Side-by-side pneumatic actuator for injection mold lid closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional injection molds require a stacked arrangement of linear and rotational actuators for lid closing, increasing the height and complexity, and thus the cost and maintenance of the mold, due to separate actuation assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic in-mold lid closing apparatus with a side-by-side arrangement of pneumatic actuators and actuation assemblies, including a first actuator connected to a frame and second and third actuators disposed on either side, which linearly and rotationally position lid engagement members using a rack and pinion mechanism, minimizing height and eliminating the need for separate complex actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stacked arrangement of linear and rotational actuators is used for lid closing, then the lid can be closed effectively, but the height of the injection mold increases and the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines linear and rotational actuation functions into a single integrated pneumatic actuator assembly. The pneumatic actuator uses diagonal linkages to convert linear piston movement into simultaneous linear and rotational motion of the lid engagement member, eliminating the need for separate stacked actuators and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacked arrangement to a side-by-side horizontal arrangement of actuation components. The pneumatic actuator is positioned laterally with respect to the mold cavity, using diagonal linkages to achieve both linear and rotational positioning in a single horizontal plane, thereby reducing the vertical height of the injection mold.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate linear and rotational actuators are used, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single pneumatic actuator performs multiple functions: it provides both linear positioning and rotational closing of the lid engagement member. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate actuators, reducing component count, manufacturing cost, and maintenance requirements while maintaining precise positioning capability through the linkage mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple actuation functions into a single pneumatic actuator with diagonal linkages. This consolidation reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained, thereby lowering overall cost while preserving the precision needed for proper lid engagement.
3Volume of moving object
If stacked actuators are arranged vertically, then the mechanism is compact in one dimension, but the overall height of the mold increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redistributes the actuator assembly from a vertical stack to a horizontal side-by-side arrangement. The pneumatic actuator and its linkage mechanism are positioned laterally adjacent to the mold cavity rather than stacked above it, transferring the compactness from vertical to horizontal space and thereby reducing the overall height of the injection mold.
Data Source
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AI summary
An in-mold lid closing apparatus comprises a frame, a first actuation assembly configured to linearly positon a lid engagement member between a first and second linear position relative to an in-mold lid, and a second actuation assembly configured to rotatably position the lid engagement member between a first and second rotational position relative to the in-mold lid. The first actuation assembly comprises a first support moveably coupled to the frame and a first actuator coupled to a frame support of the frame and a first actuator drive element coupled to the first support. The second actuation assembly comprises a second support moveably coupled to the frame and disposed between the frame support and the first support and a second actuator coupled to the second support and a second actuator drive element coupled to the first support.