Moulding Device Vacuum Envelope Shrinkage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing molding methods for materials like concrete often result in undesirable deformations due to non-uniform dehydration, leading to differential shrinkage and structural issues in molded parts.
Innovation Solution
A molding device and method that incorporates a vacuum pump, deformation members, and drainage elements to control the molding process, applying pressure and managing gas flow to minimize shrinkage and maintain the mold's shape during material setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a vacuum pump is used to create a depression in the envelope to maintain the mold walls, then the mold can be held in position during deformation, but the vacuum pump sucks water vapor from the casing which accelerates drying of the molding material and causes undesirable deformations and shrinkage
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the vacuum pump (sucking water vapor and accelerating drying) is separated from its useful function (creating depression to hold mold). The patent introduces a closure element that can disconnect the vacuum outlet from the envelope, allowing the vacuum pump to be stopped after depression is formed, thereby eliminating the harmful drying effect while preserving the beneficial mold-holding effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the depression in the envelope before stopping the vacuum pump. The depression is created while the vacuum pump is running, then the closure element disconnects the vacuum outlet and the pump is stopped, preventing further water vapor removal while maintaining the structural support provided by the depression
2Stability of the object's composition
If the vacuum pump runs continuously to maintain the depression, then the mold remains held in position, but the material dries out excessively and shrinks
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful continuous operation of the vacuum pump is eliminated by separating the depression-maintenance function from the water-vapor-removal function. The closure element allows disconnection of the vacuum outlet, enabling the pump to be stopped after the depression is formed, thus preventing continued water vapor loss while maintaining the depression structure
Solution Approach 2:
The useful action of creating depression for mold support is performed continuously until the depression is fully formed, then the vacuum pump operation is discontinued. This ensures the depression is maintained throughout the molding process without unnecessary continuous operation that would cause excessive drying
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 solution effectively reduces or eliminates undesirable deformations by controlling the drying process and maintaining the mold's shape, ensuring consistent thickness and aesthetic quality in molded parts.
Implementation Method 1
The vacuum pump (16) creates a depression, that is to say a vacuum, in the casing (12) with respect to atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
the shrinkage was at least partly due to suction of the water vapor present in the casing by the vacuum pump
Implementation Method 3
suction of the water vapor present in the casing by the vacuum pump
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a production method comprising the following steps: the material to be moulded is introduced into a mould (14); the mould is arranged in an envelope (12) comprising a vacuum connection (15); a depression is formed in the envelope by the formation of a gaseous flow through the vacuum connection; the mould is deshaped; the gaseous flow is stopped; and pressure is applied to at least part of the mould, possibly via the envelope, at least once the gaseous flow has been stopped. The invention also relates to a device for moulding parts.