Modular Multi-Chamber Heat Treatment Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing multi-chamber heat treatment devices are limited in the number of treatment chambers they can provide, making it difficult to meet the required number for specific heat treatment applications.

Innovation Solution

The device includes intermediate conveyors with attachable and detachable treaters such as preheaters, main treaters, coolers, and heat equalizers, allowing for flexible configuration and increased treatment chamber capacity, with equal travel distances or times to ensure uniform treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If more treatment chambers are added to meet the required number, then the treatment capacity increases, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment capacityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat treatment device is divided into multiple independent treatment chambers (first treatment chamber, second treatment chamber, third treatment chamber, fourth treatment chamber) that can be connected in series through intermediate conveyors. Each chamber can be independently configured with specific treaters (preheater, main treater, cooler, heat equalizer) based on treatment requirements, allowing the system to achieve high treatment capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs intermediate conveyors that can dynamically adjust the conveyance of treatment objects between different treatment chambers. The system can flexibly configure treatment paths, allowing treatment objects to pass through different sequences of chambers based on specific treatment requirements, thereby adapting the device complexity to match the actual treatment needs rather than requiring all chambers to be always active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple treatment chambers are provided, then various heat treatments can be applied, but the space and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment varietyVSAvoiddevice footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The device utilizes vertical stacking of treatment chambers and intermediate conveyors to arrange multiple treatment chambers in three-dimensional space rather than only horizontal expansion. Treatment chambers are positioned at different heights and connected through vertical and horizontal conveyance paths, allowing the system to provide diverse heat treatment capabilities while minimizing the horizontal footprint of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If treaters are made attachable and detachable, then the configuration flexibility increases, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The treaters (preheaters, main treaters, coolers, heat equalizers) are designed with universal attachment interfaces that can be mounted on standardized intermediate conveyor structures. This universal design allows the same basic treter module to be attached to different conveyor positions and configurations, enabling flexible system assembly while simplifying manufacturing through standardized components rather than custom-built assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration enables easy provision of treatment chambers in the required number, allowing for simultaneous and uniform preheating, carburizing, and cooling treatments, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the heat treatment process.

Implementation Method 1

a preheater that applies preheating treatment to the treatment object before the main treatment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a main treater that applies main treatment to the treatment object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

a cooler that applies cooling treatment to the treatment object after the main treatment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 4

a heat equalizer that applies heat-equalizing treatment to the treatment object after the preheating treatment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat equalization: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11572614B2Multi-chamber heat treatment device

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 IHI CORP

AI summary

The multi-chamber heat treatment device includes intermediate conveyors connected together, each treatment conveyor of the intermediate conveyors is attached with a treater that applies predetermined heat treatment to a treatment object and conveys the treatment object to the treater, and each treater is either one of a main treater that applies main treatment to the treatment object, a preheater that applies preheating treatment to the treatment object before the main treatment, and a cooler that applies cooling treatment to the treatment object after the main treatment.