Plasticizing Device Thermal Insulation for Dew Condensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plasticizing devices face issues with dew condensation due to moisture entry or evaporation, leading to potential rust and inadequate material plasticization, particularly in low-temperature areas.

Innovation Solution

A plasticizing device is designed with a heat insulating unit between the cooling unit and the speed reducer, along with a second cooling unit on the screw's periphery, and an exhaust passage with a heater, to manage temperature gradients and humidity, preventing dew condensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a cooling unit is used to cool the drive motor, then the drive motor temperature is reduced, but dew condensation occurs in low-temperature portions of the plasticizing device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive motor temperatureVSAvoiddew condensation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A heat insulating unit is introduced as an intermediary between the drive motor and the speed reducer. This heat insulating unit prevents excessive heat transfer from the hot plasticizing zone to the cooled drive motor, thereby reducing the temperature gradient that causes dew condensation while still allowing the drive motor to be cooled when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The plasticizing device is segmented into distinct thermal zones: a hot zone for material plasticization and a cool zone for the drive motor. The heat insulating unit creates a thermal boundary between these zones, allowing independent temperature control of each segment to prevent dew condensation in the motor area while maintaining plasticization temperature in the barrel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If heating is applied to plasticize the material, then the material is sufficiently plasticized, but moisture in the atmosphere enters and dew condensation occurs in low-temperature portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial plasticization qualityVSAvoiddew condensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat insulating unit acts as a thermal barrier that prevents the heat from the plasticizing zone from creating excessive temperature differences in other parts of the device. This reduces the likelihood of dew condensation forming on cooler surfaces while still allowing sufficient heating for proper material plasticization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the device have different thermal requirements: the barrel needs high temperature for plasticization while the drive motor needs low temperature to prevent condensation. The heat insulating unit enables local quality control by isolating these different thermal environments, allowing each zone to have optimal temperature conditions for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If the drive motor is cooled, then motor temperature is reduced, but temperature gradients in the device increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive motor temperatureVSAvoidtemperature gradient

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The heat insulating unit serves as a thermal mediator that controls heat flow between different zones. It allows the drive motor to be cooled without creating excessive temperature gradients by preventing uncontrolled heat transfer from the hot plasticizing zone, thus stabilizing the overall thermal composition of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively reduces temperature gradients and humidity, preventing dew condensation and ensuring consistent material plasticization, thereby enhancing the device's durability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first heater configured to heat the material supplied between the screw and the barrel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a first cooling unit configured to cool the drive motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

a heat insulating unit disposed between the first cooling unit and the speed reducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11577437B2Plasticizing device, injection molding device, and three-dimensional shaping device

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A plasticizing device that plasticizes at least a part of a material to generate a plasticized material, the plasticizing device includes: a drive motor; a screw configured to rotate around a rotation axis by a drive force of the drive motor and having a groove forming surface in which a groove is formed; a speed reducer disposed between the drive motor and the screw and configured to transmit the drive force of the drive motor to the screw; a barrel having a facing surface facing the groove forming surface and having a through hole into which the plasticized material flows; a first heater configured to heat the material supplied between the screw and the barrel; a first cooling unit configured to cool the drive motor; and a heat insulating unit disposed between the first cooling unit and the speed reducer. At least a part of the heat insulating unit overlaps the first cooling unit when viewed along the rotation axis of the screw.