Press-Molded Article Retainer for Local Infrared Softening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to efficiently soften regions of any size at any location of press-molded articles formed by hot stamping or cold-pressing, as they often result in shape instability and wider hardness transition widths due to limited infrared light application and rapid cooling.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sandwiching a press-molded article between retaining surfaces and irradiating specific portions with infrared light, while cooling surrounding areas using a coolant, to achieve precise softening of regions of any size and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If infrared light is applied to soften a predetermined portion of the press-molded article, then the softening efficiency is improved, but the shape stability deteriorates due to rapid cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies infrared light irradiation to specific predetermined portions of the press-molded article rather than the entire article. This localized heating approach softens only the required regions while maintaining the shape stability of other areas. The retainer structure with targeted infrared irradiation enables different regions to have different thermal treatments, achieving local softening without compromising overall shape stability.
2Speed
If the blank material is rapidly cooled during press-molding, then the manufacturing speed is improved, but the hardness transition width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs infrared light irradiation after the press-molding process to soften predetermined portions of the already-formed press-molded article. This preliminary shaping followed by selective softening allows the article to first achieve its target shape through rapid cooling, then undergo localized hardness adjustment without affecting the overall manufacturing speed or shape precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large region is softened, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate infrared irradiation for portions of any size and location. The retainer includes a holding portion that universally secures the press-molded article, and the infrared irradiation system can be configured to treat various region sizes through the same basic mechanism, achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 approach allows for efficient and accurate softening of press-molded article regions, enhancing safety by allowing deformation in controlled collisions and improving productivity without shape deformation.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating a predetermined portion of the press-molded article with infrared light
Implementation Method 2
cooling at least surrounding portions of the predetermined portion of the press-molded article by delivering a coolant through a flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
It is desired to be able to efficiently soften regions of any size at any location of the press-molded article formed by hot stamping (also referred to as hot-pressing or the like), cold-pressing, or the like. A method for manufacturing a press-molded article may include molding a blank material which is a steel plate into a press-molded article by sandwiching the blank material between a first molding surface and a second molding surface of a die, and press-molding the blank material into a predetermined shape. The method for manufacturing a press-molded article may include irradiating a predetermined portion of the press-molded article with infrared light after removing the press-molded article from the die.