Interlocking Mold Fixing Unit for Simultaneous Material Forming

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Simultaneously forming two materials in a mold device often results in forming failures due to material movement, leading to defects and increased processing time.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a first mold with a first forming unit and a second mold with a supporting unit, along with an interlocking mold that fixes and forms the second material in association with the first material, using a fixing unit and an interlocking unit to prevent movement and ensure precise shaping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If two materials are simultaneously press-formed in one mold device, then productivity is improved by forming multiple materials at once, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to material movement causing forming failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforming speedVSAvoidforming accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mold device is segmented into multiple independent mold cavities (first mold cavity, second mold cavity) that can simultaneously form different materials. Each cavity is independently controlled with its own forming unit, allowing simultaneous production while maintaining precision through spatial separation of forming zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A material fixing unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the materials and the forming units. This fixing unit prevents material movement during pressing by securely holding the materials in position, thereby maintaining forming accuracy while enabling simultaneous multi-material formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If materials are simultaneously press-formed without fixing, then device complexity is reduced by using a simpler mold structure, but reliability deteriorates due to material movement leading to forming defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold structureVSAvoidforming consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The material fixing unit serves as a necessary intermediary component that ensures reliable material positioning during simultaneous press-forming. While it adds some structural complexity, it dramatically improves reliability by preventing material movement and ensuring consistent forming results across multiple materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The material fixing unit performs preliminary action by securing the materials in their correct positions before the pressing operation begins. This pre-positioning ensures that when pressure is applied, the materials remain stable and form accurately, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If materials are allowed to move freely during forming, then ease of operation is improved by simplifying material placement, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to control material position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial placementVSAvoidshape accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The material fixing unit acts as an intermediary that simplifies operation by automatically securing materials in the correct positions during placement. This automatic fixing mechanism maintains ease of operation while ensuring precise material positioning, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3486224B1Apparatus for fabricating materials
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3486224B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3486224B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3486224B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A material molding device includes: a first mold including a first molding unit pressing a first material and a second molding unit disposed below the first molding unit and having an opening exposing the first material and a portion engaged with the first molding unit to mold at least a portion of the first material; a second mold disposed below the first mold to support a second material; and a linking mold including a fixing unit disposed between the first mold and the second mold to press and fix the second material disposed on the second mold, and a linking unit coupled to the fixing unit in a vertically movable manner to press and mold the second material by being linked with the mold of the first material.