Blow Molded Pin Hinge With Segmented Mold

Solution Overview

Problem

Blow molding processes are limited to producing structures without unsupported elements, as they require additional support, restricting the creation of complex designs with integral, unsupported features like pins within the molded structure.

Innovation Solution

The integration of molded elements, such as pins, into blow molded structures during the molding process, allowing these elements to be supported only at their ends and potentially at intermediate points, enabling the formation of hollow or solid pins that are integral to the structure, which can be used in various applications like hinges and closure mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional blow molding processes are used to produce structures, then the manufacturing process is simple and reliable, but the structure cannot include unsupported elements or minimally supported elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidmolding process capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is divided into multiple sections including a first mold section and a second mold section that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the mold to create cavities that form unsupported elements within the molded structure, enabling complex geometries that were previously impossible with traditional single-cavity molds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a moving second mold section that creates a dynamic cavity space, transforming the static molding process into a multi-stage process. This dimensional change in the molding approach allows unsupported elements to be formed by the sequential action of mold sections moving in different directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If unsupported elements are added to blow molded structures, then design versatility and structural integrity are improved, but the molding process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidmold structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is divided into multiple sections including a first mold section and a second mold section that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the mold to create cavities that form unsupported elements within the molded structure, enabling complex geometries that were previously impossible with traditional single-cavity molds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second mold section moves to preliminarily define a cavity space before the material is fully injected. This preliminary action creates the necessary void space for unsupported elements, allowing the material to be deposited into a pre-configured three-dimensional cavity that maintains structural integrity throughout the molding process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If integral molded elements are created, then the number of parts is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the molding process requires additional support mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparts quantityVSAvoidmolding process

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the formation of unsupported elements with the main molding process by using moving mold sections that create integrated cavities. This combining of functions allows integral elements to be formed without requiring separate manufacturing steps or additional support mechanisms, as the mold itself dynamically creates the necessary three-dimensional space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a moving second mold section that creates a dynamic cavity space, transforming the static molding process into a multi-stage process. This dimensional change in the molding approach allows unsupported elements to be formed by the sequential action of mold sections moving in different directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20230313580A1Blow molded pin for hinge mechanism

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 LIFETIME PRODUCTS

AI summary

In one example, an apparatus includes a blow molded structure with one or more parting lines. The blow molded structure includes a body portion that is an integral part of the blow molded structure, and a pin that is integral with the body portion, and a portion of the pin is spaced apart from the body portion of the blow molded structure so that a space is defined between the portion of the pin and the body portion.