JP3408985B2 - Induction hardening equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention quenches a thin and long work such as a center pillar or a cross member of an automobile, which has a non-planar and longitudinally widened quenching target region. The present invention relates to an induction hardening device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A center pillar of an automobile (similarly to a cross member) is a long product obtained by press-forming a metal plate into a relatively gutter-like substantially gutter-like shape. As shown in FIG. 1, which will be described later, the center pillar is not symmetrical, has a constant width and height, and has a protruding portion. Further, the center pillar has a relatively thin wall thickness in order to reduce the weight. Especially in light cars, the center pillar is said to have a small overall thickness.

By the way, since October 1998, the standard for light automobiles has been changed to a new standard that improves collision safety, so that it is necessary to increase the strength of this center pillar part as well as a small passenger car. There is. On the other hand, for ordinary passenger cars such as small passenger cars, in recent years, there has been competition to improve the collision safety of the entire vehicle body.
There is a tendency to increase the strength of the center pillar.

In order to increase the strength of the center pillar, it is conceivable to increase the thickness of the whole body, but this would greatly conflict with the demand for weight reduction. Therefore, for example, a method is adopted in which a reinforcing material is attached to the back surface side of the center pillar by spot welding. As a recent method thereof, for example, there is a method in which a steel plate having a different thickness is used as a reinforcing material and the plate thickness is increased only in a portion where strength is required.

[0005]

However, since the weight of the center pillar becomes heavy due to the need for the reinforcing material, the existence of the reinforcing material against the problem of increasing the strength of the center pillar and reducing the weight as much as possible. Was an obstacle to weight reduction.

Therefore, it is considered that the strength of the center pillar is improved without increasing the weight of the center pillar by quenching and hardening the region of the center pillar to be strengthened without using a reinforcing material. For this quenching, an induction hardening apparatus is usually used, which includes an induction heating coil body and a cooling jacket for injecting a cooling fluid for quenching into a portion of the center pillar heated by the induction heating coil body.

As an induction heating device used in this induction hardening device, there are three types disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-208861.

As shown in FIG. 6 of the above publication, the first high-frequency heating apparatus is a movable high-frequency heating coil body smaller than the entire size of the quenching target region of the center pillar, and this high-frequency heating coil body. A transformer and a high frequency oscillation power source connected to the. This high-frequency heating device moves the high-frequency heating coil body along the vicinity of the region, and at this time, applies a high-frequency current to the high-frequency heating coil body to move the region from one end to the other end. This is so-called moving heating in which heating is performed sequentially.

The second high-frequency heating apparatus, as shown in FIG. 7 of the above publication, aligns a plurality of fixed high-frequency heating coil bodies smaller than the entire size of the quenching target area of the center pillar with the area. Which are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction, and one for each of these high-frequency heating coil bodies
It has a transformer and a high frequency oscillating power supply provided for each set.

The third high-frequency heating apparatus, as shown in FIG. 3 of the above-mentioned publication, has a plurality of fixed high-frequency heating coil bodies smaller than the entire size of the quenching target region of the center pillar. And the second group divided into the first
The high frequency heating coil body of the group and the high frequency heating coil body of the second group are alternately arranged according to the region. Further, this high-frequency heating device is the first
A first transformer connectable to the group of high frequency heating coil bodies, a second transformer connectable to the group of high frequency heating coil bodies of the second group, one high frequency oscillation power supply, the high frequency oscillation power supply, and the first and second It has transformer switching means (four IGBTs or the like) for switching connection with the two groups of high-frequency heating coil bodies. Further, this high-frequency heating device has a movable connection means for connecting the transformers and the high-frequency heating coil bodies, and a movement control means for controlling the movement of the movable connection means.

In the third high-frequency heating device,
As shown in FIG. 4 of the publication, a high-frequency current is applied to each high-frequency heating coil body in a time division manner in the order of arrangement.

[0012] The third high-frequency heating device,
Some of the specifications are partially changed as shown in FIG. 1 of the publication. In this partially modified specification, the number of high-frequency oscillation power supplies in the third high-frequency heating device is changed from one to two (not shown), and the transformer switching means is omitted. As for the timing of the energization, as shown in FIG. 2 of the publication, the energization of adjacent high frequency heating coil bodies partially overlaps.

However, in the first high-frequency heating apparatus of the above-mentioned publication, the shape of the quenching target region of the center pillar is complicated, and if there is an offset protrusion, the heating cannot be made uniform. Quenching after injection of quenching cooling liquid cannot be made uniform. Therefore, the first high-frequency heating device disclosed in the above publication cannot be used to uniformly quench a wide area of the center pillar having the above shape. In addition, since it is a mobile type, it takes a long heating time (and thus quenching time). Further, the movement control program is complicated, and it is necessary to create a complicated control program each time the type of the center pillar is changed.

In the second high frequency heating device of the above publication,
Compared to the first high-frequency heating device, it is possible to more evenly heat the center pillar having a complicated shape, so that the quenching state after the quenching cooling liquid is injected by the cooling jacket (not shown) is uniform. It is possible to Further, by using the second high-frequency heating device, it is possible to shorten the heating time (and thus the quenching time). However, since the second high-frequency heating device uses a plurality of high-frequency heating coil bodies, it becomes difficult to secure a space for installing a transformer and a high-frequency oscillation power source connected to the high-frequency heating coil bodies. There are also many. In addition, the second high-frequency heating device has a large number of high-frequency heating coil bodies, transformers, and high-frequency oscillation power supplies, resulting in a very high overall cost. Further, since the second high-frequency heating device has a large number of high-frequency heating coil bodies, it takes a long time to change the installation of the high-frequency heating coil body when the type of the center pillar is changed.

In the third high-frequency heating device of the above-mentioned publication (including the one in which the specification is partially changed), the number of transformers and high-frequency oscillation power supplies is reduced as compared with the second high-frequency heating device. , The installation space has been improved and the overall cost has been improved. However, since a plurality of high-frequency heating coil bodies are still used, when the type of center pillar is changed, it takes a long time to change the installation of the high-frequency heating coil bodies.

When a third high-frequency heating device (including the one whose specification is partially changed) is used, the heating time is
Although it can be shorter than the case of the first high-frequency heating apparatus (and thus the quenching time can be shortened), it is longer than that of the second high-frequency heating apparatus.

Further, in the third high-frequency heating apparatus, the existence of the transformer switching means, the movement control means, etc. becomes an obstacle to further cost reduction. Even if the third high-frequency heating device is partially modified in its specifications, the existence of two required high-frequency oscillation power supplies, movement control means, and the like is an obstacle to further cost reduction.

A main object of the present invention is to reduce the weight and improve the strength of a thin and long work such as a center pillar of an automobile which has a non-planar and longitudinally widened region to be hardened. It is an object of the present invention to provide an induction hardening method and an induction hardening apparatus that achieve both of the above and a relatively low cost and that have good quenching work efficiency.

[0019]

In order to solve the above problems, the induction hardening apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention has a plurality of hardening target areas which are non-planar and spread in the longitudinal direction. br /> a thin elongate workpiece to be standing a induction hardening apparatus for quenching, shape substantially along the longitudinal direction of substantially the entire range of each provided and the region at a position opposed to the region A plurality of high-frequency heating coil bodies each having a heating conductor portion formed so as to have a plurality of cooling jackets, and a plurality of cooling jackets that are respectively provided to face the region and inject a quenching cooling liquid. Between the adjacent quenching target areas of the work.
In order to prevent induction heating of the area of
Current flows in the same direction in the two heating conductors that conduct heat.
Characterized in that it is so.

An induction hardening apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the cooling jacket according to the first aspect is provided on the front surface side and the back surface side of the quenching target area.

An induction hardening apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the induction hardening apparatus according to the first or second aspect, in which a clamping mechanism for clamping a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the work is provided. Is characterized by.

The induction hardening apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that the work is a center pillar or a cross member of an automobile.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An induction hardening apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective explanatory view for explaining a positional relationship between a high-frequency heating coil body, a clamp mechanism, and a work used in an induction hardening apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a hardening target area, and the like. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the heating conductor portion, the cooling jacket, and the work of the induction heating coil body used in the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the quenching target area, and the like. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view explanatory diagram, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a clamp mechanism used in the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As the work W to be hardened by the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a center pillar of an automobile will be described as an example. The work W is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, a thin and long work piece that is non-planar and has two hardening target areas 950 and 951 extending in the longitudinal direction.

The work W has a substantially square gutter-shaped portion 900 that is convex upward and a substantially horizontal gutter 900 on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the gutter-shaped portion 900. And eaves-shaped portions 930 and 931 each having a substantially flat surface.
The substantially gutter-shaped portion 900 includes a top surface portion 910 and the top surface portion 910.
And side surface portions 920 and 921 extending downward from both ends. The width of the top surface portion 910 is narrowest at one end and becomes wider toward the other end. The height of the side surface portions 920 and 921 is lowest at one end on the same side as the one end, and becomes higher toward the other end. Further, the top surface portion 910 is provided with a protruding portion 911 that is convex upward in the middle of the top surface portion 910 (such protruding portion 911 is usually provided at least at one place in the center pillar). ing.
The protrusion 911 is not provided so as to occupy the entire width of the top surface portion 910, but is provided closer to one side. Therefore, the top surface portion 910 is non-planar. Such a thin and long work W is formed by press forming a thin metal plate. Further, the shape of the work W usually differs depending on the vehicle type.

The two quenching target areas 950 and 951 are portions to be strengthened by quenching, and here, for example, are two corner portions of the substantially trough-shaped portion 900. That is, the quenching target area 950 is a range to the right of the center of the top surface portion 910 in FIG. 2 and a range to the center of the side surface portion 920 following this range in cross-sectional view. On the other hand, the quenching target area 951 is a range to the left of the center of the top surface portion 910 in FIG. 2 and a range to the center of the side surface portion 921 following this range in cross-sectional view.

Further, the quenching target areas 950, 951 are provided in the longitudinal direction so as to spread in the central portion of the long work W in FIG. 1 excluding both ends. When the thin and long work W is a center pillar, the preferable region where the strength is increased by quenching is usually at least the central portion in the longitudinal direction. The shape of the work W described above is somewhat simplified.

The induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided at a position facing the hardening target area 950, and extends substantially along the entire range of the hardening target area 950 in the longitudinal direction. High-frequency heating coil body 1 having heating conductor portions 110 and 111 each formed into a shape
00, and heating conductors 210 and 211 provided at positions facing the quenching target region 951 and formed so as to have a shape substantially along the entire range of the quenching target region 951 in the longitudinal direction. High frequency heating coil body 20
0, a power source (not shown) of the high-frequency heating coil bodies 100 and 200, and a cooling jacket 300 that is provided so as to face the quenching target regions 950 and 951 and injects the quenching cooling liquid L (see FIG. 2). ), A clamp mechanism 500 for clamping the work W, a control unit (not shown) that controls the entire induction hardening apparatus, an automatic carry-in apparatus for the work W (not shown), and an automatic carry-out apparatus for the work W ( (Not shown), cooling jacket 300 and high-frequency heating coil bodies 100, 20
Cooling liquid related device (not shown) that supplies cooling liquid to 0 etc.
And so on.

The high frequency heating coil body 100 includes a pair of heating conductors 110 and 111 for high frequency heating the quenching target area 950 from the front side thereof, and the heating conductors 110 and 1 respectively.
A connecting conductor portion 115, which is provided by making a detour connection between the ends of 11 in a direction away from the work W, and a heating conductor portion 110,
High frequency heating coil body 1 of the power source section from the other end side of 111
The power supply side connecting conductors 116 and 117 are provided toward the 00 current transformer.

The length dimensions of the heating conductors 110 and 111 are
It is substantially the same as the longitudinal dimension of the quenching target area 950.
The heating conductor portion 110 is the top surface portion 910 of the quenching target area 950.
The inner region is provided at a position facing the vicinity of the horizontal center in FIG. 2 (upward position near the center) with a substantially constant interval. Further, the heating conductor portion 111 is provided at a position facing the vicinity of the center in the height direction of the region in the side surface portion 920 of the quenching target region 950 with a substantially constant interval.

On the other hand, the high-frequency heating coil body 200 includes a pair of heating conductors 210 and 211 for high-frequency heating the quenching target area 951 from the front side thereof, and the heating conductor 21.
A connecting conductor portion 215 provided by detouring one end side of 0, 211 in a direction away from the work W, and a heating conductor portion 2
It has supply side connecting conductor parts 216 and 217 provided from the other end side of 10, 211 toward the current transformer for the high frequency heating coil body 200 of the power source part.

The length dimension of the heating conductors 210 and 211 is
It is substantially the same as the dimension of the quenching target area 951 in the longitudinal direction.
The heating conductor portion 210 is the top surface portion 91 of the quenching target area 951.
It is provided at a position facing the vicinity of the center in the horizontal direction in FIG. In addition, the heating conductor portion 211 is
The hardening target region 951 is provided at a position facing the vicinity of the center in the height direction of the region in the side surface portion 921 with a substantially constant interval.

The heating conductors 110, 111, 21
The conductor portions 110 of the high-frequency heating coil bodies 100 and 200, including 0 and 211, are formed of, for example, a cylindrical tube made of copper or the like. Inside each conductor portion 110, etc., each conductor portion 110
A cooling liquid for cooling the etc. is passed through.

Such high frequency heating coil bodies 100, 2
00 and cooling jackets 301 and 302 described later are wholly attached to a moving mechanism (not shown). The moving mechanism is configured to move between the position for heating the work W (predetermined heating position) and the avoidance position when the work W is set and taken out after quenching.

The cooling jacket 300 is composed of four cooling jackets 301 to 304. Cooling jacket 30
Reference numerals 1 and 302 denote the front side of the work W, which are provided behind the heating conductors 110, 111, 210 and 211 so as to face the quenching target areas 950 and 951, respectively, and are attached to the moving mechanism. ing. The cooling jackets 303 and 304 are attached to the base portion (not shown) on the back side of the work W so as to face the quenching target regions 950 and 951, respectively. The cooling jackets 301 to 304 are attached to the moving mechanism and the base so as to be capable of adjusting the angle and the front-rear, left-right, and diagonal positions so that the cooling jackets 301 to 304 can respond even when the type of work is changed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the clamp mechanism 500 includes two support bases 51 for supporting the lower surface side of the work W.
0 and 510, and a total of four clamp arm mechanisms 520 are attached to the outer side surfaces of the support bases 510 and 510 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The support bases 510 and 510 are supported by a base (not shown).

The clamp arm mechanism 520 is attached to the work holding lever 521 which holds the work W from the upper side of the eaves-shaped portion 930 (or 931) and the side surface of the support base 510, and the center of the work holding lever 521 in the longitudinal direction. A support portion 522 that rotatably supports the side and a tip end thereof is rotatably attached to the base end side of the work holding lever 521 to move the work holding lever 521 to the work W pressing position or the work setting position. It is composed of a lever moving mechanism 525.

The work holding lever 521 comprises a substantially rod-shaped main body 521A, and a shaft 521B projecting from both side surfaces of the main body 521A near the center in the longitudinal direction. A lever moving mechanism 52 is provided on the base end side of the main body 521A.
5, a through hole 521A1 for rotatably holding a shaft portion 525Ab1 described later is provided.

The support portion 522 is formed in a substantially L shape, and the work holding lever 5 is provided on the tip side thereof.
The through hole 5 for rotatably holding the shaft portion 521B of 21.
22A is provided. A pair of the support portions 522 are provided so that their tip ends come to both sides of the work holding lever 521.

The lever moving mechanism 525 comprises a drive portion 525A for moving the work holding lever 521 to the work W holding position or the work setting position, and a support portion 525B for rotatably supporting the drive portion 525A. The drive portion 525A includes a main body portion 525Aa and a rod portion 525Ab. A shaft portion 525Aa1 for allowing the main body portion 525Aa itself to rotate with respect to the support portion 525B is projectingly provided on both side surfaces of the main body portion 525Aa. The tip of the rod portion 525Ab is bent and formed into a substantially L-shape to form a shaft portion 525Ab1 rotatably held in the through hole 521A1. The drive unit 525A is, for example, an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. Support part 52
5B is formed in a substantially I shape, one end of which is a support base 51.
It is attached to the 0 side. A through hole 525B1 for rotatably holding the shaft portion 525Aa1 is provided on the tip side of the support portion 525B. Support part 525B
Are provided so that the tips thereof come to both sides of the main body portion 525Aa of the drive portion 525A.

The clamp arm mechanism 520 is attached to the support base 510 so that the following relationships are established, and the dimensions of its components are designed. The work holding lever 521 is at the position when the work is set / removed (that is, the work holding lever 521 is flipped up)
Then, as a general rule, it does not come into contact with the work W set from above. Further, the center [A between the pair of shaft portions 525Aa1 of the main body portion 525Aa of the driving portion 525A [A
Point] and the tip of the rod portion 525Ab (shaft portion 525Ab1
It is also the base end of. ) [Point B] and the center between the pair of shaft portions 521B, which is the rotation shaft of the work pressing lever 521 [C
Point] is designed so as not to line up in a straight line in any case.

The power supply section (not shown) includes two current transformers and a high frequency oscillation power supply connected to the current transformers. The high frequency heating coil body 100 is connected to one current transformer, and the high frequency heating coil body 200 is connected to the other current transformer.

The work W is hardened as follows by the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention having the above structure. In the initial state, the four work holding levers 521 of the clamp mechanism 500 are at the work setting / removal position (that is, the work holding lever 52).
1 is flipped up), and the high-frequency heating coil bodies 100 and 200 and the cooling jackets 301 and 302
However, it is assumed that the moving mechanism is moved to the avoidance position. The following operation is performed by an instruction from the control unit.

First, the work W is set on the support bases 510, 510 from above by the automatic carry-in device. The four work holding levers 521 of the clamp mechanism 500 are moved from the work setting position to the holding position by the operation of the driving unit 525A.
Accordingly, the work W is clamped by pressing the eaves-shaped portions 930 and 931 from the upper surface side to the support base portions 510 and 510 by the four work holding levers 521.

When this clamping is completed, the high frequency heating coil bodies 100 and 200 and the cooling jackets 301 and 3 are
02 is set to the predetermined heating position by the moving mechanism. After this, the high frequency heating coil bodies 100, 20
0 is energized from the power supply unit for a predetermined time, and the quenching target areas 950 and 951 of the work W are subjected to predetermined high frequency heating. Since the work W is thin, the temperature of the front surface and the temperature of the back surface of the work W immediately after the high frequency heating in the quenching target regions 950 and 951 are substantially the same.

Here, the quenching target areas 950, 95
Since quenching is not performed between the two, the directions of the currents flowing through the heating conductors 110, 111, 210, 211 during the energization are synchronized so that the heating conductors 110, 210 are in the same direction. preferable. This is the heating conductor 1
This is because if the current directions of the currents 10, 210 are the same, the magnetic fields generated from the currents cancel each other out between the hardening target regions 950, 951. Therefore, the quenching target area 9
This is because almost no induction current is generated in the region between 50 and 951, so that extra high-frequency heating is not performed, and thus, excessive quenching is not performed.

Immediately after the heating, the four cooling jackets 3
The cooling liquid L is jetted from 01 to 304 almost simultaneously for a predetermined time. As a result, the hardening target areas 950, 95 of the work W are obtained.
1 is cooled almost simultaneously from the front and back, and quenching is completed. Since the front and back of the cooling are well balanced, distortion (bending) during quenching can be suppressed. Further, since the work W is clamped near both ends in the longitudinal direction by the clamp mechanism 500 from before heating to completion of quenching, the strain during quenching can be suppressed also from this point.

Further, the heating conductor portions 110, 1 of the high-frequency heating coil bodies 100, 200 are applied to the quenching target areas 950, 951 which are spread in the longitudinal direction of the work W.
Since 11, 210 and 211 are provided substantially along and subjected to high frequency heating, uniform high frequency heating and then quenching are performed in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the work is like a center pillar, since there is no unevenness in the strength increase in the longitudinal direction of the work, the strength can be appropriately increased.

After the quenching is completed, the four work holding levers 521 of the clamp mechanism 500 are moved from the holding position to the work setting / removal position (that is, the work holding lever 521 is flipped up) and clamped. Is completed.

The work W, which has been completely quenched, is taken out by the automatic carry-out device. After this, the next work W
Is set on the support bases 510 and 510 by the automatic carry-in device, and the above-described quenching operation is repeated.

When changing to a work of another type, at least the high-frequency heating coil bodies 100 and 200 are replaced with another high-frequency heating coil body formed according to the shape of the changed work. On the other hand, the clamp mechanism 500 does not need to be changed as long as the changed shape of the work fits the support bases 510 and 510. However, in general, the shape of the work is often significantly different. Support stand 5
When changing to a work that does not conform to 10, 510,
The clamp mechanism 500 is also replaced with another clamp mechanism formed according to the changed shape of the work.

The cooling jackets 301 to 304 are
There is no need to change if it matches the shape of the changed work. If the workpiece is changed by adjusting the angle / position of the cooling jackets 301-304, the angle /
Adjust the position again. If the workpiece cannot be handled by adjusting the angle and position, it can be replaced with a cooling jacket of a size suitable for it.

In the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the total number of cooling jackets is four, but the lower two may be integrated into one. Also, the upper side can be integrated into one. Furthermore, for example,
By using the clamp mechanism or the like, it is possible to omit the cooling jacket on the upper side or the lower side when the strain is not so large or when the magnitude of the strain is not a problem.

In the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, although the number of the clamp arm mechanism 520 of the clamp mechanism 500 is four, the strain at the time of quenching the work ( It may not be provided when the bend is relatively small. However, in the induction hardening apparatus of the present invention, since a thin work piece is targeted, distortion (bending) during work hardening
Is relatively likely to occur, the clamp arm mechanism 5 is used to eliminate or reduce the correction work time after quenching.
A clamp arm mechanism such as 20 is preferably provided.

The number of clamp arm mechanisms 520 provided is
In the case of the quenching target areas 950 and 951 as described above, it is preferable to provide two or more on each of the eaves-shaped portion 930 side and the eaves-shaped portion 931 side. For example, the eaves portion 930
When three clamp arm mechanisms 520 are provided on each of the side and the eaves-shaped portion 931 side, the clamp arm mechanisms 520 may be provided on both end sides and near the center, for example. Further, one clamp arm mechanism 520 may be provided on each of the eaves-shaped portion 930 side and the other end of the eaves-shaped portion 931 side (that is, one clamp arm mechanism 520 may be provided on each diagonal side end). Clamp arm mechanism 520
May be provided. ).

Further, as described above, the quenching target area 950,
When only one of 951 is quenched (hereinafter, referred to as “one-side quenching”), only one quenching target region side may be provided with one clamp arm mechanism 520 at each end, or quenching may be performed. The clamp arm mechanism 520 may be provided one at each end side only on the side opposite to the insertion target area side, or may be diagonally installed. Of course, three or more clamp arm mechanisms 520 may be installed even in the case of one-sided firing.

In the above description, the clamp arm mechanism 520 is provided on both the eaves-shaped portion 930 side and the eaves-shaped portion 931 side.
When providing, the number of clamp arm mechanisms 520 provided on the eaves-shaped portion 930 side and the number of clamp arm mechanisms 520 provided on the eaves-shaped portion 931 side do not necessarily have to match.

In the induction hardening apparatus according to the present invention, the position to be clamped by the clamp mechanism may be any position that does not interfere with hardening. For example, in the case of work W,
Instead of clamping the eaves-shaped portions 930 and 931, the substantially trough-shaped portion 900 may be clamped. For example, when the vicinity of the center of both ends of the substantially trough-shaped portion 900 in the longitudinal direction is clamped, a clamp arm mechanism such as the clamp arm mechanism 520 is moved to both sides of the installation position of the workpiece W in the longitudinal direction, and the clamp is performed. Below the position where the work holding lever of the arm mechanism presses the work W, a support portion for supporting the lower part of the work W at that position and attaching the clamp arm mechanism may be additionally installed.

When the clamp mechanism is provided at a position where high frequency heating is likely to occur from the heating conductor portion 100 or the like, the component at a position where high frequency heating is likely to occur may be formed of an insulating material such as ceramic that is difficult to be induction heated.

In the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the clamp mechanism 500 includes the support base 51.
0, 510 and four clamp arm mechanisms 520 projecting from the side surfaces of the support bases 510, 510. For example, the support bases 510, 510 and the support bases 510, 510 are provided separately. The movable clamp arm mechanism may be used. In this case, the support base 510,
After the work W is set in 510, a separate movable clamp arm mechanism is moved to the work W side to move the work W.
Will be pressed down to the support base 510, 510 side.
Further, the separate movable clamp arm mechanism may be pressed not only from the upper side but also from the lower side. That is, the separate movable clamp arm mechanism may have a claw shape that is pinched from the up and down direction. In this case, the work W is attached to the supporting bases 510 and 510.
Is set, the separate movable clamp arm mechanism is placed together with the supporting bases 510 and 510 or the work W (in this case, the end of the work W is projected from the supporting bases 510 and 510). ) Will only be clamped.

In the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the hardening target areas 950 and 951 are not to be hardened, the current directions of the heating conductors 110 and 210 are as described above. It is preferable that they are in the same direction, but directions or phases opposite to each other may be shifted. Also,
The combination of heating conductors per one high-frequency heating coil body may be other than the above. For example, the heating conductor portion 110,
High-frequency heating coil body having 210, and heating conductor portion 11
It is also possible to use a high frequency heating coil body having 1, 211.

In the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it has been described that the workpiece W has two hardening target areas, and both areas are non-planar. The quenching device includes at least one of the surfaces of the quenching target area.
Since the configuration is particularly effective when one is non-planar and has a spread in the longitudinal direction, it is effective even when one is non-planar and the other is flat. Of course, the quenching target area may be three or more, and four cases will be described later.

In the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the case where there are two hardening target areas of the work W will be described, and the induction heating coil bodies 100 and 200 will be described.
Is based on using two simultaneously for heating, but 1
You may use for heating one by one. In this case, it is possible to reduce the number of current transformers required for each of the high frequency heating coil bodies 100 and 200 to two. Further, the high-frequency heating coil bodies 100 and 200 are described as being separate, but the two may be one high-frequency heating coil body. That is, the heating conductors 110 and 210
If the current directions of the
7 and 216 may be detoured from the work W for connection. On the other hand, when the directions of the currents in the heating conductors 110 and 210 are opposite to each other, the connection conductors 116 and 216 may be detoured from the work W to be connected. Also in this case, it is possible to reduce the number of current transformers to one.

In the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the case where the work W has two hardening target regions has been described. However, the width (workpiece) in a sectional view as shown in FIG. Is the range of the quenching target area in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the number of heating conductors to be installed for one quenching target area width is naturally different depending on the size of the "quenching target area width". . With respect to one quenching target region width, one or three or more may be used instead of two. Some examples are shown as the induction hardening apparatus according to the second to the fourth embodiments of the present invention, and FIGS.
Will be described with reference to. It should be noted that the basic configuration other than the following configuration may be configured based on the above contents, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the positional relationship between the heating conductor portion of the induction heating coil body of the induction hardening apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the workpiece and the hardening target area. Explanatory drawing, FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the positional relationship between the heating conductor portion of the induction heating coil body of the induction hardening apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention and the work, and the hardening target area. Explanatory drawing, FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the positional relationship between the heating conductor portion and the work of the induction heating coil body of the induction hardening apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention and the quenching target region. FIG. Since the work is the work W described above, the shape in the longitudinal direction is the same as that in FIG.

An induction hardening apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, similarly to the high frequency heating coil bodies 100 and 200 of the high frequency hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a high frequency heating coil having two heating conductor portions per one high frequency heating coil body. The bodies 100A and 200A are provided to face the work W. However, the high frequency heating coil body 100A,
200A is the four quenching target areas 960 to 9 of the work W.
The heating conductors are provided so as to face one another 63. The four quenching target areas 960 to 963 here are the two corner portions of the substantially gutter-shaped portion 900 (the right side in FIG. 4 is 960,
961 on the left. ), And two corner portions extending from the two base end portions of the substantially trough-shaped portion 900 to the base end portions of the eaves-shaped portions 930 and 931 (962 on the right side and 963 on the left side in FIG. 4). .) And.

The high-frequency heating coil body 100A comprises a heating conductor portion 110A for high-frequency heating the quenching target area 960 from its front side, and a heating conductor portion 111A for high-frequency heating the quenching target area 962 from its front side. A connection conductor portion (not shown) provided by making a detour connection between one ends of both heating conductor portions 110A and 111A in a direction away from the work W.
And a supply-side connecting conductor portion (not shown) provided from the other end side of the heating conductor portions 110A and 111A toward a current transformer for the high-frequency heating coil body 100A of a power source portion similar to the power source portion. There is.

The high frequency heating coil body 200A includes a heating conductor portion 210A for high frequency heating the quenching target area 961 from its front side, and a heating conductor portion 211A for high frequency heating the quenching target area 963 from its front side. A connection conductor portion (not shown) provided by making a detour connection between one ends of both heating conductor portions 210A and 211A in a direction away from the work W.
And a supply-side connecting conductor portion (not shown) provided from the other end side of the heating conductor portions 210A and 211A toward the current transformer for the high-frequency heating coil body 200A of the power source portion similar to the power source portion. There is.

Heating conductors 110A, 111A, 210
A and 211A will be provided so as to face the corners of the work W, so along the shape of the corners,
It is provided with a substantially constant interval.

Next, an induction hardening apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the induction hardening apparatus according to the third embodiment (see FIG.
As in the case of the reference), it has four quenching target regions. The hardening target areas 960 and 961 are common. However, the quenching target region width of the two corner regions extending from the two base end portions of the substantially trough-shaped portion 900 to the base end portions of the eaves-shaped portions 930 and 931 that follow each other is the quenching target region 96.
2 and 963 (see FIG. 4), which are hardening target areas 964 and 965, respectively.

Regarding the hardening target areas 960 and 964,
High frequency heating is performed from the front side by the high frequency heating coil body 100B having the heating conductor portions 110B, 111B, 112B. On the other hand, regarding the quenching target areas 961 and 965,
High-frequency heating is performed from the front side by the high-frequency heating coil body 200B having the heating conductor portions 210B, 211B, 212B.

The heating conductors 110B and 210B are arranged in the same manner as the heating conductors 110A and 210A of FIG. 4, respectively, and contribute to high-frequency heating for the quenching target regions 960 and 961, respectively. Heating conductors 111B and 112B
Are generally provided facing each other at substantially constant intervals from the respective surfaces of the quenching target area 964, and the quenching target area 9
It contributes to the high frequency heating of 64. Heating conductors 211B, 2
12B are generally provided facing each other from each surface of the quenching target area 965 with a substantially constant interval, and contribute to high-frequency heating of the quenching target area 965.

Here, the connection state at both ends of each of the heating conductor portions 110B to 112B of the high frequency heating coil body 100B is as follows. As a general rule, from the viewpoint of power efficiency, it is not possible to connect from one end and the other end of the elongated heating conductors 110B to 112B to the power supply unit via supply-side connecting conductors (not shown), respectively. It is not preferable because the connecting conductor portion becomes too long. Therefore, for example, the current flowing through the heating conductor portion 110B is changed to the heating conductor portion 111.
B and 112B, the current flowing in the heating conductors 111B and 112B when the current flows backward is the heating conductor 110B.
Connection structure [that is, the heating conductor 111
B and 112B connected in parallel to the heating conductor 110
This is a configuration in which Bs are connected in series. By doing so, the supply-side connecting conductor portion connected to the power source portion can be shortened, and therefore the power efficiency is relatively good. The specific connection is as follows.

Each of the heating conductors 111B and 112B is detour-connected between one ends of the heating conductors 111B and 112B in a direction away from the work W via a connection conductor not shown, and the other ends of the work W are also connected via a connection conductor not shown to the work W. Make a detour connection in the direction away from you. A detour connection is made between the connection conductor portion on the one end side in that state and one end of the heating conductor portion 110B in a direction away from the work W via a connection conductor portion not shown. On the other hand, the connection conductor portion on the other end side is connected to the power source portion side via the supply side connection conductor portion. In addition, the heating conductor 1
The other end of 10B is also connected to the power source section side through a supply side connection conductor section.

The parallel relationship may be other than this.
That is, for example, the heating conductors 110B and 111B may be arranged in parallel, or the heating conductors 110B and 112B may be arranged in parallel.

Further, since the amount of current flowing through each heating conductor portion differs between the heating conductor portion having the parallel relationship and the heating conductor portion not having the parallel relationship, the distance from the quenching target region is set to the parallel relationship as necessary. The heating amount of the high frequency is adjusted by, for example, installing the heating conductor portion closer to the heating conductor portion that does not have a parallel relationship with the heating conductor portion.

Next, an induction hardening apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, like the induction hardening apparatus (see FIG. 2) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, two hardening target areas 966, 9 are provided.
Have 67. However, the quenching target areas 966, 96
The width of the quenching region of No. 7 is widened, and in order to correspond to this, the induction heating coil bodies 100C and 200C are the same as those of the induction hardening apparatus (see FIG. 5) according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Each of the three heating conductors 110C to 112C,
It has 210C-212C. The heating conductor portions 110C to 112C and 210C to 212C are spaced from each other at appropriate intervals, and the quenching target regions 966 and 9 are formed.
They are provided facing each other with a substantially constant distance from each surface of 67.

Heating conductors 110C to 112C, 210C
The connection relationship between the end portions of ~ 212C and the distance adjustment from the quenching target area are the same as those described in the case of the induction hardening apparatus (see FIG. 5) according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In the case of the induction hardening apparatus according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention (see FIGS. 4 to 6), two induction heating coil bodies are used as the first embodiment of the present invention. Frequency heating coil body 10 of the induction hardening apparatus according to the present invention
One may be provided as when 0 and 200 are one. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the heating conductor 110A,
111A and the heating conductors 210A and 211A are connected in parallel, and the ends of the heating conductors 110A and 111A and the heating conductors 210A and 211A are detoured in a direction away from the work W via a connection conductor (not shown). The other end of each of them may be detour-connected to the current transformer of the power source section in a direction away from the work W via a supply-side connecting conductor section (not shown).

Similarly, in the case of FIG. 5 and FIG.
The two heating conductors are connected in parallel, and the ends of the heating conductors are detoured in the direction away from the work W via the connecting conductors (not shown), and the other ends of the heating conductors are not shown in one current transformer of the power supply unit. The detour connection may be performed in the direction away from the work W via the supply-side connection conductor portion.

Although the number of current transformers in the power supply unit is one or two, the number of current transformers may be three or more. In the case of the induction hardening apparatus (see FIG. 5) according to the third embodiment of the present invention, for example, the heating conductor parts 110B and 210B are connected to one current transformer, and the heating conductor part 111 is connected.
Connect B and 112B to another current transformer,
The heating conductors 211B and 212B may be connected to another current transformer. Similarly, in the case of the induction hardening apparatus (see FIG. 6) according to the third embodiment of the present invention,
For example, the heating conductors 110C and 210C are connected to one current transformer, and the heating conductors 111C and 112C are connected to another current transformer.
1C and 212C may be connected to another current transformer. In the case of the induction hardening apparatuses (see FIGS. 5 and 6) according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, of course, other combinations are possible as well.

In the case of the induction hardening apparatus (see FIG. 5) according to the third embodiment of the present invention, for example, the heating conductors 110B and 210B are connected to one current transformer, and the heating conductors 111B and 111B are connected. 211B may be connected to another current transformer, and the heating conductors 112B and 212B may be connected to another current transformer. Similarly, in the case of the induction hardening apparatus (see FIG. 6) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, for example, the heating conductor portions 110C, 2
10C may be connected to one current transformer, heating conductors 111C and 211C may be connected to another current transformer, and heating conductors 112C and 212C may be connected to yet another current transformer. In the case of the induction hardening apparatuses (see FIGS. 5 and 6) according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, of course, other combinations are possible as well.

As described above, by providing a current transformer for each of the three high-frequency heating coil bodies, it is possible to make the amount of current flowing through each of the three high-frequency heating coil bodies different from each other. The heating amount can be adjusted more finely than in the case.

In the induction hardening apparatus according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the heating conductor portion is formed of a cylindrical tube, but it may be a rectangular tube, for example.
In this case, a section having a substantially rectangular shape (flat on the work W side) rather than a substantially quadrangular shape is preferable for uniform heating in a wide range (a wide range in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the work) and for quenching. Further, a metal plate made of copper or the like (having a wider width than the surface) may be attached to the work-side surface of the rectangular tube by brazing or the like.

By the way, in the induction hardening apparatuses according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, it is assumed that the heating conductor has a shape substantially along the entire range of the hardening target area in the longitudinal direction. , The case where the quenching target area is continuous has been described. However, the quenching target region may be discontinuous (that is, skipped) because, for example, a hole is provided in the longitudinal direction of the quenching target region. In this case, in order to prevent overheating of the edge portion of the hole, for example,
The heating conductor portion may be formed so as to bypass the hole portion. In addition, such a case is a case where the heating conductor portion has a shape substantially along the substantially entire range of the quenching target region in the longitudinal direction.

Further, in the induction hardening apparatus according to the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the work is explained as the center pillar, but of course, like the center pillar, it is non-planar and longitudinal. If the work is a thin, long-shaped work that has a quenching target area that spreads over
Obviously, the above is the same. Therefore, when a cross member or the like similar to the center pillar is a work, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0087]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
The induction hardening apparatus according to the above is an induction hardening apparatus for hardening a thin long workpiece having a plurality of hardening target areas that are non-planar and spread in the longitudinal direction. a plurality of high-frequency heating coil having a heating conductor portion formed so as to be substantially along a shape in each provided and the longitudinal direction of the substantially entire range of the region in opposite positions,
And and a plurality of cooling jacket for injecting each provided hardening coolant facing said region, said workpiece
The area between the adjacent quenching target areas is induction heated.
Two heatings that induction-heat the quenching target area so that
The conductor is characterized in that the current flows in the same direction .

Therefore, the induction heating according to claim 1 of the present invention
In the case of an input device, one of the publications described in the prior art
In case of induction hardening equipment using the second induction heating device
By comparison, even if the shape of the quenching target area is complicated, the quenching is long
Control of induction hardening equipment
The program is simple, and no mechanism for movement is required.
Cost reduction possible, quenching time can be shortened,
Non-quenching area between adjacent quenching target areas of the work
Area is not induction heated.

Further, in the case of the induction hardening apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, as compared with the case of the induction hardening apparatus using the second induction heating apparatus of the above publication, the induction heating apparatus is compact and easy installation, high-frequency heating apparatus is a low cost, even if the type of workpiece is changed exchange time of the high frequency heating coil body the shorter, baked adjacent of the workpiece
The non-quenching region between the quenching target regions is not induction-heated .

Further, in the case of the induction hardening apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, the induction hardening apparatus using the third induction heating apparatus of the above-mentioned publication (including the one in which the specification is partially changed) is used. Compared to the case of the device, the high frequency heating device is compact and easy to install, the high frequency heating device is low cost, the exchange time of the high frequency heating coil body is short even if the type of work is changed, the control of the induction hardening device Program is simple, hardening time can be shortened , work
Of the non-quenching area between adjacent quenching target areas
No induction heating .

An induction hardening apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the cooling jacket according to the first aspect is provided on the front surface side and the back surface side of the quenching target area.

Therefore, in the case of the induction hardening apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the cooling at the time of quenching of the work is performed substantially at the same time on the front surface and the back surface, distortion (bending) at the time of quenching the work ) Is suppressed. Therefore, the work time for straightening the work after quenching can be shortened, and the quenching work efficiency including the straightening work is improved.

In the induction hardening apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention, the induction hardening apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 is provided with a clamping mechanism for clamping a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the work. Is characterized by.

Therefore, in the case of the induction hardening apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the clamp mechanism can further suppress the distortion (bending) during hardening of the work. Therefore, the work time for straightening the work after quenching can be further shortened, so that the efficiency of the quenching work including the straightening work is further improved.

The induction hardening apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that the work is a center pillar or a cross member of an automobile. Therefore, in the case of the induction hardening apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention, a thin long work having a non-planar and widened hardening target region exists in a center pillar of an automobile or the like. is there. The center pillar and the like have a complicated shape, but due to the configuration of the induction hardening apparatus of the present invention, the center pillar and the like have a relatively low cost and good work efficiency that achieves both weight reduction and strength improvement. Induction hardening is possible. Also, since the center pillar and the like are thin and long,
When hardened, distortion (bending) is likely to occur, but due to the structure of the induction hardening apparatus of the present invention, even a work such as a center pillar is distorted (bending).
Can be suppressed. Therefore, by the configuration of the induction hardening apparatus of the present invention, even for a work such as a center pillar, it is possible to shorten the working time of the work after hardening, so that the hardening including the working Work efficiency is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a positional relationship between an induction heating coil body, a clamp mechanism, and a work used in an induction hardening apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a hardening target area, and the like. It is a figure.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the positional relationship between the heating conductor portion, the cooling jacket, and the work of the induction heating coil body used in the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the quenching target area, and the like. It is a schematic sectional view explanatory drawing.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a clamp mechanism used in the induction hardening apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory view for explaining the positional relationship between the heating conductor portion of the induction heating coil body of the induction hardening apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the work, and the quenching target area. Is.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory view for explaining the positional relationship between the heating conductor portion of the induction heating coil body of the induction hardening apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention and the work, and the quenching target region. Is.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional explanatory view for explaining the positional relationship between the heating conductor portion of the induction heating coil body of the induction hardening apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention and the work, and the quenching target region. Is.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 high frequency heating coil body 110,111 Heating conductor part 200 high frequency heating coil body 210, 211 heating conductor part 950, 951 Quenching target area W work

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-9-157735 (JP, A) JP-A-10-17933 (JP, A) Makoto Shibata et al. Development of induction hardening technology for steel plate body parts, Materia, Japan, Japan Institute of Metals, June 20, 1998, Vol. 37, No. 6, p. 525-527 (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) C21D 9/00-9/44 C21D 9/50 C21D 1/02-1/84

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An induction hardening apparatus for hardening a thin long workpiece having a plurality of hardening target areas which are non-planar and spread in the longitudinal direction, the position being opposed to the hardening area. each plurality of high-frequency heating coil having a heating conductor portion formed so as to be substantially along a shape in provided and the longitudinal direction of the substantially entire range of the region, each provided quenching so as to face the region in A plurality of cooling jackets for injecting a cooling liquid for use in the work.
Prevent induction heating of areas between mating quenching areas
The two heating conductors that induction heat the quenching target area
An induction hardening apparatus, characterized in that current flows in the same direction . 2. The induction hardening apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling jacket is provided on a front surface side and a back surface side of the quenching target area. 3. The induction hardening apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a clamp mechanism that clamps a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the work. 4. The work is a center pillar or a cross member of an automobile,
The induction hardening apparatus according to 2 or 3.