Toggle Support Positioning via Mold-Clamping Force Threshold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for adjusting mold thickness in mold clamping devices using toggle mechanisms lack accuracy in judging mold touch, leading to inconsistent mold-clamping forces, which is problematic for precise control of the mold-clamping force.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a molding condition setting method that utilizes a mold-clamping force sensor to monitor detection values and stop the toggle support when a threshold value is reached, allowing for accurate judgment of mold touch and precise control of mold-clamping force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If mold touch is judged by monitoring torque of the mold-thickness motor, then the judgment method is simple, but the judgment accuracy is low leading to inconsistent mold-clamping forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold touch judgment accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical torque monitoring method with an optical sensor-based detection system. The optical sensor non-contactively measures the position of the movable platen, substituting mechanical torque sensing with optical measurement, thereby achieving higher precision mold touch judgment without adding complex mechanical sensing components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical sensor as an intermediary element between the movable platen and the control system. This intermediary non-contactively detects platen position and transmits information to the control system, enabling accurate mold touch judgment without direct mechanical contact or complex torque measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the toggle support is stopped when output torque becomes 100%, then the control method is simple, but the stopping position is inaccurate causing inconsistent mold-clamping forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoggle support stopping position accuracyVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical torque-based stopping control with optical position-based control. The optical sensor continuously monitors the movable platen position, and the control system stops the toggle support at the precise moment when mold touch occurs, achieving accurate positioning without relying on torque threshold judgments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the optical sensor continuously provides position information of the movable platen to the control system. The control system processes this feedback information and adjusts the toggle support movement in real-time, stopping precisely when mold touch is detected, thereby achieving accurate positioning through continuous feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP1886789B1Molding condition setting method and mold clamping device
Publication Date: 2016.01.20 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP1886789B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1886789B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1886789B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

By judging mold touch with good accuracy, a toggle support is stopped at a desired position with good accuracy. A toggle support (15) is moved forward in a mold closing direction and a detection value from a mold-clamping force sensor is monitored. When the detection value reaches a threshold value, the toggle support (15) is stopped. The mold-clamping force sensor is a tie-bar strain sensor (18) detecting strain of a tie-bar, a pressure sensor (40) detecting pressing force applied to a movable platen (13A), or a strain sensor (41) detecting strain of a component part of a toggle mechanism (20).