Modular Loading Tool for Thermochemical Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loading tools for thermal or thermochemical treatments of metallic parts either compromise on uniformity of treatment due to non-homogeneous gas circulation or penalize the loading capacity of the furnace by requiring specific support devices for similar shapes and dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A modular loading tool with stacked stages, each with a unique arrangement of support arms and adjustable feet, allowing for the support of parts of different shapes and sizes, optimizing loading capacity while ensuring homogeneous treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If parts are loaded in bulk in baskets, then the loading rate of the furnace is high, but the treatment uniformity is poor due to non-homogeneous gas circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The loading tool is divided into multiple loading stages (first loading stage, second loading stage, etc.) that can be stacked vertically. Each stage independently supports parts, allowing gas to circulate uniformly around each part while maintaining high loading capacity through vertical stacking of multiple stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal bulk loading to vertical stacked loading. Multiple loading stages are arranged vertically with each stage having support arms extending in horizontal planes at different heights, enabling three-dimensional utilization of furnace space while ensuring uniform gas circulation around each part.
2Manufacturing precision
If specific support devices are used for parts of similar shapes and dimensions, then treatment uniformity is improved, but the loading capacity of the furnace is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each loading stage is designed with a universal frame structure and multiple support arms that can be configured to accommodate parts of different shapes and dimensions. The support arms can be positioned at different spacings, allowing the same loading stage design to handle various part types while maintaining treatment uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading tool incorporates adjustable support arms with modifiable spacings, allowing the configuration to be dynamically adapted to different part geometries. This flexibility enables optimal positioning for uniform treatment while maximizing the number of parts that can be loaded in each stage.
3Ease of manufacture
If loading stages are made with fixed support arm arrangements, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different part shapes and dimensions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are designed as separate, interchangeable components that can be attached to and removed from the frame independently. This segmentation allows different support arm configurations to be assembled on the same frame, providing adaptability to various part shapes while keeping the base frame design standardized and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacing between support arms can be varied by selecting different arm configurations or adjusting arm positions, allowing the same loading stage design to accommodate parts with different dimensions and shapes. This parameter variability is achieved while maintaining a standardized frame structure for ease of manufacture.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a loading tool (1) for the thermochemical treatment of parts (10, 20), said tool having at least first and second loading levels (100; 200) removably stacked on top of each other, with every loading level (100; 200) comprising a frame (110; 210) extending in a horizontal plane (P110; P210). The frame is supported on four legs (120, 121, 122, 123; 220, 221, 222, 223) extending in a vertical direction (DV1), the feet (220, 221, 222, 223) of the second loading level (200) resting on the feet (120, 121, 122, 123) of the first loading level (100). A plurality of support arms (130; 230) is secured to the frame (110; 210) and the arrangement of the plurality of support arms (130) of the first loading level (100) being different from the arrangement of the plurality of support arms (230) of the second loading level (200).