Longitudinal Inductor for Hardening Elongated Workpieces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inductors for inductive hardening of elongate metallic workpieces, such as toothed racks, suffer from suboptimal magnetic field generation due to the transverse arrangement of the inductor section, leading to inefficient hardening results.

Innovation Solution

The inductor design features a partial section extending in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece, creating a magnetic field with its axis parallel to the workpiece axis, and can be Z- or S-shaped with magnetic field concentrators to enhance the hardening process, ensuring a uniform current flow and reduced stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a transverse inductor section is used to harden the tooth profile, then the inductor can process the workpiece, but the magnetic field generated is not optimal for inductive hardening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardening qualityVSAvoidmagnetic field effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a transverse inductor section (perpendicular to workpiece axis) to a longitudinal inductor section (parallel to workpiece axis), changing the spatial dimension and orientation of the magnetic field generation to optimize hardening effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the inductor section is arranged transversely to harden the tooth profile, then the inductor structure is simple, but the magnetic field alignment is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductor structureVSAvoidmagnetic field alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inductor section is reoriented from transverse to longitudinal arrangement, aligning the magnetic field generation with the workpiece axis to achieve optimal magnetic field alignment for hardening the tooth profile

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design significantly improves the inductive hardening of elongated workpieces by optimizing the magnetic field alignment and distribution, resulting in enhanced hardening results with minimal inductor stress and improved hardening efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The inductor (1) is looped around the workpiece (2) in the manner of a so-called stirrup inductor... generates a magnetic field whose axis is aligned parallel to the axis of the workpiece (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

inductor for the inductive hardening of elongate metallic workpieces... inductive hardening of the elongate workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2653571B1Inductor for inductive heating of elongated metallic workpieces
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 EFD INDUCTION GMBH
  • EP2653571B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2653571B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The inductor (1) has a sub-section (3) that is extended in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece (2), and is arranged to generate magnetic field with respect to the workpiece. The axis of the sub-section is arranged parallel with respect to the workpiece.