Extruder, temperature control mechanism and temperature control system for extruder, and method for controlling the temperature of extruder

Abstract

The present invention provides an extruder that can perform good extrusion molding by reducing the temperature difference within the cylinder, thereby suppressing cylinder distortion and shrinkage. [Solution] The extruder 1 comprises a cylinder 2 having a hollow section 7 into which resin material 9 is supplied and a flow path 8 located outside the hollow section 7; a rotatable screw 3 located inside the hollow section 7 of the cylinder 2; a heating means 4 for heating the cylinder 2; a cooling medium supply means 5 for supplying a cooling medium to the flow path 8 of the cylinder 2; and a temperature control member 6 which is connected to the cooling medium supply means 5 and the flow path 8 of the cylinder 2 and has an intermediate flow path 13 that transmits the cooling medium from the cooling medium supply means 5 to the flow path 8, and is positioned in contact with the heating means 4 or the cylinder 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an extruder, a temperature adjustment mechanism and a temperature adjustment system for the extruder, and a method for adjusting the temperature of the extruder.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 shows an example of an extruder for molding a resin molded product. The extruder has a hollow cylinder, a rotatable screw located inside the hollow portion of the cylinder, and heating means for heating the cylinder. The resin material supplied into the hollow portion of the cylinder is heated and melted by the heating of the cylinder by the heating means and the kneading action of the screw, and is pushed forward by the screw. This resin material is extruded through a die disposed at the end of the cylinder to form a molded product having a desired shape.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to prevent the resin material in the hollow portion of the cylinder of the extruder from reaching an excessive high temperature and deteriorating its functional characteristics, heating of the cylinder by the heating means is stopped, and the cylinder can be sufficiently cooled in a shorter time using a cooling medium or the like. However, if a large temperature difference occurs in the cylinder during cooling, the cylinder may be distorted or locally greatly contracted, making it impossible to perform good extrusion molding.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an extruder capable of performing good extrusion molding.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The extruder of this disclosure includes a heating means for heating a cylinder, a cooling medium supply means for supplying a cooling medium to a flow path provided in the cylinder, and a temperature control member. The temperature control member has an intermediate flow path connected to the cooling medium supply means and the flow path of the cylinder, which transmits the cooling medium from the cooling medium supply means to the flow path, and is arranged in contact with the heating means or the cylinder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The extruder of this disclosure enables good extrusion molding. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an extruder according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a bottom view of one cylinder unit, heating means, and temperature control member of the extruder shown. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a front view of the cylinder unit, heating means, and temperature control member, showing the state in which multiple cylinder units of the extruder shown are joined together. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the connection structure between the cooling medium supply means, temperature control member, and cylinder unit of the extruder. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of an extruder according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an extruder according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of an extruder according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of an extruder according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the extruder according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 11]This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another variation of the extruder according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing yet another variation of the extruder according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Extruder of the first embodiment] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an extruder 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1. The extruder 1 includes a cylinder 2, a screw 3, a heating means 4, a cooling medium supply means 5, and a temperature control member 6. The cylinder 2 has a hollow section 7 into which a resin material 9 is supplied, and a flow path 8 (see Figure 2) located outside the hollow section 7. The flow path 8 is also called a jacket hole.

[0010] In this embodiment, a single long cylinder 2 is formed by arranging multiple cylinder units (block cylinders) 2a side by side. Figure 3 is a bottom view of one cylinder unit 2a, heating means 4, and temperature control member 6 that constitute the cylinder 2. Figure 4 is a front view of the cylinder unit 2a, heating means 4, and temperature control member 6 in a state where multiple cylinder units 2a are joined together. Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the connection structure between the cooling medium supply means 5, the temperature control member 6, and the cylinder unit 2a.

[0011] Each cylinder unit 2a has a pair of flange portions 10 and a main body portion 11 located between the pair of flange portions 10. The main body portion 11 has the aforementioned hollow portion 7 and flow path 8. The flange portions 10 are provided with inlet pipes 12a and outlet pipes 12b, which are connected to both ends of the flow path 8 of the main body portion 11, respectively. Therefore, a fluid path is formed inside the cylinder unit 2a, from the inlet pipe 12a through the flow path 8 to the outlet pipe 12b. The flange portions 10 of adjacent cylinder units 2a are joined together with bolts or the like to form a continuous cylinder 2. In this state where adjacent cylinder units 2a are joined together, their respective hollow portions 7 are in linear communication.

[0012] A screw 3 is rotatably arranged within a hollow portion 7 that extends linearly across multiple cylinder units 2a. In this embodiment, the same number of heating means 4 and temperature control members 6 as there are cylinder units 2a are provided. The heating means 4 are arranged to be in contact with the outer surface of the cylinder unit 2a. The temperature control members 6 are arranged to be in contact with the heating means 4. Specifically, in this embodiment, two L-shaped heating means 4 are provided, and a part of each heating means 4 (the inward-facing surface) is in contact with the outer surface of the main body 11 of the cylinder unit 2a. Note that this disclosure is not limited to a configuration with two screws 3, but can also be applied to configurations with one or three or more screws 3.

[0013] The temperature control member 6 is a plate-shaped member made of a metal or the like with good thermal conductivity, and its inner surface is in contact with another part of the heating means 4 (the surface facing outwards). The temperature control member 6 does not need to be in contact with both heating means 4; it is sufficient if it is in contact with either one of them. However, as will be described later, the temperature control member 6 can also be configured to be in contact with a member that is in contact with the heating means 4 (preferably a member with good thermal conductivity) rather than directly in contact with the heating means 4.

[0014] The temperature adjusting member 6 is provided with an intermediate flow path 13 through which a fluid can flow. One end (the outlet end 13a) of the intermediate flow path 13 is connected directly or indirectly to the inlet pipe 12a of the cylinder unit 2a. The other end (the inlet end 13b) of the intermediate flow path 13 is connected directly or indirectly to the supply port 5a of the cooling medium supply means 5. The outlet pipe 12b of the cylinder unit 2a is connected directly or indirectly to the recovery port 5b of the cooling medium supply means 5. Details of the connection structure among the cooling medium supply means 5, the temperature adjusting member 6, and the cylinder unit 2a will be described later. Each cylinder unit 2a is provided with a thermocouple 23 which is a type of temperature sensor for detecting temperature.

[0015] A feeder 14 is connected to the cylinder 2, and a resin material 9 can be supplied from the feeder 14 into the hollow portion 7 of the cylinder 2. A driving means 15 including a motor and a speed reducer is connected to the screw 3, and the screw 3 can rotate within the hollow portion 7 by the operation of the driving means 15.

[0016] The heating means 4 is, for example, a metal heater (such as an embedded heater) that generates heat by energization, and a power supply means 16 is connected thereto. When power is supplied from the power supply means 16, it generates heat and heats the cylinder unit 2a from the outside.

[0017] The cooling medium supply means 5 can supply water or the like as a cooling medium to the intermediate flow path 13 of the temperature adjusting member 6. Since the intermediate flow path 13 is connected to the cooling medium supply means 5, the inlet pipe 12a of the cylinder unit 2a, and the flow path 8, the cooling medium supplied from the cooling medium supply means 5 to the intermediate flow path 13 is transmitted from the inlet pipe 12a of the cylinder unit 2a to the flow path 8.

[0018] [Discharge mechanism] The connection structure between the cooling medium supply means 5, the temperature control member 6, and the cylinder unit 2a of the extruder in this embodiment will now be described. This connection structure constitutes a discharge mechanism that discharges the cooling medium inside the flow path 8 and the intermediate flow path 13 when the supply of cooling medium to the flow path 8 by the cooling medium supply means 5 is stopped. As shown in Figure 5, the supply port 5a of the cooling medium supply means 5 is connected to the inlet end 13b of the intermediate flow path 13 by the supply flow path 17, and a supply flow path valve (e.g., an electromagnetic valve) 18 is located in the middle of the supply flow path 17.

[0019] The recovery port 5b of the cooling medium supply means 5 is connected to the outlet pipe 12b of the cylinder unit 2a by a recovery channel 19, and a check valve 20 is positioned in the middle of the recovery channel 19. A connecting channel 21 is provided that connects a position in the supply channel 17 on the temperature adjustment member 6 side (intermediate channel 13 side) of the supply channel valve 18, and a position in the recovery channel 19 on the cylinder unit 2a side (channel 8 side) of the check valve 20.

[0020] In other words, the connecting channel 21 connects a portion of the supply channel 17, which supplies cooling medium from the cooling medium supply means 5 to the intermediate channel 13 of the temperature adjustment member 6, and a portion of the recovery channel 19, which returns the cooling medium from the channel 8 of the cylinder unit 2a to the cooling medium supply means 5. A connecting channel valve 22 (for example, an electromagnetic valve) is located within the connecting channel 21. A supply channel valve 18 is located on the cooling medium supply means 5 side of the supply channel 17, closer to the connection portion with the connecting channel 21. Control means 24 are connected to the supply channel valve 18 and the connecting channel valve 22.

[0021] The control means 24 controls the supply channel valve 18 to open when the cooling medium supply means 5 is supplying cooling medium to the intermediate channel 13 and channel 8, and to close when the supply is stopped. The connecting channel valve 22 is controlled to close when the cooling medium supply means 5 is supplying cooling medium to the intermediate channel 13 and channel 8, and to open when the supply is stopped. The supply channel valve 18 and the connecting channel valve 22 do not open or close at the same time.

[0022] [Extrusion molding method] During extrusion molding, resin material 9 is supplied from the feeder 14 into the hollow section 7 of the cylinder 2. When power is supplied from the power supply means 16 to the heating means 4, the heating means 4 generates heat. Since the heating means 4 is in contact with the outer surface of the cylinder 2, the heat from the heating means 4 is transferred to the cylinder 2, causing it to heat up. At the same time, the screw 3 is driven by the drive means 15 and rotates inside the hollow section 7. The kneading action of the screw 3 adds further thermal energy to the resin material 9 inside the hollow section 7, causing it to melt at a high temperature, for example, 200°C to 400°C. As the screw 3 continues to rotate, the molten resin material 9 is pushed forward in one direction. Finally, it passes through the die 25 located at the end of the cylinder 2, and a molded product is obtained that conforms to the shape of the die 25. The molded product, exposed to the outside air outside the cylinder 2, cools and hardens.

[0023] During this extrusion molding process, some of the resin material 9 inside the hollow section 7 of the cylinder 2 may become excessively hot. For example, regarding the kneading action of the resin material 9 by the rotation of the screw 3, the frictional heat applied to the resin material 9 is small upstream in the direction of movement of the resin material 9 inside the hollow section 7. However, as it moves downstream, the accumulation of thermal energy from friction associated with the movement of the resin material 9 increases, which can cause the resin material 9 to become excessively hot and potentially degrade its functional properties.

[0024] Therefore, particularly downstream in the direction of movement of the resin material 9, it may be detected that the temperature of the cylinder 2 or the resin material 9 exceeds an acceptable range, and it may be desirable to suppress the temperature rise. In such cases, the power supply from the power supply means 16 is stopped to stop the heating means 4 from generating heat. At the same time, a cooling medium such as cooling water is supplied from the cooling medium supply means 5 to the flow path 8 of the cylinder 2 via the intermediate flow path 13. As a result, the cylinder 2 is cooled by the cooling medium, and the resin material 9 in the hollow section 7 is kept at an appropriate temperature. Subsequently, if the temperature of the cylinder 2 becomes too low, the supply of the cooling medium from the cooling medium supply means 5 is stopped, and power is supplied from the power supply means 16 to restart the heating means 4 from generating heat.

[0025] In accordance with the temperature detected by the thermocouple 23, heating by the heating means 4 and supply of cooling medium from the cooling medium supply means 5 are selectively performed to maintain the cylinder 2 at an appropriate temperature. In this embodiment, the cylinder 2 is composed of a plurality of cylinder units 2a, and each cylinder unit 2a is provided with a heating means 4 and a cooling medium supply means 5. Therefore, by selectively performing heating and cooling individually for each cylinder unit 2a, the cylinder 2 as a whole can be maintained at an appropriate temperature relatively uniformly.

[0026] In this embodiment, in addition to the configuration in which the heating means 4 and the cooling medium supply means 5 are provided, a temperature control member 6 having an intermediate flow path 13 is further provided. The cooling medium supplied from the cooling medium supply means 5 passes through the intermediate flow path 13 of the temperature control member 6 before being supplied to the flow path 8 of the cylinder unit 2a. The temperature control member 6 is in contact with the heating means 4, and when the heating means 4 is operating and heating the cylinder unit 2a, the temperature control member 6 is also heated at the same time. As a result, the cooling medium passing through the intermediate flow path 13 of the temperature control member 6 is heated by the temperature control member 6 which is heated by the heating means 4. The technical significance of this configuration and the temperature control method using it will be explained next.

[0027] [Technical significance of temperature control components and temperature control methods] As mentioned above, if cylinder 2 becomes excessively hot, the operation of heating means 4 is stopped and the temperature of cylinder 2 is lowered by flowing a cooling medium through flow path 8. However, when a cooling medium is supplied to flow path 8 of cylinder 2 that has become excessively hot, the temperature around flow path 8 drops rapidly, creating a temperature difference between the flow path 8 and the surrounding area, where the temperature does not drop immediately. If this temperature difference is large, distortion occurs in cylinder 2, causing deformation. When the hollow section 7 deforms, the screw 3 may come into contact with the inner surface of the hollow section 7, making smooth rotation difficult, which may prevent the resin material 9 from moving smoothly and result in poor extrusion molding.

[0028] However, in this embodiment, the cooling medium supplied from the cooling medium supply means 5 passes through the intermediate passage 13 of the temperature adjustment member 6, which is in contact with the heating means 4, before reaching the passage 8 of the cylinder 2. Since the temperature adjustment member 6 is heated by the heating means 4 and its temperature rises, the temperature of the cooling medium rises as it passes through the intermediate passage 13. Therefore, the temperature of the cooling medium has risen by the time it reaches the passage 8 of the cylinder 2. For example, when the temperature of the cooling medium supplied from the cooling medium supply means 5 is about 60°C, its temperature rises to about 100°C as it passes through the intermediate passage 13. As a result, the temperature difference between the area around the passage 8 and the area away from the passage 8 is small, deformation of the hollow portion 7 of the cylinder 2 is suppressed, smooth rotation of the screw 3 and smooth movement of the resin material 9 are maintained, and good extrusion molding is possible.

[0029] At this point, the heating means 4 is stopped and does not continue to heat the cylinder 2 and the temperature control member 6. As the cooling medium continues to flow through the intermediate flow path 13, the temperature of the temperature control member 6 gradually decreases. Eventually, the cooling medium is sent to the flow path 8 of the cylinder 2 without being heated by the temperature control member 6, and the cooling medium cools the cylinder 2. Since the cylinder 2, which is also gradually decreasing in temperature, is supplied with this unheated cooling medium, the temperature difference within the cylinder 2 is small, and good extrusion molding is not hindered. In addition, extrusion molding is not stopped and continues regardless of whether it is in a heated or cooled state.

[0030] If the temperature of the cooling medium supplied from the cooling medium supply means 5 is frequently changed, and the temperature is not very low at the start of supply but gradually decreases, it is thought that cooling can be performed while keeping the temperature difference inside the cylinder 2 small, as described above. However, in that case, a sophisticated temperature control device would need to be installed in the cooling medium supply means 5, which would lead to a more complex configuration and higher costs, so it is undesirable.

[0031] In contrast, in this embodiment, a sophisticated temperature control device is not necessary; simply providing a temperature control member 6, which can be a simple perforated plate, allows for cooling while keeping the temperature difference within the cylinder 2 small, as described above, thus suppressing complexity and high costs. Furthermore, since the temperature of the cooling medium supplied to the flow path 8 of the cylinder 2 is automatically adjusted without the need for special control, the work is not complicated.

[0032] In this embodiment, when stopping the supply of cooling medium from the cooling medium supply means 5 to the flow path 8 of the cylinder unit 2a, it is preferable to discharge the cooling medium remaining in the flow path 8. For this reason, a connecting flow path 21 is provided to connect the supply flow path 17 and the recovery flow path 19, a supply flow path valve 18 is placed in the supply flow path 17, a check valve 20 is placed in the recovery flow path 19, and a connecting flow path valve 22 is placed in the connecting flow path 21.

[0033] When supplying cooling medium to the flow path 8, the supply flow path valve 18 is opened and the connecting flow path valve 22 is closed. As a result, the cooling medium is supplied from the supply port 5a of the cooling medium supply means 5 to the flow path 8 of the cylinder unit 2a via the supply flow path 17 and the intermediate flow path 13. Furthermore, the cooling medium that has passed through the flow path 8 is collected at the recovery port 5b of the cooling medium supply means 5 via the recovery flow path 19. Since the connecting flow path valve 22 is closed, the collected cooling medium does not flow into the supply port 5a.

[0034] On the other hand, when stopping the supply of cooling medium to the flow path 8, the supply flow path valve 18 is closed and the connecting flow path valve 22 is opened. Since the supply flow path valve 18 is closed, no cooling medium is supplied from the supply port 5a of the cooling medium supply means 5 to the intermediate flow path 13 and flow path 8 via the supply flow path 17. The cooling medium remaining in flow path 8 and the intermediate flow path 13 is mainly recovered by gravity from the recovery flow path 19 to the recovery port 5b of the cooling medium supply means 5, and also flows from the portion of the supply flow path 17 on the intermediate flow path 13 side through the connecting flow path 21 to the recovery flow path 19 and is recovered to the recovery port 5b. Since the supply flow path valve 18 is closed, the recovered cooling medium does not flow to the supply port 5a. Furthermore, since a check valve 20 is provided in the recovery flow path 19, in either case, the recovered cooling medium does not backflow back to flow path 8 of the cylinder unit 2a.

[0035] It is preferable that the control means 24 controls the supply channel valve 18 and the connecting channel valve 22 to open and close automatically as described above, in conjunction with the operation of the heating means 4 and the cooling medium supply means 5.

[0036] As described above, according to this embodiment, while the screw 3 in the hollow portion 7 of the cylinder 2 is rotated to push the resin material 9 heated by the heating means 4 in one direction, the temperature of the cylinder 2 is detected by the thermocouple 23. If the temperature detected by the thermocouple 23 becomes excessively high and exceeds the allowable range, heating by the heating means 4 is stopped. At the same time, a cooling medium is supplied to the flow path 8 of the cylinder 2 from the cooling medium supply means 5 via the intermediate flow path 13 of the temperature adjustment member 6, which is positioned in contact with the heating means 4. When the temperature detected by the thermocouple 23 returns to within the allowable range, the supply of the cooling medium is stopped. Then, depending on the temperature detected by the thermocouple 23, the state of heating the cylinder 2 by the heating means 4 and the state of cooling the cylinder 2 by supplying the cooling medium are switched.

[0037] The temperature tolerance range used as the basis for these processes originally relates to the temperature of the resin material 9. However, if the relationship between the temperature of the cylinder 2 and the temperature of the resin material 9 can be roughly estimated, then an tolerance range for the temperature of the cylinder 2 corresponding to the tolerance range for the temperature of the resin material 9 can be set, and it is necessary to determine whether the temperature detected by the thermocouple 23 falls within that tolerance range.

[0038] In this embodiment, the thermal energy from the surface of the heating means 4 that is not in contact with the cylinder 2, which does not contribute to heating the cylinder 2, is used to adjust the temperature (heat) of the cooling medium, resulting in good energy efficiency.

[0039] [Other configuration examples] In the configurations shown in Figures 1-5, the temperature control member 6 is in direct contact with the heating means 4, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, in the configuration shown in Figure 6, a member 27 is provided that is in contact with the heating means 4, and the temperature control member 6 is in contact with member 27. In the configuration shown in Figure 6 as well, the heat from the heating means 4 is transferred to the temperature control member 6 via member 27, thereby heating the cooling medium in the intermediate flow path 13. Therefore, the effects of this disclosure described above, namely reducing the temperature difference in the cylinder 2 when supplying the cooling medium, suppressing deformation of the hollow portion 7, and enabling good extrusion molding, can be achieved. It is preferable that member 27 has good thermal conductivity.

[0040] [Second Embodiment] In the embodiments described above, each cylinder unit 2a is equipped with a heating means 4, which is a heater, and a temperature control member 6. However, in the second embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, a steam supply means 26 that supplies high-temperature steam to the flow path 8 of the cylinder unit 2a is used as the heating means. As shown in the example in Figure 7, the steam supply means 26 may be connected to the temperature control member 6 and supplied with steam to the flow path 8 of the cylinder unit 2a via the intermediate flow path 13. Alternatively, as shown in the example in Figure 8, the steam supply means 26 may be directly connected to the cylinder unit 2a and supplied with steam to the flow path 8 of the cylinder unit 2a without going through the intermediate flow path 13.

[0041] In the second embodiment, since there is no heater-like heating means 4 in contact with the cylinder unit 2a, the temperature control member 6 is in contact with the cylinder unit 2a. High-temperature steam is supplied from the steam supply means 26 to the flow path 8, and the cylinder unit 2a is heated. Because it is in contact with this heated cylinder unit 2a, the temperature control member 6 becomes hot, similar to the first embodiment.

[0042] When the cooling medium is supplied from the cooling medium supply means 5, the cooling medium is heated and becomes hot as it passes through the intermediate flow path 13 of the temperature adjustment member 6, which is already at a high temperature. As a result, even when the supply of the cooling medium is started, cooling can be performed while keeping the temperature difference inside the cylinder 2 relatively small, thus suppressing complexity of the configuration and high costs. Furthermore, since the temperature of the cooling medium supplied to the flow path 8 of the cylinder 2 is automatically adjusted, the work does not become complicated.

[0043] [Other configuration examples] In this embodiment as well, as shown in Figure 9, a member 27 is provided that is in contact with the cylinder 2, and the temperature control member 6 is in contact with the member 27. In this configuration as well, similar to the configuration shown in Figure 6, heat from the cylinder 2 is transferred to the temperature control member 6 via the member 27, and the cooling medium in the intermediate flow path 13 can be heated. This reduces the temperature difference inside the cylinder 2 when the cooling medium is supplied, suppresses deformation of the hollow portion 7, and makes it possible to achieve good extrusion molding. It is preferable that the member 27 has good thermal conductivity.

[0044] [Differentiation] In the configurations shown in Figures 1-9, multiple cylinder units 2a are joined together to form a cylinder 2, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, in the modified example shown in Figure 10, a single, undivided, elongated cylinder 2 is provided, and this cylinder 2 is equipped with one heating means 4 and one temperature control member 6. In this modified example, heating and cooling are controlled for the entire cylinder 2.

[0045] In the modified example shown in Figure 11, a single, undivided, elongated cylinder 2 is provided, and this cylinder 2 is equipped with one heating means 4 and multiple temperature control members 6. In this modified example, heating is performed on the entire cylinder 2, but cooling can be performed partially (for example, with emphasis on the downstream side).

[0046] In the modified example shown in Figure 12, a single, undivided, elongated cylinder 2 is provided, and multiple heating means 4 and multiple temperature control members 6 are installed in this cylinder 2. In this modified example, as with the configurations shown in Figures 1 to 9, precise heating and cooling can be controlled for each part of the cylinder.

[0047] As shown in the second embodiment in Figures 7-9, even in a configuration where a steam supply means 26 is used as the heating means instead of a heater-shaped heating means 4, a modified example can be adopted in which a single, undivided, long cylinder 2 is provided, similar to the configuration shown in Figures 10-12. In any of these configurations, as described above, the effect of being able to perform good extrusion molding can be obtained by supplying a cooling medium from the cooling medium supply means 5 to the cylinder 2 via the temperature adjustment member 6.

[0048] [Temperature control mechanism and temperature control unit] For example, if an extruder having a cylinder 2, a screw 3, a heating means 4, and a cooling medium supply means 5 has been manufactured in advance, the configuration of the present disclosure can be retrofitted to that extruder. In that case, the temperature control member 6 having an intermediate passage 13 is positioned in contact with the heating means 4 or the cylinder 2, and the intermediate passage 13 is connected to the supply port 5a of the cooling medium supply means 5 and the passage 8 of the cylinder 2, respectively. Furthermore, it is more preferable to attach a supply passage 17 and a recovery passage 19, as shown in Figure 5, to the extruder in addition to the temperature control member 6. This combination of the temperature control member 6, the supply passage 17, and the recovery passage 19 constitutes the temperature control mechanism of the present disclosure that can be retrofitted to a pre-manufactured extruder.

[0049] Furthermore, in addition to the temperature control mechanism described above, it is even more preferable to attach the connecting channel 21, supply channel valve 18, check valve 20, connecting channel valve 22, and control means 24 for the supply channel valve 18 and connecting channel valve 22, which are, for example, electromagnetic on / off valves, to the extruder. The system including the temperature control member 6, supply channel 17, and recovery channel 19 that constitute the temperature control mechanism shown in Figure 5, as well as the connecting channel 21, supply channel valve 18, check valve 20, connecting channel valve 22, and control means 24, is referred to as the temperature control system of this disclosure. Thus, this disclosure is not limited to newly manufactured extruders, but also proposes retrofit temperature control mechanisms and temperature control systems for improving already manufactured extruders. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Extruder 2 liters 2a Cylinder unit (block cylinder) 3 Screws 4. Heating means (heater) 5 Cooling medium supply means 5a Supply port 5b Collection port 6. Temperature control component 7 Hollow part 8. Flow channels (jacket holes) 9. Resin materials 10 Flange section 11 Main body 12a Inlet piping 12b Outlet piping 13 Intermediate channel 13a Outlet end 13b Inlet end 14 feeders 15 Driving means 16 Power supply means 17 Supply channel 18 Supply channel valve 19 Recovery channel 20 Check valve 21 Connection channel 22 Connecting flow valve 23 Thermocouple (Temperature Sensor) 24 Control means 25 Dies 26 Heating means (steam supply means) 27 components

Claims

1. A cylinder having a hollow section into which resin material is supplied and a flow path located outside the hollow section, A rotatable screw located within the hollow portion of the cylinder, A heating means for heating the cylinder, A cooling medium supply means for supplying a cooling medium to the flow path of the cylinder, An intermediate flow path is provided which is connected to the cooling medium supply means and the flow path of the cylinder and transmits the cooling medium from the cooling medium supply means to the flow path, and a temperature adjustment member is arranged so as to be in contact with the heating means or the cylinder, An extruder equipped with [a specific feature / ability].

2. The extruder according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is a heater arranged in contact with the cylinder, and the temperature adjustment member is arranged in contact with the heater or the cylinder.

3. The cooling medium supply means stops supplying the cooling medium to the flow path when the heater is heating, The extruder according to claim 2, further comprising a discharge mechanism for discharging the cooling medium from inside the flow path and the intermediate flow path when the supply of the cooling medium to the flow path by the cooling medium supply means is stopped.

4. The extruder according to claim 1, wherein the heating means is a steam supply means that supplies steam to the flow path of the cylinder, and the temperature adjustment member is arranged in contact with the cylinder.

5. The cooling medium supply means stops supplying the cooling medium to the flow path when steam is being supplied to the flow path by the steam supply means. The extruder according to claim 4, further comprising a discharge mechanism for discharging the cooling medium from inside the flow path and the intermediate flow path when the supply of the cooling medium to the flow path by the cooling medium supply means is stopped.

6. The discharge mechanism comprises a connecting passage that connects a part of a supply passage that supplies a cooling medium from the cooling medium supply means to the intermediate passage and a part of a recovery passage that returns the cooling medium from the passage of the cylinder to the cooling medium supply means, a supply passage valve located in the supply passage on the side of the cooling medium supply means that is connected to the connecting passage, and a connecting passage valve located in the connecting passage, wherein the supply passage valve opens when the cooling medium is supplied to the passage by the cooling medium supply means and closes when the supply is stopped, and the connecting passage valve closes when the cooling medium is supplied to the passage by the cooling medium supply means and opens when the supply is stopped, as described in claim 3 or 5.

7. The extruder according to claim 6, further comprising: a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cylinder; and control means for controlling the opening and closing of the supply flow path valve and the connecting flow path valve according to the detection result of the temperature sensor.

8. The extruder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the temperature control member is a member that transfers heat from the heating means or the heated cylinder to the cooling medium in the intermediate flow path.

9. The extruder according to claim 8, wherein the temperature control member is plate-shaped.

10. A temperature control mechanism for an extruder, comprising a cylinder having a hollow section into which resin material is supplied and a flow path located outside the hollow section, a rotatable screw located inside the cylinder, a heating means for heating the cylinder, and a cooling medium supply means for supplying a cooling medium to the flow path of the cylinder, A temperature control member having an intermediate flow path and positioned in contact with the cylinder or the heating means, A supply channel connecting the intermediate channel and the supply port of the cooling medium supply means, A temperature control mechanism for an extruder, having a recovery channel connecting the flow path of the cylinder and the recovery port of the cooling medium supply means.

11. A temperature control mechanism for an extruder according to claim 10, comprising: a connecting passage that connects a part of a supply passage that supplies a cooling medium from the cooling medium supply means to the intermediate passage and a part of a recovery passage that returns the cooling medium from the passage of the cylinder to the cooling medium supply means; a supply passage valve located on the cooling medium supply means side of the supply passage to the connection portion with the connecting passage; and a connecting passage valve located within the connecting passage, wherein the supply passage valve opens when the cooling medium is supplied to the passage by the cooling medium supply means and closes when the supply is stopped, and the connecting passage valve closes when the cooling medium is supplied to the passage by the cooling medium supply means and opens when the supply is stopped.

12. The temperature control mechanism for an extruder according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the temperature control member is a member that transfers heat from the heating means or the heated cylinder to the cooling medium in the intermediate flow path.

13. The temperature control mechanism for an extruder according to claim 12, wherein the temperature control member is plate-shaped.

14. A temperature control system for an extruder comprising a cylinder having a hollow section into which resin material is supplied and a flow path located outside the hollow section, a rotatable screw located inside the cylinder, a heating means for heating the cylinder, and a cooling medium supply means for supplying a cooling medium to the flow path of the cylinder, A temperature control member having an intermediate flow path and positioned in contact with the cylinder or the heating means, A supply channel connecting the intermediate channel and the supply port of the cooling medium supply means, A recovery channel connecting the flow path of the cylinder and the recovery port of the cooling medium supply means, A connecting channel that connects a part of the supply channel and a part of the recovery channel, A supply channel valve located within the supply channel on the side of the cooling medium supply means side of the connection portion with the connecting channel, A connecting flow channel valve is disposed within the aforementioned connecting flow channel, A control means that controls the supply channel valve and the connecting channel valve according to the temperature of the cylinder during extrusion molding, and switches between a state in which the cooling medium is supplied to the channel by the cooling medium supply means with the supply channel valve open and the connecting channel valve closed, and a state in which the supply channel valve is closed and the supply channel valve is open, thereby stopping the supply of the cooling medium to the channel by the cooling medium supply means. A temperature control system for an extruder having the following features.

15. The temperature control system for an extruder according to claim 14, wherein the temperature control member is a member that transfers heat from the heating means or the heated cylinder to the cooling medium in the intermediate flow path.

16. The temperature control system for an extruder according to claim 15, wherein the temperature control member is plate-shaped.

17. A method for controlling the temperature of an extruder, including the following steps: (a) A step of heating a resin material supplied to a hollow cylinder with a heating means; and (b) A step in which, while rotating a screw located inside the cylinder to push the heated resin material forward in one direction, if the temperature of the cylinder becomes excessively high, exceeding the permissible range for the resin material, heating by the heating means is stopped, and a cooling medium is supplied from the cooling medium supply means to a flow path provided outside the hollow portion of the cylinder, via an intermediate flow path of a temperature control member arranged in contact with the heating means or the cylinder.

18. The process of supplying the cooling medium is stopped when the temperature of the cylinder falls within the permissible range of the resin material. The method for adjusting the temperature of an extruder according to claim 17, wherein the heating step and the cooling medium supply step are switched according to the temperature of the cylinder.

19. A connecting passage is provided that connects a portion of the supply passage that supplies the cooling medium from the cooling medium supply means to the intermediate passage and a portion of the recovery passage that returns the cooling medium from the passage of the cylinder to the cooling medium supply means, a supply passage valve is provided that is located on the cooling medium supply means side of the supply passage that connects to the connecting passage, and a connecting passage valve is provided that is located within the connecting passage. The method for adjusting the temperature of an extruder according to claim 18, wherein in the step of supplying the cooling medium, the supply channel valve is opened and the connecting channel valve is closed, and when the step of supplying the cooling medium is stopped, the supply channel valve is closed and the connecting channel valve is opened.

20. The method for adjusting the temperature of an extruder according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the temperature adjustment member transfers heat from the heating means or the heated cylinder to the cooling medium in the intermediate flow path.

Images