Blow Mold Locking Mechanism Eliminates Pressure Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forming stations for converting plastic preforms into containers face high manufacturing and process costs due to the need for pressure pads to achieve a flush and form-fitting closure of blow mold parts, which require significant effort, resources, and are prone to technical faults and wear.
Innovation Solution
A forming station with a locking mechanism featuring pivoting locking elements with curved or inclined contact surfaces that self-lock and push blow mold parts together, eliminating the need for pressure pads by ensuring a flush and form-fitting closure, thereby reducing mold gaps and operational complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pressure pad system is used to close the blow mold in a flush and form-fitting manner, then the quality of parting seams is improved, but the manufacturing cost, process cost, and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the pressure pad system from the blow molding machine, replacing it with a locking mechanism that integrates the closing function directly into the mold carrier design. This removes the separate pressure pad component, its sealing requirements, and its control system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining seam quality through the locking elements that provide form-fitting closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the closing function with the locking mechanism by integrating locking elements that have contact surfaces designed to push mold parts together during the locking motion. This combines the previously separate functions of locking (securing the mold closed) and pressing (achieving flush closure) into a single integrated mechanism, eliminating the need for separate pressure pads and their associated complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If a pressure pad system is used to achieve flush closure of blow mold parts, then the quality of parting seams is improved, but the manufacturing cost and process cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the pressure pad system entirely, the invention eliminates the need to manufacture, install, and maintain pressure pads, their sealing components, and the compressed air supply infrastructure. The locking mechanism with integrated contact surfaces provides the necessary closing force as part of the standard locking structure, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining seam quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If a pressure pad system is used to close the blow mold, then the quality of parting seams is improved, but the operational reliability decreases due to higher wear and technical faults
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the pressure pad system, the invention eliminates the sealing surfaces and compressed air components that are prone to wear, leaks, and technical faults. The locking mechanism with contact surfaces provides a more robust solution that relies on mechanical engagement rather than sealed pneumatic components, thereby improving operational reliability while maintaining seam quality.
4Manufacturing precision
If a pressure pad system is used to achieve flush closure, then the quality of parting seams is improved, but the control complexity and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the closing function into the locking mechanism, the invention eliminates the separate control system required for pressure pads. The locking elements are actuated by the same mechanism that closes the mold, requiring no additional control inputs, sensors, or pneumatic regulation. This integration simplifies operation while maintaining the quality of parting seams through the designed contact surfaces.
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 reduces manufacturing and process costs by eliminating the need for pressure pads, minimizing wear, and simplifying control systems, while ensuring high-quality parting seams through precise closure of blow mold parts.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of these contact surfaces is designed in such a way that during a pivoting operation of the second locking element with respect to the pivot axis in the direction of the first locking element, the two side part supports are pushed towards one another
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a reshaping station (1) for reshaping plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers. The reshaping station (1) has two lateral part supports (4, 6) for supporting lateral parts (14, 16) of a blow mold and preferably a base part support for supporting a base part of the blow mold. The lateral parts (14, 16) and the base part (18) of the blow mold together form a cavity (15) within which the plastic preforms (10) can be reshaped into the plastic containers by applying a flowable medium. At least one of the two lateral part supports can be pivoted relative to the other lateral part support with respect to a specified main axis (S) in order to open and/or close the blow mold, and the reshaping station has a locking mechanism in order to lock one lateral part support (4) with the other lateral part support (6) in a closed state of the blow mold. The locking mechanism (20) has a first locking element (22) which can be pivoted with respect to a specified pivot axis (S1) and which engages into a second locking element (24) in order to lock the lateral part supports. According to the invention, at least one of the two locking elements has a first contact surface (26) which is suitable for interacting with a second contact surface (28) of the second locking element (24) when locking with the second locking element (24). At least one of the contact surfaces is designed such that the two lateral part supports (4, 6) are forced against each other during a pivoting process of the first locking element (26) with respect to the pivot axis (S1) in the direction of the second locking element (28).