FURNACE FOR PARTIALLY HEATING METAL COMPONENTS

Abstract

A continuous furnace for the heat treatment of steel sheets, such as hot forming and press hardening, wherein two zones with mutually different temperatures are formed in the furnace, and a separating wall is present between the two zones. A gap is present in the closed state between the steel sheet and the separating wall and a surface cooling nozzle is in the form of a tube, wherein the surface cooling nozzle has outlet openings pointing downwards in the vertical direction and the surface cooling nozzle is arranged in the direction towards a relatively cooler zone.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A continuous furnace for the heat treatment of a sheet metal blank, the furnace comprising: a first zone and second zone, wherein the first zone has a higher temperature than the second zone, a separating wall between the first and second zones, wherein a gap is formed between the sheet metal blank and the separating wall in a closed state, a tubular cooling nozzle arranged in a direction towards the second zone, wherein the tubular cooling nozzle has a first group of outlet openings pointing downwards in a vertical direction relative to the separating wall, and a surface cooling nozzle arranged in the second zone.

16. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, wherein the first zone has a temperature equal to or greater than an austenitization temperature of the sheet metal blank.

17. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, wherein the tubular cooling nozzle has a second group of outlet openings pointing at an angle offset from the first group of outlet openings.

18. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, wherein the tubular cooling nozzle is arranged in or at a lower end of the separating wall.

19. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, wherein the separating wall has a recess receiving therein the tubular cooling nozzle.

20. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, further comprising a body for heat removal arranged in the second zone.

21. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, wherein the separating wall is vertically adjustable.

22. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, further comprising a conveyor system arranged in the furnace.

23. The continuous furnace according to claim 22, wherein the conveyor system comprises at least one of (i) lifting beams or (ii) oscillating conveyors.

24. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, further comprising a pre-tempering zone, wherein the pre-tempering zone is separated from the first zone and the second zone by a further separating wall.

25. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, further comprising a lower separating wall arranged in the vertical direction beneath the sheet metal blank.

26. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, further comprising a centering system configured to carry out centering of the sheet metal blank in the furnace.

27. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, wherein the surface cooling nozzle is arranged in the vertical direction above the sheet metal blank, and the continuous furnace further comprises an additional surface cooling nozzle arranged in the second zone beneath the sheet metal blank.

28. A process of hot-forming and press-hardening a sheet metal blank, the process comprising: heating a sheet metal blank of a hardenable steel alloy to austenitize the steel alloy, and hot-forming and press-hardening the heated sheet metal blank in at least one cooled forming tool, wherein at a start of the hot-forming, the sheet metal blank has, as a result of the heating, a first surface portion having a first temperature above 800° C., a second surface portion having a second temperature above 550° C. but lower than the first temperature, and a transition region between the first and second surface portions, wherein the transition region is less than 100 mm.

29. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, wherein the tubular cooling nozzle is arranged at a horizontal distance of less than 50 mm from the gap.

30. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, wherein the separating wall has a shoulder receiving therein the tubular cooling nozzle.

31. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, wherein the separating wall is horizontally adjustable.

32. The continuous furnace according to claim 15, wherein the separating wall extends along a transport direction in which the sheet metal blank is to be conveyed through the continuous furnace, and the separating wall separates the first zone from the second zone along a direction transverse to the transport direction.

33. The process according to claim 28, wherein the transition region is between 50 mm and less than 80 mm, with a position tolerance, based on a surface of the sheet metal blank, less than 30 mm.

34. The process according to claim 28, wherein the sheet metal blank has a metallic precoat, and the heating comprises fully alloying the precoat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Further advantages, features, properties and aspects of the present are the subject of the following description. The description serves merely for understanding of the. In the figures:

[0046] FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C are different views of at least one embodiment of the furnace,

[0047] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are each a longitudinal sectional view through a furnace with a transport system according to at least one embodiment,

[0048] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show a furnace, divided into different modules according to at least one embodiment,

[0049] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through a furnace according to at least one embodiment,

[0050] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5F show various flow patterns according to at least one embodiment, and

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through a surface cooling nozzle in the form of a tube according to at least one embodiment.

[0052] In the figures, the same reference signs are used for identical or similar components, even when a repeat description is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C show a furnace 1 according to the disclosure in a cross-sectional view and two plan views or longitudinal sections. FIG. 1A shows the cross-sectional view along cutting line II-II in FIG. 1B. FIG. 1B shows a plan view of the furnace 1, divided into different tempering zones with different temperatures, and FIG. 1C shows a plan view with a conveyor system.

[0054] According to FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, the furnace 1 is here in the form of a continuous furnace. It has a conveying direction 2, which is from left to right in the image plane.

[0055] In the furnace 1 itself there is formed a first zone 3 in which there prevails a temperature T3 which is greater than or equal to the austenitization temperature. There is further formed a second zone 4, wherein a temperature T4 which is below the AC3 temperature prevails in the second zone 4.

[0056] In the furnace 1 there is arranged a steel sheet blank 5, which is conveyed through the interior of the furnace 1 and consequently through the zones 3, 4. According to FIG. 1B, a third zone 6 is provided upstream. The third zone 6 can be in the form of a preliminary temperature zone or also in the form of a full alloying section in order, for example, to carry out pre-heating and/or to carry out full alloying to form an intermetallic phase in the case of a precoated steel sheet blank 5.

[0057] In order that the steel sheet blank 5 can be transported through the furnace 1 in the conveying direction or transport direction 2, travel beams, not shown in detail, are arranged on an oscillating chain. According to the longitudinal sectional plan view in FIG. 1C, a plurality of these oscillating chains are arranged parallel to one another passing through the furnace 1. As stated, travel beams, not shown in detail, are then arranged on the oscillating chains. In order that the blank can be lifted so that the travel beam can perform the oscillating movement, lifting beams 8 are further provided. The lifting beams 8 are lowered according to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1A. Consequently, the blank lies on the travel beams of the oscillating chain. If the lifting beams 8 are then lifted in the vertical direction, the blank is likewise lifted thereby. The oscillating chain can then perform the backward oscillating movement. The travel beams are likewise arranged so as to be physically separate in the conveying direction. The lifting beams 8 are likewise arranged separate from one another in the longitudinal direction through the furnace, as can be seen in FIG. 1C. One or more steel sheet blanks can thus continuously be deposited on the lifting beams or lifted by the lifting beams 8.

[0058] Partial lifting beams 8 can be arranged in each case in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction 2). However, they are divided both in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction. As a result, it is possible that a lower separating wall 9 can optionally also be provided. Both the deposit rails and the lifting beams 8 are configured so as to be separate from one another in the transverse direction. In the furnace portion in which two partially mutually different temperatures are formed, no disadvantageous heat conduction thus takes place by the transport system.

[0059] An introduction system is further arranged in the region of the entry 37 of the continuous furnace 1. The introduction system is formed by fork-type rails 36 which enter the furnace 1 in the longitudinal direction and engage between the oscillating chains, where they then deposit a steel sheet blank, not shown in detail. A similar system can also be arranged at the exit, but this is not shown in detail. As an alternative, however, a gripper system can also be arranged at the exit, that the blanks the tempered steel sheets are introduced directly into a hot forming and press hardening tool.

[0060] However, there is formed between the two zones 3, 4 a separating wall 10, which can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction V. Beneath the separating wall 10 there is formed a gap 11, which remains between the lower side of the separating wall and the surface 12 of the blank 5.

[0061] In order that a large temperature difference does not occur as a result of heat conduction within the steel sheet blank 5 but also there is no air flow from the warmer first zone 3 into the colder zone 4 at the gap, a tubular cooling nozzle 13 is formed, in the form of a tube. Owing to the outflowing cooling agent, the tubular cooling nozzle 13 forms a type of temperature curtain, consequently a prolongation of the separating wall 10. This allows a corresponding cooling medium or cooling gas to flow onto the steel sheet blank 5. As a result of the respective temperature zone 3, 4, a region with mutually different temperatures is established in the steel sheet blank 5. A transition region in the steel sheet blank 5 between the two regions with mutually different temperatures can accordingly be delimited sharply.

[0062] A cooling system in the form of a surface cooling nozzle 14 can optionally further be provided in the second zone 4. In the first zone 3 there is further arranged a jet tube 15 for heating the first zone 3. A separating wall 16 can further be provided, which separating wall partitions the third zone 6 from the first and second zones 3, 4 transversely to the transport direction. The separating wall 16 can also be configured so that it screens the second zone 4 only partially. A body 15′ for heat removal can further be provided. This can be a jet tube through which a cooling medium is passed, so that heat is removed from the cooler zone 4 of the furnace.

[0063] The separating walls are thermally insulated.

[0064] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show in each case a vertical longitudinal section through a continuous furnace 1. There are shown in those figures a third zone 6 in the form of, for example, a pre-alloying section and also a zone 4 formed in the transport direction 2 having the surface cooling nozzles 14. There is likewise arranged a tubular cooling nozzle 13 immediately after the entry into the cooler zone 4, consequently after the separating wall 16, which extends in the transverse direction. It will be seen that the lifting beams 8 are located beneath the oscillating chain 7 according to FIG. 2A. The lifting beams 8 themselves are fastened to a beam 33. The beams 33 perform a lifting movement 35. The oscillating section is shown in FIG. 2B. The oscillating chain is here moved by way of example in the transport direction into the continuous furnace 1. The length of the oscillating section is shown at reference numeral 34. The lifting beams 8 are lifted in the lifting direction 35. The oscillating movement would then be carried out in the opposite direction and the lifting beams would then be lowered, so that the steel sheet blanks are taken along with the oscillating movement in the material flow direction. The lifting beams 8 are subsequently lifted again and the oscillating movement begins again. Firstly, the lifting beams 8 each remain in their tempered zone. Consequently, the lifting beams 8 assume the temperature of the zone itself and thus do not adversely influence the steel sheet blank to be heated. The oscillating section is likewise only short, based on the length of the continuous furnace 1, so that the portion of the oscillating chain and/or of the travel beams, not shown in detail, is exposed to very different temperatures, only experiences a very slight oscillating movement. At the latest after a length which corresponds to the oscillating section itself, the next travel beam or portion of the oscillating chain has the temperature of the zone. An adverse temperature effect no longer takes place here. Thus, three lifting beams 8 and/or travel beams are arranged in zone 4 at least in the longitudinal direction. Consequently, three travel beams and/or lifting beams have a length which corresponds to the length L4 of zone 4. It is, however, also possible, as shown here, to arrange more lifting beams 8 and travel beams, not shown in detail, in the length L4. It is thus ensured that, in the entry zone but also in the exit zone of the relatively colder zone 4, not more than a length of one lifting beam 8 or travel beam is subjected to the temperature variations caused by the oscillation into different temperature zones. The following, or upstream, travel beams or lifting beams 8, however, are held in the zone in a temperature-stable manner.

[0065] For all the above-mentioned and following examples, the continuous furnace has, for example, an overall length of from 30 to 60 m, from 35 to 45 m, from 32 to 42 m, or 40 m. A cooler zone 4 can have a length L4 in the transport direction of from 15 to 20, from 16 to 18, or 17 meters length.

[0066] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show at least one embodiment of the furnace 1 according to the disclosure. There are hereby arranged a plurality of modules, which can also be in the form of respective furnace modules. A first module 18 serves for full alloying. A precise position orientation is further carried out. A second module 19 can then be used to carry out partial tempering, so that a first zone 3 and a second zone 4 with mutually different temperatures are formed. In the blank, or in the steel sheet, a first region 20 with a temperature greater than or equal to AC3 temperature is then established, as is a second region 21. Between those regions is a transition region 22. The relatively cooler zone 4 is accordingly arranged on the left and right in the transverse direction.

[0067] Optionally, it is shown here in FIG. 3A that there is not only formed the cooling system 34 from above, based on the vertical direction V, but a lower cooling system 23 is also provided, which likewise tempers the steel sheet blank 5 from beneath. A more rapid and even more precise temperature adjustment can thereby take place. In combination with the conveyor system according to the disclosure, it is possible to implement the corresponding cooling system 23 from beneath as a surface cooling system. Individual lines can thus extend between the lifting beams 8 and/or oscillating chains 7 and thus subject the lower side of the blank 5 to a cooling agent.

[0068] A third module 24 can be provided, in order, for example, to carry out a brief temperature homogenization following the intermediate cooling. Transport rollers 25 can then be formed here.

[0069] By way of example, a centering pin 26 is likewise shown in FIG. 3A, which centering pin carries out centering of the steel sheet blank 5. The centering pin 26 can be displaced in the vertical direction relative to the conveyor system but also transversely and longitudinally with respect to the transport direction. The centering pins 26 can also be formed in at least one of the embodiments.

[0070] There are further shown in FIG. 3B separating walls 16 which separate the individual modules from one another.

[0071] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through a furnace 1 according to the disclosure. The steel sheet blank 5 is thereby arranged in part in the first zone 3 with the higher temperature T3 and in the second zone 4 with the relatively lower temperature T4. In the second zone 4 there can be formed a cooling system 14, for example in the form of a cooling tube. This can either feed cooling air to the second region 21 of the steel sheet blank 5 with the lower temperature and/or correspondingly emit a colder temperature. In order that an exact temperature in the transition region 22 of the steel sheet blank 5 can be established at the gap 11 and here at the separating wall 10, the tubular cooling nozzle 13 is here arranged in the form of a cooling tube directly next to the separating wall 10. The arrangement thereby takes place in the zone with the lower temperature. Optionally, a tubular cooling nozzle 13 can also likewise be arranged beneath the steel sheet blank 5. A geometrically exact transition region between the two regions with mutually different temperatures in the steel sheet blank 5 can thus be established.

[0072] FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, FIG. 5D, FIG. 5E, and FIG. 5F each show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a flow pattern of the arrangement according to at least one embodiment of a tubular cooling nozzle 13. In each case based on the image plane, the warmer first zone 3 in the furnace 1 is shown on the right and the relatively colder zone 4 is shown on the left. In the region of the separating wall 10, the tubular cooling nozzle 13 in the form of a cooling tube, or of a tube, is in each case arranged with a tendency towards the colder zone. Furthermore, further outlet openings 27 are arranged at an angle thereto laterally emitting in the direction towards the cooler second zone 4, which outlet openings additionally emit a corresponding cooling jet 29 in the direction towards the second zone 4. A cooling tube for the cooling system 14 can further be arranged in the second zone 4.

[0073] In the separating wall 10 itself there is arranged at the lower end a shoulder 28, wherein the cooling tube itself is then positioned in the shoulder 28. It is possible, for example, according to FIG. 5B for an additional slope 30 to be arranged, which produces an initial deflection of the cooling jets 29 emerging vertically downwards. However, the cooling jets 29 emerging vertically downwards are in a large part guided in the direction towards the warmer first zone 3. The cooling jets 29 emerging through the additional lateral outlet opening 31 arranged at an angle, on the other hand, are guided away completely into the cooler zone. The surface cooling nozzle 14 thus produces linear surface cooling.

[0074] FIG. 6 shows the tubular cooling nozzle 13 in the form of a tube 32 in cross-section. On the one hand there is shown, based on the vertical direction, and the lower outlet opening 27. Offset at an angle α thereto, further outlet openings 31 are arranged laterally. The angle α is between 0 and 90 degrees, between 20 and 40 degrees, or between 20 and 30 degrees. Further cooling jets 29 can be emitted by these additional outlet openings 31 in a purposively directed manner, on the one hand in the direction towards the cooler temperature zone, but at the same time also in the direction towards the steel sheet blank 5. Further outlet openings, not shown in detail, can be arranged between the outlet openings 27 and 31. Further outlet openings, not shown in detail, can also be arranged, based on the image plane, on the right hand side of the lower outlet opening 27.

[0075] The foregoing description of some embodiments of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The specifically described embodiments explain the principles and practical applications to enable one ordinarily skilled in the art to utilize various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.