Rotatable Outsole Positioning Unit for Shoe Forming Molds
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional shoe lasting and forming apparatus has a limited working space, leading to difficulties in quickly positioning the outsole, resulting in uneven formation, reduced yield rates, increased production costs due to material waste, and poor working efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A shoe lasting and forming apparatus with a pivotally installed positioning unit on the second mold, allowing for a rotatable working space enlargement, facilitating quick outsole positioning and easy complete shoe removal, and preventing displacement or deviation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the first mold and second mold are located in opposing relationship, then the injection molding operation can be performed, but the working space is limited making it difficult to quickly position the outsole and remove the complete shoe
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning unit is made rotatable relative to the second mold, transforming a static mold structure into a dynamic one. This allows the working space to be enlarged when needed for outsole positioning and complete shoe removal, while maintaining the compact opposing mold configuration during injection molding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning unit rotates outward from the second mold, utilizing the radial dimension to expand the working space. This rotational movement creates additional space in the horizontal direction without increasing the vertical distance between the first and second molds, thereby solving the space limitation while maintaining the opposing mold relationship.
2Manufacturing precision
If the first mold moves downwards to engage with the second mold, then the injection operation can be performed, but the outsole may be displaced or deviated due to gravity and mold movements
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning unit is rotated to the retracted position before the first mold moves downwards, preliminarily securing the outsole in the correct position. This preliminary action prevents the outsole from being displaced or deviated during the subsequent mold closing and injection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the second mold and the outsole. It provides a dedicated positioning function that stabilizes the outsole during mold movements, separating the positioning function from the mold closing operation and thereby preventing displacement.
3Productivity
If the complete shoe is taken out from the shoe last after injection, then the production can continue, but the process is time-consuming and the complete shoe may be damaged during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning unit is rotated outward after the injection operation, dynamically creating additional working space for easy and quick removal of the complete shoe from the shoe last. This rotational movement enables operators to access and remove the complete shoe without maneuvering constraints, reducing removal time and potential damage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A shoe lasting and forming apparatus (3) mainly includes a mold set (31), a cavity (34) and a shoe last (33) respectively located in the mold set (31), and an injection channel (35) formed between the cavity (34) and an injection device (4). The mold set (31) has opposite first and second molds (311, 312) . A positioning unit (313) is pivotally installed on the second mold (312) where the shoe last (33) is installed and includes an operating region (314) . The cavity (34) is located between the shoe last (33) and the operating region (314) . Accordingly, the positioning unit (313) is rotatable, and an outward rotation of the positioning unit (313) enlarges a working space so that an outsole (B2) can be quickly positioned on the operating region (314) and a complete shoe can be easily taken out from the mold set (31). The apparatus (3) also prevents the displacement or deviation of the outsole (B2) and facilitates an increase in the yield rate of the production and a reduction in production costs.