Ball Plunger Ejector Pin Retaining Unit for Compact Mold Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-stage ejection mechanisms in injection molds are cumbersome due to the use of two ejector plates, making them difficult to compact and limiting versatility, with existing retaining mechanisms lacking ease of incorporation and adaptability.

Innovation Solution

A retaining unit with a movable first member and a fixed second member, utilizing a pressing unit that can be detachably incorporated into a fixing member, allowing adjustable engagement and disengagement, enabling compact and versatile ejection mechanisms with adjustable pressing force, and incorporating a biasing unit for controlled movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional mold extrusion mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the extruded product has poor quality and low appearance grade due to scratches and dirt contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct qualityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mold extrusion mechanism is divided into multiple independent holding units, each responsible for holding a specific mold. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently for preventing contamination while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A clean room structure is introduced as an intermediary environment between the extrusion mechanism and the external environment. This clean room prevents dirt and contaminants from reaching the mold and extruded product, improving product quality without complicating the extrusion mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the holding unit structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and reliability of mold holding deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding unit structureVSAvoidmold holding stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding unit is segmented into distinct functional components: a holding table for supporting the mold, holding arms for securing the mold, and a lifting mechanism for movement. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in structure while collectively providing reliable mold holding through their coordinated functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If multiple molds are held simultaneously in a single location, then productivity increases, but the risk of contamination and quality defects increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextrusion outputVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple molds are distributed across multiple separate holding units rather than concentrated in a single location. This spatial segmentation reduces the risk of contamination spreading between molds while maintaining high productivity through parallel processing of multiple extrusion operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clean room structure serves as an intermediary protective environment that allows multiple molds to be held and operated simultaneously without exposing them to external contaminants. This enables increased productivity while maintaining product quality by preventing scratches and dirt contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution allows for a compact, versatile, and easily integratable ejection mechanism that can be adapted to various molds, facilitating efficient ejection operations while maintaining structural simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the pressing unit may be configured such that a pressing force thereof to the second member is adjustable in a state in which the pressing unit is incorporated into the first member or the fixing member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3628462B1Holding unit and mold extrusion mechanism provided with holding unit
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 TECHNOCRATS CORP
  • EP3628462B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3628462B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3628462B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A retaining unit includes: a movable ejector pin (10); a ring-shaped member (11) used in a fixed state; and a ball plunger (12) directly attached to the ejector pin (10) or fixed to a fixing member (22) attached to the ejector pin (10). The ball plunger (12) is configured to press the ring-shaped member (11) and engage the ejector pin (10) with the ring-shaped member (11). When a force at a predetermined level or higher is applied to the ejector pin (10) in a movement direction of the ejector pin (10), the engagement with the ring-shaped member (11) is released so that the ejector pin (10) is allowed to move. The ball plunger (12) is incorporated into the ejector pin (10) or the fixing member (22) so as to be unitized together.