Compression Moulding Conveyance With Overlapping Transfer Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compression moulding apparatuses require significant distance between male and female parts of the mould in the open position, leading to increased dimensions and reduced cooling efficiency, especially for elongate cylindrical doses and conveying elements with complex movements.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a conveying device with a distinct first closed path for collecting and releasing doses, and a removing device with a second closed path for removing formed objects, allowing these paths to overlap at specific points without simultaneous interference, thus reducing the distance between male and female parts and maintaining effective cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the male part and female part are positioned at a considerable distance from each other in the open position to accommodate conveying and removing elements, then the conveying and removing operations can be performed simultaneously, but the apparatus dimensions increase and cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second spatial dimension by making the removing element movable along a second closed path that is offset from the first closed path of the conveying element. The paths overlap at specific points but are separated in other regions, allowing simultaneous operations without requiring excessive distance between male and female parts. This dimensional separation resolves the contradiction by enabling both conveying and removing operations to occur simultaneously while maintaining compact apparatus dimensions.
2Productivity
If the male part and female part are positioned at a considerable distance from each other in the open position to accommodate conveying and removing elements, then the conveying and removing operations can be performed simultaneously, but the cooling efficiency of formed objects decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By offsetting the second closed path of the removing element from the first closed path of the conveying element while maintaining overlap at specific points, the patent enables simultaneous conveying and removing operations without increasing the distance between male and female parts. This maintains effective thermal contact between formed objects and both mould parts, preserving cooling efficiency while achieving high productivity through simultaneous operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If conveying elements are designed with complex movements (rotation about radial axis) to deliver doses, then precise dose placement is achieved, but the axial space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows conveying elements to perform complex movements including rotation about a radial axis for precise dose placement, while the offset closed path configuration provides sufficient axial space for these movements without requiring the entire apparatus to be expanded. The second closed path for removing elements is positioned to overlap with the first closed path only at specific points, creating the necessary axial clearance for complex conveying element movements while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus comprises: - at least one mould (6) for forming an object (11) from a dose (10) of polymeric material; - a conveying device (8) having a central support (13) rotatable about a first axis (Z1), the conveying device (8) comprising at least one conveying element (9; 109; 209) movable along a first closed path (P1) for collecting the dose (10) and subsequently releasing the dose (10) in the mould (6); - a removing device (12) having a central body (14) rotatable about a second axis (Z2), the removing device (12) comprising at least one removing element (17) movable along a second closed path (P2) for conveying the object (11) away from the mould (6). The first axis (Z1) is distinct from the second axis (Z2) and at least one point (O1, O2) exists at which one path selected from between the first closed path (P1) and the second closed path (P2) overlaps another path selected from between the second closed path (P2) and the first closed path (P1).