3D Cooling Hot Stamping for Uniform Closed-Section Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hot-stamping methods are limited in achieving uniform cooling effects for vehicle structural members with closed sections, leading to uneven strength distribution, particularly in complex shapes like bumper beams, which necessitates additional post-heating treatments.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional cooling type hot-stamping method and system that simultaneously sprays cooling water onto both internal and external surfaces of closed-section products using coupled molds and controlled cooling water circulation, ensuring uniform cooling and enhanced strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional hot-stamping method with external cooling water spray is used for closed-section structural members, then the external surface cooling is achieved, but the internal surface cannot be cooled uniformly resulting in uneven strength distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent spray devices positioned at different locations (above, below, left, right) to target different surfaces of the closed-section product. This segmentation allows simultaneous cooling of external and internal surfaces with dedicated spray nozzles for each region, achieving uniform temperature distribution throughout the complex geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling approach transitions from two-dimensional external spray to three-dimensional cooling by introducing internal spray capability through the mold structure. Cooling water is delivered to internal surfaces through passages and nozzles integrated into the mold, enabling cooling from multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously and achieving uniform cooling throughout the closed-section product.
2Ease of manufacture
If cooling water is sprayed only on external surface of closed-section structural member, then the cooling process is simple, but the internal surfaces remain uncooled leading to non-uniform strength
Solution Approach 1:
The mold structure serves as an intermediary medium that facilitates internal cooling. Cooling water passages and nozzles are integrated into the mold design, allowing cooling water to be delivered to internal surfaces of the closed-section product through the mold itself. This intermediary approach maintains process simplicity while achieving precise internal surface cooling.
3Strength
If multiple post heat treatment processes are added to achieve uniform strength in closed-section members, then the strength requirement is met, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to perform preliminary cooling action during the hot-stamping process itself, achieving uniform strength distribution before the product leaves the mold. By incorporating internal and external spray devices that operate simultaneously during forming, the uniform cooling and strength enhancement are accomplished in advance, eliminating the need for subsequent post heat treatment operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method achieves uniform strength enhancement for closed-section structural members with a strength deviation of 1.2% or less, eliminating the need for post-heating treatments and expanding the applicability to more complex structural members.
Implementation Method 1
an external cooling water direct spraying operation of directly spraying cooling water onto an external portion of the closed-section product is performed and, simultaneously, an internal cooling water direct spraying operation of directly spraying cooling water into an internal of the closed-section product is performed
Data Source
AI summary
A hot-stamping method may include a three-dimensional cooling mode in which, when a closed-section product placed in an upper mold and a lower mold that are coupled each other is heat-treated under control of a controller, an external cooling water direct spraying operation of directly spraying cooling water onto an external portion of the closed-section product is performed and, simultaneously, an internal cooling water direct spraying operation of directly spraying cooling water into an internal of the closed-section product is performed.