Mould Locking Assembly for Fast Change and Stable Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fastening molds to mold holder units in brick-making presses are time-consuming, difficult to operate, and prone to downtime due to complex and expensive hydraulic systems, or require manual screwing/unscrewing, leading to increased production losses.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a stud element and pressure locking/unlocking assembly that allows quick and stable fastening of molds to mold holder units using a simple pressure mechanism, featuring a pusher element with tapered portions and elastic means for engagement and disengagement, and an actuation device for manual or automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws and washers are used to fasten the mold to the drum, then stable fastening is achieved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of screwing the mold onto the drum (threaded connection), the invention inverts the approach by having the drum screw onto the mold (reverse threaded connection). The stud element with external threads engages with internal threads in the mold, allowing rapid threading action to secure the mold without requiring separate screws and washers, thus reducing mold changing time while maintaining stable fastening
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the washer component from the fastening system. The stud element with its threaded design and head structure provides sufficient clamping and securing function without requiring a separate washer, simplifying the fastening operation to a single screwing action and reducing the time and complexity of mold changes
2Loss of time
If hydraulic systems are used for fastening the mold, then fastening speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex hydraulic fastening systems with a simpler mechanical threaded connection system. The stud element with external threads engages with internal threads in the mold, providing a purely mechanical fastening solution that achieves rapid mold changes without requiring hydraulic cylinders, valves, or fluid pressure systems, thus reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining fast operation
Solution Approach 2:
The stud element is designed as a simple, inexpensive mechanical component that can be quickly installed and removed. Rather than investing in expensive, complex hydraulic infrastructure, the invention uses affordable threaded fastening elements that achieve the same time-saving goal through straightforward mechanical engagement, making the system more cost-effective
3Device complexity
If manual screwing/unscrewing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the fastening approach to enable faster manual operation. By having the stud element thread into the mold rather than screwing the mold onto the drum, the operation becomes more intuitive and faster, allowing skilled operators to complete mold changes in seconds, thereby maintaining simple device architecture while significantly improving production output
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 rapid and reliable locking and unlocking of molds, reducing machine downtimes and allowing for quick mold changes, while being cost-effective and adaptable to existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
first elastic means configured to impart an axial sliding movement to the pusher element
Implementation Method 2
pusher element provided with a centering portion for engagement with an actuation device and at least one tapered portion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4
AI summary
Locking device (10) for fastening a mould (110) to a mould holder unit (100), comprising: first fastening means (11) adapted to be associated with a mould holder unit (100); second fastening means (20) adapted to be associated with a mould (110); wherein said first fastening means comprise a locking seat (13), and wherein said second fastening means (20) comprise locking means (33) configured to engage in said locking seat (13), first control members (35) adapted to bias said locking means (33) into engagement with said locking seat (13) and second control members (25) adapted to cause the disengagement of said locking means (33) from said locking seat (13), and wherein, in the course of normal use, said locking means (33) are engaged with said locking seat (13) under the action of said first control members (35) and said second control members (25) can be actuated to disengage said locking means (33) from said locking seat (13). A mould (110) comprising at least one such locking device (10) and a method of releasably locking a mould (110) to a mould holder unit (100) using the locking device (10) are also claimed.