Protective cover for a machine and the injection molding machine equipped with it

Abstract

Protective cover (10) for a machine, in particular an injection molding machine, comprising at least two carriages (20) and at least two cover segments (30). The carriages (20) are movable translationally along a first axis (40) and can be mounted on a first mounting (70) of the machine. Each cover segment (30) is attached to a carriage (20) and is rotatably movable along a second axis (50) at right angles to the first axis (40). Two cover segments (30) are movably connected to each other along a third axis (60) parallel to the second axis (50). One of the at least two cover segments (30) can be detachably mounted on a second mounting (80) of the machine with a side opposite the connection of the cover segments.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective cover for a machine, in particular an injection molding machine, having the features according to the preamble of claim 1, and to an injection molding machine provided therewith having the features of claim 9. State of the art

[0002] Conventional protective covers for machines, especially those for processing plastics and other plasticizable materials such as injection molding machines, feature guards designed to protect the operator from injury, particularly during machine operation. However, these guards typically restrict the operator's access to the machine, for example during maintenance and assembly, due to their fixed, immovable components.

[0003] An example of this can be found in DE 10 2012 004 018 B4. This document describes a horizontal injection molding machine with a clamping unit, an injection unit, and a protective cover for the injection molding machine. The protective cover comprises a fixed separating guard and a movable separating guard. The movable separating guard has a protective door consisting of at least two parts: a first door section and a second door section. The two door sections are slidable and, in a closed position, together completely cover an access opening in the protective cover. In an open position, the first door section is positioned one behind the other, with one of the two door sections at least partially obscuring the other. The fixed separating guard has a rigid frame on which both door sections are slidably mounted.

[0004] From JP 2003-276071 A, an injection molding machine is known that is equipped with space-saving safety covers for a mold clamping unit. The mold clamping unit is mounted on a machine base. The safety covers and guide rails of a safety door are attached to the machine base or the frame of the injection molding machine in such a way that they can be moved parallel to each other by changing their height. Rotatable guide rollers are located on the safety covers and / or the safety door. When the safety covers are opened by sliding, they are positioned so that they overlap the safety door. Description of the invention

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a protective cover that protects the operator from hazards without restricting his access to the machine, and which can be used with as few different assemblies as possible for many different series of machines, thus saving costs.

[0006] This is solved by a protective cover for a machine, in particular an injection molding machine, comprising at least two carriages and at least two cover segments, with the features of claim 1 or by an injection molding machine provided therewith with the features of claim 9.

[0007] The at least two carriages are mounted on a first mounting point of the machine, allowing translational movement along a first axis. Each cover segment is attached to one carriage and is rotatable about a second axis at right angles to the first axis. Two of the cover segments attached to each carriage are movably connected to each other along a third axis, which is parallel to the second axis. One of the at least two cover segments is detachably mounted on a second mounting point of the machine with its side opposite the connection between the cover segments. This design advantageously provides maximum accessibility to the protective cover when folded.At the same time, a few identical components and especially connection elements can be used on the machine, so that scaling of the protective cover depending on the machine size is advantageously possible.

[0008] Advantageous further training is the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the protective cover, which advantageously reduces the number of components and improves operability, the first mounting of the machine is a common guide for the at least two carriages, in particular a guide rail or guide rod, wherein the at least two carriages are movable on the guide by means of rolling bearings. This guide is preferably a horizontal guide arranged on the machine stand and below the protective cover.

[0010] Preferably, a further embodiment of the protective cover advantageously improves its detachability from the second receptacle by providing that the second receptacle of the machine forms at least one plug connection with the cover segment, in particular a bolt / socket connection. Preferably, the second receptacle is a vertical receptacle on the stationary mold carrier.

[0011] By connecting the two cover segments movably to each other at the preferably vertical joint by means of at least one hinge, in particular a hinge band, a light and stable mutual movement of the two connected cover segments is advantageously enabled in another embodiment of the protective cover, if required.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the protective cover advantageously reduces the risk of unwanted folding of the protective cover from the fully folded state by additionally connecting the interconnected cover segments by means of a spring, wherein the spring is pre-tensioned in a state in which the cover segments have a maximally large area along the first axis, i.e. preferably in a stretched folded state.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the protective cover, it is preferable to avoid folding of the protective cover in an undesired direction when it is fully unfolded by providing an end stop for the cover segment on the carriage, against which it abuts when the interconnected cover segments are in a state in which the cover segments have a maximally large area along the first axis, i.e., are in their extended protective position.

[0014] Another preferred embodiment of the protective cover advantageously reduces the risk of unwanted folding of the protective cover from the fully unfolded state by the fact that the cover segment is detachably engaged with a first part of a locking connection on the carriage in a second part of the locking connection when the interconnected cover segments are in a state in which they have a maximally large area along the first axis, i.e., are in their protective position.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the protective cover, the risk of undesirable folding of the protective cover in the fully unfolded state is advantageously and permanently reduced by the fact that the cover segment, in a state in which it has a maximally large area along the first axis, is axially prestressed on the second axis and is rotatably movable on it, wherein a tension pin on the carriage, which can be released as required, prevents the axial prestress from being released.

[0016] The described advantages are also noticeable on an injection molding machine equipped with such a protective cover for processing plastics and other plasticizable materials.

[0017] Preferably, the protective cover of the injection molding unit is assigned to the injection molding machine, so that it can be advantageously protected from access, operated safely, and at the same time is quickly and easily accessible for maintenance and assembly, e.g. of another plasticizing cylinder or for changing a feed screw.

[0018] The features listed individually in the patent claims can be combined in a technologically meaningful way and can be supplemented by explanatory facts from the description and by details from the figures, showing further embodiment variants of the invention.

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. The figures shown are: Fig. 1, Fig. 2 a three-dimensional view of the operator side of a part of an injection molding machine assigned to an injection molding unit with a closed or open protective cover, Fig. 3 the protective cover with a detailed enlargement of a connecting spring, Fig. 4 A detailed enlargement of a carriage with a cover segment attached to it. Description of preferred embodiments

[0020] Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that it is not limited to the respective components of the device or the respective process steps, as these components and processes may vary. The terms used here are intended solely to describe particular embodiments and are not used restrictively. Furthermore, where the singular or indefinite articles are used in the description or in the claims, this also refers to the plural of these elements, unless the overall context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0021] The design and operation of a machine for processing plastics and other plasticizable materials, such as an injection molding machine, are generally familiar to those skilled in the art. Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows the part of an injection molding machine associated with an injection molding unit 170 in a three-dimensional view from the operator's side. On the left side of the figures, the mold clamping unit 180 with stationary mold carrier 200 can also be seen. The injection molding unit 170 and the mold clamping unit 180 are arranged on a machine stand 160.

[0022] Plastics or other plasticizable materials are fed into the injection molding machine, where they are mixed, plasticized, and homogenized in a plasticizing cylinder 190. During the plasticizing process, plasticized material is metered into the plasticizing cylinder by a conveying medium and injected into a mold cavity of an injection mold (not shown in the drawing), which is located in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is located on the left side on the back of the stationary mold carrier 200 in the mold clamping unit 180. At this moment, the injection mold is closed by the mold clamping unit. As soon as the injected plasticized material has hardened in the mold cavity, the injection mold is reopened by the mold clamping unit 180 so that a finished injection-molded part can be removed. This process is repeated cyclically.

[0023] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is located on the machine stand 160 and, from the operator's point of view, in front of the injection molding unit 170, a protective cover 10 with cover segments 30, which protects an operator from the area of ​​the injection molding unit in its operating state. Fig. 1. Protect from access by the operator. These cover segments 30 are guided and supported on a guide 70 by means of carriages 20. In Fig. 1. These cover segments 30 are in their extended position, i.e., in which they have a maximum area. In Fig. 2, however, they are folded around a second vertical axis and moved to the right edge of the machine stand 160 to allow access to the injection molding unit 170, e.g. for maintenance and assembly.

[0024] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a protective cover 10 for a machine, in particular an injection molding machine, which in the exemplary embodiment comprises two cover segments 30, but can also have more than two cover segments 30. The protective cover 10 also comprises at least two carriages 20, wherein the at least two carriages 20 are movable translationally along a first axis 40 and can be mounted on a first, in the exemplary embodiment horizontal, mounting 70 of the machine. That is, the at least two carriages 20 can be moved, for example, along or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the machine.

[0025] Each cover segment 30 is attached to a carriage 20 and is rotatably movable about a second axis 50 at a right angle to the first axis 40. In the exemplary embodiment, the second axes 50 are arranged vertically. The respective cover segment 30 is thus attached to the respective carriage 20 in such a way that it can be rotated on the carriage 20 about a second axis 50, which is at a right angle to the first axis 40, along which the carriage 20 can be moved, for example, along the longitudinal axis of the machine.

[0026] Two adjacent cover segments 30 are movably connected to each other along a third axis 60 parallel to the second axis 50. One of the adjacent cover segments 30 can be detachably mounted on a second mounting 80 of the machine with its side opposite the connection of the cover segments. This second mounting 80 is preferably located on the stationary mold carrier 200. The protective cover 10 is thus supported on the machine at least at three points: at least two points on the first mounting 40, located in a largely horizontal plane via the carriages 20, and at least one point on the second mounting 80, located in a largely vertical plane, thereby providing the necessary stability of the protective cover 10.Due to the detachable storage of the protective cover 10 at the second mounting 80, it is possible to move the cover segments 30 of the protective cover 10 translationally away from the second mounting 80 at their first mounting 70, thus allowing the operator the maximum possible access to the interior of the machine.

[0027] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a detailed enlargement of a carriage 20 with a cover segment 30 attached to it.

[0028] Advantageously, the number of components can be reduced and ease of use improved by having the first mounting 70 of the machine serve as a common guide 70 for the at least two carriages 20, in particular a guide rail or guide rod, wherein the at least two carriages 20 are preferably movable on the guide 70 by means of rolling bearings 150. The connection of the rolling bearings 150 to the guide rail or guide rod can also be detachable, for example to allow easy replacement of the protective cover 10.

[0029] The ease of detaching the protective cover 10 from the second receptacle 80 can be improved by the second receptacle 80 of the machine preferably forming at least one plug connection with the cover segment 30, in particular a bolt / socket connection.

[0030] A light and stable mutual movement of the two cover segments 30 connected to each other on the axis 60 can be achieved by connecting the two cover segments 30 to each other by means of at least one hinge 90.

[0031] If the interconnected cover segments 30 are additionally connected by means of a spring 100, which is pre-tensioned in a state in which the cover segments 30 have a maximum surface area along the first axis 40, i.e., are in the protective position, the risk of unwanted folding of the protective cover from the fully folded state can be reduced. The detailed section in Fig. Figure 3 shows the spring 100.

[0032] Folding of the protective cover 10 in its fully unfolded state in an undesired direction can be avoided by providing an end stop 110 for the cover segment 30 on the carriage 20, against which it abuts when the interconnected cover segments 30 are in a state in which the cover segments 30 have a maximum area along the first axis 40.

[0033] The risk of unwanted folding of the protective cover 10 in the fully unfolded state can be reduced by the fact that the cover segment 30 is detachably engaged with a first part 120 of a locking connection on the carriage 20 in a second part 130 of the locking connection when the interconnected cover segments 30 are in a state in which the cover segments 30 have a maximum area along the first axis 40.

[0034] Furthermore, the risk of unwanted folding of the protective cover 10 in the fully unfolded state can be reduced by axially pre-tensioning the cover segment 30 on the second axis 50 in a state in which it has a maximum area along the first axis 40 and being rotatably movable on it, whereby a tension pin 140 on the carriage 20, which can be manually released as required, prevents the axial pre-tension from being released.

[0035] According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 is an injection molding machine for processing plastics and other plasticizable materials, equipped with such a protective cover 10, specifically in the area of ​​an injection molding unit 170, in the exemplary embodiment on the operator side. A comparison of the two figures makes it clear that the protective cover 10, in its folded state, Fig.2 allows almost completely unobstructed access to the injection molding unit 170, especially, but not exclusively, in the front area of ​​the injection molding unit 170 at the plasticizing cylinder 190. In the closed state, where the cover segments 30 have a maximum surface area, the access area to the injection molding unit 170 of the injection molding machine is covered, so that it can be operated safely and advantageously while being protected from unauthorized access, and at the same time being quickly and easily accessible for maintenance and assembly, e.g., of a different plasticizing cylinder or for changing a feed screw. Reference symbol list 10 Protective cover 20 trolleys 30 Coverage segment 40 first axis 50 second axis 60 third axis 70 first recording, guided tour 80 second recording 90 hinge 100 springs 110 End stop 120 first part of a rest route 130 second part of a rest area connection 140 spring pin 150 rolling bearings 160 machine stands 170 injection molding units 180 Form clamping unit 190 plasticizing cylinders 200 stationary mold carriers

Claims

[1] Protective cover (10) for a machine, in particular an injection molding machine, comprising at least two cover segments (30), characterized by , that the protective cover also includes at least two carriages (20), that the at least two carriages (20) are movable translationally along a first axis (40) and can be mounted on a first mounting (70) of the machine, that each of the at least two cover segments (30) is attached to a carriage (20) and is rotatably movable about a second axis (50) at a right angle to the first axis (40), that each pair of adjacent cover segments (30) of the at least two cover segments (30) which are attached to the respective carriage (20) are movably connected to each other via a connection along a third axis (60) which is arranged parallel to the second axis (50) and that one of the at least two cover segments (30) can be detachably stored on a second receptacle (80) of the machine with a side opposite the connection of the cover segments. [2] Protective cover (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the first mounting (70) of the machine is a common guide (70) for the at least two carriages (20), wherein the at least two carriages (20) are preferably movable on the guide by means of rolling bearings (150). [3] Protective cover (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the second receptacle (80) of the machine forms at least a plug connection with the cover segment (30), in particular a bolt / socket connection. [4] Protective cover (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the two cover segments (30) are movably connected to each other at the joint by means of at least one hinge (90). [5] Protective cover (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the interconnected cover segments (30) are additionally connected by means of a spring (100), wherein the spring (100) is pre-tensioned in a state in which the cover segments (30) have a maximally large area along the first axis (40). [6] Protective cover (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an end stop (110) for the cover segment (30) is arranged on the carriage (20), against which it abuts when the interconnected cover segments (30) are in a state in which the cover segments (30) have a maximum area along the first axis (40). [7] Protective cover (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the cover segment (30) is detachably engaged with a first part (120) of a snap connection on the carriage (20) in a second part (130) of the snap connection when the interconnected cover segments (30) are in a state in which the cover segments (30) have a maximum area along the first axis (40). [8] Protective cover (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cover segment (30) is in a state in which it has a maximally large area along the first axis (40), is axially prestressed on the second axis (50) and is rotatably movable on it, wherein a tension pin (140) on the carriage (20) prevents the axial prestress from being released. [9] Injection molding machine for processing plastics and other plasticizable materials with a protective cover (10), characterized by that the protective cover is designed according to one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Injection molding machine according to claim 9, characterized by that it has an injection molding unit (170) to which the protective cover (10) is assigned.

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