Injection Mould Shock Absorber Mitigates Wear and Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injection-moulding moulds face challenges in reducing cycle time due to high force impact and subsequent wear and noise during the opening and closing processes, which hinder increased production speed.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a shock absorber integrated with the distance-limiting device between mould parts to mitigate shifting movements, allowing for faster opening and closing of the mould without increased wear or noise, and adding a second shock absorber between the closing and intermediate mould parts to further reduce production cycle time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the mould parts are shifted faster to reduce cycle time, then productivity is improved, but high force impact and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle timeVSAvoidwear
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A shock absorber is integrated with the distance-limiting device to provide cushioning before the intermediate mould part hits the end stop. The shock absorber comprises a spring element that is compressed during the shifting movement, storing energy to mitigate the impact force when the mould parts reach their limit position, thereby reducing wear while maintaining high shifting speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If the mould parts are shifted faster to reduce cycle time, then productivity is improved, but noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle timeVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorber with its spring element provides beforehand cushioning that absorbs the kinetic energy of the shifting mould parts before impact occurs. This cushioning action significantly reduces the noise generated during the opening and closing operations, allowing faster cycle times without the penalty of increased noise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a shock absorber is integrated with the distance-limiting device, then wear and noise are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovewearVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorber is merged with the distance-limiting device to form an integrated unit. The shock absorber is arranged within the outer pipe of the distance-limiting device, and both components work together as a single assembly. This merging approach reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation while providing both distance limitation and shock absorption functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The implementation of shock absorbers reduces wear and noise, enabling faster cycle times and increased production speed by absorbing the final distance movement before the end stop, thus enhancing the efficiency of the injection-moulding process.

Implementation Method 1

a shock absorber configured such that it mitigates the shifting movement of the intermediate mould part away from the inlet mould part briefly before the end stop of the distance-limiting device is hit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the shock absorber mitigates the shifting movement of the intermediate mould part away from the inlet mould part briefly before the end stop of the distance-limiting device is hit whereby it is enabled that the injection-moulding mould can be opened faster without there being thereby transmitted a large force impact to the two mould parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

a shock absorber arranged between the closing mould part and the intermediate mould part, said shock absorber being configured such that it mitigates the shifting movement between the closing mould part and the intermediate mould part, when they are moved towards each other and only briefly before the injection-moulding mould is closed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 4

mitigates the shifting movement between the closing mould part and the intermediate mould part, when they are moved towards each other and only briefly before the injection-moulding mould is closed. Thereby a further reduced production cycle time is accomplished, it being possible to increase the speed by which the mould parts can be closed without it entailing increased wear or noise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3148768B1A mould tool for injection moulding
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 LEGO AS
  • EP3148768B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3148768B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An injection-moulding mould comprising at least three separate mould parts (1,2,3), comprising an inlet mould part (1) in which is arranged an inlet for injection of liquid plastics from the injection-moulding apparatus, a closing mould part (2) and at least one intermediate mould part (3) arranged between the inlet mould part and the closing mould part, and wherein, between the inlet mould part (1) and the intermediate mould part (2), a distance-limiting device (7) is configured having an end stop (12) configured with a view to limiting the distance by which the intermediate mould plate (2) can be shifted away from the inlet mould part (1), and wherein a shock absorber (6) is further arranged between the inlet mould part (1) and the intermediate mould part (2), said shock absorber (6) being configured such that it mitigates the shifting movement between the inlet mould part (1) and the intermediate mould part (2), when they are shifted away each other and before the end stop (12) is hit.