Molding device

Abstract

The molding device (10) for molding a product (W) provided with a hole (Wt) has a shaft-shaped core (30), a plurality of split molds (41, 42, 43), drive devices (21, 22, 23), and an interlocking mechanism (60). The shaft-shaped core (30) forms the hole (Wt) of the product (W). The split molds (41, 42, 43) are provided around the shaft-shaped core (30), and form a wall part (Wp) around the hole (Wt) of the product (W). The drive devices (21, 22, 23) move the split molds (41, 42, 43) in a direction intersecting the axial center of the shaft-shaped core (30) during mold clamping and mold opening. The interlocking mechanism (60) moves the shaft-shaped core (30) in the axial direction by using the force of the movement of the split mold (41) by the drive devices (21, 22, 23) during mold clamping and mold opening.

Description

Mold Equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mold apparatus for molding an article having a hole.

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-18904 discloses a mold apparatus for molding a product having a hole. As shown in FIG. 14 , the mold apparatus 100 described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-18904 includes a fixed mold 102, a movable mold 103, and a core 105, which is a mold for the product and is divided into upper and lower parts. The core 105 is provided with a molding recess 106 for forming the outer shape of the product. The core 105 also has a core 108 attached to the inside of the molding recess 106 so that the core 108 can be inserted and removed therefrom for forming the hole in the product. That is, when the mold apparatus 100 is clamped as shown in FIG. 14 , the space between the molding recess 106 of the core 105 and the core 108 forms a cavity (figure number omitted) for forming the product.

[0003] An operating plate 110 is placed below the movable mold 103 of the mold device 100 in a manner that allows it to be separated from the movable mold 103, and a core 108 is connected to the operating plate 110 via a link 112. In the mold clamped state, as shown in FIG. 14 , the core 108 is set inside the molding recess 106 of the core 105, forming a cavity. In this state, a product is molded by injecting molten resin into the cavity. When the molded product is to be removed, the operating plate 110 moves downward away from the movable mold 103, which operates the link 112 and pulls the core 108 out of the molding recess 106 of the core 105. Next, the mold is opened, and the molding recess 106 of the core 105 is opened, allowing the product to be removed.

[0004] The above-described mold apparatus 100 is configured to move the core 108 by utilizing the operating plate 110 and the link 112. That is, the above-described mold apparatus 100 needs to be provided with a dedicated mechanism for moving the core 108 in addition to mechanisms (not shown) for clamping and opening the movable mold 103 and the core 105. This makes the mold apparatus 100 larger.

[0005] The present disclosure eliminates the need for a dedicated drive device for moving the core, making it possible to reduce the weight of the mold.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a mold apparatus for molding a product having a hole, comprising an axial core for forming the hole in the product, a plurality of split molds arranged around the axial core for forming wall portions around the hole in the product, a drive unit for moving the split molds in a direction intersecting the axis of the axial core when closing and opening the mold, and a linkage mechanism for moving the axial core in the axial direction by utilizing the force with which the split molds are moved by the drive unit when closing and opening the mold.

[0007] 5 is a perspective view of a product (throttle body) molded by a mold apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic overall side view of the mold apparatus (when molds are closed). FIG. 7 is a schematic overall side view of the mold apparatus (when molds are open). FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing the relationship between the fixed mold, the movable mold, and the throttle body (cavity) of the mold apparatus during mold clamping. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the movable mold. FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical sectional view perpendicular to the axis of the split mold and the axial core during mold clamping (enlarged view taken along arrow V in FIG. 5). FIG. 11 is an overall vertical sectional view taken along the axis of the axial core in the movable mold. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a first split mold and a pressing member of the interlocking mechanism, as seen from the bottom front. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pressing member of the interlocking mechanism, as seen from the bottom front. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the first split mold, the pressing member, the axial core, and the throttle body, as seen from the rear. FIG. 15 is a side view showing the operation of the pressing member and groove that constitute the interlocking mechanism. FIG. 16 is a side view showing the operation of the pressing member and groove that constitute the interlocking mechanism. FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional view showing a cooling mechanism for the axial core. FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional mold apparatus.

[0008] 1 to 13, a mold apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The mold apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is a mold apparatus for molding a throttle body W of an engine throttle device.

[0009] <Throttle Body W of Throttle Device> A throttle device is a device for adjusting the flow rate of combustion air supplied to a vehicle engine. As shown in Fig. 1, the throttle device includes an aluminum throttle body W and a disc-shaped throttle valve (not shown) that is configured to be able to rotate up and down within an intake passage Wt of the throttle body W. The throttle body W includes a throttle pipe portion Wp in which the intake passage Wt is formed, a gear housing portion Wh formed on the left side of the throttle pipe portion Wp, and a motor housing portion Wm formed below the throttle pipe portion Wp. A motor (not shown) for rotating the throttle valve, a gear mechanism, etc. (not shown) are housed in the motor housing portion Wm and gear housing portion Wh of the throttle body W.

[0010] <Molding Apparatus 10> The molding apparatus 10 is a die-casting machine used to mold the throttle body W. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the molding apparatus 10 includes a fixed die plate 12 and a movable die plate 14. The fixed die plate 12 and the movable die plate 14 are connected at their four corners (top, bottom, left, and right) via four tie bars (not shown) extending in the front-to-rear direction. The movable die plate 14 is configured to be movable in the front-to-rear direction along the tie bars when clamping and opening the mold. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a fixed die 15 is attached to the rear surface (inner surface) of the fixed die plate 12. A movable die 20 is attached to the front surface (inner surface) of the movable die plate 14.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 4 , the fixed die 15 is a die for forming the front end of the throttle body W and the front side of the gear housing Wh. The movable die 20 is a die for forming the main portion of the throttle body W (excluding the front end of the throttle body W and the front side of the gear housing Wh) and the intake passage Wt. As the movable die plate 14 advances toward the fixed die plate 12, the mating surface of the movable die 20 (not shown) comes into surface contact with the mating surface of the fixed die 15 (not shown), thereby clamping the mold, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 . This forms a cavity K, which is a space for forming the throttle body W, between the fixed die 15 and the movable die 20. As the movable die plate 14 retreats and moves away from the fixed die plate 12, the mating surface of the movable die 20 separates from the mating surface of the fixed die 15, as shown in FIG. 3 , thereby opening the mold. Note that the molten aluminum supply device and other components of the mold device 10 are omitted from the figure.

[0012] <Movable Die 20> As described above, the movable die 20 is a die for forming the main portion of the throttle body W and the intake passage Wt (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 4, the movable die 20 includes an axial core 30 for forming the intake passage Wt of the throttle body W. The axial core 30 is positioned horizontally so that its axis extends in the front-rear direction, and is configured to be movable a certain distance in the axial direction. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the movable die 20 includes a first split die 41, a second split die 42, and a third split die 43 that are provided around the axial core 30 and for forming the throttle pipe portion Wp of the throttle body W, etc.

[0013] 6, the molding surfaces of the first split mold 41, the second split mold 42, and the third split mold 43 become continuous when the molds are closed. The continuous molding surfaces of the first split mold 41, the second split mold 42, and the third split mold 43 form the outer circumferential surface of the throttle pipe portion Wp, etc. When the molds are opened, the first split mold 41, the second split mold 42, and the third split mold 43 move radially outward (in the up-down and left-right directions) from the axial core 30, so that the molding surfaces of the respective molds 41, 42, and 43 are separated from one another.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 5, the movable die 20 supports the axial core 30 so that it can move in the axial direction (front-rear direction), and further includes a die support section 50 that supports the first split die 41, the second split die 42, and the third split die 43 so that they can move in directions (up-down and left-right directions) perpendicular to the axial core 30. As shown in Fig. 7, the die support section 50 is composed of a central section 51 that supports the axial core 30 so that it can move in the axial direction (front-rear direction), and a guide plate 52 that is erected behind the central section 51 and guides the up-down and left-right movement of the first split die 41, the second split die 42, and the third split die 43. Furthermore, a push-out mechanism 55 is provided behind the guide plate 52 of the die support section 50 to push the molded throttle body W out of the cavity K of the movable die 20 when the die is opened.

[0015] 5, an upper hydraulic cylinder 21, a left hydraulic cylinder 22, and a right hydraulic cylinder 23 are attached to the upper, left, and right portions of the mold support part 50. The upper hydraulic cylinder 21 is attached in an upright position so that a piston rod 21p protrudes downward, and the first split mold 41 is connected to the tip of the piston rod 21p. As a result, when the upper hydraulic cylinder 21 operates, the first split mold 41 moves up and down above the axial core 30 between a mold clamping position and a mold opening position.

[0016] The left hydraulic cylinder 22 is attached horizontally so that its piston rod 22p protrudes to the right, and a second split mold 42 is connected to the tip of the piston rod 22p. As a result, when the left hydraulic cylinder 22 operates, the second split mold 42 moves left and right between a mold clamping position and a mold opening position on the left side of the axial core 30. In addition, the right hydraulic cylinder 23 is attached horizontally so that its piston rod 23p protrudes to the left, and a third split mold 43 is connected to the tip of the piston rod 23p. As a result, when the right hydraulic cylinder 23 operates, the third split mold 43 moves left and right between a mold clamping position and a mold opening position on the right side of the axial core 30.

[0017] 4 and 7, the movable die 20 is provided with an interlocking mechanism 60 that uses the force that moves the first split die 41 up and down to move the axial core 30 a fixed distance in the axial direction. The interlocking mechanism 60 is composed of a pressing member 600 connected to the rear side of the first split die 41, and an inverted U-shaped groove 32 that is formed at the base end of the axial core 30 and into which an inverted U-shaped tip end 604 of the pressing member 600 fits from above.

[0018] 8 to 10 , the pressing member 600 includes a strip-shaped vertical plate portion 602, an inverted U-shaped tip portion 604 provided on the lower side of the vertical plate portion 602, and a shelf-like horizontal plate portion 605 protruding forward from the center of the vertical plate portion 602 in the height direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 , the rear surface of the first split mold 41 is provided with a step portion 41s that can abut against the upper surface of the horizontal plate portion 605 of the pressing member 600 from above, and a rear vertical wall portion 41y above the step portion 41s that abuts against the front surface of the vertical plate portion 602 of the pressing member 600 to hold the pressing member 600 in an upright position. Furthermore, the rear surface of the first split mold 41 is provided with a rear guide wall portion 41x below the step portion 41s that can guide the tip guide surface 605f of the horizontal plate portion 605 of the pressing member 600 in the upright position.

[0019] 9 and 10 , the pressing member 600 is formed with a pair of vertically elongated holes 607 that penetrate from the rear surface of the vertical plate portion 602 through the horizontal plate portion 605 in the width direction (front-rear direction) and open at the tip surface (front surface) of the horizontal plate portion 605. The pair of vertically elongated holes 607 are formed long in the up-down direction, and a bolt (not shown) is passed through each of the vertically elongated holes 607. The pressing member 600 is connected to the rear surface of the first split mold 41 by these bolts. Here, the height dimension L of the vertically elongated holes 607 is set to a value that allows the pressing member 600 to move up and down by approximately 15 mm relative to the first split mold 41.

[0020] With the above configuration, during mold clamping, the first split mold 41 descends to the lowest position as shown in Fig. 7, and the horizontal plate portion 605 of the pressing member 600 is pressed by the step portion 41s of the first split mold 41, causing the pressing member 600 to descend to the lowest position together with the first split mold 41. In contrast, during mold opening, even if the first split mold 41 ascends, the pressing member 600 is held at the lowest position by the function of the vertically elongated hole 607, and when the first split mold 41 ascends by approximately 15 mm, the pressing member 600 ascends together with the first split mold 41 due to the connecting action between the vertically elongated hole 607 and the bolt. Here, a spacer 52s is provided on the front surface of the guide plate 52 that guides the first split mold 41 in the up and down direction, as shown in Fig. 7, to press against the rear surface of the vertical plate portion 602 of the pressing member 600, thereby suppressing rattle of the pressing member 600.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the inverted U-shaped tip 604 of the pressing member 600 is formed into an inverted U shape by left and right protrusions 604t and a connecting portion 604c connecting the upper portions of the protrusions 604t. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the inverted U-shaped tip 604 is inclined rearward with respect to the vertical plate 602 of the pressing member 600. That is, the inverted U-shaped tip 604 is inclined gradually rearward from the position of the connecting portion 604c at the upper end toward the tips (lower ends) of the left and right protrusions 604t. The inclination angle of the inverted U-shaped tip 604 with respect to the rear surface (vertical plane) of the vertical plate 602 of the pressing member 600 is set to θ (θ = approximately 5°), as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 .

[0022] <Inverted U-Shaped Groove 32 of Interlocking Mechanism 60> As described above, the inverted U-shaped groove 32 is formed at the base end of the axial core 30 and is fitted with the inverted U-shaped tip 604 of the pressing member 600 from above. As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the inverted U-shaped groove 32 includes vertical grooves 32t formed on the left and right side surfaces of the axial core 30 and a communicating groove 32c (see Figure 12) formed at the top of the axial core 30 and connecting the tops of the left and right vertical grooves 32t. The left and right vertical grooves 32t of the inverted U-shaped groove 32 are portions into which the left and right protrusions 604t of the inverted U-shaped tip 604 of the pressing member 600 are inserted from above and fitted, and are inclined at the same inclination angle θ as the left and right protrusions 604t. The communicating groove 32c of the inverted U-shaped groove 32 is the portion that engages with the connecting portion 604c of the inverted U-shaped tip 604 of the pressing member 600 that has been lowered to the lowest position.

[0023] <Operation of the interlocking mechanism 60> When the pressing member 600 and the first split die 41 are in the upper limit position, i.e., the die open position (see FIG. 12), the tip of the protrusion 604t of the inverted U-shaped tip portion 604 of the pressing member 600 engages with the upper end of the vertical groove 32t of the inverted U-shaped groove 32 of the axial core 30. When the first split die 41 begins to descend from this state, the first split die 41 and the pressing member 600 descend simultaneously, with the vertical elongated hole 607 and the bolt connected. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the step 41s of the first split die 41 abuts against the upper surface of the horizontal plate portion 605 of the pressing member 600, the pressing member 600 is pressed downward by the first split die 41.

[0024] 11 , the left and right protrusions 604t of the inverted U-shaped tip 604 of the pressing member 600 are pressed from above into the left and right vertical grooves 32t of the inverted U-shaped groove 32 of the shaft-shaped core 30. As a result, the front faces of the left and right protrusions 604t of the pressing member 600 slide relative to the front side faces of the left and right vertical grooves 32t of the shaft-shaped core 30, and the protrusions 604t of the pressing member 600 press the vertical grooves 32t of the shaft-shaped core 30 forward. This causes the shaft-shaped core 30 to move forward in the axial direction and be held in the mold clamping position.

[0025] 11 , the inverted U-shaped tip 604 of the pressing member 600 is at its lowest position (the mold clamping position) and engages with the inverted U-shaped groove 32 of the axial core 30. Then, when the first split die 41 rises by approximately 15 mm and the bolt engages with the upper end of the vertically elongated hole 607, the pressing member 600 rises together with the first split die 41. As a result, the left and right protrusions 604t of the inverted U-shaped tip 604 of the pressing member 600 rise and are pulled out of the left and right vertical grooves 32t of the inverted U-shaped groove 32 of the axial core 30. At this time, the rear surfaces of the left and right protrusions 604t of the pressing member 600 slide relative to the rear side surfaces of the left and right longitudinal grooves 32t of the axial core 30, and the protrusions 604t of the pressing member 600 press rearward against the longitudinal grooves 32t of the axial core 30. As a result, the axial core 30 moves backward in the axial direction and is returned to a position (mold opening position) where it abuts against the front surface of the guide plate 52. Here, the distance of forward and backward movement of the axial core 30 is set to approximately 4.6 mm.

[0026] <Cooling mechanism 70 for axial core 30> As shown in Fig. 13, the movable die 20 is provided with a cooling mechanism 70 that cools the axial core 30. The cooling mechanism 70 is a mechanism that supplies cooling water to the cooling passage 35 formed inside the axial core 30. As shown in Fig. 13, the cooling passage 35 of the axial core 30 is formed to extend in the axial direction from the base end (rear end) of the axial core 30 to near the front end. The rear end of the axial core 30 is formed with a cylindrical recess 36 that is larger in diameter than the cooling passage 35 and communicates with the cooling passage 35.

[0027] 13, the cooling mechanism 70 includes a cooling pipe 72 inserted up to the vicinity of the tip of the cooling passage 35 of the axial core 30, a cooling water supply passage 75 formed inside the guide plate 52 (die support part 50), and a cooling water return passage 76. The cooling mechanism 70 also includes a connector member 74 that connects the cooling pipe 72 to the cooling water supply passage 75 and further connects the cylindrical recess 36 of the axial core 30 to the cooling water return passage 76.

[0028] The connector member 74 is a cylindrical member fixed to the front surface of the guide plate 52, and is inserted into the cylindrical recess 36 of the axial core 30 in a state where it can move axially relative to the cylindrical recess 36. A ring-shaped seal (number omitted from the drawing) is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the connector member 74. As a result, when the connector member 74 is inserted into the cylindrical recess 36 of the axial core 30, the seal creates a watertight seal between the connector member 74 and the cylindrical recess 36 of the axial core 30. The connector member 74 is formed with a supply communication passage 74x that connects the cooling pipe 72 and the cooling water supply passage 75, and a return communication passage 74y that connects the cylindrical recess 36 of the axial core 30 and the cooling water return passage 76 inside the guide plate 52.

[0029] As a result, the cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply passage 75 of the guide plate 52 to the cooling pipe 72 via the connector member 74 is discharged from the tip of the cooling pipe 72 into the cooling passage 35. The cooling water then cools the axial core 30 from the inside, flows to the base end, and is then returned from the cylindrical recess 36 via the connector member 74 to the cooling water return passage 76.

[0030] <Operation of Mold Apparatus 10> The procedure from the mold open state of the mold apparatus 10 to molding the throttle body W will be described. First, the upper hydraulic cylinder 21, left hydraulic cylinder 22, and right hydraulic cylinder 23 of the movable mold 20 are driven to move the first split mold 41, second split mold 42, and third split mold 43, which are in the mold open position, to the mold clamping position. That is, the first split mold 41 descends to the mold clamping position, the second split mold 42 moves rightward to the mold clamping position, and the third split mold 43 moves leftward to the mold clamping position.

[0031] Here, the pressing member 600 of the interlocking mechanism 60 is connected to the first split die 41 via a vertically elongated hole 607 and a bolt, and the tip of the protrusion 604t of the inverted U-shaped tip portion 604 of the pressing member 600 is engaged with the upper end of the vertical groove portion 32t of the inverted U-shaped groove portion 32 of the axial core 30, as shown in Figure 12. Therefore, when the first split die 41 begins to descend, the first split die 41 and the pressing member 600 descend simultaneously.

[0032] Then, as shown in Fig. 4, when the step portion 41s of the first split die 41 abuts against the upper surface of the horizontal plate portion 605 of the pressing member 600, the pressing member 600 is pressed downward by the first split die 41. As a result, as shown in Fig. 11, the left and right protrusions 604t of the inverted U-shaped tip portion 604 of the pressing member 600 are pressed from above into the left and right vertical grooves 32t of the inverted U-shaped groove portion 32 of the shaft-shaped core 30. As a result, the front surfaces of the left and right protrusions 604t of the pressing member 600 and the front side surfaces of the left and right vertical grooves 32t of the shaft-shaped core 30 slide relative to each other, and the protrusions 604t of the pressing member 600 press the vertical grooves 32t of the shaft-shaped core 30 forward. As a result, the shaft-shaped core 30 advances axially to the mold clamping position. That is, when the first split mold 41 is lowered to the mold clamping position, the shaft-shaped core 30 moves forward to the mold clamping position.

[0033] Next, from the state shown in Figure 3, the movable die plate 14 advances toward the fixed die plate 12, and as shown in Figure 4, the mating surface of the movable die 20 comes into surface contact with the mating surface of the fixed die 15, thereby clamping the dies. In this state, a cavity K, which is a space for forming the throttle body W, is formed between the fixed die 15 and the movable die 20. Next, molten aluminum alloy is injected into the cavity K, and after a solidification time has passed, the dies are opened.

[0034] During mold opening, as shown in FIG. 3 , the movable die plate 14 retracts and separates from the fixed die plate 12. Next, the upper hydraulic cylinder 21, left hydraulic cylinder 22, and right hydraulic cylinder 23 of the movable die 20 are driven to move the first split die 41, second split die 42, and third split die 43, which are in the mold clamping position, to the mold opening position. That is, the first split die 41 rises to the mold opening position, the second split die 42 moves leftward to the mold opening position, and the third split die 43 moves rightward to the mold opening position. As a result, the molding surfaces of the first split die 41, second split die 42, and third split die 43 are separated from the outer peripheral surface of the throttle body W.

[0035] As described above, the first split die 41 and the pressing member 600 are connected via a pair of vertically elongated holes 607 and a pair of bolts, as shown in Figure 10 and other figures. Therefore, when the first split die 41 begins to rise, the pressing member 600 does not rise, and as shown in Figure 11, the inverted U-shaped tip 604 of the pressing member 600 is at its lowest position and engages with the inverted U-shaped groove 32 of the axial core 30. In other words, the axial core 30 is held in the clamping position and is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the throttle body W. Then, when the first split die 41 rises approximately 15 mm and the bolts engage with the upper ends of the vertically elongated holes 607, the pressing member 600 rises together with the first split die 41.

[0036] As a result, the left and right protrusions 604t of the inverted U-shaped tip 604 of the pressing member 600 rise and are pulled out of the left and right vertical grooves 32t of the inverted U-shaped groove 32 of the axial core 30. At this time, the rear surfaces of the left and right protrusions 604t of the pressing member 600 slide relative to the rear side surfaces of the left and right vertical grooves 32t of the axial core 30, causing the protrusions 604t of the pressing member 600 to press the vertical grooves 32t of the axial core 30 rearward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12 , the axial core 30 moves backward in the axial direction to a position where it abuts against the front surface of the guide plate 52 (the mold opening position), and the axial core 30 moves away from the inner circumferential surface of the throttle body W. Next, the pushing mechanism 55 of the movable mold 20 operates to push the throttle body W out of the cavity K.

[0037] The throttle body W in this embodiment corresponds to the product having a hole in the present invention, and the intake passage Wt of the throttle body W corresponds to the hole in the present invention. The upper hydraulic cylinder 21, the left hydraulic cylinder 22, and the right hydraulic cylinder 23 correspond to the drive device in the present invention. The vertical groove 32t of the inverted U-shaped groove in the axial core 30 corresponds to the groove in the axial core in the present invention. The pair of vertical elongated holes 607 and the pair of bolts connecting the first split die 41 and the pressing member 600 correspond to the elongated hole and fastening member in the present invention. The guide plate 52 of the die support 50 corresponds to the die support that movably supports the split die in the present invention. The cooling water in the cooling mechanism 70 corresponds to the coolant in the present invention, and the cooling water supply passage 75 and the cooling water return passage 76 correspond to the coolant supply passage in the present invention.

[0038] <Advantages of the mold apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment> According to the mold apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 60 moves the axial core 30 in the axial direction by utilizing the force of the upper hydraulic cylinder 21 (drive device) moving the first split mold 41 during mold clamping and mold opening. In other words, a dedicated drive device for moving the axial core 30 is not required. This allows for a lighter mold apparatus 10. Furthermore, during mold opening, the interlocking mechanism 60 moves the axial core 30 in the axial direction from a state in which the upper hydraulic cylinder 21 has moved the first split mold 41 a certain distance. In other words, the axial core 30 separates from the throttle body W after the first split mold 41, the second split mold 42, and the third split mold 43 have separated from the molded product (throttle body W). Therefore, excessive force is less likely to be applied to the throttle body W compared to when the first split mold 41, etc. and the axial core 30 simultaneously separate from the molded throttle body W. This makes it possible to prevent the throttle body W from being damaged.

[0039] Furthermore, in the mold device 10, the first split mold 41 and the pressing member 600 of the interlocking mechanism 60 are connected via a vertically elongated hole 607 (long hole) and a bolt (fastening member) that is passed through the vertically elongated hole 607. Then, when the mold is opened, the movement of the pressing member 600 is delayed relative to the movement of the first split mold 41 by the length dimension of the vertically elongated hole 607. In other words, the mechanism for connecting the pressing member 600 to the first split mold 41 is simplified so that the movement of the pressing member 600 is delayed relative to the movement of the first split mold 41.

[0040] Furthermore, the mold device 10 is equipped with a guide plate 52 (mold support portion 50) that guides the movement of the first split mold 41, and the guide plate 52 is formed with a cooling water supply passage 75 that supplies cooling water (coolant) to the cooling passage 35 inside the axial core 30, and a cooling water return passage 76 (coolant supply passage). The cooling water supply passage 75 and cooling water return passage 76 of the guide plate 52 are connected to the cooling passage 35 of the axial core 30 via a connector member 74. The connector member 74 connects the cooling water supply passage 75 and cooling water return passage 76 of the guide plate 52 to the cooling passage 35 of the axial core 30 while the axial core 30 is movable axially relative to the guide plate 52. That is, since cooling water can be supplied to the cooling passages 35 of the axial core 30 by using the cooling water supply passage 75 and the cooling water return passage 76 of the guide plate 52, there is no need to move the cooling water supply passage 75 and the cooling water return passage 76 together with the axial core 30. Therefore, there is no need to ensure space for the cooling water supply passage 75 and the cooling water return passage 76 to move, and the movable die 20 can be made smaller.

[0041] Furthermore, in the mold device 10, the pressing member 600 connected to the first split mold 41 via the vertically elongated hole 607 (long hole) and the bolt (fastening member) is configured to be able to slide along the guide plate 52 while being sandwiched between the first split mold 41 and the spacer 52s of the guide plate 52. Therefore, when the pressing member 600 connected to the first split mold via the vertically elongated hole 607 and the bolt moves along the guide plate 52, rattle is less likely to occur.

[0042] <Modifications> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the first split mold 41, which is movable in the vertical direction, is connected to the pressing member 600 of the interlocking mechanism 60, so that the pressing member 600 moves vertically together with the first split mold 41. However, a configuration is also possible in which the second split mold 42 or the third split mold 43 is connected to the pressing member 600, so that the pressing member 600 moves horizontally together with the second split mold 42, etc. Also, in the present embodiment, the first split mold 41 and the pressing member 600 of the interlocking mechanism 60 are connected via the vertically elongated hole 607 and a bolt. However, a configuration is also possible in which the first split mold 41 and the pressing member 600 of the interlocking mechanism 60 are connected in a manner that allows relative vertical movement, and the shelf-like horizontal plate portion 605 of the pressing member 600 is inserted between upper and lower stoppers formed on the rear surface of the first split mold 41. In addition, in this embodiment, the mold device 10 in a die-casting machine is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to a mold device in an injection molding device for meltable materials such as metals other than aluminum and resins.

[0043] The present disclosure can also take the following forms: A first form is a mold apparatus for molding a product having a hole, comprising: an axial core for forming the hole in the product; a plurality of split dies provided around the axial core for forming a wall portion around the hole in the product; a drive device for moving the split dies in a direction intersecting the axis of the axial core when clamping and opening the mold; and an interlocking mechanism for moving the axial core in the axial direction by utilizing the force of the drive device to move the split dies when clamping and opening the mold.

[0044] According to the first aspect, the interlocking mechanism moves the axial core in the axial direction by utilizing the force of the split molds moved by the drive unit during mold clamping and mold opening. In other words, a dedicated drive unit for moving the axial core is not required. This makes it possible to reduce the weight of the mold unit.

[0045] According to a second aspect, the interlocking mechanism comprises a pressing member connected to the split mold and moving together with the split mold, and a groove formed in the axial core in which the pressing member, which moves together with the split mold, is slidably fitted, and the axial core is moved in the axial direction by relative sliding between the pressing member and the groove.

[0046] According to the third aspect, the interlocking mechanism moves the axial core in the axial direction after the drive unit has moved the split mold a certain distance during mold opening. That is, the axial core separates from the molded product after the split mold separates from the product. Therefore, compared to when the split mold and the axial core separate from the product at the same time, excessive force is less likely to be applied to the product. This makes it possible to prevent scratches on the product.

[0047] According to a fourth aspect, the split mold and the pressing member are connected via an elongated hole and a fastening member that is passed through the elongated hole, and the movement of the pressing member is delayed relative to the movement of the split mold by the length of the elongated hole when the mold is opened. In other words, the mechanism for connecting the pressing member to the split mold can be simplified so that the movement of the pressing member is delayed relative to the movement of the split mold.

[0048] According to a fifth aspect, a mold support part is provided that movably supports the split mold, and a coolant supply passage is formed in the mold support part to supply coolant to the cooling passage inside the axial core, and the coolant supply passage in the mold support part and the cooling passage in the axial core are connected via a connector member, and the connector member connects the coolant supply passage in the mold support part and the cooling passage in the axial core while the axial core is movable axially relative to the mold support part. In other words, because coolant can be supplied to the cooling passage in the axial core using the mold support part, it is not necessary to move the coolant supply passage together with the axial core 30. This eliminates the need to secure movement space for the coolant supply passage.

[0049] According to a sixth aspect, a mold support part is provided that movably supports the split mold, and the pressing member connected to the split mold via the elongated hole and the fastening member is configured to be slidable along the mold support part while being sandwiched between the split mold and the mold support part. Therefore, rattle is less likely to occur when the pressing member connected to the split mold via the elongated hole and the fastening member moves along the mold support part.

Claims

1. A mold apparatus for molding a product having a hole, comprising: an axial core for forming the hole in the product; a plurality of split dies arranged around the axial core for forming wall portions around the hole in the product; a drive device for moving the split dies in a direction intersecting the axis of the axial core when closing and opening the mold; and an interlocking mechanism for moving the axial core in the axial direction by utilizing the force of the split dies moved by the drive device when closing and opening the mold.

2. A die device as described in claim 1, wherein the interlocking mechanism comprises a pressing member connected to the split die and moving together with the split die, and a groove formed in the axial core in which the pressing member, which moves together with the split die, fits in a slidable manner, and the axial core moves in the axial direction due to relative sliding between the pressing member and the groove.

3. A die device as described in claim 2, wherein the interlocking mechanism moves the axial core in the axial direction from a state in which the drive device has moved the split die a certain distance when the die is opened.

4. A mold device as described in claim 3, wherein the split mold and the pressing member are connected via a long hole and a fastening member passed through the long hole, and the mold device is configured such that, when the mold is opened, the movement of the pressing member is delayed relative to the movement of the split mold by the length dimension of the long hole.

5. A mold device as described in claim 1, comprising a mold support part which movably supports the split mold, the mold support part having a coolant supply passage formed therein which supplies coolant to the cooling passage inside the axial core, the coolant supply passage of the mold support part and the cooling passage of the axial core being connected via a connector member, and the connector member connecting the coolant supply passage of the mold support part and the cooling passage of the axial core while the axial core is capable of moving axially relative to the mold support part.

6. A mold device as described in claim 4, comprising a mold support part that movably supports the split mold, and the pressing member connected to the split mold via the long hole and the fastening member is configured to be slidable along the mold support part while being sandwiched between the split mold and the mold support part.

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