Resistively Heated Contact Elements for Local Metal Tempering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for annealing hot-formed and press-hardened metal components are complex, expensive, and not suitable for small area heating, leading to tool wear and inefficiency, especially when local variations in material properties are required.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support frame and a movable working head featuring resistively heated contact elements made of electrically conductive materials, allowing precise heating of specific areas through resistive heating, reducing tool wear and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional press devices with heated plates are used for area-wise tempering, then heating of metal component areas can be achieved, but the devices are complex, expensive, require a lot of space, and cause severe tool wear due to high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical press system with heated plates with an electrodynamic system. Instead of using mechanical pressure to force thermal conduction, the invention uses electromagnetic induction to generate eddy currents directly in the metal component, which generates heat through resistive heating. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical pressing devices and reduces tool wear significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic alternating current through the coil to generate time-varying magnetic fields that induce eddy currents in the metal component. The periodic nature of the electromagnetic field allows for controlled and localized heating of specific areas of the component without requiring continuous mechanical pressure.
2Temperature
If conventional press devices with heated plates are used for area-wise tempering, then heating of metal component areas can be achieved, but the devices require a lot of space
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the large mechanical press device with a compact electromagnetic coil system, the patent dramatically reduces the space required for the tempering operation. The coil can be positioned close to the component and generates the necessary heating effect through electromagnetic fields rather than mechanical pressure, requiring minimal workspace.
3Temperature
If conventional press devices with heated plates are used for area-wise tempering, then heating of metal component areas can be achieved, but severe tool wear occurs due to high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical contact between the heating device and the metal component by using electromagnetic induction. The coil generates a magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the component, producing heat without any physical contact. This completely prevents tool wear that would otherwise occur from high-pressure mechanical contact with heated plates.
4Strength
If homogeneous material properties are produced through heat treatment and press hardening, then high strength and low ductility are achieved throughout the component, but ductility cannot be increased in specific areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a coil that can be positioned and oriented to treat only specific areas of the metal component. By controlling the coil's position, orientation, and electromagnetic parameters, the invention creates localized zones with different material properties (ductility) while maintaining the overall homogeneous high-strength structure of the component. This allows different areas of the same component to have tailored properties.
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 precise, localized control of material properties with minimal tool wear and space usage, allowing for efficient annealing of hot-formed and press-hardened metal components, particularly in complex shapes and small areas.
Implementation Method 1
electrodes for resistive heating of the contact element are connected to this and to a power source
Implementation Method 2
a contact element made of an electrically conductive material for heating a metal component in certain areas by means of a heat flow
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for tempering sections of hot-formed and/or press-hardened metal components (13), comprising a support structure (43) and a work head (8), said work head (8) having at least one contact element (11, 12) consisting of an electrically-conductive material, for heating sections of a metal component (13) using a flow of heat. Electrodes (15, 15a, 16, 16a) for resistively heating the contact element are connected thereto, and to a current source. According to the method, a hot-formed and/or press-hardened metal component (13) is first provided, and at least one contact element (11, 12) mounted on a work head (8) is heated to a temperature greater than a target temperature to which a section of the metal component (13) is to be heated. A contact surface of said contact element (11, 12) then comes into full-surface contact with the metal component (13) section to be heated, with a predetermined pressing force, such that the metal component (13) is heated to a target temperature in at least some sections by a flow of heat. The contact element (11, 12) is thus heated using resistive heating.