Mold device

Abstract

To provide a metal mold arrangement allowing for saving the space of an installation site.SOLUTION: A metal mold arrangement 100 according to the present disclosure comprises a metal mold 30, an injection device 10 disposed above the metal mold 30, and a swivel mechanism 1 for swiveling the injection device 10 so as to move the injection device 10 to a deviated position from the metal mold 30 in top view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mold device.

Background Art

[0002] A mold device for molding cores used in casting is known. As a related technique, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a core molding device in which a kneading kettle is provided above a mold. In this core molding device, a piston portion injects kneaded sand (core sand) in the kneading kettle downward to fill the mold located below the kneading kettle with the kneaded sand. Thereby, the cavity formed in the mold is filled with the kneaded sand, and the core is molded.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Assume a case where a mold is to be replaced in a mold device in which an injection device is arranged above the mold. As a method of replacing the mold, a method of accessing the mold from above using a crane or the like and lifting and moving the mold can be considered. However, when an injection device is arranged above the mold, the injection device may become an interfering object and prevent access to the mold. Therefore, in such a device, the injection device cannot be installed directly above the mold. Thus, there is room for consideration in reducing the space occupied by the entire device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a mold device capable of saving space in the installation location.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The mold device according to the present invention is a mold, an injection device disposed above the mold, and a turning mechanism that turns the injection device so as to move the injection device to a position displaced from the mold in a top view. With such a configuration, it is possible to save space in the installation location.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a mold device capable of saving space in the installation location.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. For the sake of clarity of explanation, duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0010] <Embodiment 1> First, referring to FIG. 1, an overview of the mold apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the operation of the mold apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Note that the right-handed xyz orthogonal coordinates shown in FIG. 1 and other drawings are for convenience in explaining the positional relationship of the components. Usually, the positive z-axis direction is vertically upward, the xy plane is a horizontal plane, and they are common among the drawings.

[0011] The mold apparatus 100 is an apparatus for shaping cores used in casting. The mold apparatus 100 includes an injection device 10, a kneading kettle 20, a mold 30, a frame 50, a turning mechanism 1, and a control unit 90. Details of each configuration will be described later.

[0012] FIG. 1(a) shows the state of the mold apparatus 100 when performing core shaping processing. The injection device 10, the kneading kettle 20, and the mold 30 are arranged at overlapping positions in a top view. Inside the kneading kettle 20, kneaded sand used for core shaping is accommodated. By the injection device 10 injecting the kneaded sand in the kneading kettle 20 into the mold 30, a core is shaped in the cavity formed in the mold 30.

[0013] In the state of FIG. 1(a), assuming that the core shaping is completed and the mold 30 is to be replaced. The kneading kettle 20 can be moved from the mold 30 by being carried by a person. On the other hand, since the mold 30 is heavy and difficult for a person to carry, it is assumed to be lifted by a crane or the like as described above. In the related art as described above, since the injection device 10 is fixed to a frame or the like above the mold 30, the injection device 10 becomes an interfering object when accessing the mold from above with a crane or the like. Therefore, when replacing the mold, it is necessary to access the mold 30 with a dedicated cart from the front of the facility without using a crane or the like to take out the mold 30.

[0014] In contrast, the mold apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a turning mechanism 1 to solve the above problems. The turning mechanism 1 turns the injection device 10 so as to move the injection device 10 to a position deviated from the mold 30 in a top view. The turning mechanism 1 is attached to, for example, a frame 50, and includes a main body 1a that turns around a turning axis 1c and a support portion 1b that supports the injection device 10. When the main body 1a turns, the injection device 10 supported by the support portion 1b can also turn. In FIG. 1(b), the directions in which the main body 1a and the injection device 10 turn are indicated by double arrows.

[0015] The injection device 10 shifts from the state shown in FIG. 1(a) to the state shown in FIG. 1(b) by turning by the turning mechanism 1. As a result, the injection device 10 moves from directly above the mold 30 to a position that is not directly above the mold 30. In this way, since the injection device 10 can be made movable by the turning mechanism 1, it is possible to access from above the mold 30. Therefore, the mold 30 can be easily replaced using a crane or the like.

[0016] Note that the turning mechanism 1, the injection device 10, the kneading kettle 20, and the mold 30 may be configured to operate according to the control of a control unit 90 that controls each component of the mold apparatus 100. The control unit 90 has functions as a computer, and includes, for example, an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various control programs and data are stored. The control unit 90 controls, for example, the turning operation of the turning mechanism 1, the injection operation of the injection device 10, the rotation operation of the kneading kettle 20, and the movement operation of the mold 30. Not limited to these, the control unit 90 may control any operation in the mold apparatus 100. The control unit 90 may be provided in a plurality of divided parts. Note that the illustration of the control unit 90 is omitted in the drawings other than FIG. 1.

[0017] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the configuration of the mold device 100 will be described in detail. FIGS. 2 and 3 are a front sectional view and a top view of the mold device 100, respectively. FIG. 2 shows the state of the mold device 100 before the injection device 10 is rotated, and FIG. 3 shows the state of the mold device 100 after the injection device 10 is rotated.

[0018] First, the configuration of the mold device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2(a) is a front sectional view of the mold device 100, and FIG. 2(b) is a top view of the mold device 100. The mold device 100 includes an injection device 10, a kneading kettle 20, a mold 30, frames 50 to 54, a turning mechanism 1, and a control unit 90. Note that the control unit 90 is not shown in the figures.

[0019] The injection device 10 is a device that injects and presses the kneaded sand S in the kneading kettle 20 into the mold 30. The injection device 10 is disposed above the mold 30 and the kneading kettle 20. The injection device 10 includes a cylinder 10a and a press-in piston 10b.

[0020] The press-in piston 10b is a piston that applies a pressure in the vertically downward direction (negative z-axis direction) to the kneaded sand S accommodated in the kneading kettle 20 when the injection hole 20a of the kneading kettle 20 is opened, and injects the kneaded sand S into the mold 30. The bottom surface (xy plane) of the press-in piston 10b is formed to conform to the radial shape of the kneading kettle 20. In this embodiment, since the kneading kettle 20 is cylindrical, the shape of the bottom surface of the press-in piston 10b is disk-shaped.

[0021] Also, the press-in piston 10b is integrated with the cylinder 10a provided so as to surround the upper part of the press-in piston 10b. When the cylinder 10a is pushed, the press-in piston 10b is pushed, and thus a pressure in the vertically downward direction (negative z-axis direction) is applied to the kneaded sand S. Thereby, the injection device 10 injects the kneaded sand S into the mold 30.

[0022] The kneading kettle 20 is a container for holding the kneaded sand S before it is injected into the mold 30. The kneading kettle 20 is arranged between the injection device 10 and the mold 30. The kneading kettle 20 is arranged at a position overlapping the mold 30 and the injection device 10 in a top view. The kneading kettle 20 contains the aggregate and the binder which are the raw materials of the core, and holds the kneaded sand S obtained by kneading the contained raw materials of the core for injection into the mold 30.

[0023] In Fig. 2(a), the kneaded sand S is contained in the kneading kettle 20, showing the state before being injected into the mold 30. The kneading kettle 20 is, for example, cylindrical with an open top surface. The kneading kettle 20 may use a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped accommodating tank, and the shape of the accommodating tank can be appropriately changed. On the bottom surface of the kneading kettle 20, an injection hole 20a for injecting the kneaded sand S into the mold 30 and a lid portion (not shown) are provided. The lid portion functions as a lid for the injection hole 20a. The bottom surface of the kneading kettle 20 is closed except for the lid portion and the injection hole 20a. The injection hole 20a is, for example, a circular hole. Not limited to this, the injection hole 20a can be appropriately changed to a polygonal shape or the like according to the shape of the core. When the lid portion opens during the injection of the kneaded sand S, the kneaded sand S moves through the injection hole 20a and into the mold 30.

[0024] The mold 30 is a mold used for molding the core. The mold 30 includes, for example, a fixed mold 31 and a movable mold 32, and these are used as a set. The fixed mold 31 is a fixed mold, and the movable mold 32 is a movable mold. The shape of the mold 30 is appropriately changed according to the shape of the core. The core is molded by heating the kneaded sand S injected into the internal space of the mold 30. After molding the core by heating the kneaded sand S, the molded core is taken out by moving the movable mold 32. Note that the arrangement of the fixed mold 31 and the movable mold 32 may be opposite to that shown in Fig. 2 or other drawings.

[0025] Frames 50 to 54 are holding members for holding the configuration of the mold device 100. For example, frames 51 and 52 are connected to the mold 30 to hold the mold 30. Here, holding the mold 30 means preventing the mold 30 from moving from a predetermined position. Note that although the movable mold 32 moves during mold clamping or mold opening, frames 51 and 52 are provided so as not to interfere with the movement of the movable mold 32. One end of frames 51 and 52 is connected to frame 53.

[0026] For frames 51 and 52, for example, long members of any shape such as rod-shaped, tubular, plate-shaped, etc. can be used. Not limited to these, frames 51 and 52 may have any shape as long as they can hold the mold 30. Frames 51 and 52 are, for example, made of metal, but are not limited thereto. Frames 51 and 52 may be detachably attached to the mold 30 and frame 53 by fixing members such as bolts (not shown). The same applies to frames other than frames 51 and 52 with respect to the material and the attachment method.

[0027] Frames 50 and 53 are, for example, planar members and are perpendicular to each other. Also, frames 50 and 53 are perpendicular to frame 54. On the upper surface of frame 50, the turning mechanism 1 is attached in the vicinity above the mold 30. One end of frames 51 and 52 is connected to frame 53. Frames 50 and 53 may be any as long as the turning mechanism 1 and frames 51 and 52 can be attached thereto.

[0028] Frame 54 is provided below the mold device 100. The frame 54 is a planar member having a surface parallel to, for example, the xy plane. The frames 50 and 53 are provided on the frame 54 so as to be perpendicular. The frame 54 may be provided on the floor surface at the installation location of the mold device 100, or may be provided, for example, on a support member that supports the mold device 100. The support member may be, for example, a box-shaped base. Note that the mold device 100 may be directly installed on the floor surface without providing the frame 54. In that case, the frames 50 and 53 attached to the frame 54 may be installed on the floor surface by any method.

[0029] The configurations of the frames 50 to 54 described above are examples, and the configurations can be changed as appropriate. For example, instead of the planar frames 50 and 53, a frame of a long member may be used.

[0030] The turning mechanism 1 is a mechanism that turns the injection device 10 so as to move the injection device 10 to a position deviated from the mold 30 in a top view. The turning mechanism 1 has a main body portion 1a and a support portion 1b. The main body portion 1a is, for example, a cylindrical member. The main body portion 1a is not limited to a cylindrical shape and may have any shape as long as it can turn. Further, the main body portion 1a may be configured to be able to change its height, for example, by expanding and contracting.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the main body portion 1a is attached to the frame 50 such that the bottom surface of the main body portion 1a abuts against the upper surface of the frame 50. The bottom surface of the main body portion 1a and the upper surface of the frame 50 are surfaces parallel to the xy plane. Therefore, the main body portion 1a is provided perpendicular to the xy plane. Note that the position of the turning mechanism 1 is not limited to the position shown in Fig. 2. For example, in a front view, the main body portion 1a may be arranged on the right side (the positive x-axis side) of the mold 30 or the like, or may be arranged in a straight line with the mold 30 or the like. The position of the turning mechanism 1 may be appropriately determined according to the length of the main body portion 1a, the length of the support portion 1b, or the height of the frame 50. The turning mechanism 1 is provided at a position where it is possible to move the injection device 10 from directly above the mold 30.

[0032] The main body 1a rotates about the rotation axis 1c. As a result, the main body 1a can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise about the rotation axis 1c. For example, the main body 1a houses a motor (not shown) and is driven using the motor as a power source. The main body 1a performs a turning operation according to the control of the control unit 90 (see FIG. 1). The main body 1a can turn in the directions indicated by the double arrows in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b). When the main body 1a turns, the injection device 10 supported by the support portion 1b turns. Note that the turning angles of the turning mechanism 1 and the injection device 10 may be controlled at any angle by the control unit 90.

[0033] The rotation axis 1c, for example, passes through the center of a circle that is the contact surface between the main body 1a and the frame 50 and is a line perpendicular to the contact surface. In the present embodiment, the rotation axis 1c is parallel to the z-axis, but is not limited thereto.

[0034] The support portion 1b is provided on the side surface of the main body 1a and supports the injection device 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the support portion 1b is a member having a U-shaped cross section with an open upper side and side walls protruding upward at both ends. A support base for supporting the injection device 10 is provided at the bottom of the support portion 1b, and the injection device 10 is fixed on the support base. The configuration of the support portion 1b is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the support portion 1b may be configured to support the injection device 10 by clamping the injection device 10. Further, the support portion 1b may be telescopic or the height thereof may be changeable. In FIGS. 2 to 5, the support portion 1b is illustrated in a simplified manner as appropriate.

[0035] By providing the main body 1a and the support portion 1b as described above, the turning mechanism 1 can turn while supporting the injection device 10.

[0036] Subsequently, referring to FIG. 3, the process of replacing the mold 30 after the core molding process will be described. FIG. 3(a) is a front cross-sectional view of the mold device 100, and FIG. 3(b) is a top view of the mold device 100.

[0037] The mold 30 is pre-clamped by a clamping member (not shown), and the core molding process is performed. After the molding process, the control unit 90 (see FIG. 1) rotates the injection device 10 in the direction indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 3(b). Thereby, since the injection device 10 can be retracted from the upper surface of the mold 30, a space for suspending the mold 30 with the crane 60 above the mold 30 is secured.

[0038] Next, the mold 30 is unclamped. Subsequently, the mold 30 is lifted using the crane 60 and the wire 61, and the mold 30 is carried out from the mold device 100. The mold 30 is lifted upward and moved from the mold device 100 as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 3(a). Thereafter, a new mold is carried into the mold device 100 using the crane 60 and the wire 61. In this way, by rotating the injection device 10 using the turning mechanism 1, the mold can be easily exchanged with the crane 60 or the like.

[0039] In addition, in FIG. 3, the kneading kettle 20 is not shown. The kneading kettle 20 may be moved from between the mold 30 and the injection device 10 at an arbitrary timing.

[0040] As described above, the mold device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a mold 30, an injection device 10 disposed above the mold 30, and a turning mechanism 1. The turning mechanism 1 rotates the injection device 10 so as to move the injection device 10 to a position displaced from the mold 30 in a top view. In this way, by providing the injection device 10 with a turning function, the injection device 10 is positioned above the mold 30 during the core molding, and has a structure that can turn and retract from above the mold 30 during the mold exchange. By doing so, the injection device 10 can be installed directly above the mold 30 without interfering with the mold exchange by a crane or the like, so that the installation space of the mold device 100 can be made space-saving.

[0041] In the above description, the turning mechanism 1 was fixed within the mold device 100 via the frames 50 to 54. However, it is not limited to this. The turning mechanism 1 may be configured in any way as long as it has a configuration that enables the injection device 10 to move directly above the mold 30. For example, the turning mechanism 1 may be connected to a frame other than the frame 50, or may not be connected to any of the frames 50 to 54 and may be fixed to other members or equipment. Further, the turning mechanism 1 may be provided independently or may be configured to be movable alone.

[0042] <Embodiment 2> In this embodiment, in the mold device 100 described in Embodiment 1, the injection device 10 includes a clamping portion 15 that clamps the kneading kettle 20. By including the clamping portion 15, the injection device 10 can transfer the kneading kettle 20 by turning.

[0043] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the configuration of this embodiment will be described. FIGS. 4 and 5 are a front sectional view and a top view of a mold device 101 according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the state of the mold device 101 before transferring the kneading kettle 20, and FIG. 5 shows the state of the mold device 101 after transferring the kneading kettle 20. Regarding the content overlapping with Embodiment 1, the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the mold device 101 will be described. FIG. 4(a) is a front sectional view of the mold device 101, and FIG. 4(b) is a top view of the mold device 101. The injection device 10 has a clamping portion 15 that clamps the kneading kettle 20. The clamping portion 15 may have any configuration as long as it can clamp the kneading kettle 20. Regarding the configuration other than the injection device 10 including the clamping portion 15, it is the same as the mold device 100 described in Embodiment 1, so detailed descriptions of the kneading kettle 20, the mold 30, etc. will be omitted.

[0045] The clamping unit 15 clamps the kneading kettle 20 disposed below the injection device 10 and holds it in that state. FIG. 4 shows how the clamping unit 15 clamps the kneading kettle 20 placed on the mounting table 70. Similar to Embodiment 1, the turning mechanism 1 is configured to be turnable according to the control of the control unit 90 (see FIG. 1). The injection device 10 turns according to the turning operation of the turning mechanism 1. The kneading kettle 20 moves together with the injection device 10 by the turning of the turning mechanism 1.

[0046] Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the flow when transferring the kneading kettle 20 from the mounting table 70 to the mold 30 will be described. FIG. 5(a) is a front sectional view of the mold device 101, and FIG. 5(b) is a top view of the mold device 101.

[0047] First, as shown in FIG. 4, the kneading kettle 20 is placed on the mounting table 70. Next, the kneading kettle 20 is clamped and fixed by the clamping unit 15 of the injection device 10. Thereby, the kneading kettle 20 is supported by the clamping unit 15 and can move integrally with the injection device 10. Then, the control unit 90 turns the injection device 10 and the kneading kettle 20 in the direction indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 5(b). According to the control of the control unit 90, the injection device 10 places the clamped kneading kettle 20 on the upper surface of the mold 30.

[0048] As described above, in the mold device 101 according to the present embodiment, a kneading kettle 20 is provided between the injection device 10 and the mold 30, and the injection device 10 has a clamping unit 15 for clamping the kneading kettle 20. By the clamping unit 15 clamping the kneading kettle 20, the kneading kettle 20 moves together with the injection device 10 by the turning of the turning mechanism 1. Therefore, by the injection device 10 including the clamping unit 15, the mold device 101 can be utilized as a transfer device for the kneading kettle 20.

[0049] Since the kneading kettle 20 is heavy and the mold 30 becomes hot, care must be taken when a person carries the kneading kettle 20 by hand. However, according to the mold device 101 according to the present embodiment, the kneading kettle 20 can be set on the upper surface of the mold 30 without a person carrying the kneading kettle 20 by hand. Thereby, not only can the same effect as in Embodiment 1 be obtained, but also the transfer of the kneading kettle 20 can be easily performed.

[0050] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist. For example, in the above description, the mold devices 100 and 101 were described by taking the core molding device as an example, but the mold devices 100 and 101 may be applied to other than the core molding device.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0051] 1 Swivel mechanism 1a Main body part 1b Support part 1c Swivel shaft 10 Injection device 10a Cylinder 10b Press-fit piston 15 Clamp part 20 Kneading kettle 20a Injection hole 30 Mold 31 Fixed mold 32 Movable mold 50 - 54 Frame 60 Crane 61 Wire 70 Mounting table 90 Control unit 100, 101 Mold device S Kneaded sand

Claims

Claim 1 a mold, an injection device disposed above the mold, a turning mechanism for turning the injection device so as to move the injection device to a position shifted from the mold in a top view, and a kneading kettle is disposed between the mold and the injection device, the kneading kettle is disposed at a position overlapping the mold and the injection device in a top view, the injection device has a clamping portion for clamping the kneading kettle, the kneading kettle is detachably fixed to the injection device by the clamping portion and moves integrally with the injection device by turning of the turning mechanism molding apparatus.

Images