Hot Forming Line with Exchangeable Temperature Treatment Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing motor vehicle parts using high-strength steel materials require high energy input and result in sub-optimal intermediate cooling due to homogeneous heating, leading to increased energy costs and acquisition costs for specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A hot forming line with a temperature treatment station featuring exchangeable temperature treatment plates on upper and lower tools for conductive heating or cooling, allowing for targeted temperature treatment of sheet metal blanks or parts, reducing energy consumption and production costs by enabling efficient heating and cooling of specific regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If homogeneous heating of the entire blank is used, then the blank can be uniformly heated to austenizing temperature, but high energy input is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the heating approach: the blank is heated homogeneously in a furnace to a base temperature, then only specific regions requiring higher temperature are locally heated to austenizing temperature using induction heating zones. This avoids the energy waste of heating the entire blank uniformly to the highest required temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating process is segmented into two distinct stages: first, homogeneous heating of the entire blank in a furnace to a base temperature; second, selective induction heating of specific regions to austenizing temperature. This segmentation allows energy to be applied efficiently only where needed in the second stage.
2Temperature
If intermediate cooling is performed in the press tool, then cooling can be achieved, but the cooling effect is sub-optimal due to energy related aspects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary cooling by transferring the blank from the heating device to a cooling device before press hardening. This preliminary cooling reduces the overall temperature of the blank, particularly in regions that will not be heated to austenizing temperature, thereby reducing the energy burden on the press tool during subsequent operations and improving overall energy efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If specialized equipment for targeted temperature treatment is acquired, then energy efficiency improves, but acquisition costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional heating device that combines both furnace heating capability and induction heating zones within a single integrated system. This universal device can perform both homogeneous heating and localized targeted heating, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and thereby reducing acquisition costs while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two heating functions (furnace heating and induction heating) into a single integrated heating device. This combination allows the system to achieve both homogeneous heating and localized targeted temperature treatment without requiring separate equipment, thus reducing overall equipment acquisition costs while improving energy efficiency.
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 solution enables the production of motor vehicle parts with regions of different strength properties while minimizing energy usage and equipment costs, achieving efficient and flexible temperature treatment with low heat loss and reduced production expenses.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature treatment plates can be heated or cooled by the temperature treatment source and are used for conductive temperature treatment of sheet metal blanks or sheet metal parts
Data Source
AI summary
A hot forming line for producing hot formed and press hardened steel sheet products, includes: a forming device; a heating device having a temperature treatment station, wherein the temperature treatment station includes an upper tool and a lower tool, and at least one temperature treatment source; and exchangeable temperature treatment plates for conductive temperature treatment of a blank or part inserted into the temperature treatment station, wherein the exchangeable temperature treatment plates are constructed for arrangement on the upper tool and/or the lower tool, and the temperature treatment source is constructed for heating or cooling the temperature treatment plates. The temperature treatment station is constructed for treating different regions of the blank or part with different temperatures by conductive contact of the temperature treatment plates with the blank of part.