Heating Device Base Rib Reinforcement Against Creep

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Solution Overview

Problem

Continuous heating in hot pressing processes causes components with low heat resistance to deform by creep, leading to issues such as the inability to transfer workpieces onto or remove them from support elements due to deformation of the bases under the weight of the workpieces.

Innovation Solution

The heating device incorporates horizontally spaced support elements with reinforced bases featuring a planar portion, a columnar mounting portion, and ribs or posts that increase the strength against deformation, preventing creep by distributing the load and providing additional support to the bases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If continuous heating is used to improve thermal efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the bases deform by creep due to long-term high temperature exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal efficiencyVSAvoidbase deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The base material is changed from ordinary steel to high-temperature-resistant material (such as stainless steel or heat-resistant alloy), fundamentally altering the material parameters to resist creep deformation under long-term high temperature exposure while maintaining continuous heating operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The base is constructed using composite structure combining high-temperature-resistant material with reinforced geometry (thicker sections, rib reinforcements), creating a composite system that resists creep deformation while maintaining thermal efficiency for continuous heating operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the bases are made stronger to prevent creep deformation, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to creep deformationVSAvoidbase structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly thickening the entire base structure, reinforcement is applied locally only at critical areas experiencing highest stress and temperature (such as support legs, mounting regions, and rib locations), maintaining overall simplicity while achieving necessary creep resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The base structure is divided into modular sections with standardized high-temperature-resistant components that can be manufactured separately and assembled, reducing overall complexity while ensuring reliable creep resistance through proven modular designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 reinforced bases effectively prevent creep deformation, allowing for reliable transfer and handling of workpieces during long-term high-temperature exposure, enhancing the operational stability and efficiency of the heating device.

Implementation Method 1

a heater (20) disposed in the furnace (10) to heat a workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the furnace (10) being surrounded by a heat insulator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3364137B1Heating device
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 TOYODA IRON WORKS CO LTD
  • EP3364137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3364137B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3364137B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A heating device for heating a workpiece includes a furnace (10) defining a closed space insulated from an exterior by being surrounded by a heat insulator, a heater disposed in the furnace (10) to heat a workpiece, a support element (30) supporting a workpiece in the furnace (10), and a base (40) holding the support element (30). The base (40) includes a columnar portion (43) serving as the mounting portion, and a support element retaining portion (42) horizontally offset from the columnar portion. The base (40) includes a rib (44) which increases the strength against deformation of the base (40) under the load of the workpiece and/or support elements applied through the support element retaining portion, and a post (45).