Hydroforming Injection Nozzle Axial Compression Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydroforming stations face contamination issues due to liquid leakage and seal damage from frequent high-force nozzle movements, leading to reduced production rates and short seal life.
Innovation Solution
The hydroforming method eliminates the need for a sealing ring by using a movable injection nozzle with a second contact surface that abuts an abutment surface, providing controlled axial compression of the neck, ensuring liquid tightness without a seal, and allowing for traditional actuators, thus reducing costs and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is used to prevent liquid leakage during injection, then liquid tightness is improved, but the seal is damaged by frequent high-force nozzle movements reducing its life duration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the seal component entirely from the system. Instead of using a seal that would wear out from frequent compression during high-speed nozzle movements, the design creates a sealless liquid-tight connection between the injection nozzle and the preform neck through precise geometric mating surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the sealing function into multiple contact surfaces distributed along the nozzle-neck interface. Rather than relying on a single seal element, the sealing is achieved through multiple localized contact zones that collectively prevent liquid leakage without requiring a separate seal component.
2Productivity
If the nozzle is moved back and forth at high frequency to achieve high production rate, then productivity is improved, but the seal is damaged reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the seal component that would be damaged by frequent high-frequency nozzle movements. By removing this vulnerable part, the system can operate at high production rates without compromising reliability from seal degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention designs the nozzle and preform interface to dynamically accommodate high-frequency movements. The geometric mating surfaces are designed to maintain liquid-tight sealing through controlled deformation and contact pressure adjustments during rapid nozzle positioning, enabling high productivity without seal damage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a seal is used to prevent liquid leakage, then contamination is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the seal component from the nozzle assembly, thereby reducing device complexity. The sealless design eliminates the need for seal installation, alignment, and maintenance while still preventing liquid leakage and contamination through geometric sealing surfaces.
4Speed
If the nozzle applies large axial force to achieve quick movements, then speed is improved, but the seal is pressed against the finish causing damage and leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the seal that would be damaged by large axial forces during rapid nozzle movements. Without a seal to protect, the system can apply necessary forces for high-speed operation without risking seal failure, leakage, or contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention designs the nozzle and preform interface with geometric features that distribute and cushion the large axial forces before they reach the sealing interface. The controlled deformation zones and contact surface geometries absorb impact forces, preventing damage while maintaining liquid-tight sealing during high-speed operations.
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 stabilizes sealing, reduces contamination, and extends equipment life, enabling high production output while minimizing leaks and maintenance, with precise control over contact pressure and easy cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The injected liquid urges the preform 1 and expands it against the mold cavity
Implementation Method 2
the neck is axially compressed between the support surface and the first contact surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method of hydroforming a container from a preform. During the method, an injection nozzle is moved from a retracted position, where the nozzle is spaced away from the neck of the preform, to an intermediate position, where contact is established between a first contact surface of the nozzle and the finish of the preform. The nozzle is then moved from the intermediate position to an injection position, where a second contact surface of the nozzle abuts an abutment surface and the neck is axially compressed. With the nozzle in the injection position, a liquid is injected from the nozzle into the preform causing the preform to expand and form the container.