Mold, method for assembling mold, and method for manufacturing vehicle body structural member

Abstract

To provide a mold easy to replace.SOLUTION: A movable mold 50 includes: a plurality of mold split bodies 41A to 41F; a base member 45 for fixing the plurality of mold split bodies 41A to 41F, the base member 45 combining and fixing the plurality of mold split bodies 41A to 41F on the base member 45; and a main mold 30 having a recessed portion 32 into which the plurality of mold split bodies 41A to 41F and the base member 45 are fitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mold structure for manufacturing a vehicle body structural member, a mold assembly method, and a method for manufacturing a vehicle body structural member using the mold. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a mold in which multiple divided bodies are separated via dividing surfaces formed approximately parallel to the mold clamping direction, and the divided bodies are inserted inside the outer periphery of the mold (main mold) in a state where they are in contact with each other via the dividing surfaces.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a device that allows efficient replacement of a dedicated part by pulling out the dedicated part from the general-purpose part and attaching a new dedicated part.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a mold structure having a nest and a main mold, in which a plate is inserted between the nest and the main mold to reduce damage to the main mold. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-202442 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-191065 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-69218 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the conventional mold described in Patent Document 1, when replacing the mold, the entire mold consisting of a master mold and multiple segments must be removed from the die-casting machine, the segments must be disassembled, the new segments must be inserted into the master mold, and then the new mold must be attached to the die-casting machine. In this case, because the new segments must be assembled inside the master mold, assembly precision cannot be guaranteed and unnecessary gaps may occur between the segments.

[0007] On the other hand, in recent years, there has been a demand for molding large die-cast products, and molds have become larger. As the mold size increases, the weight of the entire mold increases, and this may require an increase in the lifting capacity of the crane. In addition, mold replacement work may be complicated and take a long time.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a mold that is easy to replace. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The mold of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising a plurality of mold segments, a base member for fixing the plurality of mold segments, the base member on which the plurality of mold segments are assembled and fixed, and a main mold having recesses into which the plurality of mold segments and the base member are fitted.

[0010] Since multiple mold segments can be combined on a base member and fitted into recesses in the main mold, the assembly time for the mold can be reduced.

[0011] In the mold of the present disclosure, the multiple mold segments and the base member may be combined to form a split mold assembly fixed on the base member, and the main mold may have the split mold assembly fitted into the recess.

[0012] The mold segments can be fitted together into the recess, eliminating the need to adjust the relative positions of the mold segments when attaching them to the main mold, thereby reducing the assembly time of the mold.

[0013] In the mold of the present disclosure, the base member may be a flat plate-like member.

[0014] Since the base member is a flat plate-like member, it is easy to assemble and fix the mold halves on the base member. In addition, it is easy to align the planes of the mold halves and manage the gaps between them.

[0015] The mold of the present disclosure may include a cooling block fixed to the base member together with the plurality of mold halves.

[0016] Since the mold segments and the cooling block are fixed onto the base member and assembled as a unit to the main mold, the assembly time for the mold including the cooling block can be reduced.

[0017] In the mold of the present disclosure, the cooling block may be sandwiched between the plurality of mold segments and the base member.

[0018] This allows the mold to be cooled efficiently.

[0019] The mold of the present disclosure may include at least one pretension bolt that interconnects adjacent mold sections to apply a pretension between the adjacent mold sections.

[0020] By tightening the pretensioning bolts, the gap between adjacent mold halves can be eliminated, which prevents burrs from forming along the parting line in the die-cast product. Furthermore, by preventing adjacent mold halves from separating during casting, the formation of burrs along the parting line can be prevented.

[0021] In the mold of the present disclosure, the base member may be a flat member, each mold segment may have a segment surface perpendicular to the upper surface of the base member, and the pretension bolt may extend parallel to the upper surface of the base member.

[0022] This makes it possible to eliminate gaps between adjacent mold segments while maintaining the parallelism of each mold segment relative to the base member.

[0023] The mold of the present disclosure may include a plurality of knock pins that define the positions of the plurality of mold segments relative to the base member.

[0024] This makes it easy to position each mold segment relative to the base member when assembling multiple mold segments onto the base member.

[0025] In the mold of the present disclosure, each of the mold segments may have at least one pin hole that receives the knock pin.

[0026] This allows the base member and the mold segments to be positioned by the knock pins and pin holes.

[0027] The mold of the present disclosure may include at least one pretension bolt that connects adjacent mold segments to each other and applies pretension between the adjacent mold segments, and a plurality of knock pins that determine the positions of the plurality of mold segments relative to the base member, each mold segment having at least one pin hole that receives the knock pin, and the gap between the pin hole and the knock pin in the direction in which the mold segments are connected may be larger than the gap between adjacent mold segments before pretension is applied.

[0028] This allows adjacent mold halves to be fixed together without any gaps when the pretension bolts are tightened.

[0029] The mold of the present disclosure may include a cooling block sandwiched between the plurality of mold segments and the base member and fixed to the base member together with the plurality of mold segments, and at least one of the plurality of knock pins may be arranged to penetrate the cooling block.

[0030] This makes it easier to assemble the mold segments and the cooling block as a single unit to the main mold.

[0031] In the mold of the present disclosure, at least one side surface of the recess may include an inclined portion that slopes toward the outer periphery of the main mold as it approaches the open surface of the recess.

[0032] This allows the split mold assembly to be easily fitted into the recess.

[0033] In the mold of the present disclosure, the recess has a rectangular shape including four side surfaces and one bottom surface, Three of the side surfaces may include the inclined portions, and the other side surface may be perpendicular to the open surface.

[0034] This allows the split mold assembly to be easily fitted into the recess when assembling the split mold assembly from the horizontal direction with the main mold standing upright and using the other side surface as the horizontal reference plane.This means that the split mold assembly can be removed and installed while the main mold is set in the die casting machine, shortening the time required to change molds.

[0035] The mold assembly method disclosed herein is characterized by comprising a first step of assembling and fixing multiple mold segments onto a base member to form a split mold assembly, and a second step of fitting the split mold assembly into a recess in a main mold.

[0036] In this way, a plurality of mold segments can be combined on the base member and fitted together into the recesses of the main mold, thereby reducing the assembly time of the mold.

[0037] In the mold assembly method of the present disclosure, the second step may involve inserting the split mold assembly horizontally into the recess of the main mold while the main mold is upright so that the mold clamping direction is approximately horizontal.

[0038] The split die assembly can be removed and installed while the main die is set in the die casting machine, thereby shortening the time required to change dies.

[0039] The manufacturing method of the vehicle body structural member disclosed herein is characterized in that the vehicle body structural member is molded using a mold including a plurality of mold segments, a base member for fixing the plurality of mold segments, on which the plurality of mold segments are assembled and fixed, and a main mold having recesses into which the plurality of mold segments and the base member are fitted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0040] The present disclosure can provide a mold that is easy to replace. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a die-casting machine in which a mold according to an embodiment is set. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable mold according to the embodiment; [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the main mold of the movable mold of the embodiment, in which the cross section of the main mold at elevation A indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2 is viewed from the right side. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the movable mold insert (split mold assembly) of the embodiment, showing the cross sections of the parts in elevation A indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2 as viewed from the right side. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams showing the assembly process of the movable mold of the embodiment, and are diagrams showing the process of combining the cooling block onto the base member. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the assembly process of the movable mold of the embodiment, showing the process of combining multiple mold segments onto a cooling block. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the assembly process of the movable mold of the embodiment, showing the process of tightening the pretension bolts to apply pretension between adjacent mold segments. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the assembly process of the movable mold of the embodiment, showing the process of erecting the assembled nest (split mold assembly). [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the assembly process of the movable mold of the embodiment, showing the process of fitting a nest (split mold assembly) horizontally into the recess of the main mold set in the die-casting machine. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are explanatory views showing the assembly process of the movable mold of the embodiment, and are cross-sectional views showing the movable mold after assembly is completed. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another assembly process of a movable mold of another embodiment, showing the process of placing the main mold removed from the die-casting device horizontally and fitting the insert (split mold assembly) into the recess of the main mold from above. [Figure 12] 12 is a diagram showing a process of erecting the movable mold of another embodiment assembled in FIG. 11 and setting it in a die-casting machine. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a movable mold according to another embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a movable mold insert (split mold assembly) according to another embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a movable mold according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The mold 10 of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the die-casting apparatus 100 in which the mold 10 of the embodiment is set will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In each drawing, the symbols FR, LH, and UP respectively indicate the front, left, and top of the die-casting apparatus 100. The opposite directions of FR, LH, and UP are the rear, right, and bottom, respectively.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 1, the die-casting apparatus 100 includes a mold clamping unit 120, an injection unit 116, an extrusion unit 110, and an exhaust pipe 117. A mold 10 is set in the die-casting apparatus 100. The mold clamping unit 120 includes a fixed platen 121, a movable platen 122, tie bars 123, and a drive unit (not shown). The fixed platen 121 is fixed to the tip of the tie bar 123, which is a rod member. The movable platen 122 is disposed to face the fixed platen 121, and is moved forward along the tie bar 123 by the drive unit.

[0044] The mold 10 is attached to the mold clamping unit 120. The mold 10 includes a fixed mold 20 and a movable mold 50. The fixed mold 20 is attached to the fixed platen 121, and the movable mold 50 is attached to the movable platen 122. The mold clamping unit 120 opens and closes the mold 10 by moving the movable mold 50 in the forward and backward directions together with the movable platen 122. The movable mold 50 is then moved forward and pressed against the fixed mold 20, thereby clamping the mold 10. FIG. 1 shows the mold 10 in a state closed by the mold clamping unit 120. Therefore, the forward and backward direction corresponds to the clamping direction of the die-casting apparatus 100. When the mold 10 is closed, a cavity 12 is formed between the fixed mold 20 and the movable mold 50. The cavity 12 is a portion of the internal space of the mold 10 that has a shape corresponding to the shape of the die-cast product. Here, the die-cast product may be, for example, a vehicle body structural member.

[0045] As shown by the hollow arrow in Fig. 1, the injection device 116 pressure-feeds molten metal, which is the material for the die-cast product, into the cavity 12 of the mold 10. Air in the cavity 12 is exhausted from an exhaust pipe 117 by a vacuum device (not shown) (see the arrow in Fig. 1). The push-out device 110 includes a push-out pin 111, a push-out plate 112, and a drive device 115. When the mold 10 is opened, the push-out device 110 pushes out the push-out pin 111, thereby releasing the die-cast product from the movable mold 50.

[0046] The fixed mold 20 is composed of a main mold 21 and a insert 25. The movable mold 50 is composed of a main mold 30 and an insert 40. The inserts 25 and 40 are parts of the fixed mold 20 and the movable mold 50 that are replaced depending on the die-cast product to be molded. The main molds 21 and 30 are parts that are fixed to the fixed platen 121 and the movable platen 122 of the die-casting device 100, and are parts that are used in common for the die-cast products to be molded.

[0047] The movable mold 50 of the embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 2, the movable mold 50 is composed of a main mold 30 and a nest 40 that is fitted into a recess 32 of the main mold 30.

[0048] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main mold 30 is composed of a main body 31 and a recess 32. The main body 31 is a rectangular frame made of metal. The recess 32 is provided in the front of the main body 31. The recess 32 is a rectangular depression composed of an upper side surface 33, a lower side surface 34, a left side surface 36, a right side surface 35, and a bottom surface 37, and the front end surface is an open surface 38. Note that Figure 3 shows the main mold 30 removed from the die-casting device 100 and placed so that the open surface 38 faces upward.

[0049] The left side surface 36 includes a vertical portion 36S on the bottom surface 37 side and an inclined portion 36T on the open surface 38 side. The inclined portion 36T slopes toward the outer periphery of the main mold 30 as it approaches the open surface 38 of the recess 32. The vertical portion 36S is perpendicular to the bottom surface 37 and parallel to the mold clamping direction (front-to-back direction). A cooling circuit connection port 39 is provided in the vertical portion 36S. Like the left side surface 36, the right side surface 35 includes a vertical portion (not shown) and an inclined portion (not shown), and the vertical portion is provided with a cooling circuit connection port (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, the upper side surface 33, like the left and right side surfaces 36 and 35, includes a vertical portion 33S and an inclined portion 33T. Like the inclined portion 36T, the inclined portion 33T slopes toward the outer periphery of the main mold 30 as it approaches the open surface 38 of the recess 32. The lower side surface 34 does not include an inclined portion and is composed of a vertical surface perpendicular to the bottom surface 37.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the nest 40 is composed of six mold segments 41A to 41F, a cooling block 43, and a base member 45. The mold segments 41A to 41F are separated by parting lines, indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 2. The six mold segments 41A to 41F, the cooling block 43, and the base member 45 are combined together. At this time, the cooling block 43 is sandwiched between the six mold segments 41A to 41F and the base member 45. In this way, the nest 40 is a combination of the multiple mold segments 41A to 41F and the cooling block 43, which are combined together on the base member 45, and constitutes a split mold assembly. In the following description, this will be referred to as the nest (split mold assembly) 40. The nest (split mold assembly) 40 is fitted into the recess 32 of the main mold 30.

[0051] Next, with reference to Figure 4, the details of each part constituting the nest (split mold assembly) 40 will be described. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of each part constituting the nest (split mold assembly) 40, taken from the right side, at elevation A indicated by the dashed line in Figure 2. Figure 4 shows mold segments 41A, 41C, and 41E, a cooling block 43, a base member 45, a pretension bolt 42, a long knock pin 46, and a short knock pin 47. Note that mold segments 41B, 41D, and 41F are bilaterally symmetrical to mold segments 41A, 41C, and 41E, and therefore will not be described here.

[0052] 4, the base member 45 is a flat plate-like member, and a front surface 45F and a rear surface 45R are flat. An upper end surface 45U, a lower end surface 45B, and left and right side surfaces (not shown) are vertical surfaces perpendicular to the rear surface 45R. A long knock pin 46 is attached to the front surface 45F.

[0053] The cooling block 43 is a flat plate-like member, and the front surface 43F and the rear surface 43R are flat. The upper end surface 43U, the lower end surface 43B, and the left and right side surfaces (not shown) are vertical surfaces that are perpendicular to the rear surface 43R. A cooling circuit 44 through which cooling water flows is provided inside the cooling block 43. A short knock pin 47 is attached to the front surface 43F. In addition, a through hole 48 is provided that penetrates the front surface 43F and the rear surface 43R.

[0054] The mold section 41A includes an upper end surface 41AT, a parting surface 41AS, a rear surface 41AR, a bolt hole 42A, and a pin hole 46A. The upper end surface 41AT is an inclined surface that is inclined to correspond to the inclined portion 33T of the upper side surface 33 of the recess 32. The upper end surface 41AT is inclined relative to the rear surface 41AR so as to slope upward as it extends forward. The parting surface 41AS is a surface that extends in the front-to-rear direction (mold clamping direction) and is a vertical surface perpendicular to the rear surface 41AR. The bolt hole 42A is a hole that passes through the upper end surface 41AT and the parting surface 41AS and extends in the up-down direction. The bolt hole 42A extends parallel to the rear surface 41AR. A pin hole 46A is provided in the rear surface 41AR. Although not shown, the parting surface of the mold section 41A with the mold section 41B is perpendicular to the rear surface 41AR. Similarly to upper end surface 41AT, mold split piece 41A has a right side surface that is inclined to correspond to the inclined portion (not shown) on the right side surface of recess 32.

[0055] The mold segment 41C includes upper and lower parting surfaces 41CS, a rear surface 41CR, a screw hole 42C, and a pin hole 47C. The parting surface 41CS extends in the front-rear direction (mold clamping direction) and is a vertical surface perpendicular to the rear surface 46CR. A screw hole 42C is provided in each of the upper and lower parting surfaces 41CS. The screw hole 42C has a thread on its inner surface into which the pretension bolt 42 is screwed. The screw hole 42C extends parallel to the rear surface 41CR. A pin hole 47C is provided in the rear surface 41CR. Although not shown, the parting surface between the mold segment 41C and the mold segment 41D is perpendicular to the rear surface 41AR. Similar to the right side surface of the mold segment 41A, the right side surface of the mold segment 41C is an inclined surface that is inclined to correspond to the inclined portion (not shown) on the right side of the recess 32.

[0056] The mold segment 41E has a dividing surface 41ES, a lower end surface 41EB, a rear surface 41ER, a bolt hole 42E, and a pin hole 46E. The dividing surface 41ES and the lower end surface 41EB are surfaces that extend in the front-to-rear direction (mold clamping direction) and are vertical surfaces that are perpendicular to the rear surface 41ER. Like the bolt holes 42A of the mold segment 41A, the bolt holes 42E are holes that pass through the dividing surface 41ES and the lower end surface 41EB and extend in the up-down direction. The bolt holes 42E extend parallel to the rear surface 41ER. A pin hole 46E is provided in the rear surface 41ER.

[0057] Next, a description will be given of a method for assembling the movable mold 50. First, a description will be given of the assembly process (first process) of the insert (split mold assembly) 40 with reference to FIGS.

[0058] First, as shown in FIG. 5, the base member 45 is placed on the upper surface of an assembly table (not shown) with the rear surface 45R facing downward. At this time, the front surface 45F of the base member 45 faces upward. Then, as shown by arrow 81 in FIG. 5, the positions of the through holes 48 formed in the cooling block 43 are aligned with the positions of the long knock pins 46, and the rear surface 43R of the cooling block 43 is placed on the front surface 45F of the base member 45. Then, as shown by arrow 82 in FIG. 5, the long knock pins 46 pass through the through holes 48 and protrude forward from the front surface 43F of the cooling block 43. This defines the position of the cooling block 43 relative to the base member 45.

[0059] Next, as shown in Fig. 6, the position of the pin hole 47C of the central mold segment 41C is aligned with the position of the short knock pin 47 of the cooling block 43. Then, as shown by arrows 84 and 85 in Fig. 6, the short knock pin 47 is fitted into the pin hole 47C of the mold segment 41C, and the rear surface 41CR of the mold segment 41C is placed on the front surface 43F of the cooling block 43. This defines the position of the mold segment 41C relative to the base member 45.

[0060] Next, the pin hole 46A of the mold segment 41A is aligned with the position of the long knock pin 46. Then, as shown by arrow 83 in FIG. 6, the long knock pin 46 is fitted into the pin hole 46A of the mold segment 41A, and the rear surface 41AR of the mold segment 41A is placed on the front surface 43F of the cooling block 43. This defines the position of the mold segment 41A relative to the base member 45. Similarly, the pin hole 46E of the mold segment 41E is aligned with the position of the long knock pin 46. Then, as shown by arrow 86 in FIG. 6, the long knock pin 46 is fitted into the pin hole 46E of the mold segment 41E, and the rear surface 41ER of the mold segment 41E is placed on the front surface 43F of the cooling block 43. This defines the position of the mold segment 41E relative to the base member 45.

[0061] When the mold segments 41A, 41C, and 41E are stacked on the front surface 43F of the cooling block 43, a small gap is formed between the dividing surface 41AS of the mold segment 41A and the dividing surface 41CS of the mold segment 41C. Similarly, a small gap is formed between the dividing surface 41ES of the mold segment 41E and the dividing surface 41CS of the mold segment 41C. This gap exists before pretensioning is applied.

[0062] Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the pretension bolt 42 is inserted into the bolt hole 42A of the mold segment 41A, and then screwed into the threaded hole 42C of the mold segment 41C. The diameter of the pin hole 46A is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the long knock pin 46. Therefore, the gap between the pin hole 46A and the long knock pin 46 in the connecting direction of the mold segments 41A and 41C is larger than the gap before the pretensioning. Therefore, when the pretensioning bolt 42 is tightened, the dividing surface 41AS of the mold segment 41A and the dividing surface 41CS of the mold segment 41C come into close contact with each other, eliminating the gap in the connecting direction between the mold segments 41A and 41C. Furthermore, pretensioning is applied between the mold segments 41A and 41C. Similarly, when pretension bolt 42 is inserted into bolt hole 42E of mold segment 41E and screwed into threaded hole 42C of mold segment 41C, parting surface 41ES of mold segment 41E and parting surface 41CS of mold segment 41C come into close contact, eliminating any gap in the joining direction between mold segments 41E and 41C. In addition, pretension is applied between mold segments 41E and 41C.

[0063] After the pretension bolts 42 have been tightened, the nest (split mold assembly) 40 is fastened in the front-to-rear direction with fastening bolts or the like to unite the nest (split mold assembly) 40 as a single unit.

[0064] Next, the step (second step) of fitting the insert (split mold assembly) 40 into the recess 32 of the main mold 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0065] 8, the integrally assembled nest (split mold assembly) 40 is raised so that the bottom end surface 41EB of the mold segment 41E faces downward in the direction of gravity. As a result, the bottom end surface 43B of the cooling block 43, which is a vertical surface, and the bottom surface 34 of the recess 32 become horizontal surfaces parallel to the mold clamping direction.

[0066] As shown in Figure 9, the main mold 30 is set in the die-casting apparatus 100 so that the upper surface 33 faces upward in the direction of gravity, the lower surface 34 faces downward in the direction of gravity, and the mold clamping direction is approximately horizontal. The bottom surface 37 and the left and right side surfaces 36, 35 extend in the direction of gravity. Next, the insert (split mold assembly) 40 is lifted with a crane or the like, and the lower end surface 45B of the base member 45 and the lower end surface 43B of the cooling block 43 are placed on the lower surface 34 of the recess 32. At this time, gaps are left between the inclined portion 33T of the upper surface 33 of the recess 32 and the upper end surface 45U of the base member 45 and the upper end surface 43U of the cooling block 43.

[0067] Because the lower end surface 45B of the base member 45, the lower end surface 43B of the cooling block 43, and the lower side surface 34 of the recessed portion 32 form horizontal surfaces parallel to the mold clamping direction, the base member 45 and the cooling block 43 can be slid backward on the lower side surface 34 as indicated by arrow 90 in Fig. 9. In this manner, the insert (split mold assembly) 40 is slid backward to be inserted into the recessed portion 32. Then, as shown in Fig. 10, the upper end surface 45U of the base member 45 and the upper end surface 43U of the cooling block 43 fit into the vertical portion 33S of the upper side surface 33 of the recessed portion 32, and the upper end surface 41AT of the mold segment 41A comes into close contact with the inclined portion 33T of the upper side surface 33 of the recessed portion 32, thereby completing the inserting process of the insert (split mold assembly) 40. When the fitting process of the nest (split mold assembly) 40 is completed, the left and right side surfaces (not shown) of the base member 45 and the left and right side surfaces (not shown) of the cooling block 43 fit into the vertical portion 36S of the left side surface 36 and the vertical portion (not shown) of the right side surface of the recess 32, and the inclined left and right side surfaces (not shown) of the mold segments 41A to 41F come into close contact with the inclined portions of the left side surface 36 and the inclined portions (not shown) of the right side surface of the recess 32. In addition, the cooling circuit connection port 39 provided in the recess 32 is connected to the cooling circuit 44 of the cooling block 43. Thereafter, the nest (split mold assembly) 40 and the main mold 30 are fastened together with fastening members (not shown).

[0068] As described above, the movable mold 50 of the embodiment is assembled by combining and fixing multiple mold segments 41A to 41F together with a cooling block 43 onto a flat base member 45 to form a nest (split mold assembly) 40, and then fitting the integrally assembled nest (split mold assembly) 40 into the recess 32 of the main mold 30.

[0069] This allows the multiple mold segments 41A to 41F to be fitted together into the recess 32, thereby shortening the assembly time of the movable mold 50. Furthermore, there is no need to adjust the positions of the multiple mold segments 41A to 41F when attaching the multiple mold segments 41A to 41F to the main mold 30, thereby shortening the assembly time of the movable mold 50.

[0070] Furthermore, because base member 45 is a flat plate-like member, mold segments 41A to 41F can be easily assembled and fixed onto base member 45. Furthermore, it is easy to align the planes of mold segments 41A to 41F and manage gaps between them.

[0071] In addition, in the embodiment, the movable mold 50 has multiple mold segments 41A to 41F and the cooling block 43 fixed onto the base member 45 and assembled as a unit to the main mold 30, thereby shortening the assembly time of the movable mold 50 including the cooling block 43.

[0072] Furthermore, in the movable mold 50, the cooling block 43 is sandwiched between the plurality of mold segments 41A to 41F and the base member 45, so that the cooling block 43 can efficiently cool the plurality of mold segments 41A to 41F.

[0073] Furthermore, the movable mold 50 is equipped with pretensioning bolts 42 that interconnect adjacent mold segments 41A to 41F and apply pretension between the adjacent mold segments 41A to 41F. By tightening the pretensioning bolts 42, gaps between the adjacent mold segments 41A to 41F in the connecting direction are eliminated, thereby preventing burrs from forming along the parting lines in the die-cast product. Furthermore, the adjacent mold segments 41A to 41F are prevented from separating during casting, preventing burrs from forming along the parting lines.

[0074] The movable mold 50 of the embodiment includes a plurality of long knock pins 46 and short knock pins 47, and a plurality of pin holes 46A, 46E, and 47C, which determine the positions of the mold segments 41A to 41F relative to the base member 45. This makes it easy to position each of the mold segments 41A to 41F relative to the base member 45 when assembling the mold segments 41A to 41F onto the base member 45.

[0075] Furthermore, in the movable mold 50 of this embodiment, the diameter of the pin hole 46A is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the long knock pin 46. Therefore, when the pretensioning bolt 42 is tightened, the parting surface 41CS of the mold segment 41A and the parting surface 41CS of the mold segment 41C come into close contact with each other, eliminating any gap in the joining direction between the mold segments 41A and 41C. This effectively prevents burrs from forming along the parting line on the die-cast product.

[0076] Furthermore, in the movable mold 50 of this embodiment, the long knock pin 46 provided on the front surface 45F of the base member 45 passes through the cooling block 43 and fits into the pin holes 46A and 46E of the mold segments 41A and 41E. Also, the short knock pin 47 provided on the front surface 43F of the cooling block 43 fits into the pin hole 47C of the mold segment 41C. This makes it easy to align the base member 45, the cooling block 43, and the mold segments 41A to 41F with each other.

[0077] Furthermore, in the movable mold 50 of this embodiment, the upper side surface 33, left side surface 36, and right side surface 35 of the recess 32 include inclined portions 33T, 36T that slope toward the outer periphery of the main mold 30 as they approach the open surface 38 of the recess 32. In addition, the upper end surfaces and left and right side surfaces of the mold segments 41A to 41F are inclined surfaces that correspond to the inclined portions 33T, 36T. This allows the insert (split mold assembly) 40 to be easily fitted into the recess 32.

[0078] Furthermore, in the movable mold 50 of this embodiment, the lower surface 34 of the recess 32 and the lower end surface 41EB of the mold segment 41E are vertical. Therefore, when the nest (split mold assembly) 40 is raised so that the lower end surface 41EB of the mold segment 41E is downward in the direction of gravity, the lower end surface 43B of the cooling block 43 and the lower surface 34 of the recess 32 become horizontal reference surfaces parallel to the mold clamping direction. Meanwhile, the main mold 30 is set in the die-casting apparatus 100 in an upright state so that the lower surface 34 is parallel to the mold clamping direction. Therefore, with the main mold 30 set in the die-casting apparatus 100, the nest (split mold assembly) 40 can be assembled to the recess 32 from the horizontal direction. This shortens the time required to replace the movable mold 50.

[0079] The movable mold 50 of the embodiment has been described above, but the fixed mold 20 that constitutes the mold 10 is composed of a main mold 21 and a nest 25. Like the main mold 30 of the movable mold 50, the main mold 21 has a recess (not shown) into which the nest 25 is fitted. Like the nest (split mold assembly) 40 of the movable mold 50, the nest 25 is a split mold assembly that is assembled by combining and fixing multiple mold halves together with a cooling block 43 on a flat base member. The assembled nest (split mold assembly) 25 is fitted into the recess of the main mold 21. Like the movable mold 50, the fixed mold 20 has the advantage of being able to be replaced in a short time.

[0080] Next, a movable mold 150 according to another embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. The same parts as those of the movable mold 50 previously described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 will be given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] 11, the main mold 130 of the movable mold 150 has a lower surface 34A including an inclined portion 34T and a vertical portion 34S as the lower surface 34 of the recess 32 of the main mold 30 of the movable mold 50. The mold segment 141E of the movable mold 150 has a lower end surface 41ET that is an inclined surface as the lower end surface 41EB of the mold segment 41E of the movable mold 50. The mold segment 141F adjacent to the left of the mold segment 141E is bilaterally symmetrical to the mold segment 141E, and its lower end surface 41FT is also an inclined surface like the lower end surface 41ET of the mold segment 141E.

[0082] The nest 140 of the movable mold 150, like the nest (split mold assembly) 40 of the movable mold 50, is a split mold assembly in which a cooling block 43 and mold segments 41A to 41D, 141E, and 141F are combined and fixed together on a base member 45.

[0083] To fit the movable mold 150 into the recess 132, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the main mold 130 is placed on a bed (not shown) with the recess 132 facing upward in the direction of gravity, and the nest (split mold assembly) 140 is fitted into the recess 132 from above in the direction of gravity, as indicated by arrow 91 in Fig. 11. Then, when the upper end surface 45U of the base member 45 and the upper end surface 43U of the cooling block 43 fit into the vertical portion 33S of the upper side surface 33 of the recess 132, the upper end surface 41AT of the mold segment 41A comes into close contact with the inclined portion 33T of the upper side surface 33 of the recess 132, and the lower end surfaces 41ET and 41FT of the mold segments 141E and 141F come into close contact with the inclined portion 34T of the lower side surface 34 of the recess 132, the fitting process of the nest (split mold assembly) 140 is completed. Then, the movable mold 150 with the nest (split mold assembly) 140 fitted into the main mold 130 is lifted up in an upright position with the upper surface 33 facing upward in the direction of gravity, as shown in Figure 12, and set in a predetermined position in the die-casting device 100.

[0084] Like the movable mold 50, the movable mold 150 can fit multiple mold segments 41A to 41D, 141E, and 141F together into the recess 132, thereby shortening the assembly time of the movable mold 50. Furthermore, when attaching the multiple mold segments 41A to 41D, 141E, and 141F to the main mold 130, there is no need to adjust the positions of the multiple mold segments 41A to 41D, 141E, and 141F, so the assembly time of the movable mold 150 can be shortened in a short time.

[0085] In the movable mold 50 described above, the cooling block 43 is integrally assembled with the base member 45 and mold segments 41A to 41F, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0086] For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a movable mold 250 may be used which does not have a cooling block 43 and has a nest 240 on a base member 45, and is a split mold assembly in which six mold segments 41A to 41F are combined and fixed.

[0087] In addition, while the movable mold 50 has been described as having long knock pins 46 attached to the base member 45, short knock pins 47 attached to the cooling block 43, pin holes 46A and 46E formed in the mold segments 41A and 41E, and pin hole 47C formed in the mold segment 41C, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, as in the movable mold 350 shown in FIG. 14 , a configuration may be used in which long knock pins 46 are attached to the mold segments 341A and 341E, a short knock pin 47 is attached to the mold segment 341C, pin holes 46A and 46E are formed in the base member 345, and pin hole 47C is formed in the cooling block 343.

[0088] As with the movable mold 50, the movable mold 350 can shorten the assembly time of the movable mold 350.

[0089] The movable mold 50 has been described above, but the movable mold 50 may be set in the die-casting device 100 together with the fixed mold 20, and molten metal may be pumped into the cavity 12 of the mold 10 to form a structural member for a vehicle body.

[0090] In the above explanation, it has been explained that the upper surface 33 and left side surface 36 of the main mold 30 of the movable mold 50 include inclined portions 33T and 36T, and that the right side surface also includes an inclined surface (not shown), and that the upper end surface 41AT of the mold segment 41A, the upper end surface (not shown) of the mold segment 41B, and the left and right side surfaces of the mold segments 41A to 41F are composed of inclined surfaces corresponding to each inclined portion of the recess 32, but this is not limited to this.

[0091] FIG. 15 shows a movable mold 450 of another embodiment. The movable mold 450 is composed of a main mold 430 and a nest 440, which is a split mold assembly. The upper surface 433, left side surface 436, right side surface (not shown), and lower surface 434 of the recess 432 of the main mold 430 are all composed of vertical portions. In addition, the upper end surface 441AS of the mold segment 441A, the lower end surface 441EB of the mold segment 441E, and the left and right side surfaces (not shown) of the mold segments 441A, 441C, and 441E are all composed of vertical surfaces. Like the movable mold 50, the movable mold 450 has the advantage of being able to be replaced in a short time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 10 mold, 12 cavity, 20 fixed mold, 21, 30, 130, 430 main mold, 25, 40, 140, 240, 440 insert (split mold assembly), 31 main body, 32, 132, 432 recess, 33, 433 upper surface, 33S, 34S, 36S vertical portion, 33T, 34T, 36T inclined portion, 34, 34A, 434 lower surface, 35 right side surface, 36, 436 left side surface, 37 bottom surface, 38 open surface, 39 cooling circuit connection port, 41A to 41F, 141E, 141F, 341A, 341C, 341E, 441A, 441C, 441E mold split body, 41AR, 41CR, 41ER, 43R, 45R Rear surface, 41AS, 41CS, 41ES Partition surface, 41AT, 43U, 45U, 441AS Top end surface, 41EB, 41ET, 41FT, 43B, 45B, 441EB Bottom end surface, 42 Pretension bolt, 42A, 42E Bolt hole, 42C Screw hole, 43, 343 Cooling block, 43F, 45F Front surface, 44 Cooling circuit, 45, 345 Base member, 46 Long knock pin, 46A, 46E, 47C Pin hole, 47 Short knock pin, 48 Through hole, 50, 150, 250, 350, 450 Movable mold, 100 Die-casting device, 110 Ejector, 111 Ejector pin, 112 Ejector plate, 115 Drive unit, 120 Mold clamping unit, 121 Fixed platen, 122 Movable platen, 123 tie bars.

Claims

1. A plurality of mold segments; a base member for fixing the plurality of mold segments, the base member being configured to fix the plurality of mold segments in combination; a master mold having recesses into which the plurality of mold segments and the base member are fitted; A mold characterized by:

2. The mold according to claim 1, the plurality of mold segments and the base member constitute a split mold assembly in which the plurality of mold segments are combined and fixed on the base member; the split mold assembly is fitted into the recess of the main mold; A mold characterized by:

3. The mold according to claim 1 or 2, the base member is a flat plate-like member; A mold characterized by:

4. The mold according to claim 1 or 2, a cooling block fixed to the base member together with the plurality of mold segments; A mold characterized by:

5. The mold according to claim 4, the cooling block is sandwiched between the plurality of mold segments and the base member; A mold characterized by:

6. The mold according to claim 1 or 2, providing at least one pretensioning bolt interconnecting adjacent mold sections to apply a pretensioning force between the adjacent mold sections; A mold characterized by:

7. The mold according to claim 6, the base member is a flat plate-like member, Each of the mold segments has a split surface perpendicular to the upper surface of the base member, the pretension bolts extend parallel to the top surface of the base member; A mold characterized by:

8. The mold according to claim 1 or 2, a plurality of knock pins for defining the positions of the plurality of die segments relative to the base member; A mold characterized by:

9. The mold according to claim 8, each of the die segments has at least one pin hole for receiving the knock pin; A mold characterized by:

10. The mold according to claim 2, at least one pretension bolt interconnecting adjacent mold sections to apply a pretension between the adjacent mold sections; a plurality of knock pins that define the positions of the plurality of die segments relative to the base member, Each of the die segments has at least one pin hole for receiving the knock pin, a gap between the pin hole and the knock pin in the direction in which the mold segments are connected is larger than a gap between adjacent mold segments before pretension is applied; A mold characterized by:

11. The mold according to claim 9, a cooling block sandwiched between the mold segments and the base member and fixed to the base member together with the mold segments; at least one of the plurality of knock pins is arranged to penetrate the cooling block; A mold characterized by:

12. The mold according to claim 2, at least one side surface of the recess includes an inclined portion that is inclined toward the outer periphery of the master mold as it approaches the open surface of the recess; A mold characterized by:

13. The mold according to claim 12, the recess has a rectangular shape including four side surfaces and one bottom surface, three side surfaces include the inclined portion, and the other side surface is perpendicular to the open surface; A mold characterized by:

14. A mold assembly method comprising the steps of: a first step of assembling and fixing a plurality of mold segments onto a base member to form a split mold assembly; a second step of fitting the split mold assembly into a recess in a main mold; A mold assembly method comprising:

15. A method for assembling a mold according to claim 14, comprising the steps of: The second step comprises: With the main mold being raised so that the mold clamping direction is approximately horizontal, the split mold assembly is fitted into the recess of the main mold from a horizontal direction; A mold assembly method characterized by the above.

16. A method for manufacturing a vehicle body structural member, comprising molding the vehicle body structural member using the mold according to claim 1.

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