Powder weighing and delivering unit

Abstract

The utility model discloses a powder weighing and delivering unit, and relates to the field of injection molding production, the powder weighing and delivering unit comprises a mounting bracket, a rotary driving mechanism fixedly mounted on the mounting bracket, a weighing module mounted on the rotary end of the rotary driving mechanism, and a delivering container connected and matched with the weighing module, the rotation driving mechanism drives the weighing module and the delivery container to rotate and reset in a reciprocating mode. Cleaning of the delivery container is facilitated; the delivery container is connected and matched with the weighing module in a detachable connection mode, specifically, the delivery container comprises the weighing module, the weighing module comprises a base shell with an insertion port and a weighing sensor installed in the base shell, and the delivery container is provided with an insertion piece matched with the insertion port. According to the delivery unit, the accurate toner supply amount each time is ensured through the accurate weighing system, so that the error problem of a constant-volume toner supply system is effectively avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of injection molding production, and in particular to a powder weighing and delivery unit. Background Technology

[0002] In existing injection molding processes, two main methods are typically used to control color when producing non-transparent colored plastic products: one is using color masterbatch, and the other is mixing color powder with the base plastic. Color masterbatch is a specially formulated masterbatch in granular form, made by uniformly mixing the base plastic and colorant in a precise ratio. The main advantage of color masterbatch is its strong color stability, ensuring the consistency of the final injection-molded product's color. However, color masterbatch is relatively expensive, especially when production involves multiple colors, large quantities of masterbatch, and frequent color changes. Its high cost makes it difficult to widely use in cost-sensitive production areas. In contrast, color powder mixing offers lower economic costs and is therefore widely adopted in many production processes. Color powder consists of fine powder particles of different colors, usually mixed with the base plastic (such as transparent or white plastic granules), thus achieving color control in plastic products.

[0003] Despite the significant cost advantages of pigment mixing methods, color control in practical applications remains a considerable challenge and subject to uncertainty. The purpose of pigment is to uniformly mix it with base plastic granules before injection molding to obtain injection-molded products that meet specific color requirements. Therefore, the amount of pigment supplied and the uniformity of mixing have a crucial impact on the color of the final product. To ensure precise pigment supply, existing technologies commonly employ a volumetric powder supply method. This method typically uses a gear and fixed plate structure, utilizing gear slots as a volumetric cavity to output pigment. Volumetric powder supply systems are structurally simple and easy to implement, hence their widespread use. However, despite their straightforward design, this method has several significant drawbacks, making it difficult to achieve the desired color control in the final product.

[0004] First, the volumetric powder supply system has significant accuracy issues. The minute gap between the gear slot and the fixed plate causes slight variations in the powder output each time, resulting in fluctuations in the powder supply. This error can accumulate over multiple feeds within the same production batch, eventually affecting the powder ratio and causing inconsistencies in the final product's color. Particularly in batch production, fluctuations in powder supply can lead to color deviations, impacting product quality and appearance. Such accuracy errors not only affect color control but also make color differences between injection-molded products difficult to avoid, reducing production efficiency and increasing the difficulty of manual adjustments.

[0005] Secondly, due to the mechanical contact between the gears and the fixed plate, the volumetric powder supply system is prone to compression during the powder delivery process, especially when the gears rotate, as the powder is subjected to mechanical pressure. This compression can easily lead to powder agglomeration, thus affecting the uniform mixing of the powder and the base plastic. When powder agglomerates, it cannot be fully dispersed into the plastic substrate, ultimately resulting in color spots and color differences on the surface of the injection-molded product. This problem is particularly pronounced with fine-particle powders, which are prone to agglomeration during delivery, reducing the uniformity of the mixing between the powder and the base plastic, causing uneven color in the injection-molded product, affecting its aesthetics and market acceptance.

[0006] Furthermore, volumetric powder supply systems lack real-time adjustment capabilities. In some production processes, the properties of the base plastic may fluctuate due to changes in raw materials or external environmental influences, necessitating adjustments to the powder supply. However, the fixed mechanical structure of volumetric powder supply systems prevents flexible and precise real-time control of the powder supply. This makes it difficult to maintain a stable and accurate powder supply during production, exacerbating color inconsistencies. Because of the unstable output of the powder supply system, workers often need to perform frequent manual adjustments and color corrections, increasing labor costs, reducing production efficiency, and impacting product yield.

[0007] In summary, existing volumetric powder supply methods have many shortcomings in terms of powder supply accuracy, mixing uniformity, and adjustment flexibility. To ensure accurate powder ratios in the same batch or specification of production and to avoid the adverse effects of powder supply instability on the final product color, it is particularly important to develop a powder delivery device based on weight measurement. Utility Model Content

[0008] The purpose of this application is to overcome at least one deficiency of the existing technology and provide a powder weighing and delivery unit. This delivery unit ensures that the amount of color powder supplied each time is accurate through a precise weighing system, thereby effectively avoiding the error problem of the volumetric powder supply system, ensuring uniform mixing of color powder and base plastic, improving the color consistency and overall quality of injection molded products, thereby improving production efficiency and reducing the frequency of manual intervention. It has important technical significance and application value.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, this application discloses a powder weighing and delivery unit. The delivery unit includes a mounting bracket, a rotary drive mechanism fixedly mounted on the mounting bracket, a weighing module mounted on the rotating end of the rotary drive mechanism, and a delivery container connected and cooperating with the weighing module. The rotary drive mechanism drives the weighing module and delivery container to reciprocate and reset. For ease of cleaning, the delivery container is detachably connected to the weighing module. Specifically, the delivery container includes a base shell with an interface, and a weighing sensor installed within the base shell. Correspondingly, the delivery container has a connector adapted to the interface. The connector of the delivery container is inserted into the connector and makes direct or indirect mechanical contact with the weighing sensor, thereby achieving weight transfer and measurement.

[0010] Furthermore, the housing is hollow to accommodate and install the load cell; the load cell is a beam-type single-point load cell, and the support surface at the tail end of the beam-type single-point load cell is fixed inside the base shell, so that the beam-type single-point load cell is suspended except for the support surface, thereby meeting the structural requirements for the front end to complete the weighing measurement. In addition, the beam-type single-point load cell is equipped with a fixing block, and the fixing block and the weighing working surface of the beam-type single-point load cell form a slot, which is connected and adapted to the plug-in component.

[0011] Furthermore, the delivery container has an opening for feeding and discharging.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner surface of the delivery container is smooth, reducing pigment adhesion.

[0013] To elaborate further, the rotary drive mechanism is a rotary cylinder.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this application has at least one of the following beneficial effects:

[0015] 1. Improve powder supply accuracy: The precise weighing system ensures that the amount of color powder supplied each time is accurate, avoiding the supply fluctuations caused by mechanical gaps in traditional volumetric powder supply systems. This improves the accuracy of color powder ratio and ensures the consistency of color of injection molded products in the same batch of production.

[0016] 2. Reduce pigment clumping and improve mixing uniformity: The detachable delivery container and smooth inner surface design reduce pigment clumping and prevent pigment from caking during transportation. This ensures that the pigment can be mixed evenly with the base plastic, improves the appearance quality of injection molded products, and reduces color spots and color differences.

[0017] 3. Enhanced system flexibility and stability: The rotary drive mechanism enables the delivery container to rotate and reset precisely, enhancing the flexibility of the powder supply system. It can adjust the powder supply in real time to adapt to changes in the properties of the base plastic, thereby improving production efficiency, reducing manual intervention, and enhancing the automation level of the production process.

[0018] The beneficial effects listed above are not exhaustive of all advantages. Other potential beneficial effects and detailed technical implementation methods will be further disclosed in the embodiments or other descriptive sections of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0019] A better understanding of various aspects of this disclosure will be achieved by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The positions, dimensions, and extents of the structures shown in the drawings, etc., do not always represent actual positions, dimensions, and extents. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment disclosed in this application.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment disclosed in this application from another perspective.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of one embodiment disclosed in this application from another perspective.

[0023] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of one embodiment disclosed in this application.

[0024] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the weighing module in one embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the delivery container structure in one embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the delivery container from another perspective in one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

[0028] It should be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same elements in all the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the dimensions of certain features may be modified in the drawings.

[0029] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. All terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail; however, where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of this specification.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this specification include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “containing” used in this specification indicate the presence of the claimed feature but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term “and / or” used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items. Example

[0031] This embodiment describes the specific structure and working principle of a powder weighing and delivery unit, which aims to ensure color consistency and high quality of products in the injection molding process through precise weighing and efficient control of color powder delivery.

[0032] This embodiment describes the specific structure and working principle of a powder weighing and delivery unit, which aims to ensure color consistency and high quality of products in the injection molding process through precise weighing and efficient control of color powder delivery.

[0033] See attached document Figure 1-4 The entire unit mainly consists of a mounting bracket 1, a rotary drive mechanism 2, a weighing module 3, and a delivery container 4. These components work together, through a precise weighing system and an automated delivery mechanism, to achieve a stable and accurate supply of colorant.

[0034] Specifically, the mounting bracket 1 of the powder weighing and delivery unit is made of high-strength steel, possessing sufficient strength and stability to support components such as the rotary drive mechanism 2, the weighing module 3, and the delivery container 4. The mounting bracket 1 ensures the structural stability of the entire unit and can effectively withstand the vibrations and pressures generated during system operation.

[0035] The rotary drive mechanism 2 is one of the key components of this embodiment, and it adopts the working principle of a pneumatic rotary cylinder. The pneumatic rotary cylinder uses gas pressure to drive the piston inside the cylinder to move, thereby driving the rotation of the rotating end. When the cylinder piston is pushed by air pressure, the rotary drive mechanism 2 causes the weighing module 3 and the delivery container 4 connected to it to start rotating.

[0036] See attached document Figure 4 In this embodiment, the delivery container 4 and the weighing module 3 are connected via an interface 9 and a connector 10. Specifically, the delivery container 4 is equipped with a connector 10 on one side, which connects to the weighing module 3 by inserting into the interface 9 on the base shell 5. After being inserted into the interface 9, the connector 10 makes direct mechanical contact with the weighing sensor 6, enabling the sensor to accurately measure the weight of the pigment powder inside the delivery container 4. Furthermore, the connection structure of the connector 10 and the interface 9 is simple and reliable, facilitating disassembly, cleaning, and maintenance by operators.

[0037] In this embodiment, refer to the appendix Figure 5 The weighing module 3 includes a base shell 5 and a weighing sensor 6, specifically, the weighing sensor 6 is located inside the base shell 5. The tail end of the base shell 5 is fixed to the rotating end of the rotary drive mechanism 2, while the weighing sensor 6 is installed inside the base shell 5. The weighing sensor 6 is a beam-type single-point weighing sensor. The tail end of this beam-type single-point weighing sensor is fixed inside the base shell 5 by a support surface, while the front end of the sensor is suspended. This design allows the weighing module 3 to flexibly measure the weight of the pigment in the delivery container 4. The sensor 6 works by using a strain gauge to sense changes in the weight of the delivery container 4. When the weight of the pigment in the delivery container 4 changes due to the pigment, the resistance of the strain gauge changes, which is then transmitted to the control system via an electrical signal. The control system analyzes the signal fed back by the sensor to determine the weight of the pigment in the delivery container 4, ensuring accurate pigment supply.

[0038] More specifically, the base shell 5 is composed of three parts to realize the installation and fixation of the load cell 6, including the tail seat 501, the upper shell 502, and the lower shell 503. The upper shell 502 and the lower shell 503 are inserted into and fixed on the tail seat 501 to form a cavity. The lower shell 502 is connected and cooperates with the fixing surface of the load cell 6, and the lower shell 502 avoids other parts of the load cell 6.

[0039] To achieve force transmission, a fixing block 8 is provided inside the base shell 5 of the weighing module 3, forming a slot between the fixing block 8 and the weighing working surface of the load cell 6. This slot is designed to fit the connector 10 of the delivery container 4, allowing the connector 10 to be accurately inserted into the slot and make mechanical contact with the load cell 6. This structure not only ensures the accuracy of the load cell 6 during operation but also facilitates the disassembly and replacement of the delivery container 4, ensuring the maintainability of the system.

[0040] Based on the above structure, refer to the appendix. Figure 6 and 7The delivery container 4 is designed with an opening 11 for feeding and discharging the color powder. After the color powder enters the delivery container 4 through the inlet, the rotary drive mechanism 2 pushes the delivery container 4 to start rotating through a rotary cylinder. The color powder flows out of the delivery container 4 under the action of gravity and eventually enters the downstream injection molding system. The inner wall of the delivery container 4 is specially smoothed to reduce the adhesion of color powder inside the container, avoid clumping, and ensure that the color powder can be evenly distributed and smoothly conveyed.

[0041] With precise weight control and efficient automated delivery, the powder weighing and delivery unit of this embodiment can be widely used in the production of injection molded products with strict color requirements, improving the appearance quality of the products, reducing production costs, and providing the injection molding industry with a more efficient and accurate production tool.

[0042] While exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, all changes and modifications are included within the scope of protection of this disclosure as defined by the claims. This disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of those claims are also included.

Claims

1. A powder weighing and delivery unit, characterized in that, The delivery unit includes: a mounting bracket, a rotary drive mechanism fixedly mounted on the mounting bracket, a weighing module mounted on the rotating end of the rotary drive mechanism, and a delivery container connected and cooperating with the weighing module. The rotary drive mechanism drives the weighing module and delivery container to reciprocate and reset. The delivery container is detachably connected to the weighing module. Specifically, the delivery container includes a base shell with an interface, and a weighing sensor installed within the base shell. Correspondingly, the delivery container has a connector adapted to the interface. The connector of the delivery container is inserted into the connector and makes direct or indirect mechanical contact with the weighing sensor, thereby realizing the transfer and measurement of weight.

2. The powder weighing and delivery unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The housing is hollow to accommodate and install the load cell. The load cell is a beam-type single-point load cell. The support surface at the tail end of the beam-type single-point load cell is fixed inside the base shell, so that the beam-type single-point load cell is suspended except for the support surface, thereby meeting the structural requirements for the front end to complete the weighing measurement. In addition, the beam-type single-point load cell is equipped with a fixing block. The fixing block and the weighing working surface of the beam-type single-point load cell form a slot, which is connected and adapted to the plug-in component.

3. The powder weighing and delivery unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The delivery container has an opening for feeding and discharging.

4. The powder weighing and delivery unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The inner surface of the delivery container is smooth, reducing pigment adhesion.

5. The powder weighing and delivery unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The rotary drive mechanism is a rotary cylinder.

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