DE102005032113B3 - Thermal deformation and partial hardening apparatus, e.g. for automobile components, comprises mold of at least two parts, each formed from segments adjustable to different temperatures - Google Patents

Abstract

In an apparatus for thermally deforming and partially hardening a component (10) in a mold (20) of at least two parts (21, 22), between which the component, at its hardening temperature or above, is compressed to the mold contour by a press (30), each mold part is subdivided into segments separated by thermal insulation (60). The segments are adjustable to different, controlled temperatures for adjusting the component to different temperatures during pressing. An independent claim is included for a corresponding method for thermally deforming and partially hardening a component.

Description

The The invention relates to a device for hot forming and partial hardening a component in a tool, wherein the tool of at least two tool halves consists. Between the tool halves is at least at hardening temperature heated Component so einbringbar that the outer contour of the two tool halves when Pressing the tool halves together is transferred by a press on the component.

The The invention further relates to a method for hot forming and partial hardening a component.

in the Field of manufacture and treatment of moldings it is common to moldings targeted with desired To produce material properties. For example, mold components like wishbones, B-pillars or bumpers for motor vehicles through a complete warming with a subsequent Hardened quenching. This can be up for a remuneration connect a starting procedure. In different applications In particular, the automotive engineering, it is advantageous, that molded components in different areas different material properties exhibit. For example, it may be provided that a component high strength in one area, but in another area one in proportion higher ductility should have.

Around To realize mold components which differ in several areas Loads are sufficient, example, there is the possibility Assemble components with different properties. Further can Components are reinforced by additional sheets. It is a possibility also the soft annealing from before completely hardened molded components in the appropriate places to reach areas with higher ductility. this leads to however, to intolerable changes in the shape of the component.

Besides it is possible, Molded parts already in the production process so that areas be produced with different material properties. there Formed areas with different structures and for the production Molded parts with at least two structural areas are out of the ordinary Various methods and devices are known in the art. For example is the partial warming known from components with induction current. Here, however, with high Costs and a nonuniform warming to count.

Further, the European patent application discloses EP 1 426 454 A1 a method for producing a molded component having at least two structural areas of different ductility and a continuous furnace for carrying out the method. Here, a semifinished product to be heated is transported as a blank or preformed component through a continuous furnace, which comprises two juxtaposed zones in which different temperature levels are set. As a result, the component is heated in the oven to two different temperatures and then subjected to a thermoforming process and / or a hardening process. In this case, a more ductile microstructure arises in the higher-heated region of the component, while a solid or high-strength microstructure sets in the less heated region.

The German Utility Model DE 200 14 361 U1 describes a method for producing a B-pillar with different microstructure ranges, in which the B-pillar is heated in an oven and austenitized with it and then cured in a cooled mold. When heating in the oven large areas of the board or the semifinished product used are isolated against the effect of temperature, so that sets in the shielded areas no martensitic material structure with high strengths. However, this represents an unsafe process, since in the case of a malfunction heat can penetrate into the covered areas and thus these areas are heated to hardening temperature.

Furthermore, from the abstract of the Japanese patent application JP 2003328031 A a device and a method for hot working and partial hardening of a component known in which the heated component is placed and pressed between two mold halves. Through openings in the two tool halves different cooling rates are effected in the component.

The known methods are particularly for mass operation with a Cycle time of about 15 seconds and given in the automotive industry Requirements for process safety are not suitable because they are the prescribed hardness in the Can not permanently secure component.

task The invention is therefore an apparatus for rapid production of molded components with at least two structural areas of different Hardness and ductility to provide that ensures a high process reliability.

task The invention further relates to a method for the production of molded components provide.

According to the invention this Object by a device having the features of the independent claim 1 solved. Advantageous developments of the device will be apparent from the dependent claims 2-5. The The object is further achieved by a method according to claim 6. advantageous embodiments of the method will become apparent from the dependent claims 6-10.

The The invention comprises an apparatus for hot working and hardening of a Component according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the tool consists of at least two mold halves, between the one at least to hardening temperature heated Component is so einbringbar that the outer contour of the two tool halves when Pressing the tool halves together is transferred by a press on the component. According to the invention, each the two tool halves divided into at least two temperature-controlled segments, wherein the segments through a thermal insulation are separated from each other. So can at least two different temperatures are set in the segments, whereby upon contact of the segments with the component during the pressing process different temperatures are adjustable in the component.

The Segments of the two tool halves include Funds for a cooling and / or a heating of the segments, which is preferably to Channel systems through which a cooling or heating means is passed. The cooling a segment takes place for example by means of a first channel system, through which air and / or water is passed. For heating, a heat transfer medium like oil or salt through a second channel system.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the invention comprises the device for temperature control of Segments of the two tool halves one or more thermocouples and controllers. The temperatures in The segments of the two mold halves are preferably at temperatures between 200 ° C and 600 ° C set. The temperatures correspond to the required temperatures for a desired one Quenching and conversion process in that area of the component, in which the corresponding temperature is adjustable.

The Invention has the advantage that it allows components with different structures can be produced, which is a fast process, with which short cycle times can be realized. Further notes the invention is a safe process in which it is not undesirable deformations the component comes and the structure always reliable can be adjusted. For operation of the method according to the invention Furthermore, no specially designed ovens are required, but conventional Heating ovens can be used become. The invention can further be integrated into existing presses become.

Also The tool used can be versatile for various applications be used. For example, if the temperature control of the Segments designed so that by appropriate cooling systems also a complete cooling of the Tool possible Thus, the tool can also be used for conventional cooling processes, at which do not have partial hardening is required.

Further Advantages, special features and expedient developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments based on the pictures.

From the pictures shows:

1 a particularly preferred embodiment of a tool according to the invention for forming and partial hardening of a component;

2 a section of an embodiment of the tool according to the invention; and

3 a diagram with different adjustable cooling curves of a hardenable steel.

In 1 is a particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive device for hot forming a component 10 shown. The device sees a press 30 which preferably two mold halves 21 and 22 a tool 20 includes. The tool halves are usually designed so that their outer contour during the pressing process on a component 10 is transferred, which is introduced between the two mold halves. According to the invention, each mold half is divided into at least two segments, which are heated and / or cooled differently. The first segment includes, for example, a temperature control, which is denoted by the reference numeral 40 while the second segment has a separate temperature control 50 having. The two segments are covered by a thermal insulation 60 separated, so that the heat flow between the respective segments is reduced or even completely prevented.

The temperature control of the upper mold half 21 is in the 2 shown schematically in a section. The cooling of the left segment is done for example by a channel system 40 through which a coolant is passed.

The left segment can also be considered in this case as the main tool with which the larger area of the component is quenched in the usual way. The coolant is, for example, air or water. The smaller right segment is preferably through a second channel system 50 heated, which have proved to be advantageous as a heat transfer oil or salt. However, the temperature control of both segments can also be done electrically or by any other suitable method. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention are also encompassed in which only a smaller area of the component is quenched while the remaining larger residual area is heated.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the second channel system 50 also be fed with a coolant, so that the entire component is quenched uniformly. This has the advantage that the tool can be used not only for partial, but also for complete curing of components.

The Temperature control is preferably via one or more thermocouples in conjunction with several controllers. It will be in the segments the tool halves typically set temperatures between 200-600 ° C. The set Temperatures correspond to the temperatures required for the desired Hardening or Quenching process in the various areas of the component required are.

A component 10 can be given for example by a sheet, a board or a semi-finished product. The component consists of a hardenable steel which heats up to a hardening temperature in a separate furnace and into the press 30 is introduced. Due to the temperature control different cooling rates can be realized in different areas of the component, which, for example, different curves of a in 3 illustrated diagram in which the temperature is plotted against time. The cooling rates are material-specific and thus dependent on the used steel of the component. This in 3 Diagram shown is therefore only to be regarded as an example. For example, an area of the component according to the curve labeled 480 be cooled, which would give a Vickers hardness of 480 HV10. Another cooling, for example, according to the curve 200 give a Vickers hardness of 200 HV10. The required Abschreckkurve is thus adjustable via the temperature control of the two segments of a mold half.

Due to the different temperature profiles during the cooling of the component in the tool, according to the invention at least two regions of different hardness and ductility are produced in a formed and hardened component. In the in 1 illustrated embodiment of the invention, for example, a component 10 ' made in a left area 11 is cured while in a right area 12 has a certain elasticity. By the heat insulation 60 between the individual segments of the tool, the heat flow between the segments is low, so that the influence of the structure formation by the cooling or heating in each adjacent region of the other segment can also be kept low.

By different temperatures can also holding temperatures are generated at predetermined locations, wanted there structure formation such as bainite (Bs). For certain microstructures, which also includes bainite, It is depending on the specification required, the workpiece in a partially hot state over a longer To keep time. It must for example, when bainite over a certain time temperatures of 400-500 ° C are kept. To a fast Clock sequence to be able to comply and not too long to occupy the tool with a component, can the component for this purpose after a certain quenching time from the tool taken and in a separate holding chamber over the required holding time are kept. After expiration of the holding time if necessary, the component can be re-introduced into the press and continue to be treated.

10

component Semi-finished product, circuit board

10 '

component after forming and hardening

11

first structure region a component

12

second structure region a component

20

press tool

21

First tool half

22

Second tool half

30

Press

40

Channel system / temperature control in the first segment

50

Channel system / temperature control in the second segment

60

Insulation, thermal insulation

Claims (10)

Apparatus for hot forming and partiel len hardening of a component ( 10 ) in a tool ( 20 ), the tool ( 20 ) from at least two mold halves ( 21 ; 22 ) between which a heated at least to hardening temperature component ( 10 ) is so einbringbar that the outer contour of the two tool halves when pressing the tool halves ( 21 ; 22 ) by a press ( 30 ) on the component ( 10 ), characterized in that each of the two mold halves ( 21 ; 22 ) is divided into at least two temperature-controlled segments, wherein the segments by a heat insulation ( 60 ) are separated from each other and that in the segments at least two different temperatures are adjustable, whereby upon contact of the segments with the component ( 10 ) during the pressing process different temperatures in the component ( 10 ) are adjustable. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the segments of the two tool halves ( 21 ; 22 ) Have means for cooling and / or heating. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that that cooling the segments takes place by means of a channel system through which air and / or Water guided will, while the heating takes place by means of a channel system through which as heat transfer medium oil or salt guided becomes. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device for temperature control of the segments of the two tool halves ( 21 ; 22 ) comprises one or more thermocouples and regulators. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the temperatures in the segments of the two mold halves ( 21 ; 22 ) are adjustable to temperatures between 200 ° C and 600 ° C, the set temperatures being the required temperatures for a desired quenching and conversion process in that region of the component ( 10 ), in which the corresponding temperature is adjustable. Method for hot forming and partial hardening of a component ( 10 ) in a tool ( 20 ), in which a component heated at least to hardening temperature ( 10 ) into the tool ( 20 ) and the outer contour of the two tool halves when pressing the tool halves ( 21 ; 22 ) by a press ( 30 ) on the component ( 10 ), characterized in that the tool halves ( 21 ; 22 ) of the tool ( 20 ) are each divided into at least two temperature-controlled segments, wherein in the two segments at least two different temperatures are set and upon contact of the segments with the component ( 10 ) during the pressing process different temperatures in the component ( 10 ). A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the segments of the two tool halves ( 21 ; 22 ) are cooled and / or heated. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that that the segments are cooled by a duct system through which air and / or water will, while the segments are heated by a duct system through which a heat transfer agent like oil or salt becomes. Method according to one or more of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that in the segments of the two tool halves ( 21 ; 22 ) set the required temperatures for a desired quenching and conversion process in that region of the component ( 10 ), in which the corresponding temperature is set. Method according to one or more of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the temperatures in the segments of the two mold halves ( 21 ; 22 ) are set to temperatures between 200 ° C and 600 ° C.