Inductive Heating for Blow Molds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blow molding devices face challenges in precise temperature control of blow molds, particularly during the relaxation and hotfill processes, as they often require separate heating and cooling circuits for mold halves and base molds, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an inductive heating system within the mold holder, where high-frequency magnetic fields induce heating in adapters that transfer heat to the blow mold without direct contact, allowing for targeted temperature control and the potential elimination of redundant heating circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If separate heating and cooling circuits are used for mold halves and base molds, then temperature control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidheating and cooling circuits
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heating function into a single integrated heating plate that can simultaneously heat both the mold halves and base mold, eliminating the need for separate heating circuits. The heating plate is positioned to transfer heat to both components through thermal conduction, while cooling circuits remain separate for each component, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining temperature control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple heating circuits are implemented, then temperature profiles can be controlled, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature profile controlVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heating plate is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones, each capable of being heated to different temperatures. This segmentation allows for precise temperature profile control across different areas of the mold while using a single integrated heating component, thereby achieving manufacturing precision without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If redundant heating circuits are eliminated, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control reliability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating circuitsVSAvoidtemperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating plate incorporates different heating zones with locally optimized thermal properties and independent temperature control. Each zone can be tailored to provide the specific temperature profile required for different areas of the mold, ensuring reliable temperature control for the entire system while using a single integrated heating component rather than multiple separate heating circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables precise temperature control of blow molds, reduces the need for multiple heating and cooling circuits, and allows for the generation of specific temperature profiles along the mold, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the blow molding process.

Implementation Method 1

An inductor acts via a high-frequency magnetic field on an adapter spaced from the inductor, which heats up and in turn heats up the blow mold without coming into direct contact with the container that rests on the blow mold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

An inductive heating system is then provided, as a special form of electrical heating. According to the invention, the blow mold can be heated indirectly inductively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

which heats up and in turn heats up the blow mold without coming into direct contact with the container that rests on the blow mold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3810398B1Device for producing containers by blow moulding
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 KHS GMBH
  • EP3810398B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3810398B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3810398B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for producing containers (22) by blow moulding, having at least one temperature-controllable blow mould (21) held by a mould receptacle (20), specifically having a base insert held by a base mould carrier and/or mould inserts held by mould-half carriers. The device is characterised by an inductively acting heating system, which indirectly inductively heats the base insert and/or the mould inserts.