In-mold painting system and in-mold painting method

By using a detachable coating liquid box in the mold coating system, the coating liquid is directly injected and recycled, and the maintenance difficulties caused by the circulation of coating liquid pipelines in traditional equipment are solved, achieving higher equipment reliability and maintenance efficiency.

JP7666265B2Active Publication Date: 2025-04-22TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021155466
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-09-24
Publication Date
2025-04-22
Estimated Expiration
2041-09-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In traditional mold coating equipment, the coating liquid circulates through the pipe, resulting in difficulty in maintenance.

Method used

A detachable coating liquid box is designed in the mold coating system. The coating liquid box is connected to the mold, and the direct injection and recycling of coating liquid is achieved through mechanical devices, avoiding pipeline circulation.

Benefits of technology

Simplifies the maintenance process and improves the reliability and maintenance efficiency of the equipment.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide an in-mold coating system and an in-mold coating method capable of improving maintainability.SOLUTION: An in-mold coating system comprises a mold 1 having a cavity 13, and a coating material injection device 2 installed on the mold 1, and is for carrying out coating on a molded article 151 located in the cavity 13. The coating material injection device 2 is attachable / detachable with a cassette 5 that stores a coating material 50, and is configured such that the coating material 50 in the attached cassette 5 can be injected into the cavity 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-mold painting system and an in-mold painting method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an in-mold coating injection device that coats the surface of a molded article formed in a cavity of a mold with a coating agent (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] This in-mold coating injection device is configured to be able to measure and inject a coating agent (paint) into the cavity. The coating agent is supplied to the in-mold coating injection device from a coating agent supply device, and the coating agent flowing out of the in-mold coating injection device is returned to the coating agent supply device. Specifically, the coating agent supply device includes a coating agent tank, a pump, piping, and the like. The coating agent tank and the in-mold coating injection device are connected by piping, and the coating agent is circulated between the coating agent tank and the in-mold coating injection device via the piping by the pump. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-290504 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the conventional in-mold coating injection device described above has a problem in that it is difficult to maintain because it is connected to a coating agent tank via piping and the coating agent is circulated between the coating agent tank and the device, and cleaning of the piping may be required.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an in-mold painting system and an in-mold painting method that can improve maintainability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The in-mold coating system according to the present invention comprises an in-mold coating mold having a cavity and a paint injection device provided in the in-mold coating mold, and is for coating a molded product located in the cavity. The paint injection device is configured so that a cassette for storing paint can be attached and detached and the paint from the attached cassette can be injected into the cavity. A first connector is provided at a lower end of the cassette, and a flow port for circulating the paint is provided in the first connector in an openable and closable manner, while an upper mold constituting the in-mold coating mold is provided at a portion facing the cavity, and a flow port for circulating the paint is provided in the second connector in an openable and closable manner. The paint injection device includes a holding part for holding the cassette, and a moving part for moving the cassette vertically downward together with the holding part between an attachment / detachment position where the first connector is separated upward from the second connector and where the cassette is attached / detached to / from the holding part, and an injection position where the first connector is coupled to the second connector and where the paint is injected from the cassette into the cavity. When the cassette is moved vertically downward from the attachment / detachment position to the injection position by the moving unit and reaches the injection position, the first connector is connected to the second connector, and each of the flow ports of the connectors is opened, making it possible for the paint stored in the cassette to be injected into the cavity.

[0008] Such a configuration eliminates the need for piping for circulating paint, improving ease of maintenance.

[0009] In the above-mentioned in-mold painting system, the cassette may include a storage chamber for storing paint and a piston facing the storage chamber, and the paint injection device may be configured to inject paint into the cavity by actuating the piston to eject paint from the storage chamber.

[0010] The in-mold coating system may further comprise a paint supplying device that supplies paint to the cassette, and a cassette transporting device that transports the cassette between the paint supplying device and the paint injection device.

[0011] In the in-mold coating system including the above-mentioned paint supply device, the paint supply device may be configured to be capable of cleaning the cassette.

[0012] In the in-mold coating system including the above-mentioned paint supply device, the paint supply device may be configured to be capable of switching the type of paint supplied to the cassette.

[0014] The in-mold coating method according to the present invention is carried out by an in-mold coating system that includes an in-mold coating mold having a cavity and a paint injection device provided in the in-mold coating mold, and that coats a molded product located in the cavity. a step of moving the cassette vertically downward together with the holding part by a moving part from a mounting / detaching position, which is a holding position of the cassette where the cassette can be mounted and detached with respect to a holding part provided in the paint injection device and holding the cassette, to an injection position, which is a position of the cassette where the first connector is coupled to the second connector and where the paint is injected from the cassette into the cavity, so that the cassette reaches the injection position, and the first connector is coupled to the second connector, and each of the flow ports provided in each of the connectors in an openable / closable manner is opened, making the paint stored in the cassette available for injection into the cavity; and injecting paint from the installed cassette into the cavity by a paint injection device. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the in-mold painting system and in-mold painting method of the present invention, it is possible to improve maintainability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a molding and coating system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a cassette of the molding coating system of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a paint supply device of the molding coating system of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the mold of the molding coating system of FIG. 1 is opened. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the mold in FIG. 4 is closed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a cassette is attached to the mold shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a gap for injecting paint is formed in the mold shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which paint has been poured into the metal mold of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the cassette has been removed from the mold shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a cassette is attached to a paint injection device of the molding coating system of FIG. 1. [Figure 11] 11 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the cassette has been moved to a filling position in the paint filling device of FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which paint has been injected into the paint injection device of FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the molding coating system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a molding and painting system that molds and paints a molded product.

[0018] First, the configuration of a molding coating system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 6 and 10. FIG.

[0019] The molding and coating system 100 is configured to mold a molded product 151 using a metal mold 1, and to paint the molded product 151 in the metal mold 1. For example, the molding and coating system 100 is capable of performing SMC molding (compression molding) in which an SMC sheet 150, which is a thermosetting resin, is heated and pressurized in the metal mold 1 to obtain a hardened molded product 151.

[0020] The molding coating system 100 is configured so that the molding 151 in the mold 1 is coated by using a cassette 5. As shown in Fig. 1, the molding coating system 100 includes a mold 1, a paint injection device 2, a cassette transfer device 3, a paint supply device 4, and a cassette 5. The molding coating system 100 is an example of the "in-mold coating system" of the present invention.

[0021] Here, the cassette 5 is configured to be able to store the paint 50 for painting the molded product 151. As shown in FIG. 2, the cassette 5 includes a case 51, a piston 52, a storage chamber 53, a connector 54, and a held portion 55. The piston 52 is movably provided inside the case 51. A sealant is provided around the piston 52, and the gap between the piston 52 and the case 51 is sealed by the sealant. The storage chamber 53 is formed inside the case 51 and is configured to be able to store the paint 50. The storage chamber 53 is partitioned by the case 51 and the piston 52, and the volume of the storage chamber 53 changes depending on the position of the piston 52 relative to the case 51. The piston 52 is disposed so as to face the storage chamber 53, and is provided to discharge the paint 50 in the storage chamber 53.

[0022] The connector 54 is provided in the case 51 in a portion that defines the storage chamber 53. The connector 54 is provided with a flow port (not shown) through which the paint 50 flows, and the flow port is configured to be openable and closable. The flow port of the connector 54 is provided for discharging the paint 50 in the storage chamber 53 and for filling the storage chamber 53 with the paint 50. The held portion 55 is configured to be able to be held by the paint injection device 2 and the cassette transfer device 3.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6, the mold 1 includes a fixed mold 11 and a movable mold 12, and a cavity 13 is formed between the fixed mold 11 and the movable mold 12. The mold 1 is configured to be opened and closed by moving the movable mold 12 relative to the fixed mold 11. In this mold 1, an SMC sheet 150 set in the cavity 13 is heated and pressurized to form a molded product 151 (see FIG. 7), and the molded product 151 is painted inside the mold. The movable mold 12 is provided with a connector 12a at a portion facing the cavity 13. The connector 12a is provided with a flow port (not shown) through which the paint 50 flows, and the flow port is configured to be openable and closable. The mold 1 is an example of the "mold for in-mold painting" of the present invention.

[0024] The paint injection device 2 is provided on the movable die 12 of the mold 1, and is configured so that the cassette 5 can be attached and detached. This paint injection device 2 is provided to inject paint 50 from the attached cassette 5 into the cavity 13. As shown in Fig. 10, the paint injection device 2 includes a holding part 21 that holds the cassette 5, and a moving part 22 that moves the holding part 21.

[0025] The holding portion 21 is configured to hold a held portion 55 of the cassette 5. For example, a recess is formed in the holding portion 21 and a hook portion is formed in the held portion 55, and the held portion 55 is fitted into the holding portion 21, whereby the holding portion 21 holds the held portion 55. The holding portion 21 is also configured to actuate a piston 52 of the held cassette 5. For example, the holding portion 21 is provided with a rod 21a that can advance and retreat, and the piston 52 can be pushed by the rod 21a.

[0026] The moving part 22 is configured to move the cassette 5 held by the holding part 21 between a mounting / detaching position P1 and an injection position P2 (see FIG. 11). The mounting / detaching position P1 is a position where the cassette 5 is mounted / detached, and the injection position P2 is a position where the paint 50 is injected. For example, the moving part 22 is provided with a rod 22a that can advance and retreat, and the holding part 21 is connected to the rod 22a. When the cassette 5 is moved to the injection position P2, the connector 54 of the cassette 5 is coupled to the connector 12a of the movable mold 12, and the flow ports of the connectors 54 and 12a are opened. The mounting / detaching position P1 and the injection position P2 are disposed outside the cavity 13.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 6, the cassette transfer device 3 is provided to transfer the cassette 5 between the paint supply device 4 (see Fig. 3) and the paint injection device 2. For example, the cassette transfer device 3 includes a robot arm 31 and a hand 32. The hand 32 is provided at the tip of the robot arm 31 and configured to hold the cassette 5. The robot arm 31 is configured to move the hand 32, thereby moving the cassette 5 held by the hand 32.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the paint supplying device 4 is provided to supply paint 50 to a cassette 5. The paint supplying device 4 is also configured to be capable of cleaning the cassette 5 and to be able to switch the type of paint 50 supplied to the cassette 5. For example, the paint supplying device 4 includes a plurality of paint systems 41, a cleaning liquid system 42, a waste liquid system 43, a switching valve 44, and a mounting base 45. For the sake of simplicity, only one of the plurality of paint systems 41 is shown in Fig. 3.

[0029] The mounting base 45 is configured so that the cassette 5 can be attached and detached, and the cassette transfer device 3 can attach and detach the cassette 5 to and from the mounting base 45. The mounting base 45 is provided with a connector 45a, which has a flow passage (not shown) through which the paint 50 and the like flow. When the cassette 5 is attached to the mounting base 45, the connector 54 of the cassette 5 is coupled with the connector 45a, whereby the flow port of the connector 54 is opened, and the storage chamber 53 is connected to the switching valve 44 via the flow port and the flow passage of the connector 45a.

[0030] The switching valve 44 is configured to be able to switch the connection destination of the cassette 5 attached to the mounting base 45. Specifically, the multiple paint systems 41, the cleaning liquid system 42, the waste liquid system 43, and the flow passages of the connector 45a of the mounting base 45 are connected to the switching valve 44. The switching valve 44 is configured to selectively communicate the multiple paint systems 41, the cleaning liquid system 42, and the waste liquid system 43 with the flow passage of the connector 45a.

[0031] The multiple paint systems 41 are configured to supply different types of paint 50 to the cassette 5 via the changeover valve 44. Each paint system 41 has a paint tank 41a, a paint piping 41b, a pump 41c, and a flow meter 41d. The paint tank 41a stores paint 50 corresponding to each paint system 41. The paint 50 is, for example, a thermosetting type. The paint piping 41b connects the paint tank 41a to the changeover valve 44. The pump 41c is provided to send the paint 50 in the paint tank 41a to the cassette 5 via the changeover valve 44. The flow meter 41d is provided to measure the flow rate of the paint 50 sent from the paint tank 41a to the cassette 5.

[0032] The cleaning liquid system 42 and the waste liquid system 43 are provided for cleaning the cassette 5. The cleaning liquid system 42 is configured to supply a cleaning liquid to the cassette 5 via a switching valve 44. The waste liquid system 43 is provided for recovering, via the switching valve 44, waste liquid after cleaning the cassette 5.

[0033] The cleaning liquid system 42 includes a cleaning liquid tank 42a, a cleaning liquid pipe 42b, and a pump 42c. The cleaning liquid tank 42a stores a cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid pipe 42b connects the cleaning liquid tank 42a and a switching valve 44. The pump 42c is provided to send the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 42a to the cassette 5 via the switching valve 44. The waste liquid system 43 includes a waste liquid tank 43a that stores waste liquid, and a waste liquid pipe 43b that connects the waste liquid tank 43a and the switching valve 44.

[0034] In such a paint supply device 4, when paint 50 is supplied to a cassette 5 mounted on the mounting base 45, the changeover valve 44 connects the cassette 5 to a predetermined paint system 41, and the pump 41c of that paint system 41 is driven to fill the paint 50 from the paint tank 41a of that paint system 41 into the storage chamber 53. The amount of paint 50 filled into the storage chamber 53 can be appropriately adjusted based on the measurement results of the flow meter 41d, for example.

[0035] In addition, when the cassette 5 mounted on the mounting base 45 is to be cleaned, the pump 42c is driven with the switching valve 44 connecting the cassette 5 to the cleaning liquid system 42, whereby the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 42a is filled into the storage chamber 53, and then the connection of the cassette 5 is switched to the waste liquid system 43 by the switching valve 44, and the piston 52 is pushed down by the piston drive unit (not shown), thereby ejecting the waste liquid from the storage chamber 53 and collecting it in the waste liquid tank 43a.

[0036] - Operation of the molding coating system - Next, the operation of the molding and coating system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0037] First, in step S1 of Fig. 13, molding of a molded product 151 is started. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, with the mold 1 open, an SMC sheet 150 is set in the fixed mold 11. Next, as shown in Fig. 5, the mold 1 is closed and molding is started. That is, the SMC sheet 150 is heated and pressurized using the mold 1. In addition, in the cassette transfer device 3, the cassette 5 attached to the mounting base 45 (see Fig. 3) of the paint supply device 4 is grasped by the hand 32, and the cassette 5 is moved by the robot arm 31 to the vicinity of the mold 1. Note that when the cassette transfer device 3 transfers the cassette 5, the flow port of the connector 54 is closed.

[0038] Next, in step S2 of Fig. 13, the cassette 5 is mounted. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the cassette 5 is moved to the mounting / removal position P1 (see Fig. 10) by the robot arm 31, and the cassette 5 at the mounting / removal position P1 is held by the holding part 21 of the paint injection device 2.

[0039] Next, in step S3 of FIG. 13, the cassette 5 is moved to the injection position P2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the rod 22a of the moving part 22 is advanced downward, so that the cassette 5 held by the holding part 21 is moved to the injection position P2, and the cassette 5 is fixed to the movable mold 12. At this time, the connector 54 of the cassette 5 is connected to the connector 12a of the movable mold 12, so that the flow ports of the connectors 54 and 12a are opened. That is, the storage chamber 53 of the cassette 5 is communicated with the cavity 13 through the flow ports of the connectors 54 and 12a. Therefore, the paint 50 of the cassette 5 can be injected into the cavity 13. When the curing of the SMC sheet 150 is completed, a molded product 151 is obtained in the cavity 13.

[0040] 13, a gap for injecting paint is formed in the metal mold 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG 7, the movable mold 12 is moved in the demolding direction to form a gap between the molded product 151 and the movable mold 12.

[0041] Next, in step S5 of FIG. 13, the paint 50 is injected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 12, the rod 21a of the holding part 21 advances downward, and the piston 52 is pushed down, so that the paint 50 in the storage chamber 53 is discharged and injected into the cavity 13. The injection speed of the paint 50 into the cavity 13 can be appropriately adjusted. When the discharge of the paint 50 is completed, the rod 21a of the holding part 21 is returned to its original position, and the rod 22a of the moving part 22 is returned to its original position. Therefore, the connection between the connector 54 of the cassette 5 and the connector 12a of the movable mold 12 is released, and the flow ports of the connectors 54 and 12a are closed. In addition, the cassette 5 held by the holding part 21 is moved to the attachment / detachment position P1.

[0042] 13, the paint 50 is cured. Specifically, the paint 50 in the cavity 13 is heated and pressurized using the mold 1.

[0043] Next, in step S7 of FIG. 13, the cassette 5 is removed in parallel with the hardening of the paint 50. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the cassette 5 held by the holder 21 at the mounting / removal position P1 is handed over to the hand 32 of the robot arm 31. Thereafter, in the cassette transfer device 3, the robot arm 31 mounts the empty cassette 5 on the mounting base 45 of the paint supply device 4. In the paint supply device 4, when the type of paint 50 filled in the cassette 5 is changed, the cassette 5 is washed and then filled with the paint 50. Note that, when the same type of paint 50 is filled in the cassette 5, the paint 50 may be filled in the cassette 5 without washing the cassette 5. In addition, in the mold 1, when the hardening of the paint 50 is completed, the mold is opened and the product (molded product 151 on which a coating film is formed) is removed.

[0044] -effect- In this embodiment, as described above, the paint injection device 2 to which the cassette 5 storing the paint 50 can be detachably attached is provided in the mold 1, thereby eliminating the need for piping for circulating the paint, thereby improving maintainability. In addition, the type of paint 50 can be changed by replacing the cassette 5, making it easy to handle small-lot, high-mix production.

[0045] In addition, in this embodiment, the cassette 5 is provided with the piston 52, so that the paint 50 in the storage chamber 53 can be easily discharged.

[0046] In addition, in this embodiment, a cassette transfer device 3 that transfers the cassette 5 and a paint supply device 4 that fills the cassette 5 with paint 50 are provided, so that painting can be repeated by circulating the cassette 5.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, the cassette 5 can be washed by the paint supply device 4, so that the type of paint 50 filled in the cassette 5 can be changed.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, since the paint supply device 4 is provided with a plurality of paint systems 41, the type of paint 50 filled in the cassette 5 can be easily changed.

[0049] In addition, in this embodiment, the paint injection device 2 is configured to enable the cassette 5 to be moved between the attachment / detachment position P1 and the injection position P2, so that the cassette 5 handed over at the attachment / detachment position P1 can be moved to the injection position P2, thereby connecting the connector 54 to the connector 12a.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, when the connector 54 is coupled to the connector 12a, the flow port of the connector 54 opens, so that the paint 50 in the storage chamber 53 can be discharged. When the connector 54 is coupled to the connector 45a, the flow port of the connector 54 opens, so that the paint 50 can be filled into the storage chamber 53 and cleaning liquid can be introduced into and removed from the storage chamber 53. Note that in other cases (when the connector 54 is not coupled to the connector 12a and the connector 54 is not coupled to the connector 45a), the flow port of the connector 54 closes, so that the paint 50 in the storage chamber 53 does not flow out when not needed.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hardening of the paint 50 and the removal of the cassette 5 are carried out in parallel, thereby improving productivity and shortening the time that the cassette 5 is positioned within the mold 1.

[0052] -Other embodiments- It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but is defined by the claims. The technical scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims.

[0053] For example, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the present invention is applied to the molding and coating system 100 that molds and coats the molded product 151, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may also be applied to an in-mold coating system in which a molded product that has been molded in advance is coated. In this in-mold coating system, a molded product that has been molded in advance (a molded product molded in a separate device) is set in a cavity of an in-mold coating mold, and the molded product is coated. In this way, if the in-mold coating system is dedicated to coating, the system can be simplified compared to a molding and coating system that is used for both molding and painting.

[0054] In the above embodiment, an example in which one layer of paint is formed on the molded product 151 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. By repeatedly performing painting while replacing the cassette, multiple layers of paint may be formed on the molded product. As a specific example, when two layers of paint are formed on the molded product in the mold, first, a cassette storing the paint of the first layer is transferred to a paint injection device by a cassette transfer device, and the paint of the first layer is injected into the cavity by the paint injection device. Next, the hardening of the paint of the first layer and the removal of the empty cassette are performed in parallel. The empty cassette is transferred to a paint supply device by a cassette transfer device, and the cassette is washed in the paint supply device and then filled with the paint of the second layer. Then, when the hardening of the paint of the first layer is completed, a cassette storing the paint of the second layer is transferred to a paint injection device by a cassette transfer device, and the paint of the second layer is injected into the cavity by the paint injection device. Next, the hardening of the paint of the second layer and the removal of the empty cassette are performed in parallel. The empty cassette is transferred to the paint supply device by the cassette transfer device, where the cassette is washed and then filled with the first layer of paint. After that, when the second layer of paint has completely hardened, the product (the molded product on which the two layers of paint have been formed) is removed from the mold, and a new molded product (the molded product before painting) is set in the mold. The second layer of paint may be injected while the first layer of paint is hardening (after the first layer of paint has hardened to such an extent that the injection of the second layer of paint will not affect the first layer of paint), so that the first layer of paint and the second layer of paint harden in parallel. In this way, productivity can be improved. Also, a cassette for storing the first layer of paint and a cassette for storing the second layer of paint may be provided separately. In this way, it is possible to reduce the number of times the cassette needs to be washed.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the molded product 151 is molded by SMC molding, but the molded product may be molded by a molding method other than SMC molding. Examples of molding methods other than SMC molding include injection molding, injection compression molding, and vacuum molding.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the molded product 151 is made of a thermosetting resin, but the molded product is not limited to this and may be made of a thermoplastic resin.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the mold 1 includes the fixed mold 11 and the movable mold 12, but the mold may include a common mold, a molding mold, and a coating mold. In this case, after a molded product is molded using the common mold and the molding mold, the molded product may be coated using the common mold and the coating mold.

[0058] In the above embodiment, an example in which one paint injection device 2 is provided in the mold 1 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and multiple paint injection devices may be provided in the mold 1. In other words, paint may be injected into the cavity from multiple locations.

[0059] Further, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the paint injection device 2 is provided in the movable mold 12, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the paint injection device may be provided in the fixed mold.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the paint 50 is injected after the molded product 151 is molded, but the invention is not limited to this and the paint may be injected during the molding of the molded product. In this way, the paint is cured while the molded product is being molded, thereby improving productivity.

[0061] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which paint 50 is injected after a gap for injecting paint is formed, but this is not limited to the above, and a gap (a space into which paint is injected) may be formed between the molded product and the movable mold by injecting paint.

[0062] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which one type of paint 50 was supplied to the cassette 5, but this is not limited to the above, and multiple liquids may be supplied to the cassette and mixed in the cassette.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the paint supply device 4 has a function of cleaning the cassette 5, but the paint supply device does not have to have a function of cleaning the cassette. In this case, it is sufficient that a cassette is provided for each type of paint.

[0064] Further, in the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the paint supply device 4 is capable of supplying different types of paint 50, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the paint supply device may be configured to supply only one type of paint.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the cassette 5 is replaced every time one molded product 151 is painted, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the cassette may be replaced every time multiple molded products are painted. In other words, multiple applications of paint may be stored in the cassette.

[0066] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the amount of paint 50 filled into the storage chamber 53 was measured by the flow meter 41d, but this is not limited to the above, and the amount of paint filled into the storage chamber may be calculated based on the position of the piston relative to the case.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the paint 50 is of a thermosetting type, but the paint is not limited to this, and may be of other types such as a two-liquid type.

[0068] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the hardening of the paint 50 and the removal of the cassette 5 are performed in parallel, but this is not limited to the above, and the cassette may be removed after the hardening of the paint is completed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0069] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to an in-mold coating system for coating a molded article located in a cavity, and to an in-mold coating method carried out by the in-mold coating system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Mold (mold for in-mold painting) 2 Paint injection device 3. Cassette transfer device 4 Paint supply device 5 Cassette 13 Cavity 50 paint 52 Piston 53 Storage Room 100 In-mold painting system (in-mold painting system) 151 Molded products

Claims

1. An in-mold coating system for coating a molded product located in the cavity, comprising: an in-mold coating mold having a cavity; and a paint injection device provided in the in-mold coating mold, the in-mold coating system comprising: The paint injection device is configured such that a cassette for storing paint can be attached and detached, and paint from the attached cassette can be injected into the cavity; A first connector is provided at a lower end of the cassette, and a flow port for flowing the paint is provided in the first connector so as to be capable of being opened and closed. a second connector is provided in a portion of the upper mold constituting the in-mold coating mold facing the cavity, and a flow port for allowing the paint to flow therethrough is provided in the second connector so as to be capable of being opened and closed; The paint injection device is a holding portion for holding the cassette, a moving unit that moves the cassette vertically downward together with the holding unit between an attachment / detachment position where the first connector is spaced upward from the second connector and where the cassette is attached to and detached from the holding unit, and an injection position where the first connector is coupled to the second connector and where the paint is injected from the cassette to the cavity, The in-mold painting system is characterized in that when the cassette is moved vertically downward from the attachment / detachment position to the injection position by the moving unit and reaches the injection position, the first connector is connected to the second connector, and each of the flow ports of the connectors is opened, making the paint stored in the cassette available for injection into the cavity.

2. The in-mold painting system according to claim 1, The cassette includes a storage chamber for storing paint and a piston facing the storage chamber. An in-mold painting system characterized in that the paint injection device is configured to inject paint into the cavity by actuating the piston to eject paint from the storage chamber.

3. The in-mold coating system according to claim 1 or 2, a paint supply device for supplying paint to the cassette; and a cassette transfer device that transfers the cassette between the paint supply device and the paint injection device.

4. The in-mold painting system according to claim 3, The in-mold coating system is characterized in that the paint supply device is configured to be able to wash the cassette.

5. The in-mold coating system according to claim 3 or 4, The in-mold coating system is characterized in that the paint supply device is configured to be able to switch the type of paint supplied to the cassette.

6. An in-mold coating method carried out by an in-mold coating system for coating a molded product located in the cavity, the in-mold coating system comprising an in-mold coating mold having a cavity and a paint injection device provided in the in-mold coating mold, the in-mold coating method comprising: a position where a first connector provided at a lower end of a cassette for storing paint is spaced upward from a second connector provided on an upper mold constituting the in-mold coating mold and on a portion facing the cavity, and where the cassette can be attached and detached from a holding portion provided on the paint injection device and holding the cassette, to an injection position, which is a position of the cassette where the first connector is coupled to the second connector and where the coating material is injected from the cassette into the cavity; a step of moving the cassette vertically downward together with the holding part by a moving part, so that the cassette reaches the injection position, and coupling the first connector to the second connector, so that each of the flow ports provided in each of the connectors in an openable and closable manner is opened, thereby making the paint stored in the cassette available for injection into the cavity; and a step of injecting paint from the attached cassette into the cavity by the paint injection device.

Citation Information

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