Semi-Solidified Metal Molding Apparatus with Differential Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for extracting semi-solidified metal from a vessel are limited by the need for a pushing member with a diameter equal to the vessel, restricting design flexibility and often causing the member to sink into the metal, making it difficult to efficiently remove the semi-solidified metal.
Innovation Solution
A molding apparatus with a sleeve and plunger system, where the vessel has a hollow member and a bottom member that can be cooled differently, allowing for the semi-solidified metal to be fed into the sleeve and pushed out using a plunger, improving the extraction process and product quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pushing member with a narrow front end surface is used, then the degree of freedom of design is high, but the pushing member sinks into the semi-solidified metal and cannot push it out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the vessel bottom to a lower value than the vessel wall, creating a temperature gradient that forms a solidified layer at the bottom. This parameter change allows the pushing member to effectively push the semi-solidified metal without sinking, while still permitting design flexibility in the pushing member's geometry
2Reliability
If the front end surface of the pushing member is given a diameter equal to that of the hollow member, then the pushing member can push out the semi-solidified metal, but the degree of freedom of design is low
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the temperature parameter of the vessel bottom to be lower than the vessel wall, the patent creates a solidified layer that enables effective pushing with a narrower member, thus maintaining reliability while improving design freedom
3Ease of manufacture
If the vessel wall and bottom are cooled uniformly, then the cooling process is simple, but the semi-solidified metal adheres to the vessel wall and cannot be smoothly taken out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different cooling intensities to different parts of the vessel - the bottom is cooled more intensely than the wall, creating a localized solidified layer at the bottom that prevents adhesion to the wall while facilitating smooth removal of the semi-solidified metal
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 approach enables efficient removal of semi-solidified metal from the vessel while enhancing the quality of the molded article by creating a high solid phase rate at the bottom portion, reducing the need for a large pushing member and improving design freedom.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device capable of cooling the bottom member more than the hollow member
Implementation Method 2
cooling the bottom member more than the hollow member
Implementation Method 3
a plunger for pushing the semi-solidified metal which is fed into the sleeve into the die
Data Source
AI summary
An production apparatus of a semi-solidified metal has a vessel and a cooling device. The vessel into which a liquid-state metal material M is poured has a hollow member which is opened in up and down directions, and a bottom member which can close the lower opening of the hollow member and can be separated from the hollow member. The cooling device can cool the bottom member more than the hollow member.