Molding Die Positioning Using a Lifted Reference Surface

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional conveyance apparatuses face difficulties in positioning objects to be molded due to challenges in bringing the position defining member into contact with the inner surface of the recess, which can lead to damage or scratching of the positioning member and the molding die.

Innovation Solution

A conveyance apparatus with a position reference mechanism that includes a reference surface member capable of contacting the side surface of the recess, a lift mechanism to separate it from the bottom surface, and a reference surface moving mechanism to move the member to the side surface, preventing contact with the bottom surface and minimizing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the position defining member is brought into contact with the inner surface of the recess, then positioning reference is established, but the position defining member may not be reliably positioned in vertical direction and may be damaged or scratched

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidpositioning reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is segmented into two independent parts: the lift mechanism that positions the reference surface member in the vertical direction by contacting the bottom surface of the recess, and the position defining member that positions the object to be molded in the horizontal direction by contacting the side surface of the recess. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one direction, improving both positioning precision and reliability while preventing damage from improper contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reference surface member acts as an intermediary between the lift mechanism and the position defining member. It receives vertical positioning force from the lift mechanism via the bottom surface of the recess, then transmits this positioned state to the position defining member which contacts the side surface. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact between the position defining member and the bottom surface, eliminating the risk of scratching or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the position defining member contacts the inner surface of the recess, then positioning is attempted, but contact with the bottom surface may cause scratching or damage to the positioning member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddamage to positioning member

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is segmented into two independent parts: the lift mechanism that positions the reference surface member in the vertical direction by contacting the bottom surface of the recess, and the position defining member that positions the object to be molded in the horizontal direction by contacting the side surface of the recess. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one direction, improving both positioning precision and reliability while preventing damage from improper contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reference surface member acts as an intermediary between the lift mechanism and the position defining member. It receives vertical positioning force from the lift mechanism via the bottom surface of the recess, then transmits this positioned state to the position defining member which contacts the side surface. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact between the position defining member and the bottom surface, eliminating the risk of scratching or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the position defining member is used for positioning, then positioning reference is provided, but it is difficult to position in vertical direction and contact with bottom surface may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidpositioning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is segmented into two independent parts: the lift mechanism that positions the reference surface member in the vertical direction by contacting the bottom surface of the recess, and the position defining member that positions the object to be molded in the horizontal direction by contacting the side surface of the recess. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one direction, improving both positioning precision and reliability while preventing damage from improper contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the position defining member contact the bottom surface of the recess to establish vertical position (the conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by having the lift mechanism contact the bottom surface to establish vertical position of the reference surface member. This inversion resolves the difficulty of vertical positioning while preventing harmful contact between the position defining member and the bottom surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12508754B2Transfer apparatus, resin molding apparatus, and method for manufacturing resin molded product

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 TOWA

AI summary

The present invention enables a reference surface member to reliably contact a side surface of a recess of a molding die, and is directed to a conveyance apparatus that conveys an object to be molded to a molding die in which a recess is formed on a side of a mold surface on which the object to be molded is placed, the conveyance apparatus including: a position reference mechanism having a reference surface serving as a positioning reference of the object to be molded placed on the molding die; and an object-to-be-molded moving mechanism that moves the object to be molded placed on the molding die toward the reference surface.