Injection Nozzle Shutter Hydraulic Stroke Control by Fluid Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid-powered actuators in injection molding machines lack precise control over stroke adjustment, particularly for complex parts requiring precise positional control of shutters, which is typically achieved with expensive and complex electric actuators.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a hydraulic actuator with a movable piston and an auxiliary tank to control the fluid volume, allowing precise displacement of the shutter by determining and adjusting the volume of fluid in the actuator's chamber, enabling precise positional control and stroke adjustment of the shutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fluid-powered actuators are used for shutter control, then cost is reduced, but stroke adjustment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-determines the quantity of fluid to be supplied to the actuator chamber before actuation. By calculating and preparing the exact fluid volume needed for the desired stroke position in advance, the system achieves precise shutter control without requiring complex electronic feedback systems, thus maintaining cost-effectiveness while improving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic control systems with a fluid volume-based control mechanism. Instead of using motors, sensors, and electronic feedback loops, the invention uses a direct relationship between fluid volume and piston displacement, substituting mechanical/hydraulic principles for electronic control to achieve precise stroke adjustment at lower cost.
2Manufacturing precision
If electric actuators are used for shutter control, then stroke adjustment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex electronic control unit, software, and associated command systems from the actuator assembly. By removing these electronic components and relying solely on fluid volume determination and hydraulic actuation, the system achieves precise stroke control with significantly reduced device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles to achieve precise control. By determining the quantity of hydraulic fluid to be supplied to the actuator chamber and using the incompressible nature of fluid to directly translate volume into piston displacement, the system achieves precise stroke adjustment through simple hydraulic means without electronic complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If fluid volume is determined before supply to actuator, then stroke precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from position-based electronic control to fluid volume-based hydraulic control. By determining and controlling the volume of fluid supplied to the actuator chamber, the system achieves precise stroke control through a different physical parameter (fluid volume) that can be determined through simple calculations or measurements without complex measurement systems.
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
Enables cost-effective and precise control over the stroke of fluid-powered actuators, allowing for precise positional control and speed variation of the shutter, improving the quality of molded products without the need for complex electronic control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a piston which is movably mounted in the chamber, displaced linearly thanks to the thrust of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
moving the shutter (12) by inserting or removing the predetermined amount of fluid into/from the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for operating an actuator (10) adapted for moving by means of a pressurized fluid the shutter (12) of an injection nozzle for molten material into a mould, wherein the shutter (12) moves from a closing position, in which there is no passage of molten material through the nozzle, to an opening position, in which there is passage of molten material through the nozzle, and the shutter (12) comprises a chamber (18), and a piston (14) which is movably mounted in the chamber (18), displaced linearly thanks to the thrust of the fluid and connected to the shutter (12) to move it.The shutter (12) is moved by inserting or removing the predetermined amount of fluid into/from the chamber (18).