Mold clamping apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a mold clamping apparatus that opens and closes a mold mounted between a stationary platen and a movable platen. The mold clamping apparatus comprises: linear guide member that guides the movement of the movable platen; and a shielding member that extends from the movable platen toward the stationary platen, and shields a portion of the linear guide member. The entire shielding member moves in conjunction with the movement of the movable platen.

Description

Mold clamping device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mold clamping device.

[0002] An injection molding machine is equipped with a mold clamping device that opens and closes a mold mounted between a fixed platen and a movable platen. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 04-355109 discloses an injection molding machine having a bellows-shaped cover member that covers the mold.

[0003] However, the bellows-shaped cover member of JP-A-04-355109 is subject to wear due to expansion and contraction, and there is a concern that dust generated by this wear may fly off and adhere to the molded product.

[0004] An aspect of the present disclosure is a mold clamping device that opens and closes a mold mounted between a fixed platen and a movable platen, and includes a linear guide member that guides the movement of the movable platen, and a shielding member that is fixed to the movable platen, extends from the movable platen toward the fixed platen, and shields a portion of the linear guide member, and the entire shielding member moves in conjunction with the movement of the movable platen.

[0005] FIG. 1 is an external view showing a mold clamping device in a mold open state. FIG. 2 is an external view showing a mold clamping device in a mold closed state. FIG. 3 is a view showing a shielding member. FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which a part of a linear guide member shielded by the shielding member is exposed. FIG. 5 is a view showing a first shielding member of Modified Example 1. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which a part of a tie bar shielded by the first shielding member of Modified Example 1 is exposed. FIG. 7 is a view showing a second shielding member of Modified Example 2. FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which a part of a guide rail shielded by the second shielding member of Modified Example 2 is exposed. FIG. 9 is a view showing a shielding member of Modified Example 3. FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which a part of a linear guide member shielded by the shielding member of Modified Example 3 is exposed.

[0006] Fig. 1 is an external view showing a mold clamping apparatus 10 in an open mold state. Fig. 2 is an external view showing the mold clamping apparatus 10 in a closed mold state. The mold clamping apparatus 10 is an apparatus that opens and closes a mold 16 mounted between a fixed platen 12 and a movable platen 14. The mold clamping apparatus 10 has the fixed platen 12, the movable platen 14, the mold 16, guide rails 18, tie bars 20, a mold clamping drive unit 22, a shielding member 24, and a protective cover 26.

[0007] The fixed platen 12 is mounted on a stand 30. An injection unit (not shown) is placed on the stand 30. The fixed platen 12 is located between the injection unit and the movable platen 14. A through hole 12H is formed in the fixed platen 12. The through hole 12H penetrates the fixed platen 12 from a mold placement surface 12F of the fixed platen 12 to the surface opposite the mold placement surface 12F.

[0008] The movable platen 14 is disposed between the fixed platen 12 and the end platen 32. The fixed platen 12 and the end platen 32 are provided on the frame 30 with a gap between them. The movable platen 14 has a movable platen main body 14BY and a rail slide part 14SL. The rail slide part 14SL may be formed integrally with the movable platen main body 14BY or may be joined to the movable platen main body 14BY. The rail slide part 14SL is slidably attached to a guide rail 18 extending along the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16. This allows the movable platen 14 to move in the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16. A closing direction D1A of the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16 is a direction in which the movable platen 14 approaches the fixed platen 12. An opening direction D1B of the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16 is a direction in which the movable platen 14 moves away from the fixed platen 12.

[0009] The mold 16 is formed so as to be able to be opened and closed. The mold 16 has a fixed mold 16FX, a movable mold 16MA, and a cavity 16CV (see FIG. 2). The fixed mold 16FX is attached to the mold mounting surface 12F of the fixed platen 12. The movable mold 16MA is attached to the mold mounting surface 14F of the movable platen 14. The cavity 16CV is formed inside the mold 16 in the closed state. The cavity 16CV communicates with an injection path 16EP formed in the fixed mold 16FX.

[0010] The guide rails 18 are linear guide members that guide the movement of the movable platen 14. A plurality of guide rails 18 are provided on the base 30. The plurality of guide rails 18 are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the base 30, which is approximately perpendicular to the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16. A rail slide portion 14SL of the movable platen 14 is attached to each of the plurality of guide rails 18. As a result, the plurality of guide rails 18 guide the movement of the movable platen 14 in the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16.

[0011] The tie bars 20 are linear guide members that guide the movement of the movable platen 14. A plurality of tie bars 20 are arranged between the fixed platen 12 and the movable platen 14. One end of each tie bar 20 is fixed to the fixed platen 12, and the other end of each tie bar 20 is fixed to the end platen 32. The tie bars 20 extend at intervals from one another along the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16. Each of the tie bars 20 penetrates the movable platen 14. As a result, the tie bars 20 guide the movement of the movable platen 14 in the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16.

[0012] The mold clamping drive unit 22 moves the movable platen 14 forward and backward relative to the fixed platen 12 to open and close the mold 16. The mold clamping drive unit 22 has an extension / retraction mechanism 34. The extension / retraction mechanism 34 is, for example, a toggle mechanism. The extension / retraction mechanism 34 is attached to the end platen 32 and the movable platen 14. The extension / retraction mechanism 34 is extended in a closing direction D1A and retracted in an opening direction D1B by driving a motor (not shown).

[0013] In response to the extension of the telescopic mechanism 34, the movable mold 16MA attached to the movable platen 14 moves in the closing direction D1A. In response to this movement, the movable mold 16MA abuts against the fixed mold 16FX, and the mold 16 enters a closed state. When the mold 16 is closed, a cavity 16CV is formed inside the mold 16. After the movable mold 16MA abuts against the fixed mold 16FX, the mold clamping drive unit 22 applies a predetermined mold clamping force to the mold 16.

[0014] In response to the contraction of the telescopic mechanism 34, the movable mold 16MA attached to the movable platen 14 moves in the opening direction D1B. In response to this movement, the movable mold 16MA moves away from the fixed mold 16FX, and the mold 16 enters the open state. When the movable platen 14 moves away from the fixed platen 12 to a position separated by a predetermined distance, the contraction of the telescopic mechanism 34 stops.

[0015] The shielding member 24 is a member that shields a portion of the linear guide member. The shielding member 24 has a first shielding member 36 and a second shielding member 38. The first shielding member 36 is a member that shields a portion of the tie bars 20. One first shielding member 36 is provided for each of the plurality of tie bars 20. The second shielding member 38 is a member that shields a portion of the guide rail 18. One second shielding member 38 is provided for each of the plurality of guide rails 18. Details of the shielding member 24 will be described later.

[0016] The protective cover 26 is provided on the frame 30. The protective cover 26 covers the movable platen 14, the mold 16, the guide rails 18, the tie bars 20, the mold clamping drive unit 22, and the shielding member 24. The movable platen 14, the mold 16, the guide rails 18, the tie bars 20, the mold clamping drive unit 22, and the shielding member 24 are arranged in a space partitioned by the protective cover 26, the frame 30, and the fixed platen 12.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the shielding member 24. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a part of the linear guide member shielded by the shielding member 24 is exposed. The following describes the configuration of the shielding member 24 that is common to the first shielding member 36 and the second shielding member 38.

[0018] The shielding member 24 is fixed to the movable platen 14. The shielding member 24 extends from the movable platen 14 toward the fixed platen 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The shielding member 24 does not contact the linear guide member. That is, the first shielding member 36 does not contact the tie bar 20, and the second shielding member 38 does not contact the guide rail 18.

[0019] The entire shielding member 24 moves in conjunction with the movement of the movable platen 14. When the movable platen 14 is moving, the entire shielding member 24 is non-stretchable. "Non-stretchable" does not mean that it does not expand or contract due to heat, but rather that it does not expand or contract (stretch or bend) due to the force (kinetic energy) generated by the movement of the movable platen 14.

[0020] The length L of the shielding member 24 along the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16 is shorter than the distance DT1 ( FIG. 2 ) between the movable platen 14 and the fixed platen 12 when the mold 16 is in the closed state. Therefore, when the mold 16 is in the closed state, the shielding member 24 is prevented from coming into contact with the fixed platen 12.

[0021] Furthermore, the length L of the shielding member 24 along the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16 is longer than the movable distance of the movable platen 14 relative to the linear guide member. The movable distance is equal to the distance DT2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) between the tip position of the shielding member 24 when the movable platen 14 is closest to the fixed platen 12 and the tip position of the shielding member 24 when the movable platen 14 is farthest from the fixed platen 12. In other words, the movable distance is equal to the distance between the tip position of the shielding member 24 when the movable mold 16MA is in contact with the fixed mold 16FX and the tip position of the shielding member 24 when the movable mold 16MA is farthest from the fixed mold 16FX. The tip position of the shielding member 24 is the end of the shielding member 24 in the closing direction D1A. In other words, the tip position of the shielding member 24 is closest to the fixed platen 12.

[0022] The shielding member 24 may have a fixed portion 40 and an opening / closing portion 42 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The fixed portion 40 is fixed to the movable platen 14 and supports the opening / closing portion 42. An opening OP (FIG. 4) is formed in the fixed portion 40 to expose a part of the shielding portion of the linear guide member. The opening / closing portion 42 is attached to the fixed portion 40 so as to be able to open and close the opening OP formed in the fixed portion 40. In this embodiment, the opening / closing portion 42 is attached to the fixed portion 40 so as to be able to slide in the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16.

[0023] When the opening / closing unit 42 closes the opening OP of the fixed unit 40, the linear guide member shielded by the shielding member 24 is not exposed from the opening OP (see FIG. 3). On the other hand, when the opening / closing unit 42 opens the opening OP of the fixed unit 40, the linear guide member shielded by the shielding member 24 is exposed from the opening OP (see FIG. 4). That is, when the opening / closing unit 42 of the first shielding member 36 is in the open state, the tie bars 20 are exposed. Also, when the opening / closing unit 42 of the second shielding member 38 is in the open state, the guide rails 18 are exposed. The opening / closing unit 42 is opened by an operator, for example, during maintenance. During maintenance, the drive of the movable platen 14 is stopped.

[0024] As described above, the mold clamping unit 10 of this embodiment includes the shielding member 24 that shields a portion of the linear guide member (the guide rail 18 and the tie bar 20). The entire shielding member 24 moves in conjunction with the movement of the movable platen 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). This makes it possible to suppress the generation of dust from the shielding member 24 due to the movement of the movable platen 14. As a result, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of dust generated from the shielding member 24 to the molded product. Furthermore, if lubricant present between the movable platen 14 and the linear guide member remains on the surface of the linear guide member due to the movement of the movable platen 14, the lubricant remaining on the surface can be shielded. As a result, it is possible to reduce the scattering of lubricant remaining on the surface of the linear guide member and its adhesion to the molded product.

[0025] In this embodiment, the entire shielding member 24 is non-extendable while the movable platen 14 is moving (see FIGS. 1 and 2). This prevents dust from being generated due to wear of the shielding member 24, as opposed to when the shielding member 24 itself is extended or bent like a bellows. As a result, it is possible to prevent dust from scattering and adhering to the molded product during molding.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the length L of the shielding member 24 along the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16 is longer than the movable distance. Specifically, the movable distance is the distance DT2 between the tip position of the shielding member 24 when the movable platen 14 is closest to the fixed platen 12 and the tip position of the shielding member 24 when the movable platen 14 is farthest from the fixed platen 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). This makes it possible to further reduce adhesion of lubricant to the molded product compared to when the length L of the shielding member 24 is equal to or shorter than the movable distance.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shielding member 24 does not come into contact with the linear guide member. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the load applied to the shielding member 24 due to the movement of the movable platen 14. As a result, it is possible to improve the durability of the shielding member 24. Furthermore, compared to when the shielding member 24 comes into contact with the linear guide member, it is possible to prevent the lubricant adhering to the surface of the linear guide member from being scattered by the movement of the movable platen 14.

[0028] In this embodiment, the shielding member 24 has a fixed part 40 that is fixed to the movable platen 14, and an opening / closing part 42 that is attached to the fixed part 40 so as to be openable and closable relative to the fixed part 40. When the opening / closing part 42 is in the open state, the linear guide member is exposed from the shielding member 24 (see FIG. 4). This allows maintenance of the linear guide member and the shielding member 24 to be performed when the opening and closing operation of the mold 16 is stopped.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening / closing part 42 is attached to the fixed part 40 so as to be slidable in the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16. This makes it easy to ensure space for the opening / closing part 42 in the open state even when a water pipe for temperature control, a core drive device, etc. are arranged on the outer surface of the mold 16. This makes it easy to open and close the opening / closing part 42, and also simplifies maintenance work.

[0030] The above embodiment may be modified as follows. In the following modifications, explanations that overlap with the embodiment will be omitted. In addition, in the drawings used in the following modifications, the same reference numerals are used for components equivalent to those described in the embodiment.

[0031] (Modification 1) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a first shielding member 36 of Modification 1. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a part of the tie bar 20 shielded by the first shielding member 36 of Modification 1 is exposed.

[0032] In this modification, the opening / closing portion 42 of the first shielding member 36 is rotatably attached to the fixed portion 40 by a hinge 44. The rotation axis of the hinge 44 is arranged along the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16.

[0033] The opening / closing portion 42 of the first shielding member 36 rotates via the hinge 44 in a direction approaching the fixed portion 40 to close the opening OP of the fixed portion 40. In this case, the tie bar 20 shielded by the first shielding member 36 is not exposed from the opening OP (see FIG. 5).

[0034] Meanwhile, the opening / closing portion 42 of the first shielding member 36 rotates via the hinge 44 in a direction away from the fixed portion 40 to open the opening OP of the fixed portion 40. In this case, the tie bar 20 shielded by the first shielding member 36 is exposed through the opening OP (see FIG. 6).

[0035] In this way, the opening / closing portion 42 of the first shielding member 36 may be rotatably attached to the fixed portion 40 by the hinge 44. This allows the tie bar 20 to be exposed from the opening OP without separating the opening / closing portion 42 from the fixed portion 40.

[0036] (Modification 2) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a second shielding member 38 of Modification 2. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which a part of the guide rail 18 shielded by the second shielding member 38 of Modification 2 is exposed.

[0037] In this modification, no opening OP (FIG. 4) is formed in the fixed portion 40 of the second shielding member 38. In addition, the opening / closing portion 42 of the second shielding member 38 is rotatably attached to the fixed portion 40 by a hinge 44. The rotation axis of the hinge 44 is disposed along a horizontal direction intersecting (preferably perpendicular to) the opening / closing direction D1 of the mold 16.

[0038] The opening / closing portion 42 of the second shielding member 38 opens and closes the guide rail 18 via a hinge 44. When the opening / closing portion 42 of the second shielding member 38 is in the closed state, the guide rail 18 is covered by the opening / closing portion 42 (see FIG. 7). On the other hand, when the opening / closing portion 42 of the second shielding member 38 is in the open state, the guide rail 18 is not covered by the opening / closing portion 42 (see FIG. 8).

[0039] In this way, the opening / closing portion 42 of the second shielding member 38 can expose the guide rail 18 even if an opening OP is not formed in the fixed portion 40.

[0040] (Modification 3) Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a shielding member 24 of Modification 3. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a part of the linear guide member shielded by the shielding member 24 of Modification 3 is exposed.

[0041] In this modified example, the opening / closing part 42 of the shielding member 24 is a bellows member. The opening / closing part 42 is attached to the fixed part 40 in a manner that allows it to stretch or bend. One end of the opening / closing part 42 is fixed to the opening edge part of the fixed part 40 in the opening direction D1B. The other end of the opening / closing part 42 is detachable from the opening edge part of the fixed part 40 in the closing direction D1A. The other end of the opening / closing part 42 may be detachable from the opening edge part by a magnet 46, for example.

[0042] The opening / closing unit 42 closes the opening OP of the fixed unit 40 in response to extension. In this case, the linear guide member shielded by the shielding member 24 is not exposed from the opening OP (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, the opening / closing unit 42 opens the opening OP of the fixed unit 40 in response to bending. In this case, the linear guide member shielded by the shielding member 24 is exposed from the opening OP (see FIG. 10).

[0043] In this way, even if the opening / closing portion 42 is a bellows member, maintenance of the linear guide member and the shielding member 24 can be carried out in the same manner as in the embodiment.

[0044] (Modification 4) The above-described modifications may be combined as appropriate within a range that does not cause contradictions.

[0045] The following additional notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0046] (Supplementary Note 1) The present disclosure relates to a mold clamping device (10) that opens and closes a mold (16) mounted between a fixed platen (12) and a movable platen (14). The mold clamping device of the present disclosure includes linear guide members (18, 20) that guide movement of the movable platen, and a shielding member (24) that is fixed to the movable platen, extends from the movable platen toward the fixed platen, and shields a part of the linear guide member, and the entire shielding member moves in conjunction with the movement of the movable platen.

[0047] (Supplementary Note 2) In the mold clamping device according to Supplementary Note 1, the entire shielding member may be non-extendable while the movable platen is moving.

[0048] (Appendix 3) In the mold clamping device described in Appendix 1 or 2, the length (L) of the shielding member along the mold opening / closing direction (D1) may be longer than the distance (DT2) between the tip position of the shielding member when the movable platen is closest to the fixed platen and the tip position of the shielding member when the movable platen is farthest from the fixed platen.

[0049] (Supplementary Note 4) In the mold clamping device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, the shielding member may be out of contact with the linear guide member.

[0050] (Appendix 5) In the mold clamping device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4, the shielding member has a fixed part (40) fixed to the movable platen and an opening / closing part (42) attached to the fixed part so as to be openable and closable relative to the fixed part, and the linear guide member may be exposed from the shielding member when the opening / closing part is in an open state.

[0051] (Supplementary Note 6) In the mold clamping device according to Supplementary Note 5, the opening / closing part may be attached to the fixing part so as to be slidable in the opening / closing direction of the mold.

[0052] (Supplementary Note 7) In the mold clamping device according to Supplementary Note 5, the opening / closing part may be rotatably attached to the fixed part by a hinge (44).

[0053] (Supplementary Note 8) In the mold clamping device according to Supplementary Note 6, the opening and closing portion may be a bellows member.

[0054] (Supplementary Note 9) In the mold clamping device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, the linear guide member may be a guide rail (18) provided on a stand (30).

[0055] In the mold clamping device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, the linear guide member may be a tie bar (20) fixed to the fixed platen and passing through the movable platen.

[0056] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments.

[0057] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Mold clamping device 12... Fixed platen 14... Movable platen 16... Mold 18... Guide rail 20... Tie bar 22... Mold clamping drive unit 24... Shielding member 36... First shielding member 38... Second shielding member 40... Fixed portion 42... Opening / closing portion 44... Hinge

Claims

1. A mold clamping device for opening and closing a mold mounted between a fixed platen and a movable platen, comprising: A linear guide member for guiding the movement of the movable platen; A shielding member fixed to the movable platen, extending from the movable platen toward the fixed platen, and shielding a part of the linear guide member; The mold clamping device further comprising: The shielding member moves integrally with the movement of the movable platen.

2. The mold clamping device according to claim 1, wherein: When the movable platen is moving, the shielding member is non-expandable and non-contractable as a whole.

3. The mold clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The length of the shielding member along the opening and closing direction of the mold is longer than the distance between the tip position of the shielding member when the movable platen is closest to the fixed platen and the tip position of the shielding member when the movable platen is farthest from the fixed platen.

4. The mold clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The shielding member is non-contact with the linear guide member.

5. The mold clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The shielding member has a fixing part fixed to the movable platen and an opening and closing part attached to the fixing part so as to be openable and closable with respect to the fixing part, and the linear guide member is exposed from the shielding member in the open state of the opening and closing part.

6. The mold clamping device according to claim 5, wherein: The opening and closing part is slidably attached to the fixing part in the opening and closing direction of the mold.

7. The mold clamping device according to claim 5, wherein: The opening and closing part is rotatably attached to the fixing part by a hinge.

8. The mold clamping device according to claim 6, wherein: The opening and closing part is a bellows member.

9. The mold clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The linear guide member is a guide rail provided on a gantry.

10. The mold clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The linear guide member is a tie bar fixed to the fixed platen and passing through the movable platen.