Quick Connect Knockout Bar Mold Tool Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional threaded connections for knockout bars in mold tools require manual tie-in and removal during changeovers, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A quick connector system with a retaining element that allows the outer sleeve to be retained in an unlocking position, enabling tool-free disconnection and connection of knockout bars to mold tools, utilizing an inner body with a cavity and locking elements that move radially to engage or disengage a male fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded connections are used for knockout bars, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the changeover time is long and manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs dynamic elements including a movable outer sleeve that can transition between locked and unlocked positions, and locking balls that move radially to engage or disengage from the knockout bar. This dynamic mechanism enables rapid changeover while maintaining secure connection during operation, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and changeover time.
2Reliability
If threaded connections are used for knockout bars, then the connection is secure, but manual tie-in and removal is required
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design enables self-servicing operation where the movable outer sleeve automatically actuates the locking balls to engage or disengage from the knockout bar. The operator simply needs to move the outer sleeve, and the locking mechanism performs the connection or disconnection automatically, eliminating the need for manual threading operations while maintaining secure connection.
3Loss of time
If a quick connector mechanism is implemented, then changeover time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a nested structure where the outer sleeve surrounds the inner body containing the locking balls, and the locking balls are positioned within cavities in the inner body. This nested arrangement compactly integrates multiple functional elements (sleeve, locking balls, cavities) into a single compact unit, reducing overall complexity while enabling rapid changeover functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick connector is used for releasably connecting a knockout bar and a mold tool. The quick connector includes an inner body that is attached to the knockout bar or the mold tool and is configured to receive a male fitting of the other of the knockout bar or the mold tool. The quick connector also has an outer sleeve movable along the inner body between (i) a locking position, where the outer sleeve causes locking elements of the quick connector to engage the male fitting to lock the male fitting in the inner body, and (ii) an unlocking position, where the locking elements do not engage the male fitting and do not lock the male fitting in the inner body. The quick connector includes a retaining element that functions to retain the outer sleeve in the unlocking position.