Branching Core-Pin Assembly for Molded Channel Formation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming molded plastic articles fail to efficiently create components with branching channels, which are necessary for compact fluid or liquid transfer applications, as they lack the capability for reliable, high-speed, and accurate production with low waste.
Innovation Solution
A branching core-pin assembly composed of primary, secondary, and tertiary core-pins that reversibly join to form a branching structure, allowing for the creation of non-linear channels in molded components, with the core-pins being made of flexible plastic with a higher melting point than the flowable material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional single core-pin or multiple parallel core-pins are used, then straight or parallel channels can be formed, but branching channels cannot be created
Solution Approach 1:
The core-pin system is divided into a primary core-pin and multiple secondary core-pins that can be independently positioned and configured. Each secondary core-pin can be attached to the primary core-pin at different locations and angles, allowing the formation of branching channel structures while maintaining manageable complexity through modular segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
Secondary core-pins are nested onto the primary core-pin, creating a hierarchical structure where smaller components attach to larger ones. This nesting approach enables complex branching configurations to be built from simpler modular units, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If hard steel core-pins are used, then structural strength is maintained, but flexible branching configurations cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines hard steel primary core-pin (providing structural strength and positioning accuracy) with flexible secondary core-pins (enabling branching configurations). This composite material approach allows both strength and flexibility requirements to be satisfied simultaneously in different parts of the same system
Solution Approach 2:
The core-pin system is segmented into a rigid primary component and flexible secondary components. The primary core-pin maintains structural integrity and positioning, while the attached secondary core-pins provide the necessary flexibility for branching configurations, resolving the strength-flexibility contradiction
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate core-pins are used to form multiple channels, then production speed can be maintained, but branching channel formation is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple secondary core-pins are merged onto a single primary core-pin, forming an integrated branching structure. This merging allows multiple channels to be formed simultaneously in a single molding cycle, maintaining production speed while enabling branching configurations that would otherwise require multiple separate operations
Solution Approach 2:
The nested configuration of secondary core-pins on the primary core-pin allows all branching elements to be positioned and secured before the molding process begins. This pre-assembly approach enables branching channel formation without sacrificing production speed, as the entire branching structure is ready for insertion in a single operation
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
Enables the production of molded components with branching channels that are compact, reliable, and efficient, facilitating high-speed and accurate manufacturing with reduced waste, suitable for fluid or liquid transfer applications.
Implementation Method 1
after plastic flows around the core pin, the plastic cools and solidifies
Data Source
AI summary
A core-pin assembly composed of a primary core-pin and at least one secondary core-pin. The primary core-pin has a primary core-pin body defining at least one element for coupling with a mating end of at least one secondary core-pin. The secondary core-pin has a mating end and a secondary core-pin body. The mating end is configured to fit with the element defined in the primary core-pin body such that the primary core-pin and the secondary core-pin(s) reversibly join together to form a branching structure. The assembly may further include at least one tertiary core-pin and the secondary core-pin body may define at least one element for coupling with a mating end of at least one tertiary core-pin. The mating end of the tertiary core pin is configured to fit with the secondary core-pin body such that the primary core-pin, secondary and tertiary core-pin(s) reversibly join together forming a branching structure.