Injection molding machine

Abstract

The invention provides an injection molding machine capable of more reliably cleaning a mold device. The injection molding machine is provided with a cleaning device which cleans the mold device by blowing gas. The cleaning device includes a plurality of nozzles (314). The plurality of nozzles (314) blow gas toward the mold device (10) from the same side as each other.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-159144 filed on September 22, 2023. The entire contents of the Japanese Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to an injection molding machine. Background Art

[0003] In an injection molding machine, if a mold assembly is closed with foreign matter remaining on a parting surface, the mold assembly may be damaged by the foreign matter, and may even be broken depending on the situation. Therefore, a technique for removing or cleaning foreign matter attached to the mold assembly by blowing gas to the mold assembly has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-081588

[0005] The inventors of the present invention have come up with a technology for cleaning a mold device by blowing gas from multiple nozzles, and have come up with a technology that reduces the amount of foreign matter blown away by the blown gas and remaining on the mold device, compared to a situation in which multiple nozzles blow gas to the mold device from different sides. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and one of the exemplary purposes of one embodiment thereof is to provide an injection molding machine capable of more reliably cleaning a mold device.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, an injection molding machine according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cleaning device for cleaning a mold device by blowing gas, the cleaning device including a plurality of nozzles that blow gas toward the mold device from the same side.

[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention is an injection molding machine that sequentially arranges a plurality of mold devices at an injection position and a removal position by intermittently rotating a rotary table equipped with a plurality of mold devices, and at the injection position, the mold device is molded and injection is performed, and at the removal position, the mold device is opened and a molded product is removed from the mold device. The injection molding machine is provided with a cleaning device, and the cleaning device includes a first cleaning head and a second cleaning head that do not rotate with the rotary table. The first cleaning head blows gas toward the mold device arranged at the injection position, and the second cleaning head blows gas toward the mold device arranged at the removal position.

[0009] In addition, any combination of the above-mentioned constituent elements replaced with each other between methods, apparatuses, systems, etc., and the constituent elements and forms of expression of the present invention are also effective as embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an injection molding machine capable of more reliably cleaning a mold device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the injection molding machine according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the mold clamping device and its surroundings of an injection molding machine.

[0014] Figure 3 It means that the switch is used to Figure 1 A diagram showing a state where the mold device at the 3rd position is opening the mold.

[0015] Figure 4 Observed from the front side Figure 1 A perspective view of a cleaning head.

[0016] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Side view of the cleaning head.

[0017] Figure 6 Yes means Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a cleaning head and its surroundings.

[0018] Figure 7 In the drawings, (a) and (b) are diagrams showing a state where the first cleaning head cleans the mold device at the first position.

[0019] Figure 8 In the figure, (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the state where the second cleaning head cleans the mold device at the third position.

[0020] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 A top view of the cleaning head and mold device.

[0021] Fig.10 It is a diagram showing the functional blocks of the control device.

[0022] Fig.11 Yes means Fig.10 FIG. 5 is a diagram of a setting screen displayed on a display unit by a display control unit of FIG.

[0023] Fig.12 Among them, (a) to (c) are diagrams that explain the basic operation of the injection molding machine in time series.

[0024] Fig.13 It is to explain and use Figure 1 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing cleaning-related operations of the first cleaning head.

[0025] Fig.14 It is to explain and use Figure 1 : is a diagram showing the cleaning-related operation of the second cleaning head.

[0026] In the figure: 10-mold device, 12-upper mold, 14-lower mold, 100-injection molding machine, 114-rotating table, 132-mold opening and closing rod, 200-control device, 300-cleaning device, 310A-first cleaning head, 310B-second cleaning head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In the following, the same or equivalent components, parts, and processes shown in the drawings are marked with the same symbols, and repeated descriptions are appropriately omitted. In addition, for ease of understanding, the sizes of the parts shown in the drawings are appropriately enlarged or reduced. In addition, a part of the parts that are not important for explaining the implementation method is omitted in each drawing.

[0028] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the injection molding machine 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 Yes means Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a mold clamping device 110 and its surroundings of an injection molding machine 100. In this specification, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are directions perpendicular to each other. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction represent horizontal directions, and the Z-axis direction represents a vertical direction. When the mold clamping device 110 is vertical, the Z-axis direction is the mold clamping direction.

[0029] The injection molding machine 100 includes: a mold clamping device 110 for clamping the mold devices 10A, 10B, and 10C; an injection device 120 for injecting molding material into the mold devices 10A, 10B, and 10C; an opening and closing device 130 for opening the mold device; an ejection device 140 for ejecting the molded product from the mold devices 10A, 10B, and 10C; cleaning devices 300A and 300B for cleaning the mold devices 10A, 10B, and 10C; and Figure 1 , Figure 2 These devices are supported by the frame 102. The frame 102 is installed on the ground, for example.

[0030] The mold clamping device 110 is a vertical type with a mold clamping direction in the vertical direction. The mold clamping device 110 includes an upper platen 112 , a rotating table 114 provided below the upper platen 112 with a gap therebetween, and a lower platen 118 supporting the rotating table 114 from below.

[0031] The lower platen 118 is fixed to the frame 102. The rotating table 114 is supported to rotate freely on the opposing surface (upper surface) 118a of the lower platen 118 which is opposed to the upper platen 112 in the vertical direction. The first mold device 10A, the second mold device 10B, and the third mold device 10C (hereinafter referred to as "mold device 10" when not particularly distinguished or collectively referred to) are mounted on the upper surface of the rotating table 114.

[0032] The first mold device 10A includes an upper mold 12A and a lower mold 14A. The second mold device 10B includes an upper mold 12B and a lower mold 14B. The third mold device 10C includes an upper mold 12C and a lower mold 14C. When the upper molds 12A, 12B, and 12C are not distinguished or collectively referred to, they are referred to as the "upper mold 12". When the lower molds 14A, 14B, and 14C are not distinguished or collectively referred to, they are referred to as the "lower mold 14". The upper mold 12 is a movable mold, and the lower mold 14 is a fixed mold.

[0033] In addition, the number of mold devices 10 that can be mounted on the rotating table 114 is not particularly limited as long as the rotating table 114 can mount two or more mold devices 10 .

[0034] The rotating table 114 is rotated intermittently by 120° each time by a rotating motor (not shown), so that the three mold devices 10 are sequentially arranged at the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3. Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the embodiment, the first mold device 10A is arranged at the first position P1, the second mold device 10B is arranged at the second position P2, and the third mold device 10C is arranged at the third position P3.

[0035] The first position P1 is an injection position for closing the mold assembly 10 and injecting the molding material into the mold assembly 10. The second position P2 is a cooling position for cooling the molding material injected into the mold assembly 10. The third position P3 is a removal position for opening the mold assembly 10 and removing the molded product.

[0036] In addition, the number of stop positions of the mold device 10 may be the same as the number of the mold devices 10 and is not limited to three, but may be two or four or more.

[0037] The upper platen 112 is raised and lowered relative to the rotating table 114 by a driving unit (not shown). The upper platen 112 is lowered, and the mold device 10 disposed at the first position P1 is clamped vertically between the upper platen 112 and the rotating table 114, thereby clamping the mold device 10.

[0038] The injection device 120 is arranged above the upper platen 112. The injection device 120 has a cylinder 122 with a nozzle 122a provided at its front end. The injection device 120 is raised and lowered relative to the upper platen 112 and the mold device 10 arranged at the first position P1 by a driving unit not shown in the figure. The injection device 120 is lowered so that the nozzle 122a contacts the mold device 10 arranged at the first position P1, and injects molding material into the cavity space of the mold device 10. A molded product can be obtained by solidifying the molding material filled in the cavity space. The number of cavity spaces is, for example, multiple, and multiple molded products can be obtained at the same time. The number of cavity spaces can be one.

[0039] The opening and closing device 130 opens the mold device 10 arranged at the third position P3. The opening and closing device 130 is provided below the rotating table 114 at a position corresponding to the third position P3. As will be described in detail later, the opening and closing device 130 opens the mold device 10 by pushing up the upper mold 12 of the mold device 10 arranged at the third position P3 with a mold opening and closing rod.

[0040] The ejector 140 ejects a predetermined rod into the cavity space of the lower mold 14 of the mold device 10 opened by the opening and closing device 130, thereby ejecting the molded product from the lower mold 14. The molded product ejected from the lower mold 14 is taken out by a take-out machine (not shown).

[0041] The opening and closing device 130 and the ejecting device 140 may also be configured as one device.

[0042] The cleaning device 300 is a device for cleaning the mold device 10 by blowing gas, such as air, toward the mold device 10. The cleaning device 300 includes two or more cleaning heads 310A and 310B (hereinafter, referred to as "cleaning heads 310" when not specifically distinguished or collectively referred to) and at least one gas supply member 360 for supplying gas to the plurality of cleaning heads 310A and 310B. In addition, the number of cleaning heads 310 is not particularly limited, and may be one or more than three. The cleaning heads 310A and 310B blow the gas supplied from the gas supply member 360 toward the mold device 10 to blow away foreign matter attached to the mold device 10, that is, to clean the mold device 10.

[0043] The cleaning heads 310A and 310B are fixedly supported by the frame 102 via the head support portion 330. That is, the cleaning heads 310A and 310B are not supported by the rotating table 114, and therefore do not rotate along with the rotation of the rotating table 114.

[0044] The first cleaning head 310A is arranged at a position corresponding to the first position P1, for example, arranged outside the first position P1, and cleans the mold device 10 arranged at the first position P1. The details will be described later. The first cleaning head 310A mainly blows gas between the upper pressing plate 112 and the upper mold 12 to clean the upper pressing plate 112, especially its lower surface 112a, and the upper mold 12, especially its upper surface 12c. As a result, foreign matter between the upper pressing plate 112 and the upper mold 12 is removed. If the upper pressing plate 112 is lowered and the mold is closed when there is foreign matter remaining between the upper pressing plate 112 and the upper mold 12, the upper pressing plate 112 and the upper mold 12 may be damaged, and sometimes even broken, but this can be avoided by removing the foreign matter.

[0045] In addition, the cleaning device 300 may include a plurality of first cleaning heads 310A, and the mold device 10 disposed at the first position P1 may be cleaned by the plurality of first cleaning heads 310A at the first position P1.

[0046] The second cleaning head 310B is arranged at a position corresponding to the third position P3, for example, arranged outside the third position P3, and cleans the mold device 10 arranged at the third position P3. The details will be described later. The second cleaning head 310B mainly blows gas between the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14 of the mold device 10 opened by the opening and closing device 130 to clean the parting surfaces 12p and 14p of the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14. As a result, foreign matter on the parting surfaces 12p and 14p of the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14 is removed. If the mold is closed or clamped when foreign matter remains on the parting surfaces 12p and 14p of the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14, the parting surfaces 12p and 14p of the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14 may be damaged or even broken, but this can be avoided by removing the foreign matter.

[0047] In addition, the cleaning device 300 may include a plurality of second cleaning heads 310B, and the mold device 10 disposed at the third position P3 may be cleaned by the plurality of second cleaning heads 310B at the third position P3.

[0048] The cleaning heads 310A and 310B can spray gas to the mold device 10 when the rotating table 114 stops, that is, when the mold device 10 moves, or can spray gas to the mold device 10 when the rotating table 114 rotates, that is, when the mold device 10 moves.

[0049] exist Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the embodiment, a control device (not shown) centrally controls the entire injection molding machine 100. The control device can be constituted by a general-purpose computer.

[0050] Figure 31 is a diagram showing a state in which the mold device 10 disposed at the third position P3 is opened by the opening and closing device 130. Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , the mold device 10 disposed at the first position P1 and the second position P2 is omitted.

[0051] The upper mold 12 includes an upper mold body 12a that forms a cavity space together with the lower mold 14 and guide rods 12b extending downward from the lower surface of the upper mold body 12a. In the example shown in the figure, the upper mold 12 has two guide rods 12b, but the number of guide rods 12b is not particularly limited.

[0052] The lower mold 14 has a through hole 14a that passes through from top to bottom. The guide rod 12b is inserted into the corresponding through hole 14a. This can prevent the upper mold 12 from falling off. In the example shown in the figure, the lower mold 14 has the same number of through holes 14a as the guide rods 12b, but the number of through holes 14a is not particularly limited as long as the number of through holes 14a is greater than the number of guide rods 12b.

[0053] The opening and closing device 130 includes mold opening and closing rods 132 and a driving mechanism 134 for vertically moving the mold opening and closing rods 132. In the example shown in the figure, the opening and closing device 130 includes the same number of mold opening and closing rods 132 as the guide rods 12b, but the number of mold opening and closing rods 132 is not particularly limited.

[0054] The opening and closing device 130 uses the driving mechanism 134 to raise the mold opening and closing rod 132, inserts the mold opening and closing rod 132 into the through hole 114a of the rotating table 114, and makes the mold opening and closing rod 132 enter the through hole 14a of the lower mold 14 of the mold device 10 arranged at the third position P3, and pushes up the guide rod 12b and the upper mold 12 with the mold opening and closing rod 132. As a result, the upper mold body 12a is separated from the lower mold 14, that is, the mold device 10 is opened.

[0055] exist Figure 3 In the example, the mold device 10 is opened by pushing up the guide rod 12b through the mold opening and closing rod 132 of the opening and closing device 130, but it is not limited to this. The mold device 10 can also be opened by pushing up a part other than the guide rod 12b, such as the upper mold body 12a, through the mold opening and closing rod 132.

[0056] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the cleaning head 310 as viewed from the front side. Figure 5 310 is a side view of the cleaning head 310. The cleaning head 310 includes a chamber 312 and three or more nozzles 314. The chamber 312 has a rectangular box shape. In the chamber 312, a gas supply member 360 (refer to FIG. 314 ) is connected to the cleaning head 310 through two hoses 316. Figure 1 )Supply gas.

[0057] The plurality of nozzles 314 are disposed on a surface 312a of the chamber 312 (the surface facing the rotation center of the rotating table 114). The plurality of nozzles 314 are disposed in a row at equal intervals in the horizontal direction. However, the arrangement of the plurality of nozzles 314 is not particularly limited. The cross-section of the plurality of nozzles 314 is a circular cylindrical shape, but the cross-section may be a polygonal square cylindrical shape or may be other shapes.

[0058] The plurality of nozzles 314 can adjust their directions, i.e., the blowing directions of the gas, independently of each other. Here, if the bolts 318 are loosened, the directions of the nozzles 314 can be changed to any direction of the upper, lower, left, and right sides, and if the bolts 318 are tightened, the directions of the nozzles 314 are fixed.

[0059] The injection molding machine 100 may be equipped with various sensors, such as a sensor for detecting whether the mold device 10 is closed, but when the gas from the cleaning head 310 is blown to the sensor, the sensor may make a false detection. In contrast, since the direction of the nozzle 314 of the cleaning head 310 can be adjusted, the gas can be prevented from being blown to the sensor.

[0060] The cleaning head 310 can open or close the gas blowing from multiple nozzles independently of each other. For example, the cleaning head 310 can have multiple shutters 320 in the chamber 312, and each shutter 320 is used to open and close the corresponding nozzle 314. At this time, the multiple shutters 320 open and close the corresponding nozzles 314 independently of each other according to the instructions of the control device. As a result, the gas blowing from the multiple nozzles 314 is opened or closed independently of each other. The multiple shutters 320 can adjust the opening of the corresponding nozzles 314 independently of each other according to the instructions of the control device. That is, the air volume of the gas from the multiple nozzles 314 can be adjusted independently of each other.

[0061] For example, it may be desirable to minimize cooling of the portion of the upper mold 12 that the nozzle 122a of the injection device 120 contacts (hereinafter referred to as the nozzle contact portion). In this case, the operating time (i.e., the gas blowing time) of the nozzle 314 that sprays gas to the nozzle contact portion may be set shorter than the operating time of other nozzles 314. That is, the time during which the shutter 320 corresponding to the nozzle 314 that sprays gas to the nozzle contact portion is opened may be set shorter than the time during which the shutter 320 corresponding to other nozzles 314 is opened. The operating time of the nozzle 314 that sprays gas to the nozzle contact portion may also be set to zero. In these cases, the user may input the operating time and opening or closing of each nozzle 314, and the control device may control the shutter 320 of each nozzle 314 according to the input. Alternatively, based on the molding conditions, the control device may automatically determine the operating time or opening or closing of each nozzle 314. For example, in the case of molding conditions where wire drawing is not likely to occur, the operating time of the nozzle 314 that sprays gas to the nozzle contact portion may be shortened or may be set to zero.

[0062] As a modified example, gas may be supplied from mutually independent gas supply members 360 to the plurality of nozzles 314. In this case, by making the flow rates of gas supplied by the plurality of gas supply members 360 to the corresponding nozzles 314 different from each other, the air volumes of gas blown out of the plurality of nozzles 314 can be made different from each other. Furthermore, by making the temperatures of gas supplied by the plurality of gas supply members 360 to the corresponding nozzles 314 different from each other, the temperatures of gas blown out of the plurality of nozzles 314 can be made different from each other.

[0063] Figure 6 3D diagram showing the second cleaning head 310B and its surroundings. The cleaning head 310 is supported by a head support portion 330. The head support portion 330 supports the cleaning head 310 so that its height position can be adjusted. The details will be described later. The first cleaning head 310A only needs to be adjusted to a height position suitable for cleaning at the first position P1, and the second cleaning head 310B only needs to be adjusted to a height position suitable for cleaning at the third position P3. In addition, the cleaning head 310 only needs to adjust the height position according to the thickness of the mold device 10 carried. In addition, the second cleaning head 310B cleans the parting surfaces 12p and 14p of the mold device 10, while the first cleaning head 310A cleans between the upper platen 112 and the upper mold 12, so the first cleaning head 310A is supported at a higher position than the second cleaning head 310B.

[0064] Furthermore, the head support portion 330 supports the cleaning head 310 so that its position in the radial direction of the rotating table 114 can be adjusted.

[0065] In detail, the head support part 330 includes a first bracket 340 and a second bracket 350. The first bracket 340 and the second bracket 350 are L-shaped plates. One of the two flat plate parts 342 and 344 of the first bracket 340 is fixed to the frame 102, and the other flat plate part 344 is vertically arranged. One of the two flat plate parts 352 and 354 of the second bracket 350 is fixed to the flat plate part 344 vertically arranged in the first bracket 340, and the cleaning head 310 is fixed to the other flat plate part 354.

[0066] Two insertion holes 344a (at the top of the flat plate portion 344) are formed on the upper end side of the flat plate portion 344 of the first bracket 340 and are separated from each other in the left and right directions and penetrate the flat plate portion 344 in the horizontal direction. Figure 6, only the insertion hole 344a on the right side is visible). The two insertion holes 344a are long holes that are long in the vertical direction. Two threaded holes, not shown, are formed separately on the left and right sides of the lower end side of the flat plate portion 352 of the second bracket 350. The second bracket 350 is fixed to the first bracket 340 by passing the screw 332 through the insertion hole 344a of the flat plate portion 344 of the first bracket 340 and fastening it to the screw hole of the flat plate portion 352 of the second bracket 350. Since the insertion hole 344a is a long hole that is long in the vertical direction, the position of the second bracket 350 relative to the first bracket 340 in the vertical direction can be adjusted within this length range, and the height position of the cleaning head 310 fixed to the second bracket 350 can be adjusted.

[0067] The flat plate portion 342 of the first bracket 340 has two insertion holes 342a formed thereon in the left and right directions, which penetrate the flat plate portion 342 in the up-down direction. The two insertion holes 342a are elongated holes that are long in the radial direction of the rotating table 114. The first bracket 340 is fixed to the frame 102 by passing the screws 332 through the insertion holes 342a of the flat plate portion 342 of the first bracket 340 and fastening them to the screw holes of the frame 102 (not shown). Since the insertion holes 342a are elongated holes that are long in the radial direction of the rotating table 114, the radial positions of the first bracket 340 and the cleaning head 310 can be adjusted within the length range.

[0068] Figure 7 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the state where the first cleaning head 310A cleans the mold device 10 at the first position P1. Figure 7 In (a), the first cleaning head 310A is viewed from an oblique direction. Figure 7 In (b), the first cleaning head 310A is viewed from the front side. Figure 7 At the timing shown in (a) and (b), the upper pressing plate 112 is not in contact with the upper mold 12 of the mold device 10. Figure 7 (a) and (b) can be understood as the state before the mold device 10 is molded and the upper platen 112 is lowered, and can also be understood as the state after the molding material is injected into the mold device 10 and the upper platen 112 is raised. That is, the cleaning by the first cleaning head 310A can be performed only before the mold is closed, only after the injection, or before the mold is closed and after the injection.

[0069] The first cleaning head 310A is adjusted to a height suitable for cleaning at the first position P1. Specifically, the plurality of nozzles 314 of the first cleaning head 310A are adjusted to be located between the upper platen 112 and the upper mold 12 in the height direction (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 7 (b)).

[0070] The first cleaning head 310A blows gas from a plurality of nozzles 314 toward a space between the upper platen 112 and the mold device 10 .

[0071] The first cleaning head 310A can direct multiple nozzles 314 in a horizontal direction and blow gas in the horizontal direction, thereby spraying gas onto the lower surface 112a of the upper pressing plate 112 and the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12, thereby blowing away foreign matter attached to the lower surface 112a of the upper pressing plate 112 and the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12.

[0072] The first cleaning head 310A may also direct the plurality of nozzles 314 to the obliquely downward direction and blow gas in the obliquely downward direction, thereby blowing gas toward the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12 to blow away foreign matter attached to the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12, and direct the same number or less of nozzles 314 to the obliquely upward direction and blow gas in the obliquely upward direction, thereby blowing gas toward the lower surface 112a of the upper pressing plate 112 to blow away foreign matter attached to the lower surface 112a of the upper pressing plate 112. This is because foreign matter attached to the lower surface 112a of the upper pressing plate 112 is easily dropped due to gravity. When the first cleaning head 310A has three nozzles 314 as shown in the figure, gas can be blown toward the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12 by directing two nozzles 314 toward an obliquely downward direction and blowing gas in the obliquely downward direction, and gas can be blown toward the lower surface 112a of the upper pressure plate 112 by directing one nozzle 314 toward an obliquely upward direction and blowing gas in the obliquely upward direction.

[0073] The first cleaning head 310A can direct the plurality of nozzles 314 in an obliquely downward direction and blow gas in the obliquely downward direction, thereby spraying gas onto the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12 of the mold device 10, instead of spraying gas onto the lower surface 112a of the upper platen 112. This is considered to be because foreign matter does not adhere to the lower surface 112a of the upper platen 112 because it will fall due to gravity, or even if there is foreign matter attached, it will fall when the rotating table 114 rotates and moves.

[0074] In addition, in addition to when the rotating table 114 stops, the first cleaning head 310A can also blow gas to the mold device 10 when the rotating table 114 rotates, that is, when the mold device 10 moves. For example, the first cleaning head 310A can blow gas to the mold device 10 when it moves from the third position P3 to the first position P1 or when it moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2. In this way, the gas can be blown to the part of the mold device 10 that is not in contact with the gas when the rotating table 114 stops.

[0075] Figure 8 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the state where the second cleaning head 310B cleans the mold device 10 at the third position P3. Figure 8In (a), the second cleaning head 310B is viewed from an oblique direction. Figure 8 In (b), the second cleaning head 310B is viewed from the front side. Figure 8 (a) and (b) show the state where the mold device 10 is opened.

[0076] The second cleaning head 310B is adjusted to a height suitable for cleaning at the third position P3. Specifically, the plurality of nozzles 314 of the second cleaning head 310B are adjusted to be located between the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14 of the mold device 10 in the mold opening state in the height direction (refer to Figure 8 (b)).

[0077] The second cleaning head 310B blows gas from a plurality of nozzles 314 toward a space between the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14 .

[0078] The second cleaning head 310B can blow gas from multiple nozzles 314 in a horizontal direction or an obliquely downward direction to the parting surface 14p of the lower mold 14, thereby blowing away foreign matter attached to the parting surface 14p of the lower mold 14, and can blow gas from the same or less number of nozzles 314 in an obliquely upward direction to the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12, thereby blowing away foreign matter attached to the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12. This is because foreign matter attached to the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12 is easily dropped due to gravity. In the case where the second cleaning head 310B has three nozzles 314 as shown in the figure, it is also possible to blow gas from two nozzles 314 to the parting surface 14p of the lower mold 14, and blow gas from one nozzle 314 to the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12.

[0079] The second cleaning head 310B may spray gas from the plurality of nozzles 314 toward the parting surface 14p of the lower mold 14, but not toward the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12. This is considered to be because foreign matter does not adhere to the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12 because it falls due to gravity, or even if there is foreign matter attached, it falls off when the mold is opened.

[0080] Furthermore, by blowing gas toward the parting surface 14 p of the lower mold 14 by the second cleaning head 310B, it is also possible to blow away and remove the molded product that has not been removed for some reason.

[0081] However, in Figure 7 The case of blowing gas from a plurality of nozzles 314 to the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12 is described in Figure 820 has described the case where gas is sprayed from the plurality of nozzles 314 toward the parting surface 14p of the lower mold 14, but even if gas is deliberately sprayed from the plurality of nozzles 314, for example, if they face opposite directions when viewed from above, foreign matter will not be blown away and may gather and remain near the center of the mold device 10. Therefore, the plurality of nozzles 314 of the cleaning head 310 spray gas toward the mold device 10 from the same side.

[0082] Here, “the plurality of nozzles 314 blow gas toward the mold device 10 from the same side” means that, macroscopically or overall, the plurality of nozzles 314 blow gas toward the mold device 10 from one side to the other side.

[0083] refer to Fig. 9 , which is described in more detail. “Multiple nozzles 314 spray gas toward the mold device 10 from the same side” means that, when considering an imaginary vertical plane S that is perpendicular to the horizontal component of the direction of one of the multiple nozzles 314 and divides the stopped mold device 10 into two parts, the multiple nozzles 314 spray gas toward the imaginary vertical plane S from the same side. More specifically, the multiple nozzles 314 spray gas from one side Sa of the imaginary vertical plane S toward the other side Sb. In addition, although not particularly limited, Fig. 9 In the example, the middle nozzle 314 among the three nozzles 314 is used as the above-mentioned "one nozzle 314". The imaginary vertical plane S passes through the center or center of gravity of the mold device 10, or the center or center of gravity of the cavity space of the mold device 10. In this embodiment, the multiple nozzles 314 of the cleaning head are configured to satisfy this relationship, and are configured to be able to adjust the direction without changing the configuration. In this way, the gas blowing direction of the multiple nozzles 314 can be adjusted, but the adjustable range is limited to blowing gas from the same side toward the above-mentioned imaginary vertical plane S.

[0084] When the cleaning device 300 includes a plurality of first cleaning heads 310A and uses the plurality of first cleaning heads 310A to clean the mold device 10 at the first position P1, the orientations of the plurality of nozzles 314 of the plurality of first cleaning heads 310A only need to satisfy this relationship. When the cleaning device 300 includes a plurality of second cleaning heads 310B and uses the plurality of second cleaning heads 310B to clean the mold device 10 at the third position P3, the orientations of the plurality of nozzles 314 of the plurality of second cleaning heads 310B only need to satisfy this relationship.

[0085] Fig.10 2 is a diagram showing a functional block of the control device 200 . The control device 200 includes a communication unit 202 , an input unit 204 , a display unit 206 , a control unit 210 , and a storage unit 230 .

[0086] The communication unit 202 controls communication with other devices. The communication unit 202 performs communication by any wired or wireless communication method.

[0087] The control unit 210 performs various data processing. The control unit 210 can be implemented by the cooperation of hardware resources and software resources, or only by hardware resources. As hardware resources, a processor, ROM, RAM, and other LSIs can be used. As a processor, a CPU, a GPU, etc. can be used. As a software resource, programs such as an operating system and application software can be used.

[0088] The storage part 230 stores data referenced and / or updated by the control part 210. The storage part 230 may be a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like.

[0089] The display unit 206 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 206 displays a screen provided by the control unit 210. The input unit 204 is a user interface such as a physical key or a touch panel. The input unit 204 receives the user's operation and inputs the operation content to the control unit 210. The display unit 206 and the input unit 204 can be composed of an integrated touch panel display.

[0090] The control unit 210 includes an opening and closing control unit 212 , a cleaning control unit 214 , and a display control unit 216 .

[0091] The opening and closing control unit 212 controls the operation of the mold opening and closing rod 132 by controlling the driving mechanism 134 of the opening and closing device 130, thereby opening and closing the mold device 10. The opening and closing control unit 212 controls the operation of the mold opening and closing rod 132 based on predetermined operation setting information.

[0092] The action setting information includes the mold opening and closing stroke, mold opening force, mold opening speed, and mold closing speed. The mold opening and closing stroke is the distance that the mold opening and closing rod 132 pushes the upper mold 12 upward in order to take out the molded product. The mold opening and closing stroke can be set according to the size of the molded product. The mold opening force is the force used to open the mold device 10, and more specifically, it is the force with which the mold opening and closing rod 132 pushes the upper mold 12 upward. The mold opening speed is the speed at which the mold device 10 is opened, and more specifically, it is the speed at which the mold opening and closing rod 132 pushes the upper mold 12 upward. The mold opening force and the mold opening speed can be set according to the difficulty of opening the mold device 10 caused by, for example, the shape of the molded product. The mold closing speed is the speed at which the mold device 10 is closed, and more specifically, it is the speed at which the mold opening and closing rod 132 and the upper mold 12 are lowered.

[0093] That is, the opening and closing control unit 212 pushes up the upper mold 12 by the set mold opening and closing stroke at the set mold opening force and mold opening speed, and lowers the upper mold 12 at the set mold closing speed when the molded product is removed.

[0094] The cleaning control unit 214 controls the gas supply member 360 to supply gas from the gas supply member 360 to the cleaning head 310 , and to blow the gas out from the cleaning head 310 .

[0095] The cleaning control unit 214 starts blowing gas from the first cleaning head 310A at a predetermined timing before the mold device 10 arranged at the first position P1 is molded and before the upper platen 112 is lowered. The cleaning control unit 214 can start blowing gas from the first cleaning head 310A, for example, when the intermittent rotation of the rotating table 114 is started or stopped, or when a suitable sensor detects that the mold device 10 has reached the first position P1. In addition, the cleaning control unit 214 can also start blowing gas from the first cleaning head 310A at a predetermined timing after the molding material is injected into the mold device 10 arranged at the first position P1 and after the upper platen 112 is raised.

[0096] The cleaning control unit 214 starts blowing gas from the second cleaning head 310B at a predetermined timing after the mold device 10 disposed at the third position P3 is opened. The cleaning control unit 214 can start blowing gas from the second cleaning head 310B, for example, when the mold device 10 is opened (for example, after a predetermined time has passed after the mold opening is completed) or when, for example, a suitable sensor detects that a molded product has been taken out after the mold device 10 is opened.

[0097] The storage unit 230 includes a cleaning setting information storage unit 232. The cleaning setting information storage unit 232 stores setting information related to cleaning by the first cleaning head 310A and the second cleaning head 310B. The cleaning setting information storage unit 232 stores, for example, various information items set on a setting screen 400 described later.

[0098] The display control unit 216 displays various screens on the display unit 206 .

[0099] Fig.11 4 is a diagram of a setting screen 400 displayed on the display unit 206 by the display control unit 216. The setting screen 400 includes a first cleaning head setting area 402 and a second cleaning head setting area 404. The on / off button 410 is a button for switching whether to automatically blow gas from the cleaning head 310. Each time the on / off button 410 is selected, "on" and "off" are switched. When set to "on", the cleaning head 310 automatically blows out gas at a specified timing. When "off" is selected, the cleaning head 310 blows out gas according to whether the manual button 412 is turned on or off. Each time the manual button is selected, "ON" and "OFF" are switched, and the cleaning head 310 blows out gas during the period set to "ON", and does not blow out gas during the period selected to "OFF".

[0100] When "ON" is selected in the ON / OFF button 410, the delay time until the start of gas blowing is set in the delay time 414. The delay time from the start of the rotation of the rotating table 114 is set in the delay time 414 of the first cleaning head setting area 402. For example, the time required to move the mold device 10 from the third position P3 to the first position P1 can be set in the delay time 414. The delay time from the completion of mold opening is set in the delay time 414 of the second cleaning head setting area 404. For example, the time required to remove the molded product can be set in the delay time 414.

[0101] The time (length) for blowing gas from the cleaning head 310 is set in the operation time 416. In addition, the setting screen 400 may be configured so that the operation time of each nozzle 314 can be set.

[0102] The delay time from the completion of the rotation of the rotating table 114 is set in the mold closing delay time 418 of the first cleaning head setting area 402. For example, the time required for cleaning the mold device 10 at the first position P1 can be set in the mold closing delay time 418.

[0103] The above is the basic structure of the injection molding machine 100 .

[0104] Next, the basic operation of the injection molding machine 100 will be described. Fig.12 , (a) to (c) are diagrams for explaining the basic operation of the injection molding machine 100 in time series. Fig.12 (a) to (c) are plan views showing three mold devices 10 and their surroundings.

[0105] exist Fig.12 In (a), the first mold device 10A is arranged at the first position P1, the second mold device 10B is arranged at the second position P2, and the third mold device 10C is arranged at the third position P3. At the first position P1, the first mold device 10A is cleaned by the first cleaning head 310A, the first mold device 10A is molded, and the molding material is injected into the first mold device 10A. At the second position P2, the second mold device 10B is cooled. At the third position P3, the third mold device 10C is molded, the molded product is taken out from the third mold device 10C, the third mold device 10C is cleaned by the second cleaning head 310B, and the third mold device 10C is molded.

[0106] Fig.12 (b) is from Fig.12 The state (a) makes the rotating table rotate 120° in the clockwise direction. Fig.12In (b), the third mold device 10C is located at the first position P1, the first mold device 10A is located at the second position P2, and the second mold device 10B is located at the third position P3. At the first position P1, the third mold device 10C is cleaned by the first cleaning head 310A, the third mold device 10C is molded, and the molding material is injected into the third mold device 10C. At the second position P2, the first mold device 10A is cooled. At the third position P3, the second mold device 10B is opened, the molded product is taken out from the second mold device 10B, the second mold device 10B is cleaned by the second cleaning head 310B, and the second mold device 10B is molded.

[0107] Fig.12 (c) is from Fig.12 The state (b) is to rotate the rotating table 120° in the clockwise direction. Fig.12 In (c), the second mold device 10B is located at the first position P1, the third mold device 10C is located at the second position P2, and the first mold device 10A is located at the third position P3. At the first position P1, the second mold device 10B is cleaned by the first cleaning head 310A, the second mold device 10B is closed, and the molding material is injected into the second mold device 10B. At the second position P2, the third mold device 10C is cooled. At the third position P3, the first mold device 10A is opened, the molded product is taken out from the first mold device 10A, the first mold device 10A is cleaned by the second cleaning head 310B, and the first mold device 10A is closed. In addition, the molded product taken out here is at Fig.12 The molded product after the molding material injected into the first mold device 10A in (a) is solidified.

[0108] Next, the operation related to cleaning of the mold device 10 will be described. Fig.13 It is a diagram for explaining the operation related to cleaning by the first cleaning head 310A.

[0109] At time t0, the rotating table 114 stops, the upper platen 112 is located at the upper limit, and the gas blowing from the first cleaning head 310A stops.

[0110] The rotating table 114 starts rotating at time t1 and stops rotating at time t2 when it rotates 120 degrees. In other words, the three mold devices 10 start moving at time t1 and stop at time t2 when they reach the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3, respectively.

[0111] The first cleaning head 310A starts blowing gas when the blowing delay time has passed since the moment t1 when the rotating table 114 starts rotating. In this example, the blowing delay time is set so that the first cleaning head 310A starts blowing gas at the moment t2. The first cleaning head 310A stops blowing gas at the moment t3 when the operating time has passed after the start of blowing gas.

[0112] When the mold closing delay time has passed since the time t2 when the rotating table 114 stops rotating, the upper platen 112 starts to descend. In this example, the mold closing delay time is set so that the upper platen 112 starts to descend at time t3. At time t4, the upper platen 112 reaches the lower limit, that is, the mold device 10 is mold closed.

[0113] In addition, depending on the setting time of the blowing delay time, the mold clamping delay time and the working time, the first cleaning head 310A may continue to blow out gas even after the upper platen 112 begins to descend. In this case, the blowing of gas by the first cleaning head 310A may be stopped so that the gas does not continue to blow out beyond time t4.

[0114] Fig.14 It is a diagram for explaining the operation related to cleaning by the second cleaning head 310B.

[0115] At time t0, the rotary table 114 stops, the mold opening and closing rod 132 is located at the lower limit, and the gas blowing from the second cleaning head 310B stops.

[0116] The rotating table 114 starts rotating at time t1 and stops rotating at time t2 when it rotates 120 degrees. In other words, the three mold devices 10 start moving at time t1 and stop at time t2 when they reach the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3, respectively.

[0117] At time t2 when the rotating table 114 stops rotating, the mold opening and closing rod 132 starts to rise. That is, at time t2, the mold device 10 starts to open the mold. The mold opening and closing rod 132 reaches the upper limit at time t3. That is, at time t3, the mold device 10 completes the mold opening.

[0118] The second cleaning head 310B starts blowing gas at time t4 when the blowing delay time has passed after the mold device 10 has completed the mold opening, that is, at time t4 when the molded product is expected to be taken out. This can avoid blowing gas to the molded product when taking it out, reducing the occurrence of molded product removal errors. The second cleaning head 310B stops blowing gas at time t5 when the working time has passed after starting to blow gas.

[0119] The mold opening and closing rod 132 starts to descend at time t5 when the gas blowing from the second cleaning head 310B stops. That is, at time t5, the mold device 10 starts to close the mold. The mold opening and closing rod 132 reaches the lower limit at time t6. That is, at time t6, the mold device 10 completes the mold closing.

[0120] Next, the effects of the embodiment will be described. Even if gas is sprayed from a plurality of nozzles 314, if they face opposite directions when viewed from above, for example, foreign matter will not be blown away and may gather and remain near the center of the mold device 10. In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of nozzles 314 spray gas from the same side to the mold device 10. Thus, the mold device 10 can be cleaned more reliably.

[0121] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the cleaning device 300 is a cleaning head 310A, 310B that does not rotate with the rotation of the rotating table 114, and the cleaning device 300 includes a first cleaning head 310A and a second cleaning head 310B, wherein the first cleaning head 310A is used to clean the mold device 10 disposed at the first position P1, and the second cleaning head 310B is used to clean the mold device 10 disposed at the third position P3. At this time, the height of the first cleaning head 310A and the orientation of its nozzle 314 can be adjusted to a height and orientation suitable for cleaning at the first position P1, and the height of the second cleaning head 310B and the orientation of its nozzle 314 can be adjusted to a height and orientation suitable for cleaning at the third position P3, so that the mold device 10 can be cleaned more reliably. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to prepare a cleaning head 310 for each mold device 10, the injection molding machine 100 can be realized at a lower price.

[0122] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments are merely examples, and that the combinations of the constituent elements and the processing procedures may have various modifications, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0123] Any combination of the above-mentioned embodiments and modified examples is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiment generated by the combination has the effects of the combined embodiments and modified examples. In addition, those skilled in the art should understand that the functions to be achieved by each component recorded in the technical solution can be achieved by the monomers of each component shown in the embodiments and modified examples or their cooperation.

Claims

1. An injection molding machine, comprising a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device cleans a mold device by blowing gas, wherein: The cleaning device comprises a plurality of nozzles, The plurality of nozzles blow gas toward the mold device from the same side as each other.

2. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of nozzles is configured to be able to adjust a blowing direction of the gas.

3. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein: The cleaning device can spray gases having at least one of a blowing direction, a wind volume, and a temperature that are different from each other from each other through the plurality of nozzles.

4. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein: The injection molding machine arranges the plurality of mold devices at injection positions and removal positions in sequence by intermittently rotating a rotating table equipped with the plurality of mold devices. At the injection position, the mold devices are clamped and injection is performed. At the removal position, the mold devices are opened and molded products are removed from the mold devices. The cleaning device blows gas toward the mold device mounted on the turntable.

5. The injection molding machine according to claim 4, wherein: The cleaning device blows gas toward the mold device at the injection position or the removal position.

6. The injection molding machine according to claim 4, wherein: The cleaning device sprays gas toward the mold device when the rotary table is stopped or rotated.

7. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein: The cleaning device is capable of turning on or off the gas blowing from the plurality of nozzles independently of each other.

8. An injection molding machine, which disposes a plurality of mold devices in sequence at an injection position and a removal position by intermittently rotating a rotating table equipped with a plurality of mold devices, closes the mold devices and performs injection at the injection position, and opens the mold devices and removes the molded product from the mold devices at the removal position, wherein: The injection molding machine includes a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device includes a first cleaning head and a second cleaning head that do not rotate together with the rotating table. The first cleaning head blows gas toward the mold device arranged at the injection position, The second cleaning head blows gas toward the mold device disposed at the removal position.

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