JP2012031464A - Cooling liquid supply confirmation device and cooling liquid supply confirmation method of induction heating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooling liquid supply confirmation device and a cooling liquid supply confirmation method, capable of reliably detecting normal injection of cooling liquid at a timing at which the cooling liquid is to be injected, in an automated induction heating device.SOLUTION: The induction heating device is provided with an energization detector 11 for detecting induction heating by an induction heating coil 4, a receiving member 9 for recovering the injection liquid injected from a cooling liquid injection device 8, and a cooling liquid detector 10 for detecting the cooling liquid injected from the cooling liquid injection device 8 and recovered into the receiving member 9. Execution of induction heating of a workpiece 14 is detected by the energization detector 11, and the cooling liquid recovered by the receiving member 9 is detected by the cooling liquid detector 10 at a proper timing when the induction heating of the workpiece 14 is executed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an induction heating device for confirming that a cooling liquid is supplied to a heated object after induction heating is finished in quenching in which the heated object is heated and heated by induction heating and then cooled with a cooling liquid. The cooling liquid supply confirmation device and the cooling liquid supply confirmation method.

  In order to finish the object to be heated (work) to a desired hardness, quenching using induction heating is performed. In the quenching, the work is heated and heated and then cooled. Therefore, the induction heating device includes an induction heating coil for heating an object to be heated by generating an induction current, and a cooling device. As the cooling device, there are a cooling liquid tank in which a cooling liquid is stored in advance and a cooling liquid injection device that supplies the cooling liquid to a work. Which of the coolant tank and the coolant injection device is easy to use as the cooling device depends on the size and shape of the workpiece to be quenched, and the one that is easy to use is selected.

  For example, when the work is relatively large, a cooling liquid tank is employed, and the work heated after induction heating is completed is immediately submerged in the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid tank. Thereby, the whole workpiece | work is cooled uniformly, it can prevent that a cooling rate differs for every site | part, and can perform favorable quenching.

  However, when a cooling liquid tank is employed as the cooling device, the apparatus becomes large. Therefore, when the workpiece is relatively small or long, the cooling liquid ejecting apparatus is often employed. The coolant injection device is a device that injects coolant toward a part of the workpiece that is induction-heated.

  That is, instead of having an induction heating coil that simultaneously induces and heats the entire long workpiece and a cooling liquid tank that can immerse the entire workpiece, the workpiece moves along the axial direction of the workpiece, An induction heating coil that performs induction heating in order from one end to the other end in the axial direction, and a cooling liquid injection device that is disposed adjacent to the induction heating coil and that injects cooling liquid to the induction heated portion while moving together with the induction heating coil Is more inexpensive because the induction heating device can be downsized.

  In such an induction heating apparatus, the induction heating coil and the coolant injection device move in the axial direction sequentially with respect to the long workpiece, and the workpiece is sequentially heated by induction. Cooling is performed by the coolant supplied from the coolant injection device, and uniform quenching can be performed as a whole.

  An induction hardening apparatus having such a coolant injection apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the induction hardening apparatus of Patent Document 1, the heating coil and the coolant injection device are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the long workpiece. Then, the heating coil and the coolant injection device move together in the axial direction of the elongated workpiece, and the portion heated by induction by the heating coil is cooled by the coolant injected from the coolant injection device, and quenching is performed. Complete. That is, by moving the heating coil and the coolant injection device in the axial direction of the long workpiece, the long workpiece can be sequentially quenched in the axial direction.

JP 2002-60833 A

Nowadays, it is required to reduce the manufacturing cost.
In view of this, by arranging a plurality of similar induction heating devices in a limited installation space in the factory or arranging other equipment without waste, the device can be devised so that induction hardening of the work can be carried out efficiently. It is elaborated. Further, the number of processes per unit time is increased by advancing automation of work.

  In other words, by devising the layout in the factory or by automating the work, the heating coil is automatically placed opposite to the work attached to the induction heating device, and after the induction heating, the coolant injection device automatically Moves the shortest distance to the heating part of the workpiece, and the cooling liquid is injected to complete the quenching. As a result, the induction hardening of the workpiece can be efficiently performed in a short time, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  By the way, in such an automated induction heating apparatus, although a quenching process is performed along a series of flows, it is impossible for a person to monitor, so even if a situation occurs in which the coolant is not injected, an abnormality is discovered. Can not do it. That is, if a predetermined amount of coolant is not sprayed toward the workpiece at the timing when the heated and heated workpiece must be cooled, the workpiece is not quenched normally, and the quality of the workpiece is deteriorated. Moreover, the quenching quality of the workpiece cannot be determined by visual inspection. Furthermore, the operator does not notice that the coolant cannot be sprayed normally toward the workpiece after induction heating, and with the induction heating device in such a state, a number of workpieces are temporarily quenched. Then, inferior workpieces are mass-produced, causing enormous damage.

  Therefore, the present invention mainly provides a cooling liquid supply confirmation device and a cooling device that can reliably detect that the cooling liquid has been normally injected at a timing at which the cooling liquid has to be injected in an automated induction heating apparatus. An object is to provide a liquid supply confirmation method.

  The invention of claim 1 for solving the above-described problem is directed to an induction heating device having an induction heating coil and a coolant supply device, a heating detection means for detecting execution of induction heating by the induction heating coil, and the coolant. A cooling liquid supply confirmation apparatus for an induction heating apparatus, comprising: a cooling liquid detection means for detecting a cooling liquid after being sprayed from a supply apparatus onto an object to be heated.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the induction heating device is provided with heating detection means for detecting the implementation of induction heating, and cooling liquid detection means for detecting the cooling liquid after being injected from the cooling liquid supply device to the object to be heated. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the object to be heated (workpiece) that has been induction-heated has been cooled with the coolant. Therefore, even if the work from induction heating to cooling is an automated induction heating device, there is no need to visually monitor the work (induction heating site), and the situation where the coolant is not supplied from the coolant supply device. If this occurs, the abnormality can be detected reliably.

The situation in which the cooling liquid is not supplied occurs, for example, when a pipe such as a hose that guides the cooling liquid to the cooling liquid supply device is broken and liquid leaks, or when the pipe is pressed and closed. In addition, a situation in which the coolant is not supplied also occurs when there is no coolant in the coolant supply source or when the operator forgets to connect the pipe when the maintenance is completed. However, the insufficient supply of the coolant due to these can be detected by implementing the invention of claim 1.
Furthermore, in the case where a plurality of systems of pipes are provided, if the coolant cannot be supplied from any one of the systems for any of the reasons described above, it has been difficult to detect this conventionally. However, if the invention of claim 1 is implemented, it can be detected without fail.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving member for collecting the cooling liquid discharged from the cooling liquid supply device, and the cooling liquid detecting means detects the cooling liquid collected by the receiving member. It is a cooling fluid supply confirmation apparatus of the described induction heating apparatus.

  In the invention of claim 2, since the receiving member for recovering the cooling liquid discharged from the cooling liquid supply device is provided, the cooling liquid is recovered by the receiving member. Further, since the coolant recovered by the receiving member is detected, it can be detected whether or not the workpiece has been cooled. Furthermore, the recovered coolant can be reused.

  In the coolant supply confirmation apparatus of the present invention, a determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined amount or more of the coolant has been collected may be provided. If comprised in this way, it can be determined whether the cooling fluid of the quantity which can fully cool a workpiece | work was supplied to the workpiece | work.

  In the coolant supply confirmation apparatus of the present invention, a timer for measuring the time from the time when the induction heating is completed to the time when the coolant should be detected may be provided. If comprised in this way, it can be detected whether the workpiece | work was cooled at the appropriate timing. The time at which the induction heating is finished can be a time at which a predetermined time elapses from the time at which the energization to the induction heating coil is started. In addition, the time at which the energization to the induction heating coil is finished. Alternatively, the time when the workpiece has moved from the induction heating coil side to the coolant supply apparatus side can be adopted as the time when the induction heating is completed.

  In the coolant supply confirmation apparatus of the present invention, an alarm device may be provided that notifies when the coolant detection means does not detect the coolant after the heat detection means detects heating. If comprised in this way, when the workpiece | work is not cooled at the appropriate timing which should be cooled, an operator can recognize this by alert | reporting of an alarm device. As the alarm device, for example, a sounding device, a lighting or flashing indicator, or the like can be employed.

  In the coolant supply confirmation apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the heating detection means is an energization detection means for detecting that a high frequency current is supplied to the induction heating coil. When the heating detection means is an energization detection means for detecting that a high-frequency current is supplied to the induction heating coil, it is possible to detect that the induction heating coil is energized. That is, it can be understood that the induction heating coil is energized and the work is induction heated. Therefore, an abnormality can be detected if the coolant is not supplied from the coolant supply device.

  The invention of claim 3 collects the coolant supplied from the coolant supply device when the workpiece is cooled by supplying the coolant from the coolant supply device after exciting the induced current to inductively heat the workpiece. And a coolant supply confirmation method for the induction heating apparatus, wherein the recovered coolant is detected.

  In invention of Claim 3, after cooling a workpiece | work, when cooling a workpiece | work, the cooling fluid supplied from the cooling fluid supply apparatus is collect | recovered, and the workpiece | work is actually detected by detecting the collect | recovered cooling fluid. It can be confirmed that it has been cooled.

  In the coolant supply confirmation method of the present invention, it is preferable to determine whether or not a predetermined amount or more of coolant has been detected before a predetermined time elapses after the induction heating of the workpiece is completed. By determining whether or not a predetermined amount or more of the coolant has been detected until a predetermined time has elapsed after the induction heating of the workpiece is completed, it is possible to determine whether or not the timing at which the workpiece is cooled is appropriate. .

  In the coolant supply confirmation method of the present invention, it is preferable to issue an alarm when a predetermined amount or more of coolant is not detected after supplying a high-frequency current to inductively heat the workpiece. If an alarm is issued when a predetermined amount or more of coolant is not detected after supplying a high-frequency current to inductively heat the workpiece, the operator can recognize that the workpiece is not properly cooled.

  The coolant supply confirmation apparatus of the present invention can detect whether the induction-heated work (object to be heated) is actually cooled by the coolant. Even if a situation occurs in which the coolant is not supplied from the coolant supply device, the abnormality can be reliably detected. In addition, when the coolant supply confirmation method of the present invention is implemented, it can be confirmed that the workpiece has actually been cooled by detecting the recovered coolant. Thus, the operator performing quenching is freed from the effort of monitoring the coolant supply device.

It is a perspective view of the state which mounted the cooling fluid supply confirmation apparatus of this invention in the induction heating apparatus, and shows the state by which the quenching site | part of the workpiece | work is arrange | positioned facing the heating coil. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a hardened part of a workpiece has moved to a position of a coolant injection device in FIG. 1. It is a signal system diagram of the coolant supply confirmation apparatus of the induction heating apparatus which implemented this invention. It is a systematic diagram which shows the moving direction of a cooling liquid when a cooling liquid is injected and supplied to a workpiece | work, and is collect | recovered and reused. It is sectional drawing of the housing | casing of a cooling fluid injection apparatus. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the cooling fluid supply confirmation apparatus of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of an example of the coolant detector which detects the collect | recovered coolant. It is a front view of the workpiece | work which shows the state by which the six injection nozzles of the cooling fluid injection apparatus are arrange | positioned around the workpiece | work, (a) has shown the case where a cooling fluid is normally injected from all the injection nozzles. , (B) shows a case where the coolant is not jetted from one jet nozzle.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the coolant supply confirmation apparatus 2 of the present invention provided in the induction heating apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.
An induction heating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a one-turn heating coil 4, a high-frequency power source 5 (FIG. 3) that supplies a high-frequency alternating current to the heating coil 4, and a heating coil that moves the heating coil 4 horizontally and vertically. A driving device 6 (FIG. 3), a workpiece driving device 7 (FIG. 3) capable of moving the workpiece 14 to a desired position or being driven to rotate, a coolant injection device 8 for supplying a coolant 20 to the workpiece 14, and A control device 3 (FIG. 3) is provided. The induction heating apparatus 1 is suitable for induction heating a long workpiece 14.
The induction heating device 1 is provided with a coolant supply confirmation device 2 (FIG. 3) which is a characteristic configuration of the present invention. Hereinafter, each structure of the induction heating apparatus 1 is demonstrated in order.

First, the heating coil 4 will be described.
The heating coil 4 is composed of a hollow tube formed of a material (copper alloy or the like) that can be energized satisfactorily, and allows cooling water to pass inside. The heating coil 4 is supplied with high frequency power from a high frequency power source 5 shown in FIG. Here, the high frequency power source 5 converts the frequency of an alternating current supplied from a commercial power source (not shown) into a high frequency by a high frequency inverter (not shown), and further converts the electric power transformed by a transformer (not shown). The heating coil 4 is supplied.

  Next, the heating coil driving device 6 includes an XY table (not shown) and a servo motor, and has a function of moving the heating coil 4 in the same vertical plane in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. That is, the heating coil driving device 6 can be arranged so that the heating coil 4 can be induction-heated according to the position of the workpiece 14. Further, the heating coil driving device 6 can simultaneously move (that is, revolve) the heating coil 4 in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in conjunction with the rotational movement (autorotation) of the workpiece 14 described later.

  Next, the workpiece drive device 7 (FIG. 3) supports both ends of the long workpiece 14 in a rotatable manner. The work drive device 7 has a function of rotating the work 14. Moreover, the drive of the heating coil drive device 6 and the work drive device 7 is controlled by the control device 3 to be described later so that the circumferential surface of the work 14 can be uniformly induction-heated.

Next, the coolant injection device 8 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the coolant injection device 8 includes a housing 8 a, a liquid supply pipe 16, a pump 27, a storage tank 26, and a coolant supply source 25 (FIG. 4).

  The casing 8a has a cubic shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a cylindrical wall 18a is provided therein. Through the cylindrical wall 18a, a through hole 18 is formed in the housing 8a. The through hole 18 has an inner diameter large enough to allow the long workpiece 14 to pass therethrough. A number of injection ports 19 are provided in the cylindrical wall 18a. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a chamber 17 is formed in a housing 8a having a cylindrical wall 18a, and the through-hole 18 and the chamber 17 communicate with each other through an injection port 19 of the cylindrical wall 18a. ing. Further, a hole 8b (FIG. 1) is provided on the outer wall of the housing 8a. The hole 8b allows the outside of the housing 8a and the chamber 17 to communicate with each other.

One end of the liquid supply pipe 16 is connected to the hole 8b of the housing 8a. A pump 27 is provided at the other end of the liquid supply pipe 16, and one end of a pipe 29 is connected to the pump 27. A storage tank 26 is connected to the other end of the pipe 29. That is, the pump 27 and the storage tank 26 are connected by the pipe 29. The pump 27 has a function of pressurizing the coolant in the storage tank 26 and supplying it to the chamber 17 of the housing 8a. The storage tank 26 receives and stores the coolant injected and supplied to the workpiece 14 by the member 9.
The storage tank 26 is a large-capacity container that stores the coolant that is sprayed from the coolant spraying device 8 and cools the workpiece 14.

  A branch pipe 30 is connected to a pipe 29 between the storage tank 26 and the pump 27, and the branch pipe 30 is provided with an on-off valve 28 (electromagnetic valve). A coolant supply source 25 (FIG. 4) is connected to the tip of the branch pipe 30. Although not shown, a check valve is provided in the pipe 29 between the storage tank 26 and the branch pipe 30 so that the coolant does not flow from the branch pipe 30 to the storage tank 26 side. That is, when the on-off valve 28 is opened, the coolant is supplied from the coolant supply source 25 to the pump 27 through the branch pipe 30 and the pipe 29. Therefore, when the on-off valve 28 is opened, the pump 27 pressurizes the cooling liquid supplied from the cooling liquid supply source 25 (FIG. 4) in addition to the cooling liquid in the storage tank 26 (in the housing 8a ( Chamber 17). If the temperature of the coolant in the storage tank 26 is high and efficient cooling is not possible, or if the amount of coolant in the storage tank 26 is small, the on-off valve 28 is opened and new coolant is supplied from the coolant supply source 25. Supply liquid.

  Further, the casing 8a of the coolant injection device 8 can be moved in the vertical direction by a drive mechanism (not shown), and the liquid supply pipe 16 is a flexible pipe. That is, the housing 8a can be moved up and down by a drive mechanism (not shown) to slightly correct the position. When the housing 8a moves, the liquid supply pipe 16 deforms and follows.

Finally, the configuration of the coolant supply confirmation apparatus 2 that is a characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described.
The coolant supply confirmation device 2 includes a receiving member 9, a coolant detector 10 (coolant detection means), a current detector 11 (energization detector), a timer 12, and a control device 3.

  First, the receiving member 9 is installed below (directly below) the casing 8 a of the coolant injection device 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the receiving member 9 has a shape like a bag that can accommodate most of the lower part of the casing 8 a of the coolant injection device 8. That is, the receiving member 9 is a member such as a tub or a bowl having a large opening above which the coolant supplied from the coolant spraying device 8 to the workpiece 14 can be received so as not to be scattered around. A hole (not shown) to which a pipe 15 is connected is provided at the bottom of the receiving member 9.

  The coolant 20 injected from the injection port 19 of the cylindrical wall 18a falls and is recovered from the opening of the through hole 18 of the housing 8a to the receiving member 9. In order to make it easier for the recovered coolant to be discharged through the pipe 15, it is preferable to provide an inclination at the bottom (bottom) of the receiving member 9 and provide a hole at the lowest position of the bottom. Here, the pipe 15 is also flexible like the liquid supply pipe 16. Therefore, when the housing 8a is moved after its position is adjusted, the receiving member 9 can also be moved following the housing 8a.

  Next, the coolant detector 10 (coolant detector) of the coolant supply confirmation device 2 is provided in the middle of the pipe 15 connected to the lower part of the receiving member 9, and detects that the coolant has passed. To do. As the coolant detector 10, a flow meter can be adopted. In particular, it is preferable to employ a positive displacement flow meter because it is possible to detect whether or not an amount of coolant necessary for cooling the workpiece 14 has been supplied from the coolant injection device 8. A detection signal detected by the coolant detector 10 is input to the control device 3 to be described later.

Next, the energization detector 11 of the coolant supply confirmation apparatus 2 will be described.
The energization detector 11 (FIG. 3) detects that high frequency power is supplied from the high frequency power source 5 to the heating coil 4. That is, the energization detector 11 has a function of detecting that the work 14 is induction-heated by the heating coil 4. A detection signal detected by the energization detector 11 is input to the control device 3 described later.

Next, the control device 3 of the coolant supply confirmation device 2 will be described.
A signal detected by the coolant detector 10 (coolant detector) or the energization detector 11 (heat detector) is input to the control device 3. The control device 3 includes a CPU 21 (determination means) and a memory 22. The CPU 21 has a function of determining whether or not the coolant injection device 8 of the induction heating device 1 is operating normally based on detection signals input from the coolant detector 10 and the energization detector 11. . Further, the memory 22 stores various setting values to be described later.

  The control device 3 includes a timer 12. In other words, the start time of energization of the heating coil 4 and the passage of time required for induction heating of the workpiece 14 can be specified by the time count of the timer 12. In the present invention, the timer 12 is also used for the purpose of measuring a predetermined time that is delayed from the completion of induction heating of the workpiece 14 until the coolant is injected.

  Further, the coolant supply confirmation device 2 is provided with an alarm device 13 (alarm device). When an abnormality occurs, the alarm device 13 receives a command signal from the control device 3 and issues an alarm by sounding an alarm sound or lighting or blinking an alarm lamp.

Next, operation | movement of the induction heating apparatus 1 is demonstrated.
The coolant supply confirmation apparatus 2 monitors a cooling process (cooled trace) when the work 14 is induction-heated by the induction heating apparatus 1 and further cooled. That is, the coolant supply confirmation apparatus 2 monitors whether or not the coolant has been jetted and supplied to the induction-heated workpiece 14.

  First, in the induction heating device 1, the heating coil 4 and the coolant injection device 8 (housing 8a) are arranged in advance adjacent to a predetermined position. Then, both ends of the long work 14 are rotatably supported by the work driving device 7, and as shown in FIG. 1, the one-turn heating coil 4 and the casing 8 a of the coolant injection device 8 are provided. It arrange | positions so that the through-hole 18 may be penetrated.

  The long workpiece 14 is a camshaft, and the quenched portions 14a to 14d are cam portions. By moving the workpiece 14 in the axial direction by the workpiece driving device 7, the cam portion 14a (same for 14b to 14d) of the workpiece 14 is disposed in the heating coil 4 as shown in FIG. As shown, it can be placed in the coolant injection device 8.

  When the heating coil 4, the coolant injection device 8 (housing 8a), and the work 14 are respectively arranged at predetermined positions, the control device 3 issues a command signal to each device, and quenching is started. That is, the workpiece 14 is driven to rotate (spin) by the workpiece driving device 7, the heating coil 4 is driven to rotate (revolve) by the heating coil driving device 6, and the peripheral surface of the workpiece 14 (cam portion 14 a) is uniformly induction heated. Thus, the heating coil 4 (revolution movement) and the work 14 (spinning rotation) rotate in synchronization. The cylindrical wall 18a of the housing 8a is stopped because it has a sufficiently large inner diameter with respect to the outer shape of the workpiece 14 (cam portion 14a).

  Further, the control device 3 issues a command signal to the high frequency power source 5 and supplies a high frequency alternating current to the heating coil 4. As a result, a high-frequency induced current is generated on the peripheral surface of the cam portion 14a disposed in the heating coil 4, and the cam portion 14a is heated by induction heating.

  On the other hand, the control device 3 uses the timer 12 to count the time from when the induction heating of the cam portion 14a is started until a predetermined time elapses. Here, the predetermined time is a time during which the cam portion 14a can be heated and heated satisfactorily. The predetermined time is stored in advance in the memory 22, and when the time counted by the timer 12 reaches the predetermined time stored in the memory 22, the control device 3 transmits a signal to the work driving device 7 to change the work 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the cam portion 14 a disposed opposite to the heating coil 4 is moved into the casing 8 a of the coolant injection device 8, and the next cam portion 14 b is moved into the heating coil 4. To place.

  Then, the control device 3 transmits a command signal to the coolant injection device 8, drives the pump 27, and supplies the high-pressure coolant 20 into the housing 8a via the liquid supply pipe 16. The cooling liquid 20 is instantaneously filled into the housing 8 a and is sprayed from the spray port 19 of the cylindrical wall 18 a toward the cam portion 14 a in the through hole 18. That is, many injection ports 19 are provided in the cylindrical wall 18a, the coolant 20 is instantaneously filled in the housing 8a (chamber 17), and the chamber 17 becomes high pressure. It ejects from the ejection port 19 to the outside of the chamber 17 (inside the through hole 18). As a result, the coolant 20 is sprayed and supplied from the entire periphery to the cam portion 14a disposed in the through hole 18, and the cam portion 14a (induction heating portion) is uniformly cooled.

  The injection time of the coolant 20 is preset and stored in the memory 22. Then, the control device 3 switches ON / OFF the injection of the coolant 20 by the coolant injection device 8 according to the timing of the timer 12, and injects and supplies a predetermined amount of the coolant 20 to the cam portion 14a.

The memory 22 stores a coolant amount V1 necessary for cooling the cam portion 14a.
The coolant 20 sprayed and supplied to the cam portion 14 a cools the cam portion 14 a, falls from the opening of the through hole 18 of the housing 8 a, is accommodated in the receiving member 9, and further connected to the lower portion of the receiving member 9. It is collected in the storage tank 26 (FIG. 4) through the pipe 15 thus made. At that time, the coolant detector 10 provided in the middle of the pipe 15 measures the amount V2 of the coolant that has passed through the pipe 15, and the measured value is transmitted to the control device 3.

  The control device 3 compares the coolant amount V1 stored in the memory 22 with the coolant amount V2 measured by the coolant detector 10. When the measured coolant amount V2 is considerably smaller than the coolant amount V1 (for example, 2/3 or less), the control device 3 (CPU 21) determines that an abnormality has occurred, and the alarm device 13 Will alert you.

  That is, if the amount of the coolant 20 corresponding to the coolant amount V1 is not recovered after the cam portion 14a is induction-heated by the heating coil 4, it is determined that the cam portion 14a is not sufficiently cooled. The cause is that one of the parts is damaged and the coolant 20 is leaking, the liquid supply pipe 16 is clogged with foreign matter, or the flexible liquid supply pipe 16 is crushed by another member. If the flow path is not sufficiently secured, or the liquid supply pipe 16 is disconnected from the coolant supply source 25 and the coolant injection device 8, the coolant 20 cannot reach the casing 8a. Further, when the pump 27 is broken or the coolant 20 is not stored in the storage tank 26 and the coolant 20 is not newly supplied from the coolant supply source 25, the coolant supply is insufficient.

  Therefore, when the alarm device 13 issues an alarm, the worker stops the induction heating device 1, tries to find an abnormal part, and performs maintenance. Thereby, although the said workpiece | work 14 becomes inferior goods, the situation where the said workpiece | work 14 is shipped to a market is avoidable. Moreover, since the workpiece | work subsequent to the workpiece | work 14 is hardened satisfactorily by the induction heating apparatus 1 appropriately maintained, the defective product can be suppressed to only one workpiece 14 concerned.

  Here, if the cooling liquid detector 10 detects the passage of the cooling liquid even though the electric current detection is not detected by the electric current detector 11 (that is, the induction heating operation is not started), There is a high possibility that the pump 27 continues to operate due to a failure, or the on-off valve 28 is unnecessarily opened. Therefore, also in this case, the control device 3 issues an alarm by the alarm device 13 to alert the worker.

The above operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the coolant supply confirmation apparatus of the present invention.
First, in step 1, quenching is started. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the positions of the workpiece 14, the heating coil 4, the coolant injection device 8, and the like are adjusted. Then, high frequency power is supplied from the high frequency power source 5 to the heating coil 4 in response to a command signal from the control device 3.

  Next, in step 2, it is determined whether or not energization is detected by the energization detector 11. When energization is detected by the energization detector 11 (in the case of YES), the routine proceeds to step 3.

  When energization is detected in step 2, induction heating of the workpiece 14 (cam portion 14a) is performed. Then, the cam portion 14a must be rapidly cooled within a predetermined time from the induction heating. In step 3, it is determined whether or not the coolant has been detected before the predetermined time has elapsed.

  If it is determined in step 3 that the coolant has been detected before the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 4. In step 4, the detected (actually measured) coolant amount V <b> 2 is compared with the coolant amount V <b> 1 stored in the memory 22 in advance. That is, it is determined whether or not the detected coolant amount V2 is equal to or more than two-thirds of the coolant amount V1 stored in the memory 22.

  If YES is determined in step 4, the process proceeds to step 5 and the quenching of the cam portion 14a, which is the quenching part, is normally completed. In step 5, it is subsequently determined whether another quenching part (cam portions 14 b to 14 d) of the workpiece 14 or a workpiece different from the workpiece 14 is quenched.

  If YES in step 5 (end of quenching), the operation of the coolant supply confirmation device ends. On the other hand, if NO in step 5 (not quenching is completed), the process returns to step 2.

  In step 2, if energization is not detected, the process proceeds to step 7. In step 7, it is determined whether or not the coolant is detected by the coolant detector 11. If it is determined in step 7 that the coolant has been detected, the coolant is flowing even though the work 14 (cam portion 14a) is not induction-heated, and the pump 27 and the on-off valve 28 fail. There is a high possibility. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step 6, the high frequency power source 5, the heating coil driving device 6, and the work driving device 7 are stopped, the quenching operation itself is forcibly terminated, the process proceeds to step 8, and the alarm 13 Will alert you. If no coolant is detected in step 7, the process returns to step 2.

  In addition, in the case where energization is detected in step 2 and no coolant is detected before the predetermined time elapses in step 3, the work 14 (cam portion 14a) is inductively heated although it is not detected. The cooling liquid is not supplied at an appropriate timing. Accordingly, in this case, the process proceeds to step 6 to finish the quenching operation, and further proceeds to step 8 where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 13.

  Furthermore, in step 4, when the detected coolant amount V2 is less than two-thirds of the coolant amount V1 stored in the memory 22 (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to step 6 and quenching is performed. Cancel (force termination). That is, if the amount of coolant that can sufficiently cool the work 14 (cam portion 14a) that has been induction-heated cannot be supplied at an appropriate time, quenching will be poor. Therefore, even in this case, the process proceeds to step 6 to forcibly terminate the quenching operation itself, and the process proceeds to step 8 where an alarm is issued by the alarm device 13.

  When an alarm is issued by the alarm device 13 for any of the above reasons (NO in Steps 3 and 4 or YES in Step 7), the worker recognizes the abnormality and performs the maintenance of the induction heating apparatus 1.

  In step 4 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the actually measured coolant amount V <b> 2 is two-thirds or more of the coolant amount V <b> 1 stored in the memory 22. The setting of V1 is obtained by conducting an experiment in advance. That is, the coolant amount V1 has a sufficient margin with respect to the amount necessary to actually cool the induction heating portion (cam portion 14a). For example, the actually measured coolant amount V2 is You may make it determine whether it is more than half of the cooling fluid amount V1. In other words, it is arbitrary how the relationship between V2 and V1 is made on condition that the induction heating site can be appropriately quenched.

  In the present embodiment, the energization detector 11 is employed as the heating detection means, but instead, the temperature of the workpiece 14 (cam portion 14a) may be detected. That is, the temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the cam portion 14a has reached the A1 transformation point (about 730 ° C.).

  In this embodiment, the coolant detector 10 for detecting the coolant flow rate is provided as the coolant detection means as described above. Instead, the coolant is temporarily stored in the receiving member 9, and the stored coolant is stored. May be detected. For example, by providing an opening / closing valve in a hole or pipe 15 provided in the bottom of the receiving member 9 and closing the opening / closing valve, the liquid level or weight of the coolant stored in the receiving member 9 within an allowable time period. , And detecting that the liquid level has reached a predetermined level or more, or detecting that the weight of the stored cooling liquid has reached a predetermined level or more, is necessary for rapidly cooling the heated workpiece 14. It can be detected (or determined) whether or not an amount of coolant has been jetted. After the detection, the on-off valve is opened and the coolant stored in the receiving member 9 is discharged to the storage tank 26 to prepare for the next cooling.

  Further, in this embodiment, in the induction heating apparatus in which the processing is automated, the timer 12 starts from the time when the induction heating is performed so that the coolant can be confirmed to be injected onto the work 14 at an appropriate timing. Although the time is measured, an abnormal condition is simply determined by whether or not the coolant detector 10 has detected the coolant before a predetermined time has elapsed since the control device 3 transmitted a signal to the coolant injector 8. The presence or absence may be determined. In this case, the time from the induction heating of the workpiece 14 until it is cooled cannot be grasped, but the time from when the coolant is injected until the coolant detector 10 detects the coolant, or the coolant detection Since it is understood that the vessel 10 cannot detect the coolant, the induction heating state of the work 14 cannot be confirmed, but this failure can be detected when a failure occurs in the coolant injection device 8, the liquid supply pipe 16, or the like. it can. That is, it is possible to detect a malfunction in the coolant injection device 8 or the liquid supply pipe 16 by transmitting a signal from the control device 3 to the coolant injection device 8 and detecting the coolant by the coolant detector 10. it can.

  Further, as an embodiment different from the present embodiment, a flow switch can be adopted as the coolant detector. That is, if a flow switch is provided in the middle of the pipe 15, it can be detected that the coolant recovered by the receiving member 9 has passed through the pipe 15. For example, a paddle is attached to one end of the shaft, the paddle is disposed in the pipe 15, a magnet is attached to the other end of the shaft, and a reed switch is disposed close to the magnet. When the coolant flows in the pipe 15, the paddle is pressed by the coolant, the shaft is inclined, and the magnet is separated from the reed switch. As a result, when the reed switch is configured to operate, it can be detected that the coolant is flowing in the pipe 15.

  Further, a coolant detector 31 as shown in FIG. 7 may be used instead of the coolant detector 10 which is a positive displacement flow meter. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of an example of a coolant detector that detects the recovered coolant. As shown in FIG. 7, the coolant detector 31 includes a shielding plate 23 that opens and closes a pipe 15 (flow path), and a sensor 24 (proximity switch) that detects displacement of the shielding plate 23. The shielding plate 23 is rotatable about the hinge 32. Normally, the shielding plate 23 closes the pipe 15 (flow path), and when the coolant flows, the shielding plate 23 is pressed by the coolant. Pivots about the hinge 32 and opens. The operation of the shielding plate 23 is detected by the sensor 24.

  That is, when the recovered coolant flows through the pipe 15, the shield plate 23 is pressed by the coolant and rotates around the hinge 32 to open the pipe 15 (flow path). By detecting the angle change by the sensor 24 which is a well-known proximity switch, it can be detected that the coolant has been recovered.

  Further, the coolant injection device 8 provided in the induction heating device 1 of FIG. 1 supplies coolant to the housing 8a and supplies the coolant filled in the housing 8a to the work 14 by injection. However, the present invention can be implemented even when another coolant injection device is employed. That is, in the case of supplying the coolant from the entire periphery of the work 14, the casing 8a as shown in FIG. 1 is not adopted, and instead the coolant is simultaneously supplied from the six spray nozzles 31a to 31f as shown in FIG. The present invention is also effective when using a coolant injection device for injecting water.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8A, six injection nozzles 31 a to 31 f are arranged around the work 14 at regular intervals (60-degree intervals). Each of the injection nozzles 31a to 31f can inject the coolant onto the outer peripheral surface of the work 14 in the range of the central angle of 60 degrees or more. For example, the injection nozzles 31b and 31f are arranged on both sides of the injection nozzle 31a, and the injection range R of the injection nozzle 31a partially overlaps the injection range of the adjacent injection nozzles 31b and 31f. The entire periphery of the workpiece 14 is uniformly cooled by the coolant sprayed from the six spray nozzles 31a to 31f.

  Here, the coolant is supplied to each of the injection nozzles 31a to 31f from a separate pipe (not shown). That is, in the example shown in FIG. 8A, since there are six injection nozzles, six pipes are provided. Then, the coolant is supplied from each pipe to each of the spray nozzles 31 a to 31 f, and the coolant is sprayed and supplied around the entire work 14. The amount of cooling liquid injected from each of the injection nozzles 31a to 31f is preset, and the amount of cooling liquid detected by the coolant detector 10 (FIG. 2) is injected from the six injection nozzles 31a to 31f. When a predetermined amount or more is insufficient from the total amount of the coolant, the control device 3 (FIG. 3) determines that the coolant is not ejected from any of the ejection nozzles.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the cooling liquid is normally injected and supplied from the six injection nozzles 31a to 31f. However, if the piping for supplying the cooling liquid to the injection nozzle 31a is broken, for example, FIG. ), The coolant is not jetted from the jet nozzle 31a.

  As a result, the workpiece 14 is not sufficiently cooled. However, according to the coolant supply confirmation device or the coolant supply confirmation method of the present invention, this cooling shortage can be detected appropriately. Therefore, when the present invention is carried out and it is found that the amount of the detected coolant is smaller than the predetermined amount, the coolant injection device 8 can be immediately maintained, and the workpiece that is poor in quenching due to insufficient cooling. Can be avoided from mass production.

  Although FIG. 8 shows a case where six spray nozzles are arranged around the work 14, according to the coolant supply confirmation apparatus or the coolant supply confirmation method of the present invention, the cooling is temporarily performed regardless of the number of spray nozzles. If there is an injection nozzle that does not inject the liquid, the abnormality can be detected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Induction heating apparatus 2 Coolant supply confirmation apparatus 3 Control apparatus 4 Heating coil 8 Coolant injection apparatus (coolant supply apparatus)
9 Receiving member 10 Coolant detector (coolant detector)
11 Energization detector (heating detection means)
12 Timer 13 Alarm (alarm device)
14a Cam part (hardened part)
21 CPU (determination means)

Claims (3)

  An induction heating device having an induction heating coil and a coolant supply device, a heating detection means for detecting the implementation of induction heating by the induction heating coil, and the coolant after being injected from the coolant supply device to the object to be heated A coolant supply confirmation device for an induction heating device, comprising: a coolant detection means for detecting   The cooling of the induction heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a receiving member for collecting the cooling liquid discharged from the cooling liquid supply device is provided, and the cooling liquid detecting means detects the cooling liquid collected by the receiving member. Liquid supply confirmation device.   After the induction current is excited to inductively heat the workpiece, when the coolant is supplied from the coolant supply device to cool the workpiece, the coolant supplied from the coolant supply device is recovered and the recovered cooling is performed. A cooling liquid supply confirmation method for an induction heating apparatus, wherein the liquid is detected.

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