Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel Magnetic Domain Refinement for Low Iron Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing grain-oriented electrical steel sheets face challenges in achieving low iron loss while maintaining productivity and cost-effectiveness, particularly when introducing strain from both sides of the steel sheet, which requires complex control and increased costs or reduced productivity.

Innovation Solution

Adjusting the position where the electron beam diameter is minimized in the thickness direction of the steel sheet by using a dynamic focus function, and evaluating strain distribution based on leakage magnetic flux to optimize magnetic domain refinement, thereby increasing the ratio of magnetic poles generated in the same area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If strain is introduced from both sides of the steel sheet to increase pole generation area, then iron loss reduction is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveiron lossVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the strain introduction process into two separate single-side irradiation steps instead of attempting simultaneous double-side irradiation. The steel sheet is irradiated from one side, then flipped and irradiated from the other side, effectively segmenting the complex process into manageable stages that achieve the same pole generation effect without requiring complex dual-sided coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary focus adjustment before irradiation to optimize the beam convergence point within the steel sheet thickness. By pre-positioning the minimum beam diameter location at a specific depth from the surface, the process maximizes strain penetration and pole generation efficiency in a single-side irradiation, reducing the need for complex multi-sided coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If strain is introduced from both sides of the steel sheet, then iron loss reduction is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveiron lossVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the irradiation process into two sequential single-side operations rather than requiring simultaneous dual-sided processing. This allows each side to be treated independently with optimized parameters, and the steel sheet can be processed through the same irradiation apparatus twice, maintaining high equipment utilization while achieving deep strain penetration equivalent to double-sided introduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By pre-optimizing the beam focus position and irradiation parameters for single-side processing, the patent ensures that each irradiation pass achieves maximum strain penetration depth. This preliminary optimization allows the single-side approach to match or exceed the effectiveness of simultaneous double-sided irradiation, eliminating productivity losses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If beam focus is adjusted to increase strain depth, then magnetic domain refining effect is improved, but manufacturing precision control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveiron lossVSAvoidfocus position control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary focus adjustment to position the minimum beam diameter at a predetermined depth within the steel sheet before irradiation begins. This pre-positioning of the focal point ensures consistent strain distribution depth and maximizes pole generation within the material bulk, while the focus setting can be predetermined and replicated across production batches, reducing real-time control complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes specific irradiation parameters including beam current, accelerating voltage, and focus position to achieve the desired strain penetration depth. By establishing optimized parameter ranges and settings for single-side irradiation, the process achieves deep strain introduction with controlled and repeatable manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach results in a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet with significantly reduced iron loss, enhancing energy efficiency in transformers by improving the magnetic domain refining effect and meeting future efficiency regulations.

Implementation Method 1

applying magnetic domain refining treatment by irradiation with an electron beam or a laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron beam irradiation: Electron Beam

Implementation Method 2

uses the anti-magnetic field effect caused by the magnetic poles generated in the vicinity of the strain introduction portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic pole generation: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

adjusting the position where the beam diameter is minimized in the thickness direction of the steel sheet by means of focus adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBeam focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 4

evaluating strain distribution based on leakage magnetic flux

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux leakage: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3892413B1Grain-oriented electrical steel sheet and method of producing same
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 JFE STEEL CORP
  • EP3892413B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3892413B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3892413B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Disclosed is a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet with extremely low iron loss by means of a magnetic domain refining technique. In a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet having a plurality of magnetic domains refined via a local strain introduction portion, when a direct-current external magnetic field is applied to the steel sheet in a rolling direction, for a magnetic flux leaked from the local strain introduction portion at a position 1.0 mm away from a surface of the steel sheet at a side of the local strain introduction portion, a value obtained by dividing an intensity level of a total leakage magnetic flux by an intensity level of a magnetic flux leaked due to causes other than strain is more than 1.2.