Moulding Unit Hook Locking Orthogonal Pivot Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container molding units face challenges in maintaining stable and robust locking of mold supports during the blow molding process, leading to potential mold ejection and operational inefficiencies, including frequent maintenance requirements and limited carousel capacity due to the size of the locking devices.
Innovation Solution
A container molding unit with a locking device featuring a locking hook pivotally mounted on the second mold support, where the pivot axis is perpendicular to the hinge axis, allowing for a stable locked position and reduced maintenance needs, and a cam follower system for controlled movement between locked and unlocked positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is used to secure mold supports in closed position, then reliability of mold support locking is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into separate functional components: locking hooks mounted on one mold support and corresponding locking faces on the other mold support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide reliable locking through simple geometric engagement rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex active locking mechanism that requires actuation and control systems, the invention uses a passive geometric locking approach where the shape and arrangement of hooks and faces naturally provide locking stability. The locking arises from the configuration itself rather than from complex mechanical action.
2Reliability
If a locking device is used to prevent mold ejection, then reliability is improved, but the size of the locking device increases, reducing carousel capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is distributed across multiple small hooks rather than requiring one large locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the locking capability to be achieved with compact components that occupy minimal space on the carousel, thereby maintaining high carousel capacity while ensuring reliable mold support locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking hooks are positioned locally at specific points on the mold supports where they engage with corresponding locking faces. This localized approach provides effective locking at the necessary positions without requiring a large overall locking device structure, thus preserving carousel space for additional molding units.
3Reliability
If conventional locking mechanisms are used, then mold support locking is achieved, but maintenance frequency increases due to wear and seizing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential locking function from complex mechanical mechanisms with multiple moving parts and reduces it to simple geometric engagement between hooks and faces. By removing unnecessary intermediate components, the design eliminates sources of wear and seizing, resulting in minimal maintenance requirements while maintaining reliable locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking hooks and faces are designed with simple geometric shapes that naturally guide their engagement and disengagement without requiring external lubrication or complex adjustment mechanisms. The design is inherently self-sufficient, requiring minimal intervention and maintenance while continuing to provide reliable locking operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a unit (18) for moulding containers that comprises - a first mould support (22) and a second mould support (24) articulated about a vertical hinge axis (B) between an open position and a closed position; - a device (42) for locking the mould supports (22, 24) in the closed position that comprises a locking hook (44, 44') mounted so as to be able to pivot about a pivot axis (C) between a locked position and an unlocked position; characterised in that the pivot axis (C) of the at least one locking hook (44, 44') is oriented orthogonally to the hinge axis (B) of the moulds.