CN101990490A

CN101990490A - Equipment for forming thermoplastic resin sheets

Info

Publication number: CN101990490A
Application number: CN2009801013167A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 铃木淳; 野泽孝行
Original assignee: Sintokogio Ltd
Current assignee: Sintokogio Ltd
Priority date: 2008-02-21
Filing date: 2009-02-19
Publication date: 2011-03-23
Also published as: WO2009104804A2; WO2009104804A3; JP2009196222A

Abstract

The equipment that is herein disclosed for thermoplastic resin sheets forming comprises a heating unit (B) for heating the thermoplastic resin sheets having four sides above their softening temperature to soften them, a forming unit (A) that includes a matched mold for the softened thermoplastic resin sheets forming, and conveying means for conveying the thermoplastic resin sheets between the heating unit (B) and the forming unit (A). The matched mold of the forming unit (A) of the equipment includes a lower fixed mold (A2) having a forming face and an upper moving mold (A3) that enables raising and lowering movements by a driving device (A5) such that the driving device (A5) lowers the upper moving mold (A3) to the lower fixed mold (A2) through the resin sheet to be formed by the forming unit. The conveying means includes a) a conveying device (K) connecting between the heating unit (B) and the forming unit (A), b) a frame (Ca; Cb) that reciprocates along a direction in which the conveying device is extended, wherein the frame includes internal component and at least one bracket (C4a; C4b) for receiving electric power and signal lines (cables) to be coupled to the internal component from external component, wherein the internal component includes at least a clamping device for releasable clamping the four sides of the thermoplastic resin sheet, and wherein the bracket is located in a position where the electric power and signal lines(cables) that coupled from the bracket do not interfere with the conveying device, and c) an elevating device (A6) for raising and lowering said frame such that the elevating device (6) lowers the frame to the lower fixed mold (A2) independently from the upper moving mold (A3) in the forming unit (A).

Description

Be used for equipment that thermoplastic resin sheet is formed

Technical field

The present invention relates to be used for equipment that thermoplastic resin sheet is formed.More specifically, the present invention relates to such equipment that thermoplastic resin sheet is formed of being used for: use heating unit that resin sheet is heated and soften, and use forming unit to through heating and the resin sheet after softening form.

Background technology

The equipment that the conventional thermoplastic resin sheet that is used for rectangle is shaped comprises: heating unit, and it is used for resin sheet is heated to and is equal to or higher than its softening temperature so that resin sheet is softening; And forming unit, it has matched moulds (matched mold) so that the sheet material after softening is formed.The matched moulds of general type can be divided into following two classes: a class is for having top movable mould and bottom movable mold; Another kind of for having top movable mould and bottom fixed die.

For example, special fair 5-54808 (' 808 communique) of the open No. of Japan Patent and the early stage patent disclosure No. spy of Japan open flat 11-314234 (' 234 communique) both have all transferred the applicant.These two communiques disclose a kind of conventional former with matched moulds separately, and described matched moulds has top movable mould and bottom movable mold.

In ' 808 communiques and the disclosed every kind of equipment of ' 234 communiques, form the top movable mould of matched moulds and bottom movable mold and move forward to resin sheet is remained in wherein framework so that resin sheet is formed.In this set, should support the load of top movable mould and bottom movable mold and from the pressurization of top movable mould in particular for the lowering or hoisting gear of mobile bottom movable mold.Therefore, this lowering or hoisting gear may be inevitably than relatively large and powerful device, and this relates to sizable energy consumption.

In these equipment, be provided with the anchor clamps of each side that is used for the clamping resin sheet in the inside of frame that keeps resin sheet.Resin sheet has been supplied to wherein framework and has been held in forming unit and keeps sheet material.This framework is sent in the heating unit so that resin sheet is heated and softens then.Then, after resin sheet is heated and is softening, framework is turned back to forming unit in heating unit.

In order to boost productivity, it is desirable to use a plurality of frameworks, make it possible to use a framework forming, can use another framework simultaneously another resin sheet is fed in this framework, this resin sheet is heated and this resin sheet is removed from this framework to being held on one of them resin sheet; Yet as described below, disclosed equipment also exists owing to use the caused problem of a plurality of frameworks in ' 808 communiques and ' 234 communiques.

Disclosed equipment adopts in ' 808 communiques: first framework and second framework anchor clamps of resin sheet (or be used to transmit); The top travel path, first framework is advanced on this top travel path; And the bottom travel path, second framework is advanced on this bottom travel path, to avoid between first framework and second framework in the interference through each other the time.

Yet, should be provided with all in the inside of heating unit and forming unit that level is dodged the space so that first framework and second framework can be in heating unit and forming unit at the equal height place through each other.Under this restriction, top travel path and bottom travel path are set make the big spacing between heating unit and the forming unit necessitate.In addition, navigating on the resin sheet that is kept in first framework on the travel path of top usually can be sagging from first framework after it is heated and softens.Therefore, for second framework that prevents to advance contacts with sagging resin sheet, should strengthen the vertical spacing between walking along the street footpath, top and the bottom travel path on the travel path of bottom.

Disclosed equipment has adopted at least three frameworks (also being regarded as being used for transmitting the framework of resin sheet) and in order to recycle and to operate the device that these frameworks are circulated in ' 234 communiques.

Yet disclosed equipment need be used to install the space of described EGR in ' 234 communiques.Therefore, entire equipment may become bigger.In addition, circulation can not link with one or more cable from peripheral control unit with framework.Thereby, in each framework, be difficult to the device that internal unit for example is used to open and close be controlled with required accuracy.

Equipment in communique and ' 234 communiques has used the matched moulds with top movable mould and bottom movable mold separately as mentioned above, ' 808.Replace, equally by the example of the conventional equipment that discloses a kind of matched moulds with top movable mould and bottom fixed die among Japan Patent that applicant of the present invention the transfers the possession of special fair 7-20659 of open No. (' 659 communique).Replace disclosed bottom movable mold and framework in ' 808 communiques and ' 234 communiques, the equipment in ' 659 communiques has adopted the chain of bottom fixed die and annular or has brought the transmission resin sheet.In this equipment, be provided with two continuous chains or band, and described chain or with on holder is installed with two edges of each resin sheet of clamping (that is, relative both sides).Therefore, along with chain travels forward, resin sheet is sent between top movable mould and the bottom fixed die.Then, the top movable mould descends towards resin sheet, and simultaneously, therefore chain and the resin sheet that is held on wherein also descend towards the bottom fixed die, thereby by top movable mould and bottom fixed die resin sheet are formed.

Because disclosed equipment need not to be used for the lowering or hoisting gear of bottom fixed die in ' 659 communiques, so its setting is compared and can be simplified with the equipment in ' 234 communiques with ' 808 communiques.Therefore, ' 659 disclosed equipment has advantage at cost with aspect safeguarding in the communique.Yet in the resin sheet in the equipment in ' 659 communiques, all the other two opposed side edges that are not held the part clamping are being heated and are softening back sagging.This unexpected sagging raw-material possible loss that should be considered as the unshaped resin sheet in advance, thus make the raw-material output capacity of resin sheet reduce.In addition, on the same resin sheet during the hot forming process, the coefficient that stretches of two opposed side edges that is held the part clamping is different with the coefficient that stretches of all the other two opposed side edges that are not held the part clamping.Thereby, be difficult to be intended for hot formed condition, and therefore be difficult to improve hot formed characteristic.

Therefore, need a kind of equipment that thermoplastic resin sheet is formed of being used for, this equipment has the matched moulds that comprises top movable mould and bottom fixed die, thereby the raw-material output capacity of resin sheet of improvement, the hot forming characteristic of improvement and the equipment that size reduces are provided.In this equipment, even having adopted, it is used for two devices that resin sheet is kept and transmits, than existing equipment, still there is the demand that has the equipment that reduces size for providing, and makes the cable from external component can be attached to these devices.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides and be used for equipment that thermoplastic resin sheet is formed.This equipment comprises: heating unit, and its thermoplastic resin sheet that is used for having four sides separately is heated to the softening temperature that is equal to or higher than them so that they are softening; Forming unit, it comprises the matched moulds that is used for through the shaping of softening thermoplastic resin sheet; And the conveyer that is used between heating unit and forming unit, transmitting thermoplastic resin sheet.The matched moulds of the forming unit of this equipment comprises having surperficial bottom fixed die and can and reduce the top movable mould that moves by drive unit realization rising, and making described drive unit make described top movable mould drop to described bottom fixed die and pass will be by the resin sheet of described forming unit shaping.

In one aspect of the invention, described conveyer comprises:

A) conveyer that between described heating unit and described forming unit, is connected;

B) the reciprocating framework of direction that extends along described conveyer, wherein, described framework comprises internal unit and at least one support, described support is used to hold the electric power and the holding wire (cable) that will be attached to described internal part from external component, wherein, described internal part comprises four clamping devices that side carries out clamping that are used for releasably described thermoplastic resin sheet at least, and wherein, described support is positioned at such position: described electric power that connects from described support and holding wire (cable) not with described conveyer interference; And

C) lowering or hoisting gear, described lowering or hoisting gear are used for raising and reducing described framework, and the described top movable mould that makes described lowering or hoisting gear be independent of in the described forming unit makes described framework drop to described bottom fixed die.

In another aspect of this invention, described conveyer comprises:

A) top conveyer and bottom conveyer, described top conveyer and bottom conveyer both are connected between described heating unit and described forming unit;

B) first framework and second framework, described first framework and second framework move back and forth along the direction that described conveyer extends separately, wherein, each framework includes internal part and at least one support, described support is used to hold the electric power and the holding wire (cable) that will be attached to described internal part from external component, wherein, described internal part comprises four clamping devices that side carries out clamping that are used for releasably described thermoplastic resin sheet at least, and wherein, described support is positioned at such position: described electric power that connects from described support and holding wire (cable) not with described conveyer and another framework interference;

C) lowering or hoisting gear, described lowering or hoisting gear are used for raising and reducing described framework, and the described top movable mould that makes described lowering or hoisting gear be independent of in the described forming unit makes one in the described framework to drop to described bottom fixed die; And

Wherein, described external component comprises controller, and described controller is used for the operation of the reciprocating motion of each inside of frame parts and each framework, described lowering or hoisting gear and described top movable mould is controlled.

In an embodiment of the invention, described lowering or hoisting gear comprises: first lowering or hoisting gear, described first lowering or hoisting gear is used to make described first framework or the rising of second framework of the side of thermoplastic resin sheet being carried out clamping, thereby the described top conveyer in described heating unit is removed, and is used to make the described framework decline that is removed to be transferred to described bottom conveyer with the described framework that will be removed subsequently; And second lowering or hoisting gear, described second lowering or hoisting gear is used to make the described framework after the transfer to rise, thereby described framework is separated from described top conveyer, and described framework is moving on the conveyer of described bottom and moving to described forming unit from described heating unit on the conveyer of described bottom; In addition, be used for when described drive unit descends described top movable mould, making the described framework that is removed to drop to the described forming face of described bottom fixed die, to finish hot forming process by the thermoplastic resin sheet of described framework clamping; And be used to make the described framework rising of having unclamped, thereby it is transferred to described top conveyer the clamping of thermoplastic resin sheet through being shaped.

In an embodiment of the invention, top conveyer and bottom conveyer both comprise: the feed arrangement that the engagement member on it is set and is used to make described engagement member to move along corresponding conveyer, and each framework all is provided with and is used for can attached and dismountable mode to engage the pairing engagement member of described engagement member.

The general features of invention

By above-described equipment of the present invention, the framework that four sides of thermoplastic resin sheet are carried out clamping drops to the bottom fixed die so that described resin sheet is formed.Because four sides of resin sheet all are held, so described equipment can improve the raw-material output of being made by resin sheet and improve the hot formed characteristic of sheet material.

When each resin sheet side all is held, eliminated any fold on the sheet material through being shaped through the sheet material hot forming of extending.Under vacuum-formed situation, because resin sheet can be pressed into tight contact mould to prevent any escape of air, so each resin sheet also provides the hot forming characteristic of improving.

In two frameworks circulate mobile equipment therein by two conveyers, maintain the preferred process below another framework of a framework, thereby prevent the resin sheet that dangles from a described framework and any interference between another framework through heating through the resin sheet of heating.In such setting, owing to needn't make the vertical distance between two frameworks become big, so can realize the low clearance of described equipment.In addition, also needn't provide dodge distance so that two frameworks between heating unit and forming unit through each other.Therefore, heating unit and forming unit can be arranged to more closely arrange, thereby reduce the size of entire equipment.

Because the electric power of two frameworks and the opposite side that holding wire (cable) is derived from framework, so these electric power and holding wire (cable) can not interfered with conveyer and corresponding framework.Therefore, make it possible to internal part in the control framework easily for example during clamping device, can move these two frameworks circularly when electric power and holding wire (cable) are attached to two frameworks.

Because top conveyer and bottom conveyer are independent operations, so the framework on top conveyer and the bottom conveyer can move to heating unit or forming unit.In this case, a unit in heating unit or the forming unit has obtained the space of soaring, and, does not have framework in this space that is, makes the operability that is used to exchange mould and maintenance to be improved.

Description of drawings

Incorporate this specification into and constitute this specification a part the accompanying drawing illustration embodiments of the present invention, and principle of the present invention is illustrated with describing.At this illustrated current embodiment is preferred.Yet, should be understood that, clearly setting and the method shown in the present invention is not limited to, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the front schematic view that is used for equipment that thermoplastic resin sheet is formed of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the diagram that is used for the example of framework of the present invention.

Fig. 3 be among Fig. 1 equipment from the being seen schematic side elevation in its right side.

Fig. 4 is the partial enlarged view of the part represented by D among Fig. 3.

To be diagram connect and the stereogram of the mode that keeps top conveyer, lowering or hoisting gear and corresponding framework Fig. 5.

To be diagram connect and the stereogram of the mode that keeps bottom conveyer, lowering or hoisting gear and corresponding framework Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 carries out illustrated stereogram to the operation of two frameworks, conveyer and lowering or hoisting gears, and wherein resin sheet is supplied to and is heated.

Fig. 8 is upper frame in the stereogram of Fig. 7 and lower frame along their diagram of direction of transfer through each other the time.

Fig. 9 is the diagram of following state: wherein, the state from the front schematic view of Fig. 1, a framework moves in the heating unit, and another framework moves in the forming unit simultaneously.

Figure 10 is the diagram of following state: wherein, under the state in the front schematic view of Fig. 1, framework is transferred to lowering or hoisting gear from top conveyer and bottom conveyer.

Figure 11 is the diagram of following state: wherein, after resin sheet was shaped, under the state in the front schematic view of Fig. 1, the framework in the heating unit was transferred to the bottom conveyer.

Figure 12 is the diagram of following state: wherein, after the hot forming process of the resin sheet in framework had been finished, under the state in the front schematic view of Fig. 1, framework was transferred to the top conveyer.

Figure 13 is the diagram of following state: wherein, as in the stereogram of Fig. 7, framework is moved in heating unit and the forming unit.

Figure 14 is the diagram of following state: wherein, as in the stereogram of Fig. 7, the lowering or hoisting gear on the lift frame.

Figure 15 is the diagram of following state: wherein, as in the stereogram of Fig. 7, the attachment on mobile upper unit and the lower device are to unclamp framework.

Figure 16 is the diagram of following state: wherein, in the stereogram as Fig. 7, the framework in the forming unit is dropped to the level that is used for the hot forming process, and the engagement member of conveyer moves to the position that is used for subsequent process.

Figure 17 is the diagram of following state: wherein, as in the stereogram of Fig. 7, a framework in the heating unit is transferred to the bottom conveyer, and another framework in the shaping unit is in the branchpoint that it is transferred to the top conveyer.

Figure 18 is the diagram of following state: wherein, as in the stereogram of Fig. 7, the top hook portion is transferred to the position that is used to keep corresponding framework.

Figure 19 is the diagram of following state: wherein, the top conveyer is removed and be transferred to the framework in the forming unit from lowering or hoisting gear.

Figure 20 (a) shows the local amplification stereogram that engages between framework and the top conveyer.

Figure 20 (b) shows the local amplification stereogram that engages between the framework and top conveyer when framework is raised.

To be diagram be raised and engagement member is moved with disengaging local amplification stereogram that engages between framework and top conveyer during framework when framework Figure 20 (c).

Figure 21 (a) is the local amplification stereogram that diagram is used for operation that framework is removed from the bottom conveyer.

Figure 21 (b) is the local amplification stereogram that diagram is used for when framework is raised operation that framework is removed from the bottom conveyer.

Figure 21 (c) is that diagram is used for being raised and engagement member is moved the local amplification stereogram of the operation that framework is removed from the bottom conveyer during framework with disengaging when framework.

Figure 22 is that the equipment among Fig. 3 is in the schematic diagram in the hot forming operation of resin sheet.

Figure 23 shows the alternate embodiments of equipment of the present invention, wherein, has only adopted a conveyer and framework only.

The specific embodiment

At an embodiment that is used for equipment that thermoplastic resin sheet is formed of the present invention, the top conveyer moves to heating unit with framework from forming unit.After the resin sheet in the framework is heated, framework is transferred on the conveyer of bottom from the top conveyer by the lowering or hoisting gear that is arranged in the forming unit.In forming unit, framework is lowered by profiled surface to lower die by the lowering or hoisting gear in the forming unit.In this state, the top movable mould pressurizes to the resin sheet in the framework downwards and makes resin sheet be shaped under the situation of mobile lower die need not.The resin sheet that has been shaped is stayed on the fixed die of bottom, and corresponding empty framework is transferred to the top conveyer.Empty framework on the conveyer of top moves to heating unit after new resin sheet to be formed is supplied to this framework.Repeat these operations.

To carry out reference marker to accompanying drawing now, wherein identical symbol relates to similar element.Fig. 1 is the front schematic view that is used for the Preliminary design of equipment that thermoplastic sheets is formed.

Equipment among the present invention comprises: be used for the thermoplastic resin sheet (not shown) is heated to predetermined temperature so that its softening heating unit B (for example: heating furnace); Be used for to through heating and softening after the forming unit A that forms of thermoplastic resin sheet; Thereby and be used to transmit resin sheet at heating unit B reciprocating conveyer K between the inner and forming unit A inside.

Forming unit A comprises: matched moulds (that is, top movable mould A3 and bottom fixed die A2); Workbench A4, top movable mould A3 are fixed on this workbench A4; And lift cylinders A5, it is used to promote workbench A4 and promotes top movable mould A3 thus.

Heating unit B comprises: upper portion heater B2 and lower heater B3, and the two all is used to heat resin sheet; The first lifting frame B5, lower heater B3 are fixed on this first lifting frame B5; And the first lift cylinders B6, it is used to promote the first lifting frame B5 and promotes lower heater B3 thus.

Conveyer K comprises: the first framework Ca and the second framework Cb, and the two all is used for each side of thermoplastic resin sheet is carried out clamping; And top feed arrangement U and bottom feed arrangement L, the two all is used for framework is kept and transmits.In the present embodiment, in order to use two frameworks, described equipment includes two feed arrangement U and L.Conveyer K also comprises the first conveyer B4 that is used at heating unit B lift frame Ca and Cb, and is used for the second conveyer A6 at forming unit A lift frame.Conveyer K can also comprise that the controller (not shown) is to control the operation of top feed arrangement U, bottom feed arrangement L, framework Ca and Cb, the first lowering or hoisting gear B4, the second lowering or hoisting gear A6 and top movable mould A3.

For the purpose of reduced graph, illustrative diagram has illustrated framework Ca and the Cb on the conveyer K in Fig. 1, and each framework Ca and Cb carry out clamping so that resin sheet is transmitted to each side of resin sheet.Each framework Ca and Cb are rectangular frame structure shown in Figure 2, make each side of the corresponding clamping device S clamping resin sheet on four sides being arranged on this rectangle.Because the setting that illustrates in the drawings is the example of each framework, be not intended to limit the invention.

The top feed arrangement U of conveyer K be installed in that framework A1 among the forming unit A goes up and heating unit B in framework B1 on, make top feed arrangement U in forming unit A upper position and the upper position among the heating unit B between horizontal-extending.Simultaneously, bottom feed arrangement L be installed in that framework A1 among the forming unit A goes up and heating unit B in framework B1 on, make bottom feed arrangement L in forming unit A lower position and the lower position among the heating unit B between horizontal-extending.

The first lowering or hoisting gear B4 of conveyer K is installed in heating unit B and goes up framework Ca and Cb are risen and descend.

The second lowering or hoisting gear A6 of conveyer K is installed in the both sides of forming unit A, thus between top feed arrangement U and bottom feed arrangement L mobile framework Ca and Cb, and framework Ca and Cb dropped to the position that is used for forming process.

In heating unit B, thereby the first lowering or hoisting gear B4 rises corresponding framework Ca or Cb framework Ca or Cb is promoted from top feed arrangement U, make that framework Ca or Cb are able to discharge from the holding position by top feed arrangement U, framework Ca or Cb carry out clamping to each side of wherein corresponding thermoplastic resin sheet.Then, the first lowering or hoisting gear B4 moves down so that framework Ca after discharging or Cb descend, and makes framework Ca or Cb be transferred to bottom feed arrangement L.

Be sent to forming unit A by bottom feed arrangement L from heating unit B through shifting framework Ca or Cb on the feed arrangement L of bottom.Thereby the second lowering or hoisting gear A6 makes framework Ca or Cb rise from bottom feed arrangement L to be discharged framework Ca or Cb from the holding position on the feed arrangement L of bottom.The second lowering or hoisting gear A6 descends framework Ca or Cb then, makes the thermoplastic resin sheet that is clamped among framework Ca or the Cb be pressurizeed by the profiled surface of bottom fixed die A2.Meanwhile, top movable mould A3 descends to finish the forming process of thermoplastic resin sheet.The second lowering or hoisting gear A6 rises it is transferred to top feed arrangement U the framework Ca or the Cb that discharge the clamping of resin sheet.

Framework Ca and Cb are provided with support C4a and the C4b that is used for connection cable at the place, both sides along its direction of transfer of each framework.Support C4a and C4b will be connected to from the cable of external equipment clamping device S among framework Ca and the Cb (and other internal part, if necessary).Be used for guiding the end of the cable pipeline C5a of corresponding cable to be fixed in the top N of support C4a.The other end is fixed in the side (left side among the figure) of the framework B1 of heating unit B.Similarly, be used for guiding the end of the cable pipeline C5b of corresponding cable to be fixed in the top N of support C4b.The other end is fixed in the opposite side (right side among the figure) of the framework B1 of heating unit B.Because these cable pipelines C5a and C5b are arranged on the both sides of the framework B1 of heating unit B, thereby can circulate and avoid the interference of two supports two framework Ca and Cb.Use this set, controller (and other external component, if necessary) can provide clamping device S (and other internal part, (accompanying drawing 7 of face as follows) if necessary) to framework Ca and the Cb by cable with electric power and control signal via support C4a and C4b.

Fig. 3 shows the schematic diagram of the being seen equipment of the present invention in right side (the A side of forming unit) from Fig. 1.The enlarged drawing of the part of being represented by D among Fig. 3 has been shown among Fig. 4.

The drive unit P that top feed arrangement U and bottom feed arrangement L comprise top linear portion U2 and bottom linear portion L2 respectively, be arranged on a plurality of upper bond lug U1 and the lower bond lug L1 on top linear portion U2 and the bottom linear portion L2 and be used to make engagement lugs to move along top linear portion and bottom linear portion.

Drive unit P comprises upper pinion U4 and lower pinion L4, be fixed to upper gear rack U5 and the lower gear rack L5 of upper bond lug U1 and lower bond lug L1 and be installed in top motor U3 and lower motor L3 on the framework A1 of forming unit.

The edge of upper bond lug U1 and lower bond lug L1 is shaped in the mode of indent, makes them to engage with top hook portion C1 and the bottom hook portion C2 on being arranged on framework Ca and Cb.Top hook portion C1 is arranged on the top of framework lateral sides, makes them be no more than the width of carriage, and the direction that described width and framework transmit is perpendicular.Bottom hook portion C2 is arranged on the bottom of the lateral sides of framework, makes them be positioned the outside of framework on the width of framework.

Top motor U3 makes the intermeshing upper pinion U4 rotation with upper gear rack U5, thereby transmits upper bond lug U1 along top linear portion U2 between heating unit B and forming unit A.Similarly, lower motor L3 makes the lower pinion L4 rotation that is meshed with lower gear rack L5, thereby makes lower bond member L1 move back and forth between heating unit B and forming unit A along bottom linear portion L2.

As Fig. 3 and shown in Figure 7, the not homonymy that support C4a and C4b are arranged on framework Ca and Cb interferes between support C4a and the support C4b avoiding.That is, support C4a is arranged on the right side (rear side among Fig. 1) of framework Ca, and support C4b is arranged on the left side (front side among Fig. 1) of framework Cb.

In addition, because top feed arrangement U is positioned at the upper inner of support C4a and C4b, and bottom feed arrangement L is positioned at the opposite side of support C4a and C4b, so between top feed arrangement U and bottom feed arrangement L and support C4a and the C4b any interference of not expecting does not take place.By this set, with the joining framework of cable can shuttling movement.

In addition, it is desirable to prevent the interference of not expecting between cable and the bottom conveyer etc., even also like this under the situation of the level (as shown in figure 22) that during the forming process framework is dropped to the bottom fixed die.Accordingly, it is desirable to design support C4a and C4b relative higher, make cable be connected to be positioned at the cable pipeline C5a and the C5b at the N place, top of support C4a and C4b.For this reason, for example, each support can comprise: be suitable for the joining pedestal in end of corresponding framework Ca or Cb, from vertical portion that pedestal extends and the horizontal part that protrudes from the vertical portion.Pedestal, vertical portion and horizontal part form hollow structure, and corresponding cable can insert in this hollow structure fully.

Be used to transmit electric power and control signal is extended from framework to the cable of clamping device S (and other internal part that is used) arbitrarily, and pass the inside of support C4a and C4b.Then cable from the top N of support pass cable pipeline C5a and C5b to the not shown controller that goes out (or other external component, if necessary).

Controller can be controlled the descending operation of operation, the first lowering or hoisting gear B4 and the second lowering or hoisting gear A6 of the operation of top feed arrangement U and bottom feed arrangement L, clamping device S (and other internal part, if exist) arbitrarily and the descending operation of top movable mould A3.

Fig. 5 shows being used between top hook portion C1 and the upper bond lug U1 the second framework Cb is remained on relation on the feed arrangement U of top.Similarly, Fig. 6 shows being used between bottom hook portion C2 and the lower bond lug L1 the second framework Cb is remained on relation on the feed arrangement L of bottom.Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 also show the relation between the engagement member C3 of the second lowering or hoisting gear A6 and the second framework Cb.The sidepiece of framework is provided with top hook portion C1, bottom hook portion C2 and engagement member C3.Top hook portion C1 engages with the upper bond lug U1 of top feed arrangement U.Bottom hook portion C2 engages with the lower bond lug L1 of bottom feed arrangement L.Engagement member C3 engages with the second lowering or hoisting gear A6 or the first lifting frame B5.Their composition surface for example preferably is provided with locating slot or pin makes it possible to the location so that they are assembled.Although only show the second lowering or hoisting gear A6 in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, such setting is preferred for the first lowering or hoisting gear B4 in the heating unit equally.

Come the operation of equipment of the present invention is described referring now to Fig. 7 to Figure 22.Note, in order to simplify, schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings framework.

Fig. 7 shows, the position relation between bottom feed arrangement and the framework.The operation of equipment starts from as Fig. 1 and state illustrated in fig. 7.The source of supply (not shown) is fed to thermoplastic resin sheet to be formed on the first framework Ca.Simultaneously, the second framework Cb in the heating unit clamps and by heating unit it has been finished the thermoplastic resin sheet of heat treated.

At first, top feed arrangement U makes first framework Ca process forming unit A towards moving to heating unit B by arrow 6 directions, and simultaneously, bottom feed arrangement L makes second framework Cb process heating unit B towards moving to forming unit A by arrow 7 directions.

Fig. 9 show first framework and second framework in its transfer process through each other state.After the transfer of framework had been finished, as Figure 10 and shown in Figure 14, the second lowering or hoisting gear A6 and the first lowering or hoisting gear B4 be respectively towards being risen with lift frame Cb and Ca by the direction of

arrow

1 and 3 indications, thereby unclamp engaging between hook portion and the engagement lugs.

Engaging between the upper bond lug that Figure 20 (a) shows the top feed arrangement and the top hook portion of framework.Shown in Figure 20 (b),, unclamp described joint by along direction lift frame by arrow 1 indication.

Similarly, the bottom feed arrangement is from state lift frame shown in Figure 21 (a), that the bottom feed arrangement engages with framework, thereby unclamps such joint shown in Figure 21 (b).

After having unclamped engaging between conveyer and the framework, upper bond lug U1 shifts towards the direction by arrow 5 indications.Shown in Figure 10, Figure 15, Figure 20 (c) and Figure 21 (c), lower bond lug L1 is towards transferred to the position that they can be not be interfered with framework by the direction of arrow 8 indications.

In case hook portion arrives the position that they can be not be interfered with framework, the second lowering or hoisting gear A6 begins to descend framework Cb is dropped to the position that is used for the hot forming process along the direction by arrow 4 indications, simultaneously, the lift cylinders A5 of top movable mould also is operated to the top movable mould and descends to the direction by arrow 9 indications, thereby thermoplastic resin sheet is formed.Although upper bond lug U1 and lower bond lug L1 have finished the interference of transfer to avoid not expecting, they will continue to shift the position of waiting for subsequent process until arriving.Figure 11, Figure 16 and Figure 22 show the state that is in the equipment in the forming process.

In case finished forming process, the resin sheet of framework Cb release through being shaped is to stay it on fixed die A2 of bottom.Framework Cb and top movable mould both rise and exceed the level of top feed arrangement and it is moved to a transfer level so that framework Cb is arranged to, and framework Cb is transferred to the top feed arrangement in this transfer level.Under this state, upper bond lug U1 in position locates to wait for.They are set at this side that is used to keep framework of its appropriate location (await orders or wait for), to prevent the interference of not expecting with the top hook portion C1 of the second framework Cb.Meanwhile, as Figure 12 and shown in Figure 17, in case the heating process of the resin sheet among the first framework Ca in the heating unit is finished, then framework Ca descends towards the direction by arrow 2 indications by the first lowering or hoisting gear B4, makes lower bond lug L1 maintain framework Ca so that framework Ca is broken away from from the first lowering or hoisting gear B4.

As shown in figure 17, framework Cb by the second lowering or hoisting gear A6 after direction 3 rises to transfer level, as shown in figure 18, upper bond lug U1 below the hook portion C1 of the top of framework along shifting by the direction of arrow 5 indications.Then, as shown in figure 19, the second lowering or hoisting gear A6 descends to keep framework Cb by the top feed arrangement towards the direction by arrow 4 indications.Subsequently, the resin sheet after being shaped is peeled off from bottom fixed die A2, simultaneously new resin sheet to be formed is fed to empty framework Cb.

By repeating described process in the mode of alternately changing framework Ca and framework Cb, the resin sheet through being shaped is by continuous producing.By Fig. 7 and Figure 13 to Figure 19 are carried out reference in proper order with this, the action of understanding frame Ca and Cb, the first lowering or hoisting gear B4 and the second lowering or hoisting gear A6 and top feed arrangement U and bottom feed arrangement L easily.

Although the supply of resin sheet to be formed shown in occur in forming unit A side in the accompanying drawing, it also can occur in heating unit B side.

In above embodiment, move by using top conveyer and bottom conveyer to make clamping have two frameworks of resin sheet between forming unit and heating unit, to circulate.In such setting, framework and top movable mould drop to the bottom fixed die so that resin sheet is formed.Therefore, although used two frameworks, owing to the distance that can shorten than the conventional equipment that uses two frameworks with the maintenance resin sheet between forming unit and the heating unit, so equipment of the present invention can be compact.

In order to enhance productivity, preferably in the hot forming process, use two frameworks.But,, can in described equipment, only use a framework according to the production efficiency of any desired.Figure 23 shows an example of this replacement.In the system of Figure 23, only there is a framework between heating unit and forming unit, to move back and forth so that resin sheet is formed by conveyer only.Equipment among Figure 23 comprises bottom feed arrangement L and framework Ca.Equipment can use top feed arrangement U and framework Cb as an alternative.

By equipment of the present invention, no matter be to adopt a framework or two frameworks, forming process can both not raise or reduce under the situation of lower die and finish.Therefore, can reduce the energy that is used for lower die.Because saved the device that is used for the lifting lower die in the present invention, so can reduce the size of forming unit.

In the present invention, framework and top movable mould can descend individually resin sheet is pressurizeed and be shaped.In this case, by making the decline synchronization of framework and top movable mould, and adjust their fall off rate, make it possible to regulate the timing that contacts between the timing that contacts that is used between top movable mould and the resin sheet and bottom fixed die and the resin sheet.Such adjusting makes resin sheet pressurized and be shaped under optimum condition.

Be appreciated that above-mentioned setting and the structure only be example possible and concrete embodiment, and only illustration application more of the present invention.Correspondingly, can under the situation that does not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention, specifically implement various modifications and variations.

In above embodiment, for example, the lowering or hoisting gear of heating unit is implemented the rising of lower heater simultaneously and is reduced motion.Alternately, the lowering or hoisting gear that can be provided for the lowering or hoisting gear of framework respectively and be used for heating device of lower portion makes it possible to regulate the resin sheet that remains in the framework and the distance between upper portion heater and the lower heater.The adjusting of this distance can provide best heating process with combining of the adjusting of heater power.

Although be used for framework being kept and the engagement member that discharges and the engagement member of their pairing are illustrated as hook portion and engagement lugs by conveyer, their configuration is not intention restriction the present invention.

Claims

1. one kind is used for equipment that thermoplastic resin sheet is formed, comprising: the thermoplastic resin sheet that heating unit, described heating unit are used for having four sides is heated above their softening temperature so that they are softening; Forming unit, described forming unit comprise the matched moulds that is used for through the shaping of softening thermoplastic resin sheet; And conveyer, described conveyer is used for transmitting described thermoplastic resin sheet between described heating unit and described forming unit; It is characterized in that:

The described matched moulds of described forming unit comprises bottom fixed die and top movable mould, described bottom fixed die has forming face, described top movable mould can raise and the reduction motion by the drive unit realization, and making described drive unit make described top movable mould drop to described bottom fixed die and pass will be by the resin sheet of described forming unit shaping; And

Described conveyer comprises:

B) the reciprocating framework of direction that extends along described conveyer, wherein, described framework comprises internal part and at least one support, described support is used to hold the electric power and the holding wire (cable) that will be attached to described internal part from external component, wherein, described internal part comprises four clamping devices that side carries out clamping that are used for releasably described thermoplastic resin sheet at least, and wherein, described support is positioned at such position: described electric power that connects from described support and holding wire (cable) not with described conveyer interference; And

2. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein, after described heating unit moved to described forming unit, described equipment operation was as follows at described framework:

A) described lowering or hoisting gear raises so that described framework separates with described conveyer described framework, and makes described framework after the separation drop to the described forming face of described bottom fixed die;

B) described drive unit descends to finish the shaping of thermoplastic resin sheet described top movable mould;

C) described framework unclamps the clamping to the thermoplastic resin sheet through being shaped; And

D) described lowering or hoisting gear is transferred to described conveyer with the described framework of sky.

3. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described external component comprises controller, described controller is used for the described internal part of described drive unit, described lowering or hoisting gear, described framework and the reciprocating motion of described framework are controlled.

4. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described conveyer comprises a pair of linear portion, be arranged on the engagement member on the described linear portion and be used to feed arrangement that described engagement member is moved along described conveyer, and wherein, described framework is provided with and is used for and the pairing engagement member of described engagement member can attached and dismountable mode to engage.

5. equipment as claimed in claim 2, described equipment also comprises:

Additional conveyer, described additional conveyer is extending between described heating unit and described forming unit above or below the described conveyer;

Additional frame, described additional frame moves back and forth along the direction that described additional conveyer extends, wherein, described additional frame comprises internal part and at least one support, described support is used to hold the electric power and the holding wire (cable) that will be attached to described internal part from described external component, wherein, described internal part comprises four clamping devices that side carries out clamping that are used for releasably thermoplastic resin sheet at least, and wherein, described support is positioned at such position: described electric power that connects from described support and holding wire (cable) not with described conveyer interference; And

Wherein, described lowering or hoisting gear is suitable for shifting alternately described framework and described additional frame are arranged between described conveyer and the described additional conveyer.

6. equipment as claimed in claim 5, wherein, described controller is also controlled the described internal part of described additional frame.

7. equipment as claimed in claim 5, wherein, the feed arrangement that described additional conveyer comprises a pair of linear portion, is arranged on the engagement member on the described linear portion and is used to make described engagement member to move along described additional conveyer, and wherein, described additional frame is provided with and is used for the pairing engagement member that engages removably with the described additional described engagement member that engages conveyer.

8. equipment as claimed in claim 7, wherein, heated thermoplastic resin sheet the framework that maintains in described heating unit in described framework and the described additional frame moves on lower one the conveyer in as described conveyer and described attachment device.

9. equipment that is used for the shaping of thermoplastic resin sheet comprises: the thermoplastic resin sheet that heating unit, described heating unit are used for having four sides is heated into the softening temperature that is higher than them so that they are softening; Forming unit, described forming unit comprise the matched moulds that is used for through the shaping of softening thermoplastic resin sheet; And conveyer, described conveyer is used for transmitting described thermoplastic resin sheet between described heating unit and described forming unit; It is characterized in that:

The described matched moulds of described forming unit comprises bottom fixed die and top movable mould, described bottom fixed die has forming face, described top movable mould can be realized raising and the reduction motion by drive unit, and making described drive unit make described top movable mould drop to described bottom fixed die and insert will be by the resin sheet of described forming unit shaping; And

Wherein, described conveyer comprises:

B) first framework and second framework, described first framework and second framework move back and forth along the direction that described conveyer extends separately, wherein, each framework includes internal part and at least one support, described support is used to hold the electric power and the holding wire (cable) that will be attached to described internal part from external component, wherein, described internal part comprises four clamping devices that side carries out clamping that are used for releasably described thermoplastic resin sheet at least, and wherein, described support is positioned at such position: described electric power that connects from described support and holding wire (cable) not with described conveyer and another framework interference; And

C) lowering or hoisting gear, described lowering or hoisting gear are used for raising and reducing described framework, and the described top movable mould that makes described lowering or hoisting gear be independent of in the described forming unit makes one in the described framework to drop to described bottom fixed die;

Wherein, described external component comprises controller, and described controller is used for the operation of the reciprocating motion of each inside of frame parts and each framework, described lowering or hoisting gear, described top movable mould is controlled.

10. equipment as claimed in claim 9, wherein, described lowering or hoisting gear comprises:

First lowering or hoisting gear, described first lowering or hoisting gear is used for making the side to thermoplastic resin sheet to carry out described first framework of clamping or second framework raising so that it is removed from the described top of described heating unit conveyer, and is used to make the described framework that is removed to descend in addition to be transferred to described bottom conveyer with the described framework after will separating;

Second lowering or hoisting gear, described second lowering or hoisting gear is used to make the described framework after the transfer to rise, thereby described framework is separated from described top conveyer, and the described framework after the transfer is moving on the conveyer of described bottom and moving to described holding device from described heating unit on the conveyer of described bottom; In addition, be used for when described drive unit descends described top movable mould, making the described framework that is removed to drop to the described forming face of described bottom fixed die, to finish hot forming process by the thermoplastic resin sheet of described framework clamping; And, be used to make the described framework rising of having unclamped, thereby they be transferred to described top conveyer the clamping of thermoplastic resin sheet through being shaped.

11. equipment as claimed in claim 10, wherein, described top conveyer and bottom conveyer comprise the feed arrangement that the engagement member on it is set and is used to make described engagement member to move along corresponding conveyer separately, and wherein, each framework all is provided with and is used for and the pairing engagement member of described engagement member can attached and dismountable mode to engage.

12. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein, described controller is controlled each framework and described lowering or hoisting gear, make a framework that in described heating unit, moves be transferred to described bottom conveyer from described top conveyer, described engagement member on the conveyer of described then top moves to described forming unit, and, another framework that moves in described forming unit is transferred to described top conveyer from described bottom conveyer, and the described engagement member on the conveyer of described subsequently bottom moves in the described heating unit.

13. equipment as claimed in claim 12, wherein, described top conveyer is arranged on the top of described first framework and described second framework, make described top conveyer be arranged to be set in the width of each framework, and described bottom conveyer is arranged on the outside of each framework.

14. equipment as claimed in claim 13, wherein, opposed with joining described electric power of a framework and holding wire (cable) in described first framework and second framework with the described electric power and the holding wire (cable) that will be attached to another framework, wherein, one end of every electric power and holding wire (cable) all connects with the described support of corresponding framework, and the other end of every electric power and holding wire (cable) all connects with the framework of equipment, and wherein, each support all is mounted on corresponding framework during forming process and does not interfere with described top conveyer and bottom conveyer.