Inductive Heating Workpiece Holder with Insulating Receiving Area
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for holding workpieces during inductive heating, such as camshafts, suffer from irregular hardness patterns due to eddy currents induced in both the workpiece and the holder, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and uneven heating.
Innovation Solution
A device with a receiving area made of a material with little or no electrical conductivity, featuring metal receiving fingers that hold the workpiece in a non-positive manner, preventing eddy currents in the holder and allowing for uniform heating with reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal holder is used to hold the workpiece during inductive heating, then the workpiece can be securely fixed, but eddy currents are induced in the holder causing uneven heating and irregular hardness patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful property of electrical conductivity is extracted from the holder material. The patent replaces the metal holder with a holder made of electrically insulating material (such as ceramic or plastic), thereby removing the ability to induce eddy currents in the holder while maintaining its mechanical function of securely holding the workpiece during inductive heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conductivity parameter of the holder material is changed from conductive (metal) to insulating (ceramic or plastic). This parameter change prevents eddy current formation in the holder, eliminating the source of uneven heating and ensuring uniform heat distribution across the workpiece surface for consistent hardness patterns.
2Reliability
If a metal holder is used during inductive heating, then the workpiece can be held securely, but unnecessary energy is consumed due to eddy currents in the holder
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful property of electrical conductivity is extracted from the holder material. The patent replaces the metal holder with a holder made of electrically insulating material (such as ceramic or plastic), thereby removing the ability to induce eddy currents in the holder while maintaining its mechanical function of securely holding the workpiece during inductive heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful electrical conductivity of the metal holder into a beneficial property by selecting insulating materials. This eliminates energy loss through eddy currents in the holder, converting the holder from an energy-wasting component to an energy-efficient one that allows selective heating only of the workpiece.
3Manufacturing precision
If a metal holder is used for inductive heating, then the workpiece can be positioned accurately, but the holder itself gets heated due to induced eddy currents
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful property of electrical conductivity is extracted from the holder material. The patent replaces the metal holder with a holder made of electrically insulating material (such as ceramic or plastic), thereby removing the ability to induce eddy currents in the holder while maintaining its mechanical function of securely holding the workpiece during inductive heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conductivity parameter of the holder material is changed from conductive (metal) to insulating (ceramic or plastic). This parameter change prevents eddy current formation in the holder, eliminating the source of unwanted heating and ensuring uniform heat distribution across the workpiece surface for consistent hardness patterns.
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
Ensures secure fixation and uniform heating of the workpiece, achieving a regular hardness pattern while minimizing energy expenditure by preventing eddy currents in the holder, allowing for efficient inductive heating of complex-shaped workpieces.
Implementation Method 1
The workpiece is exposed to the influence of an electromagnetic alternating field, as a result of which eddy currents are induced in the workpiece. The workpiece is heated by these eddy currents.
Implementation Method 2
eddy currents are induced in the workpiece. The workpiece is heated by these eddy currents.
Implementation Method 3
at least the receiving area is made of a material that has little or no electrical conductivity. This design measure prevents the induction of eddy currents in the device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for retaining a workpiece (6) during inductive heating, in particular during the case hardening of cams of the camshaft of an internal combustion engine, comprising a main body (1) and an accommodating region (3) connected to the main body (1), the workpiece (6) being retained in/on the accommodating region (3) in a form-fit and/or force-closed manner, wherein said device is characterized in that at least the accommodating region (3) is made of a material that has low or no electrical conductivity.