Blow Molding Valve Cover Layout for Compact, Replaceable Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blow molding machines face challenges in compactly arranging valves while maintaining ease of replacement and minimizing space requirements and dead spaces within the device.
Innovation Solution
A valve device with a housing block, movable pistons, and channels where the second channel runs partially in a cover, allowing for a more compact design and easy replacement of valves, with the valve chamber partially in the cover surrounding the piston, reducing space requirements and dead spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the second channel runs in the housing block, then the valve unit is compact, but the space requirements and dead spaces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve unit is segmented into modular components: the housing block containing the first channel and valve inlet, the cover containing the second channel and valve outlet, and the valve assembly in between. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for space efficiency while reducing overall dead space.
Solution Approach 2:
The second channel is routed through the cover rather than extending through the housing block, utilizing the vertical dimension and lateral space more efficiently. This dimensional reorganization reduces the linear length of fluid paths and minimizes dead spaces in the housing block.
2Device complexity
If the valve chamber is arranged in the housing block, then the structure is simple, but the space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve chamber is segregated into the cover component rather than being integrated into the housing block. This segmentation places the valve chamber where it is most space-efficient, surrounding the piston in the cover, while keeping the housing block compact and dedicated to the first channel and inlet connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is nested within the valve chamber that is formed in the cover. This nested arrangement allows the valve chamber to efficiently surround the piston, maximizing space utilization and minimizing the overall volume of the valve unit while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Ease of repair
If the first channel is made long to accommodate valve replacement, then the valve is easily replaceable, but the dead space and response time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented as a separate replaceable unit with the cover attached, allowing the entire valve-covers assembly to be removed and replaced as one module. This eliminates the need for long access channels while maintaining ease of replacement, as the compact modular unit can be quickly removed and installed without requiring extended fluid channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is extracted as a separate serviceable component from the housing block. By making the valve and cover a removable assembly, maintenance personnel can access and replace the valve without disassembling the entire housing block or navigating long internal channels, thus reducing both access complexity and dead space.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A blow molding device for forming hollow bodies, in particular a stretch blow molding machine, comprises: - a housing block (1) with a through-bore (10), - at least one valve (5) with a movable piston (50) and with a valve chamber (590), - a first channel (11) running in the housing block (1) and connecting the valve chamber (590) to the through-bore (10), - a second channel (14, 33; 140) connecting the valve chamber (590) to an external line, and - a cover (3, 3', 3") for attaching the valve (5) to the housing block (1). The valve (5) connects and separates the first channel (11) and the second channel (14, 33; 140). The second channel (14, 33) runs at least partially in the cover (3) and/or at least part of the valve chamber (590) is in the cover (3, 3', 3"). 3") arranged and surrounds the piston (50). The device is small and compact and the valves are easy to replace.