Press Device for Parallel Material Distribution in Sintered Blanks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing blanks, particularly in sinterable green bodies, lack diversity in material usage and control over particle size distribution and geometry, leading to limitations in achieving specific properties like porosity, strength, and ductility.

Innovation Solution

A press device with separate material feeds and a filling mechanism allowing for parallel, locally separate filling of a cavity with different materials, enabling precise control over material distribution and geometry through rotational and translational movements, and the use of a venting system to reduce air content and prevent agglomeration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a single material feed is used to fill the cavity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the material distribution uniformity and geometric control are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial distribution uniformityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cavity is divided into multiple regions (first region and second region) that are filled by separate material feeds. This segmentation allows different materials to be introduced into specific regions, achieving uniform material distribution and geometric control in each region while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different materials are supplied to different regions of the cavity through separate material feeds. This enables local optimization of material properties and geometry in specific regions, achieving uniform material distribution tailored to the requirements of each region without complicating the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If multiple materials are introduced sequentially, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity is decreased due to multiple filling cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple material feeds are merged into a single filling operation by introducing different materials simultaneously into different regions of the cavity. This combining of multiple material introduction processes into one step increases productivity by eliminating sequential filling cycles while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filling process is made continuous by introducing multiple materials simultaneously in a single operation rather than sequentially. This continuous action eliminates idle time between filling operations, significantly improving productivity while the integrated material feed design keeps device complexity at an acceptable level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If materials are filled without venting, then the device complexity is reduced, but air entrapment causes agglomeration and reduces blank quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblank qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Air is extracted from the cavity during the filling process through a venting system. This removal of air prevents agglomeration of materials and ensures high blank quality. The venting system is integrated into the existing device structure, so while it adds a function, it does not significantly increase overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Manufacturing precision

If separate material feeds with separate regions are used, then the material distribution control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometric controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cavity is segmented into distinct regions (first region and second region) that correspond to separate material feeds. This segmentation enables precise geometric control and material distribution in each region. The segmentation is implemented through straightforward spatial division rather than complex mechanisms, so geometric control is improved without excessive increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables the production of blanks with varied material properties and geometries, allowing for complex 3D structures and improved material distribution, enhancing the final strength and functionality of sintered products.

Implementation Method 1

the feed device has an opening cross-section with at least a first region of the opening cross-section for the first material and with a second region of the opening cross-section arranged separately therefrom for the second material for the preferably parallel, spatially separate filling of the cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4094826A1Device for manufacturing a blank and method for same and blank
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 GKN HYDROGEN GMBH
  • EP4094826A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4094826A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4094826A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device, preferably a press, comprising a cavity to be filled, at least a first material feed of a first material and a second material feed of a second material, wherein the first and the second material feed are arranged separately from each other, with a feed device for feeding the first and the second material into the cavity to be filled, wherein the feed device has an opening cross-section with at least a first region of the opening cross-section for the first material and with a second region of the opening cross-section separated therefrom for the second material for preferably parallel, spatially separated filling of the cavity.The filling device (18, 24, 120) has, in particular, an action element for interacting with at least one material introduced into the cavity (14, 112), especially for interacting to align at least one non-spherical material and/or to influence the distribution of the at least one material. Furthermore, a method and a blank are proposed.