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DE-102024132596-A1 - Distributor device for a low-pressure casting process

DE102024132596A1DE 102024132596 A1DE102024132596 A1DE 102024132596A1DE-102024132596-A1

Abstract

Distributor device (1) for a low-pressure casting process, comprising a distributor structure (2) with a feed opening (3) for feeding a melt (6) into the distributor structure (2) and with a first and at least one further discharge opening (4, 5) for discharge of the melt (6) from the distributor structure (2), wherein the distributor structure (2) has a first connecting channel (7) leading the melt (6) to a first discharge opening (4) and at least one further connecting channel (8) leading the melt (6) to the at least one further discharge opening (5).

Inventors

  • Roman Sitte
  • Tobias Arnold
  • Marcus Pape

Assignees

  • BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241108

Claims (10)

  1. Distributor device (1) for a low-pressure casting process, comprising a distributor structure (2) with a feed opening (3) for feeding a melt (6) into the distributor structure (2) and with a first and at least one further outlet opening (4, 5) for discharge of the melt (6) from the distributor structure (2), characterized in that the distributor structure (2) has a first connecting channel (7) leading the melt (6) to a first outlet opening (4) and at least one further connecting channel (8) leading the melt (6) to the at least one further outlet opening (5).
  2. Distribution device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that at least one connecting channel (7, 8) is at least sectionally composed of at least two, in particular exclusively two, together The set distributor structure body (9, 10) is formed.
  3. Distribution device (1) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the at least two composite distributor structure bodies (9, 10) have channel wall sections (14, 15, 16, 17) which form at least one connecting channel (7, 8) and fully enclose the at least one connecting channel (7, 8) at least sectionally in its cross-section.
  4. Distribution device (1) according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the at least two composite distributor structure bodies (9, 10) form wall sections (11, 12) of a first and at least one second connecting channel (7, 8) and the at least two connecting channels (7, 8) are each fully enclosed in their cross-section at least sectionally by the first and the at least one second distributor structure body (9, 10).
  5. Distributor device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a housing body (11) which encloses at least two composite distributor structure bodies (9, 10) which form the connecting channels (7, 8) at least partially.
  6. Distribution device (1) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that a cavity (12) located between the housing body (11) and a distributor structure body (9, 10) forming the distributor structure (2) is filled at least partially, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely, with a filling material (13).
  7. Distribution device (1) according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the filling material (13) is a foamed material, preferably the filling material (13) is a ceramic foam.
  8. Distributor device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one first distributor structure body (9) comprises a first channel wall section (14) associated with a first connecting channel (7) and at least one second channel wall section (15) associated with at least one further connecting channel (8), and a second distributor structure body (10) comprises a third channel wall section (16) associated with the first connecting channel (7) and a fourth channel wall section (17) associated with at least one further connecting channel (8).
  9. Distributor device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one distributor structure body (9, 10) forming the distributor structure (2) has at least one predetermined breaking point (34, 35) which is arranged so that in the event of a breakage, a connection of at least one connecting channel (7, 8) is created - into a cavity (12) arranged between a housing body (11) and the distributor structure (2) and/or - into a centrally located and/or into a receiving space 33 located on a side facing away from a housing body (11) of at least one wall section (14, 15, 16, 17) of at least one distributor structure body (9, 10).
  10. Method for carrying out a low-pressure casting process, wherein a distributor device (1) according to one of the preceding claims is used.

Description

The invention relates to a distributor device for a low-pressure casting process. Such distributor devices are known in principle from the prior art. It is known, for example, to allow molten metal to rise from a tank, the internal pressure of which is increased during the casting process, via a riser pipe into a distributor device. Previous distributor devices, also called feeder boxes, comprise a central receiving chamber. The central receiving chamber of this distributor device or feeder box is closed by a cover body, also called a sprue box, the cover body having inlet openings for transfer channels. These transfer channels open into inlet openings of a mold, so that the molten metal, moved by pressure, can be introduced into cavities on the mold side via the inlet openings. After a predefined quantity of molten metal has been introduced into the at least one cavity, the molten metal in the cavity solidifies to form the object to be molded. The melt located in the transfer channels, in the distributor device or feeder box, and in the riser pipe is returned to the tank to carry out a new low-pressure casting process cycle. The invention is based on the objective of providing a distributor device for a low-pressure casting process which in particular allows shorter cycle speeds, has a higher degree of process reliability and enables a more precise process sequence. The problem is solved by a distributor device for a low-pressure casting process according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to possible embodiments of the distributor device. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a method according to claim 10. The invention relates to a distributor device for a low-pressure casting process. The distributor device can also be referred to as a feeder box. The distributor device is an interposed unit between a melt tank and a mold, which distributes the melt supplied from the tank to feed channels of a feed structure, each feed channel of the feed structure being associated with an inlet opening of the mold. In other words, the feed channels each form a feed line for the melt to an inlet opening of the mold, so that the supplied melt can be introduced into at least one cavity of the mold via the inlet openings. The cavity forms a hollow space in the mold in which the melt is received and at least partially solidifies, thereby producing the object to be cast, in particular a vehicle component. In other words, the wall sections of the mold that define the cavity or hollow space act to shape the object to be cast. Upstream of the feed structure is the distributor device with its distributor structure, wherein the distributor structure has one, in particular a single, feed opening for feeding a melt into the distributor structure and a first and at least one further outlet opening for discharged the melt from the distributor structure into the feed channels of the feed structure. The distributor structure further comprises a first connecting channel leading the melt to a first outlet opening and at least one further connecting channel leading the melt to the at least one further outlet opening. Each connecting channel of the distributor structure is associated with, in particular a single, feed channel of the feed structure. In other words, each connecting channel of the distributor structure transitions into, in particular a single, feed channel of the feed structure. The distributor device according to the invention offers the advantage that a minimal amount of melt is required for the low-pressure casting process (recycled material). Furthermore, the melt surface area exposed to oxidation is minimal during the process. Another advantage is that abrupt changes in cross-section during the cavity filling process, particularly in the area of the distributor device, are prevented. Finally, heat losses are low, and the distributor device can be manufactured and assembled at low cost, especially for the ceramic lining. At least one connecting channel, and in particular all connecting channels, can have a closed channel cross-section, at least partially, preferably predominantly, and especially preferably completely. Preferably, a distributor structure body forming the distributor structure can be formed in one piece or in multiple pieces. For example, the at least one distributor structure body forming the distributor structure is manufactured at least partially, preferably predominantly, and especially preferably completely, using an additive manufacturing process (also called additive manufacturing or 3D printing) and/or a casting process. For example, the at least one distributor structure body forming the distributor structure is manufactured using a ceramic casting process. It is possible that at least one connecting channel is formed, at least partially, from at least two, and in particular exclusively two, composite distributor structure bodies. For example, the longitudinal extent of at least one connectin