Volume Controlled Blown Air Supply for Blow Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blow molding machines require manual adjustment of throttle valves and use pressure control valves to manage blowing pressures, which are costly, complex, and prone to errors, limiting throughput and precision in blow air introduction during the pre-blowing and final blowing phases.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing an electrically actuated throttle valve controlled by a control unit to adjust the volume flow of blowing gas, allowing for centralized adjustment and elimination of the need for pressure control valves, enabling precise control of blowing air introduction during both phases with the same gas pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pressure control valve is used to reduce blowing pressure for pre-blowing phase, then the pre-blow pressure can be controlled, but the device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pressure control valve from the fluid mechanical structure by introducing blowing air directly at the nominal pressure of 40 bar for both pre-blowing and final blowing phases. This extraction of the pressure control component simplifies the system while maintaining precise pressure control through direct introduction at the required pressure level.
Solution Approach 2:
The blowing air supply system is designed to serve multiple functions using a single pressure level. The same 40 bar nominal pressure is used for both pre-blowing and final blowing phases, eliminating the need for separate pressure control systems for each phase and reducing overall device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual throttle adjustment is used, then the volume flow can be controlled, but the productivity and throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical throttle adjustment with an automated control system. The volume flow is controlled through automated mechanisms that can rapidly adjust and maintain optimal flow rates, eliminating the time-consuming manual intervention and thereby increasing productivity and throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static manual throttle settings to dynamic automated control of volume flow. The automated system can continuously adjust the volume flow rate to match production requirements, enabling faster response times and higher throughput while maintaining precise control.
3Reliability
If pressure control valves are used for both pre-blowing and final blowing, then pressure can be managed, but the maintenance costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing air supply is designed to provide both pre-blowing and final blowing functions using a single pressure level of 40 bar. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple pressure control valves and their associated monitoring and maintenance requirements, while still ensuring reliable pressure management for both phases through direct introduction at the nominal pressure.
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 solution enhances throughput by eliminating the need for manual throttle adjustments and reduces complexity and maintenance costs by using a single blowing pressure for both phases, ensuring consistent and controlled volume flow, thereby improving the production of thermoplastic containers.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically actuated throttle valve is used as the throttle valve, wherein a control unit generates a control signal for adjusting the throttle valve
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a blow molding machine for producing a container from a thermoplastic material, wherein a blowing gas is introduced into a thermally conditioned preform (10) for blow molding the container, while the preform (10) is held in a blow mold (12) of the blow molding machine, wherein the blowing gas is introduced into the preform (10) in a pre-blow phase such that the temperature-conditioned material of the preform (10) approaches the wall of the blow mold (12), and wherein the blowing gas is introduced into the preform (10) in a subsequent finishing blow phase such that the temperature-conditioned material of the preform (10) is pressed into the contours of the wall (14) of the blow mold (12), and wherein the volume flow of the blowing gas is predetermined, at least in the pre-blow phase, by an adjustable throttle valve (16).wherein a throttle valve (16) that can be controlled by a control unit (18) is used, a control unit (18) generates a control signal for adjusting the throttle valve (16), and the throttle valve (16) is adjusted depending on the control signal.