Quenching Fixture With Segmented Channel Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current quenching processes face challenges in controlling cooling rates uniformly across workpieces, leading to deformations and suboptimal material properties due to uneven cooling.
Innovation Solution
A fixture with adjustable fluid-conducting channels and sensors that allow for precise control of quenching medium volume flows, using proportional valves and temperature sensors to maintain targeted cooling rates, and sound sensors for feedback on cooling behavior, enabling localized adjustment of cooling rates to prevent deformations and achieve defined material properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single quenching medium supply system is used for the entire fixture, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to uneven cooling rates across the workpiece
Solution Approach 1:
The quenching medium supply system is divided into multiple groups of channels, with each group serving a specific region of the workpiece. This segmentation allows independent control of cooling rates in different areas, enabling uniform cooling across the entire workpiece while managing system complexity through modular organization
Solution Approach 2:
Different groups of channels are assigned different volume flows of quenching medium based on the specific cooling requirements of each workpiece region. This local quality approach ensures that each area receives the appropriate cooling intensity, achieving uniform overall cooling while adapting to local thermal conditions
2Manufacturing precision
If fixed volume flows of quenching medium are supplied to all channels, then the ease of operation is high, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to adjust for local cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The volume flows to the groups of channels are made dynamically adjustable during the quenching process. Control elements enable real-time modification of cooling rates in response to temperature measurements, achieving precise control while maintaining ease of operation through automated regulation
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors monitor the thermal state of the workpiece and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism automatically adjusts the volume flows to groups of channels based on actual cooling performance, ensuring precise control without requiring manual intervention
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 solution allows for precise control of cooling rates across the workpiece, preventing deformations and ensuring uniform cooling, thereby improving the controllability and quality of the quenching process, and enabling the achievement of desired material properties.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of fluid-conducting channels (4) which open into the holder (3), for supplying quenching medium into the holder (3) and thereby to the workpiece (2)
Implementation Method 2
fluid-conducting channels for supplying quenching medium into the holder and thereby to the workpiece
Implementation Method 3
temperature sensors arranged in the fixture, in particular close to the workpiece, which are designed to detect a temperature radiated by the workpiece
Implementation Method 4
The volume flows can be adjusted via valves, with only one valve being shown schematically as an example
Implementation Method 5
sound sensors for feedback on cooling behavior
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fixture (1) for quenching workpieces (2), having a closable receiving area (3) for a workpiece (2) and a plurality of fluid-conducting channels (4) for supplying a quenching medium to the receiving area (3) and thus to the workpiece (2), wherein volumetric flows Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6 of quenching medium can be controlled to groups G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6 of channels (4) in order to influence the quenching rate on the workpiece (2) in places in a controlled manner during a quenching process.