A silicone tube forming device and a method of using the same

Abstract

The application provides a silica gel tube forming device and a use method thereof, and comprises a lower die, an upper die capable of moving up and down relative to the lower die, a core rod capable of moving up and down relative to the lower die, the core rod is located between the lower die and the upper die, the lower die is provided with a first outer forming profile surface, the upper die is provided with a second outer forming profile surface, and the outer side of the core rod is provided with an inner forming profile surface; the core rod is provided with a gas charging demolding mechanism; the gas charging demolding mechanism is used for charging gas between the formed silica gel tube and the core rod to separate the inner side surface of the silica gel tube from the outer surface of the core rod; and the device further comprises a discharging device, which is used for separating the formed silica gel tube from the core rod. In the application, the inner side surface of the silica gel tube is separated from the outer side surface of the core rod through the gas charging demolding mechanism, and the discharging device separates the formed silica gel tube from the core rod, so that the discharging process is realized artificially, the trouble of manual demolding and discharging is saved, the time required for once taking the material is shortened, and the production efficiency of the silica gel tube is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of silicone tube manufacturing technology, and in particular to a silicone tube forming apparatus and its method of use. Background Technology

[0002] Turbochargers are widely used in the automotive industry, and a rubber hose connects the turbocharger to the intercooler, through which the intake gas, pressurized by the turbocharger's fan, flows. Because the turbocharger's fan is driven by the engine's exhaust gases, the intake gas becomes extremely hot. This rubber hose must possess heat resistance to withstand high temperatures and vibration durability at high temperatures; such high-temperature-resistant rubber hoses are typically made of silicone rubber.

[0003] The existing production method of silicone tubes mainly adopts injection molding. The mold used to manufacture silicone tubes usually consists of three main parts: an upper mold, a lower mold, and a mandrel. The mandrel is located between the upper mold and the lower mold. During injection molding, the mandrel, the upper mold, and the lower mold together form a molding cavity that matches the shape and structure of the silicone tube. Molten silicone raw material is injected into the molding cavity through an injection device. After the silicone raw material cools and solidifies, the mold is opened. After the upper mold and the lower mold separate, since the molded silicone tube is tightly fitted on the outside of the mandrel, it needs to be manually removed from the mandrel.

[0004] This manual demolding and unloading method is quite cumbersome, and because the silicone tube and mandrel are tightly bonded, it is difficult to remove the material, and the process takes a long time, which affects the production efficiency of the silicone tube. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a silicone tube forming device and its usage method.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a silicone tube molding apparatus, comprising a lower mold, an upper mold movable up and down relative to the lower mold, and a mandrel movable up and down relative to the lower mold, the mandrel being located between the lower mold and the upper mold; the lower mold having a first outer molding profile surface, the upper mold having a second outer molding profile surface, and the outer side of the mandrel having an inner molding profile surface; when the upper mold and the lower mold are engaged, the first outer molding profile surface, the second outer molding profile surface, and the inner molding profile surface together form a silicone tube molding cavity; the mandrel having an inflation and demolding mechanism; the molded silicone tube being fitted onto the outer side of the mandrel, the inflation and demolding mechanism being used to inflate gas between the molded silicone tube and the mandrel to separate the inner surface of the silicone tube from the outer surface of the mandrel; and further comprising a discharge device for detaching the molded silicone tube from the mandrel.

[0007] Preferably, the device also includes a base plate and a top plate, with a guide post between the base plate and the top plate. The lower mold is fixed on the base plate, and the upper mold is slidably connected to the guide post. The top plate is provided with a first lifting drive device for driving the upper mold to move up and down. A lifting seat is slidably connected to the guide post, and a second lifting drive device is provided on the push rod for driving the lifting seat to move up and down. One end of the mandrel is fixed on the lifting seat.

[0008] Preferably, both the first lifting drive device and the second lifting drive device are hydraulic cylinders.

[0009] Preferably, the lower mold has a positioning hole on its upper side, and the upper mold has a positioning pin on its lower side corresponding to the positioning hole.

[0010] Preferably, the unloading device includes a horizontal moving device, a mounting plate on the horizontal moving device, an unloading plate moving device on the mounting plate, an unloading plate connected to the unloading plate moving device, and the unloading plate being driven to move so that the unloading plate is closer to or further away from the mandrel; the unloading plate is provided with an adaptation groove on the side closer to the mandrel.

[0011] Preferably, the horizontal moving device is an electric guide rail, and the unloading plate moving device is a cylinder.

[0012] Preferably, the unloading plate is provided with a guide rod, and the mounting plate is provided with a guide hole corresponding to the guide rod, through which the guide rod passes.

[0013] Preferably, the inflatable demolding mechanism includes a main air inlet channel and a branch air inlet channel disposed inside the mandrel. One end of the main air inlet channel is connected to the inflation device through an inflation pipe. One end of the branch air inlet channel is connected to the main air inlet channel, and the other end of the branch air inlet channel passes through the inner molding contour surface on the outer side of the mandrel. A fixing ring is provided at one end of the branch air inlet channel near the inner molding contour surface. A slidable air passage slider is provided in the branch air inlet channel, and a spring is provided between the air passage slider and the fixing ring.

[0014] The airway slider is provided with a first airway and a second airway. One end of the first airway passes through the end face of one end of the airway slider and is connected to the branch air inlet channel. The second airway is connected to the first airway and passes through the side of the airway slider, forming an air outlet on the side of the airway slider. The branch air inlet channel is provided with a limiting step surface for limiting the airway slider.

[0015] When one end of the airway slider contacts the limiting step surface, the end face of the other end of the airway slider is flush with the inner forming contour surface on the mandrel.

[0016] When the inflation device inflates the mandrel, the air channel slider moves radially outward under the air pressure, and the air outlet on the side of the air channel slider is higher than the inner forming profile surface on the mandrel.

[0017] A method of using a silicone tube forming device includes the following specific steps:

[0018] Step 1: The mandrel and the upper mold move downwards, and the upper mold and the lower mold engage so that the first outer molding contour surface, the second outer molding contour surface, and the inner molding contour surface together enclose and form the silicone tube molding cavity.

[0019] Step 2: Inject molten silicone raw material into the silicone tube molding cavity, and then cool the silicone raw material; after the silicone raw material cools and solidifies, a silicone tube is formed.

[0020] Step 3: The upper mold moves upward and separates from the lower mold; the mandrel moves upward to the unloading position; when the mandrel reaches the unloading position, the height of the mandrel and the unloading plate are the same; the unloading plate moving device drives the unloading plate to move towards the mandrel; then the inflation device fills the main air inlet channel with gas of a certain pressure, and the air channel slider moves radially outward towards the mandrel under the action of air pressure, making the air outlet on the side of the air channel slider higher than the inner forming contour surface on the mandrel; after the gas is discharged from the air outlet, it fills between the inner surface of the silicone tube and the outer surface of the mandrel, and separates the inner surface of the silicone tube from the outer surface of the mandrel; then the horizontal moving device drives the unloading plate to move axially towards the mandrel, the unloading plate abuts against one end of the silicone tube and pushes the silicone tube to move axially along the mandrel, and finally makes the silicone tube detach from the mandrel.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: In this invention, the air-filled demolding mechanism forms an air layer between the silicone tube and the outer surface of the mandrel by inflating air between them, thereby separating the inner surface of the silicone tube from the outer surface of the mandrel, making it easier to remove the silicone tube from the mandrel; the unloading device is used to detach the molded silicone tube from the mandrel, thereby replacing manual unloading, eliminating the trouble of manual demolding and unloading, shortening the time required for one unloading, and improving the production efficiency of silicone tubes. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in one direction of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure from another direction of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a front view of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the mandrel.

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of section A.

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Base plate, 2. Top plate, 3. Guide post, 4. Lower mold, 4a. First outer molding contour surface, 4b. Positioning hole, 5. Upper mold, 5a. Second outer molding contour surface, 5b. Positioning post, 6. Mandrel, 6a. Main air inlet channel, 6b. Branch air inlet channel, 6c. Inner molding contour surface, 7. Lifting seat, 8. Inflation pipe, 9. First lifting drive device, 10. Second lifting drive device, 11. Unloading device, 11a. Horizontal moving device, 11b. Unloading plate, 11c. Mounting plate, 11d. Unloading plate moving device, 11e. Guide rod, 12. Injection device, 15. Air channel slider, 15a. First air channel, 15b. Second air channel, 16. Fixing ring, 17. Spring. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] It is understood that the term "a" should be understood as "at least one" or "one or more", that is, in one embodiment, the number of an element can be one, while in another embodiment, the number of the element can be multiple, and the term "a" should not be understood as a limitation on the number.

[0030] like Figure 1-5 As shown, a silicone tube molding apparatus includes a discharge device 11, a lower mold 4, an upper mold 5 that can move up and down relative to the lower mold 4, and a mandrel 6 that can move up and down relative to the lower mold 4. The mandrel 6 is located between the lower mold 4 and the upper mold 5. The lower mold 4 has a first outer molding profile surface 4a, the upper mold 5 has a second outer molding profile surface 5a, and the outer side of the mandrel 6 has an inner molding profile surface 6c. When the upper mold 5 and the lower mold 4 are engaged, the first outer molding profile surface 4a, the second outer molding profile surface 5a, and the inner molding profile surface 6c together form a silicone tube molding cavity. The silicone tube molding cavity is consistent with the external shape of the silicone tube to be produced.

[0031] The mandrel 6 is equipped with an inflation and demolding mechanism; the molded silicone tube is sleeved on the outside of the mandrel 6, and the inflation and demolding mechanism is used to inject gas between the molded silicone tube and the mandrel 6 to separate the inner surface of the silicone tube from the outer surface of the mandrel 6.

[0032] The unloading device 11 is used to detach the molded silicone tube from the mandrel 6.

[0033] An injection device 12 is provided on one side of the lower mold 4. The injection device 12 is connected to the lower mold 4, and the lower mold 4 has an injection channel that communicates with the silicone tube molding cavity. The function of the injection device 12 is to melt the silicone raw material and inject the molten silicone raw material into the silicone tube molding cavity. In this invention, the injection device 12 is prior art.

[0034] The material of the core rod 6 can be stainless steel, aluminum alloy or other metals.

[0035] The present invention also includes a base plate 1 and a top plate 2. A guide post 3 is provided between the base plate 1 and the top plate 2. The lower mold 4 is fixed on the base plate 1. The upper mold 5 is slidably connected to the guide post 3. The top plate 2 is provided with a first lifting drive device 9 for driving the upper mold 5 to move up and down. A lifting seat 7 is slidably connected to the guide post 3. A second lifting drive device 10 for driving the lifting seat 7 to move up and down is provided on the top rod. One end of the mandrel 6 is fixed to the lifting seat 7.

[0036] Four guide pillars 3 are vertically arranged between the base plate 1 and the top plate 2. Two guide holes are provided on each side of the upper mold 5, through which the four guide pillars 3 pass, allowing the upper mold 5 to move up and down along the guide pillars 3. Two guide holes are provided on the lifting seat 7, through which two guide pillars 3 pass. Driven by the second lifting drive device 10, the lifting seat 7 moves up and down along the guide pillars 3 to achieve the lifting motion of the mandrel 6.

[0037] In this embodiment, both the first lifting drive device 9 and the second lifting drive device 10 are hydraulic cylinders.

[0038] Specifically, the unloading device 11 includes a horizontal moving device 11a, a mounting plate 11c on the horizontal moving device 11a, an unloading plate moving device 11d on the mounting plate 11c, and an unloading plate 11b connected to the unloading plate moving device 11d. The unloading plate 11b is moved by the unloading plate moving device 11d to move closer to or further away from the mandrel 6. The unloading plate 11b is provided with a guide rod 11e, and the mounting plate 11c is provided with a guide hole corresponding to the guide rod 11e, through which the guide rod 11e passes. The movement of the unloading plate 11b is guided by the cooperation between the guide rod 11e and the guide hole. A matching groove is provided on the side of the unloading plate 11b near the mandrel 6.

[0039] The horizontal moving device 11a drives the unloading plate 11b to move axially toward the mandrel 6, and the unloading plate moving device 11d drives the unloading plate 11b to move radially toward the mandrel 6. The fitting groove is a semi-circular groove, and the diameter of the fitting groove matches the diameter of the mandrel 6. When removing the molded silicone tube from the mandrel 6, the unloading plate 11b is first driven to approach the mandrel 6 by the unloading plate moving device 11d, and then the horizontal moving device 11a drives the unloading plate 11b to move axially toward the mandrel 6. During the movement, the unloading plate 11b presses against one end of the silicone tube and pushes the silicone tube to move on the mandrel 6. Under the action of the unloading plate 11b, the silicone tube is pushed out of the mandrel 6, and the unloading process is realized.

[0040] Preferably, the horizontal moving device 11a is an electric guide rail, and the unloading plate moving device 11d is a cylinder.

[0041] Specifically, the air-inflating demolding mechanism includes a main air inlet channel 6a and a branch air inlet channel 6b disposed within the mandrel 6. The main air inlet channel 6a is arranged along the axial direction of the mandrel 6, and the branch air inlet channel 6b is arranged along the radial direction of the mandrel 6. One end of the main air inlet channel 6a is connected to the inflation device via an inflation pipe 8; one end of the branch air inlet channel 6b is connected to the main air inlet channel 6a, and the other end of the branch air inlet channel 6b penetrates the inner molding contour surface 6c on the outer side of the mandrel 6. A fixing ring 16 is provided at one end of the branch air inlet channel 6b near the inner molding contour surface 6c, and a slidable air passage slider 15 is disposed in the branch air inlet channel 6b. A spring 17 is disposed between the air passage slider 15 and the fixing ring 16. A stepped surface is provided on the side of the air passage slider 15, one end of the spring 17 contacts the stepped surface, and the other end of the spring 17 contacts the fixing ring 16.

[0042] The airway slider 15 is provided with a first airway 15a and a second airway 15b. One end of the first airway 15a passes through the end face of one end of the airway slider 15 and is connected to the branch air intake channel 6b. The second airway 15b is connected to the first airway 15a and passes through the side of the airway slider 15, forming an air outlet on the side of the airway slider 15. The branch air intake channel 6b is provided with a limiting stepped surface for limiting the airway slider 15.

[0043] When the inflation device is not inflating the mandrel 6, the air channel slider 15 contacts the limiting stepped surface under the action of the spring 17. At this time, the end face of the other end of the air channel slider 15 is flush with the inner molding contour surface 6c on the mandrel 6, and this end face matches the inner molding contour surface 6c. This end face also participates in the molding of the inner side of the silicone tube. It is worth mentioning that the air channel slider 15 is in close contact with the fixing ring 16. When the inflation device is not inflating the mandrel 6, the outlet on the side of the air channel slider 15 is closed by the inner surface of the fixing ring 16 to ensure that the molten silicone raw material does not flow into the first air channel 15a and the second air channel 15b during the injection molding process.

[0044] When the inflation device inflates the mandrel 6, the air channel slider 15 moves radially outward under the air pressure, causing the air outlet on the side of the air channel slider 15 to be higher than the inner molding contour surface 6c on the mandrel 6. At this time, the air outlet on the side of the air channel slider 15 is in an open state, allowing gas to flow out from the air outlet and fill the space between the silicone tube and the mandrel 6, thus achieving separation between the silicone tube and the mandrel 6. It is worth mentioning that, due to the elasticity of the silicone tube itself, the air channel slider 15 can be pushed out a certain distance under the air pressure.

[0045] An air pump can be used as the inflation device.

[0046] The lower mold 4 has a positioning hole 4b on its upper side, and the upper mold 5 has a positioning pin 5b on its lower side corresponding to the positioning hole 4b. When the upper mold 5 and the lower mold 4 are closed, the positioning pin 5b on the upper mold 5 is inserted into the positioning hole 4b on the lower mold 4.

[0047] A method of using a silicone tube forming device includes the following specific steps:

[0048] Step 1: The mandrel 6 and the upper mold 5 move downwards, and the upper mold 5 engages with the lower mold 4 so that the first outer molding contour surface 4a, the second outer molding contour surface 5a, and the inner molding contour surface 6c together enclose and form a silicone tube molding cavity.

[0049] Step 2: Inject molten silicone raw material into the silicone tube molding cavity, and then cool the silicone raw material; after the silicone raw material cools and solidifies, a silicone tube is formed.

[0050] Step 3: The upper mold 5 moves upward and separates from the lower mold 4; the mandrel 6 moves upward to the unloading position; when the mandrel 6 reaches the unloading position, the height of the mandrel 6 and the unloading plate 11b are the same; the unloading plate moving device 11d drives the unloading plate 11b to move towards the mandrel 6; then the inflation device fills the main air inlet channel 6a with a certain pressure of gas, and the air channel slider 15 moves radially outward towards the mandrel 6 under the action of air pressure and makes the air outlet on the side of the air channel slider 15 higher than the inner forming contour surface 6c on the mandrel 6; after the gas is discharged from the air outlet, it fills between the inner surface of the silicone tube and the outer surface of the mandrel 6 and separates the inner surface of the silicone tube from the outer surface of the mandrel 6; then the horizontal moving device 11a drives the unloading plate 11b to move axially towards the mandrel 6, the unloading plate 11b abuts against one end of the silicone tube and pushes the silicone tube to move axially along the mandrel 6, and finally makes the silicone tube detach from the mandrel 6.

[0051] In this invention, the air-filled demolding mechanism creates an air layer between the silicone tube and the outer surface of the mandrel 6 by inflating air between them, thereby separating the inner surface of the silicone tube from the outer surface of the mandrel 6 and facilitating the removal of the silicone tube from the mandrel 6. The unloading device 11 is used to detach the molded silicone tube from the mandrel 6, thereby replacing manual unloading, eliminating the hassle of manual demolding and unloading, shortening the time required for one unloading, and improving the production efficiency of silicone tubes.

[0052] This invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Anyone can derive other products in various forms under the guidance of this invention. However, regardless of any changes in shape or structure, any technical solution that is the same as or similar to this application falls within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A silicone tube forming device, characterized in that, It includes a lower mold, an upper mold that can move up and down relative to the lower mold, and a mandrel that can move up and down relative to the lower mold. The mandrel is located between the lower mold and the upper mold. The lower mold has a first outer molding profile surface, the upper mold has a second outer molding profile surface, and the outer side of the mandrel has an inner molding profile surface. When the upper mold and the lower mold are engaged, the first outer molding profile surface, the second outer molding profile surface, and the inner molding profile surface together enclose and form a silicone tube molding cavity. The mandrel is equipped with an inflation and demolding mechanism; the molded silicone tube is sleeved on the outside of the mandrel, and the inflation and demolding mechanism is used to inject gas between the molded silicone tube and the mandrel to separate the inner surface of the silicone tube from the outer surface of the mandrel. It also includes a discharge device, which is used to detach the molded silicone tube from the mandrel.

2. The silicone tube forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a base plate and a top plate. A guide post is provided between the base plate and the top plate. The lower mold is fixed on the base plate. The upper mold is slidably connected to the guide post. The top plate is provided with a first lifting drive device for driving the upper mold to move up and down. A lifting seat is slidably connected to the guide post. A second lifting drive device is provided on the push rod for driving the lifting seat to move up and down. One end of the mandrel is fixed on the lifting seat.

3. The silicone tube forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first and second lifting drive devices are hydraulic cylinders.

4. The silicone tube forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower mold has a positioning hole on its upper side, and the upper mold has a positioning pin on its lower side corresponding to the positioning hole.

5. The silicone tube forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The unloading device includes a horizontal moving device, a mounting plate on the horizontal moving device, an unloading plate moving device on the mounting plate, and an unloading plate connected to the unloading plate moving device. The unloading plate is driven to move by the unloading plate moving device so that the unloading plate is close to or away from the mandrel. An adaptation groove is provided on the side of the unloading plate close to the mandrel.

6. The silicone tube forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The horizontal moving device is an electric guide rail, and the unloading plate moving device is a cylinder.

7. A silicone tube forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The unloading plate is provided with a guide rod, and the mounting plate is provided with a guide hole corresponding to the guide rod, through which the guide rod passes.

8. A silicone tube forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inflatable demolding mechanism includes a main air inlet channel and a branch air inlet channel disposed inside the mandrel. One end of the main air inlet channel is connected to the inflation device through an inflation pipe. One end of the branch air inlet channel is connected to the main air inlet channel, and the other end of the branch air inlet channel passes through the inner molding contour surface on the outer side of the mandrel. A fixing ring is provided at one end of the branch air inlet channel near the inner molding contour surface. A slidable air passage slider is provided in the branch air inlet channel, and a spring is provided between the air passage slider and the fixing ring. The airway slider is provided with a first airway and a second airway. One end of the first airway passes through the end face of one end of the airway slider and is connected to the branch air inlet channel. The second airway is connected to the first airway and passes through the side of the airway slider, forming an air outlet on the side of the airway slider. The branch air inlet channel is provided with a limiting step surface for limiting the airway slider. When one end of the airway slider contacts the limiting step surface, the end face of the other end of the airway slider is flush with the inner forming contour surface on the mandrel. When the inflation device inflates the mandrel, the air channel slider moves radially outward under the air pressure, and the air outlet on the side of the air channel slider is higher than the inner forming profile surface on the mandrel.

9. A method of using a silicone tube forming apparatus, based on the silicone tube forming apparatus of claim 8, characterized in that, The specific steps include the following: Step 1: The mandrel and the upper mold move downwards, and the upper mold and the lower mold engage so that the first outer molding contour surface, the second outer molding contour surface, and the inner molding contour surface together enclose and form the silicone tube molding cavity. Step 2: Inject molten silicone raw material into the silicone tube molding cavity, and then cool the silicone raw material; after the silicone raw material cools and solidifies, a silicone tube is formed. Step 3: The upper mold moves upward and separates from the lower mold; the mandrel moves upward to the unloading position; when the mandrel reaches the unloading position, the mandrel and the unloading plate are at the same height; the unloading plate moving device drives the unloading plate to move towards the mandrel; then the inflation device fills the main air inlet channel with gas at a certain pressure, and the air channel slider moves radially outward towards the mandrel under the action of air pressure, making the air outlet on the side of the air channel slider higher than the inner molding contour surface on the mandrel; after the gas is discharged from the air outlet, it fills between the inner surface of the silicone tube and the outer surface of the mandrel, and separates the inner surface of the silicone tube from the outer surface of the mandrel; then the horizontal moving device drives the unloading plate to move axially towards the mandrel, the unloading plate abuts against one end of the silicone tube and pushes the silicone tube to move axially along the mandrel, finally causing the silicone tube to detach from the mandrel.

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