DE102017001210A1 - Apparatus and method for quench cooling, and method for producing a solution-annealed cast aluminum component - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for quench cooling of metal components (200), with a cooling chamber (110) for receiving at least one component (200) to be cooled, and with a plurality of nozzles (120) arranged in the cooling chamber (110). for the direct flow of the cooling component (200) with a cooling medium (D), wherein the nozzles (120) aligned differently and / or the nozzle volume flows (V) are set differently.The invention further relates to two methods for quench cooling, and a method for production of a solution annealed cast aluminum component using the apparatus (100).

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and two methods for quench cooling of metal components. The invention further relates to a method for producing a solution-annealed cast aluminum component.

Heat treatments of metal components, such as solution heat treatment, sometimes provide rapid cooling of the component, which is also referred to as quenching. The quenching can be carried out, for example, in a cooling chamber, in which the component is cooled by means of a fan generated and substantially homogeneous air flow.

The DE 10 2014 008 767 A1 The same applicant describes the production of components in an aluminum die casting process and a subsequent heat treatment of the components, for which purpose they are deposited in a transport heat treatment rack. The frame has an integrated quenching device with a conduit system for quenching the components close to a process medium (eg air or water). The process media lines of the conduit system have outlet openings and / or nozzles, which ensure a targeted and conformal admission of the component surfaces with the process medium.

The invention is intended to show ways in which quench cooling can be improved.

This is achieved with the device according to the invention according to the patent claim 1 and with the inventive method according to the independent claims. Preferred developments and embodiments of the invention will become apparent for all subject matter of the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings.

• - eine Abkühlkammer zur Aufnahme wenigstens eines abzukühlenden (Metall)Bauteils, und
• - eine Vielzahl von in der Abkühlkammer angeordneten Düsen zur direkten Anströmung des zu kühlenden Bauteils mit einem Kühlmedium, wobei die Düsen unterschiedlich ausgerichtet und/oder die Düsenvolumenströme unterschiedlich eingestellt sind, womit gemeint ist, dass nicht alle Düsen dieselbe Ausrichtung aufweisen und/oder gleiche Düsenvolumenströme aufweisen bzw. erzeugen.

The device according to the invention for quench cooling of metal components comprises:

• - A cooling chamber for receiving at least one to be cooled (metal) component, and
• - A plurality of arranged in the cooling chamber nozzles for direct flow of the component to be cooled with a cooling medium, wherein the nozzles are aligned differently and / or the nozzle volume flows are set differently, which means that not all nozzles have the same orientation and / or same nozzle volume flows exhibit or generate.

Preferably, the nozzles are individually and individually aligned and adjusted, d. H. each nozzle may in principle have a different orientation and / or nozzle volume flow setting, wherein a plurality of nozzles may also have identical orientations and / or settings.

The nozzles may have fixed orientation and nozzle volume flow adjustment. The device of the invention is then z. B. set to a specific type of component. However, the orientations of the nozzles and / or the settings of the nozzle volume flows are preferably variable, which means in particular that the nozzle or beam alignment as well as the cooling medium or nozzle volume flow can be individually adjusted at each nozzle, or that the existing Settings can be changed. Optionally, the nozzles can also be activated and deactivated individually or in groups. The device according to the invention can thus be set individually and also used flexibly for different types of components. The structural design, the orientations of the nozzles and the settings of the nozzle volume flows can be determined on the basis of computer calculations or simulations and / or determined by tests.

Preferably, each nozzle generates at least one and preferably only one directed to the component to be cooled, in particular directly directed, cooling medium jet, which is accompanied by a cooling medium volume flow through the nozzle, the nozzle volume flow. By virtue of the multiplicity of nozzles, the component to be cooled is therefore subjected to a multiplicity of cooling medium streams or cooling medium volume streams, which can differ both in their directions of flow set by the nozzle orientation and in the flow rates, pressures and / or flow velocities, in order to ensure optimal flow To achieve cooling component, especially in complex component shapes. On the one hand, this enables high cooling rates or rates, for example from 7 K / s to 25 K / s and in particular from 10 K / s to 20 K / s, which improves the quenching effect, achieves high material strengths and enables short cycle times By gas or air cooling, in particular with a homogeneous air flow, sometimes only cooling rates of a maximum of 5 K / s can be achieved). The material potential, especially with regard to lightweight construction, can be better utilized. Due to the increased cooling rates, it is, for example, also possible with the same or even lower solution annealing temperature and reduction of the hardening element contents, for. As magnesium and copper, on the one hand to maintain or even increase the achievable strength and on the other hand to increase the ductility and to reduce the brittleness. On the other hand desired cooling effects, such as in particular a homogeneous or inhomogeneous cooling of the component can be achieved, as explained in more detail below.

Preferably, the nozzles are arranged depending on component geometry. In particular, the nozzles, at least during quench cooling, are arranged close to the contour of the component to be cooled. Under Konturnah is understood that the nozzles, preferably all nozzles, when cooling are close to the surface of the component to be cooled, for example. With a distance (nominal distance) of not more than 100 mm, preferably not more than 75 mm, particularly preferably not more than 50 mm and in particular not more than 30 mm. Preferably, all nozzles have a substantially equal distance to the component surface (uniform nozzle spacing) or are arranged at least with respect to a nominal distance in a range of +/- 10 mm and preferably +/- 5 mm. Due to the flow near the contour, a very precise admission of the component to be cooled with the cooling medium is made possible in areas or areas. The nozzles are preferably arranged distributed, in particular so that substantially the entire surface of the component to be cooled can be acted upon by cooling medium jets (whereby certain component areas can also be deliberately recessed). The number of nozzles may be at least 20, preferably at least 50, particularly preferably at least 100 and in particular at least 200. As a cooling medium water, air or compressed air, gas or a water-air mixture (water mist) can be used. The invention is particularly suitable for mass production.

The nozzles are preferably arranged on movable or movable holders or carriers and can be supplied via this carrier with the auszubringenden cooling medium, including the carrier bores, channels, hoses and the like may have. The movable carriers can be moved up together with the nozzles arranged thereon to the component to be cooled and be moved away again after cooling. Preferably, two carriers are provided, which can be moved up from opposite directions to the component to be cooled, in particular so that the nozzles then virtually surround the component. Preferably, the nozzles are movably attached to the carriers, which means in particular that their position and / or orientation is variable. In addition, it can be provided that also the spraying angle and / or the nozzle cross-section of the nozzles is adjustable or changeable. Self-explanatory, more than two carriers or nozzle carrier can be provided, which can be moved in the same or different directions. Further, a plurality of smaller carriers may be provided instead of a large carrier.

The device according to the invention may further comprise a plurality of valves, in particular controllable valves, wherein each nozzle is associated with a valve for switching on and off and / or for individual adjustment of the respective cooling medium or nozzle volume flow. Preferably, nozzle and valve each form a structural unit. Further, a plurality of nozzles may also be grouped and switched and / or adjusted by a common group valve.

The nozzles can be designed as single-substance nozzles or as multi-substance nozzles, in particular as dual-substance nozzles (for example for the application of a water-air mixture). Multi-fluid nozzles also allow the change of the cooling medium during cooling (eg first air, then water or water-air mixture).

• - Bereitstellen einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• - Einbringen des abzukühlenden Bauteils in deren Abkühlkammer; und
• - Abkühlen des Bauteils (in der Abkühlkammer), insbesondere nachdem die Düsen um das in die Abkühlkammer eingeführte abzukühlende Bauteil angeordnet wurden, wobei die Düsen so ausgerichtet und/oder die Düsenvolumenströme so eingestellt sind, dass eine gleichmäßige Abkühlung über das gesamte Bauteil erzielt wird.

The first method according to the invention for quench cooling of a metal component comprises the steps:

• - Providing a device according to the invention;
• - Introducing the component to be cooled in the cooling chamber; and
• Cooling the component (in the cooling chamber), in particular after the nozzles have been arranged around the cooling component introduced into the cooling chamber, wherein the nozzles are aligned and / or the nozzle volume flows are adjusted so that a uniform cooling over the entire component is achieved.

In contrast to the cooling with a homogeneous air volume flow described above, the individual cooling medium volume flows may cause a different or inhomogeneous cooling effect with the goal of achieving uniform or homogeneous cooling over the entire component (ie at each component location or location). essentially the same cooling rate is achieved everywhere). In the case of a component with different wall thicknesses or wall thicknesses, the nozzles can be aligned and / or the nozzle volume flows can be adjusted in such a way that, despite the wall thickness differences, a homogeneous cooling is achieved, so that practically a wall thickness independence results. This results in both more uniform or homogeneous component properties (homogeneous property profile), in particular mechanical properties, as well as lower geometric deviations due to distortion (despite in some cases markedly increased strength). The component quality is improved and the straightening effort is eliminated or at least reduced. Sometimes you can also the heat treatment temperatures are reduced. This increases the effectiveness and reduces costs. Optimal nozzle orientations and settings can be determined by simulation and / or experimentation.

• - Bereitstellen einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• - Einbringen des abzukühlenden Bauteils in deren Abkühlkammer; und
• - Abkühlen des Bauteils (in der Abkühlkammer), insbesondere nachdem die Düsen um das in die Abkühlkammer eingeführte abzukühlende Bauteil angeordnet wurden, wobei die Düsen so ausgerichtet und/oder die Düsenvolumenströme so eingestellt sind, dass eine ungleichmäßige Abkühlung des Bauteils erzielt wird.

The second method according to the invention for quench cooling of a metal component comprises the steps:

• - Providing a device according to the invention;
• - Introducing the component to be cooled in the cooling chamber; and
• Cooling the component (in the cooling chamber), in particular after the nozzles have been arranged around the cooling component introduced into the cooling chamber, wherein the nozzles are aligned and / or the nozzle volume flows are adjusted so that an uneven cooling of the component is achieved.

The second method according to the invention differs from the first method according to the invention essentially in that a cooling action which is different in area or region and thus inhomogeneous is specifically used to form different component properties, so that the component finally has an inhomogeneous property profile, such as different strengths ,

The invention can be used for quench cooling of a metal component and in particular a steel component or aluminum component. This can be either a cast part or a turned / milled part or a formed part. Such a component is in particular a body structural component for a motor vehicle, such as, for example, a strut tower, which is of complex shape and which may have, for example, fastening or fastening flanges, ribs, bolting domes and the like.

Preferably, the invention is used for quench cooling after solution heat treatment, i. H. the two methods explained above are preferably used for the quench cooling of a metal and in particular a steel or aluminum component after solution annealing, for which the relevant component removed from the solution annealing and introduced while still hot in the cooling chamber of the device according to the invention and therein by the many cooling medium jets or Nozzle volume flows are cooled down to the discharge temperature.

An aluminum component is formed in particular from a hardenable aluminum alloy, such as, for example, an AISiMg alloy or AICuMg alloy (duralumin). It is preferably an aluminum casting component and in particular an aluminum die casting component.

• - Urformen des Bauteils durch Gießen, insbesondere durch Druckgießen;
• - Lösungsglühen des gegossenen Bauteils, insbesondere in einem Lösungsglühofen, bspw. bei 460 °C bis 500 °C und 20 min. bis 60 min.;
• - Abschrecken bzw. Abschreckkühlen des lösungsgeglühten Bauteils mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung und/oder mit einem der beiden oben beschriebenen erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren, insbesondere nachdem das Bauteil zuvor aus dem Lösungsglühofen entnommen und noch im heißen Zustand in die Abkühlkammer der Vorrichtung eingebracht bzw. darin angeordnet wurde;
• - gegebenenfalls noch Auslagern bzw. Auslagerung (Kalt- oder Warmauslagerung) des Bauteils.

The method according to the invention for producing a solution-annealed cast aluminum component or an aluminum die cast component, which is in particular a body structural component (see above), comprises the steps:

• - Urformen of the component by casting, in particular by die casting;
• Solution heat treatment of the cast component, in particular in a solution annealing furnace, eg. At 460 ° C to 500 ° C and 20 min. up to 60 minutes;
• Quenching or quench cooling of the solution-annealed component with a device according to the invention and / or with one of the two methods described above, in particular after the component has previously been removed from the solution annealing furnace and introduced into the cooling chamber of the device while still hot;
• - If necessary, outsourcing or outsourcing (cold or hot aging) of the component.

• 1 veranschaulicht in einer schematischen Darstellung die Abkühlung eines Metallbauteils in einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The features shown in the drawing and / or explained below may be, even detached from concrete feature combinations, general features of the invention and further develop the invention.

• 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the cooling of a metal component in a device according to the invention.

At the in 1 shown component 200 it is a flat body structure component for a motor vehicle, which is formed, for example. From a cast aluminum alloy. The complex shaped component 200 is after a preliminary solution annealing in a device according to the invention 100 deterred. The device 100 has a cooling chamber 110 and a variety of in the cooling chamber 110 arranged nozzles 120 on. The component contour near positioned jet nozzles 120 apply the component to be cooled 200 with a variety of compressed air jets S (although other cooling media can be used), which form an air or compressed air shower. The nozzles 120 each have a nozzle head 121 and a valve 122 on. The nozzles 120 are about holding tubes 131 on straps 130 attached. The holding tubes 131 are designed both straight and curved. At least those on a carrier are preferred 130 attached holding tubes 131 an equal length, with different lengths holding tubes 131 can be provided.

The on a carrier 130 arranged nozzles 120 form a nozzle field, ie, the device 100 has two nozzle fields. A nozzle field has, for example, 10 × 10 nozzles 120 on. Furthermore, the nozzles belonging to a nozzle field can be used 120 at least approximately, in a grid, for example. With a pitch of 50 mm x 50 mm, on the carrier 130 be arranged. The nozzles 120 be through the wearer 130 and the holding tubes 131 supplied with cooling or compressed air D. The carriers 130 are horizontally movable or movable and can, as illustrated by the two double arrows B, to the component 200 be moved up, as shown in the figure. During the quench cooling shown are the component 200 and the nozzles 120 in a stationary (stationary) arrangement. After that, the carriers become 130 moved back again. The component 200 is included in a frame, not shown.

During the quench cooling shown are the nozzles 120 distributed around the component to be cooled 200 arranged around and contoured positioned. Furthermore, the nozzles have 120 in relation to the component to be cooled 200 different orientations and those of the individual nozzles 120 discharged compressed air jets S differ in their volume flow, ie the nozzle volume flows V are different. As a result, an optimal compressed air and a locally adapted cooling of the component 200 allows.

The device 100 is on the component to be cooled 200 and a desired cooling effect, for example, a homogeneous or inhomogeneous cooling (see below) adapted. However, the orientations of the nozzles are 120 individually variable and the nozzle volume flows V individually adjustable, so that the device 100 used flexibly and can also be used for other cooling effects and / or components. The nozzles 120 can, for example, by means of pivot or ball joints on the holding tubes 131 be attached, whereby their orientation is changeable. Likewise, the holding tubes 131 be designed as flexible tubes (flex tubes), so that both the position and the orientation of the nozzles 120 is changeable. Furthermore, the holding tubes can 131 by means of swivel or ball joints on the carriers 130 be attached. The compressed air volume flow through a nozzle 120 or the nozzle volume flow V can by changing the nozzle cross-section and / or via the associated valve 122 be set. Preferably, each of the valves 122 be controlled individually, for example. By a control device, not shown. The nozzle volume flows V are preferably constant, in particular non-pulsating, continuous volume flows. The volumetric flow settings can in principle also be changed during cooling. About the valves 122 can single nozzles 120 also be disabled and reactivated.

The nozzles 120 can now be arranged or aligned and / or their nozzle volume flows V be adjusted so that the component 200 is cooled substantially homogeneous despite different wall thickness, accumulation of material, undercuts and draft. The component 200 then has a substantially homogeneous property profile after cooling, in particular a homogeneous strength or hardness profile.

Likewise, the nozzles can 120 arranged or aligned and / or the nozzle volume flows V be adjusted so that a defined different cooling of the component 200 is reached. The component 200 then has a graded property profile, in particular an inhomogeneous strength or hardness profile on. Thus, for example, be provided that the joint flange 210 of the component 200 is cooled only with a low cooling rate of, for example, <5 K / s, whereas the other component areas are quenched with a higher cooling rate of, for example,> 15 K / s and thereby hardened. The joining flange 210 stays soft and can later z. B. be joined by punch rivets or flow hole screws. In the same way, other component areas which, for example, have a crash deformation function, can be made soft or ductile. Conversely, in load path areas targeted higher strengths can be sought.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102014008767 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Device (100) for quench cooling of metal components (200), with - A cooling chamber (110) for receiving at least one component to be cooled (200), and - A plurality of in the cooling chamber (110) arranged nozzles (120) for direct flow of the component to be cooled (200) with a cooling medium (D), wherein the nozzles (120) aligned differently and / or the nozzle volume flows (V) are set differently , Device (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the orientations of the nozzles (120) and / or the settings of the nozzle volume flows (V) are variable. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzles (120) are arranged on movable carriers (130). Device (100) according to Claim 3 , characterized in that two carriers (130) are provided, which can be moved from opposite directions to the cooled component (200). Device (100) according to Claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that the nozzles (120) are movably mounted on the supports (130). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each nozzle (120) is associated with a valve (122) for adjusting the respective nozzle volume flow (V). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzles (120) are designed as two-substance nozzles. A method of quench cooling a metal component (200), comprising the steps of: - providing a device (100) according to any one of the preceding Claims 1 to 7 ; - Introducing the cooled component (200) in the cooling chamber (110); and cooling the component (200), wherein the nozzles (120) are aligned and / or the nozzle volume flows (V) are adjusted so that a uniform cooling over the entire component (200) is achieved. A method of quench cooling a metal component (200), comprising the steps of: - providing a device (100) according to any one of the preceding Claims 1 to 7 ; - Introducing the cooled component (200) in the cooling chamber (110); and cooling the component (200), wherein the nozzles (120) are aligned and / or the nozzle volume flows (V) are adjusted so that an uneven cooling of the component (200) is achieved. A method of manufacturing a solution-annealed cast aluminum component (200), comprising the steps of: - molding the component (200) by casting, in particular by die casting; Solution heat treatment of the cast component (200); Quenching of the solution annealed component (200) with a device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 and / or with the method according to Claim 8 or 9 ,

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