Modular Star Support for Vertical Furnace Heat Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding devices for metal parts during heat treatment are bulky, difficult to repair, and not adaptable to different geometries, leading to high manufacturing costs and reduced production rates.
Innovation Solution
A holding device with a lifting column and star-shaped supports, where the arms are independently manufactured and welded to a hub, featuring clevis and yoke mechanisms for secure attachment and easy assembly, allowing for quick replacement and adaptation to various part geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If star supports are manufactured as one-piece casting, then mechanical strength is high, but manufacturing time is long and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The star support is divided into separate components: a hub and multiple arms that can be manufactured independently. The arms are then attached to the hub using clevis and yoke mechanisms, allowing parallel processing and reducing total manufacturing time while maintaining structural integrity through the modular assembly design.
2Strength
If star supports are manufactured as one-piece casting, then mechanical strength is high, but repairability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design with separate arms and hub allows individual arms to be replaced without affecting the hub or other arms. When an arm wears out or breaks, it can be easily removed and replaced while maintaining the overall structural strength through the clevis-yoke connection system.
3Strength
If star supports are manufactured as one-piece casting, then mechanical strength is high, but adaptability to different geometries is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The separable arm design allows customization of arm lengths, angles, and configurations to match different part geometries. The hub remains standardized while the arms can be adjusted or reconfigured to accommodate various heat treatment requirements and part shapes.
4Ease of manufacture
If arms are welded to hub, then assembly is simple, but material is lost during separation for repair
Solution Approach 1:
The clevis and yoke mechanism serves as an intermediary connection system between the arm and hub, replacing direct welding. This allows for easy assembly and disassembly without material loss, as the connection can be separated cleanly without removing material from either component.
5Quantity of substance
If molds are made large to accommodate large star supports, then manufacturing is possible, but handling becomes difficult and production rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design allows the hub and arms to be manufactured separately in smaller, more manageable molds. This reduces the size and weight of individual molds, making them easier to handle and faster to produce, while the final assembly creates the complete star support structure.
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
The solution simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, enhances mechanical strength, and facilitates quick repair and adaptation to different part geometries, improving overall efficiency and flexibility in heat treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
first means of blocking intended to cooperate with second blocking means integral with the yoke to eliminate all play between the yoke and the arm, that is to say to block the arm in translation along the insertion axis
Implementation Method 2
The hub comprises for each arm, a clevis formed by two lugs extending towards the outside of the hub
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for holding in position a part for heat treatment in a shaft-type furnace, comprising: - a lifting column (2); - at least one star-shaped support (3) fixedly mounted on the lifting column (2) and comprising: - a hub (31); - at least three arms (32) integral with the hub (31) and extending outwards from the hub (31), characterized in that: - the hub (31) comprises for each arm (32), a clevis (34), - each arm (32) has: - a first end (324) intended to be fitted into a clevis (34) along an insertion axis (A2), - first locking means (326) intended to cooperate with second locking means (342) integral with the clevis (34) to lock the arm (32) in translation along the insertion axis (A2).