Corrugator Mold Temperature Control via Integrated Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for producing plastic pipes face challenges in effectively controlling the temperature of mold blocks, leading to inconsistent mold surface temperatures and reduced pipe quality.

Innovation Solution

A stationary guide and temperature control device is integrated into the corrugator, featuring temperature control medium channels and surfaces with guide recesses and elevations, ensuring precise temperature control and uniform distribution across mold surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a stationary guide and temperature control device is integrated into the corrugator, then temperature control precision and uniformity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold surface temperature uniformityVSAvoidcorrugator structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the guide device and temperature control device into a single integrated stationary unit that interacts with the mold blocks. The guide surfaces and temperature control surfaces are merged into one structure, allowing simultaneous guidance and thermal regulation functions to be performed by a single component rather than separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stationary guide and temperature control device serves multiple functions: it guides the mold blocks through the corrugator, controls their temperature distribution, and provides structural support. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system while improving manufacturing precision.

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

2Temperature

If temperature control medium channels are added to the guide device, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold block temperature controlVSAvoidguide device structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control medium channels are integrated directly into the guide device structure. The channels are formed within the body of the guide and temperature control device, allowing coolant or heating medium to flow through the same component that provides mechanical guidance, eliminating the need for separate temperature control apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If guide recesses with elevations and depressions are formed in the temperature control surface, then guidance precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold block guidance precisionVSAvoidguide device manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guide surfaces feature localized elevations and depressions that create specific contact points and guidance geometries. These local variations in surface topology provide precise guidance for the mold blocks while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. The complex guidance function is achieved through local surface features rather than complex global geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides consistent and optimized temperature control, enhancing the guidance and heat transfer of mold jaws, resulting in improved pipe quality and production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the guide and/or temperature control body device has a temperature control surface device which faces the outside of the passing mold jaws with heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

A preferably fluid temperature control medium flows through the temperature control medium channel device, as a result of which the preferably stationary guide and/or temperature control body device is given a predetermined temperature and temperature distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3349961B1Device for producing plastic tubing
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 UNICOR
  • EP3349961B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3349961B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3349961B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A device (10) is described for producing plastic tubing (10), comprising an extruder (9) with an extrusion head (9s) and a corrugator (1), into which a molten plastic tube is fed via the extrusion head (9s) for shaping the plastic tubing (10), wherein: the corrugator (1) has a moulding section (1f) in which moulding jaws (5) are guided in pairs in the production direction; in an inlet section (1e) of the corrugator (1), the moulding jaws (5) are guided together to form a moulding jaw pair at the start of the moulding section (1f); and in an outlet section (1a) of the corrugator (1), the moulding jaw pairs are guided away from one another at the end of the moulding section (1f). An essential feature is that the guide device (6) has a guiding and/or temperature-control body unit (8, 8i), that the guiding and/or temperature-control body unit (8, 8i) has a temperature-control medium channel unit (8k) through which a temperature-control medium can flow, and that the guiding and/or temperature-control body unit (8, 8i) has a guide and/or a temperature-control surface unit which faces the exterior of the passing moulding jaws (5) whilst transmitting heat.