Soft metal liquid collector and soft metal vacuum casting system
By combining a soft metal liquid collector with a vacuum casting system, the problem of collecting and recycling soft metal overflow liquid was solved, achieving stable collection and simple operation, and improving material utilization and safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521465180.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-07-14
AI Technical Summary
There is a lack of effective solutions in the current technology for collecting and recycling the overflow of soft metals with a Mohs hardness of less than 2, which leads to material waste and safety hazards.
A soft metal liquid collector was designed, including an inlet pipe and a collection cylinder. It is connected to a vacuum box system through a vacuum pumping and helium filling pipe. The flow of molten metal into the collection cylinder is controlled by an electric control valve and a liquid level electrode switch. An insulation component is installed on the outside to maintain the stability of the molten metal. After solidification, the metal block can be manually removed.
It enables the stable collection and recycling of soft metals, avoids waste, is simple and quick to operate, and ensures product quality and safety.
Smart Images

Figure CN224424244U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of metal casting technology, specifically to a soft metal liquid collector and a soft metal vacuum casting system. Background Technology
[0002] In the metal casting process, the collection of overflowing molten metal is a key step in ensuring product quality, improving safety, and reducing material loss.
[0003] The method for vacuum casting metal, with application number "US3862656A", generates a certain amount of overflowing molten metal during the casting process. By vertically separating the mold and cooling plate from the stripping plate, the pressure of the mold is released, and the solidified metal between the cooling plate and the stripping plate is broken. The overflowing molten metal is brittle and hard after cooling, and users can quickly and centrally process these metals.
[0004] However, for some soft metals with a Mohs hardness below 2, there is no good collection method in the existing technology.
[0005] The relevant technologies do not provide effective solutions to the above problems. Utility Model Content
[0006] To address the problem of overflow collection and recovery of soft metal during the casting process in related technologies, some embodiments of this application provide a soft metal liquid collector, comprising: an inlet pipe for communicating with a soft metal forming mold to receive soft metal liquid overflowing from the mold; the inlet pipe includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being higher than the outlet; a collection cylinder having the outlet connected to its side, the top and bottom of the collection cylinder being detachably provided with a top cover and a bottom cover, the top cover being connected to a vacuum pumping and helium filling pipe for connecting to a vacuum box system to evacuate and fill the collection cylinder with helium.
[0007] Furthermore, the included angle between the axis of the inlet pipe and the axis of the collection cylinder is α, where 45° < α < 90°.
[0008] Furthermore, the outer sides of the liquid inlet pipe and the collection cylinder are provided with heat insulation components.
[0009] Furthermore, the top cover is a first vacuum sealing flange, and a second vacuum sealing flange is fixed to the top of the collecting cylinder. The first vacuum sealing flange and the second vacuum sealing flange are detachably connected.
[0010] Furthermore, the top and bottom of the collection cylinder are detachably connected to the top cover and the bottom cover respectively by sealing rings made of oxide-free material.
[0011] To achieve the above objectives, some embodiments of this application also provide a soft metal vacuum casting system, including a casting pipe, a soft metal forming mold, a vacuum box system, and a soft metal liquid collector according to any of the above embodiments; the soft metal liquid collector is connected to the vacuum box system through the vacuum pumping and helium filling pipe; an electrically controlled valve is provided inside the casting pipe, and the casting pipe is connected to the soft metal forming mold for injecting soft metal liquid into the soft metal forming mold;
[0012] The soft metal forming mold is connected to the inlet of the liquid inlet pipe, so that the molten metal flowing out of the soft metal forming mold enters the soft metal collector.
[0013] Furthermore, a liquid level electrode switch is fixed on the side of the bottom cover facing the inner cavity of the collection cylinder. The liquid level electrode switch is communicatively connected to the electric control valve inside the casting pipe. When the liquid level electrode switch senses the molten metal, the electric control valve closes.
[0014] Furthermore, an electrically controlled heating belt is provided on the outside of the liquid inlet pipe and the collection cylinder as a heat preservation component.
[0015] Furthermore, the electrically controlled heating belt is communicatively connected to the liquid level electrode switch, and the electrically controlled heating belt is turned off when the liquid level electrode sensor detects the molten metal.
[0016] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by this utility model has the following advantages:
[0017] When molten soft metal overflows from the soft metal forming mold, it flows into a collection cylinder through the inlet pipe. Because the collection cylinder is connected to a vacuum pumping and helium filling pipe, it can maintain the soft metal in a stable state as much as possible after receiving the molten soft metal. The molten soft metal then solidifies into a metal block inside the collection cylinder. Users can remove the top and bottom covers of the collection cylinder to open the inside. Since the metal block is still relatively soft after solidification, users can manually remove the metal block directly from the collection cylinder for recycling. For example, the metal block can be put back into the soft metal forming mold for casting. The operation is simple and quick. Attached Figure Description
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the application and to make other features, objects, and advantages of the application more apparent. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain the application and do not constitute an undue limitation of the application. In the drawings:
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a soft metal liquid collector according to an embodiment of this application;
[0020] Label Explanation:
[0021] 100. Soft metal liquid collector;
[0022] 110. Liquid inlet pipe; 111. Liquid inlet; 112. Liquid outlet;
[0023] 120. Collection cylinder; 121. Second vacuum flange;
[0024] 130. Top cover; 131. First vacuum flange;
[0025] 140. Bottom cover;
[0026] 150. Sealing components;
[0027] 160. Liquid level electrode switch. Detailed Implementation
[0028] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.
[0029] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate for the embodiments of this application described herein.
[0030] In this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "middle," "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," and "longitudinal" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated devices, elements, or components to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Furthermore, some of the above terms may be used to indicate other meanings besides orientation or positional relationship; for example, the term "upper" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0031] like Figure 1As shown, this application provides a soft metal liquid collector 100 for use with a soft metal forming mold, which can effectively recover the soft metal overflowing from the soft mold so that it can be reused without waste.
[0032] Specifically, the soft metal collector 100 is applicable to soft metals with a Mohs hardness of less than 2 after solidification.
[0033] The soft metal liquid collector 100 includes an inlet pipe 110 and a collection cylinder 120. The inlet pipe 110 is used to communicate with a soft metal forming mold to receive the soft metal liquid overflowing from the mold. The inlet pipe 110 includes an inlet port 111 and an outlet port 112, with the inlet port 111 being higher than the outlet port 112. The outlet port 112 is connected to the side of the collection cylinder 120. The top and bottom of the collection cylinder 120 are respectively provided with a top cover 130 and a bottom cover 140. The top cover 130 is connected to a vacuum pumping and helium filling pipe, which is used to connect to a vacuum box system to evacuate and fill the collection cylinder 120 with helium, so that the collection cylinder 120 is kept in a low-oxygen or oxygen-free state as much as possible before the metal liquid enters it.
[0034] This vacuum chamber system is an existing device capable of performing vacuuming and helium filling operations, ensuring that the oxygen level inside the chamber is below a set value. This embodiment will not be described in detail here.
[0035] In this way, when the molten soft metal overflows from the soft metal molding die, it can flow into the collection cylinder 120 through the inlet pipe 110. Since the collection cylinder 120 is connected to the vacuum pumping and helium filling pipe, it can keep the soft metal as stable as possible after receiving the molten soft metal. The molten soft metal then solidifies into a metal block in the collection cylinder 120. The user can remove the top cover 130 and the bottom cover 140 of the collection cylinder 120 to open the inside of the collection cylinder 120. Since the metal block is still relatively soft after solidification, the user can manually remove the metal block directly from the collection cylinder 120 to recycle it. For example, the metal block can be put back into the soft metal molding die for casting. The operation is simple and quick.
[0036] Preferably, the angle between the axis of the inlet pipe 110 and the axis of the collection cylinder 120 is α, where 45° < α < 90°, so that the soft metal liquid can flow smoothly into the inner cavity of the collection cylinder 120 after flowing in from the inlet pipe 110, and is less likely to interfere with other components on the soft metal liquid collector 100.
[0037] Furthermore, insulation components are provided on the outside of the liquid inlet pipe 110 and the collection cylinder 120 to prevent the soft metal liquid from solidifying prematurely during the process of flowing from the soft metal forming mold into the soft metal collector 100.
[0038] The insulation component can be insulation material and / or electrically controlled heating belt, etc. The insulation material is preferably aluminum silicate fiber.
[0039] The connection between the collection cylinder 120 and the top cover 130 and the bottom cover 140 can be either direct or indirect through an intermediate medium.
[0040] As a specific design, the top cover 130 serves as the first vacuum sealing flange, and the top of the collecting cylinder 120 is fixed with a second vacuum sealing flange. The first and second vacuum sealing flanges are detachably connected. Specifically, the first and second vacuum sealing flanges can be connected by clamps, locking mechanisms, ferrules, or bolts.
[0041] More specifically, the bottom cover 140 is a third vacuum sealing flange, and the bottom of the collecting cylinder 120 is fixed with a fourth vacuum sealing flange. The third and fourth vacuum sealing flanges are bolted together. Specifically, the third and fourth vacuum sealing flanges can be connected by clamps, locking clips, ferrules, or bolts.
[0042] Optionally, the bottom cover 140 can also be directly threaded onto the collection cylinder 120.
[0043] The aforementioned detachable connection methods are preferably snap-fit connections and bolt connections, making manual assembly and disassembly by users quicker.
[0044] It is worth noting that the specific structure of the aforementioned vacuum sealing flange can be referred to in the existing technology, and will not be described in detail in this application.
[0045] The top and bottom of the collecting cylinder 120 are detachably connected to the top cover 130 and bottom cover 140 respectively via oxide-free sealing rings. These sealing rings are oxide-free, preventing oxides from entering the molten metal to be solidified, and also have good plasticity, enabling vacuum sealing. Optionally, the oxide-free sealing rings are made of oxygen-free copper.
[0046] As a more specific implementation, this solution provides a soft metal vacuum casting system, including a casting pipe, a soft metal forming mold, a vacuum box system, and the aforementioned soft metal liquid collector 100. The soft metal liquid collector 100 is connected to the vacuum box system via a vacuum evacuation and helium filling pipe. An electrically controlled valve is installed inside the casting pipe, which is connected to the soft metal forming mold for injecting molten soft metal into the mold.
[0047] Furthermore, the soft metal forming mold is connected to the inlet 111 of the inlet pipe 110 of the soft metal collector 100, so that the molten metal flowing out of the soft metal forming mold enters the soft metal collector 100. Specifically, the riser of the soft metal forming mold is connected to the inlet pipe 110.
[0048] During the casting process of this soft metal vacuum casting system, the mold and pipes are in a semi-vacuum state filled with a certain amount of helium. Metal molds and metal pipes are used, and gravity casting is employed to allow the molten metal to enter the mold cavity. As the molten metal enters the mold cavity, the cavity gradually shrinks. If the residual helium is not discharged in time, it will cause the pressure to rise, which will also lead to incomplete filling and poor product quality. Therefore, the metal liquid collector of this application can also serve as a connector for the gas discharged from the mold cavity, keeping the pressure inside and outside the mold cavity equal, preventing the gas inside the mold cavity from interfering with the filling of the molten metal, and further improving the product molding quality.
[0049] Preferably, a liquid level electrode switch 160 is fixed on the side of the bottom cover 140 facing the inner cavity of the collection cylinder 120, and the liquid level electrode switch 160 is communicatively connected to an electric control valve inside the casting pipe. When the liquid level electrode switch 160 senses the molten metal, the electric control valve closes.
[0050] Specifically, the liquid level electrode switch 160 is connected to the electric control valve via a controller. The controller controls the electric control valve to close, and the casting pipe stops injecting liquid into the mold cavity.
[0051] Since the liquid level electrode switch 160 is fixed to the bottom cover 140, the liquid level electrode switch 160 can be removed from the collection cylinder 120 along with the bottom cover 140, making it convenient for the user to remove the soft metal solidified block.
[0052] This design ensures that the cavity is filled with molten metal when the casting pipe stops injecting liquid, thus guaranteeing product quality.
[0053] During the casting process, the electric control valve in the casting pipe is opened, and the molten soft metal liquid enters the soft metal forming mold from the casting pipe. After the filling is completed, the molten metal liquid overflows from the soft metal forming mold and flows into the liquid collector.
[0054] An electrically controlled heating belt is installed on the outside of the liquid inlet pipe 110 and the collection cylinder 120 as an insulation component. The electrically controlled heating belt is communicatively connected to the liquid level electrode switch 160. When the liquid level electrode switch 160 senses molten metal, the electrically controlled heating belt is turned off. Specifically, the liquid level electrode switch 160 is communicatively connected to the electrically controlled heating belt through a controller. When the liquid level electrode switch 160 senses molten metal, it controls the electrically controlled heating belt to turn off through the controller, stopping the heating of the molten metal in the cylinder. The molten metal can then solidify into a metal block in the collection cylinder 120 for easy removal by the user.
[0055] As an alternative, the electrically controlled heating belt can also be switched on and off by other devices, simply by stopping the heating of the collecting cylinder 120 after the casting work of the soft metal vacuum casting system is completed.
[0056] In summary, before vacuum casting, the vacuum box system of the soft metal vacuum casting system evacuates the inside of the collection cylinder 120 through the vacuum evacuation and helium filling pipe of the soft metal collector 100 to bring the internal pressure to a set value. Then, helium is filled in through the vacuum evacuation and helium filling pipe, and then the system evacuates again. This process is repeated until the oxygen content of the extracted gas detected by the oxygen content analyzer is lower than the set value, thus preparing for the subsequent collection of molten metal.
[0057] During the casting process, the electric control valve of the casting pipe opens, and the molten metal enters the casting cavity after passing through the electric control valve. After filling is completed, the molten metal enters from the riser of the soft metal forming mold through the inlet pipe 110 of the soft metal collector 100, triggering the liquid level electrode switch 160 at the bottom of the collector to send a signal to the controller, which controls the electric control valve to close, and the casting pipe injects liquid into the cavity. Throughout the casting process, to ensure that the molten metal remains in a liquid state, the inlet pipe 110 and the collecting cylinder 120 are wrapped with an electrically controlled heating belt. The controller controls the energization and de-energization of the electrically controlled heating belt. During the casting process, the electrically controlled heating belt is energized to heat the inlet pipe 110 and the collecting cylinder 120 to maintain the liquid state of the soft metal in the collecting cylinder 120, facilitating the accumulation of molten metal at the bottom of the collecting cylinder 120. After the casting work is completed, the electrically controlled heating belt is de-energized and stops heating.
[0058] As a result, the molten metal cools and solidifies into a metal block at the bottom of the collecting cylinder 120. The metal block is very soft, so the top cover 130 and bottom cover 140 on the collecting cylinder 120 and the electrode switch on the bottom cover 140 can be removed separately, and the metal block can be manually discharged from the top or bottom of the collecting cylinder 120.
[0059] In this application, the terms "installation," "setup," "equipped with," "connection," "linking," and "socketing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts.
[0060] Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0061] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A soft metal liquid collector, characterized in that, include: The liquid inlet pipe is used to connect with the soft metal forming mold to receive the soft metal liquid overflowing from the soft metal forming mold; The liquid inlet pipe includes a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, and the liquid inlet is higher than the liquid outlet; The collecting cylinder has a liquid outlet connected to its side. The top and bottom of the collecting cylinder are respectively provided with a top cover and a bottom cover. The top cover is connected to a vacuum pumping and helium filling pipe. The vacuum pumping and helium filling pipe is used to connect to a vacuum box system to evacuate and fill the collecting cylinder with helium.
2. The soft metal liquid collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The included angle between the axis of the inlet pipe and the axis of the collection cylinder is α, where 45° < α < 90°.
3. A soft metal liquid collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inlet pipe and the collection cylinder are provided with heat insulation components on their outer sides.
4. A soft metal liquid collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top cover is a first vacuum sealing flange, and the top of the collecting cylinder is fixed with a second vacuum sealing flange. The first vacuum sealing flange and the second vacuum sealing flange are detachably connected.
5. A soft metal liquid collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top and bottom of the collection cylinder are detachably connected to the top cover and the bottom cover respectively by sealing rings made of oxide-free material.
6. A vacuum casting system for soft metals, characterized in that: It includes a casting pipe, a soft metal forming mold, a vacuum box system, and a soft metal liquid collector according to any one of claims 1 to 5; the soft metal liquid collector is connected to the vacuum box system through the vacuum pumping and helium filling pipe; An electric control valve is installed inside the casting pipe, and the casting pipe is connected to the soft metal forming mold for injecting soft metal liquid into the soft metal forming mold; The soft metal forming mold is connected to the inlet of the liquid inlet pipe, so that the molten metal flowing out of the soft metal forming mold enters the soft metal collector.
7. A vacuum casting system for soft metals according to claim 6, characterized in that: A liquid level electrode switch is fixed on the side of the bottom cover facing the inner cavity of the collection cylinder. The liquid level electrode switch is communicatively connected to the electric control valve in the casting pipe. When the liquid level electrode switch senses the molten metal, the electric control valve closes.
8. A vacuum casting system for soft metals according to claim 7, characterized in that: The outer side of the liquid inlet pipe and the collection cylinder is provided with an electrically controlled heating belt as a heat preservation component.
9. A vacuum casting system for soft metals according to claim 8, characterized in that: The electrically controlled heating belt is communicatively connected to the liquid level electrode switch. When the liquid level electrode switch senses the molten metal, the electrically controlled heating belt is turned off.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Method and apparatus for vacuum casting of metal
US3862656A