STEEL SHEET HEAT TREATMENT/STAMP SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20090188907A1
• Filed: 01/29/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Seid, Alan, Narita, Masayuki
• Granted Patent: US 8,653,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/490
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/0004 Devices wherein the heating current flows through the material to be heated Circuit arrangements for heating by passing the current directly across the material to be heated H05B3/0023; granular, powdered or fluid material H05B3/60

Abstract

An apparatus and related method are provided for a manufacturing process including heating of a processed part. A resistance heating assembly applies an electrical current to a work part comprising a sheet of high-tensile steel having a heat-resistant plating to improve formability. A heating control system regulates the electrical current to the work part in order to control the temperature of the work part. A temperature detector detects a temperature of the work part and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current. An electrical resistance detector measures an electrical resistance within the work part and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a manufacturing process, comprising:

a resistance heating assembly that applies an electrical current to a work part comprising a sheet of high-tensile steel having a heat-resistant plating to improve formability;

a heating control system that regulates the electrical current to the work part in order to control the temperature of the work part;

a temperature detector that detects a temperature of the work part and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current; and

an electrical resistance detector that measures an electrical resistance within the work part and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a stamping assembly that stamps the plated sheet simultaneously during resistance heating to form a stamped work part; and

a quenching bath that quenches the work part through quick cooling to increase strength.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistance heating assembly comprises first and second end clamps, secured to opposite ends of the work part, for supplying the electrical current to the work part for resistance heating.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second end clamps comprises a cooling mechanism to reduce temperature increases in the respective clamp that would cause uneven heating in the work part.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cooling mechanism comprises a fluid jacket that encases the respective end clamp and supplies cooling fluid to the respective end clamp.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat-resistant plating on the work part comprises a high fusing point plating material.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temperature detector comprises a thermal sensor in contact with the work part.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temperature detector comprises a radiative sensor for measuring heat radiation radiating from the work part.

9. An apparatus for a manufacturing process comprising:

a resistance heating assembly that comprises first and second end clamps, secured to opposite ends of a work part, for supplying electrical current to the work part for resistance heating;

a temperature detector that detects a temperature of the work part and generates temperature feedback in order to regulate the electrical current;

an electrical resistance detector that measures an electrical resistance within the work part and generates electrical resistance feedback in order to regulate the electrical current; and

a cooling mechanism for engaging at least one of the first and second clamps to reduce temperature increases in the respective clamp that would cause uneven heating in the work part.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cooling mechanism comprises a fluid jacket that encases the respective end clamp and supplies cooling fluid to the respective end clamp.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a heating control system that receives the feedback from the temperature detector and the electrical resistance detector for regulating the electrical current to the work pail in order to control the temperature of the work part.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the work part comprises a sheet of high-tensile steel having a heat-resistant plating to improve formability.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the heat-resistant plating on the work part comprises a high fusing point plating material.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a stamping assembly that stamps the work pail simultaneously during resistance heating to form a stamped work part; and

a quenching bath that quenches the work part through quick cooling to increase strength.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the temperature detector comprises a thermal sensor in contact with the work part.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the temperature detector comprises a radiative sensor for measuring heat radiation radiating from the work part.

17. A method of manufacturing comprising:

supplying electrical current to opposite ends of a work part for resistance heating;

measuring a temperature of the work part and generating temperature feedback in order to regulate the electrical current;

measuring an electrical resistance within the work part and generating electrical resistance feedback in order to regulate the electrical current.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising reducing localized temperature increases that would cause uneven heating in the work part.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising controlling heating in response to both the temperature feedback and the electrical resistance feedback in order to control the temperature of the work part.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

stamping the work part simultaneously during resistance heating to form a stamped work part; and

quenching the work part through quick cooling to increase strength.