Adapter for Incompatible Mold Bottom Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Container manufacturers face the challenge of compatibility issues between mold support fastening means and mold bottoms when upgrading their molding systems, requiring the replacement of all molds, even if they are still in good condition, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An adapter is interposed between the mold support and mold bottom, featuring non-complementary fastening means for quick release attachment, allowing the mold bottom to be mounted and dismounted independently of the mold support's fastening system, utilizing axial sliding and pivoting movements with locking mechanisms for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mold support fastening means are modified in a new version of forming installation, then the molding system is upgraded with improved performance, but the existing mold bottoms become incompatible and must be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the mounting system into three separate components: the mold support with its fastening means, the adapter with complementary fastening means, and the mold bottom with its own fastening means. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and replaced, so when the mold support is upgraded, only the adapter needs to be changed rather than the entire mold assembly, thereby reducing costs while maintaining compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the mold support and the mold bottom. It mediates the connection between these two elements, allowing compatibility between different versions of mold supports and mold bottoms. The adapter translates the fastening interface from one standard to another, enabling the mold bottom to work with both old and new mold support systems without modification.
2Ease of operation
If the mold bottom is designed with specific fastening means for quick replacement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different mold support versions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fastening interface into two separate adapters (one on the mold support side, one on the mold bottom side), the invention allows each side to maintain its own quick-release mechanism design. The mold bottom retains its quick replacement capability through its dedicated fastening means, while the adapter on the mold support side provides the necessary interface adaptation, thus preserving both ease of operation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed as a universal component that can interface with multiple versions of mold support fastening means. It provides multi-functionality by serving as a compatibility layer that works with both old and new mold support designs while maintaining the quick replacement capability through its own fastening mechanism, thus achieving both adaptability and ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all molds are replaced when upgrading the molding system, then full compatibility with the new system is achieved, but the loss of time and resources increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the replacement requirement so that only the adapter component needs to be changed when upgrading to a new molding system, rather than replacing the entire mold assembly. This dramatically reduces the time and resources required for upgrading, as the adapter is a small, simple component compared to the complete mold set, while still achieving full compatibility through the adapted interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as a mediator that enables compatibility between the new molding system and existing mold bottoms without requiring complete replacement. By introducing this intermediate component, the system achieves full compatibility with the upgraded molding system while preserving the existing mold inventory, thereby minimizing the time and resources lost during the transition.
4Ease of operation
If the fastening means are designed for quick release attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the connection may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into multiple fastening points and mechanisms distributed between the mold support, adapter, and mold bottom. This segmentation allows each fastening point to contribute to the overall connection stability, so that even though individual fastening mechanisms are designed for quick release, the cumulative effect of multiple distributed fastening points maintains high connection reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to means for mounting a mold bottom (16) used for forming containers of thermoplastic material, in particular by stretch blow molding, from a preform on a mold support (24) of a molding unit (10), the mold bottom (16) being located at a lower vertical end of a mold (12), characterized in that the mounting means comprise an adapter (29) to be axially interposed between the mold support (24) below and the mold bottom (16) above, the adapter (29) comprising: - first fastening means (26B) for quick release attachment of the adapter (29) to the mold support (24); and - second fastening means (28B) for the quick-release attachment of the mold bottom (16) to the adapter (29).