Rotational Moulding Device with Segmented Surface Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotational moulding technologies face challenges in efficient heating and cooling due to interference between heating and cooling elements and complexity in manufacturing, leading to non-uniform temperature distribution and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A mould device with separate heating and cooling elements arranged in distinct grooves on the exterior surface, using thermally conductive materials and flexible heating elements, allowing for efficient heat transfer and easy manufacturing, and incorporating magnet grippers for quick attachment and release of mould parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating and cooling elements are integrated directly into the mould wall mass, then heating and cooling functions are achieved, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heating and cooling elements are segmented from the mould wall mass and placed in separate grooves on the surface. This segmentation allows the mould wall to be manufactured separately from the heating/cooling components, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining the heating and cooling functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating and cooling elements are extracted from the interior of the mould wall and positioned on the exterior surface in grooves. This extraction simplifies mould manufacturing by allowing the mould wall to be formed without embedded ducts, while the heating and cooling functions are achieved through surface-mounted elements.
2Device complexity
If heating and cooling elements are arranged in the same channels, then the structure is simplified, but interference occurs between heating and cooling elements leading to non-uniform temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements and cooling elements are segmented into separate grooves rather than sharing the same channel. This spatial segmentation eliminates thermal interference between heating and cooling operations, allowing for uniform temperature distribution across the mould surface while maintaining relatively simple groove structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mould surface are dedicated to specific functions: some grooves contain heating elements while adjacent grooves contain cooling elements. This local differentiation ensures that heating and cooling operations can occur simultaneously without interference, achieving uniform temperature distribution through localized functional zones.
3Reliability
If ducts are incorporated into the mould wall mass, then heating and cooling functions are achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating and cooling ducts are extracted from the mould wall mass and repositioned as surface grooves. This extraction simplifies the mould structure by eliminating the need for internal duct incorporation, while the heating and cooling functions are maintained through the groove-based element arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated duct system is segmented into separate surface grooves that can be independently manufactured and positioned. This segmentation reduces structural complexity by allowing the mould wall to remain solid without embedded channels, while the heating and cooling functions are achieved through discrete groove elements.
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 solution enables efficient, uniform heating and cooling of mould parts, simplifies manufacturing, and reduces interference between heating and cooling elements, resulting in improved temperature distribution and reduced manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The heating means comprise a plurality of heating elements arranged in a plurality of first grooves... for heating the respective mould part which is manufactured from a thermally conductive material
Implementation Method 2
The cooling means comprise a plurality of cooling elements arranged in a plurality of second grooves... for cooling the respective mould part which is manufactured from a thermally conductive material
Implementation Method 3
The mould device comprises attachment means for attaching the mould parts in a releasable manner to each other
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a mould device (1) for use in a rotational moulding device (33) wherein a rotational moulding process is performed by rotating the mould device (1) by means of a robot arm (34). The mould device (1) comprises a connector part (27) for connecting to the robot arm, mould parts (2, 3, 4) provided for being assembled to each other and for enclosing a mould cavity (5) in an assembled state, attachment means (17, 26) for attaching the mould parts (2, 3, 4) in a releasable manner to each other, and heating means and cooling means integrated on at least one of the mould parts (2, 3, 4) for respectively heating and cooling the respective mould part (2, 3, 4). The heating means comprise heating elements (12) arranged in first grooves (8) provided in or on the exterior face (7) of the respective mould part (2, 3, 4). The cooling means comprise cooling elements (14) arranged in second grooves (9) provided in or on the exterior face (7) of the respective mould part (2, 3, 4) in between the first grooves (8).