MOLDING MACHINE HAVING AUXILIARY EJECTION-ASSISTANCE ASSEMBLY
CONFIGURED TO APPLY ADDITIONAL EJECTION FORCE
TECHNICAL FIELD
An aspect generally relates to (and is not limited to) molding machines having an
auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly.
BACKGROUND
United States Patent Publication Number 2008/0026095 discloses an injection
molding machine includes an injection unit and a clamping unit. The injection unit
includes a barrel and a plasticizing screw which is supported in the barrel for rotation
and movement in axial direction. A first direct drive causes the plasticizing screw to
rotate in order to plasticize thermoplastic material, and a hydraulic drive causes the
plasticizing screw to move axially in order to effect an injection stroke. The hydraulic
drive includes a hydraulic accumulator system which is comprised of a variable
capacity pump in combination with a hydraulic accumulator. The clamping unit
includes a toggle mechanism for moving a movable platen in relation to a stationary
support platen, a spindle mechanism for operating the toggle mechanism, and a
second direct drive for operating the spindle mechanism
United States Patent Publication Number 2007 0 194474 discloses an injection press
that has a hydraulic cylinder and a press piston located inside the hydraulic cylinder
that is translatable within the cylinder. The press piston divides the hydraulic cylinder
into engage and retract chambers. A pump and an auxiliary pressurization device are
connected to the engage chamber. A transducer measures the pressure in the
engage chamber. A controller receives signals from the transducer and operates the
pump. The pump delivers hydraulic fluid to the engage chamber to pressurize and
inject resin into a mold cavity through the piston. The controller discontinues operation
of the pump when the pressure in the engage chamber reaches a specified cut-off
level. The auxiliary pressurization device maintains pressure on the fluid in the engage
chamber after the controller discontinues operation of the pump to provide back
pressure on the injected resin. The auxiliary pressurization device may be an
accumulator that is charged by the pump. Safety devices prevent the controller from
operating the pump during unsafe conditions.
SUMMARY
The inventors have researched a problem associated with known molding systems
that inadvertently manufacture bad-quality molded articles or parts. After much study,
the inventors believe they have arrived at an understanding of the problem and its
solution, which are stated below, and the inventors believe this understanding is not
known to the public.
According to one aspect, there is provided a molding machine ( 100), comprising: a
machine-ejection assembly ( 106); and an auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly ( 1 08)
being coupled to the machine-ejection assembly ( 1 06).
According to another aspect, there is provided a molding machine ( 100), comprising: a
machine-ejection assembly ( 1 06) being supported by a platen assembly ( 1 02), the
platen assembly ( 102) being configured to support, in use, a mold assembly ( 104), the
machine-ejection assembly ( 106) being configured to provide, in use, an ejection force
to a molded part ( 107) being located in the mold assembly ( 104), the ejection force for
ejecting the molded part ( 107) from the mold assembly ( 1 04); and an auxiliary
ejection-assistance assembly ( 1 08) being coupled to the machine-ejection assembly
( 1 06), the auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly ( 108) being configured to apply, in
use, an additional ejection force being usable for ejecting, in use, the molded part
( 107) from the mold assembly ( 104).
Other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments will now become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description of
the non-limiting embodiments with the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The non-limiting embodiments will be more fully appreciated by reference to the
following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1A, B, 2, 3 depict schematic representations (examples) of a molding machine
(100).
The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines,
diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details not
necessary for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details that render other
details difficult to perceive) may have been omitted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENT(S)
FIGS. 1A, B, 2, 3 depict schematic representations of a molding machine (100). The
molding machine (100) may include components that are known to persons skilled in
the art, and these known components will not be described here; these known
components are described, at least in part, in the following reference books (for
example): (i) "Injection Molding Handbook ' authored by
OSSWALD/TURNG/G RAMANN (ISBN: 3-446-21 669-2), (ii) "Injection Molding
HandbooK' authored by ROSATO AND ROSATO (ISBN: 0-41 2-99381 -3), (iii)
"Injection Molding Systems" 3rd Edition authored by JOHANNABER (ISBN 3-446-
17733-7) and/or (iv) "Runner and Gating Design Handbook" authored by BEAUMONT
(ISBN 1-446-22672-9). It will be appreciated that for the purposes of this document,
the phrase "includes (but is not limited to)" is equivalent to the word "comprising". The
word "comprising" is a transitional phrase or word that links the preamble of a patent
claim to the specific elements set forth in the claim which define what the invention
itself actually is. The transitional phrase acts as a limitation on the claim, indicating
whether a similar device, method, or composition infringes the patent if the accused
device (etc) contains more or fewer elements than the claim in the patent. The word
"comprising" is to be treated as an open transition, which is the broadest form of
transition, as it does not limit the preamble to whatever elements are identified in the
claim.
FIGS. 1A, 1B depict a first example of the molding machine (100). The molding
machine (100) may include (and is not limited to): (i) a machine-ejection assembly
(106), and (ii) an auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly (108). A platen assembly
(102) is configured to support, in use, a mold assembly (104). The machine-ejection
assembly (106) is supported by the platen assembly (102). The machine-ejection
assembly (106) is configured to provide, in use, an ejection force to a molded part
(107) that is located in the mold assembly (104). The ejection force is used for ejecting
the molded part (107) from the mold assembly (104). The auxiliary ejection-assistance
assembly (108) is coupled to the machine-ejection assembly (106). The auxiliary
ejection-assistance assembly (108) is configured to apply, in use, an additional
ejection force that is usable for ejecting, in use, the molded part (107) from the mold
assembly (104).
The platen assembly (102) may include, by way of example as depicted in FIGS. 1A
and 1B (and is not limited to): (i) a stationary platen (120), (ii) a movable platen (122)
that is movable relative to the stationary platen (120), and (iii) a movable clamp platen
(124). It will be appreciated that the auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly (108) may
be used in a molding system (not depicted) in which the movable clamp platen (124) is
not used. Tie bars (126) extend between the platens of the platen assembly (102).
The stationary platen (120) is mounted and connected to a frame (128). The movable
platen (122) and the movable clamp platen (124) are movable along the frame (128).
A clamp assembly (130) is mounted between the movable clamp platen (124) and the
movable platen (122). The clamp assembly (130) is configured to apply, in use, a
clamp force to the movable platen (122) as known to those skilled in the art. An
injection unit (132) is connected to the mold assembly (104) so as to supply a melt to
the mold assembly (104) in accordance to methods known to those skilled in the art.
More specifically, the auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly (108) may be configured
to receive, in use, the additional force as a result of a movement of the platen
assembly (102), such as during a mold-assembly movement operation (so as to open
and close the mold assembly (104).
More specifically (by way of example), the machine-ejection assembly (106) may
include (and is not limited to): (i) an ejection rod (known but not depicted) abutting the
molded part (107) located in the mold assembly (104), and (ii) an ejection actuator
(known but not depicted) that is configured to provide, in use, the ejection force to the
ejection rod, so that the ejection rod ejects, in use, the molded part (107) from the
mold assembly (104).
By way of example as depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, the auxiliary ejection-assistance
assembly (108) may include (and is not limited to): an accumulator bottle (204) that is
configured to apply the additional ejection force to the machine-ejection assembly
(106). By way of example as depicted in FIG. 2, the auxiliary ejection-assistance
assembly (108) may include (and is not limited to): an accumulator bottle (304) that is
configured to apply the additional ejection force to the machine-ejection assembly
(106). By way of example as depicted in FIG. 3, the auxiliary ejection-assistance
assembly (108) may include (and is not limited to): the high pressure accumulator
bottle (404) that is configured to apply the additional ejection force to the machineejection
assembly (106).
Returning to FIGS. 1A. 1B, the auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly (108) (by way of
the example depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B) may include (and is not limited to): a booster
cylinder (202), an accumulator bottle (204), a control valve (206), and an intensifier
cylinder (208). The booster cylinder (202) is connected to the control valve (206). The
booster cylinder (202) is also connected with the machine-ejection assembly (106).
The intensifier cylinder (208) is also connected to the control valve (206). The
accumulator bottle (204) is connected to the control valve (206). The intensifier
cylinder (208) is connected between the stationary platen (120) and the movable
platen (122). The control valve (206) may be mounted to the movable platen (122).
The accumulator bottle (204) may also be mounted to the movable platen (122).
The mold assembly (104) is depicted as being closed in FIG. 1A. During a mold
closing operation, the intensifier cylinder (208) may be compressed between the
stationary platen (120) and the movable platen (122) so as to pressurize nitrogen gas
(or generally a fluid) located in the intensifier cylinder (208). Energy may then be
stored in the accumulator bottle (204). Size and stroke of the intensifier cylinder (208)
may be tailored to provide sufficient volume and pressure for the booster cylinder
(202). When required, the booster cylinder (202) may be actuated by the control valve
(206). As the booster cylinder (202) may be required for emergency cases, the
accumulator bottle (204) may be charged with nitrogen gas, or other suitable fluid, and
sized to be able to provide a certain number of cycles to the booster cylinder (202),
and then after the cycles are completed, the accumulator bottle (204) may be either
refilled or exchanged, etc. During a mold closing operation, the intensifier cylinder
(208) may be compressed between the stationary platen (120) and the movable
platen (122) so to pressurize the nitrogen gas in the accumulator bottle (204) so that
energy may be stored in the accumulator bottle (204). When the extra ejection force or
booting force may be required from the machine-ejection assembly (106), the control
valve (206) may connect the accumulator bottle (204) to the booster cylinder (202).
FIG. 1B depicts the mold assembly 9107) in an opened position. When required, the
booster cylinder (202) may be actuated by the control valve (206).
FIG. 2 depicts a second example, in which the auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly
(108) may include (and is not limited to): a booster cylinder (302), an accumulator
bottle (304), and a control valve (306). The booster cylinder (302) is connected to the
control valve (306). The booster cylinder (302) is connected to the machine-ejection
assembly (106). The accumulator bottle (304) is connected to the control valve (306).
For the case where the booster cylinder (302) may be required for emergency cases
or situations, the accumulator bottle (304) may be charged with nitrogen gas (or other
suitable fluid), and may be sized to be able to provide a certain number of cycles to
the booster cylinder (302). After the cycles are completed, the accumulator bottle
(304) may need either to be refilled or exchanged. When the additional ejection force
(or boosting force) is required from the machine-ejection assembly (106), the control
valve (206) may connect the accumulator bottle (304) to the booster cylinder (302).
FIG. 3 depicts a third example of the molding machine (100) in which the auxiliary
ejection-assistance assembly (108) may include (and is not limited to): a booster
cylinder (402), a high pressure accumulator bottle (404), a low pressure accumulator
bottle (406), a compressor (408), a control manifold and valve assembly (410). The
booster cylinder (402) is connected with the machine-ejection assembly (106), and is
also connected with the control manifold and valve assembly (410). The high pressure
accumulator bottle (404) is connected with the control manifold and valve assembly
(410). The low pressure accumulator bottle (406) is connected with control manifold
and valve assembly (410). The compressor (408) is connected with the control
manifold and valve assembly (410). A closed circuit of nitrogen gas (or suitable fluid)
is depicted in FIG. 3. After the booster cylinder (402) is moved forward, the machineejection
assembly (106) may move the booster cylinder (402) back and send low
pressure nitrogen gas towards the low pressure accumulator bottle 406). Once the
high pressure accumulator bottle (404) has reached a low pressure level, the
compressor (408) transfers nitrogen gas from the low pressure accumulator bottle
(406) towards the high pressure accumulator bottle (404) thus re-pressurizing the high
pressure accumulator bottle (404). When the additional ejection force (or boosting
force) is required from the machine-ejection assembly (106), the control manifold and
valve assembly (410) connects the high pressure accumulator bottle (404) to the
booster cylinder (402).
It is understood that the scope of the present invention is limited to the scope provided
by the independent claim(s), and it is also understood that the scope of the present
invention is not limited to: (i) the dependent claims, (ii) the detailed description of the
non-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the abstract, and/or (v) description
provided outside of this document (that is, outside of the instant application as filed, as
prosecuted, and/or as granted). It is understood, for the purposes of this document,
the phrase "includes (and is not limited to)" is equivalent to the word "comprising". It is
noted that the foregoing has outlined the non-limiting embodiments (examples). The
description is made for particular non-limiting embodiments (examples). It is
understood that the non-limiting embodiments are merely illustrative as examples.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A molding machine (100), comprising:
a machine-ejection assembly (106); and
an auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly (108) being coupled to the
machine-ejection assembly (106).
2. A molding machine (100) of claim 1, wherein:
the machine-ejection assembly (106) is supported by a platen assembly
(102), the platen assembly (102) is configured to support, in use, a mold
assembly (104), the machine-ejection assembly (106) is configured to provide,
in use, an ejection force to a molded part (107) is located in the mold assembly
(104), the ejection force for ejecting the molded part (107) from the mold
assembly (104); and
the auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly (108) is configured to apply, in
use, an additional ejection force being usable for ejecting, in use, the molded
part (107) from the mold assembly (104).
3. The molding machine (100) of claim 2, wherein:
the auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly (108) is configured to receive,
in use, an additional force as a result of a movement of the platen assembly
(102).
4. The molding machine (100) of claim 2, wherein:
the auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly (108) includes:
an accumulator bottle (204; 304; 404) that is configured to apply
the additional ejection force to the machine-ejection assembly (106).
5. The molding machine (100) of claim 2, wherein:
the auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly (108) includes:
a booster cylinder (202);
an accumulator bottle (204);
a control valve (206); and
an intensifier cylinder (208),
the booster cylinder (202) is connected to the control valve (206),
the booster cylinder (202) is also connected with the machineejection
assembly (106),
the intensifier cylinder (208) is also connected to the control valve
(206),
the accumulator bottle (204) is connected to the control valve
(206), and
the intensifier cylinder (208) is connected between a stationary
platen (120) and a movable platen (122).
6. The molding machine (100) of claim 2, wherein:
the auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly (108) includes:
a booster cylinder (302);
an accumulator bottle (304); and
a control valve (306),
the booster cylinder (302) is connected to the control valve (306);
the booster cylinder (302) is connected to the machine-ejection
assembly (106); and
the accumulator bottle (304) is connected to the control valve
(306).
7. The molding machine (100) of claim 2, wherein:
the auxiliary ejection-assistance assembly (108) includes:
a booster cylinder (402);
a high pressure accumulator bottle (404);
a low pressure accumulator bottle (406);
a compressor (408); and
a control manifold and valve assembly (410),
the booster cylinder (402) is connected with the machine-ejection
assembly (106), and is also connected with the control manifold and
valve assembly (410),
the high pressure accumulator bottle (404) is connected with the
control manifold and valve assembly (410),
the low pressure accumulator bottle (406) is connected with the
control manifold and valve assembly (410), and
the compressor (408) is connected with the control manifold and
valve assembly (410).