WO2019066755A2

WO2019066755A2 - Automatic-cleaning machine with three tanks for mold cooling channels

Info

Publication number: WO2019066755A2
Application number: PCT/TR2018/050282
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mustafa KUCUKERUGURLU
Original assignee: Rtc Tec Baglanti Elemanlari Medikal Makine Metal Plastik Ve Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2017-07-03
Filing date: 2018-06-04
Publication date: 2019-04-04
Also published as: WO2019066755A3; TR201709773A2

Abstract

A cleaning machine (10) providing supply of fluid and solutions used in cleaning of plastic and metal injection to cooling channels selectively and re-collection thereof and consisting of at least one body (11), one pump (50) and a control panel (20) and it is characterized in that mentioned fluid and solutions received from 3 tanks where kept separately are supplied to cooling channels selectively by means of 4-way valve (40) via circulation system (30) from 3 tanks (60) where mentioned fluid and solutions are kept separately.

Description

Automatic-Cleaning Machine with Three Tanks for Mold Cooling Channels The Related Art

Invention relates to cleaning of mold cooling channels such as plastic injection and metal injection. The invention particularly relates to taking fluid and solutions used in cleaning machine from different tanks and supplying to channels selectively by 4-direction valve and recollection. .

Background of the Invention

The most important component in plastic and injection processes which is one of hot forming methods is the forms where parts are shaped. The part is shaped in a form space. It is essential to quickly cool the molds for sake of reducing cycling period of shaping and enhancing efficiency and establishing surface quality. Coldwater or a other type of coolant fluid is circulated through channels. The circulated fluid absorbs and removes the heat where it is circulated.

Coolant fluid circulated through plastic and metal injection mold channels may cause corrosion and therefore clogging over time. Particularly, calcification and clogging cooling channels after production of averagely 250 - 300 thousands (after about 4 months of work) parts prevents safe operation of injection process and quality part manufacturing. The known applications for cleaning channels provide slow cleaning by use of various machines and sometimes cleaning manually, fail to be efficient and do not provide full cleaning.

One of the methods used for cleaning channel is disclosed under the patent document numbered TR 2012/07160 and entitled "method for cleaning a form cooling channel". In the mentioned method, firstly channels are cleaned by an acidic solution and then preferably water flushing is performed and lastly passivation fluid is passed through and additional protection against corrosion is provided.

The related fluids fed into channels by means of pumps and recollected in the method above and other methods are fed from separate tanks. For that reason, when re-use is required after each cleaning, environmental pollution is caused as a result of discharge of chemical solution. In the related technique the machine is not collecting various fluids from various tanks and supplying to and taking back from cooling tanks selectively.

As a result, existence of the need for cleaning machine used in cleaning of cooling channels of molds takes the fluid and solutions from different tanks and supplying to channels selectively by 4-direction valve and re-collection thereof and inadequacy of existing solutions have necessitated a development in the mentioned technique .

Purpose of the Invention

The present invention relates to cleaning machines meeting the needs mentioned above, eliminating all disadvantages and providing some additional advantages.

Main purpose of the cleaning machine of the invention is to supply various fluids taken from three tanks via circulation system by means of 4-way valve to cooling channels independently and recollection . Thus instead of one tank three tanks are operated and waste consumption is reduced minimum by 50 % and thus an environment friendly system is disclosed. In addition, the time needed for preparing the machine for cleaning process is reduced to maximum 5 minutes from minimum 25 minutes since manual processes performed in water and other acidic-basic solution transfers are eliminated, and thus time saving is provided. Another purpose of the invention is to provide easy cleaning thanks to use of a diaphragm pump as driving component and exposing pulsed fluid at variable and desired intervals to the areas exposing to over clogging. A further purpose of the invention is to eliminate the problems caused in terms of occupational health and safety electrical system thanks to use of compressed air instead of electric as driving source. Thus in case of working with acid and base fluids, risk of shocking is eliminated. The developed product is operated by compressed air and it is aimed to create a working environment meeting high occupational safety rules.

In order to achieve the above mentioned purposes in the broadest way, a cleaning machine providing taking fluid and solutions used in cleaning of cooling channels of molds from different tanks and supplying to channels selectively and re-collection thereof has been developed. The developed cleaning machine consists of a body, pump, control panel, at least 3 tanks where fluid and solutions are kept separately, at least a circulation system mediating supply the fluid and solutions received from and recollection, at least a 4-way valve located on circulation system and providing direction of fluid from only a certain tank to cooling channels.

The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all advantages will be understood better in detailed descriptions with the figures given below and with reference to the figures, and therefore, the assessment should be made taking into account the said figures and detailed explanations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order to make the embodiment and additional members being subject of the present invention as well as the advantages clearer for better understanding, it should be assessed with reference to the following described figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of cleaning machine of the invention without side and front panels.

Figure 2 is perspective view of cleaning machine disclosed under the invention.

Figure 3 is a general view of tank and circulation system provided in the cleaning machine of the invention.

Figure 4 is side view of cleaning machine disclosed under the invention.

Figure 5a is a front view of 4-way valve of the cleaning machine disclosed under the invention. Figure -5b: is a rear view of 4-way valve of the cleaning machine disclosed under the invention.

Figure -5c: is a perspective view of 4-way valve of the cleaning machine disclosed under the invention.

Figure 6 is close view of the control panel provided on the cleaning machine disclosed under the invention.

Part References

10 Cleaning machine 42 Outlet port

1 1 Body 43 Tank intake

12 Panel 43a Tank a inlet port

20 Control panel 43b Tank b inlet port

21 Valve control 43c Tank c inlet port

22 Button 44 Tank outlet port

23 Indicator 44a Tank a outlet port

24 Regulator 44b Tank b outlet port

25 Air inlet 44c Tank c outlet port

30 Circulation system 50 Pump

31 Outlet line 60 Tank

32 Inlet line 60a Tank a

33 Intake line 60b Tank b

34 Intermediate line 60c Tank c

35 Press line 61 Supply port

40 4-way valve 70 Filter

41 Inlet port

Detailed Description of the Invention

In the embodiments known in related art cleaning of cooling channels of molds such as plastic injection and metal injection are performed manually and thus both time and work force is wasted. The invention developed aims to supply of fluids and solutions used in cleaning to channels selectively and recollect them in order to eliminate the problem. For this differently from other systems, the cleaning machine (10) consisting of body (1 1 ), pump (50) and control panel (20) contains at least 3 tanks (60) where fluid and solutions are kept separately, at least one circulation system (30) mediating supply the fluid and solutions received from the tank (60) and recollection thereof, at least one 4-way valve (40) located on circulation system (30) and providing direction of fluid from only a certain tank (60) to cooling channels.

Figure 2 shows perspective view of cleaning machine (10) disclosed under the invention. The body (1 1 ) is surrounded and conserved by panels (12) comprising from preferably sheet plate. Figure 1 shows perspective view of the cleaning machine (10) without side and front panels (12). In general, all components are in the body (1 1 ) utilizing main embodiment and controls of them are made from control panel (20). The supply port (61 ) shown in Figure 1 mediates filling or discharging the tanks (60).

Figure 3 shows general view of tank (60) and circulation system (30). Circulation system (30) in its most general embodiment consists of the following components:

- at least one outlet line (31 ) mediating intake of fluid from the tanks (60) to 4-way valve (40),

- at least one inlet line (32) mediating supply of fluid from 4-way valve (40) to the tanks (60),

- at least one intake line (33) mediating fluid transfer from cooling channels to 4- way valve (40),

- at least one intermediate line (34) mediating fluid transmission between 4-way valve (40) and the pump (50),

- at least one pumping line (35) mediating pumping of fluid to cooling channels by the pump (50)

One of the most important components of the invention is the 4-way valve (40) shown in Figures 5a, 5b and 5c respectively, front, rear and perspective views. Control of 4-way valve (40) is made by valve control (21 ) located on the control panel (20). 4-way valve (40) comprises of at least one inlet port (41 ) where intake line (33) is connected, at least one outlet port (42) where intermediate line (34) is connected, tank intake port (43) of equal number where outlet lines (31 ) are connected, tank outlet port (44) of equal number where inlet lines (32) are connected. The developed cleaning machine (10) allows cleaning of calcified and clogged cooling channels after production of about 250 - 300 thousand plastic and metal injection molds (after about 4-month working) and safe part manufacture of the process. Plastic and metal injection molds are connectedare connected by coupling and hose and circulation of special solution and fluids in 3 pieces of preferably 30 litre tanks (60) operated by air pressure is made in the circulation system (30) by cooling channels. One of the most important components of the invention is the provision of passing between the 4-way valve (40) and the tanks (60). Thus mixing of special solution and fluids is prevented and circulation is provided. Control of the cleaning machine (10) is completely provided by means of a control panel (20) located on the front side shown in Figure 6. Cleaning operation is completed by use of buttons (22) located on the control panel (20). Connection of the cleaning machine (10) to the compressed air is provided via air inlet (25). The compressed air is supplied to the regulator (24) via air hose and the button (22) to operate the system is activated and pump (50) starts to run. On the other hand, other hose extending from the regulator (24) is also connected to the indicator (23). Thus the air or water pressure inside the system is provided. After the system starts to run, the circulation inside starts. Firstly the cleaning fluid in tank a (60a) is pumped into the mold connected to the system and to be cleaned.

Circulation system (30) operates as follows: The fluid is taken from the tanks (60) via outlet line (31 ) is firstly supplied to the 4-way valve (40) and then to the pump (50) via intermediate line (34). After performing its duty following passing through cooling channels via molds from fluid pumping line (35) pressurized by the pump (50), it enters the 4-way valve (40) from the intake line (33). Entering the inlet line (32) from here, the fluid reaches the related tank (60) and is stored for re-use.

The filter (70) located on the intake line (33) depurates the fluid.

Tank intake port (43a, 43b, 43c) connecting each tank (60a, 60b, 60c) to 4-way valve (40) and tank outlet port (44a, 44b, 44c) are separate and mixture of the fluid is prevented. By turning the valve control (21 ), the tank intake port (43) and tank outlet port (44) to be open is specified and circulation of the related tank (60) is provided. In a preferred embodiment, firstly the cleaning fluid in the initial tank (60a) is circulated and then washing fluid is taken from other tank (60b) and passed through cooling channels. Lastly, circulation of protective fluid from other tank (60c) is provided.

Cleaning machine (10) to be used in cleaning of cooling channels of the molds such as plastic and metal injection forms can be operated by 28 It/min. flow rate and 4-6 bars pressure. 3 pieces of tanks (60) each 30 litres capacity contain water or special solutions.

In the preferred embodiment, diaphragm pump (50) operates without vibration in flow rate in addition, pump (50) driven by compressed air prevents the risks that might occur due to electric leakage.

Claims

1. A cleaning machine (10) providing supply of fluid and solutions used in cleaning of plastic and metal injection to cooling channels selectively and recollection thereof and consisting of at least one body (1 1 ), one pump (50) and a control panel (20) characterized by comprising; at least 3 tanks (60) where fluid and solutions are kept separately, at least one circulation system (30) mediating supply the fluid and solutions received from said tank (60) and recollection,

at least one 4-way valve (40) located on mentioned circulation system (30) and providing direction of fluid from only a certain tank (60) to cooling channels.

2. A cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1 characterized by comprising; at least one panel (12) surrounding mentioned body (1 1 ) and providing protection thereof.

3. A cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1 and it is characterized in that it consists of at least one valve control (21 ) providing control of mentioned 4-way valve (40).

4. A cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1 characterized by mentioned circulation system (30) comprising; at least one outlet line (31 ) mediating intake of fluid from mentioned tanks (60) to 4-way valve (40),

at least one inlet line (32) mediating supply of fluid from said 4-way valve (40) to the tanks (60),

at least one intake line (33) mediating fluid transfer from cooling channels to mentioned 4-way valve (40),

at least one intermediate line (34) mediating fluid transmission between mentioned 4-way valve (40) and the pump (50), at least one pumping line (35) mediating pumping of fluid to cooling channels by mentioned pump (50)

5. A cleaning machine (10) according to claim characterized by mentioned 4-way valve (40) comprising; at least one inlet port (41 ) where intake line (33) is connected,

at least one outlet port (42) where intermediate line (34) is connected, tank intake port (43) of equal number where outlet lines (31 ) are connected, tank outlet port (44) of equal number where mentioned inlet lines (32) are connected.,

6. A cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1 and characterized by comprising;

at least one supply port (61 ) intermediating filling or discharge of mentioned tanks (60).

7. A cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1 characterized by comprising; at least one filter (70) located on mentioned intake line (33) and performing of related fluid.

8. A cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1 and it is characterized in that mentioned diaphragm pump (50).

9. A cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1 or claim 8 and it is characterized in that mentioned pump (50) is operated by compressed air.

10. A cleaning machine (10) according to claim characterized by comprising; at least one button (22) controlling functions of mentioned pump (50).

11. A cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1 characterized by comprising; at least one indicator (23) indicating pressure values in the mentioned circulation system (30).

12. A cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1 characterized by comprising; at least one regulation (24) regulating flow in the mentioned circulation system (30).

A cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1 characterized by comprising; at least one air inlet (25) meeting compressed air needs.