Flow distributor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flow distributor having a valve body, wherein the valve body includes a water supply main port, at least two water supply branch ports, a return water main port, and at least two return water branch ports, wherein the at least two water supply branch ports are connected to the water supply main port, and the at least two return water branch ports are connected to the return water main port, wherein a first temperature probe and a flow regulator are provided in a return water branch channel corresponding to each return water branch port, wherein the first temperature probe and the flow regulator are both connected to a control unit, and the control unit controls the flow regulator to adjust the flow of each return water branch channel according to the temperature of each return water branch channel detected by the first temperature probe. The flow distributor of the present invention has a modular valve body design, which is convenient for installation and positioning; the flow rate can be automatically adjusted according to a set value, thereby improving production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of temperature control and particularly to a flow distributor. Background Art

[0002] In the field of injection molding industry applications, mold temperature control usually involves connecting the mold temperature regulator with various channels of the mold through pipes, using water as a heat conduction medium, and allowing water heated to a certain temperature to circulate between the mold and the mold temperature controller to accurately control the molding temperature of the mold. In the optical field, the high temperature of the mold hot water circulation can reach 160-200℃.

[0003] Due to the diversity of plastic molded products, the cooling channels within the mold are irregular, requiring varying water flow rates. This necessitates a rational, on-demand distribution of water flow within each channel. Consequently, a wide variety of flow distributors are now available on the market.

[0004] Although there are many types of water distributors on the market, these water distributors all have certain limitations and defects. They are mainly manifested in:

[0005] 1) Low operating temperature. When using a float flowmeter, the outer shell of the flowmeter is made of plastic or glass. Due to the limitation of the material used in the flowmeter, the maximum operating temperature is usually ≤120℃, which cannot meet the high-temperature injection molding requirements of optical products.

[0006] 2) Even if some manufacturers use high-temperature resistant flow meters to detect water flow, the water flow can only be adjusted manually because the independent high-temperature automatic regulating valve has a complex structure and large size, and there is currently no precedent for its use on water distributors.

[0007] 3) High-temperature water distributors on the market are not automatically adjustable, and manual adjustment is slow to respond and results in large errors. Hands can easily touch the hot parts, posing a safety hazard. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The main purpose of the present invention is to address the above problems and provide a flow distributor that can automatically adjust the flow and is easy to install and process.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution of the flow distributor adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0010] The flow distributor has a valve body, which includes a water supply main port, at least two water supply branch ports, a return water main port, and at least two return water branch ports. The at least two water supply branch ports are connected to the water supply main port, and the at least two return water branch ports are connected to the return water main port. A first temperature probe and a flow regulator are set in the return water branch channel corresponding to each return water branch port. The first temperature probe and the flow regulator are both connected to the control unit. According to the temperature of each return water branch channel detected by the first temperature probe, the control unit controls the flow regulator to adjust the flow of each return water branch channel.

[0011] Preferably, the flow regulator has a rotatable main body, and the rotatable main body is provided with a through channel, and the through channel is provided between the first segment and the second segment of the return water branch channel, and the through channel includes a first fan-shaped opening end, a second fan-shaped opening end, and a through hole connecting the first fan-shaped opening end and the second fan-shaped opening end, the first fan-shaped opening end is provided corresponding to the first segment, and the second fan-shaped opening end is provided corresponding to the second segment, so that when the rotatable main body is rotated, the size of the pipe opening of the second segment is resisted by the second fan-shaped opening end to adjust the flow size of the return water branch channel, and when the second fan-shaped opening end completely closes the pipe opening of the second segment, the first fan-shaped opening end also completely closes the pipe opening of the first segment at the same time.

[0012] Preferably, the flow regulator is configured so that, when the rotatable body is rotated, when the second fan-shaped opening end is in a position to resist the front half of the pipe mouth of the second segment, the first fan-shaped opening end keeps the pipe mouth of the first segment fully open; when the second fan-shaped opening is in a position to resist the rear half of the pipe mouth of the second segment, the first fan-shaped opening end is in a position to resist the pipe mouth of the first segment, and when the second fan-shaped opening end completely closes the pipe mouth of the second segment, the first fan-shaped opening end simultaneously completely closes the pipe mouth of the first segment.

[0013] Preferably, the first segment is arranged perpendicular to the second segment, and the second fan-shaped opening end is arranged above the pipe opening of the second segment.

[0014] Preferably, the flow regulator is provided with a motor, the motor is connected to the control unit, and the control unit controls the motor to adjust the rotation angle of the rotatable body.

[0015] Preferably, the main water supply port and the return water port are located on the first side of the valve body, the at least two branch water supply ports and the at least two branch return water ports are located on the second side of the valve body, and the first side of the valve body is adjacent to or opposite to the second side.

[0016] Preferably, the second side surface of the valve body has a protrusion, and the at least two return water branch pipe openings are arranged on the protrusion on the second side surface.

[0017] Preferably, the raised block is provided with a notch, the notch is provided with an opening corresponding to the return water branch pipe opening, the opening is connected to the return water branch channel corresponding to each return water branch pipe opening, and the first temperature probe is installed in the opening to detect the temperature of each return water branch channel.

[0018] Preferably, the gap is a “>”-shaped gap.

[0019] Preferably, a control valve is provided for the return water branch channel corresponding to each of the return water branch pipe outlets and the water supply branch channel corresponding to each of the water supply branch pipe outlets; a second temperature probe is provided for the main water supply channel corresponding to the main water supply pipe outlet; and a flow meter is provided for the water supply branch channel corresponding to each of the water supply branch pipe outlets.

[0020] The flow distributor of the present invention has a modular valve body design, which is easy to install and position; the flow rate can be automatically adjusted according to the set value, and the flow rate of different flow channels in the mold can be supplied as needed, thereby improving the product forming accuracy and production efficiency; the valve body can be cast or forged with SUS304 material and has high temperature and high pressure resistance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is an assembly diagram of the first embodiment of the flow distributor of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a side view of a first embodiment of a flow distributor according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the valve body in the second embodiment of the flow distributor of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 2 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body in a second embodiment of a flow distributor according to the present invention.

[0025] Figures 5a to 5e They are respectively a top view, a front view, a bottom view, a right view and a left view of the rotatable body of the flow regulator in the flow distributor of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6a for Figure 5bMiddle BB cross-section.

[0027] Figure 6b for Figure 5a Middle AA section view.

[0028] Figure 7a It is a schematic diagram of the flow regulator in the flow distributor of the present invention in the fully open state and the first half-open state.

[0029] Figure 7b Schematic diagram of the flow regulator in the flow distributor of the present invention in the fully closed state and the second half-open state.

[0030] Figure 8 It is a flow chart of the first embodiment of the flow distributor of the present invention in a specific application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to more clearly understand the technical content of the present invention, the following embodiments are given to illustrate in detail.

[0032] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the first embodiment of the flow distributor provided by the present invention, the flow distributor has a valve body 1, and the valve body 1 includes a water supply main port 2, four water supply branch pipe ports 5, a return water main port 3, and four return water branch pipe ports 4, wherein the four water supply branch pipe ports 5 are all connected to the water supply main port 2, and the four return water branch pipe ports 4 are all connected to the return water main port 3.

[0033] like Figures 3-4 The figure shows the second embodiment of the flow distributor provided by the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that two water supply branch outlets 5 and two return water branch outlets 4 are provided. The second embodiment of the flow distributor provided by the present invention can be directly combined into multiple circuits, such as the four-circuit circuit (first embodiment), six-circuit circuit, eight-circuit circuit, and so on. Circuits can be freely added or subtracted based on actual needs, allowing for flexible configuration to balance water flow across mold channels or the inlet and outlet water temperature differences across mold channels. The flow rate of each channel or the outlet and return water temperature differences of each circuit can be automatically adjusted according to set values.

[0034] like Figure 8As shown, taking the first embodiment of the flow distributor provided by the present invention as an example, each return water branch channel corresponding to the return water branch pipe outlet 4 is provided with a control valve 25, a first temperature probe 10, and a flow regulator 27. The first temperature probe 10 is used to detect the temperatures to1, to2, to3, and to4 of each return water branch channel. The first temperature probe 10 and the flow regulator 27 are both connected to a control unit 26. Each water supply branch channel corresponding to the supply water branch pipe outlet 5 is provided with a control valve 25 and a flow meter 7. The main water supply channel corresponding to the main water supply pipe outlet 2 is provided with a second temperature probe 8 to detect the inlet water temperature te. Based on the temperature of each return water branch channel detected by the first temperature probe 10, the control unit 26 controls the flow regulator 27 to adjust the flow rate of each return water branch channel. The flow meter 7 is preferably a high-temperature resistant water flow meter; the control valve 25 is preferably a manual ball valve. The flow regulator 27 is preferably an electric linear proportional control valve.

[0035] like Figure 8 As shown, the first embodiment of the flow distributor provided by the present invention has a main water supply port 2 connected to the water outlet of the mold temperature controller 29, a main return water port 3 connected to the return water port of the mold temperature controller 29, and each branch water supply port connected to the mold 28 via an external pipeline. Each branch return water port is also connected to the mold 28 via an external pipeline, thereby forming a circulation path. High-temperature hot water is supplied by the external mold temperature controller 29 and enters the main water supply port of the flow distributor. The water inlet temperature te is detected by a second temperature probe. The water is then distributed to each branch circuit through the flow distributor and enters the flow meter. After the flow rate is detected, the hot water flows through a control valve, flows through the internal path of the mold through an external pipeline, and then returns to the return water port of the flow distributor. The return water port is equipped with a control valve. The temperature of each circuit is detected by a first temperature probe. Based on the preset flow rate and to1-te, to2-te, to3-te, and to4-te, the control unit controls the flow regulator to adjust the flow rate of each branch water return.

[0036] like Figures 3-4, taking the second embodiment of the flow distributor provided by the present invention as an example to illustrate the structure of the valve body 1, the water supply main port 2 and the return water main port 3 are located on the first side 12 of the valve body 1, and the two water supply branch ports 5 and the two return water branch ports 4 are located on the second side 13 of the valve body 1. In this embodiment, the first side 12 of the valve body 1 is adjacent to the second side 13. Optionally, the first side 12 and the second side 13 of the valve body 1 can also be opposite surfaces. In this embodiment, the water supply main port 2 and the return water main port 3 pass through the valve body 1 in parallel, with the first end passing through the first side and the second end passing through the surface opposite to the first side. In addition, the first end is convex and the second end is concave, which facilitates the combined installation and positioning of the valve body. Optionally, the concave setting of the first end and the convex setting of the second end can also facilitate the combined installation and positioning of the valve body.

[0037] like Figures 3-4 As shown, the second side surface 13 of the valve body 1 has a protrusion 14 and a recess. The two return branch pipe openings 4 are provided on the protrusion 14 of the second side surface 13, and the two water supply branch pipe openings 5 ​​are provided on the recess of the second side surface 13. This can save materials and reduce the protruding size of the flow meter 7 and the control valve 25 provided at the two water supply branch pipe openings 5. The protrusion 14 is provided with a notch, and the notch is provided with an opening 6 corresponding to the return branch pipe opening 4. The opening 6 is connected to the return branch channel corresponding to each return branch pipe opening 4. The first temperature probe 10 is installed on the opening 6 to detect the temperature of each return branch channel. Wherein, as Figure 4 As shown, the notch is a “>”-shaped notch, which facilitates the installation of the first temperature probe 10 . The first temperature probe 10 forms an angle of 30° to 50° relative to the vertical line, preferably 40°.

[0038] Therefore, the water outlet and the water return end of the flow distributor of the present invention are integrated into one body.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the flow regulator 27 provided by the present invention uses an electric linear proportional control valve to accurately adjust and position the flow. Specifically, the flow regulator 27 has a rotatable body 18 and a motor 9, and the motor 9 is connected to the control unit. The control unit controls the motor 9 to adjust the rotation angle of the rotatable body 18. For the motor 9, a miniature stepper motor with a braking function can be preferably used, which has a high cost performance. A more powerful servo motor or other types of motors can also be selected. Among them, the rotatable body 18 is installed in the mounting hole 11 on the third side of the valve body 1, and the third side is adjacent to both the first side and the second side.

[0040] like Figures 5a to 7bAs shown, the rotatable body 18 is provided with a mounting portion 21 for mounting a motor and a through-channel. The through-channel is arranged between the first segment 17 and the second segment 19 of the return branch channel. The first segment 17 is connected to the return main channel 15, the second segment 19 is connected to the third segment 20, and the third segment 20 is connected to the return branch pipe opening. The first segment 17 and the second segment 19 are arranged perpendicularly, and the second segment 19 is a small flow channel off-center.

[0041] The through channel includes a first fan-shaped opening end 22, a second fan-shaped opening end 23, and a through hole 24 connecting the first fan-shaped opening end 22 and the second fan-shaped opening end 23. The first fan-shaped opening end 22 corresponds to the first segment 17, and the second fan-shaped opening end 23 corresponds to the second segment 19. Figure 5b As shown, the second fan-shaped opening end 23 is arranged above the pipe opening of the second segment 19 .

[0042] Figure 7a The flow regulator is shown in a fully open state and a first half-open state. In the fully open state, the first fan-shaped opening end fully opens the pipe opening of the first segment 17, and the second fan-shaped opening end fully opens the pipe opening of the second segment 19. In the first half-open state, the first fan-shaped opening end fully opens the pipe opening of the first segment 17, and the second fan-shaped opening end opens half of the pipe opening of the second segment 19. Therefore, when the rotating body is rotated in one direction, when the second fan-shaped opening end is in a position that blocks the front half of the pipe opening of the second segment, the first fan-shaped opening end maintains the full opening of the pipe opening of the first segment; when the second fan-shaped opening end is in a position that blocks the rear half of the pipe opening of the second segment, the first fan-shaped opening end is in a position that blocks the pipe opening of the first segment.

[0043] Figure 7b The flow regulator is shown in a fully closed state and a second half-open state, wherein in the fully closed state, the first fan-shaped opening end completely closes the pipe opening of the first segment 17, and the second fan-shaped opening end completely closes the pipe opening of the second segment 19; the flow regulator can be adjusted by rotating the rotatable body 18 clockwise or counterclockwise, and the second half-open state and the first half-open state are situations in which rotations are made in opposite directions.

[0044] Therefore, the flow regulator provided by the present invention adjusts the flow rate of the return water branch channel by the second fan-shaped opening end resisting the size of the second segmented pipe opening when the rotatable body 18 is rotated. The degree to which the second fan-shaped opening end opens the second segmented pipe opening determines the flow rate of the return water branch channel. Furthermore, to ensure the effectiveness of the flow regulator in the fully closed state, when the second fan-shaped opening end completely closes the second segmented pipe opening, the first fan-shaped opening end also completely closes the first segmented pipe opening, achieving a double closure.

[0045] Therefore, the flow distributor of the present invention can be modularly designed and applied to adjust the flow rate of each water channel in an injection mold. When each valve group is equipped with a motor drive, the water flow rate in each channel can be automatically adjusted according to the set value. Based on the temperature detection signal, the motor drives the main body to rotate forward and reverse, adjusting the flow area of ​​the water channel, thereby achieving the water flow adjustment.

[0046] The beneficial effects of the flow distributor of the present invention are:

[0047] 1) Modular design allows for free stacking and reduction according to actual needs. Flexible configuration and multi-valve block combination can balance the water flow in each mold channel, i.e., Q1=Q2=Q3=Q4... or balance the inlet and outlet water temperature difference in each mold channel, i.e., to1-te=to2-te=to3-te=to4-te... The system can automatically adjust the water flow in each channel according to the set value, or automatically adjust the outlet and return water temperature difference of each circuit;

[0048] 2) High temperature and pressure resistant design, maximum temperature resistance 200℃, pressure resistance 2.5MPa (25kgf / cm 2 ).

[0049] 3) The flow rate is automatically adjusted according to the set value, supplying the flow rate of different flow channels in the mold as needed, improving product forming accuracy and increasing production efficiency. The use of high-temperature resistant precision turbine flowmeters can be used in high-temperature and high-pressure optical injection mold forming production at temperatures up to 200°C. The high flow measurement accuracy and reasonable water flow distribution increase the product qualification rate, indirectly improving production efficiency and creating considerable value brought by the increase in the yield rate of optical lenses.

[0050] 4) The off-center small flow channel and the rotatable valve core with fan-shaped opening can accurately achieve linear proportional adjustment of the flow rate.

[0051] 5) In addition to flow regulation, it also has a positioning function. A motor with a braking function is used to drive the flow regulator, which has the function of accurately positioning the water flow required for each channel.

[0052] In this specification, the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. A flow distributor, characterized in that: The flow distributor has a valve body, which includes a water supply main port, at least two water supply branch ports, a return water main port, and at least two return water branch ports. The at least two water supply branch ports are connected to the water supply main port, and the at least two return water branch ports are connected to the return water main port. A first temperature probe and a flow regulator are set for the return water branch channel corresponding to each return water branch port. The first temperature probe and the flow regulator are both connected to a control unit. According to the preset flow or the temperature of each return water branch channel detected by the first temperature probe, the control unit controls the flow regulator to adjust the flow of each return water branch channel. The water supply main port and the return water main port are located on a first side of the valve body, and the at least two water supply branch ports and the at least two return water branch ports are located on a second side of the valve body. The first side of the valve body is adjacent to or opposite to the second side; the second side of the valve body has a protrusion, and the at least two return water branch ports are connected to the return water main port. The pipe orifice is provided on the raised block of the second side surface; the raised block is provided with a notch, and the notch is provided with an opening corresponding to the return water branch pipe orifice, and the opening is connected to the return water branch channel corresponding to each of the return water branch pipe orifices, and the first temperature probe is installed in the opening to detect the temperature of each return water branch channel; the notch is a ">" type notch; the flow regulator has a rotatable main body, and the rotatable main body is provided with a through channel, and the through channel is provided between the first segment and the second segment of the return water branch channel, and the through channel includes a first fan-shaped opening end, a second fan-shaped opening end, and a through hole connecting the first fan-shaped opening end and the second fan-shaped opening end, the first fan-shaped opening end is provided corresponding to the first segment, and the second fan-shaped opening end is provided corresponding to the second segment, so that when the rotatable main body is rotated, the second fan-shaped opening end is used to resist the size of the pipe orifice of the second segment to adjust the flow rate of the return water branch channel; When the rotating body is rotated in one direction, when the second fan-shaped opening end is in a position to resist the front half of the pipe opening of the second segment, the first fan-shaped opening end keeps the pipe opening of the first segment fully open; when the second fan-shaped opening end is in a position to resist the rear half of the pipe opening of the second segment, the first fan-shaped opening end is in a position to resist the pipe opening of the first segment; and when the second fan-shaped opening end completely closes the pipe opening of the second segment, the first fan-shaped opening end simultaneously completely closes the pipe opening of the first segment. The first segment is arranged perpendicularly to the second segment, and the second fan-shaped opening end is arranged above the pipe opening of the second segment.

2. The flow distributor according to claim 1, characterized in that The flow regulator is provided with a motor, and the motor is connected to the control unit. The control unit controls the motor to adjust the rotation angle of the rotatable body.

3. The flow distributor according to claim 1, characterized in that A control valve is provided for the return water branch channel corresponding to each return water branch pipe outlet and the water supply branch channel corresponding to each water supply branch pipe outlet; a second temperature probe is provided for the main water supply channel corresponding to the main water supply pipe outlet; and a flow meter is provided for the water supply branch channel corresponding to each water supply branch pipe outlet.

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