Injection Piston Carriage Alignment for Moulding Machine Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for removing and installing injection pistons in molding machines are inefficient, often requiring significant manual effort and risk of damage due to the need for non-aligned pulling or pushing forces, especially given the large size and weight of the pistons.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a lifting table with a movable carriage and drive mechanism, including a toothed pinion and rack system, allows for the injection piston to be easily installed or removed along its longitudinal axis, reducing the effort required and minimizing the risk of jamming or deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a transport crane is used to remove the injection piston, then the piston can be lifted, but the crane cannot exert a horizontal traction force along the piston's longitudinal axis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehorizontal traction forceVSAvoidpiston removal operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A carriage system acts as an intermediary between the lifting table and the injection piston. The carriage can move horizontally along the lifting table and is equipped with a pulling mechanism that applies force directly along the piston's longitudinal axis, enabling proper alignment during removal without requiring the crane to provide horizontal force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the injection piston is pulled with a force not coincident with its longitudinal axis, then removal may proceed, but blockages and jamming occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston removal speedVSAvoidpiston removal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage system provides dynamic positioning and movement capabilities, allowing the pulling force to be continuously adjusted to remain aligned with the piston's longitudinal axis throughout the removal process. This dynamic alignment prevents blockages and jamming while maintaining efficient removal speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If manual effort is used to move the heavy piston, then installation may be completed, but significant effort and risk of damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston installation easeVSAvoidinjection piston weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting table provides a counterbalancing support system that carries the weight of the heavy injection piston (around 250 kg). This allows operators to manipulate and position the piston with minimal effort, as the lifting table counteracts the gravitational force, eliminating the need for manual lifting while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 device enables safe and efficient installation and removal of injection pistons by exerting a push or pull force along the piston's axis, reducing the effort needed by 10 times and preventing jamming or deformation, thus simplifying the process without additional manual effort.

Implementation Method 1

the carriage drive means are in the form of a toothed pinion meshing in a rack as complementary drive means carried by the lifting table

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRack and pinion: Rack and Pinion

Implementation Method 2

a reduction member being operational between the first flywheel and the toothed pinion. The reducer with a ratio of 1/10 makes it possible to reduce the effort of pushing and pulling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3585536B1Device for installing an injection piston in or removing same from a moulding machine
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3585536B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3585536B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3585536B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention concerns a device (1) for installing an injection piston (2) in or removing same from a moulding machine (3). The device (1) comprises a lift table (4) supporting an attachment system (5) for attaching one end (2a) of the injection piston (2). The attachment system (5) is mounted on a carriage (6) that is movable in translation on the lift table (4) in two opposing directions. The movable carriage (6) has drive means cooperating with complementary drive means carried by the lift table (4), the drive means of the movable carriage (6) being operated by means of an operator acting on actuation means (9) for actuating said drive means. The invention is useful in the field of moulding machines with injection pistons.