Mold Centering Roller Units for Parallel Load Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centering devices for shape tools suffer from uneven load transmission among rows of rolling bodies, leading to increased wear, reduced operational safety, and longer centering paths, as well as vulnerability to dirt and foreign objects due to sequential rather than parallel load distribution.
Innovation Solution
The centering device employs graded, complementary inner surfaces within the guide sleeve to allow all rows of rolling bodies to intervene simultaneously, reducing the centering path length and enhancing operational safety by ensuring parallel load transmission across all rows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a surrounding edge with reduced slope is arranged on the front of the centering guide bolt to enable lifting movement of rolling bodies, then the rolling bodies can be lifted radially, but this results in serial load transmission where only the first row of rolling bodies bears load initially, increasing wear and reducing operational safety
Solution Approach 1:
The guide bolt is segmented into multiple functional zones along its length: a first section with a larger diameter for initial rolling body engagement, a second section with a reduced diameter for lifting movement, and a third section with an enlarged diameter for parallel load transmission. This segmentation allows different rows of rolling bodies to engage at different stages, enabling transition from serial to parallel load transmission and improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The first section with larger diameter is designed to initially receive and guide all rolling bodies before the lifting action occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when lifting happens in the second section, all rolling bodies are already in position to subsequently engage the third section simultaneously, preventing serial load transmission and improving operational safety
2Ease of operation
If a surrounding edge with reduced slope is arranged on the front of the centering guide bolt, then rolling bodies can be lifted, but this requires precise processing and must be kept free of dirt, increasing manufacturing complexity and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the guide bolt into multiple sections with different diameters, the lifting function is isolated to the second section with reduced diameter. The first section with larger diameter provides a robust, easier-to-manufacture entry zone that is less sensitive to dirt and processing variations, while the third section with enlarged diameter provides a tolerant load-bearing zone
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the guide bolt are designed with different local qualities: the first section has larger diameter for robust engagement, the second section has reduced diameter specifically for the lifting function, and the third section has enlarged diameter for parallel load transmission. This local differentiation allows the critical lifting zone to be small and controlled, while other zones provide tolerance to manufacturing variations and contamination
3Ease of operation
If the centering path is made relatively long (e.g., 19 mm) to accommodate lifting devices, then rolling bodies can be lifted sequentially, but this increases the centering path length and delays simultaneous load transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The guide bolt is divided into three functional sections that enable a compact centering path. The first section (larger diameter) provides initial engagement, the second section (reduced diameter) provides lifting, and the third section (enlarged diameter) provides simultaneous parallel load transmission. This segmentation allows all functions to occur within a shorter overall length compared to sequential designs
Solution Approach 2:
The first section with larger diameter preliminarily receives and positions all rolling bodies before lifting occurs in the second section. This preliminary action ensures that when lifting happens, all rolling bodies are already aligned and positioned to subsequently engage the third section simultaneously, enabling short centering path with parallel load transmission rather than sequential engagement over a longer path
4Ease of operation
If rolling bodies are arranged on the side of the guide sleeve rather than the guide bolt, then lifting movement can be achieved, but dirt and foreign bodies accumulate in the guide sleeve interior, affecting operational safety
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging rolling bodies on the guide sleeve side, the invention inverts the arrangement by placing rolling bodies on the guide bolt side with a specific three-section diameter configuration. This inversion allows the rolling bodies to be lifted and positioned in a controlled manner while maintaining easy access for cleaning and preventing dirt accumulation in enclosed spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling bodies are extracted from the guide sleeve interior and repositioned on the guide bolt exterior in the three-section configuration. This extraction eliminates the enclosed space where dirt and foreign bodies would accumulate, while the open configuration allows for easier cleaning and maintenance, improving operational safety
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 design achieves improved load transmission and reduced wear by enabling simultaneous intervention of all rows, shortening the centering path, and minimizing the risk of dirt and foreign object interference, resulting in better centering performance and extended tool lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a centering device for a shape tool with the rolling body units loading in the centering intervention
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Centering device (1) for a mold, in particular for an injection molding, blow molding or die-casting tool, consisting of two opposing mold halves that can be positively connected to each other, which are guided by guide and drive means and can be moved from a closed position to an open position and vice versa, wherein the centering device (1) consists of several guide bodies (2) arranged projecting from the first mold half and distributed along the parting surface of the mold, wherein an axially directed guide pin (20) is formed on the front end of each guide body (2), on the outer circumference of which a rolling element cage (3) with several rolling elements (16) is arranged, which form rows of rolling elements (5-7) arranged one behind the other in the axial direction and spaced apart from each other, which bear against an associated inner surface of the guide sleeve (19) in a load-transmitting manner when the mold halves are closed.wherein, in the state shortly before reaching centering until the end position of centering, all rows of rolling elements (5-7) engage in parallel with the inner surfaces (10-12) of the guide sleeve (19) on the sleeve side, and thereby the bearing forces of all rows of rolling elements (5-7) are simultaneously absorbed by the guide sleeve (19) in this driving state.