EP1033413B1 - Quenching device for workpieces - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for chilling workpieces comprises a container (12) containing a quenching medium, in which a press roller (20) is horizontally fixed so that it can rotate. The roller is partially immersed in the quenching medium and is coupled to a control device for its rotation. Several receiving stations (A11, A21, A31, A41) are provided in the peripheral direction. During quenching, a workpiece (36) is held and pressed in each receiving station.

Description

The invention relates to a device for quenching workpieces with a container containing a quench medium.

US Pat. No. 4,844,427 describes a quenching apparatus, in US Pat which oil around a quenched gear within a housing is led around. The gear wheel is made of a heat treatment unit (Furnace) removed and placed on a table and there by a lamella-expanding mandrel held in predetermined position. The removal of the workpiece from The oven and its shelf and furnishings on the table mean one time-consuming work.

German Patent 39 06 425 describes a device for distortion-free Heat treatment of a workpiece after its heating from cold Tools is held, to which of a quenching liquid flowed through pockets are provided. This indirect quenching is in the Relative to direct quenching, in which the workpiece with the Quenching medium comes into direct contact, lasting longer, because of Thermal resistance of the holding tools during heat transfer from the hot Workpiece must be overcome to quenching.

GB 991 697 A describes a device for quenching rolled Profiles, in particular rail tracks with a quenching medium containing container. In the container is a horizontally and rotatably mounted Drum at least partially immersed in the quenching medium. At the Drum are several, each having a plurality of arms turnstiles attached axially in a row. The ends of the arms have bearings, which respectively frame-like receiving stations in an always vertical position hold. During quenching, one profile in each case becomes axial consecutively arranged receiving stations held at the same time, the Inserting and removing the rail tracks in or out of the Receiving stations in the axial direction over each of the outer Turnstiles mounted receiving stations must be done so that the Quenching process for each individual profile is very time consuming

The invention is therefore based on the object, a device for Quenching of output from a heat treatment unit workpieces to create, where the quenching can be done faster.

The solution according to the invention is achieved by a device with the features of Claim 1 given. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

In the aforementioned quenching device is therefore according to the invention provided that in the container a press roll is mounted horizontally and rotatably, at least partially immersed in the quench medium and with a Control device is coupled for its rotation as well as several in Having circumferentially spaced receiving stations, wherein in each Receiving station while quenching each held a workpiece and is pressed. With the device according to the invention can be a large number of simultaneously picking up workpieces issued in succession from an oven, press, put off and spend. Such workpieces can, for example Rings, plates, rods, ball bearing caps, ball bearing raceways, ring seals and the like, which are usually produced in large quantities. While quenching a workpiece is the press roll after proper rotation ready to receive the next workpiece and the already quenched, preceding workpiece is simultaneously discharged from the press roll. The Loading a receiving station by a workpiece, its quenching and its output therefore overlap in time. Therefore, the allowed Device according to the invention a high throughput of to be hardened Workpieces after a previous heat treatment (carburizing) in an oven.

As a quenching medium according to the invention, a cold gas or a Liquid, such as water, oil or even a saline solution. Preferably, the press roll is equal to a number in the circumferential direction provided spaced recording stations and their drive is controlled so that the press roller is gradually rotated further, so that after each step a receiving station for receiving a workpiece is available. Of the Throughput of workpieces to be hardened by the device according to the invention is still increased, if in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the press roll is equipped with a plurality of axially extending rails, which several have axially spaced receiving stations. Therefore, such a number be simultaneously quenched from workpieces whose number is that of the axially spaced receiving stations within a rail corresponds. Suitably, the number of rails is equal to the number of in Circumferentially spaced receiving stations.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each receiving station a cage and a controlled pressing device for clamping and pressing a recorded in the cage workpiece on the pressing device can a lamella expanding mandrel coupled to an actuator. The Slat structure of the expanding mandrel allows a direct quenching of the Workpiece by removing at least those parts of the workpiece that are located between the fins of the expanding mandrel, the quenching medium directly are exposed. According to the invention, the pressing device is preferably in the Controlled way that it releases a quenched workpiece when the Press roll is in a rotational position, the falling out of the released workpiece allowed. With particular advantage is a conveyor with connected to the container and extends under the press roll, so that the quenched workpieces can be removed from the container. On Desire may in the container a downwardly inclined chute below the Press roll and preferably be arranged above the conveyor to the Removing from spent at different rotational positions of the press roller, To facilitate quenched workpieces.

The device according to the invention can be in a workpiece processing line expediently embedded in such a way that the container output means are assigned, which is a ramp for the transfer of deterrent Include workpieces to the receiving stations. Andernends, the Output means of a discharge opening of a heat treatment unit for the Be assigned workpieces. Appropriately, each receiving station has a Infeed section, which forms a continuation of the ramp when the press roll is in a receiving position for a workpiece to be quenched. The Manipulating the incoming workpieces to the correct position in front of the Recording stations is conveniently supported by guide parts, the advantageously have a lever for each receiving station, which on attached to a lid of the container and coupled to a controlled drive is, and optionally for each receiving station a pair of guide rails Provide, which are attached above the ramp and to each in one Narrow the receiving position of the receiving station.

If a cold gas quench is preferred, can take place in the container the liquid more connected to a cold gas source of high pressure and directed to the press roll nozzles are provided, where the press roll with clamped workpieces is rotated past.

Moreover, preferred embodiments of the invention in the Subclaims specified. An embodiment of the invention is based on the accompanying drawings described in more detail below.

Fig. 1:

einen schematischen Querschnitt durch eine mit den Merkmalen der Erfindung ausgerüstete Abschreckvorrichtung;

Fig. 2:

eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Teil der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1;

Fig. 3:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer vereinfachten Presswalze, die in der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1 verwendet werden kann; und

Fig. 4:

einen schematischen Axialschnitt durch einen Käfig mit Lamellen-Spreizdorn für die Presswalze nach Fig. 3.

Show it:

Fig. 1:

a schematic cross section through a equipped with the features of the invention quenching device;

Fig. 2:

a schematic plan view of a part of the device of Fig. 1;

3:

a perspective view of a simplified press roll, which can be used in the apparatus of Figure 1; and

4:

a schematic axial section through a cage with lamellar expansion mandrel for the press roller of FIG .. 3

The quench apparatus 10 of Fig. 1 comprises a generally rectangular 12 tank standing on the ground or of a larger machine frame, the is not shown, held and up and a quenching liquid 14th such as water or oil or a saline solution. A press roller 20 is on their laterally projecting and axially aligned shaft ends 41, 43rd in two opposite (not shown) bearings rotatable and horizontal fastened, wherein the bearings in opposite side plates of the container 12th or the frame structure are attached. The press roll is via a gear or similar transmission means (chains or the like) with a motor so driven, that the press roll in the counterclockwise direction about its axis 42nd turns when the engine is activated. The reproduced in Fig. 1 Sectional view is taken transversely to the axis 42. In that shown in Fig. 1 Embodiment of the invention, the pressure roller 20 is completely in the liquid 14 immersed.

A heat treatment unit 17 is on the upstream side of the container 12 in this way arranged that the output port 18 of the unit above the mirror 15th the liquid 14 is located. Transfer means 23 here in the form of a group of horizontally mounted driven rollers 24 extends horizontally through the Dispensing opening 18 and then downwards into the liquid 14 through Forming a ramp 30 with an inclination of about 15 ° to 30 °. The ramp 30 ends at the turning circle 25 of the press roll 20, which is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1.

A partition 40 is mounted in the container 12 and extends in the Liquid 14 from below the dispensing means 23 about the turning circle 25 up to an end portion which has the shape of a chute and in the vicinity and above a conveyor 38 ends. The conveyor 38 comprises one around two rollers 6, 7th circulating endless belt with dogs, one of which in the container 12th below the chute and the other above the mirror 15 is fixed, so that the upper run 39 of the belt along an upwardly extending slope runs out of the liquid 14.

A substantially rectangular overhead structure 35 has a vertical Side wall 16, which dips into the liquid 14 and thus an airtight Seal the space below the lid 35 forms, the space over the Dispensing opening 18 with the interior of the heat treatment unit 17th communicated. The cover plate 33 of the lid 35 carries a number of parallel Drive means Z1, each comprising a piston-cylinder drive. The Eye of the piston rod is hinged to an arm H1 of a two-sided lever, whose other arm SA1 extends into the space under the lid 35. In a the end positions of the piston of the drive means Z1 is the end of the arm SA1 lifted over the ramp 30 and in the other end position of the piston is the Arm SA1 lowered onto the press roller 20 in the manner as shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1 is indicated. One of the side wall 16 opposite and to her in the substantially parallel side wall 31 of the lid 35 separates the space below the Cover 35 from the heat treatment unit 17 and ends near the Dispensing opening 18.

The press roll 20 is provided with four parallel and axially extending rails 51, 53, 55, 57 equipped, the one another in the circumferential direction by an angle of 90 ° are spaced. Each rail has a series of six pickup stations for the rail 51 as A11, A12, A13, A14, A15, A16 and the rail 53 are designated as A21, A22 ...., A26. The press roll 20 includes a unillustrated conduit network for a pressurized medium (e.g., oil), which by not shown connecting means in the shaft ends 41, 43 with a medium pressure source is connected. All six recording stations one Rail are connected to the pipe network via one controllable valve each connected so that there are a total of four valves for all four rails, respectively are independently controllable.

The illustration of the press roll 20 in Fig. 3 shows only the general Structure. Details like the cages and the associated elements, like them will be omitted from Fig. 3 have been omitted.

All receiving stations are of identical structure. Therefore, only the Pickup station A11 will be described in detail below. The Receiving station A11 comprises an actuator 58 which is connected to a plunger 82 of a Expansion mandrel 70 is coupled. If the actuator by appropriate control the associated valve is subjected to low pressure oil, he leaves the Move plunger 82 to a raised position. If, on the other hand, the actuator is subjected to higher oil pressure, he pulls the plunger 82 axially inwardly to thereby causing the expanding mandrel, a workpiece to be hardened 95th to clamp and press.

The expanding mandrel 70 has a cylindrical hollow body 72, within which houses the actuator 58 and the associated plunger. One cylindrical cage 74 is on the body 72 in alignment with the axis 90 of the Corpus 72 attached. A base plate 76 of the cage 74 has a central Through hole through which the plunger 82 extends axially. Several radially extending grooves are in the inner surface of the base plate 76th cut. Two opposite of these grooves are denoted by 71, 73. In the illustrated embodiment, the grooves have a circumferential direction each distance of 10 degrees, so that there are a total of a number of There are thirty-five grooves 71, 73 in the inner surface of the base plate 76. Several right-angled segments 75, 77, so-called fins, are in the same number as the number of grooves provided. Each of the grooves receives one of the segments, in such a way that the upright side surface 68, 78 of each segment 75, 77 extends parallel to the axis 90 of the associated groove 61, 73.

The plunger 82 is fixedly connected to a central cone 80. Each segment 75, 77 is provided with a through hole 86, 88, so that a not illustrated coil spring in the circumferential direction through all through holes of all Segments extends, and the segments against the cone 80 as shown for Plant presses.

Thus, when the plunger 82 its raised, shown in Fig. 4 left hand Position takes the cone 80 is also in a raised position and all segments will be closest to axis 90. If on the other hand, the actuator 58 is activated, the plunger 82 together with the Cone 80 pulled axially inward with the result that all segments in the associated grooves are pushed radially outward (Fig. 4, right hand).

If a series 36 of six workpieces (the series 36 extends transversely to 1) from the heat treatment unit 17 to the dispensing opening 18 reaches, a light detector 34 which is fixed to the wall 31, a signaled Control unit 32, the arrival of the workpieces to be cured. The control device 32 does not determine due to the signal received from the detector 34 shown sensors, whether the press roll 20 shown their correct in Fig. 1 Position has taken to pick up a number of workpieces. If the position of the press roller 20 is correct, the controller 32 activates a Drive motor 26 for the output means 23. As a result, workpieces for Ramp 30 promoted, along which they downwards due to their gravity to the associated receiving stations A11 to A16 of the press roller 20 slide. Guide rails 43, 44, which extend just above the ramp 30, Prevent one of the workpieces from going its right way Pickup station A11 to A16 can escape laterally. So lead the Guide rails 48 and 49 each have a workpiece to the receiving station A11, Guide rails 50 and 51 each have a workpiece to the receiving station A12 and Similar pairs of guide rails define the path in a lateral direction a workpiece to the associated receiving station. The press roller 20 is upstream of each receiving station with an inlet section 29 equipped, which is formed by a group of horizontal rollers, which the Ramp 30 continue when the press roller 20, the position shown in FIG has accepted.

Thus, the workpieces slide on the ramp 30 and the inlet section 29 down until they reach the plant to a stop 63, the raised as Section of a side wall 62 of the cage 74 is formed, facing each other the inlet section 29 is located. Apart from this stop, they surpass Side wall 62 and the segments 75, 77 and the cone 80, the inlet section 29 not, so that the incoming workpieces no obstacle until their attachment at the stop 63 find. The actuator 58 is not activated, so that the plunger 82nd under the action of the circumferential coil spring takes a raised position. As a result, a clamping space 67 between the side surfaces 68, 78 of all Segments and the inner surface 65 of the side wall 62 created. One at the stop 63 fitting workpiece can therefore in the clamping space 67 up to a support fall in the described embodiment by the free End faces of the grooves 71, 73 is formed.

To ensure that the workpiece is in a correct position above the Clamping space 67 occupies the control device 32 activates the drive means Z1 in synchronism with the downward sliding of the workpieces, whereby the lever SA1 in the Counterclockwise in a dashed line in Fig. 1 position shown einschwenkt to push a workpiece against the stop 63 and against him for To bring plant.

It is assumed that the workpieces each have the shape of a cylindrical Rings 95 have an inner annular surface 96 and an outer annular surface. When the actuator is activated so that the plunger 82 draws the cone in, all segments 75, 77 against the inner annular surface 96 and the ring 95th pressed against the side surface 65 of the side wall 62, whereby the ring 95 in Clamping 67 is clamped and held pressed.

The ring therefore has no possibility of deformation during quenching or to default.

Of course, the shapes of the surfaces 65 and 68, 78 easily to the Can be adapted to the shape of the quenching workpiece. If the workpiece is conical, as shown for the first workpiece of the series 36 in FIG. 1, are both the surface 65 as well as the surfaces 68, 78 of all segments correspondingly conical with respect to the axis 90. Obviously, the invention be modified so that only one lever SA1 together for all Receiving stations A11 to A16 provided or as an alternative, each of the Receiving stations each having a lever is assigned, so that the lever SA1 for Receiving station A1, a parallel lever SA2, which also with the drive Z1 coupled to the receiving station A12 and similarly lever SA16 of Receiving station A16 are assigned.

After the workpieces of a row in the clamping spaces of the Receiving stations A11 to A16 are clamped and pressed causes the central control of the machine, the press roll 20 in the opposite direction of the Turn clockwise 90 ° and then stop. The recording stations A21 to A26 are now in a position in which workpieces of a new series can be picked up, clamped and pressed. If those Workpieces are clamped and pressed, the press roller 20 is caused to their Continue rotation through another 90 ° so that the pickup stations A31 to A36 Now pick up and clamp the workpieces of the next row. The Recording stations A11-A16 are now above the slide of the Partition 40. At this time, the temperature in the Receiving stations held workpieces be sufficiently lowered, so that then the actuator 58 is deactivated and the plunger 82 is released. The Workpieces can then move out of the clamping space due to their gravity fall down the chute, slide down onto the conveyor 38 on it, which slides this Workpieces removed from the machine.

In the event that in the receiving stations A11-A16 are located Workpieces are not sufficiently quenched, the press roller 20 is itself to turn another step by 90 °. The recording stations A41-A46 are now in a position to receive workpieces next row ready. At the same time, the actuator 58 is deactivated and the Workpieces of all receiving stations A11-A16 can now on the conveyor 38 fall out. The next rotation of the press roll by a further 90 ° transferred them again in the above-explained initial position.

Thus, the period of quenching can vary depending on the material and the thickness the workpieces are selected. Thin workpieces can only last a short time Require quenching period, allowing them from the pickup stations after a Rotation of the press roll 20 by only 180 ° from its initial position can be released. Other workpieces may be a rotation of the Press roll un 270 ° within the liquid 14 require before it sufficiently are deterred. Whether a rotation of the press roller 20 is sufficient by 180 ° or a Rotation of the same is required by 270 °, is also determined by the arrangement of Press roll 20 within, depend on the liquid 14. For a special kind of Workpieces, it may be reasonable, the loading position of the receiving stations, on to which the workpieces are fed, outside, i. above the level 15 to provide the liquid 14. The press roll 20 is then only partially in the Liquid 14 immersed.

In the described embodiment, the press roll 20 has four equal spaced rails 51, 53, 55, 57. Of course, the invention may be so be configured that the press roller only two or three rails or even has more than four rails. Furthermore, the number of recording stations not important. There can be more than six or fewer pick-up stations per Rail be provided. Thus, the respective structure of the press roller 20 easily adapted to the properties of the heat treatment unit 17, In particular, how many workpieces in parallel and how fast the workpieces of the heat treatment unit 17 can be processed and output.

Finally, the receiving stations with clamping and pressing means be provided, which are different from the expanding mandrel described above. If the quenched workpieces have the shape of a plate, the Segments of the expanding mandrel are replaced by a spreader, which is against the Workpiece is pressed when the actuator is activated. A similar Device may be clamping and pressing rod-shaped workpieces between a pressing plate and the surface 65 allow. The cage 74 is then natural not round, as described above, but rectangular, approximately according to the right half or left half of the cage shown in Figure 4.

Furthermore, pressing means may be provided on the side wall of the cage, the a pressing beam, which is hinged to the cage so that the Press beam outside the clamping space remains until a workpiece in has fallen into the clamping space, and then into the clamping space pivoted in and down in this for applying the workpiece with a pressing force is moved. Thus, the clamping and pressing means of Receiving station adapted to the particular shape of quenching workpieces become.

Claims (16)

1. Device for quenching work materials, with a container (12) that contains a quenching medium (14), wherein held horizontally and rotatably in the container is a press-roller (20) which is immersed at least partially in the quenching medium and which is coupled to a control device for its rotation, and which has several receiver stations (A11, A21, A31, A41) spaced apart in the circumferential direction,
   characterised in that
   a work piece (36, 95) is held and pressed respectively in each receiver station during quenching, and assigned to the container (12) are output elements (23) which have a ramp (30) for handing over work pieces that are to be quenched to one receiver station in each case, wherein each receiver station has an entry section (29) which forms a continuation of the ramp when the press-roller is in the receiving position.
2. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the quenching medium is a liquid such as for example oil.
3. Device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the receiver stations are spaced apart evenly in the circumferential direction, and the control device effects a rotation of the press-roller in a step-wise manner in such a way that after each step, one of the receiver stations is located in a receiving position, to receive a work piece.
4. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the press-roller is equipped with several rails (51, 53, 55, 57) which extend in an axial direction, wherein each rail has receiver stations (A11, A12, A13-A16; A21-A26) spaced apart axially.
5. Device in accordance with claim 4, characterised in that the number of rails is equal to the number of the receiver stations spaced apart in the axial direction.
6. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each receiver station has a cage (74) as well as a controlled pressing device (58, 75, 77, 80) for clamping and pressing a work piece (95) that is accommodated in the cage.
7. Device in accordance with claim 6, characterised in that the pressing device has a lamellar expanding mandrel that is coupled to an actuator (58).
8. Device in accordance with claim 6 or 7, characterised in that for releasing a quenched work piece, the pressing device can be moved into a rotational position of the press-roller which permits the released work piece to fall out.
9. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that arranged in the container (12) is a conveyor device (38, 39) which extends under the press-roller.
10. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that provided in the container (12) is a chute (40) which is inclined downwards and which extends under the press-roller.
11. Device in accordance with claim 10, characterised in that the chute extends over the conveyor device and ends above it.
12. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the output elements are assigned to an output opening of a heat treatment unit (17) for the work pieces.
13. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that guide parts (48, 49; 50, 51; SA1) are provided for manipulating work pieces that are to be quenched to the correct position in front of the receiver stations.
14. Device in accordance with claim 13, characterised in that for each receiver station the guide parts have a lever (SA1), which is fastened to a lid (35) of the container (12) and is coupled to a controlled drive (Z1).
15. Device in accordance with claim 13 or 14, characterised in that for each receiver station, the guide parts comprise a pair of guide rails (48, 49; 50, 51) which are fastened over the ramp (30) and which narrow towards each receiver station located in a receiving position.
16. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterised in that arranged in the container are several gas jets directed at the press-roller, which are connected to a high-pressure cold gas source, and past which the press-roller equipped with clamped work pieces can be turned.

Images