Inverter Device Radial Temperature Profile Rubber Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rubber vulcanization machines face challenges in reducing vulcanization time while avoiding excessive and non-uniform heating, which can lead to material degradation and defects in the finished product.

Innovation Solution

An injection-molding machine equipped with an inverter device that inverts the radial temperature field in the flow channel, using convergent and divergent channels to redistribute heat uniformly across the rubber's cross-section, ensuring consistent heating before it enters the mold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a constriction is provided in the flow channel to heat the rubber uniformly, then the vulcanization time is reduced, but excessive and non-uniform heating occurs that degrades the material and creates defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevulcanization timeVSAvoidexcessive and non-uniform heating

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by providing a divergence rather than a constriction in the flow channel. This divergence allows the rubber stream to expand and cool slightly, preventing excessive heating while maintaining sufficient temperature for vulcanization. The inverted geometry redistributes heat more uniformly across the cross-section without concentrating thermal energy in a single location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different geometric characteristics to different regions of the flow channel. The divergence is specifically designed to affect the central portion of the rubber stream, creating localized cooling while maintaining overall temperature. This local geometric modification ensures uniform heating across the cross-section without causing excessive heat in any single area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If the flow channel cross-section is reduced to increase heat transfer, then heating efficiency improves, but the material flow becomes restricted and vulcanization uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidvulcanization uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reducing the flow channel cross-section to increase heating efficiency, the patent provides a divergence that increases the cross-sectional area. This allows the rubber stream to expand and distribute heat more uniformly across a larger area, maintaining heating efficiency while improving vulcanization uniformity and preventing flow restriction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the rubber stream is divided into multiple branches to improve heat distribution, then heating uniformity improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating uniformityVSAvoidflow channel geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the rubber stream into multiple sub-streams through the divergence in the flow channel. This segmentation allows heat to be distributed more uniformly across the cross-section by creating multiple flow paths within the single channel, achieving heating uniformity without requiring complex multi-branch devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 allows for a shorter vulcanization time with uniform heat distribution, preventing overheating and material degradation, and enabling longer flow lengths without degrading the material.

Implementation Method 1

an inverter device (50) which inverts the radial temperature field of a rubber stream flowing in said flow channel (30)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat redistribution: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The peripheral stream (1) forms the central downstream stream (1') while the central stream (2) forms the peripheral downstream stream (2')

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS8211349B2Machine for injecting a heat curable material, in particular for rubber vulcanisation, and corresponding method for achieving same

Publication Date: 2012.07.03 REP INT

AI summary

An injection molding machine includes means for plasticizing rubber material and injectors for injecting the material in a fluid state into a flow channel having at least one outlet in communication with an internal volume of a mold. The flow channel is provided with at least one inverter device for inverting a radial temperature profile in the flow of the fluid material, between upstream and downstream ends of the at least one inverter device.