Post-treating Hardened Metal Parts with Independent Zone Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing metallic components with varying ductility and strength regions are limited in precision and efficiency, often resulting in unwanted distortions and incomplete hardening due to uniform heating processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing electric resistance heating with multiple pairs of contact pieces to independently control temperature in different regions of a hardened metal component, allowing for targeted softening or hardening of specific areas by conductive heating or cooling, thereby adjusting ductility and strength as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If uniform heating process is used for the entire component, then the heating process is simple and fast, but the material characteristics (ductility and strength) are uniformly distributed and cannot be adjusted in specific regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to adjust material characteristics in specific regionsVSAvoidcomplexity of heating process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is divided into multiple independent heating zones, each equipped with separate heating elements and control systems. This allows different regions of the component to be heated to different temperatures independently, enabling localized adjustment of material characteristics such as ductility and strength in specific areas while maintaining uniform heating capability for the entire component when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the entire component is heated to high temperature for softening, then ductility is improved throughout, but the component loses strength and may undergo unwanted distortions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength in specific regionsVSAvoidease of subsequent processing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device applies localized heating to specific regions of the component rather than heating the entire component uniformly. This enables targeted softening of areas requiring subsequent processing (such as welding or drilling) while maintaining the strength and hardness of other regions. The independent control of heating zones allows precise temperature management in each area, improving ductility where needed without compromising overall component strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple pairs of contact pieces are used for regional temperature control, then precise adjustment of material characteristics is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of material characteristic adjustmentVSAvoidnumber of contact pieces and control systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device incorporates dynamically adjustable contact pieces that can be positioned and activated selectively based on the specific processing requirements. The contact pieces are designed to be movable and controllable, allowing the system to adapt to different heating scenarios. Independent control of each heating zone enables precise temperature management in specific regions while maintaining system flexibility and reducing unnecessary complexity through selective activation of only the required heating zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables precise adjustment of material characteristics in metal components, reducing distortions and enhancing ductility in specific regions, facilitating easier subsequent processing such as welding or drilling, while maintaining strength in other areas.

Implementation Method 1

heating the first partial region of the component to a first temperature (T1) by conducting electric current through the component by the first pair of contact pieces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

setting the second partial region of the component to a second temperature (T2) by the second pair of contact pieces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10260118B2Post-treating a hardened metal formed part

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 MUHR UND BENNDER KG

AI summary

A formed and hardened component made from a metallic material is post-treated by a device for electric resistance heating that has at least one first pair of contact pieces and at least one second pair of contact pieces; contacting a first partial region of the component with the contact pieces of the first pair such that the first partial region is arranged between the contact pieces of the first pair; contacting the second partial region of the component with the contact pieces of the second pair such that the second partial region is arranged between the contact pieces of the second pair; heating of the first partial region of the component to a first temperature by conducting electric current through the component by the first pair of contact pieces; setting the second partial region of the component to a second temperature by the second pair of contact pieces, which is set independently of the first temperature.