Multi-Component Liquid Supply Member Molded in Single Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing liquid supply members, such as those for inkjet printing apparatuses, are limited in their ability to produce components with three or more parts using a mold, as they require sequential mold opening and closing operations, making it difficult to efficiently assemble complex structures.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method utilizing a first and second mold that can be opened and closed relative to each other, allowing for injection molding of a primary component and multiple secondary components at different positions, followed by sliding and contacting these components to perform secondary molding, enabling the assembly of three or more components within a single mold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sequential mold opening and closing operations are used to join two components, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it is difficult to manufacture liquid supply members including three or more components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (three or more) into a single mold cavity system, allowing simultaneous molding of all components in one closing operation. The mold includes multiple cavities arranged to form different components, which are then joined together while still in the mold through automated mechanisms, eliminating the need for sequential opening/closing operations for each component assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary positioning and arrangement of multiple components within the mold cavity before the final joining operation. Components are pre-placed in their correct positions and orientations during the mold closing operation, and the joining process (such as ultrasonic welding or heat sealing) is then performed automatically while components remain in the mold, eliminating the need for repeated opening and closing operations.
2Productivity
If multiple sequential molding and joining steps are performed, then two components can be joined, but the process is too complex for three or more components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple molding operations into a single simultaneous molding process by using a multi-cavity mold system. All components are molded in one injection cycle, and the joining operation is performed in one subsequent step while components remain in the mold, dramatically reducing the total number of cycles required compared to sequential molding and joining of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous productive action by keeping all components within the mold throughout the joining process. The mold remains closed during the joining operation (such as ultrasonic welding or heat sealing), eliminating idle time associated with repeated opening and closing operations. The system transitions smoothly from molding to joining without interruption or loss of time.
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 method allows for the efficient and simplified production of liquid supply members with multiple components, reducing the complexity of the mold opening operation and enabling the creation of more intricate structures, such as those required for inkjet recording heads.
Implementation Method 1
a first molding step of performing injection molding to form a first component part of the liquid supply member and a plurality of component parts of the liquid supply member other than the first component part at different positions from each other
Implementation Method 2
a molten resin flows to a contact portion to join and seal the contact portion, thereby forming a sealed hollow component
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a manufacturing method for molding a liquid supply member by using a first mold and a second mold. The method includes a first molding step of performing injection molding to form a first component part of the liquid supply member and a plurality of component parts of the liquid supply member other than the first component part at different positions from each other, with the first and the second mold closed relative to each other, a contacting step of moving each of the formed plurality of component parts relatively to the first component part to bring the formed first component part into contact with the formed plurality of component parts, with the first and the second mold opened relative to each other, and a second molding step of performing injection molding to join the first component part and the plurality of component parts.