Device and method for producing at least partially fiber-reinforced injection-molded parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing at least partially fiber-reinforced injection-molded parts, comprising at least two receiving chambers, at least two supply channels, each of which opens into its own receiving chamber, a supply mechanism for introducing a strand segment of a fiber-reinforced plastic strand into a receiving chamber through a supply channel, wherein the supply mechanism comprises a coupling unit that can be arbitrarily connected to one of the supply channels, the coupling unit having a clamping device that clamps the plastic strand segment located therein, a movement mechanism for moving an injection-mold half relative to the coupling unit so that the coupling unit can be arbitrarily connected to one of the supply channels, two clamping mechanisms through which a strand segment introduced into a receiving chamber can be clamped in segments, and two separation mechanisms between which the clamping mechanisms are arranged and through which an intermediate portion of a strand segment located between them can be separated from the remainder of the strand segment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for producing injection-molded parts (particularly vehicle parts) that are at least partially fiber-reinforced, the apparatus having at least one injection mold half. Furthermore, this invention relates to a method for producing injection-molded parts (particularly vehicle parts) that are at least partially fiber-reinforced using at least two-piece injection molds. Background Technology

[0002] Injection-molded parts are widely used in various technical fields. For example, they are used in automotive construction because they are typically lighter than their corresponding metal counterparts. However, it may be necessary to reinforce injection-molded parts to enable them to withstand mechanical stresses during their intended use. For this purpose, it is known to produce injection-molded parts from injection molding compounds containing reinforcing fibers. It is also known to locally reinforce injection-molded parts using reinforcing elements, which themselves are made, for example, of fiber composite materials. The reinforcing elements can be formed, for example, as fiber-reinforced plastic strips. Applications are known in which such reinforcing elements are overmolded or at least partially overmolded using injection molding compounds during the production of the injection-molded part.

[0003] When using reinforcing elements in the form of fiber-reinforced plastic strips (also known as tapes) in high-volume applications, the greatest challenges also arise in the manufacturing process of injection-molded parts. Arranging the strip in the injection mold can be extremely time-consuming. In this process, a robot or worker must arrange the thin strip in the mold before the injection molding process begins. This leads to an inefficient manufacturing process (especially due to manual process operation) and the risk of not achieving the required positioning tolerances. Using robots instead of workers is more efficient in terms of time and accuracy, but it is more expensive and requires more space.

[0004] US 7,374,710 B2 discloses a mold apparatus having a mold cavity. An insert is introduced into the mold cavity before the injection molding plastic is injected into the mold cavity and after the mold closing process of the mold apparatus begins.

[0005] US 2007 / 0194489 A1 discloses an apparatus for producing injection-molded products, the apparatus having a movable mold having a pair of movable side cavities and side gates arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a fixed mold having a fixed main cavity and fixed secondary cavities. Additionally, the apparatus includes primary and secondary molding injection units and a decorative film carrier unit disposed on the fixed mold.

[0006] WO 2014 / 076061 A1 discloses a mold tool for injection molding an injection-molded part with the aid of at least one fiberless, foamed, or short- or long-fiber reinforced plastic. The mold tool comprises at least two mold tool components movable relative to each other from a closed position of a molding cavity defining the injection-molded part to an open position for removing the injection-molded part. A negative profile of the injection-molded part is formed on the boundary surface of the molding cavity in the closed position. A molding agent receiver is provided, movable in the direction of the molding cavity from the closed positions of the at least two mold tool components. The molding agent receiver has a receiver surface facing the molding cavity, which forms a notch for receiving annular fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material in a first position of the molding agent receiver, and in a second position of the molding agent receiver, it forms part of the boundary surface of the molding cavity. The molding agent receiver can be heated independently of the at least two mold components.

[0007] US 2005 / 0258559 A1 discloses a thermoforming process and an apparatus for an injection molding machine that simultaneously performs various functions such as forming, cutting, and shaping of deep-drawn injection molded parts. The thermoforming apparatus includes a die tool having a forming assembly on one side and a heating assembly on the opposite side for thermoforming an imprinted substrate. The forming assembly includes a forming die connected to a vacuum source and housed in a pressurized container. The heating assembly includes a heating element for rapidly turning heating of the substrate on and off, a temperature sensor for continuously monitoring the substrate temperature during heating, a pressurized container coupled to a pressure source, and a cooling container. The forming assembly and the heating assembly are combined to bond the substrate between them.

[0008] US 6,207,090 B1 discloses a method for producing articles covered with a film. A movable press having first and second mold surfaces moves to an open position. The first mold surface has a sealing surface, and the second mold surface has a cutting surface. A thin, flexible film having a waste portion is disposed between the first and second mold surfaces. The waste portion is positioned between the sealing and cutting surfaces and acts as a seal between the mold halves. The press moves to a closed position. The cutting surface contacts the film and partially cuts the waste portion along the periphery of the film. The waste portion remains between the cutting surface and the sealing surface and seals the space between the first and second mold surfaces. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem this invention aims to solve is to optimize the production of injection-molded parts that are at least partially fiber-reinforced, particularly in terms of reducing production costs.

[0010] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by the apparatus for producing at least partially fiber-reinforced injection-molded parts, the apparatus comprising:

[0011] At least two receiving chambers are disposed on the injection mold half, and the at least two receiving chambers are designed to be partially open toward the cavity portion of the injection mold half and separated from each other;

[0012] At least two supply channels are provided on the injection mold half, each supply channel leading to its own receiving chamber, through which the receiving chamber communicates with the surrounding area of ​​the injection mold half;

[0013] At least one supply mechanism for introducing a segment of fiber-reinforced plastic tape from outside the injection mold half into a corresponding receiving chamber via a corresponding supply channel, wherein the supply mechanism includes a fixed connecting unit that can be arbitrarily connected to one of the supply channels, wherein the connecting unit has at least one clamping device for clamping the plastic tape segment located in the connecting unit.

[0014] At least one moving mechanism for moving the injection mold half relative to the coupling unit so that the coupling unit can be arbitrarily connected to one of the supply channels;

[0015] At least one first clamping mechanism and at least one second clamping mechanism for each receiving chamber, the first clamping mechanism being located in the starting region of the corresponding receiving chamber closer to the corresponding supply channel, and the second clamping mechanism being located in the end region of the corresponding receiving chamber further away from the corresponding supply channel, wherein the belt segment introduced into the corresponding receiving chamber can be clamped segmentally by means of the first clamping mechanism and the second clamping mechanism; and

[0016] At least one first separation mechanism and at least one second separation mechanism for each receiving chamber, the first separation mechanism being located in a corresponding starting region and the second separation mechanism being located in a corresponding end region, a clamping mechanism being disposed between the first separation mechanism and the second separation mechanism, and through the first separation mechanism and the second separation mechanism, the middle portion of the belt segment located between them can be separated from the rest of the belt segment.

[0017] It should be noted that the features and measures mentioned in the following description can be combined with each other in any technically feasible manner, and other embodiments of the invention can be described. The description also particularly characterizes and illustrates the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0018] According to the invention, firstly, the middle portion of a fiber-reinforced plastic strip segment forming part of the injection-molded component is automatically introduced into a receiving chamber on the injection mold half at a precise position via a supply mechanism before the injection molding process is performed. If the connecting unit is connected to the supply channel on the inlet side, the middle portion is clamped there by a clamping mechanism and separated from the rest of the plastic strip by a separating mechanism. Due to the clamping of the strip segment introduced into the receiving chamber, the strip segment can be securely held in the adopted position. Furthermore, due to the clamping of the strip segment, it can be ensured that the closed injection mold is also sealed in the area of ​​the injection mold half or receiving chamber according to the invention for subsequent injection molding. Therefore, manual operation of the plastic strip to introduce the plastic strip into the receiving chamber is not required, which improves the accuracy, speed, and reproducibility of the positioning of the strip segment in the receiving chamber.

[0019] After the strip segment separates from the rest of the plastic strip, the supply mechanism can pull a portion of the plastic strip, still located in the injection mold half, out of the mold half. Subsequently, the free end segment of the plastic strip, located in the connecting unit, is clamped by the clamping device of the connecting unit. In this way, after releasing the connection between the connecting unit and the supply channel, or the adjacent portion of the injection mold half, and during the repositioning of the injection mold half in space relative to the connecting unit, the free end segment of the plastic strip is prevented from being lost or becoming uncontrollable by the device. This would require manual intervention to supply the free end segment of the plastic strip to another supply channel after the repositioning of the injection mold half in space relative to the connecting unit. Since this manual intervention is eliminated by clamping or securing the free end segment of the plastic strip by the connecting unit, this accelerates the production of injection-molded parts.

[0020] After the free end segment of the plastic strip is pulled out of the injection mold half by the supply mechanism and clamped by the clamping device of the coupling unit, the injection mold half can be placed in another position in space relative to the coupling unit by the moving mechanism. For example, it can be rotated to connect the coupling unit to another supply channel or a part of the injection mold half around it.

[0021] Subsequently, the clamping device of the connecting unit can be released, and a further segment of the plastic strip can be introduced into a separate receiving chamber via a separate supply channel, where it is clamped by a separate clamping mechanism and separated from the remainder of the plastic strip by a separate separation structure. Because the further segment introduced into the separate receiving chamber is clamped, it can be securely held in its adopted position. Furthermore, due to the clamping of the further segment, it can be ensured that the closed injection mold is also sealed in the area of ​​the injection mold half or the separate receiving chamber according to the invention, in order to perform the subsequent injection molding. Therefore, again, manual operation of the plastic strip to introduce it into the separate receiving chamber is unnecessary, which improves the accuracy, speed, and reproducibility of positioning the further segment in the separate receiving chamber.

[0022] After the remaining segment of the strip separates from the rest of the plastic strip, the supply mechanism can pull a portion of the plastic strip, still located in the injection mold half, out of the mold half. Subsequently, the free end segment of the plastic strip, located in the connecting unit, is clamped by the clamping device of the connecting unit. In this way, after releasing the connection between the connecting unit and the additional supply channel or the adjacent portion of the injection mold half, and during changes in the position of the injection mold half in space, the free end segment of the plastic strip is prevented from being lost or out of control. This would require manual intervention to supply the free end segment of the plastic strip to the optionally current additional supply channel after changing the position of the injection mold half in space relative to the connecting unit. Since this manual intervention is eliminated by clamping or securing the free end segment of the plastic strip by the connecting unit, this accelerates the production of injection-molded parts.

[0023] The injection mold half may also have three or more corresponding receiving chambers, each accessible through a separate supply channel. Then, depending on whether one, two, three, or more segments of plastic tape are needed to form the injection-molded part, the above-described process can be performed sequentially and accordingly using the device according to the invention. After the required number of tape segments have been introduced into the receiving chambers and clamped there, separating from the remaining plastic tape, the injection mold can be closed and injection molding can begin. The direction in which the tape segments are introduced into the injection mold half can be oriented at any desired angle, for example, perpendicular to each other.

[0024] After injection molding, the clamping mechanism can be opened and the clamping of the belt segment can be released, allowing the injection-molded part with the belt segment to be removed from the open injection mold without delay. Once the injection-molded part has been removed from the open injection mold, further manufacturing processes can be performed, and the automatic introduction of the fiber-reinforced plastic belt segment into one of the receiving chambers can begin again.

[0025] According to the present invention, the supply mechanism, clamping mechanism, and separating mechanism are integrated into a sub-assembly together with the injection mold half, wherein the supply channel, receiving chamber, clamping mechanism, and separating mechanism can be structurally integrated into the injection mold half. This sub-assembly can be used in new injection molding machines or can be used by retrofitting existing injection molding machines. Therefore, no additional machines or robots are required, nor are additional manual handling steps necessary to introduce one or more fiber-reinforced elements into the injection mold half.

[0026] Fiber-reinforced plastic tape can be formed as a flat tape having reinforcing fibers oriented unidirectionally, bidirectionally, or multidirectionally in the longitudinal direction of the tape. The plastic tape can consist of one, two, or more layers with different fiber orientations. The plastic tape may contain a polymer material in which the reinforcing fibers are at least partially embedded. The polymer material may be similar to or the same as the plastic component of the injection molding compound, particularly in terms of its melt temperature, so that the polymer material can be integrally bonded to the plastic component of the injection molding compound during injection molding. This reliably prevents the tape segment from being released from the rest of the injection-molded part. For example, the reinforcing fibers of the plastic tape can be glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, or some other synthetic or natural fibers.

[0027] Each receiving chamber, for example, has an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction of the strip and is disposed on the injection mold half and designed to be partially open toward the cavity portion of the injection mold half so that the strip segment can be arranged at the desired position of the injection-molded part. The corresponding receiving chamber may be, for example, cubic in shape and partially or completely retains the corresponding clamping mechanism and the corresponding separating mechanism.

[0028] The supply channels, located on the injection mold halves and leading to their respective receiving chambers, are advantageously adapted to the cross-sectional surface of the plastic strip or accordingly designed to be flat, so as to securely supply the plastic strip or its free segments to the respective receiving chambers without dislocation.

[0029] The supply mechanism may include at least one refillable supply unit for holding the fiber-reinforced plastic strip, so as to continuously supply the necessary strip segments to the receiving chamber during the continuous production of the same injection-molded parts. Furthermore, the supply mechanism has at least one electrically controllable drive mechanism, by which the plastic strip can be moved segmentally from the supply unit to the corresponding receiving chamber. The supply unit or supply mechanism may be designed to signal when the amount of plastic strip still available in the supply unit drops below a given threshold.

[0030] Each clamping mechanism may have at least one clamping element, by which a portion of the belt segment introduced into the corresponding receiving chamber can be pressed against and thereby clamped against another part of the clamping mechanism or the inner wall of the corresponding receiving chamber. Furthermore, each clamping mechanism may include an electrically controllable driver for driving the corresponding clamping element. Alternatively, the clamping elements of the clamping mechanisms of the receiving chambers may be activated by a common driver.

[0031] Each separating mechanism may include at least one separating element, such as a blade, which separates the belt segment introduced into the corresponding receiving chamber. Furthermore, each separating mechanism may include an electrically controllable driver for driving the corresponding separating element. Alternatively, the separating elements of the separating mechanisms in the receiving chambers may be activated by a common driver. Clamping mechanisms are arranged between the separating mechanisms relative to the longitudinal direction of the belt.

[0032] The clamping and separating mechanisms in the starting region of the respective receiving chamber can be implemented using a single clamping and separating mechanism. Similarly, the clamping and separating mechanisms in the end region of the respective receiving chamber can also be implemented using a single clamping and separating mechanism. The corresponding clamping element of the respective clamping and separating mechanism can also be used as the separating element of that clamping and separating mechanism. Alternatively, the clamping element and separating element of the respective clamping and separating mechanism can be separate components.

[0033] The apparatus according to the invention can be used, in particular, for producing at least partially fiber-reinforced injection-molded parts in the form of vehicle components. For this purpose, the apparatus may include an additional injection mold half with a conventional design, which can be used to close the injection mold using the injection mold according to the invention. Alternatively, two injection mold halves can be designed according to the invention. The term "injection mold half" in the context of this invention should not be construed as meaning that the injection mold half actually represents a physical half of the injection mold precisely or approximately. Rather, the injection mold may differ substantially in size from the precise physical half of the injection mold.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment, the supply mechanism includes at least one fixed retaining unit connected to the coupling unit and at least one removable plastic tape roll interchangeably located on the retaining unit. The plastic tape roll serves as a supply unit for the plastic tape. The plastic tape roll is disposed on the retaining unit, with a portion of the retaining unit guided through a central axial opening in the plastic tape roll. When a new plastic tape roll is disposed on the retaining unit, a free segment of the plastic tape can first be manually introduced into the supply channel. This step is only required when a new plastic tape roll is disposed on the retaining unit. Thereafter, the tape segment can be continuously and automatically introduced into the receiving chamber.

[0035] According to another advantageous embodiment, the supply mechanism includes at least one electrically controllable actuator for unwinding the plastic strip roll. To actuate the actuator, separately controlled electronics of the injection molding machine or appropriately programmed electronics can be used. The actuator is preferably an electric motor, by which the plastic strip roll can be rotated about its longitudinal central axis.

[0036] According to another advantageous embodiment, the apparatus includes at least two additional injection mold halves disposed on mutually opposite sides of an injection mold half, wherein at least one additional injection mold half is disposed on a linear motion track in the direction of another corresponding additional injection mold half and is movable away from it. The injection mold half is rotatably disposed about a rotation axis oriented transversely to the linear motion track by a moving mechanism and has four cavity portions uniformly arranged relative to the rotation axis about its periphery. Each injection mold half has at least two supply channels for each cavity portion, at least two receiving chambers connected to their respective supply channels, and at least one supply mechanism. In this way, the time for producing the same injection-molded part by this apparatus can be further reduced because at least one segment of the plastic strip can be arranged at two cavity portions located on two mutually opposite sides of the injection mold half, while the other two cavity portions interact with the other injection mold half to form a closed cavity each time and to perform injection molding. After injection molding, the cavity can be opened by the linear movement of at least one of the additional injection mold halves and optionally an extra injection mold half, allowing the injection mold half to rotate 90°. In this position, the injection-molded part can then be removed from the cavity portion of the injection mold half, freeing these cavities again for the re-arranging of at least one segment of the plastic strip in the corresponding cavity portion. Simultaneously, the additional injection mold half can interact with the additional cavity portion to form a closed cavity each time, allowing injection molding to be performed. Therefore, the arrangement of plastic strip segments on the opposing cavity portions of the injection mold can occur simultaneously with the production of injection-molded parts through two additional cavity portions, reducing the time required to produce identical injection-molded parts. Furthermore, this apparatus always produces two injection-molded parts simultaneously, which similarly reduces the time required to produce identical injection-molded parts.

[0037] Furthermore, the aforementioned problem is solved by the method of the present invention for producing at least partially fiber-reinforced injection-molded parts using at least a two-piece injection mold, wherein, before the injection molding plastic is injected into the cavity of the closed injection mold, a segment of fiber-reinforced plastic tape is automatically introduced from outside the injection mold into a receiving chamber on a half of the injection mold, wherein the receiving chamber is designed to be partially open toward the cavity portion of the injection mold half; the tape segment introduced into the receiving chamber is automatically clamped at at least two clamping positions, these clamping positions being spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tape segment. The segments are spaced apart; the clamped strip segments automatically separate from the plastic strip; the position of the injection mold half changes in space; additional segments of the fiber-reinforced plastic strip are automatically introduced from outside the injection mold into additional receiving chambers on the injection mold half, the additional receiving chambers being designed to be partially open toward the cavity portion of the injection mold half; the additional strip segments introduced into the additional receiving chambers are automatically clamped at at least two additional clamping positions, these clamping positions being spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the strip segments; and the clamped additional strip segments automatically separate from the plastic strip.

[0038] The aforementioned advantages of the device are also correspondingly related to the method. In particular, the method can be performed using a device according to one of the foregoing embodiments or a combination of at least two of these embodiments.

[0039] Injection molding compounds can be materials that contain or do not contain reinforcing fibers, or materials that contain or do not contain other fillers (such as talc). These materials can be, for example, polypropylene, polyamide, polyoxymethylene, polycarbonate, or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers. Short or long fibers can be used for fiber reinforcement of the material. For example, glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, or other synthetic or natural fibers can be used for fiber reinforcement. Furthermore, injection molding compounds can be foamed using physical or chemical foaming processes to reduce the weight of the injection-molded parts.

[0040] According to an advantageous embodiment, the plastic strip for introduction into the respective receiving chamber is automatically unwound from a plastic strip roll located outside the injection mold. Therefore, the aforementioned benefits associated with the corresponding configuration of the device are relevant to this embodiment. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following description of the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention in a first state is shown;

[0043] Figure 2 The second state is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the device shown;

[0044] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the device shown; and

[0045] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0046] In different accompanying drawings, the same parts are always given the same reference numerals so that they will usually be described only once.

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 1 according to the invention for producing at least partially fiber-reinforced injection-molded parts (not shown) in a first state is shown. The apparatus 1 includes at least one injection mold half 2.

[0048] The device 1 includes two receiving chambers 4 and 5, which are disposed on the injection mold half 2, separated from each other, and designed to partially open towards the cavity portion 3 of the injection mold half 2. Figure 1 The open sides of each receiving chamber 4 and 5 are shown in the diagram. Each receiving chamber 4 and 5 is formed as a cuboid and extends along the longitudinally extending portion indicated by the injection mold half 2. The receiving chambers 4 and 5 extend perpendicularly to each other.

[0049] In addition, device 1 includes two supply channels ( Figure 1 (Not shown in the image) These two supply channels are provided on the injection mold half 2, and each supply channel leads to its own receiving chambers 4 and 5, and through the supply channels, the receiving chambers 4 and 5 communicate with the surrounding area of ​​the injection mold half 2. Figure 3 The diagram shows the supply channel leading to receiving chamber 4.

[0050] Furthermore, the device 1 includes a supply mechanism 6, which is used to introduce segments 7 of the fiber-reinforced plastic belt 8 from outside the injection mold half 2 into corresponding receiving chambers 4 or 5 through corresponding supply channels, while simultaneously... Figure 1 As shown in the position relative to the injection mold half 2 of the supply mechanism 6, only one strip 7 is introduced into the receiving chamber 4. The supply mechanism 6 includes a fixed coupling unit 9, which can be arbitrarily connected to one of the supply channels. The coupling unit 9 includes at least one clamping device (not shown) for clamping the plastic strip (not shown) located in the coupling unit 9.

[0051] The supply mechanism 6 includes a fixed retaining unit 10 connected to the coupling unit 9 and a removable plastic tape roll 11 interchangeably disposed on the retaining unit 10. Furthermore, the supply mechanism 6 includes an electrically controllable actuator (not shown) for unwinding the plastic tape roll 11. Figure 1 In the middle, a portion of the plastic belt 8 has been unwound from the plastic belt roll 11 so that the belt segment 7 has been introduced into the receiving chamber 4.

[0052] Furthermore, the device 1 includes a schematically shown moving mechanism 12 for moving the injection mold half 2 relative to the connecting unit 9, so that the connecting unit 9 can be arbitrarily connected to one of the supply channels, which will be considered from the combined perspective. Figure 1 and 2 It is clearly visible.

[0053] Furthermore, the device 1 includes, for each receiving chamber 4 or 5, a first clamping mechanism 13 located in the starting region of the corresponding receiving chamber 4 or 5 closer to the corresponding supply channel and a second clamping mechanism 14 located in the end region of the corresponding receiving chamber 4 further away from the corresponding supply channel, through the first clamping mechanism 13 and the second clamping mechanism 14, the belt segment 7 introduced into the corresponding receiving chamber 4 or 5 can be clamped in segments.

[0054] Furthermore, the device 1 includes, for each receiving chamber 4 or 5, a first separation mechanism 15 located in a corresponding starting region of each receiving chamber 4 or 5 and a second separation mechanism 16 located in a corresponding end region of each receiving chamber 4 or 5. Corresponding clamping mechanisms 13 and 14 are disposed between the first separation mechanism 15 and the second separation mechanism 16, and through the first separation mechanism 15 and the second separation mechanism 16, the intermediate portion 17 of the corresponding belt segment 7 located between them can be separated from the remainder of the belt segment 7. The clamping mechanism 13 and the separation mechanism 15 of the corresponding receiving chamber 4 or 5 can be combined with each other to form a single clamping and separation mechanism (not shown). The clamping mechanism 14 and the separation mechanism 16 of the corresponding receiving chamber 4 or 5 can also be combined with each other to form a single clamping and separation mechanism (not shown).

[0055] Figure 2 The second state is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of device 1 shown. The second state from... Figure 1 The first state is shown, where... Figure 1Compared to its position shown, injection mold half 2 has been rotated 90° clockwise about a rotation axis (not shown) extending perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. This allows the supply mechanism 6 to be temporarily moved away from injection mold half 2 to provide sufficient space for its rotational movement. In the second state of device 1, the connecting unit 9 is connected to the supply channel (not shown) leading to the receiving chamber 5, and the segment 7 of the plastic strip 8 has also been introduced into the receiving chamber 5 via the supply mechanism 6.

[0056] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the device 1 shown. Specifically, a supply channel 18 is shown provided on the injection mold half 2, through which the plastic strip 8 extends and leads to the receiving chamber 4.

[0057] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method for producing at least partially fiber-reinforced injection-molded parts using at least a two-piece injection mold according to the present invention is shown.

[0058] In method step 100, before the injection molding plastic is injected into the cavity of the injection mold, a segment of fiber-reinforced plastic tape is automatically introduced from outside the injection mold into a receiving chamber on the injection mold half, wherein the receiving chamber is designed to be partially open toward the cavity portion of the injection mold half. The plastic tape can be automatically unwound from a roll of plastic tape located outside the injection mold for introduction into the receiving chamber.

[0059] In method step 200, the belt segment introduced into the receiving chamber is automatically clamped at at least two clamping positions, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the belt segment.

[0060] In step 300, the clamped strip segment is automatically separated from the plastic strip.

[0061] In method step 400, the position of the injection mold half in space is changed.

[0062] In method step 500, an additional segment of the fiber-reinforced plastic tape is automatically introduced from outside the injection mold into an additional receiving chamber on the injection mold half, the other receiving chamber being designed to be partially open toward the cavity portion of the injection mold half.

[0063] In method step 600, additional strip segments introduced into another receiving chamber are automatically clamped at at least two additional clamping positions spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the strip segments.

[0064] In step 700, the clamped additional strip segment automatically separates from the plastic strip.

[0065] In method step 800, the injection mold containing the injection mold half is closed and then injection molding is performed.

[0066] List of reference numerals

[0067] 1 device

[0068] 2 Injection mold half

[0069] 3. Cavity section

[0070] 4 Receiving Room

[0071] 5 Receiving Room

[0072] 6. Supply institutions

[0073] 7-segment

[0074] 8 Plastic belts

[0075] 9. Connection Unit

[0076] 10 Holding Units

[0077] 11 Plastic tape rolls

[0078] 12. Mobile mechanisms

[0079] 13 Clamping mechanism

[0080] 14 Clamping mechanism

[0081] 15 Separation Mechanism

[0082] 16 Separation Mechanism

[0083] 17. Middle section

[0084] 18 Supply Channels

[0085] 100 Methods and Steps (Introduction)

[0086] 200 Method and Steps (Clamping)

[0087] 300 Methods and Steps (Separation)

[0088] 400 Method Steps (Changing Position)

[0089] 500 Methods and Steps (Introduction)

[0090] 600 Method and Steps (Clamping)

[0091] 700 Methods and Steps (Separation)

[0092] 800 Method and Steps (Injection Molding)

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for producing at least partially fiber-reinforced injection-molded parts, said injection-molded parts being vehicle parts, said apparatus (1) comprising at least one injection mold half (2). Its features are, - At least two receiving chambers (4, 5) are disposed on the injection mold half (2), the receiving chambers (4, 5) being designed to be partially open toward the cavity portion (3) of the injection mold half (2) and separated from each other; - At least two supply channels (18) are provided on the injection mold half (2), each of the supply channels (18) leading to its own receiving chamber (4, 5), through which the receiving chamber (4, 5) communicates with the periphery of the injection mold half (2); - The device has at least one supply mechanism (6) for introducing a segment (7) of fiber-reinforced plastic strip (8) from the outside of the injection mold half (2) into a corresponding receiving chamber (4, 5) through a corresponding supply channel (18), wherein the supply mechanism (6) includes a fixed connecting unit (9) that can be arbitrarily connected to one of the supply channels (18), wherein the connecting unit (9) has at least one clamping device for clamping the plastic strip segment located in the connecting unit (9); - The device has at least one moving mechanism (12) for moving the injection mold half (2) relative to the connecting unit (9) so that the connecting unit (9) can be arbitrarily connected to one of the supply channels (18); - The device has at least one first clamping mechanism (13) and at least one second clamping mechanism (14) for each receiving chamber (4, 5), the first clamping mechanism (13) being located in the starting region of the respective receiving chamber (4, 5) closer to the respective supply channel (18), and the second clamping mechanism (14) being located in the end region of the respective receiving chamber (4, 5) further away from the respective supply channel (18), through which the belt segment (7) introduced into the respective receiving chamber (4, 5) can be clamped segmentally; and - The device has at least one first separation mechanism (15) and at least one second separation mechanism (16) for each receiving chamber (4, 5), the first separation mechanism (15) being located in a corresponding starting region and the second separation mechanism (16) being located in a corresponding end region, the clamping mechanism (13, 14) being disposed between the first separation mechanism (15) and the second separation mechanism (16), and through the first separation mechanism (15) and the second separation mechanism (16), the middle portion (17) of the belt segment (7) located between them is capable of being separated from the rest of the belt segment (7).

2. The apparatus (1) as described in claim 1. Its features are, The supply mechanism (6) includes at least one fixed retaining unit (10) connected to the connecting unit (9) and at least one detachable plastic roll (11) interchangeably located on the retaining unit (10).

3. The apparatus (1) as described in claim 2. Its features are, The supply mechanism (6) includes at least one electrically controllable drive for unwinding the plastic tape roll (11).

4. A method for producing at least partially fiber-reinforced injection-molded parts using at least a two-piece injection mold, said injection-molded parts being vehicle parts. Its features are, Before the injection molding plastic is injected into the cavity of the injection mold, - A segment (7) of the fiber-reinforced plastic tape (8) is automatically introduced from outside the injection mold into a receiving chamber (4, 5) on the injection mold half (2), wherein the receiving chamber (4, 5) is designed to partially open toward the cavity portion (3) of the injection mold half (2). - The belt segment (7) introduced into the receiving chambers (4, 5) is automatically clamped at at least two clamping positions, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the belt segment (7). - The clamped strip segment (7) automatically separates from the plastic strip. - Change the position of the injection mold half (2) in space, - Additional segments (7) of the fiber-reinforced plastic belt (8) are automatically introduced from outside the injection mold into additional receiving chambers (4, 5) on the injection mold half (2), the additional receiving chambers (4, 5) being designed to open towards the cavity portion (3) of the injection mold half (2). - The additional belt segments (7) introduced into the additional receiving chambers (4, 5) are automatically clamped at at least two additional clamping positions, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the additional belt segments (7), and - The clamped additional strip (7) automatically separates from the plastic strip.

5. The method as described in claim 4, Its features are, The plastic strip (8) used to be introduced into the corresponding receiving chamber (4, 5) is automatically unwound from the plastic strip roll (11) located outside the injection mold.

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