Systems and methods for deformation compensation

Abstract

A system configured for deformation compensation in real time during a heat treatment performed on a component. The system comprises a supporting structure; two or more clamping devices arranged with the supporting structure, one or more clamping devices including a clamp, a load cell and a motor, and a processing and control system configured to collect signals from a load cell and to send signals based on the detected loads to a motor to compensate for deformation due to the heat treatment.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for compensating deformation in real time during a heat treatment performed on a component for a vehicle, the method comprising:
 providing a system for compensating deformation in real time during a heat treatment performed on a component, the system comprising:   a support;   a first clamping device arranged with the support, and comprising:
 a first clamp configured to clamp a first region of the component, 
 a first motor to drive the first clamp perpendicular to the first region of the component, and 
 a first load cell connected to the first clamp, and configured to detect loads due to the heat treatment performed on the component; and 
   a second clamping device arranged with the support and comprising:
 a second clamp configured to clamp a second region of the component, 
 a second motor to drive the second clamp perpendicular to the second region of the component, and 
 a second load cell connected to the second clamp, and configured to detect loads due to the heat treatment performed on the component; and the method comprising: 
   clamping a component by the first and second clamping devices;   performing the heat treatment on the component;   measuring one or more loads by the first load cell and/or second load cell; and   moving the first clamp and/or second clamp as a function of the measured loads to compensate for deformation due to the heat treatment.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising determining an initial reference position of the first and second clamping devices for subsequent movements of the first clamping device and/or second clamping device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the heat treatment comprises a local heat treatment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the heat treatment comprises a heat treatment for changing a microstructure of the component. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the heat treatment comprises welding and/or creating an area in the component with a different microstructure. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the component is made of a hardened ultra high strength steel. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the component is obtained from a hot forming die quenching process. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second clamps are pneumatic clamps. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second clamps comprise linear encoders. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first and/or second clamping device comprise a linear drive mechanism. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the linear drive mechanism includes a spindle. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first motor and/or the second motor is rotatably or pivotally mounted. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the component is a component of a vehicle framework. 
     
     
         29 . A method for compensating deformation in real time during a heat treatment performed on a component for a vehicle obtained through forming a steel blank, the method comprising:
 clamping a component by two or more clamping devices, each of the clamping devices comprising a clamp configured to clamp the component, a motor to drive the clamp and a load cell connected to the clamp and configured to detect loads due to the heat treatment performed on the component;   performing a heat treatment on the component;   measuring one or more loads by at least one of the load cells connected to one of the clamps; and   moving one or more of the clamps as a function of the measured loads in order to compensate deformation caused by the heat treatment due to a release of residual stresses accumulated in the component during the forming of the steel blank.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the component is a component of a vehicle framework obtained from a hot forming die quenching process. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the component is made of a hardened ultra high strength steel. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the component is one of a B-pillar, an A-pillar, a bumper, a rocker, a front rail or a rear rail. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising determining an initial reference position of the two or more clamping devices prior to performing the heat treatment. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the motors of the clamping devices are stepper motors or servo motors. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the clamps are operatively connected to the motors through a linear drive mechanism.