Casting equipment cooling structure

Abstract

To provide a cooling structure for a casting device allowed to prevent a cooling water supplied to a metal mold from leaking while holding the metal mold stably.SOLUTION: A cooling structure for a casting device comprises a slide member that couples a hold member and a metal mold together and allows the hold member to slide between a coupling position and a retracted position, and a joint member that is interposed between the hold member and the metal mold and communicates between a first passage of the metal mold and a second passage of the hold member. A base end face, which is an end face of the joint member on a side close to or remote from a cavity, and an opposite bottom face to the base end face, are formed respectively in a shape extending along an arc in a section extending along an axial direction of the joint member, and a seal member is provided between the base end face and the opposite bottom face.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling structure for a casting machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In a casting apparatus that uses a mold to cast an article, cooling water may be circulated inside the mold to cool the mold. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses such a configuration, which includes a mold having cooling holes formed on its outer surface and a cooling pipe inserted into the cooling hole, and in which cooling water is introduced into the mold via the cooling pipe and the cooling hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-221577 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a casting machine that uses a mold, connecting the mold to a predetermined holding member can stabilize the mold. It is conceivable to connect the mold and the holding member and interpose a joint member between the holding member and the mold, so that the mold is held by the holding member and cooling water is transferred between the mold and the holding member via the joint member. However, with this configuration, if the mold becomes misaligned with respect to the holding member, a gap may form around the joint member, causing water leakage. Water leakage can easily cause rust to form on the mold or the holding member.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a cooling structure for a casting device that can stably hold the mold while preventing leakage of cooling water supplied to the mold. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a cooling structure for a casting machine including a mold having a first passage formed therein through which cooling water flows and defining a cavity therein, and a holding member having a second passage formed therein through which cooling water flows and holding the mold when an article is cast using the mold, the cooling structure including: a slide member that can connect the holding member to the mold and is slidable between a connecting position at which the holding member is connected to the mold and a retracted position away from the connecting position on the opposite side to the cavity; and a joint member that is interposed between the holding member and the mold at the connecting position and communicates the first passage with the second passage; the joint member has a first accommodating section on a surface facing the holding member, the first accommodating section being recessed toward the cavity side and accommodating a cavity-side portion of the joint member, and the holding member has a second accommodating section on a surface facing the mold, the second accommodating section being recessed toward the anti-cavity side and accommodating a anti-cavity side portion of the joint member, a base end surface which is an end surface on the cavity side or anti-cavity side of the joint member, a bottom surface of the first accommodating section, and an opposing bottom surface of the bottom surface of the second accommodating section which faces the base end surface have a shape that follows a circular arc in a cross section along the axial direction of the joint member, and a seal member is provided between the base end surface and the opposing bottom surface.

[0007] With this configuration, the mold can be stabilized by the holding member, the second passage of the holding member can be connected to the first passage of the mold via the joint member, and cooling water can be introduced into the mold via the holding member to appropriately cool the mold. Furthermore, the holding member can be separated from the mold by the slide member, and since the slide member is used to connect the mold and the holding member, there is no need to provide a separate member for connecting them, thereby simplifying the configuration.

[0008] Furthermore, in this configuration, the base end surface, which is the end surface on the cavity side or the side opposite the cavity side of the joint member, and the opposing bottom surface, which is the bottom surface of the housing portion in the mold or holding member that houses the joint member and faces the base end surface, are shaped along an arc in a cross section along the axial direction of the joint member, and a seal member is provided between the base end surface and the opposing bottom surface. Therefore, the bottom surface and the base end surface of one housing portion of the mold or holding member can be maintained in a watertight state while the other housing portion and the joint member can be swung together. Therefore, even if the mold is misaligned with respect to the holding member, water leakage from the gap between the joint member and one housing portion can be prevented, and the orientation of the joint member relative to the other housing portion and the mold or holding member in which it is formed can be maintained in an appropriate orientation, preventing water leakage from around the joint member housed in the other housing portion.

[0009] In the above configuration, the base end surface and the opposing bottom surface preferably have a shape that conforms to a spherical surface (claim 2).

[0010] With this configuration, regardless of the direction in which the mold is tilted relative to the holding member, the posture of the joint member relative to the mold in which the other storage section is formed or the holding member can be maintained in an appropriate posture, thereby more reliably preventing water leakage outside the storage section.

[0011] In the above-described configuration, the sealing member may be an O-ring (claim 3).

[0012] In the above configuration, preferably, the end face of the joint member on the anti-cavity side is the base end face, the bottom surface of the second accommodating section is the opposing bottom face, the joint member has a flange portion that protrudes radially outward at the end on the anti-cavity side, the second accommodating section accommodates a regulating member that has a regulating surface facing the cavity-side side of the flange portion and abuts against the flange portion from the cavity side to hold the joint member within the second accommodating section, and the anti-cavity side side of the flange portion and the regulating surface extend along an arc parallel to the arc along which the base end face follows (Claim 4).

[0013] According to this configuration, the joint member can be held in the second housing portion while allowing the joint member to move along the arc.

[0014] In the above configuration, preferably, the end face of the joint member on the side opposite the cavity is the base end face, the bottom face of the second accommodating section is the opposing bottom face, the joint member comprises a cylindrical sleeve protruding from the second accommodating section toward the cavity, and a cylindrical bushing accommodated in the first accommodating section and into which the cavity side portion of the sleeve is inserted, and a second seal member is arranged on the inner surface of the bushing to seal the gap between the inner surface of the bushing and the outer surface of the sleeve (Claim 5).

[0015] According to this configuration, by inserting the sleeve inside the bushing, a joint member can be interposed between the holding member and the mold. Furthermore, the second seal member disposed on the bushing can prevent water from leaking out of the first housing section along the outer circumferential surface of the cavity-side portion of the sleeve. Furthermore, by swinging the sleeve and bushing together with the first housing section and the mold comprising the first housing section, the appropriate position of these relative to the mold can be maintained. Therefore, water leakage on the mold side and rusting of the mold can be effectively prevented. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] As described above, the cooling structure for a casting machine of the present invention can stably hold the mold while preventing leakage of cooling water supplied to the mold. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the main parts of the casting device. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a casting device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the casting apparatus shown in FIG. 2 when the molds are clamped. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part IV in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion V in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 and shows the state of the periphery of the joint member when the mold is tilted. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the periphery of a joint member according to a comparative example, illustrating the state of the periphery of the joint member when the mold is tilted. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a joint member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8 and shows the state of the periphery of the joint member when the mold is tilted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] (1) Overall configuration of the casting equipment FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the main parts of a casting device 1 to which a cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0023] The casting apparatus 1 includes a mold 10 defining a cavity C therein, and casts an article by introducing molten metal into the cavity C. The mold 10 is composed of a plurality of metal dies 11 that are combined with each other to define a cavity C therein. In this embodiment, the mold 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and includes six metal dies 11 (11A-11F) that respectively form six sides of the mold 10. That is, the mold 10 includes metal dies 11A and 11B that face each other in the vertical direction, metal dies 11C and 11D that face each other in the left-right direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and metal dies 11E and 11F that face each other in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the vertical and left-right directions.

[0024] In the following, when each mold 11 is arranged within an area surrounded by a holding member 40 described later, as shown in Figure 1, and when each mold 11 is in a position where it is combined with each other to form a casting mold 10, this is referred to as when the mold 11 is in the casting position, and the position of each mold 11 at this time is referred to as the casting position.

[0025] In this embodiment, the characteristic configuration of the present invention is applied to the parts of the molds 11C and 11D that face each other in the left-right direction. Therefore, hereinafter, the description of the parts of the molds 11E and 11F that face each other in the front-rear direction will be omitted, and the parts of the molds 11C and 11D that face each other in the left-right direction and the parts of the molds 11A and 11B that correspond to them in the up-down direction will be described. Furthermore, hereinafter, the molds 11C and 11D that face each other in the left-right direction and the molds 11A and 11B that correspond to them in the up-down direction will be collectively referred to as the mold 11, as appropriate. Furthermore, the arrangement direction of the cavity C and each mold 11 will be collectively referred to as the "specific direction," and the cavity C side in the specific direction will be referred to as the "cavity side," and the opposite side will be referred to as the "anti-cavity side." Specifically, for the mold 11A that constitutes the upper part of the mold 10, the "specific direction" is the up-down direction, and the lower side will be the cavity side. For the mold 11B that constitutes the lower part of the mold 10, the "specific direction" is the up-down direction, and the upper side will be the cavity side. The right-left direction is the specific direction for mold 11C, which forms the left side of mold 10, and the right side is the cavity side for mold 11D, which forms the right side of mold 10.

[0026] 2 and 3 are schematic cross-sectional views of the casting apparatus 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. Fig. 2 shows the state in which each mold 11 is in the casting position and each holding member 40 is positioned away from the mold 11, and Fig. 3 shows the state in which each mold 11 is in the casting position and the holding member 40 corresponding to each mold 11 is connected.

[0027] The side surface of the mold 11 (11A to 11D) on the side opposite the cavity, i.e., the surface that constitutes the outer surface of the casting mold 10, is provided with a protrusion 12 that protrudes toward the opposite cavity side. An engaged hole 13A that engages with a locking portion 61 of a slide member 60, which will be described later, is formed on the inside of the protrusion 12. Specifically, the engaged hole 13A, which has a substantially circular cross section, and an introduction hole 13B that communicates with the engaged hole 13A and opens at the end face of the protrusion 12 are formed on the inside of the protrusion 12. The introduction hole 13B is a substantially rectangular hole whose longitudinal dimension is set to be substantially equal to the diameter of the engaged hole 13A.

[0028] Each mold 11 has a first passage 14 formed therein through which cooling water flows. A first recess 20, which communicates with the first passage 14 and recesses toward the cavity C, is formed on the side of the mold 11 opposite the cavity (the surface facing the holding member 40). The first passage 14 communicates with the outside of the mold 11 via the first recess 20. The mold 11 has a pair of first recesses 20 for each first passage 14, including an inlet first recess 20 for introducing cooling water into the first passage 14 and a outlet first recess 20 for discharging cooling water from the first passage 14. In this embodiment, each mold 11 has a plurality of first passages 14, and multiple sets of first inlet recesses 20 and first outlet recesses 20 are provided. Note that only one first inlet recess 20 and one first outlet recess 20 are shown in the figure.

[0029] The casting apparatus 1 is equipped with holding members 40 that hold each mold 11 during casting. The casting apparatus 1 also includes slide members 60 that connect each holding member 40 to each mold 11 and slide each holding member 40 in a specific direction. The casting apparatus 1 is equipped with four holding members 40 and four slide members 60 corresponding to the four molds 11 (11C to 11F).

[0030] Each holding member 40 is disposed on the opposite side of the cavity of the corresponding mold 11. Each holding member 40 is connected to the mold 11 in a state in which it abuts against the opposite side of the cavity of the mold 11 at the casting position, thereby holding the mold 11 at the casting position. In this embodiment, the holding member 40 has an outer shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped.

[0031] Each slide member 60 has a cylindrical shape and is driven to slide in its axial direction by hydraulic pressure or the like. Each holding member 40 is fixed to the corresponding slide member 60 so that it can slide integrally therewith. As the slide member 60 slides, each holding member 40 slides between a first position shown in FIG. 3 where it abuts against and is connected to the mold 11, which is in the casting position, from the anti-cavity side, and a second position away from the first position on the anti-cavity side. The first position corresponds to the "connected position" in the claims, and the second position corresponds to the "retracted position" in the claims.

[0032] A locking portion 61 that is rotatable about its axial direction is provided at the tip of each slide member 60. The locking portion 61 is a plate-like member that extends in the radial direction of the slide member 60 and has a substantially rectangular shape that is approximately the same as the introduction hole 13B. The locking portion 61 is inserted into the engagement hole 13A via the introduction hole 13B while the mold 11 and the holding member 40 are in contact with each other, and then rotated 90 degrees to be locked in the engagement hole 13A. The slide member 60, the holding member 40, and the mold 11 are connected by the engagement of the locking portion 61 with the engagement hole 13A.

[0033] In this embodiment, the slide member 60 is able to slide even when the locking portion 61 is locked in the engaged hole 13A, that is, when the holding member 40 and the mold 11 are connected. In other words, the slide member 60 is able to slide the holding member 40 and the mold 11 together as a single unit.

[0034] Each holding member 40 has a second passage 44 formed therein through which cooling water flows. A second recess 50, which communicates with the second passage 44 and recesses toward the opposite side of the cavity, is formed on the side of each holding member 40 facing the cavity C (the surface facing the mold 11). The second passage 44 communicates with the outside of the holding member 40 via the second recess 50. The holding member 40 has a pair of second recesses 50 for each second passage 44, including an inlet second recess 50 for introducing cooling water into the second passage 44 and an outlet second recess 50 for discharging cooling water from the second passage 44. In this embodiment, each holding member 40 has a plurality of second passages 44, and multiple sets of an inlet second recess 50 and an outlet second recess 50 are provided. Note that only one inlet first recess 20 and one outlet second recess 50 are shown in the figure.

[0035] The first recess 20 for introducing the mold 11 and the second recess 50 for extracting the holding member 40 corresponding to the mold 11 are opposed to each other in a specific direction, and the first recess 20 for extracting the mold 11 and the second recess 50 for introducing the holding member 40 corresponding to the mold 11 are opposed to each other in a specific direction.

[0036] The casting apparatus 1 includes a joint member 70 that is commonly housed in the first recess 20 and the second recess 50 that face each other when the mold 11 and the holding member 40 are connected. The joint member 70 defines passages that open at both ends in specific directions. When the mold 11 and the holding member 40 are connected, the first passage 14 and the second passage 44 communicate with each other via the joint member 70, and cooling water is passed between the mold 11 and the holding member 40 via the joint member 70.

[0037] In the casting apparatus 1 configured as described above, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the molds 11 are combined into a unit and set in an area surrounded by the holding members 40 in the second position. That is, each mold 11 is positioned at the casting position. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, each holding member 40 is slid to the first position by the slide members 60 and connected to each mold 11, thereby holding each mold 11 at the casting position. Next, molten metal is introduced into the cavity C defined by each mold 11, and cooling water is introduced into each mold 11 via the hold members 40 to cool the molten metal, thereby casting an article. Thereafter, each holding member 40 is slid to the second position by the slide members 60 while still connected to each mold 11, thereby separating each mold 11 from the article and removing the article.

[0038] (2) Structure of the joint member and its surroundings according to the first embodiment Next, the configuration of the joint member 70 and its surroundings according to the first embodiment will be described. In this first embodiment, the joint members 70 corresponding to the laterally opposing molds 11C and 11D have different configurations from the joint members 70 corresponding to the vertically opposing molds 11A and 11B. Hereinafter, the joint members 70 corresponding to the laterally opposing molds 11C and 11D will be referred to as first joint members 80, and the joint members 70 corresponding to the vertically opposing molds 11A and 11B will be referred to as second joint members 90.

[0039] (First joint member and its peripheral structure) Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by IV in Figure 3. Below, the first joint member 80 corresponding to the left mold 11C and the surrounding configuration will be described with reference to Figure 4. Note that the first joint member 80 corresponding to the left mold 11C and the surrounding configuration are bilaterally symmetrical to the first joint member 80 corresponding to the right mold 11D, and in the following description, the configuration corresponding to the right mold 11D is the configuration where "right" is read as "left" and "left" is read as "right."

[0040] The first recess 20 formed in the mold 11 is a recess having a circular cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction. The left portion of the first recess 20 is provided with an expanded diameter portion 21 having a larger diameter than the right portion. In this first embodiment, the first recess 20 corresponds to the "first storage portion" in the claims.

[0041] The second recess 50 formed in the holding member 40 has a circular cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction. The right portion of the second recess 50 has an expanded diameter portion 51 with a larger diameter than the left portion. An adjustment member 200 is fitted into the bottom of the second recess 50. The adjustment member 200 is a substantially circular plate member with a through-hole 201 formed in its center that penetrates from front to back in the left-right direction. The adjustment member 200 is fitted into the second recess 50 with its central axis coinciding with the central axis of the second recess 50. An annular groove 202 is formed in the left side surface of the adjustment member 200. An O-ring 203 is fitted into this groove 202. The adjustment member 200 is fitted into the bottom of the second recess 50 with the O-ring 203 sandwiched between the bottom surface of the groove 202 and the bottom surface 53 of the second recess 50. The thickness dimension (left-right dimension) of the adjustment member 200 is smaller than the depth dimension (left-right dimension) of the second recess 50, and when the adjustment member 200 is fitted into the second recess 50, a second accommodating section 50A is defined in the area of ​​the second recess 50 to the right of the adjustment member 200, and is recessed to the left from the right end face of the holding member 40.

[0042] The right side surface 205 of the adjustment member 200, i.e., the bottom surface 205 of the second housing portion 50A (hereinafter referred to as the second housing portion bottom surface 205 as appropriate), has a shape that follows a spherical surface R1, and the second housing portion bottom surface 205 extends along an arc in both cross sections along the left-right direction. In the first embodiment, the spherical surface R1 is a spherical surface having a center on the central axis X1 of the second recess 50 and the adjustment member 200. In the first embodiment, the center of the spherical surface R1 is located to the right of the second housing portion bottom surface 205, and the second housing portion bottom surface 205 has a shape that bulges out to the left.

[0043] The first joint member 80 has a first sleeve 110 and a first bushing 130. The first joint member 80 has a generally cylindrical shape as a whole, and is housed in the first recess 20 and the second recess 50 with its axial direction aligned with the left-right direction.

[0044] The first sleeve 110 has a generally cylindrical shape and is provided with a cooling water passage 118 formed therein through which cooling water flows. The first sleeve 110 is held by the holding member 40 in an orientation in which its central axis X2 coincides with the central axis X1 of the second recess 50 and the adjustment member 200 and its axial direction coincides with the left-right direction. The first sleeve 110 is held by the holding member 40 with its left portion housed in the second recess 50 and its right portion protruding rightward from the second housing portion 50A.

[0045] The first sleeve 110 has a first flange 111 protruding radially outward at its left end, i.e., the end opposite the cavity. The left side surface 112 of the first flange 111, i.e., the left end surface 112 of the first sleeve 110 (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as the first sleeve left end surface 112), has a shape that extends along the second housing portion bottom surface 205 when the first sleeve 110 is held by the holding member 40. As described above, the second housing portion bottom surface 205 extends along the spherical surface R1, and the first sleeve left end surface 112 also extends along this spherical surface R1. Here, the first sleeve left end surface 112 corresponds to the "base end surface" in the claims, and the second housing portion bottom surface 205 corresponds to the "opposing bottom surface" in the claims. The first flange 111 also corresponds to the "flange" in the claims.

[0046] An annular groove 113 is formed in the first sleeve left end surface 112. An O-ring 120 is fitted into this groove 113. The first sleeve 110 is held by the holding member 40 with the O-ring 120 sandwiched between the first sleeve left end surface 112, which is the left end surface of the first sleeve, and the second housing section bottom surface 205. This O-ring 120 corresponds to the "sealing member" in the claims.

[0047] The first sleeve 110 is held by the holding member 40 by a first sleeve presser 150 .

[0048] Specifically, the first sleeve retainer 150 is a generally cylindrical member whose axis extends in the left-right direction. A contact recess 151 recessed to the right is formed in the center of the left side surface of the first sleeve retainer 150. The first sleeve retainer 150 is housed in the expanded diameter portion 51 of the second recess 50 with the first sleeve 110 inserted therein, and is fixed to the retaining member 40 with bolts or the like. In this fixed state, a bottom surface 155 of the contact recess 151 faces the right side surface 115 of the first flange portion 111 to the right, and the bottom surface 155 of the contact recess 151 abuts against the right side surface of the first flange portion 111 from the right, thereby restricting rightward movement of the first sleeve 110 and thereby preventing it from being removed from the second housing portion 50A. Here, the first sleeve retainer 150 corresponds to the "regulating member" in the claims, the bottom surface 155 of the abutment recess 151 corresponds to the "regulating surface" in the claims, and the right side surface 115 of the first flange portion 111 corresponds to the "side surface of the flange portion on the opposite side to the cavity" in the claims.

[0049] The right side surface 115 of the first flange 111 and the bottom surface 155 of the abutment recess 151, which face each other, both have curved shapes that are parallel to the first sleeve left end surface 112. In other words, the right side surface 115 of the first flange 111 and the bottom surface 155 of the abutment recess 151 each have the same diameter as the above-mentioned spherical surface R1, and extend along spherical surfaces R2 and R3 whose centers are points on the central axis X1 of the second recess 50 and located to the right of the right side surface 115 of the first flange 111 and the bottom surface 155 of the abutment recess 151.

[0050] Here, the inner diameter of the second recess 50 on the left side of the expanded diameter portion 51 and the inner diameter of the abutting recess 151 are set to be approximately the same dimension and larger than the outer diameter of the first flange portion 111. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the first sleeve presser 150 on the right side of the abutting recess 151 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the first sleeve 110 on the right side of the first flange portion 111. As a result, a gap is defined between the outer peripheral surface of the first sleeve 110 and the surface surrounding it.

[0051] The first bushing 130 has a generally cylindrical shape and is housed in the first recess 20 with its central axis coinciding with the central axis X2 of the first recess 20 and its axial direction coinciding with the left-right direction.

[0052] An annular groove 131 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first bushing 130. In this embodiment, two grooves 131 are formed at positions spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. An O-ring 132 is fitted into each of these grooves 131. When the mold 11C and the holding member 40 are positioned so that they abut against each other, the right side of the first sleeve 110 is inserted inside the first bushing 130, and the right side of the first sleeve 110 together with the first bushing 130 is housed in the first recess 20. In this state, the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the first sleeve 110 and the inner peripheral surface of the first bushing 130 is closed by the O-ring 132. The O-ring 132 corresponds to a "second seal member" in the claims.

[0053] The first bushing 130 is prevented from coming off the first recessed portion 20 by a first bushing retainer 160, and is held in the first recessed portion 20 by the mold 11C.

[0054] The first bushing retainer 160 is a generally cylindrical member whose axis extends in the left-right direction. The first bushing retainer 160 is housed in the expanded diameter portion 21 of the first recess 20 so that the first sleeve 110 can be inserted therein, and is fixed to the mold 11C with bolts or the like. In this fixed state, the right side surface of the first bushing retainer 160 faces the left side of the first bushing 130, and the first bushing retainer 160 abuts against the first bushing 130 from the left, thereby restricting leftward movement of the first bushing 130 and its removal from the first recess 20.

[0055] (Second joint member and its peripheral structure) Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by V in Figure 3. Below, the second joint member 90 corresponding to the upper mold 11A and the configuration of its periphery will be described with reference to Figure 5. Note that the second joint member 90 corresponding to the upper mold 11A and the configuration of its periphery are vertically symmetrical to the second joint member corresponding to the lower mold 11B, and in the following description, these configurations corresponding to the lower mold 11B are configured by replacing "top" with "bottom" and "bottom" with "top."

[0056] The structure of the first recess 20 and the second recess 50 in which the second joint member 90 is accommodated is the same as the structure of the first recess 20 and the second recess 50 in which the first joint member 80 is accommodated (these are configured rotated by 90 degrees), and the first recess 20 and the second recess 50 in which the second joint member 90 is accommodated also have enlarged diameter portions 21, 51, respectively.

[0057] The second joint member 90 has the above-mentioned first bushing 130, similar to the first joint member 80. On the other hand, the second joint member 90 has a second sleeve 310 having a different structure from the first sleeve 110.

[0058] The second sleeve 310 has a generally cylindrical shape, and a cooling water passage 318 through which cooling water flows is formed inside the second sleeve 310. The first sleeve 110 is held by the holding member 40 in an orientation in which its central axis X22 coincides with the central axis X21 of the second recess 50 and its axial direction coincides with the up-down direction. The first sleeve 110 is held by the holding member 40 in a state in which its upper portion is housed in the second recess 50 and its lower portion protrudes downward from the second recess 50.

[0059] The second sleeve 310 has a second flange 311 at its upper end that protrudes radially outward. As described above, the left end surface 112 of the first flange 111 of the first sleeve 110 has a shape that conforms to the spherical surface R1. In contrast, the upper end surface 312 of the second flange 311 of the second sleeve 310 has a flat surface that is perpendicular to the up-down direction. The adjustment member 200 is not disposed in the second recess 50 that accommodates the second sleeve 310. The second sleeve 310 is held by the holding member 40 with the upper surface of the second flange 311 abutting against the flat bottom surface of the second recess 50. Specifically, the second sleeve 310 is accommodated in the second recess 50 with an O-ring 320 sandwiched between the second sleeve 310 and the second recess 50. The O-ring 320 is fitted into an annular groove 313 formed on the upper surface of the second flange 311 .

[0060] The first bushing 130 of the second joint member 90 is accommodated in the first recess 20, similar to the first joint member 80, and is held in the mold 11A by the first bushing presser 160. Also, in the second joint member 90, similar to the first joint member 80, when the mold 11A and the holding member 40 are positioned so that they abut against each other, the lower portion of the second sleeve 310 is inserted inside the first bushing 130, and the lower portion of the second sleeve 310 together with the first bushing 130 is accommodated in the first recess 20. In this state, the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the second sleeve 310 and the inner circumferential surface of the first bushing 130 is blocked by an O-ring 132 fitted in a groove 131 formed in the inner circumferential surface of the first bushing 130.

[0061] (3) Effects, etc. As described above, in the casting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the slide member 60 can move the holding member 40 between a second position away from the mold 11 in the casting position, away from the cavity, and a first position where the holding member 40 abuts against and is connected to the mold 11. The slide member 60 can also be used to connect the holding member 40 to the mold 11. This reduces the number of components compared to when a device for moving the holding member 40 and a device for connecting the holding member 40 to the mold 11 are separately provided. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the slide member 60 can slide the holding member 40 while maintaining its connection to the mold 11. Therefore, the slide member 60 can also be used to release the mold 11 from a cast article, further simplifying the apparatus.

[0062] Furthermore, in the casting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the second passage 44 of the holding member 40 and the first passage 14 of the mold 11 are connected via the joint member 70. This allows cooling water to be introduced into the mold 11 through the holding member 40 and the joint member 70, allowing the mold 11 to be appropriately cooled.

[0063] Here, the left and right molds 11C, 11D and the corresponding holding members 40 are connected in a lateral, i.e., horizontal, orientation. Therefore, the weight of the molds 11C, 11D may cause the molds 11C, 11D to shift their inclination relative to the holding members 40. In particular, in the first embodiment, the holding members 40 and the mold 11 are connected by the slide members 60, and the holding members 40 are slidably moved. Therefore, the slide members 60 are relatively susceptible to wear, which reduces the fastening force between the mold 11 and the holding members 40 and causes the mold 11 to shift its inclination relative to the holding members 40. Therefore, if the joint members 70 and their peripheral components corresponding to the upper and lower molds 11A, 11B are used as the joint members 70 and their peripheral components corresponding to the left and right molds 11C, 11D, water may leak from around the joint members 70. In contrast, according to the first embodiment, the joint member 70 corresponding to the left and right molds 11C, 11D and its surrounding configuration are configured as described above, which is different from the configuration relating to the upper and lower molds 11A, 11B, thereby preventing water from leaking from around the joint member 70.

[0064] A specific description will be given using Figures 6 and 7. Figures 6 and 7 correspond to Figure 4 and are schematic cross-sectional views when the inclination of the left mold 11 relative to the holding member 40 is misaligned. Figure 6 is a view relating to the first embodiment. Figure 7 is a view relating to a comparative example in which a configuration corresponding to the upper mold 11A is applied to a joint member 70 corresponding to the left mold 11C and its surrounding configuration.

[0065] In the comparative example, as shown in FIG. 7 , even when the mold 11C tilts, the joint member 70, i.e., the second sleeve 310 of the second joint member 90, does not tilt integrally with the mold 11C. As a result, the orientation of the second sleeve 310 relative to the mold 11C and the first recess 20 formed in the mold 11C deviates from the appropriate orientation. This creates a gap between the second sleeve 310 and the first recess 20, allowing water to leak from the first recess 20. More specifically, the first bushing 130 fitted into the first recess 20 formed in the mold 11C tilts integrally with the mold 11C, but the second sleeve 310 does not tilt integrally with the mold 11C. This causes the circumferential deformation of the O-ring 132 attached to the first bushing 130 to be uneven. As a result, the O-ring 132 is unable to adequately prevent water from leaking out of the first recess 20. If water leaks from the first recess 20 to the outside, the water will run down the outer surface of the mold 11 and the outer surface of the holding member 40, causing rust thereon.

[0066] In contrast, in the first embodiment, the first joint member 80 is used as the joint member 70, and the first sleeve left end surface 112, which is the left end surface of the first sleeve 110, and the opposing second housing portion bottom surface 205, which is the bottom surface of the second housing portion 51A, are shaped to conform to the spherical surface R1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 , when the mold 11C is tilted, the first sleeve left end surface 112 can be swung along the second housing portion bottom surface 205. Therefore, the orientations of the first sleeve 110 and the first joint member 80 can be maintained in the appropriate orientations before the tilt shifted. Furthermore, the amount of deformation of the O-ring 132 provided on the first bushing 130 can be maintained uniform. Therefore, water leakage from around the first sleeve 110 to the outside of the first recess 20 can be suppressed. Here, the relative positions of the first sleeve left end surface 112 and the second housing portion bottom surface 205 change. However, the gaps between them are continuously sealed by the O-ring 120, which also prevents water from leaking from the second recess 50 to the outside through these gaps. Thus, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent water from leaking from around the first joint member 80 and the occurrence of rust due to water leakage.

[0067] In particular, in the first embodiment, the first sleeve left end surface 112 and the second housing bottom surface 205 extend along the spherical surface R1, so that the first sleeve 110 can be tilted integrally with the mold 11C even when the mold 11C is displaced in the front-rear direction in addition to the left-right direction as shown in Fig. 6. This makes it possible to reliably prevent water from leaking from around the first joint member 80.

[0068] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the right side surface 115 of the first flange portion 111 and the bottom surface 155 of the abutment recess 151 extend along spherical surfaces R2 and R3 that are parallel to the spherical surface R1. Therefore, when the inclination of the mold 11C is shifted, the right side surface 115 of the first flange portion 111 can be moved along the bottom surface 155 of the abutment recess 151. Therefore, even when the inclination of the mold 11C is shifted, the bottom surface 155 of the abutment recess 151 can be brought into more even contact with the right side surface 115 of the first flange portion 111, and the first sleeve 110 can be stably held by the holding member 40.

[0069] (4) Joint member and its peripheral structure according to the second embodiment Next, a casting apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. The first and second embodiments differ only in the first joint member and its peripheral configuration, and only the first joint member and its peripheral configuration will be described below. Also, the first joint member 480 corresponding to the left mold 11C and its peripheral configuration will be described below.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing a first joint member 480 and its periphery in a casting apparatus according to the second embodiment. A first recess 420 recessed to the right from its left side surface is formed in the mold 11C. A second recess 450 recessed to the left from its right side surface is formed in the corresponding holding member 40. A first joint member 480 is housed in the first recess 420 and the second recess 450, and the first passage 14 of the mold 11C and the second passage 44 of the holding member 40 communicate with each other via the first joint member 480. In the second embodiment, the first recess 420 corresponds to the "first storage section" and the second recess 450 corresponds to the "second storage section" in the claims.

[0071] The first joint member 480 has a first sleeve 510 and a first bushing 530. The first joint member 580 has a generally cylindrical shape as a whole, and is housed in the first recess 420 and the second recess 450 with its axial direction aligned with the left-right direction.

[0072] The first sleeve 510 has a generally cylindrical shape and is provided with a cooling water passage 518 formed therein through which cooling water flows. The first sleeve 510 is held in the mold 11C in an orientation in which its central axis X2 coincides with the central axis X1 of the second recess 450 and its axial direction coincides with the left-right direction. The first sleeve 510 is held in the mold 11C with its right portion housed in the first recess 420 and its left portion protruding leftward from the first recess 420. A first flange 511 protruding radially outward is provided at the right end of the first sleeve 510. A first sleeve holder 560 is fixed to the mold 11C and can abut against the left side surface of the first flange 511 from the left. The first sleeve holder 560 restricts leftward movement of the first sleeve 510.

[0073] Both left and right side surfaces of the first flange 511 of the first sleeve 510 are flat surfaces perpendicular to the left-right direction. An annular groove 513 is formed in the right side surface 512 of the first flange 511. An O-ring 503 is fitted in the groove 513, and the first sleeve 510 is held in the mold 11C with the O-ring 503 sandwiched between the right side surface 512 of the first flange 511 and the bottom surface 421 of the first recess 420.

[0074] The first bushing 530 has a generally cylindrical shape and is housed in the second recess 450 with its central axis coinciding with the central axis X1 of the second recess 450 and its axial direction coinciding with the left-right direction.

[0075] Two annular grooves 531 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first bushing 530, aligned on the left and right sides. An O-ring 532 is fitted into each of these grooves 531. When the mold 11C and the holding member 40 are positioned so that they abut against each other, the left portion of the first sleeve 510 is inserted into the first bushing 530, and the left portion of the first sleeve 510 together with the first bushing 530 is housed in the second recess 50. In this state, the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the first sleeve 510 and the inner peripheral surface of the first bushing 530 is closed by the O-ring 532. In the second embodiment, this O-ring 532 corresponds to a "second seal member" in the claims.

[0076] The first bushing 530 is prevented from coming off the second recess 450 by the first bushing retainer 550 , and is held by the holding member 40 while being housed in the second recess 450 .

[0077] The first bushing retainer 550 is a generally cylindrical member whose axis extends in the left-right direction. The first bushing retainer 550 is secured by bolts or the like while the first sleeve 510 is inserted inside the first bushing retainer 550 and housed in the second recess 450. A bushing flange 536 that protrudes radially outward is provided at the left end of the first bushing 530, i.e., the end opposite the cavity. The first bushing retainer 550 has an opposing surface 550A located to the right of the bushing flange 536 and facing a right side surface 536A of the bushing flange 536. The opposing surface 550A of the first bushing retainer 550 abuts against the right side surface 536A of the bushing flange 536 from the right, thereby restricting rightward movement of the first bushing 530 and its removal from the second recess 450. An annular groove 537 is formed in the left side surface 535 of the bushing flange 536, i.e., the left end surface 535 of the first bushing 530 (hereinafter referred to as the first bushing left end surface 535, as appropriate). An O-ring 520 is fitted into this groove 537, and the first bushing retainer 550 is held in the second recess 450 with the O-ring 520 sandwiched between the first bushing left end surface 535 and the bottom surface 451 of the second recess 450. In the second embodiment, this O-ring 520 corresponds to the "sealing member" in the claims. The bushing flange 536 corresponds to the "flange" in the claims, and the right side surface 536A of the bushing flange 536 corresponds to the "cavity-side side surface of the flange" in the claims. The first bushing retainer 550 corresponds to the "regulating member" in the claims, and the opposing surface 550A corresponds to the "regulating surface" in the claims.

[0078] The first bushing 530 is accommodated in the second recess 450 with the first bushing left end surface 535 aligned with the bottom surface 451 of the second recess 450 (hereinafter referred to as the second recess bottom surface 451, as appropriate). The first bushing left end surface 535 and the second recess bottom surface 451 have shapes that follow a spherical surface R10, and they extend along an arc in both cross sections along the left-right direction. In the second embodiment, the spherical surface R10 is a spherical surface having its center on the central axis X1 of the second recess 450. In addition, in the second embodiment, the center of the spherical surface R10 is located to the right of the first bushing left end surface 535 and the second recess bottom surface 451, and they have a shape that bulges out to the left.

[0079] Further, right side surface 536A of bushing flange 536 and opposing surface 550A of first bushing retainer 550 facing thereto have curved shapes that are parallel to first bushing left end surface 535 and second recess bottom surface 451. In other words, right side surface 536A of bushing flange 536 and opposing surface 550A of first bushing retainer 550 each have the same diameter as the above-mentioned spherical surface R10, and extend along spherical surfaces R20 and R30 whose centers are points on central axis X1 of second recess 50 and located to the right of right side surface 536A of bushing flange 536 and opposing surface 550A of first bushing retainer 550.

[0080] In the second embodiment configured as described above, similarly to the first embodiment, even if the inclination of the mold 11C is misaligned, the postures of the first sleeve 510 and the first bushing 530, i.e., the posture of the first joint member 480, are maintained the same before and after the misalignment occurs. Therefore, in the second embodiment as well, it is possible to prevent water from leaking from around the first joint member 480 to the outside.

[0081] A specific description will be given using FIG. 9. In the second embodiment, the first bushing left end surface 535 and the second recess bottom surface 451 extend along the spherical surface R10, allowing the first bushing 530 to swing relative to the second recess 450. Therefore, even when the mold 11C tilts from the state shown in FIG. 8 to the state shown in FIG. 9, the first bushing 530 can be tilted integrally with the mold 11C. Therefore, in addition to the first sleeve 510 held by the mold 11C, the first bushing 530 can be tilted integrally with the mold 11C, and the first joint member 480 can be tilted integrally with the mold 11C. Therefore, in the second embodiment as well, the orientation of the first joint member 480 can be maintained appropriately relative to the mold 11C regardless of the tilt of the mold 11C. Furthermore, since the O-ring 520 is provided between the first bushing left end surface 535 and the second recessed portion bottom surface 451, even if the first bushing 530 is tilted with respect to the second recessed portion 450, the gap therebetween continues to be closed by the O-ring 520. Therefore, water leakage from around the first joint member 480 can be prevented.

[0082] (5) Variations In the first embodiment described above, the adjustment member 200 may be omitted. However, if the adjustment member 200 is omitted, the bottom surface of the second recess 50 needs to be shaped like a sphere to match the left end surface 112 of the first sleeve. Incidentally, by providing the adjustment member 200, as described above, it is possible to easily realize the second accommodating section 50A that accommodates the first sleeve 110 and has a spherical bottom surface that matches the left end surface 112 of the first sleeve, while making the second recess 50 that accommodates the first joint member 80 and the second recess 50 that accommodates the second joint member 90 have the same configuration.

[0083] In the first embodiment, the first sleeve left end surface 112 and the second accommodating portion bottom surface 205 are shaped to conform to the spherical surface R1, but they may be shaped to conform to a circular arc or a cylindrical surface in a cross section taken along the axial direction of the corresponding first joint member 80. Similarly, the first bushing left end surface 535 and the second recess bottom surface 451 according to the second embodiment may be shaped to conform to a circular arc or a cylindrical surface in a cross section taken along the axial direction of the first joint member 380.

[0084] In the first embodiment, the first sleeve left end surface 112 and the second housing portion bottom surface 205 are curved to bulge away from the cavity. However, they may also be curved to bulge toward the cavity. In this case, the right side surface 115 of the first flange 111 and the bottom surface 155 of the abutting recess 151 are also curved to bulge away from the cavity. Similarly, in the second embodiment, the first bushing left end surface 535 and the second recess bottom surface 451 may also be curved to bulge toward the cavity. In this case, the right side surface 536A of the bushing flange 536 and the opposing surface 550A of the first bushing retainer 550 are also curved to bulge away from the cavity.

[0085] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the right side surface 115 of the first flange portion 111 and the bottom surface 155 of the abutting recess 151 do not have to be parallel to the first sleeve left end surface 112 and the second accommodating portion bottom surface 205. Similarly, in the second embodiment, the first bushing left end surface 535 and the second recessed portion bottom surface 451 do not have to be parallel to the first bushing left end surface 535 and the second recessed portion bottom surface 451.

[0086] Alternatively, the first joint member 80 and its surrounding structure may be configured symmetrically to the first embodiment. The first bushing 130 may be accommodated in the second recess 50 and held by the holding member 40, and the first sleeve 110 and the adjustment member 200 may be accommodated in the first recess 20 and held by the mold 11C. In other words, the "holding member" in the first embodiment may be read as the "mold" and the "mold" may be read as the "holding member." Similarly, the first joint member 480 and its surrounding structure may be configured symmetrically to the second embodiment. However, the configuration of the first embodiment allows the first joint member 80 to be maintained in an appropriate position relative to the mold 11C, thereby reliably preventing water leakage from the mold 11C and effectively suppressing rust of the mold 11C.

[0087] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the first joint members 80, 480 and their peripheral structures are applied to the molds 11C, 11D that face each other in the left-right direction and the corresponding holding members 40. However, the molds and holding members to which this structure is applied are not limited to these. For example, the first joint members 80, 480 and their peripheral structures may be applied to the molds 11A, 11B that face each other in the up-down direction. However, in the molds 11C, 11D that face each other in the left-right direction and are aligned with the holding member 40 in the left-right direction, the weight of the molds 11C, 11D makes it easy for the molds 11C, 11D to lose their inclination relative to the holding member 40, which effectively prevents water leakage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Molding equipment 11 Mold 14 1st aisle 20 First recess (first storage portion) 40 Retaining member 44 2nd aisle 50 Second recess 50A Second storage section 80 First joint member (joint member) 110 First Sleeve (Sleeve) 112 Left side surface (base end surface) of first joint member 120 O-ring (sealing material) 130 First Bush (Bush) 205 Bottom surface of second storage section (regulation surface)

Claims

1. A cooling structure for a casting machine comprising: a mold having a first passage through which cooling water flows and defining a cavity therein; and a holding member having a second passage through which cooling water flows and holding the mold when an article is cast using the mold, a slide member that can connect the holding member to the mold and is slidable between a connection position where the holding member is connected to the mold and a retracted position that is spaced away from the connection position on the opposite side to the cavity; a joint member interposed between the holding member in the coupled position and the mold, the joint member connecting the first passage and the second passage; the mold includes a first accommodating portion on a surface facing the holding member, the first accommodating portion being recessed toward the cavity side and accommodating a cavity-side portion of the joint member; the holding member has a second accommodating portion on a surface facing the mold, the second accommodating portion being recessed toward the anti-cavity side and accommodating a portion of the joint member on the anti-cavity side; a base end surface, which is the end surface on the cavity side or the anti-cavity side of the joint member, and an opposing bottom surface, one of the bottom surfaces of the first accommodating section and the second accommodating section, that faces the base end surface, have a shape that follows an arc in a cross section along the axial direction of the joint member, and a sealing member is provided between the base end surface and the opposing bottom surface.

2. 2. The cooling structure for a casting machine according to claim 1, 10. A cooling structure for a casting machine, wherein the base end surface and the opposing bottom surface have shapes that conform to spherical surfaces.

3. 2. The cooling structure for a casting machine according to claim 1, 10. The cooling structure for a casting machine, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

4. 2. The cooling structure for a casting machine according to claim 1, the end surface of the joint member on the side opposite to the cavity is the base end surface, a bottom surface of the second storage section is the opposing bottom surface, the joint member has a flange portion that protrudes radially outward at an end portion thereof on the side opposite the cavity, a restricting member is accommodated in the second accommodating portion, the restricting member having a restricting surface facing a cavity-side side surface of the flange portion and abutting against the flange portion from the cavity side to hold the joint member in the second accommodating portion; A cooling structure for a casting machine, characterized in that the side surface of the flange portion on the side opposite the cavity and the regulating surface extend along an arc parallel to the arc along which the base end surface follows.

5. 2. The cooling structure for a casting machine according to claim 1, the end surface of the joint member on the side opposite to the cavity is the base end surface, a bottom surface of the second storage section is the opposing bottom surface, the joint member includes a cylindrical sleeve that protrudes from the second accommodating portion toward the cavity, and a cylindrical bush that is accommodated in the first accommodating portion and into which a cavity-side portion of the sleeve is inserted, A cooling structure for a casting machine, characterized in that a second seal member is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the bush to close a gap between the bush and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve.

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