TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to heat treatment of shafts and more particularly, to a device and a method for reducing deformation in a shaft during heat treatment.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, heat treatment involves the use of heating or chilling, normally to extreme temperatures, to achieve the desired result such as hardening or softening of a material. Usually, a shaft (T), as shown in fig. 1) is directly loaded onto a fixture plate (F) for hardening the shaft (T) through heat treatment process such as case carburizing and hardening process. During the heat treatment process, shaft (T) is subjected to bending which is undesirable. Deformation in the shaft (T) is due heating of the shaft (T) at high temperature (900 to 920 C) and during quenching from high temperature phase metallurgical transformation takes place and volumetric expansion takes place. Fixture (F) also plays critical role in deformation of the shaft (T) due to more contact surface area between the fixture plate (F) and corresponding portion of the shaft (T). In some cases, there is a chance of crack or brittle fracture in the shaft (T) due to high bending of shaft (T). Hence, the shaft (T) is straightened using hydraulic press which is tedious and a time consuming process and incurs high costs.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a device and a method for reducing deformation in a shaft during heat treatment, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a device for reducing deformation in a shaft during heat treatment.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method for reducing deformation in a shaft during heat treatment.

[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a device, which restricts straightening of the shaft after heat treatment of the shaft.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a device, which reduces deformation in a shaft while measuring run-out at splined area of the shaft and reduction in chances of material failure.
[008] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] Fig. 1 depicts a photographic image of a conventional shaft directly loaded on a fixture plate;
[0011] Fig. 2 depicts a front view of a fixture with a plurality of shaft locators for loading shafts thereon during heat treatment, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the shaft locator with the shaft mounted thereon, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the shaft locator, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and

[0014] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart indicating a method for reducing deformation in the shaft during heat treatment, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve a device and a method for reducing deformation in a shaft during heat treatment. Further, embodiments herein achieve a device, which restricts straightening of shaft after heat treatment of shaft and reduces deformation in a shaft while measuring run-out at splined area of shaft and reduction in chances of material failure. Referring now to the drawings Figs 2 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] Fig. 2 depicts a front view of a fixture with a plurality of shaft locators (100) for loading shafts (S) thereon during heat treatment, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the shaft locator (100) with the shaft (S) mounted thereon, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the device includes a plurality of shaft locators (100) adapted to load shafts (S) onto the fixture member (P) therein to reduce deformation in the shafts (S) during heat treatment. Each shaft locator (100) is adapted to locate the shaft (S). Each shaft locator (100) is adapted to load corresponding shaft (S) onto the fixture member (P) and retains the shaft(S) in an upright

position in which the shaft (S) is not in contact with the fixture member (P) therein to reduce deformation in corresponding shaft (S) during heat treatment. Each shaft locator (100) includes a body (102B) and a plurality of legs (102L). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, each shaft locator (100) is adapted to load an input shaft (S) onto the fixture member (P) to reduce deformation in the input shaft (S) during heat treatment, where the input shaft (S) is present in a power transmission unit of a vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to implement/ practice the shaft locator (100) to load any of a speed shaft, a range shaft, a rotary shaft or any other type of shafts or rotary cylindrical members on the fixture member, where reduction in deformation in the member during heat treatment is required, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the shaft locator (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0018] Fig. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the shaft locator (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The body (102B) of each shaft locator (100) includes a first portion (102BF) and a second portion (102BS). The first portion (102B F) of the body (102B) of each shaft locator (100) is adapted to be engaged with the fixture member (P). The second portion (102S) is adapted to extend from the first portion (102F) in a downward direction, where the second portion (102S) is adapted to be received by corresponding shaft locator receiving portion of the fixture member (P). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, each shaft locator receiving portion of the fixture member (P) is considered to be an opening. An outer diameter of the second portion (102BS) is lesser than an outer diameter of the first portion (102BF) of the body (102B). The first portion (102F) of the body (102B) is disposed external and onto the fixture member (P). The second portion (102BS) is disposed inside the fixture member (P).

[0019] In an embodiment, the plurality of legs (102L) of each shaft locator (100) is adapted to be engaged by corresponding portion (SAl), as shown in fig. 3) of corresponding shaft (S) therein to reduce deformation in the shaft (S) during heat treatment. A contact surface area between the plurality of legs (102L) of each shaft locator (100) and corresponding portion (SAl) of corresponding shaft (S) is lesser than a surface area of corresponding portion (SA), as shown in fig. 3) of the shaft (S) which is disposed immediately above the plurality of legs (102L) therein to reduce deformation in the shaft (S) during heat treatment. An entirety of the shaft (S) is not in contact with the fixture member (P). Each leg (102L) is adapted to extend from the first portion (102F) in an upward direction, where each leg (102L) is spaced away from other leg (102L).
[0020] Each shaft locator (100) defines a shaft receiving portion (102R), as shown in fig. 4) adapted to receive corresponding portion of the shaft (S) therethrough to mount the shaft (S) onto the shaft locator (100). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the shaft receiving portion (102R is considered to be an opening which extends from the first portion (102BF) to the second portion (102BS) of the body (102B).
[0021] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart indicating a method (200) for reducing deformation in the shaft (S) during heat treatment, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method (200) is explained herein below with reference to reducing deformation in an input shaft (S) during heat treatment, where the input shaft (S) is present in a power transmission unit of a vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to practice/implement the entire steps of the method (200) in a same manner or in a different manner or with omission of at least one step to the method (200) or with any addition of at least one step to the method (200) for reducing deformation in any of a speed shaft, a range shaft, a rotary shaft or

any other type of shafts or rotary cylindrical members, during heat treatment using the fixture, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the method (200) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the method (200) includes, engaging a first portion (102BF) of a body (102B) of at least one shaft locator (100) with a fixture member (P), step (202); and loading the shaft (S) onto the shaft locator (100) by engaging corresponding portion of the shaft (S) with a plurality of legs (102F) of the shaft locator (100) by inserting the shaft (S) into the shaft locator (100), wherein a contact surface area between the plurality of legs (102L) and corresponding portion (SA1) of the shaft (S) is lesser than a surface area of corresponding portion (SA) of the shaft (S) which is disposed immediately above the plurality of legs (102L) therein to reduce deformation in the shaft (S) during heat treatment and an entirety of the shaft (S) is not in contact with the fixture member (P), step (204).
[0022] The method step (202) of engaging the first portion (102BF) of the body (102B) of at least one shaft locator (100) with the fixture member (P) comprises, receiving a second portion (102bs) of the body (102B) of the shaft locator (100) through a shaft locator receiving portion of the fixture member (P) therein to mount the shaft locator (100) onto the fixture member (P).
[0023] The method step (204) of loading the shaft (S) onto the shaft locator (100) by engaging corresponding portion of the shaft (S) with the plurality of legs (102F) of the shaft locator (100) by inserting the shaft (S) into the shaft locator (100) comprises, receiving corresponding portion of the shaft (S) through a shaft receiving portion (102R) of the shaft locator (100) therein to mount the shaft (S) onto the shaft locator (100).
[0024] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can,

by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS

We claim

1. A device for reducing deformation in a shaft (S) during heat treatment,
said device comprising:
a shaft locator (100) adapted to load the shaft (S) onto a fixture member (P), said shaft locator (100) having,
a body (102B) defining a first portion (102BF) adapted to be engaged with the fixture member (P); and
a plurality of legs (102L) adapted to engage the shaft (S) therein to reduce deformation in the shaft (S) during heat treatment.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a contact surface area between
said plurality of legs (102L) and corresponding portion (SA1) of the shaft
(S) is lesser than a surface area of corresponding portion (SA) of the shaft
(S) which is disposed immediately above said plurality of legs (102L)
therein to reduce deformation in the shaft (S) during heat treatment; and
an entirety of the shaft (S) is not in contact with the fixture member (P).
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body (102B) of said shaft
locator (102) includes,
a second portion (102S) adapted to extend from said first portion (102F) in a downward direction, where said second portion (102S) is adapted to be received by a shaft locator receiving portion of the fixture member (P).
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said leg (102L) is
adapted to extend from said first portion (102F) in an upward direction,
where each of said leg (102L) is spaced away from other said leg (102L).

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft locator (100) defines a shaft receiving portion (102R) adapted to receive corresponding portion of the shaft (S) therethrough to mount the shaft (S) onto said shaft locator (100).
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of said second portion (102BS) is lesser than an outer diameter of said first portion (102BF) of said body (102B).
7. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first portion (102F) of said body (102B) is disposed external and onto the fixture member (P); and said second portion (102BS) is disposed inside the fixture member (P).
8. A method (200) for reducing deformation in a shaft (S) during heat treatment, said method (200) comprising:
engaging a first portion (102BF) of a body (102B) of at least one shaft locator (100) with a fixture member (P); and
loading the shaft (S) onto the shaft locator (100) by engaging corresponding portion of the shaft (S) with a plurality of legs (102F) of the shaft locator (100) by inserting the shaft (S) into the shaft locator (100), wherein
a contact surface area between the plurality of legs (102L) and corresponding portion (SAl) of the shaft (S) is lesser than a surface area of corresponding portion (SA) of the shaft (S) which is disposed immediately above the plurality of legs (102L) therein to reduce deformation in the shaft (S) during heat treatment; and
an entirety of the shaft (S) is not in contact with the fixture member (P).

9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said engaging the first
portion (102BF) of the body (102B) of at least one shaft locator (100) with
the fixture member (P) comprises,
receiving a second portion (102bs) of the body (102B) of the shaft locator (100) through a shaft locator receiving portion of the fixture member (P) therein to mount the shaft locator (100) onto the fixture member (P).
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein loading the shaft (S)
onto the shaft locator (100) by engaging corresponding portion of the shaft
(S) with the plurality of legs (102F) of the shaft locator (100) by inserting
the shaft (S) into the shaft locator (100) comprises,
receiving corresponding portion of the shaft (S) through a shaft receiving portion (102R) of the shaft locator (100) therein to mount the shaft (S) onto the shaft locator (100).