Automatic cleaning device suitable for injection molding machine and cleaning method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic cleaning device suitable for an injection molding machine and a cleaning method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of injection molding machines. Comprising the following steps that S1, a control terminal sends out a cleaning signal to enable a water pump to input cleaning liquid into a glue injection barrel through a liquid conveying pipe; s2, the injection molding machine treatment system increases the temperature in the rubber injection barrel and controls a screw rod to start to rotate to soften residual accumulated materials in the rubber injection barrel; s3, the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism generates ultrasonic waves to enable the cleaning liquid to generate a cavitation phenomenon so as to clean residual materials adhered to the interior of the glue injection barrel; s4, the injection molding machine begins to perform injection molding action on the air injection glue, and the solution in the glue injection barrel is discharged from the glue injection opening; s5, the detection mechanism detects the condition in the glue injection barrel and transmits a detection result to the control terminal; and S6, the control terminal determines whether the cleaning process needs to be executed again or not according to the detection result of the detection mechanism. The problem that residual accumulated materials cannot be automatically and completely removed when an existing injection molding machine is cleaned is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of injection molding machines, and in particular relates to an automatic cleaning device suitable for an injection molding machine and a cleaning method thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of the plastics industry and the continuous improvement of the strength of general and engineering plastics, the application scope of plastic products is also expanding, and the amount of plastic products is also increasing. Moreover, the appearance requirements and dimensional accuracy of plastic parts are getting higher and higher. In order to achieve precision injection molding of plastic parts, many plastic machine manufacturers have developed all-electric injection molding machines. Since all-electric injection molding machines use servo control technology, the products produced have higher dimensional accuracy and repeatability than hydraulic injection molding machines. In order to ensure the plastic parts of injection molding, from the perspective of the injection molding machine, two parts must be provided to provide guarantees, one is a reliable control system, and the other is the accuracy of the mechanical components that make up the injection molding machine.

[0003] As the most important component of an injection molding machine, the screw can accurately complete the injection and plasticizing metering actions with given process parameters such as speed, pressure, position and time, and plays a decisive role in the dimensional accuracy, appearance quality and quality accuracy of plastic parts. In the process of plastic parts production, the following three situations are often encountered: (1) The production task of this batch of plastic products is completed and the material needs to be replaced; (2) The machine needs to be shut down and wait for the next start of production; (3) The user chooses to clean the barrel according to process requirements. In order to ensure the movement accuracy of the screw and prevent the accumulated material in the injection barrel from degrading and coating the screw surface, affecting the quality and accuracy of the product, the residual material accumulated in the injection barrel must be removed before the new material is replaced or before the machine is shut down.

[0004] In addition, the cleaning and maintenance of the feed screw has always been a major problem. Due to its delicate structure, it is very troublesome to clean and manual cleaning cannot be very thorough. If it is not cleaned thoroughly, the probability of problems with the injection molding machine will increase, affecting work efficiency and the quality of plastic parts. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the above problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides an automatic cleaning device and a cleaning method suitable for an injection molding machine, which solves the problem that the existing injection molding machine cannot automatically and completely remove the residual accumulated materials during cleaning.

[0006] The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following technical scheme: an automatic cleaning device suitable for an injection molding machine and a cleaning method thereof, comprising an ultrasonic cleaning mechanism, an infusion tube, a water pump, a control terminal and a detection mechanism, wherein the detection mechanism is embedded in a shot-molding barrel and is used to detect whether there is material accumulation on the shot-molding barrel and the screw, one end of the infusion tube is connected to the water pump, and the other end is coaxially arranged at the bottom end of the injection molding machine barrel, the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism is embedded in the inner side wall of the shot-molding barrel, and the control terminal is respectively communicated with the detection mechanism, the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism, the water pump and the injection molding machine processing system. Then, the control terminal sends a cleaning signal to let the water pump input the cleaning liquid into the shot cylinder through the infusion tube, the injection molding machine processing system increases the temperature in the shot cylinder and controls the screw to start rotating, the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism emits ultrasonic waves to the shot cylinder to clean the shot glue, and after the temperature of the shot cylinder reaches a preset value, the screw starts the injection action of the empty shot glue to discharge the cleaning liquid in the shot cylinder from the shot port, the detection mechanism detects the inside of the shot cylinder and transmits the detection result to the control terminal, and the control terminal determines the number of cleaning times according to the detection result of the detection mechanism.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the detection mechanism uses an ultrasonic detector for detection.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the ultrasonic detector includes an adjustable frequency generator and an ultrasonic generator, and the adjustable frequency generator adjusts the detection performance by adjusting the working frequency of the ultrasonic generator.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the adjustable frequency generator realizes ultrasonic cleaning by adjusting the working frequency of the ultrasonic generator.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, it also includes a recovery bucket, which is located below the injection port of the injection cylinder and is used to receive the cleaning liquid discharged from the injection port.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a solenoid valve is provided at one end of the infusion tube located in the barrel.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the injection pressure set by the screw during air injection is less than the injection pressure.

[0013] Based on the above-mentioned automatic cleaning device suitable for an injection molding machine, the present invention also proposes a cleaning method for the automatic cleaning device of an injection molding machine, comprising the following steps:

[0014] S1: The control terminal sends a cleaning signal to let the water pump input cleaning liquid into the injection cylinder through the liquid infusion tube;

[0015] S2: The processing system of the injection molding machine increases the temperature in the injection barrel and controls the screw to start rotating to soften the residual material in the injection barrel;

[0016] S3: The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism generates ultrasonic waves to cause the cleaning liquid to produce cavitation to clean the residual materials adhering to the injection cylinder;

[0017] S4: The injection molding machine starts to perform the injection molding action of the air injection, and discharges the solution in the injection cylinder from the injection port;

[0018] S5: The detection mechanism detects the situation in the injection cylinder and transmits the detection result to the control terminal;

[0019] S6: The control terminal determines whether the cleaning process needs to be performed again according to the detection result of the detection mechanism.

[0020] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, in step S6, the cleaning action is stopped when the number of cleaning times performed by the control terminal reaches a preset number.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by inputting cleaning liquid into the shot cylinder and raising the temperature in the shot cylinder to soften the residual material, the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism emits ultrasonic waves to cause the cleaning liquid to produce cavitation to clean the residual accumulated material, and at the same time, the continuously rotating screw will drive the cleaning liquid in the shot cylinder to continuously flush the screw and the shot cylinder, thereby removing the softened residue, and then the injection molding machine is allowed to perform the action of injection molding, and the shot cylinder is allowed to perform air injection, and the cleaning liquid and the residual accumulated material in the shot cylinder are discharged from the shot port, and then the detection mechanism detects the shot cylinder to determine whether there is any residual accumulated material, and transmits the detection result to the control terminal, and then the control terminal performs the cleaning action again according to the detection result, and determines the number of cleanings according to the detection result of the detection mechanism, so as to ensure that the residue in the shot cylinder can be completely removed, thereby solving the problem that the existing injection molding machine cannot automatically and completely remove the residual accumulated material when cleaning. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the automatic cleaning device of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 It is a flow chart of the cleaning method of the present invention;

[0025] Main component symbols

[0026] In the figure: 1. Ultrasonic cleaning mechanism; 2. Infusion tube; 3. Water pump; 4. Detection mechanism; 5. Glue injection cylinder; 6. Recovery bucket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to further explain the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined invention purpose, the specific implementation methods, structures, features and effects of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0028] See also Figure 1-Figure 2 The present embodiment provides an automatic cleaning device suitable for an injection molding machine, comprising an ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 1, an infusion tube 2, a water pump 3, a control terminal and a detection mechanism 4. The detection mechanism 4 is embedded in a shot-molding barrel 5 and is used to detect whether there is material accumulation on the shot-molding barrel 5 and the screw. One end of the infusion tube 2 is connected to the water pump 3, and the other end is coaxially arranged at the bottom end of the injection molding machine barrel. The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 1 is embedded in the inner wall of the shot-molding barrel 5. The control terminal is respectively connected to the detection mechanism 4, the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 1, the water pump 3 and the injection molding machine processing system. When the injection molding machine is cleaned, the control terminal sends a cleaning signal to let the water pump 3 input the cleaning liquid from the infusion tube 2 into the shot-molding barrel 5 of the injection molding machine. At the same time, the injection molding machine processing system controls the heating element on the shot-molding barrel 5 to heat up, and lets the screw start. The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 1 emits ultrasonic waves to cause the cleaning liquid to produce cavitation to clean the residual material. At the same time, the continuously rotating screw drives the cleaning liquid to continuously flush the screw and the shooting cylinder 5 in the shooting cylinder 5, thereby removing the softened residue. Then, the injection molding machine performs the injection action, and the shooting cylinder 5 is injected into the air to discharge the cleaning liquid and the residual material in the shooting cylinder 5 from the injection port. Then, the detection mechanism 4 detects the shooting cylinder 5 to determine whether there is any residual material, and transmits the detection result to the control terminal. Then, the control terminal performs the cleaning action again according to the detection result, and determines the number of cleaning times according to the detection result of the detection mechanism 4.

[0029] After the cleaning action is completed, clean water is injected into the injection molding cylinder 5 through the water pump 3 to remove the residual cleaning liquid, and then the heating element in the injection molding cylinder 5 is used to heat the injection molding cylinder 5, thereby removing the residual water stains in the injection molding cylinder 5 and maintaining a dry environment in the injection molding cylinder 5 to avoid contamination of the molten plastic during subsequent injection molding.

[0030] In order to ensure that the residual material accumulation in the injection molding cylinder 5 can be accurately detected, in this embodiment, the detection mechanism 4 uses an ultrasonic detector for detection, because ultrasonic detection will not cause damage to the material or workpiece being detected, and ultrasonic waves can penetrate thicker materials and are suitable for detection of thick-walled structures. At the same time, ultrasonic detection is suitable for workpieces of various shapes and sizes, including detection of complex shapes and narrow spaces. Therefore, the residual material accumulation in the injection molding cylinder 5 is detected by ultrasonic detection to ensure the accuracy of the detection result, so that the injection molding cylinder 5 can be better cleaned.

[0031] Since ultrasonic testing of different frequencies can be used to detect different materials, in order to adjust the detection type of the ultrasonic detector and improve the detection accuracy, in one embodiment, the ultrasonic detector includes an adjustable frequency generator and an ultrasonic generator. The adjustable frequency generator adjusts the detection performance by adjusting the working frequency of the ultrasonic generator. The output frequency of the ultrasonic generator is changed by the adjustable frequency generator to adapt to the detection requirements of different materials. High-frequency ultrasonic waves are suitable for detecting small residual materials, while low-frequency ultrasonic waves are suitable for detecting deep defects. The design of adjustable frequency allows the detector to select the optimal working frequency according to specific detection requirements, thereby improving the detection accuracy.

[0032] The use of ultrasound for cleaning and detection is accomplished by adjusting different ultrasonic frequencies. Therefore, in order to improve the use range of the ultrasonic detector, in one embodiment, the adjustable frequency generator realizes ultrasonic cleaning by adjusting the working frequency of the ultrasonic generator. During the cleaning process, the adjustable frequency generator can effectively adjust the characteristics of the ultrasonic wave by changing the output frequency of the ultrasonic generator, so that the frequency generated by the ultrasonic generator is the same as the frequency generated by the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 1. In this way, the ultrasonic detector can be used as a cleaning mechanism to clean the residual accumulated material in the injection cylinder 5, thereby improving the cleaning effect in the injection cylinder 5. After the cleaning is completed, the working frequency of the ultrasonic generator is adjusted to perform ultrasonic detection. The adjustable frequency generator allows the ultrasonic generator to perform cleaning work and complete the detection process at the same time, thereby ensuring that the cleaning can be flexibly performed on the basis of completing efficient detection, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency, reducing the number of cleaning times, and improving the accuracy of injection molding.

[0033] When cleaning the residual material on the injection barrel 5 and the screw, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the injection port. Therefore, in order to avoid the cleaning liquid from being sprayed to other positions of the injection molding machine and causing pollution to other parts of the injection molding machine while reducing pollution to the environment, in one embodiment, it also includes a recovery bucket 6. The recovery bucket 6 is located below the injection port of the injection barrel 5 and is used to receive the cleaning liquid discharged from the injection port. The cleaning liquid is collected through the recovery bucket 6, which avoids the cleaning liquid from contaminating the parts of the injection molding machine, thereby reducing the damage to the injection molding machine.

[0034] When the cleaning liquid is input into the shooting cylinder 5 through the infusion tube 2, in order to ensure that the cleaning liquid in the shooting cylinder 5 can effectively complete the cleaning, in one embodiment, a solenoid valve is provided at one end of the infusion tube 2 located in the barrel. The solenoid valve is provided on the infusion tube 2 to control the amount of the cleaning liquid input into the shooting cylinder 5, thereby ensuring that during cleaning, effective cleaning will not be performed due to too little cleaning liquid, or too much cleaning liquid will cause splashing of the cleaning liquid to pollute the injection molding machine.

[0035] After cleaning is completed, the injection port needs to be opened to allow the clean liquid to be discharged from the injection port, and the discharge is carried out by injection molding. However, the injection molding pressure is relatively high, which will spray the cleaning liquid to various positions of the injection molding machine and cause pollution to the injection molding machine. Therefore, in order to ensure that the cleaning liquid can be discharged smoothly without causing pollution to the injection molding machine, in one embodiment, the injection pressure set by the screw when performing air injection is lower than the injection pressure. By reducing the air injection pressure, it is ensured that the cleaning liquid will not splash around when it is discharged, thereby reducing the pollution to the injection molding machine. The low-pressure injection method can ensure the smooth discharge of the cleaning liquid, avoid liquid splashing due to high pressure, protect the cleanliness and safety of the operating environment, and ensure the safety and efficiency of the sewage discharge process.

[0036] Based on the above-mentioned automatic cleaning device applicable to an injection molding machine, the present invention further proposes a cleaning method for the automatic cleaning device applicable to an injection molding machine, comprising the following steps:

[0037] S1: The control terminal sends a cleaning signal to let the water pump 3 input the cleaning liquid into the injection cylinder 5 through the liquid infusion tube 2, so as to prepare for the subsequent cleaning steps;

[0038] S2: The processing system of the injection molding machine increases the temperature in the injection cylinder 5 and controls the screw to start rotating to soften the residual accumulated material in the injection cylinder 5, so that the residual accumulated material can be removed from the injection cylinder 5 and the screw in the subsequent cleaning process;

[0039] S3: The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism 1 generates ultrasonic waves to cause the cleaning liquid to produce cavitation to clean the residual materials adhering to the injection cylinder 5. The residual materials adhering to the screw are removed by using ultrasonic waves to cause the cleaning liquid to produce cavitation, thereby ensuring the quality of the plastic parts in the subsequent injection molding process;

[0040] S4: the injection molding machine starts to perform the empty injection molding action to discharge the solution in the injection cylinder 5 from the injection port. When the cleaning procedure is completed, the injection molding mechanism starts to perform the empty injection action to discharge the cleaning liquid in the injection cylinder 5, thereby preventing the cleaning liquid from remaining in the injection cylinder 5 and corroding the screw and the injection cylinder 5. After the cleaning liquid is discharged, the injection cylinder 5 is heated to keep the injection cylinder 5 in a dry environment to avoid contamination of the plastic in the subsequent injection molding process.

[0041] S5: The detection mechanism 4 detects the situation in the injection cylinder 5 and transmits the detection result to the control terminal;

[0042] S6: The control terminal determines whether the cleaning process needs to be performed again according to the detection result of the detection mechanism 4. If there is still residual material in the injection cylinder 5 and on the screw, the cleaning process is re-entered to ensure the best cleaning effect.

[0043] When cleaning the inside of the shot glue barrel 5, it may be impossible to make a misjudgment and cause the cleaning action to be executed continuously. Therefore, in order to avoid the above situation, in one embodiment, in step S6, the cleaning action is stopped when the number of cleaning times executed by the control terminal reaches a preset number. The method of cleaning the inside of the shot glue barrel 5 can also be completed by setting the number of cleaning times, thereby avoiding the situation where the cleaning action is executed continuously due to program errors or detection errors, thereby reducing unnecessary operations and waste of resources.

[0044] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technical personnel in this field can make some changes or modify the technical contents disclosed above into equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic cleaning device suitable for an injection molding machine, characterized in that: The invention comprises an ultrasonic cleaning mechanism, an infusion tube, a water pump, a control terminal and a detection mechanism. The detection mechanism is embedded in the injection barrel and is used to detect whether there is material accumulation on the injection barrel and the screw. One end of the infusion tube is connected with the water pump, and the other end is coaxially arranged at the bottom end of the injection molding machine barrel. The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism is embedded in the inner wall of the injection barrel. The control terminal is respectively connected with the detection mechanism, the ultrasonic cleaning mechanism, the water pump and the injection molding machine processing system. The control terminal sends a cleaning signal to allow the water pump to input the cleaning liquid into the injection barrel through the infusion tube. The injection molding machine processing system increases the temperature in the injection barrel and controls the screw to start rotating. The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism emits ultrasonic waves to the injection barrel to clean the injection. After the temperature of the injection barrel reaches a preset value, the screw starts the injection action of the empty injection to discharge the cleaning liquid in the injection barrel from the injection port. The detection mechanism detects the inside of the injection barrel and transmits the detection result to the control terminal. The control terminal determines the number of cleanings according to the detection result of the detection mechanism.

2. The automatic cleaning device for an injection molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection mechanism uses an ultrasonic detector for detection.

3. The automatic cleaning device for an injection molding machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ultrasonic detector comprises an adjustable frequency generator and an ultrasonic generator, and the adjustable frequency generator adjusts the detection performance by adjusting the working frequency of the ultrasonic generator.

4. The automatic cleaning device for an injection molding machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The adjustable frequency generator realizes ultrasonic cleaning by adjusting the working frequency of the ultrasonic generator.

5. The automatic cleaning device for an injection molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The utility model also comprises a recovery bucket, which is located below the injection port of the injection cylinder and is used for receiving the cleaning liquid discharged from the injection port.

6. The automatic cleaning device for an injection molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A solenoid valve is arranged at one end of the infusion tube located in the barrel.

7. The automatic cleaning device for an injection molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The injection pressure set by the screw when performing air injection is less than the injection pressure.

8. A cleaning method for an automatic cleaning device for an injection molding machine, used for an automatic cleaning device for an injection molding machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: The control terminal sends a cleaning signal to let the water pump input cleaning liquid into the injection cylinder through the liquid infusion tube; S2: The processing system of the injection molding machine increases the temperature in the injection barrel and controls the screw to start rotating to soften the residual material in the injection barrel; S3: The ultrasonic cleaning mechanism generates ultrasonic waves to cause the cleaning liquid to produce cavitation to clean the residual materials adhering to the injection cylinder; S4: The injection molding machine starts to perform the injection molding action of the air injection, and discharges the solution in the injection cylinder from the injection port; S5: The detection mechanism detects the situation in the injection cylinder and transmits the detection result to the control terminal; S6: The control terminal determines whether the cleaning process needs to be performed again according to the detection result of the detection mechanism.

9. A cleaning method for an automatic cleaning device of an injection molding machine according to claim 8, characterized in that: In step S6, the control terminal stops the cleaning action when the number of cleaning times performed reaches a preset number.

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