opens and closes a flow path from the first tank to the pump, a second valve that opens and closes a flow path from the second tank to the pump, a third valve that opens and closes a flow path from the oil tank to the first tank, and a fourth valve that opens and closes a flow path from the oil tank to the second tank, 3. The heat treatment system according to claim 2, wherein the control parameters include opening and closing timings of the first to fourth valves and a rotation speed of the pump.

4. The second oil has a lower viscosity or temperature than the first oil, A heat treatment system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control device controls the operation of the supply adjustment unit so that the flow rate of the first oil when the first oil is supplied to the oil tank is faster than the flow rate of the second oil when the second oil is supplied to the oil tank.

5. the information includes a representative diameter, a surface area, a value related to a steel type, and a value related to a packaging style of the steel member; The heat treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control device selects one operation sequence from a plurality of operation sequences that are pre-associated with each combination of values ​​contained in the information, and controls the operation of the supply adjustment unit so as to perform an operation in accordance with the selected one operation sequence.

6. the information includes a representative diameter, a surface area, a value related to a steel type, and a value related to a packaging style of the steel member; 4. The heat treatment system according to claim 1, wherein the control device determines the control parameters by performing a numerical analysis using the values ​​included in the information as conditions.

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