CN111376457A - Injection molding machine and switching cover for injection molding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an injection molding machine and a switching cover for the injection molding machine, and provides a technology which can easily connect the rear end part of an ejector rod and an ejector crosshead and can inhibit the scattering of lubricant. The injection molding machine is provided with: the mold closing device comprises a pressing plate provided with a mold; and an ejector device that ejects a molded product from the mold, the ejector device including an ejector rod, an ejector crosshead, and a drive mechanism, the platen having an opening portion for performing an operation of connecting the ejector rod and the ejector crosshead, the opening portion being capable of allowing entry from an outer space of the platen to an inner space of the platen and allowing entry in a direction orthogonal to a mold opening and closing direction, and including a switching cover that switches between a 1 st state that allows the entry from the outer space to the inner space via the opening portion and a 2 nd state that suppresses scattering of lubricant from the inner space to the outer space via the opening portion.

Description

Injection molding machine and switching cover for injection molding machine

Technical Field

The present application claims priority based on japanese patent application No. 2018-248698, applied for 12/28/2018. The entire contents of this Japanese application are incorporated by reference into this specification.

The invention relates to an injection molding machine and a switching cover for the injection molding machine.

Background

The injection molding machine described in patent document 1 includes: the mold closing device comprises a pressing plate provided with a mold; and an ejection device for ejecting the molded article from the mold. The ejection device comprises: ejecting the rod; an ejection crosshead connected with an ejection rod; and a driving mechanism for advancing and retreating the ejection crosshead.

The mold has: a fixed mold part fixed on the pressing plate; and a movable mold part disposed inside the fixed mold part so as to be freely advanced and retracted. An ejector rod hole is formed in the fixed mold part, and the ejector rod is inserted through the ejector rod hole. When the ejector rod advances to push the movable mold part, the molded product is ejected from the fixed mold part.

When the movable mold part and the ejector rod are connected, first, the tip end of the ejector rod is inserted into the stationary mold part from the ejector rod hole of the stationary mold part. Then, a screw shaft at the tip end of the ejector rod is screwed into a screw hole of the movable mold section. Then, the rear end portion of the ejector rod is connected to the ejector crosshead. If the order is reversed, the work is difficult to perform. This is because, if the rear end portion of the ejector rod and the ejector crosshead are connected first, the stationary mold portion must be disassembled and the movable mold portion and the ejector rod must be connected subsequently.

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2005/068155

The injection molding machine has a coupling member for coupling the rear end portion of the ejector rod and the ejector crosshead. The connecting piece is arranged in the inner space of the pressure plate. It is troublesome to perform the connecting work by entering the inner space of the platen from the rear side of the platen. This is because the driving mechanism is disposed behind the coupling in addition to the ejector crosshead, and the driving mechanism prevents the entry of the pressure plate into the internal space of the pressure plate from behind the pressure plate.

Therefore, it is considered to form an opening portion for entering the internal space of the platen from above or a side of the platen on the platen. However, since the drive mechanism is disposed in the inner space of the platen, the lubricant of the drive mechanism is scattered to the outer space of the platen through the opening of the platen.

Disclosure of Invention

An aspect of the present invention provides a technique that can easily connect a rear end portion of an ejector rod and an ejector crosshead and can suppress scattering of a lubricant.

An injection molding machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes:

the mold closing device comprises a pressing plate provided with a mold; and

an ejection device that ejects the molded product from the mold,

the ejection device includes: ejecting the rod; an ejection crosshead to which the ejection rod is connected; and a driving mechanism for advancing and retreating the ejection crosshead,

the platen has an opening for performing an operation of connecting the ejector rod and the ejector crosshead,

the opening section is capable of entering from an external space of the platen to an internal space of the platen and entering in a direction orthogonal to a mold opening and closing direction,

the injection molding machine is provided with a switching cover which is switched to a 1 st state for allowing the entry from the external space to the internal space through the opening portion and a 2 nd state for suppressing the scattering of lubricant from the internal space to the external space through the opening portion.

Effects of the invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, the rear end portion of the ejector rod and the ejector crosshead can be easily connected and scattering of lubricant can be suppressed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a state at the end of mold opening of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a state of the injection molding machine according to the embodiment at the time of mold clamping.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a movable platen, an ejector, and a switching cover according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the movable platen, the ejector, and the switching cover according to the embodiment, which is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged view of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state at the end of ejection in the ejection device shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the movable platen, the ejector, and the switching cover according to the embodiment, which is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a state in which the switching cover shown in fig. 7 is operated to connect the ejector rod and the ejector crosshead.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a switching cover according to an embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a rear view of the movable platen, the ejector, and the switching cover according to the embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a switching cover according to modification 1 and a switching cover according to modification 2.

Fig. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a switching cover according to a 3 rd modification and a switching cover according to a 4 th modification.

In the figure: 10-injection molding machine, 100-mold clamping device, 120-movable platen (platen), 121-interior space, 122-exterior space, 123-opening part, 200-ejector device, 210-ejector rod, 220-ejector crosshead, 230-drive mechanism, 600-coupling, 610-lubricant supply, 620-switching hood, 800-mold device, 820-movable mold (mold).

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

(injection molding machine)

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a state of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment when mold opening is completed. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a state of the injection molding machine according to the embodiment at the time of mold clamping. In this specification, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are directions perpendicular to each other. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction indicate the horizontal direction, and the Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction. When the mold clamping device 100 is horizontal, the X-axis direction is the mold opening/closing direction, and the Y-axis direction is the width direction of the injection molding machine 10. The Y-direction negative side is referred to as an operation side, and the Y-direction positive side is referred to as an opposite operation side.

As shown in fig. 1 to 2, the injection molding machine 10 includes a mold clamping device 100, an ejector 200, an injection device 300, a moving device 400, a control device 700, and a frame 900. The frame 900 includes a clamp frame 910 and an injection device frame 920. The mold clamping frame 910 and the injection device frame 920 are respectively provided on the floor 2 via leveling regulators 930. The control device 700 is disposed in the inner space of the injection device frame 920. Hereinafter, each constituent element of the injection molding machine 10 will be described.

(mold clamping device)

In the description of the mold clamping apparatus 100, the moving direction of the movable platen 120 (for example, the positive X-axis direction) when the mold is closed is defined as the front side, and the moving direction of the movable platen 120 (for example, the negative X-axis direction) when the mold is opened is defined as the rear side.

The mold clamping device 100 closes, raises, clamps, reduces, and opens the mold of the mold device 800. The mold apparatus 800 includes a stationary mold 810 and a movable mold 820.

The mold clamping device 100 is, for example, horizontal, and the mold opening/closing direction is horizontal. The mold clamping device 100 includes a fixed platen 110, a movable platen 120, a toggle base 130, a connecting rod 140, a toggle mechanism 150, a mold clamping motor 160, a motion conversion mechanism 170, and a mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180.

The fixed platen 110 is fixed to the mold clamping unit frame 910. A fixed mold 810 is attached to the surface of the fixed platen 110 facing the movable platen 120.

The movable platen 120 is disposed on the mold clamping unit frame 910 so as to be movable in the mold opening/closing direction. A guide 101 for guiding the movable platen 120 is laid on the mold clamping unit frame 910. A movable mold 820 is attached to a surface of the movable platen 120 facing the fixed platen 110. The movable platen 120 is advanced and retreated relative to the fixed platen 110, and the mold closing, pressure increasing, mold clamping, pressure reducing, and mold opening of the mold apparatus 800 are performed.

The toggle seat 130 is disposed at a distance from the fixed platen 110, and is mounted on the mold clamping device frame 910 so as to be movable in the mold opening/closing direction. The toggle seat 130 is movably disposed along a guide laid on the mold clamping unit frame 910. The guide of the toggle seat 130 may be common with the guide 101 of the movable platen 120.

In the present embodiment, the fixed platen 110 is fixed to the mold clamping device frame 910, and the toggle base 130 is disposed on the mold clamping device frame 910 so as to be movable in the mold opening and closing direction, but the toggle base 130 may be fixed to the mold clamping device frame 910, and the fixed platen 110 may be disposed on the mold clamping device frame 910 so as to be movable in the mold opening and closing direction.

The tie bar 140 connects the fixed platen 110 and the toggle seat 130 with a gap L therebetween in the mold opening and closing direction. A plurality of (e.g., 4) connecting rods 140 may be used. The plurality of tie bars 140 are arranged parallel to the mold opening and closing direction and extend according to the mold clamping force. A tie bar strain detector 141 that detects strain of the tie bar 140 may be provided to at least 1 tie bar 140. The tie-bar strain detector 141 transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the tie bar strain detector 141 is used for detection of the mold clamping force and the like.

In the present embodiment, the tie bar strain detector 141 is used as a mold clamping force detector for detecting a mold clamping force, but the present invention is not limited to this. The mold clamping force detector is not limited to the strain gauge type mold clamping force detector, and may be a piezoelectric type, a capacitive type, a hydraulic type, an electromagnetic type mold clamping force detector, or the like, and the attachment position thereof is not limited to the tie bar 140.

The toggle mechanism 150 is disposed between the movable platen 120 and the toggle base 130, and moves the movable platen 120 relative to the toggle base 130 in the mold opening and closing direction. The toggle mechanism 150 includes a cross 151 and a pair of links. Each of the pair of link groups includes a 1 st link 152 and a 2 nd link 153 connected by a pin or the like to be bendable and extendable. The 1 st link 152 is attached to the movable platen 120 by a pin or the like so as to be freely swingable. The 2 nd link 153 is pivotably attached to the toggle seat 130 by a pin or the like. The 2 nd link 153 is attached to the crosshead 151 via the 3 rd link 154. When the crosshead 151 is advanced and retreated with respect to the toggle seat 130, the 1 st link 152 and the 2 nd link 153 are extended and contracted, and the movable platen 120 is advanced and retreated with respect to the toggle seat 130.

The structure of the toggle mechanism 150 is not limited to the structure shown in fig. 1 and 2. For example, in fig. 1 and 2, the number of nodes of each link group is 5, but may be 4, and one end of the 3 rd link 154 may be coupled to the nodes of the 1 st link 152 and the 2 nd link 153.

The mold clamping motor 160 is attached to the toggle seat 130 and operates the toggle mechanism 150. The mold clamping motor 160 advances and retracts the crosshead 151 relative to the toggle seat 130, thereby flexing and extending the 1 st link 152 and the 2 nd link 153 and advancing and retracting the movable platen 120 relative to the toggle seat 130. The mold clamping motor 160 is directly coupled to the motion conversion mechanism 170, but may be coupled to the motion conversion mechanism 170 via a belt, a pulley, or the like.

The motion conversion mechanism 170 converts the rotational motion of the mold clamping motor 160 into the linear motion of the crosshead 151. The motion conversion mechanism 170 includes a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed to the screw shaft. Balls or rollers may be interposed between the screw shaft and the screw nut.

The mold clamping apparatus 100 performs a mold closing process, a pressure raising process, a mold clamping process, a pressure reducing process, a mold opening process, and the like under the control of the control device 700.

In the mold closing step, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven to advance the crosshead 151 to the mold closing end position at the set movement speed, thereby advancing the movable platen 120 so that the movable mold 820 contacts the fixed mold 810. For example, the position and the moving speed of the crosshead 151 are detected using a mold clamping motor encoder 161 or the like. The mold clamping motor encoder 161 detects the rotation of the mold clamping motor 160, and transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700.

The crosshead position detector that detects the position of the crosshead 151 and the crosshead travel speed detector that detects the travel speed of the crosshead 151 are not limited to the clamp motor encoder 161, and a general detector can be used. The movable platen position detector that detects the position of the movable platen 120 and the movable platen moving speed detector that detects the moving speed of the movable platen 120 are not limited to the clamp motor encoder 161, and a general detector can be used.

In the pressure raising step, the mold clamping motor 160 is further driven to further advance the crosshead 151 from the mold closing end position to the mold clamping position, thereby generating a mold clamping force.

In the mold clamping process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven to maintain the position of the crosshead 151 at the mold clamping position. In the mold clamping step, the mold clamping force generated in the pressure increasing step is maintained. In the mold clamping step, a cavity space 801 (see fig. 2) is formed between the movable mold 820 and the fixed mold 810, and the injection device 300 fills the cavity space 801 with a liquid molding material. The filled molding material is cured, thereby obtaining a molded article.

The number of the cavity spaces 801 may be 1 or more. In the latter case, a plurality of molded articles can be obtained at the same time. An insert may be disposed in a part of the cavity space 801 and the molding material may be filled in another part of the cavity space 801. A molded article in which the insert and the molding material are integrated can be obtained.

In the depressurizing step, the clamping motor 160 is driven to retract the crosshead 151 from the clamping position to the mold opening start position, thereby retracting the movable platen 120 to reduce the clamping force. The mold opening start position and the mold closing end position may be the same position.

In the mold opening step, the mold closing motor 160 is driven to retract the crosshead 151 from the mold opening start position to the mold opening end position at the set movement speed, thereby retracting the movable platen 120 and separating the movable mold 820 from the fixed mold 810. After that, the ejector 200 ejects the molded product from the movable die 820.

The setting conditions in the mold closing step, the pressure raising step, and the mold clamping step are set together as a series of setting conditions. For example, the moving speed and position of the crosshead 151 (including the mold closing start position, the moving speed switching position, the mold closing end position, and the mold clamping position) and the mold clamping force in the mold closing step and the mold pressure increasing step are set together as a series of setting conditions. The mold closing start position, the moving speed switching position, the mold closing end position, and the mold clamping position are arranged in this order from the rear side toward the front side, and indicate the start point and the end point of a section in which the moving speed is set. The moving speed is set for each section. The moving speed switching position may be 1 or plural. The moving speed switching position may not be set. The mold clamping position and the mold clamping force may be set to only one of them.

The setting conditions in the pressure reducing step and the mold opening step are also set in the same manner. For example, the movement speed and the position (the mold opening start position, the movement speed switching position, and the mold opening end position) of the crosshead 151 in the pressure reducing step and the mold opening step are set together as a series of setting conditions. The mold opening start position, the moving speed switching position, and the mold opening end position are arranged in order from the front side to the rear side, and indicate the start point and the end point of a section in which the moving speed is set. The moving speed is set for each section. The moving speed switching position may be 1 or plural. The moving speed switching position may not be set. The mold opening start position and the mold closing end position may be the same position. The mold opening end position and the mold closing start position may be the same position.

Instead of the moving speed and position of the crosshead 151, the moving speed and position of the movable platen 120 may be set. Instead of the position of the crosshead (for example, the mold clamping position) and the position of the movable platen, the mold clamping force may be set.

The toggle mechanism 150 increases the driving force of the mold clamping motor 160 and transmits the same to the movable platen 120. This increased magnification is also referred to as the wrist magnification. The toggle magnification changes according to an angle θ formed by the 1 st link 152 and the 2 nd link 153 (hereinafter, also referred to as "link angle θ"). The link angle θ is obtained from the position of the crosshead 151. When the link angle θ is 180 °, the toggle magnification is maximized.

When the thickness of the mold apparatus 800 changes due to, for example, replacement of the mold apparatus 800 or a change in temperature of the mold apparatus 800, the mold thickness is adjusted so that a predetermined mold clamping force is obtained at the time of mold clamping. In the mold thickness adjustment, for example, the interval L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle seat 130 is adjusted so that the link angle θ of the toggle mechanism 150 becomes a predetermined angle at the time when the movable mold 820 contacts the mold of the fixed mold 810.

The mold clamping device 100 includes a mold thickness adjusting mechanism 180. The die thickness adjustment mechanism 180 adjusts the die thickness by adjusting the interval L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle base 130. The mold thickness adjustment time is, for example, a period from the end of the molding cycle to the start of the next molding cycle. The die thickness adjusting mechanism 180 includes, for example, a screw shaft 181 formed at the rear end of the connecting rod 140, a screw nut 182 rotatably held by the toggle base 130 so as not to advance and retreat, and a die thickness adjusting motor 183 that rotates the screw nut 182 screwed to the screw shaft 181.

A screw shaft 181 and a screw nut 182 are provided to each connecting rod 140. The rotational driving force of the die thickness adjusting motor 183 can be transmitted to the plurality of lead screw nuts 182 via the rotational driving force transmitting portion 185. The plurality of lead screw nuts 182 can be rotated in synchronization. Further, the plurality of screw nuts 182 can be rotated independently by changing the transmission path of the rotational driving force transmission portion 185.

The rotational driving force transmission portion 185 is formed of, for example, a gear. At this time, a driven gear is formed on the outer periphery of each screw nut 182, a drive gear is attached to the output shaft of the die thickness adjusting motor 183, and an intermediate gear that meshes with the plurality of driven gears and the drive gear is rotatably held at the center of the toggle seat 130. In addition, the rotational driving force transmitting portion 185 may be constituted by a belt, a pulley, and the like instead of the gear.

The operation of the die thickness adjusting mechanism 180 is controlled by the control device 700. The control device 700 drives the die thickness adjustment motor 183 to rotate the lead screw nut 182. As a result, the position of the toggle seats 130 with respect to the connecting rods 140 is adjusted, and the interval L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle seats 130 is adjusted. In addition, a plurality of die thickness adjusting mechanisms may be used in combination.

The interval L is detected using the die thickness adjustment motor encoder 184. The mold thickness adjusting motor encoder 184 detects the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the mold thickness adjusting motor 183, and transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the die thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 is used for monitoring and controlling the position and interval L of the toggle seat 130. The toggle seat position detector for detecting the position of the toggle seat 130 and the interval detector for detecting the interval L are not limited to the mold thickness adjusting motor encoder 184, and a general detector can be used.

The mold clamping device 100 of the present embodiment is a horizontal type mold clamping device in which the mold opening and closing direction is the horizontal direction, but may be a vertical type mold clamping device in which the mold opening and closing direction is the vertical direction.

The mold clamping apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes the mold clamping motor 160 as a drive source, but may include a hydraulic cylinder instead of the mold clamping motor 160. The mold clamping device 100 may have a linear motor for opening and closing the mold and an electromagnet for clamping the mold.

(Ejection device)

In the description of the ejector 200, similarly to the description of the mold clamping apparatus 100, the moving direction of the movable platen 120 (for example, the positive X-axis direction) during mold closing is set to the front side, and the moving direction of the movable platen 120 (for example, the negative X-axis direction) during mold opening is set to the rear side.

The ejector 200 is attached to the movable platen 120 and advances and retreats together with the movable platen 120. The ejection device 200 includes: an ejector rod 210 ejecting a molded product from the driven mold 820; an ejector crosshead 220 to which an ejector rod 210 is connected; and a driving mechanism 230 for advancing and retreating the ejection crosshead 220.

The ejector rod 210 is inserted inside the movable die 820. As will be described in detail later, the movable mold 820 includes a fixed mold part 830 fixed to the movable platen 120 and a movable mold part 840 disposed inside the fixed mold part 830 so as to be movable forward and backward, as shown in fig. 4 and the like.

The ejector rod 210 is connected to the ejector crosshead 220 and advances and retreats together with the ejector crosshead 220. When the ejector rod 210 moves forward to push the movable mold part 840, the molded product is ejected from the fixed mold part 830.

As shown in fig. 5, for example, the drive mechanism 230 includes an ejection motor 240 and a motion conversion mechanism 250 that converts the rotational motion of the ejection motor 240 into the linear motion of the ejection cross head 220. The motion conversion mechanism 250 includes a screw shaft 251 and a screw nut 252 screwed with the screw shaft 251. Balls or rollers may be interposed between the screw shaft 251 and the screw nut 252.

The ejection device 200 performs the ejection process under the control of the control device 700. In the ejection process, the ejector rod 210 is advanced from the standby position to the ejection position at a set moving speed, and the movable mold section 840 is advanced to eject the molded product. Thereafter, the ejector motor 240 is driven to retract the ejector rod 210 at a predetermined moving speed, so that the movable mold section 840 is retracted to the original standby position.

The position and moving speed of the ejector rod 210 are detected using, for example, the ejector motor encoder 242. The eject motor encoder 242 detects the rotation of the eject motor 240, and transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The ejector rod position detector for detecting the position of the ejector rod 210 and the ejector rod movement speed detector for detecting the movement speed of the ejector rod 210 are not limited to the ejector motor encoder 242, and a general detector can be used.

(injection device)

In the explanation of the injection device 300, unlike the explanation of the mold clamping device 100 and the explanation of the ejector device 200, the moving direction of the screw 330 during filling (for example, the negative X-axis direction) is set to the front side and the moving direction of the screw 330 during metering (for example, the positive X-axis direction) is set to the rear side.

The injection device 300 is provided on the slide base 301, and the slide base 301 is disposed to be movable forward and backward with respect to the injection device frame 920. The injection device 300 is disposed to be movable forward and backward with respect to the mold device 800. The injection device 300 contacts the mold device 800, and fills the cavity space 801 in the mold device 800 with the molding material. The injection device 300 includes, for example, a cylinder 310, a nozzle 320, a screw 330, a metering motor 340, an injection motor 350, a pressure detector 360, and the like.

The cylinder 310 heats the molding material supplied from the supply port 311 to the inside. The molding material includes, for example, resin or the like. The molding material is, for example, formed into a granular shape and supplied to the supply port 311 in a solid state. The supply port 311 is formed at the rear of the cylinder 310. A cooler 312 such as a water-cooled cylinder is provided on the outer periphery of the rear portion of the cylinder block 310. A heater 313 such as a band heater and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder 310 in front of the cooler 312.

The cylinder 310 is divided into a plurality of regions in the axial direction (for example, the X-axis direction) of the cylinder 310. Heaters 313 and temperature detectors 314 are provided in the plurality of regions, respectively. The plurality of zones are set to set temperatures, and the control device 700 controls the heater 313 so that the temperature detected by the temperature detector 314 becomes the set temperature.

The nozzle 320 is provided at the front end of the cylinder 310 and is pressed against the die apparatus 800. A heater 313 and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle 320. The control device 700 controls the heater 313 so that the temperature detected by the nozzle 320 becomes the set temperature.

The screw 330 is disposed in the cylinder 310 so as to be freely rotatable and movable forward and backward. When the screw 330 is rotated, the molding material is conveyed forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. The molding material is gradually melted by heat from the cylinder 310 while being conveyed forward. The screw 330 is retreated as the liquid molding material is conveyed to the front of the screw 330 and accumulated in the front of the cylinder 310. When the screw 330 is advanced, the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is ejected from the nozzle 320 and is filled into the mold apparatus 800.

A check ring 331 is attached to the front portion of the screw 330 to be movable forward and backward, and serves as a check valve, and the check ring 331 prevents the molding material from flowing backward from the front of the screw 330 when the screw 330 is pushed forward.

When the screw 330 is advanced, the check ring 331 is pushed rearward by the pressure of the molding material in front of the screw 330 and relatively retreats with respect to the screw 330 to a closed position (refer to fig. 2) blocking the flow path of the molding material. This prevents the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 from flowing backward.

On the other hand, when the screw 330 is rotated, the check ring 331 is pushed forward by the pressure of the molding material conveyed forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330, and relatively advances with respect to the screw 330 to an open position (refer to fig. 1) where the flow path of the molding material is opened. Thereby, the molding material is conveyed to the front of the screw 330.

The check ring 331 may be of a co-rotating type that rotates together with the screw 330 and a non-co-rotating type that does not rotate together with the screw 330.

The injection device 300 may have a drive source for moving the check ring 331 forward and backward between the open position and the closed position with respect to the screw 330.

The metering motor 340 rotates the screw 330. The driving source for rotating the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor 340, and may be, for example, a hydraulic pump.

The injection motor 350 advances and retracts the screw 330. A motion conversion mechanism or the like that converts the rotational motion of the injection motor 350 into the linear motion of the screw 330 is provided between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330. The motion conversion mechanism includes, for example, a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed to the screw shaft. Balls, rollers, etc. may be provided between the screw shaft and the screw nut. The driving source for advancing and retracting the screw 330 is not limited to the injection motor 350, and may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder.

The pressure detector 360 detects a force transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330. The detected force is converted into a pressure by the control device 700. The pressure detector 360 is provided in a force transmission path between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330, and detects a force acting on the pressure detector 360.

The pressure detector 360 transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the pressure detector 360 is used for controlling and monitoring the pressure applied to the screw 330 from the molding material, the back pressure applied to the screw 330, the pressure applied to the molding material from the screw 330, and the like.

The injection device 300 performs a metering process, a filling process, a pressure maintaining process, and the like under the control of the control device 700. The filling process and the pressure holding process are also collectively referred to as an injection process.

In the metering step, the metering motor 340 is driven to rotate the screw 330 at a predetermined rotation speed, and the molding material is conveyed forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. With this, the molding material gradually melts. The screw 330 is retreated as the liquid molding material is conveyed to the front of the screw 330 and accumulated in the front of the cylinder 310. The rotational speed of the screw 330 is detected, for example, using a metering motor encoder 341. The metering motor encoder 341 detects the rotation of the metering motor 340, and transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The screw rotation speed detector for detecting the rotation speed of the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor encoder 341, and a general screw rotation speed detector can be used.

In the metering process, the injection motor 350 may be driven to apply a set back pressure to the screw 330 in order to restrict the screw 330 from suddenly retreating. The back pressure to the screw 330 is detected, for example, using a pressure detector 360. The pressure detector 360 transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. When the screw 330 is retracted to the metering completion position and a predetermined amount of molding material is accumulated in front of the screw 330, the metering process is completed.

The position and the rotation speed of the screw 330 in the metering step are set as a series of setting conditions. For example, a measurement start position, a rotation speed switching position, and a measurement end position are set. These positions are arranged in order from the front side to the rear side, and indicate the start point and the end point of the section in which the rotation speed is set. The rotation speed is set for each interval. The number of the rotational speed switching positions may be 1 or plural. The rotational speed switching position may not be set. Further, the back pressure is set for each section.

In the filling step, the injection motor 350 is driven to advance the screw 330 at a predetermined moving speed, and the cavity space 801 in the mold apparatus 800 is filled with the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330. The position and moving speed of the screw 330 are detected using, for example, an injection motor encoder 351. The injection motor encoder 351 detects the rotation of the injection motor 350, and transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. When the position of the screw 330 reaches the set position, switching from the filling step to the holding pressure step (so-called V/P switching) is performed. The position where the V/P switching is performed is also referred to as a V/P switching position. The set moving speed of the screw 330 may be changed according to the position, time, and the like of the screw 330.

The position and the moving speed of the screw 330 in the filling process are set as a series of setting conditions. For example, a filling start position (also referred to as an "injection start position"), a movement speed switching position, and a V/P switching position are set. These positions are arranged in order from the rear side to the front side, and indicate the start point and the end point of the section in which the moving speed is set. The moving speed is set for each section. The moving speed switching position may be 1 or plural. The moving speed switching position may not be set.

The upper limit value of the pressure of the screw 330 is set for each section in which the moving speed of the screw 330 is set. The pressure of the screw 330 is detected by a pressure detector 360. When the detection value of the pressure detector 360 is equal to or lower than the set pressure, the screw 330 moves forward at the set moving speed. On the other hand, when the detection value of the pressure detector 360 exceeds the set pressure, the screw 330 is advanced at a moving speed slower than the set moving speed so that the detection value of the pressure detector 360 becomes equal to or lower than the set pressure for the purpose of protecting the mold.

In the filling step, after the position of the screw 330 reaches the V/P switching position, the screw 330 may be temporarily stopped at the V/P switching position and then V/P switched. Instead of stopping the screw 330, low-speed forward movement or low-speed reverse movement of the screw 330 may be performed immediately before the V/P switching. The screw position detector for detecting the position of the screw 330 and the screw movement speed detector for detecting the movement speed of the screw 330 are not limited to the injection motor encoder 351, and a general detector can be used.

In the pressure retaining step, the injection motor 350 is driven to push the screw 330 forward, the pressure of the molding material at the tip end of the screw 330 (hereinafter also referred to as "holding pressure") is held at a set pressure, and the molding material remaining in the cylinder 310 is pressed toward the mold apparatus 800. The molding material can be replenished in an insufficient amount due to cooling shrinkage in the mold apparatus 800. The holding pressure is detected, for example, using a pressure detector 360. The pressure detector 360 transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The set value of the holding pressure may be changed according to the time elapsed after the start of the pressure holding step. The holding pressure and the holding time for holding the holding pressure in the holding pressure step may be set in plural numbers, respectively, or may be set collectively as a series of setting conditions.

In the pressure retaining step, the molding material in the cavity space 801 in the mold apparatus 800 is gradually cooled, and at the end of the pressure retaining step, the entrance of the cavity space 801 is blocked by the solidified molding material. This state is referred to as gate sealing, which prevents backflow of molding material from the cavity space 801. After the pressure holding step, the cooling step is started. In the cooling step, the molding material in the cavity space 801 is solidified. The metering step may be performed during the cooling step for the purpose of shortening the molding cycle time.

The injection device 300 of the present embodiment is a coaxial screw type injection device, but may be a pre-injection type injection device or the like. The preplasticizing injection device supplies the molding material melted in the plasticizing cylinder to the injection cylinder, and injects the molding material from the injection cylinder into the mold device. In the plasticizing cylinder, the screw is disposed to be rotatable and incapable of advancing and retreating or the screw is disposed to be rotatable and capable of advancing and retreating. On the other hand, the plunger is disposed to be movable forward and backward in the injection cylinder.

Further, the injection device 300 of the present embodiment is a horizontal type injection device in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is the horizontal direction, but may be a vertical type injection device in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is the vertical direction. The mold clamping device combined with the vertical injection device 300 may be a vertical mold clamping device or a horizontal mold clamping device. Similarly, the mold clamping device combined with the horizontal injection device 300 may be a horizontal mold clamping device or a vertical mold clamping device.

(moving device)

In the explanation of the moving device 400, similarly to the explanation of the injection device 300, the moving direction of the screw 330 during filling (for example, the negative X-axis direction) is assumed to be the front side, and the moving direction of the screw 330 during metering (for example, the positive X-axis direction) is assumed to be the rear side.

The moving device 400 advances and retreats the injection device 300 with respect to the mold device 800. Then, the moving device 400 presses the nozzle 320 against the mold device 800, and generates a nozzle contact pressure. The traveling apparatus 400 includes a hydraulic pump 410, a motor 420 as a driving source, a hydraulic cylinder 430 as a hydraulic actuator, and the like. When motor 420 is driven, hydraulic pump 410 supplies hydraulic pressure to hydraulic cylinder 430, and hydraulic cylinder 430 advances and retreats injection device 300 by the hydraulic pressure.

In the present embodiment, the moving device 400 includes the hydraulic cylinder 430, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an electric motor and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the electric motor into the linear motion of the injection device 300 may be used instead of the hydraulic cylinder 430.

(control device)

The control device 700 is constituted by a computer, for example, and as shown in fig. 1 to 2, includes a CPU (Central processing unit) 701, a storage medium 702 such as a memory, an input interface 703, and an output interface 704. The control device 700 performs various controls by causing the CPU701 to execute a program stored in the storage medium 702. The control device 700 receives a signal from the outside through the input interface 703 and transmits the signal to the outside through the output interface 704.

The control device 700 repeats a metering process, a mold closing process, a pressure increasing process, a mold closing process, a filling process, a pressure maintaining process, a cooling process, a pressure reducing process, a mold opening process, an ejection process, and the like, to repeatedly manufacture a molded product. A series of operations for obtaining a molded product, for example, an operation from the start of a metering step to the start of the next metering step, is also referred to as "shot" or "molding cycle". Also, the time required for 1 shot is also referred to as "molding cycle time" or "cycle time".

The one-shot molding cycle includes, for example, a metering step, a mold closing step, a pressure raising step, a mold closing step, a filling step, a pressure maintaining step, a cooling step, a pressure reducing step, a mold opening step, and an ejection step in this order. The sequence here is the order in which the respective steps start. The filling process, the pressure maintaining process and the cooling process are performed during the mold clamping process. The start of the mold clamping process may coincide with the start of the filling process. The end of the pressure reduction process coincides with the start of the mold opening process.

In addition, a plurality of steps can be performed simultaneously for the purpose of shortening the molding cycle time. For example, the metering step may be performed during the cooling step of the previous molding cycle, or may be performed during the mold clamping step. In this case, the mold closing step may be performed at the beginning of the molding cycle. Also, the filling process may be started during the mold closing process. Also, the ejection process may be started during the mold opening process. When an opening and closing valve that opens and closes the flow path of the nozzle 320 is provided, the mold opening process may be started during the metering process. This is because, even if the mold opening step is started during the metering step, the molding material does not leak from the nozzle 320 when the opening/closing valve closes the flow path of the nozzle 320.

The one-shot molding cycle may include steps other than a metering step, a mold closing step, a pressure raising step, a mold closing step, a filling step, a pressure maintaining step, a cooling step, a pressure reducing step, a mold opening step, and an ejection step.

For example, after the pressure holding step is completed and before the metering step is started, a pre-metering suck-back step of moving the screw 330 backward to a preset metering start position may be performed. The pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 before the start of the metering process can be reduced, and the screw 330 can be prevented from rapidly retreating at the start of the metering process.

After the metering step is completed and before the filling step is started, a post-metering suck-back step of moving the screw 330 backward to a preset filling start position (also referred to as an "injection start position") may be performed. The pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 before the start of the filling process can be reduced, and the molding material can be prevented from leaking from the nozzle 320 before the start of the filling process.

The control device 700 is connected to an operation device 750 and a display device 760. Operation device 750 receives an input operation by a user, and outputs a signal corresponding to the input operation to control device 700. Display device 760 displays a display screen corresponding to an input operation in operation device 750, under the control of control device 700.

The display screen is used for setting the injection molding machine 10. A plurality of display screens are prepared, and display is switched or overlapped. The user operates the operation device 750 while viewing the display screen displayed on the display device 760 to perform setting (including input of set values) of the injection molding machine 10 and the like.

The operation device 750 and the display device 760 may be formed of a touch panel, for example, and may be integrated. Further, although the operation device 750 and the display device 760 of the present embodiment are integrated, they may be provided separately. Also, a plurality of operating devices 750 may be provided. The operation device 750 and the display device 760 are disposed on the Y-axis direction negative side of the mold clamping device 100 (more specifically, the fixed platen 110). The Y-direction negative side is referred to as an operation side, and the Y-direction positive side is referred to as an opposite operation side.

(Movable platen, ejector, and switching cover)

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a movable platen, an ejector, and a switching cover according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the movable platen, the ejector, and the switching cover according to the embodiment, which is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows a state of the ejector at the start of ejection. Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged view of fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state at the end of ejection in the ejection device shown in fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the movable platen, the ejector, and the switching cover according to the embodiment, which is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a state in which the switching cover shown in fig. 7 is operated to connect the ejector rod and the ejector crosshead. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a switching cover according to an embodiment. Fig. 10 is a rear view of the movable platen, the ejector, and the switching cover according to the embodiment.

As shown in fig. 4 and the like, the movable platen 120 includes: a movable die mounting part 510 to which a movable die 820 is mounted; and a 1 st link mounting portion 520 to which the 1 st link 152 of the toggle mechanism 150 is swingably mounted. The movable platen 120 includes a load transmission portion 530 that transmits a load (for example, a mold clamping force and a reaction force thereof) between the 1 st link attachment portion 520 and the movable mold attachment portion 510. As shown in fig. 10 and the like, the movable platen 120 includes a pair of support leg portions 540 that support the load transmission portions 530.

The movable mold mounting part 510 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in the mold opening and closing direction. As shown in fig. 10, notches 511 are formed at four corners of the movable mold mounting part 510 as viewed in the mold opening and closing direction to avoid interference with the tie bars 140. In addition, a through hole may be formed instead of the notch 511, and the connection rod 140 may be disposed in the through hole.

As shown in fig. 4, the movable mold mounting part 510 is formed with a knock-out pin hole 512 penetrating the movable mold mounting part 510 in the mold opening and closing direction. The ejector rod hole 512 is formed in the center of the movable mold mounting part 510 when viewed in the mold opening and closing direction. The ejector rod hole 512 is formed from the front end surface of the die mounting portion 510 to the inner space of the load transmission portion 530. The ejector rod 210 is disposed in the ejector rod hole 512 to be freely advanced and retracted.

The 1 st link mounting portions 520 are provided in a pair with an interval therebetween in the Z-axis direction. Each of the pair of 1 st link mounting portions 520 is formed of a plurality of link mounting plates 521 disposed at intervals in the Y-axis direction. The 1 st link pin hole 522 penetrating the link mounting plates 521 in the Y-axis direction is formed in the link mounting plates 521. The 1 st link pin is inserted through the 1 st link pin hole 522. The 1 st link pin couples the 1 st link 152 to the 1 st link mounting portion 520 so as to be swingable.

As shown in fig. 10, the load transmission part 530 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed in the mold opening and closing direction. As shown in fig. 4 and the like, the upper surface of the load transmission part 530 has an inclined part 531 inclined downward toward the front. Similarly, the lower surface of the load transmission part 530 has an inclined part 532 inclined upward toward the front. By forming the pair of upper and lower inclined portions 531, 532, the mold clamping force transmitted from the pair of upper and lower 1 st link mounting portions 520 to the load transmission portion 530 can be transmitted intensively to the movable mold 820 disposed at the center portion in the vertical direction of the load transmission portion 530.

As shown in fig. 10, a pair of support leg portions 540 are provided in the Y-axis direction with a load transmission portion 530 interposed therebetween. The pair of support legs 540 support the center portion in the Z-axis direction of the Y-axis direction end surface of the load transmission part 530, and support the load transmission part 530 by floating from the mold clamping frame 910. Heat from the movable mold 820 is transmitted to the mold clamping device frame 910 through the movable mold mounting part 510, the load transmission part 530, and the support leg 540. The heat transfer from the load transmission part 530 to the mold clamping unit frame 910 can be suppressed, and the temperature distribution of the load transmission part 530 can be made vertically symmetrical. Therefore, the inclination of the load transmission part 530 can be suppressed.

The support leg 540 includes, for example, a vertical portion 541 and an inclined portion 542 extending obliquely upward from an upper end portion of the vertical portion 541. The vertical portion 541 is formed of a vertical pillar, and is fixed to the slide base 102 at a lower end portion. The slide base 102 advances and retreats along the guide 101. The inclined portion 542 extends from the upper end portion of the vertical portion 541 to the center portion in the Z-axis direction of the Y-axis direction end surface of the load transmission portion 530.

The movable mold 820 is attached to the movable platen 120 and moves forward and backward together with the movable platen 120. The movable mold 820 has: a fixed mold part 830 fixed to the movable platen 120; and a movable mold part 840 disposed inside the fixed mold part 830 to be movable forward and backward.

The mold fixing part 830 includes: a movable mounting plate 831 mounted to the movable platen 120; a pad 835 forming a space 834 in front of the movable mounting plate 831; and a movable die plate 836 fixed to the movable mounting plate 831 via a movable pad 835.

The movable mounting plate 831 is formed with an ejector rod hole 832 penetrating the movable mounting plate 831 in the mold opening and closing direction. The ejector rod 210 is disposed in the ejector rod hole 832 to be movable forward and backward.

The spacer 835 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed in the mold opening and closing direction. The spacer 835 forms a space 834 between the movable mounting plate 831 and the movable platen 836. The ejector plate 841 is disposed in the space 834 so as to be movable forward and backward.

The movable die plate 836 forms a cavity space 801 together with the fixed die 810. The molded product 20 solidified in the cavity space 801 retreats together with the movable platen 836 at the time of mold opening, and is then ejected from the movable platen 836.

The fixed mold part 830 includes a guide pin 839 guiding the movable mold part 840. The axial direction of the guide pin 839 is the X-axis direction. The movable mold part 840 advances and retreats along the guide pin 839.

The movable mold part 840 is disposed inside the fixed mold part 830 to be movable forward and backward. The movable mold portion 840 includes, for example: a plate-shaped ejecting plate 841 which is perpendicular to the mold opening and closing direction; and a rod-shaped ejector pin 844 extending forward from the ejector plate 841.

The ejector plate 841 is disposed in a space 834 between the movable attachment plate 831 and the movable die plate 836 so as to be movable forward and backward. The ejector plate 841 advances and retreats along the guide pin 839. The ejector plate 841 is urged in a direction away from the movable die plate 836 by the return spring 845.

As described later, the return spring 845 may be omitted when the knock-out plate 841 and the knock-out lever 210 are coupled. This is because the ejector plate 841 advances and retreats together with the ejector rod 210.

The ejector pin 844 is disposed in an ejector pin hole penetrating the movable die plate 836 in the die opening and closing direction so as to be movable forward and backward. The ejector pin 844 advances and retreats together with the ejector plate 841. When the ejector plate 841 is located at the retreat limit position, the front end surface of the ejector pin 844 is flush with the front end surface of the movable die plate 836. The tip surface of the ejector pin 844 abuts against the molded article 20.

The ejector 200 has an ejector rod 210 that advances and retreats in the mold opening and closing direction. The ejector rod 210 is disposed in an ejector rod hole 832 of the mold section 830 so as to be movable forward and backward. When the ejector rod 210 moves forward to push the movable mold part 840 forward, the movable mold part 840 moves forward to eject the molded product 20 from the fixed mold part 830. When the movable mold section 840 is connected to the ejector rod 210, the movable mold section 840 in front moves backward together when the ejector rod 210 moves backward.

If the movable mold section 840 and the ejector rod 210 are not connected, a spring is provided for pushing the movable mold section 840 backward. The ejector rod 210 advances the movable mold section 840 against the elastic restoring force of the spring when advancing. When the ejector rod 210 retreats, the movable mold portion 840 retreats by the elastic restoring force of the spring. If the spring fails, the movable mold section 840 does not move backward when the ejector rod 210 moves backward, and therefore a sensor for monitoring the position of the movable mold section 840 is provided.

According to the present embodiment, since the movable mold section 840 and the ejector rod 210 are coupled, a spring for pushing the movable mold section 840 rearward is not required. Therefore, the movable mold section 840 can be advanced and retracted without being affected by the variation in the elastic restoring force of the spring accompanying the expansion and contraction of the spring. Further, the position of the movable mold portion 840 can be monitored by monitoring the position of the ejector rod 210. Therefore, not only the spring but also a sensor for monitoring the position of the movable mold portion 840 are not required.

The ejection device 200 includes: an ejector crosshead 220 to which an ejector rod 210 is connected; and a driving mechanism 230 for moving the ejection cross head 220. The ejector 200 includes a mounting plate 260 for mounting the driving mechanism 230 to the movable platen 120. The ejector 200 includes a plurality of guide rods 270 extending forward from the mounting plate 260.

The ejection crosshead 220 advances and retreats along the plurality of guide rods 270. The plurality of guide rods 270 also have a function of inhibiting rotation of the ejection crosshead 220. A stopper 271 is provided at the front end of the guide rod 270. The stopper 271 prevents the ejection cross head 220 from being disengaged from the guide rod 270.

The drive mechanism 230 includes, for example, an ejection motor 240 and a motion conversion mechanism 250 that converts the rotational motion of the ejection motor 240 into the linear motion of the ejection crosshead 220. As shown in fig. 5, the motion conversion mechanism 250 includes a screw shaft 251 and a screw nut 252 screwed to the screw shaft 251. Balls or rollers may be interposed between the screw shaft 251 and the screw nut 252. The screw shaft 251 of the motion conversion mechanism 250 and the output shaft 241 of the eject motor 240 are arranged on a straight line.

The motion conversion mechanism 250 further includes: a spline nut 253 fixed to the output shaft 241 of the ejection motor 240; and a spline shaft 254 spline-coupled to the spline nut 253. The output shaft 241 of the eject motor 240 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The spline nut 253 and the spline shaft 254 are inserted into the output shaft 241. The output shaft 241 of the ejector motor 240 can be overlapped with the spline shaft 254 of the motion conversion mechanism 250 when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and the dimension of the drive mechanism 230 in the X-axis direction can be shortened.

The motion conversion mechanism 250 further includes: a rotation shaft 255 that rotates together with the screw shaft 251; and a bearing 256 for rotatably supporting the rotary shaft 255. The bearing 256 has: an inner ring rotating together with the rotary shaft 255; and an outer ring held by an ejector crosshead 220. The bearing 256 prevents transmission of the rotational driving force from the rotating shaft 255 to the ejection crosshead 220.

The spline shaft 254, the screw shaft 251, and the rotation shaft 255 are arranged on a straight line and integrated. The spline shaft 254, the screw shaft 251, and the rotation shaft 255 are arranged in this order from the rear to the front.

When the output shaft 241 of the eject motor 240 is rotated, the spline nut 253, the spline shaft 254, and the screw shaft 251 rotate together with the output shaft 241. The screw nut 252 is fixed to the mounting plate 260 and therefore does not rotate together with the screw shaft 251. Therefore, the screw shaft 251 advances and retreats while rotating. The spline shaft 254 is spline-connected to a spline nut 253 so that the screw shaft 251 and the spline shaft 254 can advance and retreat while rotating. When the screw shaft 251 moves forward and backward while rotating, the ejector crosshead 220 moves forward and backward.

In addition, the screw shaft 251 of the motion conversion mechanism 250 and the output shaft 241 of the ejection motor 240 are arranged on the same straight line in the present embodiment, but may not be arranged on the same straight line. In the latter case, the rotational motion of the ejection motor 240 is transmitted to the motion conversion mechanism 250 via a pulley and a timing belt, for example.

As shown in fig. 4, etc., the mounting plate 260 is attached to the load transmission portion 530 of the movable platen 120. The load transmission part 530 is formed in a rectangular frame shape when viewed in the mold opening and closing direction, for example. The inner peripheral surface of the load transmission part 530 has a ring-shaped stepped surface 533. The mounting plate 260 is fixed to the stepped surface 533.

As shown in fig. 10 and the like, the mounting plate 260 includes: a mounting plate main body 261 having a rectangular shape when viewed in the mold opening and closing direction; and 4 mounting arms 262 projecting radially from the mounting plate main body 261 as viewed in the mold opening and closing direction. The distal end portions of the 4 attachment arms 262 are fixed to the stepped surface 533 on the inner peripheral surface of the load transmission part 530 by bolts or the like. Since the space 534 can be formed between the mounting disk main body 261 and the inner peripheral surface of the load transmission portion 530, the mounting disk 260 can be reduced in size and weight.

As shown in fig. 4, a through hole 263 penetrating the mounting plate 260 in the mold opening and closing direction is formed in the mounting plate 260. The through hole 263 is formed in the center of the mounting plate main body 261 as viewed in the mold opening and closing direction. The drive mechanism 230 is disposed in the through hole 263 of the mounting plate 260. More specifically, the screw nut 252 of the driving mechanism 230 is disposed in the through hole 263 of the mounting plate 260.

Next, the operation of coupling the movable mold section 840 to the ejector rod 210 will be described. First, before the fixed mold part 830 is fixed to the movable platen 120, the distal end portion of the ejector rod 210 is inserted into the fixed mold part 830 from the ejector rod hole 832 of the fixed mold part 830. Next, the screw shaft 211 at the distal end of the ejector rod 210 is screwed into the screw hole 842 of the movable mold section 840. The screw hole 842 is formed in the rear end surface of the ejector plate 841, for example.

In the present embodiment, the screw shaft 211 is formed at the distal end portion of the ejector rod 210, and the screw hole 842 is formed in the rear end surface of the ejector plate 841, but the arrangement of the screw shaft 211 and the screw hole 842 may be reversed. That is, the screw hole 842 may be formed in the front end surface of the ejector rod 210, and the screw shaft 211 may be formed in the rear end surface of the ejector plate 841.

Thereafter, the mold fixing unit 830 is fixed to the movable platen 120, and then the rear end of the ejector rod 210 and the ejector crosshead 220 are coupled by the coupling 600. For example, as shown in fig. 5, the coupling member 600 couples the flange at the rear end of the ejector rod 210 to the flange at the front end of the ejector crosshead 220. The connector 600 has: a 1 st divided part 601 that presses the flange at the rear end of the ejector rod 210 from the front; and a 2 nd divided part 602 for pushing out the flange at the front end of the crosshead 220 from behind. The 1 st divided part 601 and the 2 nd divided part 602 are coupled by bolts or the like. In addition, the link 600 may be a general link.

If the order of the connection between the distal end portion of the ejector rod 210 and the movable mold portion 840 and the connection between the rear end portion of the ejector rod 210 and the ejector crosshead 220 is reversed, the operation becomes difficult. This is because, if the rear end portion of the ejector rod 210 and the ejector crosshead 220 are connected first, it is necessary to disassemble the fixed mold portion 830 and then connect the movable mold portion 840 and the front end portion of the ejector rod 210.

As shown in fig. 4, the coupling 600 is disposed in the internal space 121 of the movable platen 120. The inner space 121 of the movable platen 120 is a space in which the ejector 200 is disposed. It is troublesome to enter the coupling 600 from the rear of the movable platen 120. Behind the coupling member 600, not only the ejecting crosshead 220 but also the driving mechanism 230 are disposed. The driving mechanism 230 prevents the entry of the movable platen 120 to the link 600 from the rear.

The movable platen 120 has an opening 123 for performing an operation of connecting the ejector rod 210 and the ejector cross head 220. Hereinafter, the operation of connecting the ejector rod 210 and the ejector crosshead 220 is also simply referred to as a connecting operation. The opening 123 allows entry from the external space 122 of the movable platen 120 into the internal space 121 of the movable platen 120, that is, entry in a direction (for example, the vertical direction) orthogonal to the mold opening and closing direction. The linking work is performed by a human or a robot. The external space 122 of the movable platen 120 is a space on the opposite side of the internal space 121 with respect to the opening 123.

As shown in fig. 4 and the like, the coupling opening 123 is formed on the upper surface of the movable platen 120, and more specifically, on the upper surface of the load transmission part 530 of the movable platen 120. In order to make the rigidity of the movable platen 120 vertically symmetrical, the opening 125 is also formed in the lower surface of the movable platen 120, more specifically, in the lower surface of the load transmission part 530 of the movable platen 120. The lower opening 125 is not used for the connection operation in the present embodiment, but may be used for the connection operation.

The worker or the working robot performs the coupling work by entering the internal space 121 of the movable platen 120 from the external space 122 of the movable platen 120 through the opening 123 of the movable platen 120. Thereafter, the worker or the working robot exits from the inner space 121 of the movable platen 120 to the outer space of the movable platen 120.

The worker or the working robot can perform the coupling releasing operation in the same manner as the coupling operation. The connection releasing operation is an operation of releasing the connection between the ejector rod 210 and the ejector crosshead 220.

The worker or the working robot enters the internal space 121 of the movable platen 120 from the external space 122 of the movable platen 120 through the opening 123 of the movable platen 120 to perform the coupling releasing operation. Thereafter, the worker or the working robot exits from the inner space 121 of the movable platen 120 to the outer space 122 of the movable platen 120.

The coupling opening 123 according to the present embodiment is formed in the upper surface of the movable platen 120, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The connection work opening 123 may be formed at least at 1 point of the upper surface (end surface on the positive side in the Z-axis direction), the lower surface (end surface on the negative side in the Z-axis direction), the lateral side surface on the opposite side to the operation side (end surface on the positive side in the Y-axis direction), and the lateral side surface on the operation side (end surface on the negative side in the Y-axis direction).

That is, the coupling opening 123 may be provided so as to enter the internal space 121 of the movable platen 120 from a direction orthogonal to the mold opening and closing direction. In the present embodiment, the working opening 123 is formed in the upper surface of the load transmission part 530 because the lateral side surface on the opposite side to the operation side of the load transmission part 530 and the lateral side surface on the operation side of the load transmission part 530 are closed by the support leg 540 as shown in fig. 3.

Not only the coupling 600 but also the driving mechanism 230 is disposed in the inner space 121 of the movable platen 120. A lubricant such as grease is supplied from the lubricant supply unit 610 to the drive mechanism 230.

As shown in fig. 4, the lubricant supply unit 610 is attached to the upper surface of the movable platen 120. More specifically, the lubricant supply part 610 is attached to the upper surface of the load transmission part 530 of the movable platen 120. A lubricant passage 611 extending vertically downward to the inner circumferential surface of the movable platen 120 is formed in the upper surface of the movable platen 120. A lubricant passage 612 is formed on an extension of the lubricant passage 611. The lubricant passage 612 extends vertically downward from the upper surface of the mounting disk 260 to the through hole 263 of the mounting disk 260.

The lubricant flows down the lubricant passage 611 of the movable platen 120 and the lubricant passage 612 of the mounting disk 260 and is supplied to the motion converting mechanism 250. The lubricant is first supplied to the screw nut 252, and then to the screw shaft 251. Thereafter, the lubricant spreads forward and rearward along the screw shaft 251 and is also supplied to the spline shaft 254 and the bearing 256.

As shown in fig. 6, the lubricant is scattered from the rotating screw shaft 251 between the mounting plate 260 and the ejection crosshead 220 by centrifugal force. More specifically, as shown in fig. 6, the lubricant is scattered from the rotating screw shaft 251 between the screw nut 252 and the ejector crosshead 220 by centrifugal force. As shown by arrows in fig. 6, the scattered lubricant is directed toward the upper opening 123 of the movable platen 120.

The injection molding machine 10 includes a switching cover 620 for preventing the lubricant from scattering toward the upper opening 123. The scattered lubricant also faces the lower opening 125. The lubricant passing through the lower opening 125 is collected by the oil pan. The oil pan is, for example, carried on the upper surface of the frame 900.

The switching cover 620 switches between a 1 st state in which entry from the external space 122 into the internal space 121 through the opening 123 of the movable platen 120 is permitted and a 2 nd state in which scattering of lubricant from the internal space 121 into the external space 122 through the opening 123 of the movable platen 120 is suppressed. When switching cover 620 is in state 2, lubricant is prevented from scattering from internal space 121 to external space 122 through opening 123, as compared with when switching cover 1 is in state 1.

When the switching cover 620 is in the 2 nd state, the opening degree of the opening 123 is smaller when viewed from the entering direction (for example, the vertical direction) during the coupling operation than when the switching cover 620 is in the 1 st state. A small opening degree of the opening 123 indicates a large area of the opening 123 covered by the switching cover 620. As the opening degree of the opening 123 is smaller, scattering of the lubricant from the internal space 121 to the external space 122 via the opening 123 can be suppressed.

The switching hood 620 is, for example, a sliding hood that moves in parallel. The switch cover 620 slides between the position shown in fig. 7 and the position shown in fig. 8. The sliding direction is, for example, the X-axis direction.

The switching cover 620 is in the position shown in fig. 8, and is in the 1 st state in which the connection operation from the opening 123 of the movable platen 120 is permitted. The coupling operation is the operation of coupling the ejector rod 210 and the ejector crosshead 220 as described above.

As shown in fig. 8, during the connection operation, the ejector crosshead 220 is stopped at the backward limit position, and the ejector plate 841 is stopped at the backward limit position. As shown in fig. 4, when the ejector plate 841 stops at the backward extreme position, the front end surface of the ejector pin 844 is flush with the front end surface of the movable die plate 836.

As shown in fig. 8, during the coupling operation, at least a part of the coupling 600 is disposed inside the contour line 124 of the opening 123 of the movable platen 120 when viewed from the entering direction (e.g., upward) of the worker or the working robot. Thereby, the linking work is allowed. In the present embodiment, since the entire coupling 600 is disposed inside the contour line 124 of the opening 123, the coupling operation is easier.

The switching cover 620 is in the 2 nd state in which the lubricant is prevented from scattering from the internal space 121 to the external space 122 through the opening 123 of the movable platen 120 at the position shown in fig. 7. As shown in fig. 6, the lubricant is scattered from the rotating screw shaft 251 between the mounting plate 260 and the ejection crosshead 220 by centrifugal force.

As shown in fig. 6, when the ejection cross head 220 is advanced to the bottom and the ejector rod 210 reaches the ejection position, the mounting plate 260 is spaced the widest from the ejection cross head 220. At this time, the screw shaft 251 and the coupling operation opening 123 of the movable platen 120 overlap each other when viewed from the entering direction (e.g., upward) during the coupling operation.

When the mounting plate 260 and the ejecting crosshead 220 are spaced at the widest distance from each other, at least a part of the portion of the screw shaft 251 overlapping the opening 123 is covered with the switching cover 620 when viewed from the entering direction (e.g., upward) during the coupling operation. This can prevent the lubricant from scattering from the internal space 121 to the external space 122 through the opening 123 of the movable platen 120.

When the interval between the mounting plate 260 and the ejecting crosshead 220 is the widest, the entire portion of the screw shaft 251 overlapping the opening 123 can be covered with the switching cover 620 when viewed from the entering direction (for example, upward) during the coupling operation. This can further suppress scattering of the lubricant from the internal space 121 to the external space 122 through the opening 123 of the movable platen 120.

In the position shown in fig. 7, the switching cover 620 may not overlap the entire coupling operation opening 123 when viewed from the entering direction (e.g., upward) during the coupling operation. The opening degree of the opening 123 of the movable platen 120 may be decreased by sliding the switching cover 620 from the position shown in fig. 8 to the position shown in fig. 7.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the switching cover 620 includes, for example, a flat plate portion 621 and a guide hole portion 624 formed in the flat plate portion 621. The flat plate portion 621 is fixed to the upper surface of the mounting plate 260 by a bolt 625. Bolts 625 are threaded through guide hole portions 624 into bolt holes in the upper surface of mounting plate 260.

The guide hole 624 is a long hole extending in the sliding direction (for example, the X-axis direction) of the switch cover 620. The plurality of guide holes 624 are provided at intervals in a direction (for example, Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the sliding direction of the switch cover 620. Bolts 625 are disposed in each of the plurality of guide holes 624.

By loosening the bolt 625, the switching cover 620 can slide in a state where the bolt 625 is screwed into the bolt hole. After the switch cover 620 is slid, the bolt 625 is tightened, whereby the switch cover 620 is fixed to the upper surface of the mounting plate 260. The worker tightens the bolt 625 with a tool such as a wrench or pliers in order to suppress vibration of the switching cover 620.

In addition, a knob may be formed at the head of the bolt 625. That is, bolt 625 is a so-called thumb bolt. The worker can manipulate bolt 625 without using tools. A slip-preventing groove may be formed at the head of the bolt 625.

As shown in fig. 9, the switching cover 620 has a notch 626 formed in the flat plate portion 621. The flat plate portion 621 has a 1 st rectangular plate portion 622 having a rectangular shape in an upper view and a 2 nd rectangular plate portion 623 having a rectangular shape in an upper view. The 2 nd rectangular plate portion 623 is disposed rearward (on the X-axis direction negative side) of the 1 st rectangular plate portion 622. The Y-axis direction dimension of the 2 nd rectangular plate portion 623 is shorter than the Y-axis direction dimension of the 1 st rectangular plate portion 622.

The notch 626 is disposed on both sides of the 2 nd rectangular plate portion 623 in the Y axis direction. The mounting arm 262 of the mounting plate 260 is disposed in the notch 626. The mutual interference of the mounting arm 262 of the mounting plate 260 and the switching cover 620 can be avoided, and the sliding distance of the switching cover 620 can be further increased.

As shown in fig. 7, when the switching cover 620 suppresses scattering of the lubricant, the opening 123 and the notch 626 do not overlap when viewed from the entering direction (e.g., upward) during the coupling operation. Therefore, the lubricant does not scatter from the notch portion 626 to the opening 123.

The switch cover 620 has a plate-like stopper portion 627 perpendicular to the flat plate portion 621. The stopper 627 abuts against the back surface of the mounting plate main body 261 when the switching cover 620 advances from the position shown in fig. 8 to the position shown in fig. 7, thereby stopping the switching cover 620. So that the stop position of the switch cover 620 can be defined.

In addition, a through hole penetrating the stopper portion 627 in the front-rear direction may be formed at the stopper portion 627. Bolts are disposed in the through holes. Bolts are threaded through the through holes of the stopper portions 627 into bolt holes in the back surface of the mounting plate body 261. In this case, the guide pin may be disposed in the guide hole 624 instead of the bolt 625. The arrangement of the guide pin and the guide hole portion 624 may be reversed. That is, the guide pin may be provided on the lower surface of the switching cover 620, and the guide hole portion 624 may be formed on the upper surface of the mounting plate body 261.

The switching cover 620 has a lubricant passage portion 628 formed on the flat plate portion 621. The lubricant passing portion 628 is a hole through which lubricant flowing down from the lubricant passage 611 of the movable platen 120 toward the lubricant passage 612 of the mounting disk 260 passes.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the switching cover 620 is in the 1 st state, the internal space 121 can be entered from the external space 122 through the opening 123 of the movable platen 120 in the direction orthogonal to the mold opening and closing direction, and therefore, the coupling operation can be performed. Further, when switching cover 620 is in state 2, scattering of lubricant from internal space 121 to external space 122 via opening 123 can be suppressed. Since the state of the switching cover 620 is switched between the 1 st state and the 2 nd state, the coupling operation can be easily performed and scattering of the lubricant can be suppressed.

As shown in fig. 4, the switching cover 620 of the present embodiment is disposed in the internal space 121 of the movable platen 120. The switching cover 620 is disposed between the driving mechanism 230 and the opening 123. The switching cover 620 is attached to the ejector 200, for example. When the switching cover 620 is disposed in the internal space 121 of the movable platen 120, it may be attached to the movable platen 120 as shown in fig. 11(a) instead of being attached to the ejector 200. The switching cover 620 shown in fig. 11(a) closes the entire opening 123 from the internal space 121 side.

When the switching cover 620 is disposed in the internal space 121 of the movable platen 120, scattering of the lubricant from the internal space 121 of the movable platen 120 to the opening 123 is suppressed in the 2 nd state. Adhesion of the lubricant to the opening 123 can be suppressed, and adhesion of the lubricant to the worker or the working robot performing the coupling work can be reduced. Moreover, contamination of the inner circumferential surface of the movable platen 120 with the lubricant can be suppressed.

The switching cover 620 may be disposed in the internal space 121 of the movable platen 120 in the 2 nd state in which scattering of the lubricant is suppressed. The switching cover 620 of the present embodiment is disposed in the internal space 121 in the 1 st state in which the coupling operation is allowed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the switching cover 620 may be disposed in the external space 122 or the opening 123 in the 1 st state in which the coupling operation is permitted. The switching cover 620 is disposed in the internal space 121 in the 2 nd state regardless of the arrangement in the 1 st state, and thus adhesion of the lubricant to the opening 123 can be suppressed, and adhesion of the lubricant to the worker or the working robot performing the coupling work can be reduced. Moreover, contamination of the inner circumferential surface of the movable platen 120 with the lubricant can be suppressed.

Instead of the switching cover 620 being disposed in the internal space 121 of the movable platen 120 in the 2 nd state in which scattering of the lubricant is suppressed, it may be disposed in the external space 122 as shown in fig. 11(b), or may be disposed in the opening 123 as shown in fig. 12 (a). At this time, the lubricant can be prevented from scattering from the internal space 121 to the external space 122 through the opening 123 of the movable platen 120.

As shown in fig. 11(b), the switching cover 620 may be attached to the movable platen 120 when disposed in the external space 122 of the movable platen 120. The switching cover 620 shown in fig. 11(b) closes the entire opening 123 from the external space 122 side. As shown in fig. 12(a), the switching cover 620 may be attached to the movable platen 120 when disposed in the opening 123 of the movable platen 120. The switching cover 620 shown in fig. 12(a) closes the entire opening 123 in the middle of the opening 123.

The sliding direction of the switching cover 620 is not limited to the X-axis direction. For example, the sliding direction of the switch cover 620 may be the Y-axis direction or the Z-axis direction. The sliding direction of the switch cover 620 may be appropriately selected.

The switching cover 620 may be any one of a sliding cover that moves in parallel, a telescopic cover that extends and retracts, and a rotating cover that moves in rotation. The bellows cover may be of any one of a bellows type and a Telescopic (Telescopic) type. The switch cover 620 shown in fig. 12(b) includes a rotary cover 629 and a hinge 630. Hinge 630 is attached to rotation cover 629, and rotation cover 629 rotates about pin 631 of hinge 630. The state shown by the solid line in fig. 12(b) is the 2 nd state in which scattering of the lubricant is suppressed, and the state shown by the two-dot chain line in fig. 12(b) is the 1 st state in which the entering of the coupling operation is permitted. In the 2 nd state, the switching cover 620 shown in fig. 12(b) closes the entire opening 123 from the external space 122 side.

(modification example etc.)

Although the embodiment of the injection molding machine and the like have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and the like. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations may be made within the scope of the claims. Of course, these also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, although the ejector 200 of the above embodiment is attached to the movable platen 120 and ejects the molded product 20 from the movable die 820, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the ejector 200 may be attached to the fixed platen 110 and eject the molded product 20 from the fixed mold 810. As this case, for example, a case where the mold clamping device 100 is vertical is cited.

Claims (2)

1. An injection molding machine is provided with:

the mold closing device comprises a pressing plate provided with a mold; and

an ejection device that ejects the molded product from the mold,

the ejection device includes: ejecting the rod; an ejection crosshead to which the ejection rod is connected; and a driving mechanism for advancing and retreating the ejection crosshead,

the platen has an opening for performing an operation of connecting the ejector rod and the ejector crosshead,

the opening section is capable of entering from an external space of the platen to an internal space of the platen and entering in a direction orthogonal to a mold opening and closing direction,

the injection molding machine is provided with a switching cover which is switched to a 1 st state for allowing the entry from the external space to the internal space through the opening portion and a 2 nd state for suppressing the scattering of lubricant from the internal space to the external space through the opening portion.

2. A switching cover for an injection molding machine, the injection molding machine comprising: the mold closing device comprises a pressing plate provided with a mold; and an ejection device for ejecting the molded product from the mold,

the ejection device includes: ejecting the rod; an ejection crosshead to which the ejection rod is connected; and a driving mechanism for advancing and retreating the ejection crosshead,

the platen has an opening for performing an operation of connecting the ejector rod and the ejector crosshead,

the opening section is capable of entering from an external space of the platen to an internal space of the platen and entering in a direction orthogonal to a mold opening and closing direction,

the switching cover for an injection molding machine is switched between a 1 st state in which the entry from the external space to the internal space through the opening portion is permitted and a 2 nd state in which the scattering of lubricant from the internal space to the external space through the opening portion is suppressed.

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