CN115383041A - Sand filling nozzle unit and molding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A sand filling nozzle unit supplies sand from a sand storage device to a sand box, and the sand filling nozzle unit comprises: a sand charging nozzle which is internally provided with a flow path for the circulation of sand and is fixed at a sand outlet of the sand storage device, wherein the sand charging nozzle is provided with a sand charging nozzle opening which can move in the direction close to the sand box and far away from the sand box and can be connected with the sand box; and a driving part which moves the sand filling nozzle.

Description

Sand charging nozzle unit and molding machine

Technical Field

The invention relates to a sand nozzle unit and a molding machine.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a sand reservoir that fills sand into a flask of a molding machine. The sand reservoir is provided so as to be capable of being raised and lowered above the flask holding the parting plate, while holding sand therein. The upper surface of the sand box is provided with a sand box sand filling nozzle for communicating the space inside and outside the sand box, and the upper end surface of the sand box sand filling nozzle is provided with a liner. The sand storage device is provided with a pair of canned sand nozzles. When sand is supplied from the sand storage device to the flask, the sand storage device is lowered toward the flask, and the front end surface of the filling nozzle is pressed and held against the upper end surface of the gasket of the filling nozzle of the flask, whereby the sand storage device and the flask communicate with each other via the filling nozzle, the gasket, and the filling nozzle of the flask.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2001-239347

The pressure contact between the sand filling nozzle and the flask sand filling nozzle described in patent document 1 is maintained by, for example, a cylinder that raises and lowers a sand reservoir. If the pressure-bonding is not sufficiently maintained, sand leaks may occur, resulting in a molding failure. Therefore, the cylinder needs to press the sand filling nozzle against the sand box sand filling nozzle with sufficient force. However, if the pressing force is increased, a large load is applied to the flask and the member supporting the flask, and there is a possibility that another problem occurs in which the flask cannot be supported at an appropriate position. Therefore, the cylinder needs to be controlled in order to exert an appropriate force for stably supporting the sand leakage prevention and the sand box. However, the sand reservoir has a large weight change due to the discharge and replenishment of sand. Therefore, it is difficult to finely control the output of the cylinder in order to exert an appropriate force for achieving stable support of the sand leakage prevention and the flask. The invention provides a sand filling nozzle unit and a molding machine, which can properly connect a sand storage device and a sand box.

Disclosure of Invention

A sand filling nozzle unit according to an aspect of the present invention supplies sand from a sand reservoir into a sand box, and includes: a sand charging nozzle which is internally provided with a flow path for the circulation of sand and is fixed at a sand outlet of the sand storage device, wherein the sand charging nozzle is provided with a sand charging nozzle opening which can move in the direction close to the sand box and far away from the sand box and can be connected with the sand box; and a driving device which moves the sand filling nozzle.

In the sand filling nozzle unit, a sand filling nozzle is fixed to a sand reservoir, and a sand filling nozzle port is moved in a direction approaching and separating from a flask by a driving device. The sand charging nozzle port is moved in a direction approaching the flask, whereby the sand charging nozzle port is connected to the flask, and the space in the sand reservoir and the space in the flask are communicated through the flow path of the sand charging nozzle. Thus, the sand storage device with the weight changed is not moved by the sand filling nozzle unit, and the sand storage device can be connected with the sand box. Therefore, the sand filling nozzle unit can avoid the influence of the weight change of the sand storage device on the connection action of the sand storage device and the sand box. Therefore, the control for moving the sand charging nozzle port is facilitated, and the driving device can easily move the sand charging nozzle port. Therefore, the sand filling nozzle unit can appropriately connect the sand storage device with the sand box.

In one embodiment, the sand charging nozzle may also have: the sand storage device comprises a tail end part fixed on the sand storage device, a front end part formed with a sand filling nozzle opening and a telescopic elastic part arranged between the tail end part and the front end part, wherein the tail end part, the front end part and the elastic part are used for dividing a flow path. When the driving device moves the sand filling nozzle port in a direction approaching the sand box, the elastic member extends between the end member and the front end member, thereby dividing a flow path through which sand can flow and connecting the sand filling nozzle port of the front end member to the sand box. Therefore, the sand filling nozzle unit can restrain the leakage of sand through the elastic component, and can appropriately move the sand filling nozzle opening of the front end component.

In one embodiment, the sand charging nozzle may include a first frame and a second frame, the elastic member may define a space capable of accommodating the first frame and the second frame therein, the first frame accommodated in the elastic member may be coupled to the end member, and the second frame accommodated in the elastic member may be coupled to the front end member. In this case, the elastic member can be coupled to the distal end member by the first housing, and the elastic member can be coupled to the distal end member by the second housing.

In one embodiment, the inner surface of the end member defining the flow path may be higher in height than the outer surface. When the sand filling nozzle port of the front end member is moved in a direction away from the flask by the driving device, the elastic member is pressed in the height direction to shorten the length. At the boundary between the tip member and the elastic member, the height of the inner surface of the tip member is higher than the height of the outer surface, and therefore, expansion of the elastic member having a shortened length toward the flow path side can be suppressed. Therefore, the sand charging nozzle unit can suppress excessive deformation of the elastic member such as expansion of the elastic member into the flow path through which sand can flow, and thus can suppress wear of the elastic member.

In one embodiment, the inner surface of the distal end member defining the flow path may have a height higher than that of the outer surface. When the driving device moves the sand filling nozzle opening of the front end part in a direction away from the sand box, the elastic member is pressed in the height direction to shorten the length. At the boundary between the front end member and the elastic member, the height of the inner surface of the front end member is higher than the height of the outer surface, and therefore expansion of the elastic member having a shortened length toward the flow path side can be suppressed. Therefore, the sand charging nozzle unit can suppress excessive deformation of the elastic member such as expansion of the elastic member into the flow path through which sand can flow, and thus can suppress wear of the elastic member.

In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a guide member extending in the moving direction of the front end member to guide the front end member, and the driving device may move the front end member along the guide member. In this case, the leading end member is guided by the guide member, and thus, for example, the occurrence of an inclination of the leading end member can be suppressed, and the variation in the degree of movement in the moving direction among the respective portions of the leading end member can be reduced. Thus, when the sand filling nozzle opening of the front end member is connected to the flask, a gap is less likely to be formed between the front end member and the flask, and leakage of sand can be suppressed. Therefore, the sand charging nozzle unit can appropriately connect the front end member with the sand box.

In one embodiment, the end member may be detachably fixed to the sand reservoir. In this case, the sand charging nozzle can be detachably provided to the sand reservoir. Therefore, the sand reservoir can be easily installed in the conventional sand reservoir, and can be easily removed from the sand reservoir during maintenance. Therefore, the sand filling nozzle unit can be introduced with a structure capable of appropriately connecting the sand reservoir and the sand box, and the maintainability can be improved.

In one embodiment, the drive device may also be an actuator.

The molding machine according to another aspect of the present invention includes a sand nozzle unit. The molding machine can appropriately connect the sand reservoir to the flask, as in the case of the sand filling nozzle unit described above.

According to the sand charging nozzle unit of the present invention, the sand reservoir can be appropriately connected to the sand box.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view showing an example of a molding machine including a sand nozzle unit according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a side view showing an example of the molding machine in a state where the flask unit is rotated.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of a part of the molding machine with the flask unit rotated.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing an example of the sand reservoir and the sand nozzle unit.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view showing an example of the sand nozzle unit as viewed from a position shown by a V-V line shown in fig. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sanding nozzle of FIG. 3.

Fig. 7 is a side view of the sand filling nozzle shown in fig. 3 in a state where the elastic member is extended.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the molding machine according to the embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted. The dimensional ratios of the drawings are not necessarily the same as those described. The terms "upper", "lower", "left" and "right" can be changed as appropriate depending on the state of the drawings.

[ outline of Molding machine ]

Fig. 1 is a side view showing an example of a molding machine including a sand nozzle unit according to an embodiment. In the figure, the X direction and the Y direction are horizontal directions, and the Z direction is a vertical direction. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are mutually orthogonal axial directions in an orthogonal coordinate system of a three-dimensional space. Hereinafter, the Z direction is also referred to as the up-down direction (an example of a direction approaching and separating from the flask and an example of a moving direction of the front end member). The molding machine 10 shown in fig. 1 is a molding machine that molds an upper mold and a lower mold.

The molding machine 10 includes: the molding flask unit 1, the mold exchanging mechanism 13, the squeezing unit 14, the base 51, the rotating mechanism 60, the control device 70, the sand reservoir 90, and the sand charging nozzle unit 100. The components of the molding machine 10 other than the control device 70 are provided on, for example, a base 51 provided on a ground surface. The flask unit 1 is configured to be movable to a first position 11 and a second position 12. The first position 11 is an operation position set by the molding machine 10, and is a position where a pattern (pattern) is disposed between an upper flask and a lower flask, and a mold is released from the mold. The second position 12 is a working position set above the first position 11 in the molding machine 10, and is a position at which the supply and squeezing of sand to and from the cope and drag flasks are performed.

The flask unit 1 is shown in FIG. 1 in a first position 11. The flask unit 1 includes a cope flask 2 and a drag flask 3. The cope flask 2 and the drag flask 3 (an example of the flasks) are box-shaped frames having open upper and lower ends, respectively. The cope flask 2 has a space therein capable of accommodating a mold disposed on the upper surface of the mold member 7. The mold member 7 is a plate member that can be configured by a mold. The mold member 7 has a mold disposed on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface. The lower end of the cope flask 2 can be brought into contact with the upper surface of the mold member 7, for example. A sand inlet port 2a is provided in a side wall of the cope flask 2, and the sand inlet port 2a penetrates from the outside to an internal space and is connectable to a later-described sand charging nozzle 20 of the sand charging nozzle unit 100.

The drag flask 3 has a space therein capable of accommodating a mold disposed on the lower surface of the mold member 7. The upper end of the drag flask 3 can be brought into contact with the lower surface of the mold member 7, for example. A sand inlet port 3a is provided in a side wall of the drag flask 3, and the sand inlet port 3a penetrates from the outside to an internal space and is connectable to a later-described sand charging nozzle 20 of the sand charging nozzle unit 100. Hereinafter, the coupled cope flask 2 and drag flask 3 are also referred to as the cope flask 2 and drag flask 3. The cope flask 2 and the drag flask 3 are connected to each other by moving one or both of them to approach each other and sandwiching the mold member 7.

Fig. 2 is a side view showing an example of the molding machine in a state where the flask unit is rotated. As shown in fig. 2, the turning mechanism 60 turns the flask unit 1 including the cope flask 2 and the drag flask 3 holding the mold member 7 so as to be positioned on the same horizontal plane (XY plane). The flask unit 1 rotated by the rotating mechanism 60 moves to the second position 12 provided above the first position 11, and is assembled to the squeeze unit 14. The pressing unit 14 has a frame-shaped modeling support frame 53 extending in the horizontal direction and opening in the vertical direction. The flask unit 1 is accommodated in the mold support frame 53. The modeling support frame 53 is supported by a support column 52 erected on the base 51.

The cope squeeze plate 5 is inserted into the cope flask 2 by the squeeze unit 14, and defines a molding space for molding the cope with the cope flask 2 and the mold member 7. The lower squeeze board 6 enters the interior of the drag flask 3 through the squeeze unit 14, and defines a molding space for molding a lower mold together with the drag flask 3 and the mold member 7. The mold member 7 is configured to be sandwiched between the upper and lower squeeze plates 5 and 6. The upper compression plate 5 and the lower compression plate 6 are movable by a compression cylinder (not shown) provided in the compression unit 14 so as to be able to approach the mold member 7 or move away from the mold member 7.

At the second position 12, the sand inlet ports 2a and 3a are connected to the corresponding sand charging nozzles 20 and 20, respectively, which will be described later. Thus, at the second position 12, the molding space of the cope flask 2 and the molding space of the drag flask 3 are filled with sand from the sand reservoir 90. The sand filled in the cope flask 2 and the drag flask 3 is pressurized by the squeeze unit 14, for example, in the X direction, thereby forming an upper mold in the cope flask 2 and a lower mold in the drag flask 3.

Thereafter, the flask unit 1 is rotated from the second position 12 to the first position 11 by the rotating mechanism 6. In the first position 11, the cope flask 2 is separated from the drag flask 3, the mold member 7 is drawn out from between the cope flask 2 and the drag flask 3, and then the cope flask 2 is flask-fitted to the drag flask 3 (flask alignment). The cope and drag (cope and drag) molds in a mold closed state are drawn out from the cope and drag flasks 2, 3 and carried out to the outside of the apparatus. In this way, the molding machine 10 molds the cope and drag molds without the flask.

[ outline of Sand reservoir and Sand nozzle Unit ]

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of a part of the molding machine with the flask unit rotated. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing an example of the sand reservoir and the sand nozzle unit. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the sand reservoir 90 and the sand filling nozzle 20 are located above the cope and drag flasks 2, 3 which have been rotated. The sand reservoir 90 stores the sand supplied to the cope and drag flasks 2, 3.

The molding machine 10 includes a first frame 54 and a plurality of second frames 55 as frames for supporting the sand reservoir 90. The first frame 54 supporting the sand reservoir 90 extends in the horizontal direction, and supports the sand reservoir 90. The first frame 54 is, for example, a frame body. The first frame 54 is configured to surround the sand reservoir 90, and to fix the sand reservoir 90. The plurality of second frames 55 are erected on the modeling support frame 53, and support the first frame 54. In the illustrated example, four second frames 55 are erected on the modeling support frame 53. The first frame 54 supports four corners thereof with four second frames 55. The sand reservoir 90 is fixed to the ground surface of the molding machine 10 via the first frame 54, the second frame 55, the molding support frame 53, the support column 52, and the base 51.

The sand storage 90 includes a main body 91 and hoppers 92, 92. The main body 91 has a space capable of storing sand therein. The main body 91 may be box-shaped or cylindrical. Compressed air is supplied to the main body 91. Sand is appropriately supplied to the main body 91 from an external storage tank (not shown) through a pipe.

The hoppers 92, 92 supply the sand stored in the main body 91 to the cope and drag flasks 2, 3, respectively. The hoppers 92, 92 are connected to the lower end of the main body 91, and are each branched into two in the X direction. The spaces inside the hoppers 92, 92 are continuous with the space inside the body 91. The hopper 92 extends, for example, in the Y direction. The hopper 92 has, for example, a truncated pyramid shape in which the inside thereof penetrates in the vertical direction. The cross section of the hopper 92 decreases downward.

A sand discharge port 92b (see fig. 6) is formed at the lower end of the hopper 92 so as to penetrate vertically and allow the flow of sand. A flange 92a is provided around the sand discharge port 92b. The flange 92a protrudes outward in the horizontal direction. The flange 92a is a portion to which the sand charging nozzle 20 communicating with the sand discharge port 92b is attached. The sand charging nozzle 20 is detachably fixed to the lower end of the hopper 92 by screw fastening.

The sand charging nozzle 20 is provided so as to define a flow path through which sand can flow and correspond to a sand inlet of a flask to be filled with sand. In the example shown in fig. 3, two sand charging nozzles 20, 20 are provided corresponding to the sand inlets 2a, 3a of the cope and drag flasks 2, 3. Fig. 5 is a bottom view showing an example of the sand charging nozzle as viewed from a position shown by a line V-V shown in fig. 3. As shown in fig. 5, the sand charging nozzle 20 has a sand charging nozzle port 23g serving as an outlet of the flow path inside the sand charging nozzle 20. The shape of the sand charging nozzle opening 23g is the same as the sand inlet opening of the flask to be filled with sand, and is rectangular in the example of fig. 5.

As shown in fig. 3 to 5, the sand charging nozzle unit 100 of the molding machine 10 includes the sand charging nozzle 20 described above and a driving device 30 for moving the sand charging nozzle port 23g of the sand charging nozzle 20. As will be described later, the sand charging nozzle 20 can be extended and contracted in the vertical direction. The tip of the sand charging nozzle 20 is connected to the driving device 30 so as to transmit the force generated by the driving device 30. Accordingly, a vertical force is applied to the tip of the filling nozzle 20, and the filling nozzle opening 23g of the filling nozzle 20 moves in the direction approaching and separating from the flask to be filled with sand. In the illustrated example, the sand nozzle unit 100 includes two driving devices 30 and 30 that are interlocked with each other.

The driving devices 30, 30 are fixed to the first frame 54 that supports the sand reservoir 90. Specifically, the attitude of the drive device 30 is adjusted so that the rod 32 of the drive device 30 extends toward the sand charging nozzles 20, and the cylinder main body 31 is fixed to the first frame 54 that supports the sand reservoir 90. The driving devices 30 and 30 are disposed so as to sandwich the sand tank 90. The driving devices 30, 30 are, for example, arranged to face the root portions of the two strands formed by the hoppers 92, 92 of the sand reservoir 90.

The rods 32 and 32 of the driving devices 30 and 30 are connected to the first coupling frame 29b disposed in the space between the two strands formed by the hoppers 92 and 92, and the first coupling frame 29b is moved in the vertical direction. The first connecting frame 29b is provided with second connecting frames 29a and 29a extending downward. The second connecting frames 29a, 29a are connected to third connecting frames 28, 28 connected to the front ends of the sand charging nozzles 20, 20 (see fig. 5). When the driving devices 30 and 30 are driven, the coupling frame 29 (the first coupling frame 29b and the second coupling frame 29 a) moves in the vertical direction, and a vertical force is applied to the distal ends of the sand charging nozzles 20 and 20 through the third coupling frames 28 and 28. In this way, the driving devices 30 and 30 can move the positions of the sand charging nozzle ports 23g of the sand charging nozzles 20 and 20. The driving device 30 is an actuator as an example. The actuator can be a hydraulic cylinder, an air cylinder or an electric cylinder.

The sand charging nozzles 20, 20 attached to the lower ends of the hoppers 92, 92 are disposed directly above the cope flask 2 and directly above the drag flask 3, respectively. The sand charging nozzles 20, 20 are extended in a direction approaching the cope and drag flasks 2, 3, and the sand charging nozzle ports 23g, 23g are moved in a direction approaching the cope and drag flasks 2, 3, and are connected to the sand inlet port 2a of the cope flask 2 and the sand inlet port 3a of the drag flask 3.

[ details of the Sand filling nozzle ]

Since the filling nozzles 20, 20 corresponding to the cope and drag flasks 2, 3 have the same structure, the structure of the filling nozzle 20 corresponding to the drag flask 3 will be described below, and the description of the filling nozzle 20 corresponding to the cope flask 2 will be omitted. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the sanding nozzle of FIG. 3. As shown in fig. 6, the sand charging nozzle 20 is provided corresponding to the sand discharge port 92b of the sand reservoir 90. The sand charging nozzle 20 defines a flow path through which sand can flow. The distal end of the sand charging nozzle 20 is fixed to the sand discharge port 92b of the sand reservoir 90, so that sand is supplied from the sand discharge port 92b to the inside of the sand charging nozzle 20. The sand charging nozzle 20 has a sand charging nozzle port 23g at the front end, so that sand can be supplied from the sand charging nozzle port 23g to the drag flask 3.

More specifically, the sand charging nozzle 20 includes a distal member 21, an elastic member 22, and a distal member 23. The distal member 21, the elastic member 22, and the distal member 23 are rectangular frames defining passages 21a, 22a, and 23a penetrating in the vertical direction at the centers thereof. The distal end member 21 and the distal end member 23 are each configured by connecting four rectangular parallelepiped members, for example. The flow paths 21a, 22a, and 23a are rectangular in plan view, for example. The end member 21 and the front end member 23 are formed of metal as an example. The elastic member 22 is formed of a stretchable material. The stretchable material is, for example, resin, and one example of the resin is rubber. The elastic member 22 may have abrasion resistance. The distal end member 23 is provided with a sand charging nozzle port 23g serving as an outlet of the flow paths 21a, 22a, and 23 a.

The end member 21 of the sand charging nozzle 20 has an upper surface capable of being joined to a flange 92a provided at the lower end of the hopper 92, and is fixed to the flange 92a of the hopper 92 so that the flow path 21a communicates with the sand discharge port 92b of the sand reservoir 90. A plurality of openings 21e are formed in a flange portion, which is an outer edge of the end member 21 of the sand charging nozzle 20, and screws 24 inserted through the openings 21e of the end member 21 are screwed to the screw holes 92c of the flange 92a of the hopper 92. Thereby, the end member 21 of the sand charging nozzle 20 is screwed to the flange 92a of the hopper 92, and the sand charging nozzle 20 is detachably fixed to the sand discharge port 92b of the sand reservoir 90.

An elastic member 22 is fixed to a distal end member 21 of the sand nozzle 20. A plurality of openings 21f through which the screws 25 can be inserted are formed inside the opening 21e in the horizontal direction of the distal end member 21 of the sanding nozzle 20. A first frame 22f having a screw hole is embedded in a space 22h defined inside the elastic member 22. The space 22h is formed along the shape of the first frame 22f and the shape of a second frame 22g described later, and is, for example, a rectangular frame-shaped space. The first frame 22f is formed by connecting four rectangular parallelepiped members, for example, and has a rectangular shape. The elastic member 22 has a hole portion opened upward so as to communicate with the screw hole of the first housing 22f. In the elastic member 22, the hole portion communicates with the space 22 h. The screw 25 inserted through the opening 21f is inserted through the hole provided in the elastic member 22 and screwed into the screw hole of the first frame 22f, whereby the first frame 22f accommodated in the space 22h inside the elastic member 22 is coupled to the end member 21. Thereby, the distal end member 21 and the elastic member 22 of the sand charging nozzle 20 are detachably fixed.

A front end member 23 is fixed to the elastic member 22 of the sand charging nozzle 20. A plurality of openings 23e through which screws 26 can be inserted are formed in the distal end member 23 of the nozzle 20. A second frame 22g having a screw hole is embedded in a space 22h defined inside the elastic member 22. The second frame 22g is formed by connecting four rectangular parallelepiped members, for example, and has a rectangular shape. The elastic member 22 has a hole portion that opens downward so as to communicate with the screw hole of the second frame 22g. In the elastic member 22, the hole portion communicates with the space 22 h. The screw 26 inserted through the opening 23e is inserted through the hole provided in the elastic member 22 and screwed into the screw hole of the second frame 22g, whereby the second frame 22g accommodated in the space 22h inside the elastic member 22 is coupled to the distal member 23. Thereby, the elastic member 22 and the distal end member 23 of the nozzle 20 are detachably fixed (see fig. 5 and 6).

The distal end member 21, the elastic member 22, and the distal end member 23 are fixed to each other, so that the flow paths 21a, 22a, and 23a form one continuous flow path in the vertical direction, and the outlet of the flow path serves as a sand charging nozzle 23g. The third connecting frames 28 and 28 are connected to the front end member 23, and vertical force is transmitted by the driving device 30.

The lower end portion 23f of the front end member 23 is made of, for example, an elastomer. An example of an elastomer is polyurethane. The front end member 23 has a lower end portion 23f, whereby the front end member 23 of the sand charging nozzle 20 can be brought into surface contact with the drag flask 3. Further, the pressing force can be adjusted because the tip of the charging nozzle 20 can be further pressed against the drag flask 3 in a state where the charging nozzle 20 and the drag flask 3 are in contact with each other.

Fig. 7 is a side view of the sand filling nozzle shown in fig. 3 in a state where the elastic member is extended. As shown in fig. 7, when a downward force is applied to the distal end member 23 of the sand charging nozzle 20 by the driving device 30, the elastic member 22 of the sand charging nozzle 20 extends downward. A gap 22e is formed between the first frame 22f and the second frame 22g embedded in the space 22h defined inside the elastic member 22. The front end member 23 of the sand charging nozzle 20 is moved downward, so that the sand charging nozzle port 23g formed in the front end member 23 can be engaged with the sand introducing port 3a of the drag flask 3, and the sand discharging port 92b of the sand reservoir 90 communicates with the sand introducing port 3a of the drag flask 3.

The sand charging nozzle 20 may have a structure for preventing the elastic member 22 from protruding into the flow path when it is contracted. The end member 21 is formed with a projection 21d facing the flow path 21 a. The protruding portion 21d protrudes toward the elastic member 22. Thus, the tip member 21 of the sand charging nozzle 20 is higher in height on the inner side surface 21b than on the outer side surface 21c in the vertical direction, and the elastic member 22 is less likely to protrude inward of the flow path when contracted. Similarly, the distal end member 23 is formed with a protrusion 23d facing the flow path 23 a. The protruding portion 23d protrudes toward the elastic member 22. Thus, the front end member 23 of the sand filling nozzle 20 is higher in height at the inner side surface 23b than at the outer side surface 23c in the vertical direction, and the elastic member 22 is less likely to protrude inward of the flow path when contracted. This can prevent the elastic member 22 from being excessively deformed, and can prevent the elastic member 22 from protruding toward the flow path and being worn by the sand. In addition, the shapes of the end member 21 and the distal end member 23 are not limited as long as the height of the inner side surfaces 21b, 23b is higher than the height of the outer side surfaces 21c, 23c in the vertical direction. For example, the distal end member 21 and the distal end member 23 may be formed in a tapered shape such that the height in the vertical direction decreases from the outer side surfaces 21c and 23c toward the inner side surfaces 21b and 23b, respectively.

The sanding nozzle unit 100 may include a guide member for accurately moving the sanding nozzle 23g by the driving devices 30 and 30. As shown in fig. 4, the end member 21 is provided with guide openings 21g and 21g at a flange portion thereof. Guide members 40, 40 are erected on the upper surfaces of the third connecting frames 28, 28 connected to the front end members 23, 23 at positions corresponding to the guide openings 21g, 21g. The guide members 40, 40 are inserted through the guide openings 21g, 21g to regulate the inclination of the front end members 23, 23. As shown in fig. 5, the number of guide members 40 in the present embodiment is 4. The 4 guide members 40 are provided, for example, one at each of both ends of the third connecting frames 28, 28 in the X direction. Each guide member 40 extends upward from the upper surface of the third connecting frame 28. Even when the elastic member 22 is shortened to the maximum extent, the upper ends of the guide members 40 extend so as not to contact the hopper 92 of the sand reservoir 90.

The drive means 30, 30 move the front end parts 23, 23 along the guide parts 40, 40. When the front end members 23, 23 move, the respective guide members 40 abut against the inner side surfaces of the front end members 21, 21 forming the respective guide openings 21g penetrating in the vertical direction, thereby restricting the tilting and horizontal movement of the front end members 23, 23. The guide members 40 vertically guide the distal end members 23, 23 by the distal end members 21, 21 and the guide members 40.

[ control device ]

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the control device 70 is disposed, for example, in the X-axis negative direction of the first position 11. The control device 70 is configured as a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) as an example. The control device 70 may be a general-purpose computer system including a main storage device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory), an input device such as a touch panel and a keyboard, an output device such as a display, and an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk. The control device 70 is provided with an operation panel that can be operated by a worker, for example. The control device 70 controls the movements of the respective components of the molding machine 10, such as the movement of the cope flask 2 and the drag flask 3, the conveyance of the mold member 7, the rotation of the flask unit 1, the squeezing by the lower squeeze plate 6 and the upper squeeze plate 5, the supply of sand by the supply tank, and the movement of the filling nozzle unit 100.

[ operation of Molding machine ]

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the molding machine according to the embodiment. The operation of the molding machine shown in fig. 8 is started by the control device 70 based on an instruction from an operator. The operation shown in fig. 8 is started after the molding machine 10 guides the drag flask 3 upward and couples the cope flask 2 and the drag flask 3 via the mold member 7.

First, as a first retraction process (S11), the driving devices 30 and 30 retract the distal ends of the sand charging nozzles 20 and 20 upward. This prevents the sand box unit 1 from coming into contact with the tips of the sand charging nozzles 20 and 20 in the first rotation process (S13) described later. Specifically, the front end members 23, 23 of the sand charging nozzles 20, 20 are retracted upward so that the front end members 23, 23 do not lie within a circle of rotation having a radius from the rotation axis 62 to the outer edge of the flask unit 1 in the first rotation process (S13) described later. The drive means 30, 30 shortens the length of the rods 32, 32 so that an upward force along the guide members 40, 40 is applied to the front end members 23, 23 of the sand charging nozzle 20. Thereby, the elastic members 22, 22 of the sand charging nozzle 20 are shortened in length, and the front end members 23, 23 of the sand charging nozzle 20 are moved upward.

Next, as a first rotation process (S13), the rotation mechanism 60 rotates the flask unit 1 so as to be located at the second position 12 from the first position 11. Thus, the flask unit 1 is located at the second position 12 and assembled to the squeeze unit 14.

Next, as a division process (S15), the upper squeeze plate 5 enters the cope flask 2 to divide a molding space for an upper mold, and the lower squeeze plate 6 enters the drag flask 3 to divide a molding space for a lower mold.

Next, as the moving process (S17), the driving devices 30 and 30 move the tips of the sand charging nozzles 20 and 20 downward to be joined to the sand inlets 2a and 3a of the cope and drag flasks 2 and 3. The drive means 30, 30 extends the rods 32, 32 to apply a downward force to the front end members 23, 23 of the sand charging nozzles 20, 20. Thereby, the elastic members 22, 22 of the sand charging nozzles 20, 20 are extended downward, and the distal end members 23, 23 of the sand charging nozzles 20, 20 are moved downward. The sand charging nozzle ports 23g, 23g formed in the front end members 23, 23 are joined to the sand introduction ports 2a, 3a of the cope and drag flasks 2, 3, so that the sand discharge ports 92b, 92b of the sand reservoir 90 communicate with the sand introduction ports 2a, 3a of the cope and drag flasks 2, 3.

Next, as a supply process (S19), the sand reservoir 90 supplies sand to the cope flask 2 and the drag flask 3. The main body 91 of the sand reservoir 90 supplies sand to the molding spaces inside the cope and drag flasks 2, 3 through the space inside the hopper 92, the flow paths 21a, 22a, 23a of the sand charging nozzle 20, and the sand introduction ports 2a, 3 a. The sand reservoir 90 thus fills the inside of the cope flask 2 and the inside of the drag flask 3 with sand.

Next, as a squeezing process (S21), the squeeze cylinders (not shown) press the upper squeeze plate 5 and the lower squeeze plate 6 against the mold member 7, respectively, to squeeze the sand contained in the upper flask 2 and the lower flask 3, respectively, thereby molding the upper mold and the lower mold. After the molding, the lower squeeze plate 6 is carried out of the drag flask 3, and the assembly of the squeeze unit 14 is released.

Next, as a second retraction process (S23), the driving devices 30, 30 retract the distal ends of the sand charging nozzles 20, 20 upward, in the same manner as the first retraction process (S11). Thereby, the engagement of the sand filling nozzle 20 with the cope and drag flasks 2, 3 is released. When the second retraction process (S23) is completed, the operation of the molding machine using the sand nozzle unit 100 is completed.

After the second retreat process (S23), the turning mechanism 60 may turn the flask unit 1 from the second position 12 toward the first position 11 as a second turning process. At this time, the front end members 23, 23 are retracted upward by the second retraction process (S23), and therefore the flask unit 1 can be appropriately rotated toward the first position 11 without abutting against the sand charging nozzle unit 100. The subsequent operations of the molding machine 10 are omitted.

[ summary of the embodiments ]

In the molding machine 10 and the sand filling nozzle unit 100, the end members 21, 21 are fixed to the sand reservoir 90, and the front end members 23, 23 are moved in the vertical direction (an example of the direction toward and away from the flask) relative to the end members 21, 21 by the driving devices 30, 30. The sand charging nozzle ports 23g, 23g are brought into close contact with the cope and drag flasks 2, 3, whereby the sand charging nozzle ports 23g, 23g of the front end members 23, 23 can be connected to the sand introduction ports 2a, 3a of the cope and drag flasks 2, 3, and the space in the sand reservoir 90 and the space in the cope and drag flasks 2, 3 communicate with each other via the flow paths (flow paths 21a, 22a, 23 a) of the sand charging nozzles 20, 20. Therefore, the sand charging nozzle unit 100 can appropriately supply sand from the sand reservoir 90 into the sand box without moving the sand reservoir 90, whose weight varies, in the vertical direction. The front- end components 23, 23 without (minor) weight variations are more finely and accurately controllable than the sand reservoir 90 with weight variations. That is, control for moving the sand charging nozzle ports 23g, 23g becomes easy, and the driving devices 30, 30 easily move the sand charging nozzle ports 23g, 23g. Therefore, the sand filling nozzle unit 100 can connect the sand filling nozzle 20 to the cope and drag flasks 2 and 3 with an appropriate pressing force to stably support the leak-proof sand and the flasks, and can appropriately supply the sand into the flasks.

The sanding nozzle unit 100 need only include the driving devices 30 and 30 that output a force for moving only the distal members 23 and 23, and need not include a large driving device that can move the sand reservoir 90. Therefore, the molding machine 10 and the sand charging nozzle unit 100 can reduce the manufacturing cost including the initial cost and the like while suppressing the increase in size of the driving device.

Even when the flask unit 1 in the molding machine 10 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 60, the tip end member 23 of the sand nozzle 20 can be retracted upward by the first retraction process (S11) and the second retraction process (S23) in the sand filling nozzle unit 100. Therefore, the molding machine 10 and the filling nozzle unit 100 can suppress the structure of the flask unit 1 such as the cope and drag flasks 2, 3 from coming into contact with the front end member 23.

The sand charging nozzle 20 has the elastic member 22 which is arranged between the tip member 21 and the front member 23 and is stretchable, and thus can define flow paths 21a, 22a, and 23a through which sand can flow, and connect the sand charging nozzle port 23g of the front member 23 to the cope flask 2 (drag flask 3). Therefore, the molding machine 10 and the sand filling nozzle unit 100 can appropriately move the sand filling nozzle 23g of the front end member 23 while suppressing the leakage of sand by the elastic member 22.

The nozzle 20 includes a first frame 22f and a second frame 22g, the elastic member 22 defines a space 22h capable of accommodating the first frame 22f and the second frame 22g therein, the first frame 22f accommodated in the elastic member 22 is coupled to the end member 21, and the second frame 22g accommodated in the elastic member 22 is coupled to the front end member 23. Thus, the elastic member 22 can be coupled to the distal member 21 by the first frame 22f, and the elastic member 22 can be coupled to the distal member 23 by the second frame 22g.

In the sand charging nozzle 20, the height of the inner surface 21b of the tip member 21 is higher than the height of the outer surface 21c, and therefore, the contracted elastic member 22 can be suppressed from protruding into the flow path. Similarly, in the sand charging nozzle 20, the height of the inner surface 23b of the distal end member 23 is higher than the height of the outer surface 23c, and therefore, the contracted elastic member 22 can be suppressed from protruding into the flow path. Therefore, the molding machine 10 and the sand filling nozzle unit 100 can suppress excessive deformation of the elastic member 22 such as expansion of the elastic member 22 into the flow path 22a through which sand can flow, and thus can suppress wear of the elastic member 22.

Further, in the nozzle unit 100, the front end members 23 and 23 are guided by the plurality of guide members 40, so that the inclination of the front end members 23 and 23 is suppressed, and the variation in the degree of movement in the vertical direction in each part of the front end members 23 and 23 can be reduced. Thus, when the front end members 23, 23 are connected to the sand introduction ports 2a, 3a of the cope and drag flasks 2, 3, it is difficult to generate a gap between the front end members 23, 23 and the sand introduction ports 2a, 3a of the cope and drag flasks 2, 3, and leakage of sand can be suppressed. Therefore, the molding machine 10 and the sand filling nozzle unit 100 can appropriately connect the front end members 23 and 23 to the sand inlets 2a and 3a of the cope and drag flasks 2 and 3.

Further, since the sand charging nozzle 20 is detachably fixed to the hoppers 92, 92 of the sand reservoir 90, the sand charging nozzle unit 100 can be easily installed in the conventional sand reservoir, and the sand charging nozzle unit 100 can be easily removed from the sand reservoir during maintenance. Therefore, the sand charging nozzle unit 100 can be introduced into the sand reservoir 90 so as to be easily supplied with sand into the cope and drag flasks 2, 3, and thus, the maintainability, such as replacement or repair, can be improved. Further, the distal end member 21, the elastic member 22, and the distal end member 23 of the sanding nozzle 20 are detachably connected to each other, so that the maintainability of replacement, repair, or the like can be improved.

[ modification ]

The above-described embodiments show an example of the molding machine and the sand nozzle unit according to the present invention. The molding machine and the sand charging nozzle unit according to the present invention are not limited to the molding machine and the sand charging nozzle unit 100 according to the embodiment, and the molding machine 10 and the sand charging nozzle unit 100 according to the embodiment may be modified or applied to other embodiments without changing the gist of the description of the respective embodiments. For example, the molding machine 10 and the sand filling nozzle unit 100 may be configured to include only a single sand filling nozzle 20 and a single driving device 30. The number of the sand charging nozzles 20 and the number of the driving devices 30 provided in the molding machine 10 and the sand charging nozzle unit 100 can be appropriately set according to the number of the hoppers 92 of the sand stocker 90 or the number of the sand inlets 2a and 3a of the cope and drag flasks 2 and 3.

For example, the operation of the molding machine in the above-described embodiment may include the first evacuation process (S11), the movement process (S17), and the second evacuation process (S23), and may not include a part or all of the other processes. The operation of the molding machine may include a process of installing the sand nozzle unit 100 in the sand reservoir 90. The treatment may include assembling the distal member 21, the elastic member 22, and the distal member 23 into the sanding nozzle 20.

The molding machine 10 may be configured not to include the turning mechanism 60 and to apply the pressing force from one or both of the vertical directions. In this case, since the sand inlets 2a and 3a of the cope and drag flasks 2 and 3 are open to the side, the front ends of the hoppers 92 and 92 may be bent so as to be accessible from the side with respect to the cope and drag flasks 2 and 3. Further, instead of bending the hoppers 92, the sand charging nozzle 20 may be bent.

The molding machine 10 is not limited to a flaskless molding machine (split molding machine) that performs split molding after mold molding, and may be a flaskless molding machine that delivers a mold to a casting line while holding the mold in a flask without split molding after mold molding.

The sanding nozzle 20 may also be provided without the resilient member 22. In this case, the distal member 21 and the distal member 23 can be connected by a bellows or the like.

The height of the outer surface 21c of the end member 21 may be equal to or greater than the height of the inner surface 21b, and the height of the outer surface 23c of the distal member 23 may be equal to or greater than the height of the inner surface 23 b. In this case, the height of the outer surface 22c of the elastic member 22 may be equal to or less than the height of the inner surface 22 b.

The end member 21 of the sand charging nozzle 20 and the hopper 92 of the sand reservoir 90 may be fixed to each other in a non-detachable manner. For example, the end member 21 and the hopper 92 may be fixed so as not to move relative to each other. The tip member 21, the elastic member 22, and the tip member 23 of the sand charging nozzle 20 may not be fixed to each other so as to be detachable. The drive means 30 may not be a cylinder. In this case, the driving device 30 may be an air cushion (air spring) or a motor mechanism.

In the above embodiment, the elastic member 22 is described as one member, but the elastic member 22 may be formed as two or more members that can be disassembled and assembled. The elastic member 22 may be, for example, separable into upper and lower members each having a portion defining the space 22 h. This facilitates storage of the first and second housings 22f and 22g in the space 22 h. The first frame 22f and the second frame 22g may not have a rectangular shape. The space 22h may be defined along the shapes of the first and second housings 22f and 22g in the elastic member 22.

The sand charging nozzle unit 100 may not include a plurality of guide members 40, and may include one guide member 40. At this time, since the front end members 23, 23 are coupled by the third coupling frames 28, the inclination of the front end members 23, 23 is suppressed by guiding both the front end members 23, 23 by one guide member 40, and the variation in the degree of movement in the vertical direction in each part of the front end members 23, 23 is reduced. When the nozzle unit 100 includes two guide members 40, each guide member 40 may be provided at a diagonal position of the front end members 23 and 23. In this case, the guide members 40 guide both the front end members 23, so that the occurrence of inclination of both the front end members 23, 23 is suppressed, and the variation in the degree of movement in the vertical direction in each part of the front end members 23, 23 is reduced. The number of the guide members 40 may be 3, or 5 or more, for example. The sand nozzle unit 100 may not include the guide member 40.

At least one of the plurality of guide members 40 may not extend upward from the third connecting frame 28. In this case, each guide member 40 may extend downward from the connecting frame 29, for example. The guide opening 21g corresponding to the guide member 40 extending downward may be provided in the distal member 23 instead of the distal member 21. At this time, the guide member 40 extends at the longest downward to a position where the lower surface of the distal end member 23 is retracted in the first retraction process (S11) and the second retraction process (S23). When the front end member 23 is in the position to be joined to the sand introduction ports 2a, 3a of the cope and drag flasks 2, 3 in the moving process (S17), for example, the lower end of the guide member 40 is positioned in the guide opening 21g of the front end member 23. Thus, when the front end members 23, 23 move, the guide member 40 continues to pass through the guide opening 21g, and therefore the guide member 40 can appropriately guide the front end members 23, 23.

Description of the reference numerals

2\8230; 2a and 3a 8230and a sand inlet; 3 \ 8230and a drag box; 10 8230and a molding machine; 20 \ 8230and filling a sand nozzle; 21 8230a tip part; 21a, 22a, 23a \8230aflow path; 22 \ 8230a resilient member; 23 \ 8230a front end component; 23g of 823060, and a sand filling nozzle; 30 \ 8230and a driving device; 40 8230a guide member; 90 \ 8230and a sand storage device; 92b 8230and a sand discharge port; 100 \ 8230and a sand filling nozzle unit.

Claims (9)

1. A sand charging nozzle unit for supplying sand from a sand reservoir into a sand box, the sand charging nozzle unit comprising:

a sand charging nozzle which is internally provided with a flow path for the circulation of sand and is fixed at a sand outlet of the sand storage device, wherein the sand charging nozzle is provided with a sand charging nozzle opening which can move in the direction of approaching to the sand box and separating from the sand box and can be connected with the sand box; and

and a driving device which moves the sand filling nozzle.

2. The sand nozzle unit as claimed in claim 1,

the sand filling nozzle is provided with:

a tail end part fixed on the sand storage device,

A front end part formed with the sand containing nozzle opening, and

a stretchable elastic member disposed between the tip member and the front member,

the end member, the front end member, and the elastic member define the flow path.

3. The sand charging nozzle unit as claimed in claim 2,

the sand filling nozzle is provided with a first frame body and a second frame body,

the elastic member defines a space capable of accommodating the first housing and the second housing therein,

the first frame housed inside the elastic member is coupled to the distal member, and the second frame housed inside the elastic member is coupled to the distal member.

4. The sand charging nozzle unit as claimed in claim 2 or 3,

the end member has an inner surface defining the flow path and a higher height than an outer surface.

5. The sand charging nozzle unit as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4,

the front end member has an inner surface defining the flow path and a height higher than an outer surface.

6. The sand charging nozzle unit as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5,

further comprising a guide member extending in the moving direction of the front end member and guiding the front end member,

the drive means moves the front end member along the guide member.

7. The sand charging nozzle unit as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6,

the end member is detachably fixed to the sand reservoir.

8. The sand nozzle unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7,

the drive means is an actuator.

9. A molding machine is characterized in that a molding machine is provided,

has a sand nozzle unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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