Mold Locking Device Using Hydraulic Latches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current injection molding techniques require high counter-pressure to prevent mold separation, which can lead to burrs and is inefficient, especially when molding parts with complex three-dimensional structures, and the injection-compression molding technique restricts the creation of openings at the parting line, resulting in unsatisfactory surface finish and cutouts.
Innovation Solution
A mold with a locking device featuring a latch system and a standalone system, such as hydraulic cylinders, that provides additional locking force beyond the nominal force of the press, allowing for the molding of complex parts with insufficient press capacity and enabling the creation of parts with openings by housing the latch in recesses of the half-molds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a press is used to apply counter-pressure to prevent mold separation during injection, then the mold remains closed and prevents burr formation, but the press requires high locking force which increases equipment cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented from the press system and integrated into the mold itself through independent locking devices (latches) that work in conjunction with recesses in the half-molds. This divides the locking force requirement between the press and the locking devices, allowing the press to use lower locking force while maintaining reliable mold closure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the press locking force is increased to handle complex three-dimensional structures, then the mold can maintain closure during injection, but the press becomes more expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented from the press system and integrated into the mold itself through independent locking devices (latches) that work in conjunction with recesses in the half-molds. This divides the locking force requirement between the press and the locking devices, allowing the press to use lower locking force while maintaining reliable mold closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking devices act as intermediaries between the press and the mold closure system. These latches with recesses provide an additional locking mechanism that supplements the press locking force, enabling precise mold closure for complex parts without requiring the press to bear the entire locking load alone.
3Force
If injection-compression molding technique is used to reduce counter-pressure, then the press locking force is reduced, but openings at the parting line cannot be created resulting in poor surface finish
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented from the press system and integrated into the mold itself through independent locking devices (latches) that work in conjunction with recesses in the half-molds. This divides the locking force requirement between the press and the locking devices, allowing the press to use lower locking force while maintaining reliable mold closure.
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
Enables the production of molded parts with complex three-dimensional structures using a press with lower locking force, preventing mold separation and improving surface finish and cutout quality by applying additional locking force through the locking device, thus enhancing the molding process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a standalone system capable of bringing the latch toward or away from the recesses in which the latch is to be housed, preferably comprising one (or more) cylinder(s)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a mold (1) for molding, in particular by injection, that comprises two half-molds (2, 3) each defined by a side surface (21, 31), a front face and a rear face. One at least of said two half-molds is to be associated with means for opening and closing the mold. The two half-molds can be brought into contact at the level of a junction plane (1) when the mold is in the closed position. The mold is characterized in that one half-mold is provided with a locking device (6) that comprises: at least one latch (7) that can be simultaneously housed in a recess (25) in each half-mold (2, 3); and at least one independent system (8) capable of bringing together or separating the latch (7) and the recesses (25, 35) in which the latch (7) is to be received, and including one or more jack(s) (8) including a chamber connected to the half-mold, a piston capable of movement in said chamber, and a rod connected to the piston and to which the latch is attached.