Nozzle Retaining Clip for Injection Molding Manifold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manifold and nozzle assembly constructions in injection molding face challenges with thermal expansion, leading to tilting of nozzle assemblies and loss of sealing contact, which impairs operation, and current solutions that allow relative movement compromise pre-assembly and ease of installation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of nozzle retaining clips that attach to the manifold member, engaging opposite sides of the nozzle assembly to allow relative movement between the manifold and nozzle assembly while maintaining sealing contact, using a combination of attachment and engagement portions with elastic displacement to accommodate thermal expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded retainers are used to retain nozzle assemblies to the manifold block, then sealing contact is achieved, but thermal expansion causes tilting of nozzle assemblies and loss of sealing contact
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer clips are designed with resilient engagement portions that can elastically deform to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the manifold block. This dynamic capability allows the clips to maintain continuous engagement with nozzle assemblies while absorbing dimensional changes, preventing tilting and maintaining sealing contact throughout temperature cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer clips utilize changes in material properties through temperature - specifically the elastic deformation capability at operating temperatures - to adapt to thermal expansion. The resilient portions of the clips change their engagement characteristics with temperature, maintaining optimal contact pressure and alignment despite dimensional changes in the manifold block.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid attachment is used to prevent tilting, then alignment is maintained, but relative movement during thermal expansion causes loss of sealing contact
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer clips are designed with resilient engagement portions that can elastically deform to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the manifold block. This dynamic capability allows the clips to maintain continuous engagement with nozzle assemblies while absorbing dimensional changes, preventing tilting and maintaining sealing contact throughout temperature cycles.
3Ease of manufacture
If pre-assembly is implemented, then ease of installation is improved, but thermal expansion forces cause tilting and operational disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer clips are designed with resilient engagement portions that can elastically deform to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the manifold block. This dynamic capability allows the clips to maintain continuous engagement with nozzle assemblies while absorbing dimensional changes, preventing tilting and maintaining sealing contact throughout temperature cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer clips are designed as separate, modular components that can be independently attached to the manifold block and engaged with nozzle assemblies. This segmentation allows the clips to act as independent shock absorbers and alignment maintainers, with each clip resiliently accommodating thermal forces without compromising the pre-assembled configuration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If resilient engagement portions are used to accommodate thermal expansion, then relative movement is allowed, but attachment strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer clips feature localized resilient portions specifically at the engagement areas with nozzle assemblies, while maintaining rigid attachment portions at the base. This local quality differentiation allows the clips to provide rigid, strong attachment at the manifold interface while providing resilient, adaptive engagement at the nozzle contact points, accommodating thermal expansion without compromising overall attachment strength.
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
Facilitates pre-assembly and installation of manifold and nozzle assemblies, maintaining sealing contact under thermal expansion conditions by allowing relative movement without interfering with normal operation, thus ensuring consistent material flow and reducing operational disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
at least the engagement portion is sufficiently resilient so that with a pair of clips attached to a manifold member so as to engage opposite sides of a nozzle assembly, elastic displacement of the engagement portions to accommodate the nozzle assembly therebetween produces sufficient force to retain the nozzle assembly with the manifold member
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle retaining clip for retaining a nozzle assembly with a material distributing manifold comprises an attachment portion for attaching the clip to the manifold and an engagement portion for engaging a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold. Two clips located to engage opposite sides of a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold member are effective to retain the nozzle assembly and to allow the manifold and nozzle assembly to move relative to one another while the clips and nozzle assembly remain engaged. A first alternative clip achieves only surface contact and a second alternative clip allows protrusion of a segment of a nozzle assembly periphery through the clip. Advantageously, the clip comprises at least one locating tap to restrain movement of the clip relative to a manifold. An apparatus for injection molding comprises a manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprising clips in accordance with the invention.