In-Mold Degassing Structure for Injection Molding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mold vent structures require external control mechanisms and repetitive trial-and-error adjustments to manage gas release during injection molding and die casting, leading to defects like short shots and blowholes, especially with varying molten material flow rates and viscosities.

Innovation Solution

An in-mold gas vent structure with a sliding member and acceptor, actuated by an elastic member, that automatically opens and closes in response to the leading end of the molten material flow, allowing gas release without external control, and is adaptable to different material viscosities through non-linear gas release passages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a gas vent path with external control mechanisms is used, then gas can be released from the mold cavity, but the device complexity increases and requires repetitive trial-and-error adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas accumulation in mold cavityVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding member automatically responds to the impelling force from the leading end of the molten material flow, opening the gas vent port without requiring external control mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the material flow's own energy to trigger the gas release action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex external control mechanisms (timers, sensors, actuators) with a simple mechanical sliding member that responds directly to the physical impelling force of the molten material, eliminating the need for electronic or mechanical control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the gas vent port remains open for gas release, then gas can be exhausted from the cavity, but molten material may leak through the vent port causing defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas entrapment in molded productVSAvoidmolten material leakage through vent port
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gas vent port dynamically changes from open to closed state based on the arrival of the molten material's leading end. The sliding member transitions positions in response to the impelling force, automatically adapting the vent port's state to the current phase of the injection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding member is positioned in advance to allow gas venting during the initial phase of injection. When the leading end of the molten material arrives, it triggers the closing action before the bulk of the material can reach the vent port, preventing leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If trial-and-error adjustments are made to control gas venting, then gas release timing can be optimized, but productivity decreases due to repetitive adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas venting timing precisionVSAvoidmolding cycle efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the optimal venting timing by responding to the actual arrival of the molten material's leading end, eliminating the need for operators to perform repetitive trial-and-error adjustments to optimize timing for different materials and conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a slidable core member with timer control is used, then gas venting can be controlled, but the ease of operation decreases due to complex setup requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas removal from cavityVSAvoidcontrol system setup and operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces timer-based control systems with a mechanical response system where the sliding member directly responds to the physical impelling force of the molten material, eliminating complex setup requirements and making the system easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces the occurrence of defects by ensuring complete gas release before the molten material reaches the vent, improving productivity and eliminating the need for complex control systems, and can be easily integrated or detached from molds, reducing manufacturing steps and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a sliding member (10) that receives, from an opposite side, an impelling force exerted by an elastic member (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2149445B1In-mold degassing structure, and mold having the structure
Publication Date: 2011.03.16 KABUSHIKI KAISHA SAITO KANAGATA SEISAKUSHO
  • EP2149445B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(B)
  • EP2149445B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2149445B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(D)

AI summary

Provided are an in-mold degassing structure, which acts by using no external control means, and a mold having that structure. The degassing structure comprises a sliding member (10) for receiving the pushing force of an elastic member from the bottom side, and a sliding member acceptor (20) for accepting the sliding member (10) slidably in the vertical direction. The sliding member (10) includes a vertical bottomed hole (12) communicating with a mold cavity and at least one side opening (13) communicating with the vertical bottom hole and opened to the side face. The sliding member acceptor (20) includes degassing ports (21) communicating in an initial state with the side opening (13) of the sliding member and closed when the sliding member is slid in a direction against the elastic member by the flow tip portion of the molten material. The degassing structure is mounted in the molten material flow passage or in the cavity near the trailing end of the molten material flow passage, thereby to degas the mold inside.