Blow Molding Machine Liquid Temperature Control System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Blow molding machines face challenges in maintaining optimal operating temperatures for functional equipment components like electric servomotors and electronic control devices, which are prone to overheating due to high temperature loads during production, affecting process and operational reliability.

Innovation Solution

A liquid temperature control system is integrated to set and maintain optimal operating temperatures for functional equipment components, using combined temperature circuits and a centralized control unit, which can operate independently or in conjunction with the primary function temperature control system, and includes features like rotary feedthroughs for heat transfer and air conditioning units to manage heat effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electric servomotors and electronic control devices are used for secondary functions in blow molding stations, then movement control sensitivity and individual control processes are improved, but heat generation and temperature load on functional equipment components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement control sensitivityVSAvoidtemperature load on functional equipment components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the temperature control into separate circuits: a first temperature control circuit for blow molds and a second temperature control circuit for functional equipment components. This segmentation allows independent temperature management for each component type, preventing the heat generated by electric servomotors and electronic devices from affecting the blow molds, while also preventing ambient heat from overheating the functional equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different temperature levels to different locations/components based on their specific requirements. The second temperature control circuit provides localized temperature control for functional equipment components (servomotors, frequency converters, control units) that generate or are sensitive to heat, while the first circuit maintains optimal temperatures for blow molds. This local quality approach ensures each component operates at its optimal temperature without being affected by thermal conditions of other components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If multiple separate feeds and returns for mold shells and bottom molds extend from the rotary union, then temperature control for blow molds is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control for blow moldsVSAvoidstructure of temperature control system
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the temperature control for blow molds and functional equipment components into a unified liquid temperature control system. The first and second temperature control circuits share common infrastructure including the liquid supply, rotary feedthrough, and temperature control device, while maintaining separate control paths. This combining approach reduces overall system complexity compared to having completely separate systems, while still enabling independent temperature management for different components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid temperature control system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both blow molds and functional equipment components through a single integrated system. The temperature control device can selectively direct temperature-controlled liquid to different circuits based on operational requirements, making the system universal rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If functional equipment components are exposed to high ambient temperatures, then production continuity is maintained, but operational reliability and service life of functional equipment components decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction continuityVSAvoidoperational reliability of functional equipment components
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of ambient heat into a beneficial controlled thermal environment. Instead of allowing functional equipment components to be passively exposed to high ambient temperatures that reduce reliability, the second temperature control circuit actively manages thermal conditions. The system can provide cooling when ambient temperatures are high or heating when temperatures are low, transforming the unpredictable harmful thermal environment into a controlled beneficial condition that extends component service life while maintaining production continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 ensures reliable operation and extended service life of blow molding machines by maintaining functional equipment components at optimal temperatures, enhancing process and operational reliability while simplifying the machine's structure and reducing external liquid supply needs.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid temperature control system T for the functional equipment components (4) of secondary functions... which rotates with it and is connected, for example, via a flow and a return (26, 27) to a central supply arranged in the stationary part (2) or outside of the blow molding machine B... used to set and maintain optimal operating temperatures for functional equipment components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a primary function liquid temperature-control system (6) for the blow molds (3)... which is connected via a rotary feedthrough (5) to a central supply arranged in the stationary part (2) or outside of the blow molding machine B

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2383101B1Blow molding machine
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 KRONES AG
  • EP2383101B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2383101B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2383101B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In a blow molding machine (B) for producing containers (F) from tempered preforms (P) into tempered blow molds (3) having blowing stations (S), wherein at least the blowing stations (S) are assigned functional equipment components (4), such as at least electric servomotors (18, 19) for controlling and/or monitoring secondary functions in the production operation, a controllable and electrically operated liquid temperature control system (T) supplied by at least one temperature control unit (24) is integrated into the blow molding machine (B) and guided via the functional equipment components (4) for tempering at least some functional equipment components (4) for secondary functions.