Locally different thermal treatment of a component

Abstract

A temperature control device (1) for the locally different thermal treatment of a component (2), comprising - a heatable heating chamber (3), wherein the component (2) can be received, for thermal treatment, in a treatment position (4) within the heating chamber (3), - an upper box (5) which has in its interior space (15) at least one nozzle (9) for cooling the component (2) when the component (2) is received in the treatment position (4), and has a fluidic connection (8) to a surrounding area of the heating chamber (3), - a lower box (19) which has a fluidic connection (8) to a surrounding area 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 region (11) of the component (2) is cooled with the at least one nozzle (9) of the upper box (5) and a second region (12) of the component (2) is fed heat energy from the heating chamber (3).

Description

[0001] Locally different thermal treatment of a component

[0002] 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.

[0003] It is 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.

[0004] However, with existing solutions, it is often difficult to achieve the desired sharp separation between the areas 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 box 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.

[0005] 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.

[0006] 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. According to the invention, a temperature control device for the locally varied thermal treatment of a component is presented. The temperature control device comprises:

[0007] - a heatable heating chamber, wherein the component for thermal treatment can be accommodated in a treatment position within the heating chamber,

[0008] - an upper box, which

[0009] ■ is formed at least partially within the heating chamber,

[0010] ■ is located above the treatment position,

[0011] ■ is open on one lower side,

[0012] ■ has an interior,

[0013] ■ in the interior space at least one nozzle for cooling the component when the component is accommodated in the treatment position, and

[0014] ■ has a fluid connection to an environment of the heating chamber,

[0015] - a lower box, which

[0016] ■ is formed at least partially within the heating chamber,

[0017] ■ is arranged at least partially opposite the upper box below the treatment position,

[0018] ■ is open on one upper side,

[0019] ■ has an interior space, and

[0020] ■ 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 upper box and thermal energy is supplied from the heating chamber to a second region of the component.

[0021] The temperature control device can be used in particular to subject a metallic component to locally different thermal treatments. Thermal treatment is the generic term for heating and cooling. Which component is ultimately treated with the temperature control device naturally depends on the use of the temperature control device. The temperature control device is therefore preferably used to subject a metallic component to locally different thermal treatments, 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 as such, it is ultimately irrelevant what material the component is made of and whether and how it is coated. The component subjected to locally different thermal treatments with the described temperature control device is preferably a component for a motor vehicle body.Particularly for such components, favorable properties can be achieved through locally varied thermal treatment during subsequent press hardening. However, the described tempering device can also be used in any other context in which components are locally subjected to different thermal treatments.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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. Preferably, thermal insulation is 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] The tempering device further comprises an upper box, which is at least partially formed within the heating chamber. Preferably, a first part of the upper box is formed within the heating chamber and a second part of the upper box is formed outside the heating chamber. The upper box is arranged above the treatment position. The upper box can therefore primarily be used to act on the upper side of the component when the component is arranged in the treatment position. The upper box is open on its lower side. The upper box is therefore open on the side facing the component. This refers to the case when the component is accommodated in the treatment position.

[0026] The upper box preferably has a circumferential wall. The wall of the upper box is distinct from the wall of the heating chamber. Preferably, the wall of the upper box is spaced from the wall of the heating chamber. In this case, the upper box does not extend to the edge of the heating chamber. When viewed perpendicular to the transport plane, the upper box is thus arranged entirely within the heating chamber. However, the upper box can protrude upwards out of the heating chamber and thus still be arranged only partially within the heating chamber.

[0027] A cooling fluid can be discharged from the lower open side of the upper box in order to act on the component located below the upper box in the treatment position. The part of the component located below the upper box, referred to herein as the first region, can thereby be cooled. The first region of the component is the area that can be cooled with the upper box. The position, shape, and size of the first region are therefore generally determined by the position, shape, and size of the upper box. It is therefore preferred that a component-specific upper box is used and / or that the upper box is arranged within the heating chamber in a component-specific manner.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The upper box has an interior space. At least one nozzle for cooling the component when the component is accommodated in the treatment position is arranged in the interior space. The upper box can therefore also be referred to as an upper nozzle box. The at least one nozzle is preferably designed to discharge a cooling fluid toward the treatment position. The at least one nozzle is considered part of the upper box herein. The upper box preferably 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.

[0031] The tempering device further comprises a lower box, which is at least partially formed within the heating chamber. Preferably, a first part of the lower box is formed within the heating chamber and a second part of the lower box is formed outside the heating chamber. The lower box is arranged below the treatment position. The presence of the lower box therefore primarily influences the underside of the component when the component is arranged in the treatment position. The lower box is open on its upper side. The lower box is therefore open on the side facing the component. This refers to the case when the component is accommodated in the treatment position.

[0032] The lower box preferably has a circumferential wall. The wall of the lower box is distinct from the wall of the heating chamber. Preferably, the wall of the lower box is spaced from the wall of the heating chamber. In this case, the lower box does not extend to the edge of the heating chamber. When viewed perpendicular to the transport plane, the lower box is thus arranged entirely within the heating chamber. However, the lower box can protrude downwards from the heating chamber and thus still be arranged only partially within the heating chamber.

[0033] The thermal treatment of the first region is cooling. This is achieved by discharging the cooling fluid from at least one nozzle. The thermal treatment of the second region consists in supplying it with thermal energy from the heating chamber. This can be heating. However, the introduction of thermal energy can also simply slow down or completely stop the cooling of the second region. In the latter case, the thermal treatment consists of maintaining the temperature. Thermal energy can be introduced into the second region of the component by exposing the second region of the component to the heating chamber outside the sphere of influence of the upper box. The second region is therefore thermally treated as is the case in an oven.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The sharp separation is initially achieved by arranging at least one nozzle in the upper box. The upper 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 upper 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 upper 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 upper box, in particular after it has come into contact with the first area of ​​the component.This prevents the cooling fluid introduced into the upper box from building up a disproportionately high overpressure in the upper box, which drives the cooling fluid out of the upper box in the direction of the second area of ​​the component.

[0037] The fluidic connection between the upper box and the surroundings of the heating chamber can be designed as desired. To achieve the desired sharp separation between the areas, it is sufficient for there to be 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. It is therefore preferred, for example, for the upper box to pass through a ceiling of the heating chamber and be open on one upper side. In this case, the entire cross-section of the upper box is available as a fluidic connection. The upper box is particularly preferably of constant cross-section between the lower side and the upper side.

[0038] In general, it is preferred that the fluidic connection of the upper box with the surroundings of the heating chamber is formed in that the upper box has an opening via which the upper box is directly connected to the surroundings of the heating chamber. The fluidic connection of the upper box with the surroundings of the heating chamber is preferably formed in that the upper box passes through a ceiling of the heating chamber and has an opening arranged outside the heating chamber. The upper box preferably projects upwards out of the heating chamber. The opening is preferably arranged on an upper side of the upper box. The opening can cover the entire upper side of the upper box.

[0039] Particularly intensive cooling of the first area can be achieved by the lower box arranged below the treatment position. The lower box can also have a nozzle, but this is not necessary. An advantage can be achieved simply by the fact that the lower box is open on its upper side and has a fluid connection to the environment of the heating chamber. This allows heat to be dissipated from the underside of the component to the environment of the heating chamber. Thanks to the lower box, there is no heat input from below that prevents the cooling of the first area with the at least one nozzle of the upper box. The lower box can be designed as a shaft, via which heat energy can be dissipated downwards from the component to the environment of the heating chamber.

[0040] The fluidic connection between the lower box and the surroundings of the heating chamber can be designed as desired. To achieve the desired intensive cooling of the first area, it is sufficient for even a small fluidic connection to the surroundings of the heating chamber to exist. However, the larger the flow cross-section of the fluidic connection, the greater the effect. It is therefore preferred, for example, for the lower box to pass through a floor of the heating chamber and be open on one lower side. In this case, the entire cross-section of the lower box is available as a fluidic connection. The lower box is particularly preferably of constant cross-section between the upper side and the lower side.

[0041] In general, it is preferred that the fluidic connection of the lower box with the surroundings of the heating chamber is formed in that the lower box has an opening via which the lower box is directly connected to the surroundings of the heating chamber. The fluidic connection of the lower box with the surroundings of the heating chamber is preferably formed in that the lower box passes through a ceiling of the heating chamber and has an opening arranged outside the heating chamber. The lower box preferably projects downwards out of the heating chamber. The opening is preferably arranged on a lower side of the lower box. The opening can cover the entire lower side of the lower box. The lower box is preferably arranged opposite the upper box below the treatment position. This is to be understood in such a way that the lower nozzle box and the upper nozzle box coincide when viewed perpendicular to the transport plane.The lower box is therefore arranged below the upper box, with the component being accommodated between the upper box and the lower box in the treatment position. In this ideal case, the heat can be dissipated from the underside of the component via the lower box in the first area and thus exactly where the component is cooled on the top side by the at least one nozzle of the upper box. However, advantages can also be achieved if the upper box and the lower box are not arranged exactly above one another, but are offset from one another and / or are of different sizes. It is therefore generally preferred for the lower box to be arranged at least partially opposite the upper box below the treatment position. It is therefore sufficient for the lower box and the upper box to overlap one another when viewed perpendicular to the transport plane.

[0042] The treatment position is preferably arranged at a distance upwards from the transport device. In this case, it is preferred that the tempering device further comprises a lifting device for lifting the component from the transport device into the treatment position.

[0043] The component can be lifted into the treatment position by the transport device. This allows the component to be brought closer to the underside of the upper box than if the component remained in the transport plane during the thermal treatment. The closer the component is to the underside of the upper box, the sharper the separation between the areas generally is. Particularly preferably, the component is in contact with the underside of the upper box even during the thermal treatment and is pressed beneath the upper box by the lifting device. "In contact" here means "touching."

[0044] The lower box is preferably lifted at least partially with the component. In this case, the lower box can be considered part of the lifting device. In particular, the component can be lifted with the lower box. In this embodiment, the lower box can be lifted either entirely or only partially. The latter is possible, for example, if the lower box consists of two or more parts that telescopically interlock. The part of the lower box closest to the component can then be lifted and moved upwards relative to the remaining part(s) of the lower box.

[0045] In the treatment position, the component preferably rests with its upper side against the upper box and its underside against the lower box. This allows for a particularly sharp separation of the two areas.

[0046] As an alternative to the described configuration, the component can remain in the transport plane and the upper box can be moved toward the component. However, this is more complex from a practical perspective.

[0047] The lifting device preferably has several blades. The lower box is preferably connected to at least one of the blades. This allows the lower box to be at least partially lifted. The blades are preferably oriented perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the tempering device, the lower box has in the interior at least one additional nozzle for cooling the component when the component is received in the treatment position, wherein the tempering device is configured to thermally treat the component when it is received in the treatment position in such a way that the first region of the component is also cooled with the at least one additional nozzle of the lower box.

[0049] The lower box is open at the top. This allows a cooling fluid to be discharged from the lower box, similar to the upper box, but in the case of the lower box, upwards. This means that the component located above the lower box in the treatment position can be exposed to the cooling fluid. The part of the component located above the lower box can thus be cooled. Ideally, this is the first area. This is the case when the lower nozzle box and the upper nozzle box coincide when viewed perpendicular to the transport plane. The first area of ​​the component is then the area that can be cooled with the upper box and the lower box. The position, shape, and size of the first area is therefore generally determined by the position, shape, and size of the upper box and the lower box.It is therefore preferred that a component-specific upper box and / or a component-specific lower box be used. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred that the upper box and / or the lower box be arranged component-specifically within the heating chamber. However, some of the advantages described herein can also be achieved if the upper box and the lower box do not exactly coincide when viewed perpendicular to the transport plane.

[0050] At least one additional nozzle for cooling the component when the component is accommodated in the treatment position is arranged in the interior of the lower box. In this embodiment, the lower box can therefore also be referred to as a lower nozzle box. The at least one additional nozzle is preferably designed to discharge a cooling fluid toward the treatment position. The at least one additional nozzle is considered part of the lower box. The lower box preferably has a plurality of additional nozzles in the interior for discharging a cooling fluid toward the treatment position, particularly preferably between 5 and 100 additional nozzles.

[0051] For the functioning of the temperature control device, it is irrelevant whether the same cooling fluid is discharged with the at least one nozzle of the upper box and with the at least one additional nozzle of the lower box, or whether one cooling fluid is discharged with the at least one nozzle of the upper box and an additional cooling fluid different from the cooling fluid is discharged with the at least one additional nozzle of the lower box. For practical reasons, however, it is preferred that the same cooling fluid is discharged with the at least one nozzle of the upper box and the at least one additional nozzle of the lower box. In this case, a single cooling fluid supply is sufficient. Unless otherwise stated, this preferred case is discussed here. However, the statements regarding the cooling fluid also apply individually to the cooling fluid and the additional cooling fluid, provided that they are different from one another.

[0052] If the temperature control device has a cooling gas source, this is preferably connected to the at least one additional nozzle.

[0053] In general, it is preferred that the at least one nozzle of the upper box is designed to discharge a cooling fluid in the direction of the treatment position and the at least one additional nozzle of the lower box is designed to discharge the cooling fluid and / or a further cooling fluid in the direction of the treatment position.

[0054] The cooling fluid can be discharged using the at least one nozzle and the at least one additional nozzle and is applied to the component in the treatment position. The at least one nozzle and the at least one additional nozzle are each 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 upper 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. In the simplest case, the at least one additional nozzle is arranged so that the cooling fluid is discharged upwards.However, the cooling fluid can also reach the component if the additional nozzle is, for example, directed diagonally upwards.

[0055] The tempering device is configured 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 upper box and with the at least one additional nozzle, and thermal energy from the heating chamber is supplied to a second region of the component.

[0056] Because the lower box is fluidically connected to the heating chamber's surroundings, the cooling fluid discharged by at least one additional nozzle can easily escape from the lower box. This contributes to the sharp separation of the two zones. In this respect, the same applies to the lower box as to the upper box.

[0057] 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 transport device comprises at least one sliding skid which is formed at least partially opposite the upper box below the treatment position.

[0058] The transport device preferably comprises a plurality of transport rollers. In particular, the transport device can comprise a roller conveyor. The component can be transported by the transport device when it rests on the transport rollers. With such a design of the transport device, the problem would generally arise that there would be little space available for the lower box below the treatment position. In the present embodiment, this problem is solved by providing a sliding skid that is formed at least partially opposite the upper box below the treatment position. A sliding skid is understood to be an element on whose upper side the component can slide.

[0059] If the at least one sliding skid is arranged opposite the upper box, the at least one sliding skid is arranged in an area which, when viewed perpendicular to the transport plane, coincides with the upper box. In this case, the at least one sliding skid is therefore arranged below the upper box, wherein the component can be received between the upper box and the at least one sliding skid in the treatment position. However, it is also possible for the sliding skid to protrude beyond the area which, when viewed perpendicular to the transport plane, coincides with the upper box. Therefore, it is generally provided that the at least one sliding skid is formed at least partially opposite the upper box below the treatment position.

[0060] In the present embodiment, it is sufficient for one skid to be provided. However, it is preferred that several skids be arranged next to each other when viewed in the transport direction. This can prevent or at least reduce bending of the component. Preferably, between two and ten skids are provided.

[0061] The transport device is preferably configured to transport the component in a transport direction. The sliding skid is preferably aligned along the transport direction. One axis of the sliding skid is thus parallel to the transport direction. If multiple sliding skids are provided, they are preferably arranged parallel to one another.

[0062] By using at least one sliding skid, a particularly large amount of space can be available for the lower box. This is possible because the component in the area below the upper box can be supported from below by at least one sliding skid. In the area below the upper box - i.e. where the lower box is located - no other support of the component from below is therefore necessary. If the transport device has transport rollers, one or more of the transport rollers can be omitted in the area below the upper box. The resulting exceptionally large gap between two consecutive transport rollers can be bridged by the at least one sliding skid.

[0063] The at least one sliding skid is preferably arranged entirely within the lower box. The functionality of the lower box is thus unaffected by the at least one sliding skid. If the lower box is part of the lifting device, the lower box is raised when the component is lifted into the treatment position. The at least one sliding skid preferably remains stationary. This is possible if the at least one sliding skid is arranged entirely within the lower box.

[0064] The at least one sliding skid can also be arranged entirely outside the lower box. The at least one sliding skid can also be arranged partially inside the lower box and partially outside the lower box, if the lower box has a corresponding opening for the sliding skid.

[0065] The at least one sliding runner is preferably rounded at its first end, which is the first end the component reaches during transport in the transport direction. This facilitates the transition of the component onto the sliding runner. This applies in particular in the preferred case where the at least one sliding runner is designed to rise at its first end when viewed along the transport direction. Alternatively or additionally, the first end is preferably spaced downwards from the transport plane. This also facilitates the transition of the component onto the sliding runner.

[0066] The at least one sliding runner is preferably rounded at its second end, which is the last end reached by the component during transport in the transport direction. This facilitates the transition of the component from the sliding runner. This applies in particular in the preferred case in which the at least one sliding runner is designed to rise at its second end when viewed along the transport direction. Alternatively or additionally, the second end is preferably spaced upwards from the transport plane. This also facilitates the transition of the component from the sliding runner.

[0067] If the transport device has blades, the at least one sliding skid is preferably aligned perpendicular to the blades. In the simplest case, this is possible if the at least one sliding skid does not overlap any of the blades when viewed in the transport direction. However, a particularly small distance between adjacent blades can be achieved if several sliding skids are arranged one after the other in the transport direction. One of the blades can be accommodated in a gap remaining between the sliding skids in the transport direction.

[0068] The gap between two adjacent transport rollers can be bridged alternatively or in addition to the described embodiment in that the transport device has one or more transport rollers which, when viewed in the transport direction, are arranged in the region of the lower box, but which do not extend over the entire width of the heating chamber. For example, instead of a continuous transport roller below the upper box, two shortened transport rollers can be used, which are each arranged to the side of the lower box when viewed in the transport direction. With such a configuration, however, it is necessary to mount the transport rollers inside the heating chamber. Such mounting is therefore exposed to high temperatures, which is disadvantageous. Preferably, the transport rollers are generally mounted at both their ends outside the heating chamber or at the edge of the heating chamber.By using at least one skid, this can be achieved for all transport rollers. In the area below the upper box, transport rollers can be omitted entirely.

[0069] Alternatively or in addition to the described embodiments, the gap between two adjacent transport rollers can also be bridged by the transport device having one or more transport rollers that pass through the lower box. In this case, the lower box has corresponding openings. If the lower box is designed to be movable, these openings are preferably designed as elongated holes.

[0070] In general, the gap between two adjacent transport rollers can be bridged by one or more skids, one or more pairs of shortened transport rollers, and / or one or more continuous transport rollers passing through the lower box. Any combination of these options is possible.

[0071] In a further preferred embodiment, the transport device comprises a plurality of transport rollers which together form a transport plane, wherein an upper side of the at least one sliding skid lies at least partially in the transport plane.

[0072] The transport rollers together form the transport plane, allowing the component to rest on the top of the respective transport rollers. If the skid is positioned at this height, the component can transfer from one of the transport rollers positioned in front of the skid to the skid without having to move up or down.

[0073] It is sufficient that the upper side of the at least one skid lies at least partially in the transport plane. This applies in particular if the first end and the second end of the at least one skid are rounded. In this case, it is preferred that the upper side of the skid lies in the transport plane in a section located between the rounded ends. If only one end is rounded, the same applies.

[0074] In general, it is preferred that the upper side of the at least one sliding skid lies in the transport plane at least in a section which covers at least 70% of the extent of the at least one sliding skid in the transport direction.

[0075] As an alternative to the present embodiment, it is also possible for the upper side of the at least one skid to be spaced downwards from the transport plane, preferably by no more than 1 cm, at least in a section that covers at least 70% of the extent of the at least one skid in the transport direction. In particular, such a small downward deviation does not impair the functioning of the skid.

[0076] In a further preferred embodiment of the temperature control device, the upper box has a circumferential wall which, at least in sections, is beveled on the lower side of the upper box, facing an interior of the upper box. Preferably, the circumferential wall on the lower side of the upper box is beveled at all points, facing the interior of the upper box.

[0077] The surrounding wall encloses the interior of the upper box. The interior of the upper box is therefore formed in particular by the surrounding wall. The surrounding wall is preferably made of steel. On the lower side of the upper box, the wall is beveled. This can basically be the case in two directions. According to the invention, the direction facing the interior of the upper box is selected. If cooling fluid flows downwards along the inside of the wall, the cooling fluid is guided away from the second region of the component by this beveled design. This allows a particularly sharp separation between the regions to be achieved.

[0078] 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 upper box. This allows the described deflection to be achieved in any case.

[0079] In a further preferred embodiment of the temperature control device, the lower box has a circumferential wall which, at least in sections, is beveled on the upper side of the lower box, facing an interior of the lower box. Preferably, the circumferential wall on the upper side of the lower box is beveled at all points, facing the interior of the lower box.

[0080] For this embodiment, what was said in connection with the previously described embodiment of the upper box applies analogously to the lower box.

[0081] As a further aspect of the invention, a method for the locally varied 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 the at least one nozzle of the upper box, and introducing thermal energy into the second region of the component. The advantages and features of the tempering device are applicable and transferable to the method, and vice versa. The tempering device is preferably configured for use in the method.

[0082] If the at least one additional nozzle is provided in the lower nozzle, the first region of the component in step b) is preferably also exposed to the cooling fluid and / or a further cooling fluid via the at least one additional nozzle of the lower box.

[0083] Preferably, the method further comprises the following step c) press hardening the component after it has been subjected to locally different thermal treatment in step b).

[0084] In this case, the process can also be described as a process for locally different thermal treatment and press hardening of a component.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the component is formed by a circuit board and a patch, wherein the patch rests on one side of the circuit board and is connected to the circuit board.

[0086] A patch is a piece of sheet metal that is attached to the circuit board for reinforcement. The patch is preferably smaller than the circuit board. The patch and the circuit board are preferably welded together, for example using a large number of spot welds. The patch lies on one side of the circuit board. Depending on the orientation of the component, the patch can lie on the top or bottom of the circuit board. The patch preferably lies fully against the circuit board. The patch and the circuit board can be made of the same or different materials. The patch and the circuit board are preferably made of the same or different steels.

[0087] The first region of the component preferably overlaps at least partially with the patch. This means that at least part of the patch is cooled. In this case, cooling the component on both sides has proven particularly effective. If the component in the patch area were only cooled from above, the circuit board in the area below the patch may be cooled less than desired. However, the additional cooling from below allows the circuit board to be cooled directly. In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the component is positioned within the heating chamber in step a) such that the patch is arranged above the circuit board.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the component is oriented so that the patch is on top. The patch is thus positioned on the top side of the board. This orientation has the advantage that the patch cannot get caught on transport rollers, for example, during transport of the component.

[0089] In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the component is in contact with the upper box and with the lower box in the treatment position.

[0090] In this embodiment, a particularly sharp separation of the zones can be achieved because very little gas flows from the upper box into the second area of ​​the component. If at least one additional nozzle is provided in the lower box, this also applies to the lower box. Otherwise, however, heat energy can be dissipated particularly effectively with the lower box when it is in contact with the component.

[0091] In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the upper box has a plurality of nozzles from which the cooling fluid is discharged at a time staggered interval in step b) and / or the lower box has a plurality of additional nozzles from which the cooling fluid is discharged at a time staggered interval in step b).

[0092] Turbulence can be reduced by discharging the cooling fluid from the nozzles at different times.

[0093] As a further aspect of the invention, a use of a tempering device designed as described for the locally different thermal treatment of a steel component is presented, wherein the component is a door ring or a double door ring for a motor vehicle.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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:

[0097] - a first oven for heating the component,

[0098] - a tempering device arranged downstream of the first furnace for locally different thermal treatment of the component, which is designed as described,

[0099] - a pressing device arranged downstream of the tempering device for press hardening the component.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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:

[0104] Fig. 1 a: a side view of a tempering device according to the invention while a component is being introduced into it, Fig. 1 b: the tempering device from Fig. 1 a in the same view while the component is being thermally treated in the treatment position,

[0105] Fig. 1c: a more detailed representation of a section of the tempering device from Fig. 1 a and 1 b in the situation from Fig. 1 b,

[0106] Fig. 2a: a plan view of another tempering device according to the invention while a component is transported to the treatment position,

[0107] Fig. 2b: a cross-sectional view along section AA of Fig. 2a,

[0108] Fig. 2c: a plan view of the tempering device from Fig. 2a and 2b, while the component is accommodated in the treatment position,

[0109] Fig. 2d: a cross-sectional view along section AA of Fig. 2c,

[0110] Fig. 3: an arrangement according to the invention.

[0111] 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.

[0112] Furthermore, the tempering device 1 has a lifting device 17, which has a plurality of blades 18. The lifting device 17 is designed to lift the component 2 into a treatment position 4.

[0113] The temperature control device 1 further has an upper box 5, which is partially formed within the heating chamber 3, which is open on a lower side 6 and an upper side 7, and which has a fluid connection 8 to the surroundings of the heating chamber 3 on the upper side 7. The upper box 5 is formed by a circumferential wall 13 which encloses an interior space 15. The temperature control device 1 further has a lower box 19, which is partially formed within the heating chamber 3, which is open on a lower side 6 and an upper side 7, and which has a fluid connection 8 to the surroundings of the heating chamber 3 on the lower side 7. The lower box 19 is formed by a circumferential wall 13 which encloses an interior space 15.

[0114] Fig. 1 a shows how the component 2 can be introduced into the heating chamber 3 of the tempering device 1.

[0115] Fig. 1 b shows the tempering device 1 from Fig. 1 a in the same view as is shown in Fig. 1 a. However, Fig. 1 b shows the situation in which the component 2 is in the treatment position 4. The tempering device 1 is designed to subject the component 2 to locally different thermal treatment in the treatment position 4 within the heating chamber 3. For this purpose, the component 2 has been lifted from the transport plane 28 using the lifting device 17. The treatment position 4 is therefore spaced upwards from the transport plane 28. In the treatment position 4, the component 2 is in contact with the upper box 5 in that the component 2 touches the upper box 5 on its lower side 6. In the treatment position 4, the component 2 is also in contact with the lower box 19 in that the component 2 touches the lower box 19 on its upper side 7. This is possible because the lower box 19 has been raised together with the swords 18.

[0116] The component 2, when received in the treatment position 4 as shown in Fig. 1 b, can be thermally treated in such a way that a first region 11 of the component 2 is cooled with one or more nozzles 9 (shown in Fig. 1 c) of the upper box 5 and with one or more additional nozzles 35 (shown in Fig. 1 c) of the lower box 19 and a second region 12 of the component 2 is supplied with thermal energy from the heating chamber 3.

[0117] Fig. 1c shows an enlarged section of the temperature control device 1 from Fig. 1b. The illustration in Fig. 1c has been simplified for the sake of clarity. In particular, the lifting device 17 is not shown. However, it can be seen from Fig. 1c that the upper box 5 has a plurality of nozzles 9 for discharging a cooling fluid 10 and that the lower box 19 has a plurality of additional nozzles 35 for discharging the cooling fluid 10. The first region 11 of the component 2 can be cooled with the cooling fluid 10. Each of the nozzles 9 and each of the additional nozzles 35 is connected to a respective line 33, via which the cooling fluid 10 can be guided to the corresponding nozzle 9 or additional nozzle 35.

[0118] Furthermore, it can be seen from Fig. 1c that the circumferential wall 13 of the upper box 5 is beveled on the lower side 6, at least in sections, facing the interior space 15 of the upper box 5. A lower edge 14 of the wall 13 of the upper box 5 touches the upper side of the component 2 at the transition between the first region 11 and the second region 12 of the component 2. Furthermore, it can be seen from Fig. 1c that the circumferential wall 13 of the lower box 19 is beveled on the upper side 7, at least in sections, facing the interior space 15 of the lower box 19. An upper edge 20 of the wall 13 of the lower box 19 touches the underside of the component 2 at the transition between the first region 11 and the second region 12 of the component 2.

[0119] The temperature control device 1 shown in Figs. 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 treatment. 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 upper box 5 and the additional nozzles 35 of the lower box 19, and by 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 upper box 5. For example, the cooling fluid 10 can be discharged alternately from the nozzles 9 held on the wall 13 of the upper box 5 and the central nozzle 9.The cooling fluid 10 is preferably discharged from the additional nozzles 35 at staggered times to minimize turbulence in the lower box 19. For example, the cooling fluid 10 can be discharged alternately from the additional nozzles 35 mounted on the wall 13 of the lower box 19 and the central additional nozzle 35.

[0120] Fig. 2a to 2d show a further embodiment of a tempering device 1. Fig. 2a and 2c each show a plan view and Fig. 2b and 2d a corresponding cross-sectional view along section AA in Fig. 2a and 2c respectively. The tempering device 1 comprises a heatable heating chamber 3. The component 2 can be received therein for thermal treatment in a treatment position 4. Fig. 2a and 2b show how the component 2 is moved in a transport direction 31 into the treatment position 4. In Fig. 2c and 2d the component 2 is shown in the treatment position 4.

[0121] Figs. 2a to 2d each show the interior of the heating chamber 3. The edge of the heating chamber 3 is not shown separately. This edge can be configured as shown in Figs. 1a and 1b.

[0122] Component 2 is formed by a circuit board 39 and a patch 40. Patch 40 rests on the top side of circuit board 39 and is connected to circuit board 39, for example, via a plurality of weld points. Component 2 is oriented such that patch 40 is arranged above circuit board 39. Patch 40 can therefore also be seen in the top views of Figs. 2a and 2c. This orientation of component 2 prevents patch 40 from getting caught, for example, on transport rollers 27.

[0123] Furthermore, the temperature control device 1 comprises an upper box 5 and a lower box 19. These can be designed as shown in Figs. 1a, 1b, and 1c. In contrast, in Figs. 2a to 2d, the upper box 5 and the lower box 19 are only indicated schematically. In particular, the fluidic connection to the environment of the heating chamber 3 is not shown separately in Figs. 2a to 2d.

[0124] The tempering device 1 further comprises a transport device 16 for introducing the component 2 into the tempering device 1 and for removing the component 2 from the tempering device 1. The transport device 16 comprises a plurality of transport rollers 27, which together form a transport plane 28. In the area below the upper box 5, however, the lower box 19 is arranged below the transport plane 28. Therefore, no transport rollers extending across the entire width of the heating chamber 3 can be provided there. To ensure reliable transport of the component 2, the transport device 16 has four skids 36. These are each formed opposite the upper box 5 below the treatment position 4 and arranged within the lower box 19. An upper side 37 of the skids 36 lies in the transport plane 28.In addition, in this example, two of the transport rollers 27 are designed as shortened transport rollers 41. These can support the component 2 to the side of the upper box 5. The treatment position 4 is arranged at a distance above the transport device 16. The treatment position 4 is therefore spaced above the transport plane 28. In order to lift the component 2 from the transport plane 28 into the treatment position 4, the tempering device 1 has a lifting device 17. The lifting device 17 has several blades 18 which can contact the component 2 from below. Fig. 2b shows that the blades 18 end below the transport plane 28 when the component 2 is brought into the treatment position 4. The component 2 rests on the transport rollers 27 and, if applicable, on the skids 36. Fig.2d shows that the blades 18 extend beyond the transport plane 28 when the component 2 is picked up in the treatment position 4. The component 2 then rests on the blades 18.

[0125] The tempering device 1 is configured to thermally treat the component 2, when it is received in the treatment position 4 as shown in Figs. 2c and 2d, in such a way that a first region 11 of the component 2 is cooled by the nozzles 9 of the upper box 5 and by the additional nozzles 35 of the lower box 19, and a second region 12 of the component 2 is supplied with thermal energy from the heating chamber 3. The result of this thermal treatment is illustrated in Figs. 2c and 2d by highlighting the first region 11 with hatching.

[0126] Fig. 3 shows an arrangement 22 for locally varying thermal treatment and press hardening of a component 2. The arrangement 22 comprises a first furnace 23 for heating the component 2. The arrangement 22 further comprises a tempering device 1 arranged downstream of the first furnace 23 for locally varying thermal treatment of the component 2, which is designed as in one of the exemplary embodiments of Figs. 1a to 1c, 2 and 3a to 3d. The arrangement 22 further comprises a second furnace 24 arranged downstream of the tempering device 1 for 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

[0127] 1 tempering device

[0128] 2 component

[0129] 3 heating chamber

[0130] 4 Treatment position

[0131] 5 upper box

[0132] 6 bottom side

[0133] 7 upper side

[0134] 8 fluid connection

[0135] 9 Nozzle

[0136] 10 Cooling fluid

[0137] 11 first area

[0138] 12 second area

[0139] 13 Wall

[0140] 14 lower edge of the wall

[0141] 15 Interior

[0142] 16 Transport device

[0143] 17 Lifting device

[0144] 18 Sword

[0145] 19 lower box

[0146] 20 upper edge

[0147] 22 Arrangement

[0148] 23 first oven

[0149] 24 two-burner oven

[0150] 25 Pressing device

[0151] 26 Heating element

[0152] 27 Tran sport role

[0153] 28 Transport level

[0154] 29 Entrance opening

[0155] 30 Exit opening

[0156] 31 Transport direction

[0157] 33 Line

[0158] 35 Additional nozzle 36 Skid

[0159] 37 Top

[0160] 39 circuit board

[0161] 40 Patch 41 shortened roll

Claims

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), - an upper box (5), which ■ is formed at least partially within the heating chamber (3), ■ is arranged above the treatment position (4), ■ is open on a lower side (6), ■ has an interior space (15), ■ in the interior (15) at least one nozzle (9) for cooling the component (2) when the component (2) is accommodated in the treatment position (4), and ■ has a fluid connection (8) to an environment of the heating chamber (3), - a lower box (19), which ■ is formed at least partially within the heating chamber (3), ■ is arranged at least partially opposite the upper box (5) below the treatment position (4), ■ is open on one upper side (7), ■ has an interior space (15), and ■ has a fluidic connection (8) to an environment of the heating chamber (3), wherein the temperature control device (1) is set up to thermally treat the component (2), when it is received 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 upper box (5) and thermal energy from the heating chamber (3) is supplied to a second region (12) of the component (2).

2. Tempering device according to claim 1, wherein the lower box (19) in the interior (15) has at least one additional nozzle (35) for cooling the component (2) when the component (2) is received in the treatment position (4), and wherein the tempering device (1) is designed to thermally treat the component (2), when it is received in the treatment position (4), in such a way that the first region (11) of the component (2) is also cooled with the at least one additional nozzle (35) of the lower 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), and wherein the transport device (16) comprises at least one sliding skid (36) which is formed at least partially opposite the upper box (5) below the treatment position (4).

4. Tempering device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the transport device (16) comprises a plurality of transport rollers (27) which together form a transport plane (28), and wherein an upper side (37) of the at least one sliding skid (36) lies at least partially in the transport plane (28).

5. A 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 upper box (5) and introducing thermal energy into the second region (12) of the component (2).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the component (2) is formed by a circuit board (39) and a patch (40), wherein the patch (40) rests on one side of the circuit board (39) against the circuit board (39) and is connected to the circuit board (39).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the component (2) is positioned in step a) within the heating chamber (3) such that the patch (40) is arranged above the circuit board (39).

8. Use of a tempering device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4 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.

9. 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 4, - a pressing device (25) arranged downstream of the tempering device (1) for press hardening the component (2).

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