Magnetic Chill Positioning in Engine Casting Molds

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for assembling casting molds with metal inserts for cylinder blocks of internal combustion engines face challenges in precisely positioning and easily removing the cooling molds, which impairs the heat transfer and increases the complexity and cost of the process.

Innovation Solution

The method employs magnetic forces to hold ferromagnetic chills in place within the casting mold, allowing them to be positioned and removed independently without direct contact, eliminating the need for integration into the mold parts and reducing the requirement for ceramic coatings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If metal inserts are clamped to the surrounding mold material to keep them in position, then the positioning stability is improved, but the ease of removing the inserts after casting deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidease of removing inserts
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary force to hold the metal inserts in position during casting. The magnetic field acts as a mediator between the mold structure and the ferromagnetic inserts, providing stable positioning without physical clamping that would interfere with later removal. The magnetic holding force is sufficient during casting but allows easy removal afterward when the field is deactivated or the insert is extracted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If ceramic powder coating is applied to metal inserts to facilitate removal, then the ease of removing inserts is improved, but the heat transfer efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removing insertsVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field serves as the intermediary mechanism for both positioning and removal facilitation, eliminating the need for ceramic powder coating. By using magnetic forces instead of mechanical clamping or coating, the insert maintains direct thermal contact with the molten metal for efficient heat transfer while still enabling easy removal through magnetic field control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical system of clamping and coating is replaced with a magnetic field-based system. Instead of using physical constraints (clamps) or surface modifications (ceramic coating), the invention uses magnetic forces to achieve both stable positioning during casting and easy removal afterward, thereby maintaining heat transfer efficiency while facilitating insert removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If metal inserts are firmly integrated into mold parts, then the positioning stability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field acts as a temporary intermediary during assembly and positioning, allowing the insert to be held in the correct position without permanent integration. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical integration features such as recesses, clamps, or adhesive applications, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing effort while maintaining positioning stability during the casting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 simplifies the assembly process, reduces the risk of damage to both the chills and the cast parts, and enhances the cost-effectiveness by eliminating the need for coatings, while maintaining the desired fine-grained structure and heat transfer efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the respective chill (14-17) is held by magnetic forces applied by at least one magnet (12) in the intended position in the casting mold (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic forces: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

Coming melt can be extracted within a short time comparably large amounts of heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP1981667B1Method for assembling a mould for casting a part from molten metal
Publication Date: 2009.11.18 NEMAK DILLINGEN GMBH
  • EP1981667B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1981667B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for assembling a mould that is composed of mould sections and is used to cast a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine from molten metal. According to said method, at least one chill (14 - 17), which forms at least one sub-section of the inner surfaces of a cylinder chamber, is positioned and held against a wall (11) of one of the mould sections (1). The method according to the invention permits moulds comprising chills in the mould cavity to be assembled simply and reliably. To achieve this, the chill (14 - 17) is held in position for a specific holding period by means of magnetic forces that are exerted by a magnet (12), which is positioned on the opposite side of the wall (11) of the mould (1) from the chill (14 - 17).