Injection Molding Machine Safety Cover Locking Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injection molding machines pose safety risks during maintenance as high-pressure resin can jet out when the safety cover is opened, even after the motor is stopped, due to unresolved pressure inside the nozzle, leading to potential operator danger.

Innovation Solution

An injection molding machine equipped with an injection pressure detection unit, a locking mechanism, and a lock control unit that inhibits opening of the safety cover when detected pressure is higher than a predetermined value, along with a screw retraction control unit to actively lower pressure, ensuring operator safety by preventing resin ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the motor is stopped to perform maintenance work, then operator safety is improved, but high pressure inside the nozzle remains causing resin to jet out when clogging is eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidresin jetting hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The injection pressure detection unit detects high pressure inside the nozzle before maintenance work begins. The lock control unit receives this detection signal and activates the locking mechanism to prevent safety cover opening, proactively preventing resin jetting hazards before they can occur during maintenance operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The injection pressure detection unit continuously monitors pressure inside the nozzle and provides real-time feedback to the lock control unit. When pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold, the lock control unit immediately activates the locking mechanism, creating a closed-loop safety system that dynamically responds to pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the safety cover is opened for maintenance work, then access to the nozzle is improved, but resin can jet out toward the operator causing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessVSAvoidresin ejection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism physically prevents the safety cover from being opened when the injection pressure detection unit detects high pressure. This preliminary anti-action blocks the harmful pathway (cover opening leading to resin jetting) before the operator can expose themselves to danger, while still allowing access when pressure is safe

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If the locking mechanism is released when the motor stops, then maintenance access is improved, but resin may jet out when pressure is still high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidpressure safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lock control unit continuously receives pressure feedback from the injection pressure detection unit and dynamically controls the locking mechanism accordingly. The system does not rely solely on motor stop signals but maintains locking as long as high pressure is detected, creating a feedback-based safety system that prioritizes pressure monitoring over operational state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10099415B2Injection molding machine

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 FANUC LTD

AI summary

In an injection molding machine, a locking mechanism of a safety cover of the injection molding machine is operated to be in a locked state in a case where injection pressure inside an injection device is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Accordingly, a maintenance work of the injection molding machine can be performed only in a state in which pressure inside an injection cylinder is sufficiently lowered, so that a risk of jetting of resin is lowered and safety of an operator can be secured.