Injection Molding HMI for Item-Specific Setting History

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing injection molding machines require complex condition setting work due to the need to view and manage large setting history screens superimposed on set screens, making it difficult for operators to efficiently set new values based on past settings.

Innovation Solution

A molding machine with a control device that displays change information entities related to selected items superimposed on the set screen, allowing operators to easily view and input new set values while referencing past settings directly on the same interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the setting history screen displays all change information entities related to multiple items, then the operator can view past settings, but the screen becomes complex and the operator must close the screen to return to the set screen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to past settingsVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the change information entities by item, allowing the operator to view only the history related to the currently selected item rather than all items at once. This is achieved by dividing the comprehensive setting history screen into multiple item-specific screens that can be accessed individually, reducing the complexity of any single screen while maintaining access to all historical data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of organization by grouping change information entities according to items. Instead of displaying all change information in a single flat list, the system organizes it hierarchically by item, allowing the operator to navigate through items and view relevant history without overwhelming information at once.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the setting history screen displays change information entities in a column, then all items are listed, but the operator must search through multiple columns to find the relevant item

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of change informationVSAvoidsearch efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the change information entities by item, allowing the operator to view only the history related to the currently selected item rather than all items at once. This is achieved by dividing the comprehensive setting history screen into multiple item-specific screens that can be accessed individually, reducing the complexity of any single screen while maintaining access to all historical data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by customizing the display based on the currently selected item. The setting history screen dynamically adjusts its content to show only the change information entities relevant to the selected item, rather than uniformly displaying all items. This localized display approach improves search efficiency by focusing only on relevant information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If the operator views the setting history screen superimposed on the set screen, then past settings are accessible, but the operator must close the history screen to return to the set screen for input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to historical dataVSAvoidtime for switching screens

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the change information entities by item, allowing the operator to view only the history related to the currently selected item rather than all items at once. This is achieved by dividing the comprehensive setting history screen into multiple item-specific screens that can be accessed individually, reducing the complexity of any single screen while maintaining access to all historical data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables preliminary action by allowing the operator to select an item and have its history displayed before actually needing to input a value. The system proactively displays the relevant change information entities when the operator selects an item on the set screen, eliminating the need to close and reopen screens during the value input process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4650143A1Molding machine comprising a control device configured to cause a display device to display a change information entity screen

Publication Date: 2025.11.19 TOYO MACH & METAL CO LTD

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AI summary

An injection molding machine, includes: a storage device (73) configured to store change information entities related to a plurality of items included in a molding condition; a display device (71) configured to display a set screen for setting a set value to at least one item of the plurality of items; an input device (72) configured to input an item selection operation to select one item from the items in the set screen displayed on the display device (71); and a control device (78) configured to cause the display device (71) to display an item setting history screen including a change information entity display section to display only the change information entity related to the item selected by the item selection operation superimposed on the set screen.