Neck Mold Support Apparatus Quick-Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing support apparatuses for neck molds in injection blow molding machines require two operators and significant time to assemble and disassemble, necessitating a more efficient and quicker replacement process without the need for external tools.
Innovation Solution
A support apparatus with a pair of plates and side guides equipped with a locking system that allows for easy sliding and quick coupling, enabling single-operator operation and reducing replacement times by eliminating the need for external tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pair of plates is manually assembled and disassembled using centering pins and fastening screws, then the neck molds can be securely fastened to the rotating device, but the replacement process requires two operators and significant time
Solution Approach 1:
The support apparatus is divided into separable components: a pair of plates that can be split apart, allowing the neck mold to be accessed and replaced without moving the entire assembly. This segmentation enables faster replacement by eliminating the need to handle the complete heavy assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening function is extracted from the main plate assembly through separate fastening screws and centering pins that can be independently operated. This allows one operator to manage the heavy plate while another handles the fastening, or enables sequential operation that reduces overall replacement time.
2Strength
If the pair of plates weighs up to 30 kg, then the plates provide sufficient structural strength to support neck molds, but manual handling becomes difficult and requires multiple operators
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy plate assembly is segmented into two separate plates that can be handled independently. Each plate weighs approximately half of the total assembly, making them manageable for single operators while maintaining the overall structural strength when assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering pins serve as positioning aids that guide the plates into correct alignment during assembly, reducing the physical effort required to manually position and align the heavy plates. The pins act as mechanical guides that eliminate the need for precise manual positioning.
3Reliability
If traditional fastening methods with multiple screws are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but the replacement time increases to over ten minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening screws are pre-positioned in the plates, and the centering pins are pre-installed on the rotating device. This preliminary preparation allows the operator to simply align the plates with the pins and secure them with the pre-positioned screws, eliminating the need to locate and prepare fastening components during the replacement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement process skips unnecessary intermediate steps by using a simplified fastening system where the plates are directly secured to the rotating device through the centering pins and fastening screws, bypassing complex alignment and multiple fastening operations required by traditional methods.
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 allows for the replacement of neck molds in under two minutes using a single operator, enhancing operational efficiency and compatibility with existing machines without requiring structural modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of plates defining a longitudinal axis X, adjacent along the axis X and separable from each other transversely to said axis X, and kept adjacent along the axis X in a normally closed state by means of elastic means
Data Source
AI summary
A support apparatus (3) for supporting at least one neck mold (4) of a plastic container, the apparatus being adapted to be fastened to a lower surface of a rotating device (2) of an injection blow molding machine, said support apparatus comprising—a pair of plates (5) defining a longitudinal axis (X), said plates (5) being adjacent to each other along the axis (X) and separable from each other transversely to said axis (X), and being kept adjacent in a normally closed state by elastic means (6); wherein each plate (5) is provided with at least one respective recess positioned so that, when the plates (5) of said pair of plates are in the normally closed state, at least two recesses are adjacent to each other along said longitudinal axis (X) so as to define a seat for a neck mold (4) comprising a pair of split molds (7), each split mold (7) being capable of being accommodated in a recess of a respective plate (5); —a pair of side guides (8) transverse to said longitudinal axis (X), adapted to be fastened to said lower surface of the rotating device (2), each side guide (8) being adapted to support a respective end of the pair of plates (5) from the bottom; wherein the side guides (8) are provided with a respective locking system (9) for locking or unlocking the pair of plates (5) to/from said pair of side guides (8) so that, in an unlocking position, the pair of plates (5) can be extracted transversely to the axis (X) thereof by sliding on the side guides (8).