Counterflow Mold Cooling Channels for Uniform Distant Cooling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mold cooling structures fail to effectively cool the parts of the mold distant from the refrigerant inflow port, leading to inadequate cooling and potential damage due to rising refrigerant temperature and film boiling.

Innovation Solution

A mold cooling structure featuring a first refrigerant flow channel and a second refrigerant flow channel, where the second channel is positioned further from the heating surface and flows in the opposite direction, with a partition allowing mutual heat exchange between the two channels, and varying cross-sectional areas to optimize flow rates and heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single refrigerant flow channel is used to cool the mold, then the structure is simple, but the cooling effect at parts distant from the inflow port is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling structureVSAvoidmold temperature distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The single refrigerant flow channel is divided into multiple flow channels (first, second, third, and fourth refrigerant flow channels) by introducing partition walls. This segmentation allows the refrigerant to flow through multiple paths simultaneously, improving cooling uniformity across different regions of the mold, especially at parts distant from the inflow port.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a multi-dimensional flow path configuration where refrigerant flows in opposite directions through paired channels (first and second channels in one direction, third and fourth channels in the opposite direction). This dimensional arrangement of flow paths enhances heat exchange efficiency and cooling distribution throughout the mold.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the refrigerant flow channel is extended to reach distant parts of the mold, then cooling coverage is improved, but the refrigerant temperature rises and film boiling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling coverageVSAvoidcooling effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces opposite-direction flow channels where refrigerant flows in reverse directions through paired channels. This inversion allows cooler refrigerant to continuously reach distant mold regions through the oppositely directed channels, preventing temperature rise and film boiling while expanding cooling coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

Partition walls serve as intermediaries that divide the flow path into multiple segments while allowing thermal interaction between adjacent channels. This mediator structure enables the refrigerant system to extend cooling coverage to distant mold parts without excessive temperature rise, as the partitioned channels facilitate distributed heat exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If multiple refrigerant flow channels are introduced to improve cooling uniformity, then cooling effectiveness is enhanced, but the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemold temperature uniformityVSAvoidflow channel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple refrigerant flow channels are merged into a unified cooling system where the first and second channels form one flow path and the third and fourth channels form another. This merging approach achieves uniform temperature distribution through coordinated multi-channel flow while maintaining structural integration, reducing overall system complexity compared to entirely separate cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration ensures effective cooling of the mold even at distant parts, suppressing refrigerant temperature rise and preventing damage by enhancing heat exchange and flow efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

mutual heat exchange between the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant is performable via the partition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

mutual heat exchange between the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant is performable via the partition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a mold cooling structure to cool a heating surface includes: a first refrigerant flow channel through which a first refrigerant for cooling the mold flows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

a first refrigerant flow channel through which a first refrigerant for cooling the mold flows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3981572B1Mold cooling structure

Publication Date: 2023.06.14 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3

AI summary

A mold cooling structure according to the present disclosure includes a first refrigerant flow channel (13) through which a first refrigerant for cooling a mold (1) flows; and a second refrigerant flow channel (14) through which a second refrigerant for cooling the first refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant flow channel (13) flows. Further, the second refrigerant flow channel (14) extends along the first refrigerant flow channel (13). Furthermore, mutual heat exchange between the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant is performable.