Preform Cooling Rod with Adjustable Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blow molding apparatuses face challenges in finely adjusting the gap between the hollow rod and preform, leading to insufficient cooling efficiency, resulting in uneven thickness and cloudiness in the finished container, especially when using thermoplastic resin materials.
Innovation Solution
A temperature adjusting device that incorporates a hollow rod with a flow path adjustment member to regulate the cross-sectional area of the air flow path between the preform and the hollow rod, enhancing cooling efficiency and eliminating thickness unevenness by precisely controlling the air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hollow rod is inserted into the preform to cool it from the inside, then the cooling speed increases and molding cycle time shortens, but the gap between the hollow rod and preform cannot be finely adjusted, resulting in insufficient cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adjustable flow path adjustment member that can dynamically change the cross-sectional area of the air flow path. This member can be positioned at different locations along the hollow rod and adjusted to optimize the gap between the hollow rod and preform inner surface, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable system that resolves the contradiction between rapid cooling and precise gap control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of air flow path cross-sectional area by introducing the flow path adjustment member. By adjusting this parameter, the air flow velocity and cooling efficiency can be optimized for different preform sizes and materials, enabling fine control over the cooling process while maintaining the rapid cooling benefit
2Device complexity
If the gap between the hollow rod and preform is large, then the device structure is simple, but the air flow speed decreases and cooling efficiency becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path adjustment member acts as an intermediary element between the hollow rod and the preform. It mediates the air flow between these two components, allowing control over the air flow characteristics without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms for the hollow rod position itself. This intermediary approach enables speed optimization while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple
3Ease of manufacture
If cooling air flows through a large cross-sectional area gap, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient and the container becomes cloudy or white
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air flow path control function from the hollow rod structure by introducing a separate flow path adjustment member. This segmentation allows the hollow rod to maintain its simple cylindrical shape for easy manufacturing, while the adjustable flow path member provides the necessary precision control over air flow and cooling efficiency, achieving both ease of manufacture and temperature uniformity
4Productivity
If the preform is cooled rapidly to shorten molding cycle time, then productivity increases, but thickness unevenness occurs in the finished container
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path adjustment member enables local quality control of the cooling process. By adjusting the cross-sectional area of the air flow path at different positions, different regions of the preform can receive customized cooling intensities. This allows rapid cooling where needed while protecting regions prone to thickness unevenness, achieving both high productivity and uniform thickness
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
This solution shortens the molding cycle time, ensures the container is transparent, and achieves uniform thickness by improving cooling efficiency and temperature uniformity during the temperature adjustment process.
Implementation Method 1
cooling air flows in a gap between an outer periphery of the hollow rod and an inner periphery of the preform to cool the entire preform
Implementation Method 2
a flow path adjustment member fitted and attached to an outer periphery of the hollow rod member to adjust a cross-sectional area of the first air flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature adjustment device and a temperature adjustment method for a preform in a blow molding device with which it is possible to reduce a molding cycle time is provided. A temperature adjustment device for a preform in which a hollow rod member is inserted into an injection-molded, bottomed preform retained by a retention member, and a first air circulation path is formed between the preform and the hollow rod member to adjust the temperature of the preform. The temperature adjustment device is characterized in that a flow path adjustment member is fitted and attached to the outer periphery of the hollow rod member, whereby the cross-sectional area of the first air circulation path is partially adjusted and changed.