Guillotine Obturating Valve for Stem-Free Molding Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection molding technologies suffer from flow perturbations and defects due to the presence of stems or guillotines that cause material buildup, stagnation, and uneven flow, leading to waste and product defects.
Innovation Solution
A guillotine obturation valve with rotatable members that control the flow of molten material by rotating to translate obturating members along orthogonal or inclined axes, eliminating stems and reducing pressure drops, and allowing precise, compact, and synchronized actuation of multiple obturating members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stem is used to control the flow of molten material, then the flow can be regulated, but flow perturbations increase and material buildup occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the stem component from the injection molding system, replacing it with a guillotine valve mechanism that closes the channel without requiring a stem extending into the flow path. This eliminates the source of flow perturbations and material buildup while maintaining flow control capability through the valve's closing action.
2Productivity
If oblique stems are used to control multiple injectors, then simultaneous opening and closing is achieved, but material is pushed against the channel surface causing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the oblique stem mechanism entirely and replaces it with guillotine valves that close vertically at the channel outlet. This eliminates the squeezing effect that pushes material against the channel surface, preventing defects while maintaining the ability to simultaneously control multiple injectors through a centralized actuation system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using stems that push material from the inlet side, the invention uses guillotine valves that close from the outlet side, inverting the control mechanism. This reversal prevents material from being compressed against the channel walls during the closing action, eliminating the defect-causing squeezing effect.
3Productivity
If a single movable guillotine is used, then multiple injectors can be controlled, but material is squashed toward the nozzle perimeter causing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the single guillotine valve into multiple individual guillotine valves, each positioned at or near the outlet of its respective injector channel. This segmentation allows each valve to close locally without pushing material laterally, eliminating the squashing effect while maintaining simultaneous control capability through coordinated actuation of all valves.
4Manufacturing precision
If two opposing guillotines are used with distant actuators, then closing point is at channel center, but actuation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex distant actuator mechanism, replacing it with simple local actuators positioned near each guillotine valve. This simplification maintains the ability to achieve precise closing positions while eliminating the need for complicated long-distance actuation systems with multiple linkages and synchronization mechanisms.
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 solution reduces material waste, eliminates defects, and ensures uniform flow and precise control of molten material, enhancing injector performance and mold durability.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the obturating member is coupled, in particular directly, to the rotatable member so that a rotation of the rotatable member entails a translation of the obturating member along the second axis from and/or toward said point
Data Source
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AI summary
An obturation valve is described for controlling a flow of molten material exiting a nozzle towards a mold cavity, comprising: • a channel, for the molten material, which extends along a first axis, • an obturating member mounted - movably along a respective second axis, and - so that a free end of the obturating member can move towards, and reach, a point inside the channel to throttle the channel thereby regulating said flow, • a rotatable member placed in proximity of the nozzle, wherein a portion of the obturating member is coupled to the rotatable member so that a rotation of the rotatable member entails a translation of the obturating member along the second axis from and/or towards said point.