Integrated Hot Stamping Heating and Cooling Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing hot stamping technologies require separate heating and cooling furnaces, leading to limited installation space, increased manufacturing time, and higher costs due to unnecessary energy consumption, which degrades the productivity of high-strength components.

Innovation Solution

A heat treatment apparatus that integrates heating and cooling operations within the same apparatus, using vertically movable heating units with electrifiable electrodes and cooling units with pressurized molds to achieve high strength in cold-formed steel plates, allowing for sequential heating and cooling processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate heating furnace and cooling mold are used for hot stamping, then heating and cooling operations can be performed independently, but installation space is limited and manufacturing time is excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing timeVSAvoidseparate heating furnace and cooling mold

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heating furnace and cooling mold into a single integrated hot stamping apparatus. The heating unit with electrodes and the cooling unit with mold cavities are combined in one device, allowing sequential heating and cooling operations without transferring the steel plate between separate furnaces and molds. This integration directly reduces manufacturing time and improves productivity while maintaining the independent functionality of both heating and cooling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated hot stamping apparatus performs multiple functions within a single device: it can heat the steel plate using electromagnetic induction heating units, cool it using cooling units with coolant circulation, and form it using mold cavities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment for each operation, reducing both installation space requirements and manufacturing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If heating operation and cooling operation are performed in separate heating furnace, then each operation can be optimized independently, but cost is unnecessarily consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heating furnace and cooling mold operations into a single integrated apparatus. The heating unit uses electromagnetic induction to heat the steel plate, and immediately afterward, the cooling unit applies coolant to rapidly cool and form the plate. This sequential operation in one apparatus eliminates the energy waste associated with transferring heated plates between separate facilities and reduces overall energy consumption while improving cost efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If heating furnace of length about 25 m is installed for hot stamping, then heating operation can be performed, but installation space is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical heating furnace (requiring 25m length) with electromagnetic induction heating units. These heating units generate heat through electromagnetic fields that induce eddy currents in the steel plate, heating it rapidly and efficiently without requiring a long furnace. This substitution dramatically reduces the installation space required while maintaining effective heating capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the heating method from conventional thermal conduction through a long furnace to electromagnetic induction heating. This parameter change in the heating mechanism allows for rapid, localized heating of the steel plate in a compact space, eliminating the need for a 25-meter long furnace and significantly reducing installation space requirements.

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 integrated approach reduces operation time, minimizes heat loss, and lowers equipment costs by performing heating and cooling in a single apparatus, thereby enhancing productivity and achieving high-strength steel components efficiently.

Implementation Method 1

heating units provided to be vertically movable at both upper and lower sides of the frame and configured to heat a cold formed steel plate by electrifying the steel plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction heating: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

cooling units provided to be vertically movable at centers of the upper and lower sides of the frame and configured to cool the heated steel plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9790564B2Heat treatment apparatus for hot stamping and forming method using the same

Publication Date: 2017.10.17 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A heat treatment apparatus for hot stamping includes a frame, and heating units provided to be vertically movable at both upper and lower sides of the frame and configured to heat a cold formed steel plate by electrifying the steel plate. Cooling units are provided to be vertically movable at centers of the upper and lower sides of the frame and are configured to cool the heated steel plate while pressurizing the steel plate from upper and lower sides.