# US 12,010,783 B2 · Induction heating device, sleeve element and method for a wear protection of a magnetic flux conducting element by the sleeve element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,010,783 B2 - Document ID: US12010783B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/528,798 - Filed: 2021-11-17 - Published: 2022-06-23 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-23 - Assignees: E. Zoller GmbH & Co. KG Einstell- und Messgeraete - Applicants: E. Zoller GmbH & Co. KG Einstell- und Messgeraete - Inventors: Alexander Zoller; Christian Pfau - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12010783B2 ## CPC - H05B 6/365: {using supplementary conductive or ferromagnetic pieces} - B23P 11/025: {by using heat or cold} - B23P 11/027: {for mounting tools in tool holders} - H05B 6/101: {for local heating of metal pieces} - H05B 6/14: Tools, e.g. nozzles, rollers, calenders - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) ## Abstract An induction heating device for a shrink-clamping and/or unshrink-unclamping of tools into and/or out of a tool holder has an induction heating unit having at least one induction coil configured to thermally expand at least a portion of the tool holder arranged in a receiving region of the induction heating unit. The induction heating device further has at least one magnetic flux conducting unit for a conduction of a magnetic flux generated by the induction coil, the magnetic flux conducting unit having at least one magnetic flux conducting element. The induction heating device further has a sleeve element, arranged on the magnetic flux conducting element and covering the magnetic flux conducting element on at least one side of the magnetic flux conducting element that faces toward the receiving region in at least one operating state of the magnetic flux conducting unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An induction heating device for a shrink-clamping and/or unshrink-unclamping of tools into and/or out of a tool holder, the induction heating device having: an induction heating unit which comprises at least one induction coil, the induction coil being configured, during a shrink-clamping and/or unshrink-unclamping process, to thermally expand at least a portion of the tool holder that is arranged in a receiving region of the induction heating unit; at least one magnetic flux conducting unit for a conduction of a magnetic flux generated by the induction coil, the magnetic flux conducting unit comprising at least one magnetic flux conducting element; and a sleeve element, which is arranged on the magnetic flux conducting element and which covers the magnetic flux conducting element on at least one side of the magnetic flux conducting element that faces toward the receiving region in at least one operating state of the magnetic flux conducting unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve element is implemented at least to a large extent of a metallic material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein a first subregion of the sleeve element covers at least a tip of the magnetic flux conducting element that faces toward the receiving region at least in an operating state of the magnetic flux conducting unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The induction heating device according to claim 3, wherein the first subregion has a rounded edge on an inner contact side that faces toward the tip of the corresponding magnetic flux conducting element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The induction heating device according to claim 3, wherein a second subregion of the sleeve element covers at least one side surface of the magnetic flux conducting element which, at least in an operating state of the magnetic flux conducting unit, faces toward the receiving region. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The induction heating device according to claim 5, wherein a third subregion of the sleeve element covers at least one further side surface of the magnetic flux conducting element at least partially. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The induction heating device according to claim 6, wherein a wall thickness of the first subregion of the sleeve element and/or a wall thickness of the second subregion of the sleeve element are/is greater than a wall thickness of the third subregion of the sleeve element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic flux conducting element comprises a thickened region on at least one side edge, and wherein the sleeve element covers the thickened region. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic flux conducting element is on an underside free of a covering by the sleeve element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic flux conducting element is on an upper side covered by the sleeve element at least to a large extent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve element forms a receiving tub with an all-around rim for receiving the magnetic flux conducting element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The induction heating device according to claim 11, wherein a shape of an inner side of the receiving tub is adapted to an outer shape of the magnetic flux conducting element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic flux conducting unit comprises a plurality of magnetic flux conducting elements, which are respectively provided with separate sleeve elements. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The induction heating device according to claim 13, wherein a wall thickness of the first subregion of the sleeve element and/or a wall thickness of the second subregion of the sleeve element are/is greater than a wall thickness of the third subregion of the sleeve element, and wherein at least during an operating state of the magnetic flux conducting unit, the third subregion of the sleeve element contacts and adjoins a further sleeve element, which covers a further magnetic flux conducting element of the magnetic flux conducting unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The induction heating device according to claim 1, comprising a pin element, which is configured to connect the sleeve element and the magnetic flux conducting element to each other. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The induction heating device according to claim 15, wherein the pin element connecting the sleeve element and the magnetic flux conducting element protrudes beyond the sleeve element at least on an upper side of the sleeve element and is connected with a ball bearing that extends around the pin element, and/or wherein the pin element connecting the sleeve element and the magnetic flux conducting element protrudes beyond the magnetic flux conducting element on an underside of the magnetic flux conducting element and is connected with a further ball bearing that extends around the pin element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method for a wear protection of a magnetic flux conducting element by means of a sleeve element for an induction heating device according to claim 1, comprising: at least one method step of putting the sleeve element over the at least one magnetic flux conducting element and fastening the sleeve element to the at least one magnetic flux conducting element, and at least one further method step of, in an adjustment of the at least one magnetic flux conducting element relative to other magnetic flux conducting elements of the induction heating device, the sleeve element protecting the at least one magnetic flux conducting element from a friction with neighboring magnetic flux conducting elements. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The induction heating device of claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic flux conducting element is supported movably relative to the receiving region and is implemented at least to a large extent of a ferrite material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 2) The induction heating device according to claim 2, wherein the sleeve element is implemented at least to a large extent of a stainless steel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The induction heating device of claim 1, wherein a size and/or a shape of an opening of the receiving region and/or of an opening of the magnetic flux conducting unit are/is variable by means of the at least one magnetic flux conducting unit.