Adjustable Mould with Hydraulic Slats for Rapid Width Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for bending material require time-consuming manual adjustments of mould cavity width due to limited and cumbersome adjusting blocks, restricting the precision and speed of the bending process.

Innovation Solution

The device employs movable adjusting slats with gripping means, allowing for quick adjustment of the mould cavity width by changing the stop position, either in the height or longitudinal direction, facilitated by hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrically driven mechanisms, enabling faster and more precise control of the bending process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual adjusting blocks are used to control mould cavity width, then the device structure is simple, but the adjustment time is excessive and productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment speedVSAvoidadjusting mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjusting blocks with an automated adjusting mechanism comprising a drive unit, screw rod, and adjusting sleeves. The drive unit converts rotational motion to linear motion through the screw rod, automatically positioning the adjusting sleeves against the mould halves to control cavity width, thereby eliminating manual intervention and significantly reducing adjustment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjusting mechanism is designed to automatically perform the adjustment function without external manual operation. The drive unit autonomously actuates the screw rod and adjusting sleeves to achieve the desired cavity width, making the system self-sufficient in its adjustment operation and eliminating the time-consuming manual block placement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjusting blocks are manually placed to achieve desired width, then the stop position can be adjusted, but the operation is time consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemould cavity width adjustment rangeVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic adjusting mechanism where the adjusting sleeves can move along the screw rod to different positions. The drive unit can position the sleeves at various locations along the mould cavity width range, providing adaptability for different width requirements while maintaining rapid automated adjustment without the time loss associated with manual block placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If adjusting blocks are used as stops for mould halves, then the mould width can be controlled, but the manual operation reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemould cavity width control precisionVSAvoidbending process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual adjusting blocks with an automated adjusting mechanism that uses a drive unit, screw rod, and adjusting sleeves. This automated system maintains precise control of mould cavity width through the mechanical advantage of the screw mechanism while eliminating manual operation, thereby preserving manufacturing precision and simultaneously improving bending process efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly reduces the time and effort required to adjust the mould cavity width, allowing for more efficient bending of materials by enabling rapid changes in the stop position, thus enhancing the speed and precision of the material bending process.

Implementation Method 1

the gripping means are, for example, hydraulically driven lifting means, provided for lifting a variable number of adjusting slats

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the gripping means are, for example, pneumatic or electrically driven gripping means which are provided for gripping a variable number of the adjusting slats and moving them in longitudinal direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic: Gas Compressor

Data Source

PatentEP3475007B1Adjustable mould
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 VLM
  • EP3475007B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3475007B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3475007B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for bending material, wherein the device comprises adjusting means to adjust the width of the mould. The adjusting means comprise a plurality of adjusting slats which are movable in the longitudinal direction. The adjusting slats are carried out such that by displacing a number of the adjusting slats, each time, one of the adjusting slats forms a stop for the corresponding outer wails of the corresponding mould half.