Plasticization Device Motor Cooling via Integrated Refrigerant Flow Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injection molding machines face issues with motor temperature increase, reduced efficiency, and inadequate material discharge due to refrigerant flow path design, leading to suboptimal screw rotation speed and material conveyance.

Innovation Solution

A plasticization device with a cylinder, spiral screw, nozzle, heating unit, and screw drive unit incorporating a first refrigerant flow path within the case to cool the motor and a second refrigerant flow path within the cylinder to cool the supply port, ensuring efficient material conveyance and discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a refrigerant flow path is provided inside the cylinder holding member to cool the motor, then the motor temperature is reduced and efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional cooling system components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cooling function with the existing cylinder holding member structure by integrating the refrigerant flow path directly into the holding member. This combines the structural support function with the thermal management function, reducing overall device complexity while effectively cooling the motor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cylinder holding member is designed to serve multiple functions: mechanical support for the motor and simultaneous heat dissipation through the integrated refrigerant flow path. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling components, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the motor is cooled to maintain desired screw rotation speed, then productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional cooling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew rotation speedVSAvoidcooling mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling mechanism is merged with the structural holding member, eliminating the need for separate cooling components. This integration maintains screw rotation speed and productivity while avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the supply port is cooled to prevent material melting, then material conveyance efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional refrigerant flow paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial conveyance efficiencyVSAvoidrefrigerant flow path complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant flow path is merged with the cylinder structure, allowing the cylinder to serve both as a structural component and as a cooling element for the supply port. This integration prevents material melting and improves conveyance efficiency without adding complex separate cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Volume of moving object

If refrigerant flow paths are integrated into existing structures, then device size is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant flow paths are integrated directly into the cylinder and holding member structures during manufacturing. This merging approach reduces device size by eliminating separate cooling components while managing manufacturing complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes the structural parameters of existing components (cylinder and holding member) to incorporate cooling channels. This parameter modification allows integration of cooling functions without fundamentally changing the manufacturing process, thus reducing device size while controlling manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effective cooling of the motor and supply port, enabling desired screw rotation speeds and adequate material discharge, while reducing the device size by integrating refrigerant supply paths.

Implementation Method 1

a case configured to accommodate at least a part of the screw drive unit and having a first refrigerant flow path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heating unit provided between the supply port in the cylinder and the nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11648719B2Plasticization device, three-dimensional shaping device, and injection molding device

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A plasticization device includes: a cylinder having a supply port through which a material is supplied; a spiral screw configured to rotate inside the cylinder; a nozzle configured to discharge the material plasticized inside the cylinder; a heating unit provided between the supply port in the cylinder and the nozzle; a screw drive unit including a motor configured to rotate the screw; and a case configured to accommodate at least a part of the screw drive unit and having a first refrigerant flow path.