Glass Mold Opening Assembly Vertical Actuator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mold opening/closing assemblies for glassware molding machines are bulky and difficult to install on new-generation forming sections, leading to issues during dismantling and maintenance, and result in substandard glass articles due to friction-related control problems.
Innovation Solution
A mold opening/closing assembly with two actuating arms rotating about parallel vertical axes, driven by a central linear actuator and two lateral linear actuators, featuring a mechanical transmission with an input member translating along a central axis and cranks connected to torsion shafts, allowing for compact design and reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mold opening/closing assemblies are used, then the mold can be opened and closed, but the assembly becomes bulky and difficult to install on new-generation forming sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the actuator from a horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal bulk of the assembly. The actuator is mounted on the supporting structure and connects vertically to the actuating arm, allowing the assembly to fit within the vertical space of the forming section while minimizing interference with other components in the horizontal forming direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly is divided into modular components: a supporting structure, an actuator, a mechanical transmission, and actuating arms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier installation and maintenance. The supporting structure with integrated actuator and transmission can be installed as a unit, reducing installation complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the actuator is located close to the molds to minimize slack, then control precision improves, but the assembly becomes even bulkier in the forming direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional direct mechanical linkage with a mechanical transmission system comprising a crank connected to a torsion shaft. This transmission mechanism allows the actuator to be positioned farther from the mold while maintaining control precision through the mechanical advantage and geometric relationships of the crank-torsion shaft-arm linkage, thereby reducing the bulk of the assembly in the forming direction.
3Ease of operation
If dedicated mechanical transmissions with vertical actuators are used, then installation problems are solved, but the number of moving parts increases leading to friction and control difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuator and mechanical transmission into an integrated unit mounted on the supporting structure. The actuator connects directly to the crank, which is attached to the torsion shaft, forming a compact assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate components and connection points, thereby reducing friction and simplifying control while maintaining ease of installation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If more moving parts are used in the transmission, then the mechanism can accommodate various motions, but friction increases affecting dead centre positions and production quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts unnecessary intermediate moving parts from the transmission mechanism. The direct connection from actuator to crank to torsion shaft to actuating arm creates an efficient four-bar linkage mechanism that achieves the required motion transformation with minimal components. This extraction of redundant parts reduces friction and improves control reliability, particularly at dead centre positions, while maintaining the adaptability to produce the required mold opening and closing motions.
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
The assembly reduces bulk and friction, enabling precise control and easy installation/removal, resulting in improved glass article quality and production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
actuating means, and a mechanical transmission interposed between said actuating arms and said actuating means; and the assembly being characterized in that said actuating means comprise a central linear actuator, and two lateral linear actuators
Implementation Method 2
For each said actuating arm, the transmission preferably comprises a crank connected to the input member to rotate in axially-fixed manner about said central axis
Implementation Method 3
cranks connected to torsion shafts, allowing for compact design and reduced friction
Data Source
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AI summary
A mold of a glassware molding machine (1) has two half-molds (6, 7) movable between a closed molding position and an open extraction position by a mold opening/closing assembly (10), wherein two actuating arms (8), each fitted to a respective half-mold (6, 7), are rotated about respective fixed hinge axes (9a) by an actuator assembly (12) having a central linear actuator (14), and two lateral linear actuators (15) (16) located substantially on opposite sides of the central actuator (14); the actuators (14) (15) (16) having respective movable members (14b)(15b)(16b) translating respectively along a central axis (14c) and two lateral axes (15c)(16c) parallel to one another and to the fixed hinge axes (9a); and the central axis (14c) being located at a distance from a plane (P1) of the lateral axes (15c)(16c).