Plasticizing Device Flat Screw Spiral Groove Pressure Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plasticizing devices experience fluctuations in molten material pressure and flow rate due to inconsistent material supply, leading to inefficiencies in the shaping process.
Innovation Solution
A plasticizing device with a flat screw and barrel configuration, where the flat screw has a lateral surface intersecting with a perpendicular end surface and a spiral groove on the barrel, allowing continuous material supply and stabilization of pressure through a rotating mechanism and heater, ensuring consistent flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If material is supplied into the helical groove of the rotor from the hopper according to the rotation cycle of the rotor, then the material can be processed in batches, but the pressure of the molten material pressure-fed into the communication hole changes causing flow rate fluctuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of continuity of useful action by maintaining a continuous supply of material to the helical groove through the hopper and rotor configuration. The rotor continuously rotates to feed material into the heating zone, ensuring uninterrupted plasticization and eliminating pressure fluctuations that occur with batch-wise material supply. This continuous action stabilizes the flow rate of molten material ejected from the communication hole.
2Device complexity
If material is supplied intermittently according to rotor rotation cycle, then the device structure can be simpler, but the amount of material in the spiral groove decreases causing pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning material in the hopper above the rotor's helical groove. The hopper is designed to continuously feed material onto the rotor surface before it enters the heating zone, ensuring that the spiral groove is always filled with material ready for plasticization. This preliminary preparation eliminates interruptions in material supply and maintains stable pressure in the molten material.
3Ease of operation
If the rotor rotates to supply material periodically, then the mechanism can be simpler, but the flow rate of molten material ejected changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous material supply to the heating zone through the rotor's continuous rotation and the hopper's continuous feeding action. This continuity ensures that the molten material is consistently available at the communication hole at the required rate, eliminating flow rate variations that would occur with periodic or intermittent supply methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback control through the hopper- rotor-heating zone configuration, where the continuous rotation of the rotor and continuous feeding from the hopper create a self-regulating system. The consistent geometry of the helical groove and continuous material flow provide inherent feedback that maintains stable plasticization conditions and consistent ejection flow rate.
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 device maintains consistent molten material pressure and flow rate, preventing fluctuations and ensuring efficient shaping by continuously supplying material to the groove, thereby stabilizing the flow rate and preventing material adhesion.
Implementation Method 1
a barrel having a bottom surface facing the end surface of the rotating unit, and a heater
Data Source
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AI summary
A plasticizing device includes: a drive motor; a rotating unit driven to rotate about a rotation axis by the drive motor and having an end surface perpendicular to the rotation axis and a lateral surface intersecting with the end surface; a barrel having a bottom surface facing the end surface of the rotating unit, and a heater; a case accommodating the rotating unit; and a material supply unit accommodating the material. At least one of the barrel and the case has a sidewall surface facing the lateral surface of the rotating unit and standing up along an outer circumference of the bottom surface of the barrel. At the bottom surface of the barrel, a communication hole through which the molten material flows out and a spiral groove part coupled to the communication hole are formed. The lateral surface of the rotating unit and the sidewall surface together define a supply space where the material is supplied from the material supply unit to the groove part.