Pitch Changing Device for Adjustable Preform Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Molding devices face challenges in accommodating diverse pitches between preforms, limiting their versatility and ability to meet customer-specific needs for container manufacturing, across various molding methods including one-stage, 1.5-stage, and 2-stage methods.
Innovation Solution
A molding device equipped with a pitch changing mechanism comprising holding units, a coupling unit, a drive unit, and a drive force transmission unit, allowing for adjustable pitch between preforms during injection molding and blow molding, enabling flexible handling of preforms in different configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the molding device uses a fixed pitch configuration for holding units, then the device structure is simple and stable, but the device cannot accommodate diverse pitch requirements for different production needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed pitch configuration into a dynamically adjustable one. The holding units are equipped with a pitch changing device that includes a coupling unit, drive unit, and drive force transmission unit, enabling the pitch between holding units to be changed according to different production requirements. This allows the molding device to adapt to diverse pitch configurations while maintaining operational stability through controlled adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a pitch changing device that can accommodate multiple pitch configurations within a single molding device. The drive unit can adjust the coupling unit to create different pitch arrangements, allowing the same device to serve multiple production scenarios with varying pitch requirements, thereby improving versatility without requiring multiple dedicated devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the molding device is designed for a specific pitch configuration, then the manufacturing process is simple and efficient, but the device cannot meet diverse customer needs for different container production
Solution Approach 1:
The pitch changing device enables dynamic adjustment of pitch configurations to meet diverse customer needs. The drive unit can modify the distance between holding units based on the specific requirements of different container production scenarios, allowing the device to adapt flexibly while maintaining ease of operation through automated or semi-automated adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the pitch parameter between holding units according to different production requirements. The drive force transmission unit adjusts the physical distance (parameter) between holding units, enabling the same device to produce different container configurations by simply changing the pitch parameter without requiring fundamental redesign or complex reconfiguration.
3Productivity
If multiple pitch configurations are made adjustable, then the device can handle diverse production requirements, but the control and adjustment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism manages the complexity of multiple pitch configurations by implementing dynamic adjustment capabilities. The drive unit and drive force transmission unit work together to provide controlled modification of pitch between holding units, enabling manufacturing flexibility through a systematic approach that reduces operational complexity compared to having multiple fixed-configuration devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The pitch changing device is segmented into functional modules: coupling units for connecting holding units, drive units for generating adjustment force, and drive force transmission units for transmitting the adjustment force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall control mechanism while maintaining the ability to handle diverse production requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A molding device suitable for performing at least one of injection molding of preforms and blow molding of the preforms includes a pitch changing device including: N holding units capable of holding the preforms and arranged at a predetermined pitch in a predetermined direction, N being inter equal to or larger than 2; a coupling unit coupling the holding units adjacent to each other such that the pitch is changeable; a drive unit configured to generate a predetermined drive force; and a drive force transmission unit configured to transmit the drive force to each of one end-side and the other end-side, in the predetermined direction, of the coupled N holding units. The one end-side and the other end-side are configured to be moved in the predetermined direction by the drive force to change the pitch.