Casting Tool Cooling Chamber Contours for Hot Spot Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tool and tool inserts for metal casting suffer from inadequate cooling, leading to excessive stress due to uneven heat distribution during the casting process, as conventional cooling bores are insufficient in providing uniform cooling and failing to precisely target hot spots.

Innovation Solution

Designing an optimized cooling chamber contour using flow simulation and heat transfer simulation tools, which allows for the creation of a three-dimensional model of the tool or tool insert with an additive manufacturing process, enabling the integration of a core that forms a recess for the cooling space, thus allowing for enhanced coolant flow and heat dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional cooling bores are used in the tool or tool insert, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cooling capacity is very limited and cooling is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcooling capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the cooling chamber from simple cylindrical bores to optimized contours with varying cross-sections. The contour is specifically designed to increase the cooling surface area and improve coolant flow distribution, thereby enhancing the cooling capacity while maintaining manufacturability through standard casting processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling chamber is designed with optimized curved contours instead of straight cylindrical bores. The curved geometry allows for better distribution of coolant flow and increased surface area contact with the tool insert, improving heat transfer efficiency while the contours are designed to be manufacturable through casting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If cooling bores are provided in the tool or tool insert, then the structure is simple, but the cooling capacity is very limited resulting in suboptimal cooling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcooling effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the geometric parameters of the cooling chamber contour to maximize cooling effectiveness. The contour is designed with varying cross-sections and curved surfaces that increase the cooling surface area and improve coolant flow distribution, thereby enhancing heat dissipation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from one-dimensional cylindrical cooling bores to three-dimensional optimized contours with varying cross-sections. This dimensional enhancement allows for increased surface area and improved coolant flow patterns, significantly enhancing cooling effectiveness while adding minimal structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If cooling chambers are arranged in cooling nests at specific locations, then the cooling capacity is increased, but there is still no precise coordination between the cavity and the hot spots

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidcoordination precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality optimization by designing the cooling chamber contour to specifically target hot spot areas. The contour is optimized to provide enhanced cooling capacity precisely where heat generation is highest, with the geometry tailored to match the thermal load distribution in different regions of the tool insert

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical trial-and-error methods for positioning cooling chambers with simulation-based optimization. Flow simulation and heat transfer simulation tools are used to precisely determine the optimal contour geometry that coordinates cooling capacity with hot spot locations, eliminating the need for iterative mechanical adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Temperature

If the contour of the cooling chamber is optimized using flow simulation and heat transfer simulation, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing process become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex iterative mechanical design and trial-and-error manufacturing with simulation-based optimization. Flow simulation and heat transfer simulation tools automatically calculate the optimal cooling chamber contour, reducing design complexity while maximizing cooling effectiveness. The simulated optimal contour is then directly manufactured using standard casting processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary optimization of the cooling chamber contour using flow and heat transfer simulations before manufacturing. This preliminary action determines the optimal geometry that maximizes cooling effectiveness, and the resulting contour is then manufactured in a single casting operation, avoiding complex multi-step manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This method provides more flexible and effective cooling by optimizing the contour of the cooling chamber, ensuring better heat dissipation at high-temperature areas, reducing stress on the tool or tool insert, and enabling the use of materials like cast iron or steel for durability and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

designed using a fluid dynamics simulation program to simulate the coolant flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow simulation:

Implementation Method 2

using a heat transfer simulation tool which simulates the heat flow in the tool or tool insert during casting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer:

Implementation Method 3

cooling is achieved through cooling bores. This means that bores are provided in the tool or tool insert through which the cooling medium flows during casting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 4

ensuring better heat dissipation at high-temperature areas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation:

Data Source

PatentEP4223431A1Hochdruckgusswerkzeug
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 GF CASTING SOLUTIONS AG
  • EP4223431A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4223431A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4223431A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Method for producing an optimized cooling chamber in a tool or tool insert for casting metal parts, comprising the following steps: • Creating a three-dimensional model of a tool or tool insert, • Designing a cooling chamber in the tool or tool insert, • Designing a mold according to the tool or tool insert, • Creating a core according to the designed cooling chamber, • Creating the mold, • Casting the tool or tool insert with the core inserted into the mold to create the cooling chamber, • wherein an optimized contour of the cooling chamber (5) is designed using a flow simulation program to simulate the flow of the coolant and using a heat transfer simulation tool, which simulates the heat distribution in the tool or tool insert during casting.