Mold Bottom Alignment via Frustoconical Ramp and Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mold bottom fixing technology in blow molding processes faces difficulties in aligning and coupling due to the central end piece, making it challenging to introduce the mold base onto the support without misalignment, which can prevent successful coupling.
Innovation Solution
A mold bottom design featuring a cylindrical ring with a frustoconical surface and a central housing for fluid connection, along with a sole and offset centering pin, allows for improved alignment and secure fixing through a mechanism involving balls and a frustoconical ramp, ensuring sealed fluid circulation and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central end piece with tip is used on the mold bottom interface, then fluid connection is ensured, but alignment and coupling become difficult due to misalignment risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the central tip element from the interface design. Instead of having a protruding tip that requires precise alignment, the mold bottom interface now has a recessed seat that receives the support's protruding element. This extraction of the problematic central tip eliminates the alignment difficulty while maintaining fluid connection through the recessed seating arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional interface configuration. Rather than having a protruding tip on the mold bottom that needs to fit into a hole in the support, the design is reversed: the support has a protruding element and the mold bottom has a recessed seat. This inversion makes the coupling more tolerant to misalignment and easier to assemble.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a removable fixing device with central end piece is used, then interchangeability of mold bottoms is enabled, but the risk of misalignment and coupling failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the central tip element that caused alignment problems, the patent maintains the removable and interchangeable nature of mold bottoms while eliminating the coupling failure risk. The recessed seat design allows for easier and more reliable reattachment of mold bottoms to the support.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed seat design provides a forgiving interface that tolerates minor misalignments during the coupling process. This design anticipates potential alignment issues and built-in mechanical tolerance that prevents coupling failure, cushioning against the harmful effects of misalignment before they can cause problems.
3Strength
If balls and frustoconical ramp mechanism is used for fixing, then secure locking is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frustoconical ramp automatically guides the balls into their locked position as the mold bottom is attached to the support. The inclined surface of the ramp self-generates the locking action without requiring external actuation mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining strong fixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The frustoconical ramp acts as an intermediary element that translates the simple act of bringing the mold bottom into contact with the support into a secure locked position. The ramp mediates between the two components, using its inclined surface to guide and lock the balls in place, simplifying the overall fixing mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device comprising: - a mold base (1) having, on an upper face, a hollow imprint (2) corresponding to a container base, - a cylindrical ring (8) provided, at an end opposite to the mold base (1), with an annular bead (9) in radial projection defining a frustoconical bearing surface (10), and - a central housing (13) for mounting a part (14) of a fluidic fitting (15).