Diagnostic device of injection molding device, and injection molding device equipped with same

Abstract

Provided is a diagnostic device of an injection molding device that enables an operator to easily determine the operation state of the injection molding device. A diagnostic device 30 is configured such that, when an input switching button 41 or an output switching button 42 is pressed, information associated with the input switching button 41 or the output switching button 42 and indicating the nature of a signal directed to an injection molding device 1 or indicating the nature of a signal within the injection molding device 1 is displayed in a first information display region 51 or a second information display region 52.

Description

Diagnostic device for an injection molding apparatus, and an injection molding apparatus including the same

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[0006] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a diagnostic device for an injection molding apparatus and an injection molding apparatus.

[0002] A diagnostic device for an injection molding apparatus according to the prior art is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. In the prior art, with respect to the input / output signals and analog output signals of an injection molding apparatus, there is a function that allows an operator to confirm the input signals and output signals using a diagnostic screen of a diagnostic unit (diagnostic device) incorporated in a control unit, and these are called diagnostic screens for diagnosing input / output.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-036325

[0004] In the prior art, during maintenance inspection of an injection molding apparatus, an operator can only confirm the addresses and ON / OFF states of input signals to the control unit and the addresses and ON / OFF states of output signals on the diagnostic screen. Regarding which signals each of the input signals and output signals corresponds to, it is necessary to separately check against an electrical circuit diagram.

[0005] Also, in the prior art, there is a function to forcibly output input signals, output signals, and analog output signals to a control screen. However, also in this case, regarding which signals each corresponds to, it cannot be understood from the control screen, so it is necessary to check against an electrical circuit diagram. Therefore, in the prior art, there is a problem that the diagnostic work of an injection molding apparatus is complicated and an operator cannot easily determine the operating state of the injection molding apparatus.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a diagnostic device for an injection molding apparatus that allows an operator to easily determine the operating state of the injection molding apparatus.

[0007] The present invention relates to a diagnostic device for an injection molding apparatus, comprising a display unit that can input input signals for controlling the injection molding apparatus and outputs a pop-up screen that displays an output signal indicating the operating status of the injection molding apparatus, wherein the diagnostic device includes a plurality of input signal display units that display input signals to the injection molding apparatus, and a plurality of output signal display units that display output signals from the injection molding apparatus, wherein the input signal display unit includes an input switching button for switching the input signal ON / OFF and a first information display area that displays information indicating what kind of signal the input signal is for the injection molding apparatus, and the output signal display unit includes an output switching button for switching the output signal ON / OFF and a second information display area that displays information indicating what kind of signal the output signal is for the injection molding apparatus. The diagnostic device for an injection molding apparatus is characterized in that, when the input switching button or the output switching button is pressed, it displays in the first information display area or the second information display area information indicating what kind of signal to the injection molding apparatus or what kind of signal in the injection molding apparatus is associated with the input switching button or the output switching button.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that at least one of the input switching button or the output switching button further includes a forced output button that forcibly inverts the output of the input signal or the output signal.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that at least one of the input switching button or the output switching button further includes an execution switching button that switches the forced output button ON / OFF.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is an injection molding apparatus characterized by being equipped with the aforementioned diagnostic device.

[0011] According to the present invention, the diagnostic device includes a plurality of input signal display units that display input signals to the injection molding apparatus main body, and a plurality of output signal display units that display output signals from the injection molding apparatus main body. The input signal display unit includes an input switching button for switching the input signal ON / OFF, and a first information display area that displays information indicating what kind of signal the input signal is to the injection molding apparatus main body. The output signal display unit includes an output switching button for switching the output signal ON / OFF, and a second information display area that displays information indicating what kind of signal the output signal is in the injection molding apparatus main body. When an input switching button or an output switching button is pressed, information indicating what kind of signal the input switching button or output switching button is to the injection molding apparatus main body, or information indicating what kind of signal the injection molding apparatus main body is, is displayed in the first information display area or the second information display area.

[0012] Therefore, by touching an input or output switching button, the operator can confirm information about the signal associated with the touched input or output switching button in the first or second information display area. This eliminates the need to separately compare the touched input or output switching button with an electrical circuit diagram, allowing the operator to easily determine the operating status of the injection molding machine.

[0013] According to the present invention, the diagnostic device has a forced output button that forcibly inverts the output of the input signal or output signal in relation to the input switching button or output switching button, so that the actual input signal or output signal can be virtually inverted and the injection molding machine can be operated. This makes it easy to change the operating status of the injection molding machine, and thus easy to diagnose various functions.

[0014] According to the present invention, the diagnostic device further includes an execution switching button for switching the forced output button ON / OFF. This prevents the forced output button from being accidentally executed.

[0015] According to the present invention, the injection molding apparatus is equipped with a diagnostic device. This allows the operator to easily determine the operating status of the injection molding apparatus.

[0016] This is a side view of an injection molding machine. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the injection molding machine. This is a diagram showing an example of the display screen shown on the display unit of the diagnostic device. This is a diagram showing the case when the input switching button is touched while the diagnostic device is operating in normal mode. This is a diagram showing the case when the input switching button is touched while the diagnostic device is operating in special mode. This is a flowchart explaining the screen transitions of the diagnostic device. This is a diagram showing an example of the display when the analog diagnostic button is executed.

[0017] <Injection Molding Apparatus> Figure 1 is a side view of the injection molding apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The injection molding apparatus 1 comprises a bed 2, an injection device 3 positioned on the upper surface of the bed 2, and a clamping device 4 positioned on the upper surface of the bed 2.

[0018] The injection device 3 comprises a heating cylinder 7 having a nozzle 5 at its tip and a built-in screw 6, a hopper 8 that supplies resin material into the heating cylinder 7, and a rotary drive means 9 that rotates the screw 6 and moves it back and forth in the forward and backward directions, injecting resin material from the nozzle 5 with each forward movement of the screw 6.

[0019] The clamping device 4 comprises a fixed platen 10 fixed to the bed 2, a pressure receiving platen 11, a tie bar 12 positioned between the fixed platen 10 and the pressure receiving platen 11, a movable platen 13 attached to the tie bar 12 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the tie bar 12, a toggle link 14 connecting the pressure receiving platen 11 and the movable platen 13, and a toggle driving means 15 for driving the toggle link 14. The fixed platen 10 is fixed to the bed 2. The pressure receiving platen 11 is positioned on the upper surface of the bed 2.

[0020] The tie bar 12 consists of four rod-shaped bars, with one pair provided on the upper and lower sides, and is stretched between the fixed platen 10 and the pressure receiving platen 11. A fixed mold 16 is attached to the fixed platen 10. A movable mold 17 is attached to the movable platen 13. The mold 18 is formed by the fixed mold 16 and the movable mold 17. The mold 18 is clamped when the movable mold 17 is pressed against the fixed mold 16 by the operation of the mold clamping device 4, and the mold is opened when the movable mold 17 is separated from the fixed mold 16.

[0021] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the injection molding apparatus 1. The injection molding apparatus 1 further includes a control unit 20 that controls the injection device 3 and the clamping device 4. The control unit 20 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a memory 22, and a display unit 23. The memory 22 stores various programs for executing the functions of the control unit 20. The control unit 20 has the function of controlling the injection molding apparatus 1. The display unit 23 is implemented by a touch panel monitor consisting of a display body and a touch panel, and displays input signals to the injection molding apparatus and output signals from the injection molding apparatus. By operating the display unit 23, signals to control the operation of the injection molding apparatus 1 can be transmitted. The display unit 23 has the function of displaying the operating status of the injection molding apparatus 1.

[0022] <Diagnostic Device> The diagnostic device 30 is implemented by the control unit 20 executing a program stored in the memory 22, which is then displayed on the display unit 23. Figure 3 shows an example of the display screen shown on the display unit of the diagnostic device 30.

[0023] The diagnostic device 30 includes an input signal display area 31 where a plurality of input switching buttons 41 that display input signals to the injection molding apparatus 1 are displayed, an output signal display area 32 where a plurality of output switching buttons 42 that display output signals from the injection molding apparatus 1 are displayed, a mode switching button display area 33 where a plurality of mode switching buttons 43 that switch the mode of the control unit 20 are displayed, and an analog diagnostic button 45 that switches the input signals and output signals to analog display.

[0024] The mode switching button 43 is a button that switches the mode of the diagnostic device 30. For example, it is a button that executes multiple modes and the corresponding display formats, such as a mode that displays the amount of resin injected by the injection device 3, the metering time, etc., and a mode that displays the status of each device connected to the control unit 20. The analog diagnostic button 45 is a button that switches the input signal and output signal to analog display.

[0025] Multiple input switching buttons 41 are arranged in a matrix within the input signal display area 31. Each input switching button 41 displays the ON / OFF status of the input signal associated with a device on the injection molding machine body. Each input switching button 41 also functions as a switch button that toggles the ON / OFF status of the associated input signal when pressed (touched) by the operator's finger.

[0026] In the example shown in Figure 3, when the input switching button 41 is ON, it is displayed in a colored state as shown by the shaded pattern, and when it is OFF, it is displayed as a white outline. Specifically, the input switching button 41 in column F of row X10 is displayed as OFF, and the input switching button 41 in column F of row X30 is displayed as ON.

[0027] Multiple output switching buttons 42 are arranged in a matrix within the output signal display area 32. Each output switching button 42 displays the ON / OFF status of the output signal associated with a device on the injection molding machine body. Each output switching button 42 also functions as a switch button that toggles the ON / OFF status of the associated output signal when pressed (touched) by the operator's finger.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 3, when the output switching button 42 is ON, it is displayed in a colored state as shown by the shaded pattern, and when it is OFF, it is displayed as a white outline. Specifically, the output switching button 42 in column 0 of row Y10 is displayed as OFF, and the output switching button 42 in column 1 of row Y40 is displayed as ON.

[0029] The input signal display area 31 and the output signal display area 32 are provided with scroll buttons 44 for scrolling either the input signal display area 31 or the output signal display area 32 vertically. By using the scroll buttons 44, the operator can easily change the rows of input switching buttons 41 and output switching buttons 42 displayed in the input signal display area 31 and the output signal display area 32.

[0030] <Normal Mode> Figure 4 shows the case when the input switching button 41 is touched while the diagnostic device 30 is operating in normal mode. In this embodiment, when the operator touches the input switching button 41, a pop-up screen 50 is displayed. As shown in Figure 4, the pop-up screen 50 displays the touched input switching button 41 and a first information display area 51 above the input switching button 41 that displays information indicating what kind of signal the input signal associated with the input switching button 41 is to the injection molding apparatus 1. In the example shown in Figure 4, Y13 of the input switching button 41 displays "Controller Normal," indicating that the controller signal is being transmitted normally.

[0031] The display of the first information display area 51 is not limited to the example in Figure 4. For example, when an operator touches the input switching button 41 located at Y13, the pop-up screen 50 may not be displayed, and only the first information display area 51 may be displayed in the pop-up screen.

[0032] Similarly, when the output switching button 42 is touched, a pop-up screen 50 is displayed, just like with the input switching button 41. The pop-up screen 50 displays the touched output switching button 42 and a second information display area 52 above the output switching button 42, which displays information indicating what kind of signal the output signal associated with the output switching button 42 is in the injection molding apparatus 1.

[0033] As described above, when the input switching button 41 and the output switching button 42 are touched, a pop-up screen 50 is displayed. The pop-up screen 50 displays either the touched input switching button 41 or output switching button 42, and a first information display area 51 that displays information indicating what kind of signal the input signal associated with the input switching button 41 is to the injection molding apparatus 1, or a second information display area 52 that displays information indicating what kind of signal the output signal associated with the output switching button 42 is to the injection molding apparatus 1. Therefore, by touching the input switching button 41 or output switching button 42, the operator can find out what kind of signal the touched input switching button 41 or output switching button 42 is to the injection molding apparatus 1, and the operator can easily determine the operating status of the injection molding apparatus 1 using the diagnostic device 30.

[0034] <Special Mode> Figure 5 shows the case when the input switching button 41 is touched while the diagnostic device 30 is operating in special mode. In this embodiment, when the operator touches the input switching button 41, a pop-up screen 55 is displayed. As shown in Figure 5, the pop-up screen 55 displays the touched input switching button 41 and a first information display area 51 above the input switching button 41 that displays information indicating what kind of signal the input signal associated with the input switching button 41 is to the injection molding apparatus 1. In the example shown in Figure 5, Y13 of the input switching button 41 displays "Controller Normal," indicating that the controller signal is being transmitted normally.

[0035] Furthermore, below the first information display area 51, there is a forced output button 56 that forcibly inverts the output of the input signal, and an execution switching button 57 that switches the forced output button 56 ON / OFF. In the example shown in Figure 5, both the forced output button 56 and the execution switching button 57 are in the ON state.

[0036] The forced output button 56 forcibly inverts the output of the input signal. This makes it possible to virtually create a state where a signal is being transmitted even when no signal is actually being transmitted, and vice versa. Therefore, since the input signal linked to the input switching button 41 can be virtually turned ON / OFF, it is possible to easily diagnose whether the sensor monitoring the input signal is working properly.

[0037] The execution switch button 57 switches whether or not to execute the function of the forced output button 56. By operating the execution switch button 57, it is possible to prevent the forced output button 56 from being activated accidentally.

[0038] As a variation of this embodiment, when the forced output button 56 is ON, the background, outer frame, etc. of the pop-up screen 55 may be highlighted in red or another color. In this way, it is easy to see that the forced output button 56 is activated, and work errors can be reduced.

[0039] The forced output button 56 and the execution switching button 57 were explained using the input switching button 41 as an example. However, the forced output button 56 and the execution switching button 57 are also provided by the output switching button 42, so the explanation will be redundant and will be omitted.

[0040] <Screen Display Flowchart> Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the screen transitions of the diagnostic device 30. When the diagnostic device 30 is started, step S0 occurs, the screen shown in Figure 3 is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S1.

[0041] In step S1, the system accepts touch input from the operator. When the operator touches the desired input switching button 41, the system proceeds to step S2.

[0042] In step S2, the diagnostic device 30 determines whether the mode being executed is a normal mode or a special mode. If it is a normal mode, the device proceeds to step S3; if it is a special mode, the device proceeds to step S10.

[0043] In step S3, the diagnostic device 30 displays the normal mode screen on the display unit 23 (see Figure 4). Then it proceeds to step S4.

[0044] In step S4, the diagnostic device 30 displays the raw value output from the control unit 20 or the raw value output from the molding apparatus main body as an input switching button 41 or an output switching button 42, and proceeds to step S5.

[0045] In step S5, the molding apparatus main body is controlled using the raw value obtained in step S4.

[0046] In step S10, the diagnostic device 30 displays a special mode screen on the display unit 23 (see FIG. 5). Then, it proceeds to step S11.

[0047] In step S11, the diagnostic device 30 determines whether the forced output button 56 is ON or OFF. If the forced output button 56 is ON, it proceeds to step S12. If the forced output button 56 is OFF, it proceeds to step S4.

[0048] In step S12, the diagnostic device 30 determines whether the execution switching button 57 is ON or OFF. If the execution switching button 57 is ON, it proceeds to step S13. If the execution switching button 57 is OFF, it proceeds to step S4.

[0049] In step S13, the diagnostic device 30 executes the function of the forced output button 56. At this time, if the forced output button 56 is ON, the diagnostic device 30 executes the function of the forced output button 56, forcibly reverses the output of the input signal or output signal, and proceeds to step S5.

[0050] <Analog Display> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example in a state where the analog diagnostic button 45 is executed. When the analog diagnostic button 45 is pressed, the analog diagnostic mode is executed. In the analog diagnostic mode, the display formats of the input signal display unit 31 and the output signal display unit 41 are changed to analog displays, and the analog data detected by each sensor is displayed. As a result, an operator can easily know the analog data of a desired location.

[0051] According to this embodiment, the diagnostic device 30 includes a plurality of input signal display units 31 that display input signals to the injection molding apparatus main body, and a plurality of output signal display units 32 that display output signals from the injection molding apparatus main body. The input signal display unit 31 includes an input switching button 41 that switches the input signal ON / OFF, and a first information display area 51 that displays information indicating what kind of signal the input signal is to the injection molding apparatus main body. The output signal display unit 32 includes an output switching button 42 that switches the output signal ON / OFF, and a second information display area 52 that displays information indicating what kind of signal the output signal is in the injection molding apparatus main body. When the input switching button 41 or the output switching button 42 is pressed, information indicating what kind of signal the input switching button 41 or the output switching button 42 is to be used, or information indicating what kind of signal the injection molding apparatus main body is to be, is displayed in the first information display area 51 or the second information display area 52.

[0052] Therefore, by touching the input switching button 41 or output switching button 42, the operator can confirm information regarding the signal associated with the touched input switching button 41 or output switching button 42 in the first information display area 51 or the second information display area 52. This eliminates the need to separately compare the touched input switching button 41 or output switching button 42 with an electrical circuit diagram, allowing the operator to easily determine the operating status of the injection molding apparatus 1.

[0053] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the diagnostic device 30 has a forced output button 56 that forcibly inverts the output of the input signal or output signal in relation to the input switching button 41 or the output switching button 42. This allows the actual input signal or output signal to be virtually inverted, enabling the injection molding apparatus to be operated. This makes it easy to change the operating status of the injection molding apparatus 1, and thus facilitates the diagnosis of various functions.

[0054] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the diagnostic device 30 further includes an execution switching button 57 for switching the forced output button 56 ON / OFF. This prevents the forced output button 56 from being accidentally executed.

[0055] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the injection molding apparatus 1 is equipped with a diagnostic device 30. This allows the operator to easily determine the operating status of the injection molding apparatus 1.

[0056] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, for example, the input and output signals may be expressed in analog notation, and the input and output signals may include analog signals. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Needless to say, all or part of each of the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate and in a non-contradictory manner.

[0057] 1 Injection molding apparatus 20 Control unit 23 Display unit 30 Diagnostic device 31 Input signal display area 32 Output signal display area 33 Mode switching button display area 41 Input switching button 42 Output switching button 50 Pop-up display 51 First information display area 52 Second information display area 55 Pop-up display 56 Forced output button 57 Execution switching button

Claims

1. A diagnostic device for an injection molding apparatus, comprising a display unit that can input input signals for controlling the injection molding apparatus and displays a pop-up screen that outputs output signals indicating the operating status of the injection molding apparatus, wherein the diagnostic device includes a plurality of input signal display units that display input signals to the injection molding apparatus, and a plurality of output signal display units that display output signals from the injection molding apparatus, the input signal display unit includes an input switching button for switching the input signals ON / OFF, and a first information display area that displays information indicating what kind of signal the input signal is to the injection molding apparatus, the output signal display unit includes an output switching button for switching the output signals ON / OFF, and a second information display area that displays information indicating what kind of signal the output signal is to the injection molding apparatus, A diagnostic device for an injection molding apparatus, characterized in that when the input switching button or the output switching button is pressed, information indicating what kind of signal is associated with the input switching button or the output switching button for the injection molding apparatus, or information indicating what kind of signal is in the injection molding apparatus, is displayed in the first information display area or the second information display area.

2. The diagnostic device for an injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the input switching button or the output switching button further includes a forced output button that forcibly inverts the output of the input signal or the output signal.

3. The diagnostic device for an injection molding apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the input switching button or the output switching button further includes an execution switching button for switching the forced output button ON / OFF.

4. An injection molding apparatus characterized by comprising the diagnostic device described in claim 1.

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