EP2209601A2

EP2209601A2 - Injection moulding nozzle

Info

Publication number: EP2209601A2
Application number: EP08849613A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Herbert Günther; Siegrid Sommer; Torsten Schnell
Original assignee: Guenther Heisskanaltechnik GmbH
Current assignee: Guenther Heisskanaltechnik GmbH
Priority date: 2007-11-12
Filing date: 2008-11-12
Publication date: 2010-07-28
Also published as: DE202007015873U1; WO2009062669A2; US8246342B2; US20100255145A1; CN101855056A; JP2011502819A; MX2010004798A; TW200932484A; KR20100085096A; WO2009062669A3; CA2705045A1

Abstract

An injection moulding nozzle (10) for an injection moulding device, comprising a nozzle body (14), which has a longitudinal axis (L) and in which there is formed at least one flow channel (18) for a flowable material, and at least one nozzle tip (24), from which the flowable material emerges from the nozzle body (14), wherein the at least one nozzle tip (24) extends transversely in relation to the longitudinal axis (L) of the nozzle body (14) and wherein the at least one nozzle tip (24) is formed in one piece with the nozzle body (14).

Description

injection molding

The invention relates to an injection molding nozzle according to the preamble of claim 1.

Injection molding nozzles are used in injection molding tools to supply a flowable material at a predeterminable temperature under high pressure to a separable tool block or mold insert. They usually have a nozzle body in the form of a material pipe in which a flow channel for the flowable mass is formed, and a nozzle end piece inserted into the material pipe at the end, which forms the outlet opening for the flow channel.

Various types of injection molding nozzles are known in the prior art, in particular injection nozzles for the side gate. They usually have a nozzle body in which at least one flow channel for a flowable mass is formed, and at least one nozzle tip extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body.

Such an injection molding nozzle is disclosed for example in DE 196 18 960 A1. It comprises a plurality of nozzle tips which can be screwed laterally into the externally heated nozzle body and extend radially outward in the screwed-in state perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body. The nozzle body is provided with a positioning flange portion received in an opening formed in the mold insert. By means of this positioning flange portion, the nozzle body is positioned in the transverse direction, whereas it can be advanced in the longitudinal direction, so that the nozzle tips can be screwed. Subsequently, it is pushed back into an assembled position in which it is longitudinally positioned by the nozzle tips received in the mold insert. In this way, the nozzle body is arranged longitudinally in the same plane as the sprues formed in the mold insert. A seal between the nozzle tips and the mold takes place via sealing surfaces which are provided on the nozzle tips and on the mold insert and cooperate in the radial direction with respect to the nozzle tips.

A disadvantage of the injection molding nozzle described in DE 196 18 960 A1 is that the assembly of the nozzle tips is relatively complicated, because the nozzles can only be inserted from below into the tool. The latter must therefore be formed divisible or separable, which not only causes high tooling costs, but also costs time.

Furthermore, it is desirable to make the nozzle tips of a highly thermally conductive material in order to ensure an optimum temperature transition between the nozzle body and the nozzle tips, so that the flowable mass is held up to the gate opening at an always optimal temperature. On the other hand, the sealing surfaces of the nozzle tips which are in contact with the tool should be made of a material which only conducts heat to a minimum in order to minimize the heat transfer between the nozzle tips and the mold.

In the injection molding nozzle described in DE 196 18 960 A1, the nozzle tips and their sealing surfaces are in one piece and thus made of the same material. Consequently, the desired goal can not be achieved, namely the combination of an optimum injection temperature of the flowable mass and a low heat transfer between the sealing surfaces of the nozzle tips and the mold. Another disadvantage of the known injection molding nozzle is that the flow channel of the nozzle body and the bores of the nozzle tips, which continue the flow channel to the injection point, extend substantially perpendicular to each other, whereby a large flow resistance is generated, which also adversely affects the injection molding process ,

Based on this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an injection molding nozzle with an alternative structure, which at least partially eliminates the disadvantages described above.

This object is achieved according to the present invention by an injection molding nozzle for an injection molding apparatus comprising a nozzle body having a longitudinal axis, in which at least one flow channel for a flowable mass is formed, and at least one nozzle tip, from which the flowable mass exits from the nozzle body, wherein the at least one nozzle tip extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body. According to the invention, the at least one nozzle tip is formed integrally with the nozzle body. Accordingly, the assembly effort is reduced during assembly of the injection molding.

Preferably, a sleeve-like sealing element is arranged around each nozzle tip, which has an optimized contact surface, which rests in the intended state sealingly against a wall of a mold insert to seal the injection molding relative to the mold insert. The sleeve-like sealing element is advantageously made of a poor thermal conductivity material, in particular of titanium or ceramic. Accordingly, the heat transfer between the injection molding die and the mold insert is kept low, so that the temperature of the flowable mass can be optimally adjusted at the time of injection. In order to achieve an optimum sealing effect between the sealing element and the mold insert, the contact surface of the sleeve-like sealing element is preferably finished. The fine machining takes place in relation to the contour and the surface roughness of the contact surface, such as by means of grinding or the like.

An important embodiment of the invention provides that the contact surfaces of all sealing elements lie on a cylindrical surface. As a result, the nozzle can always be used precisely in a hole in a tool plate. After reaching the operating temperature, all the sealing elements are optimally sealing against the inner wall of the bore, so that all the nozzle tips are sealed relative to the tool. This is achieved in particular when each sleeve-like sealing element is preferably designed such that it can be used at a low temperature together with the nozzle body in a mold insert and rests sealingly against the associated wall of the mold insert upon reaching a predetermined operating temperature. Accordingly, the injection molding nozzle can be easily mounted according to the present invention, wherein the required sealing effect of the sealing element is ensured in the operating state.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the contact surface of the sleeve-like sealing element is an end face of the same, so that a seal takes place substantially in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle tip or in the radial direction of the nozzle body. In this way, a particularly easy to be realized seal is generated.

The nozzle tip is preferably designed such that it does not project outwardly beyond the contact surface of the sleeve-like sealing element. Accordingly, it is possible to use the injection molding nozzle of the present invention in one-piece molds. Alternatively, however, the nozzle tip may also be designed such that it protrudes outwardly beyond the contact surface of the sleeve-like sealing element. In this case, however, the shape must be formed at least in two parts.

For a rapid color change, it is favorable if each nozzle tip is provided with a flow or connection channel, wherein the flow channel in the nozzle body is continued almost barrier-free by the flow or connection channels in the nozzle tips. As a result, no material can accumulate up to the inlet opening in the tool. The material located in the flow channel is rinsed quickly and completely from the channel system in the event of a color change, so that after only a few injection molding cycles, the new color can be processed.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the heater and / or the temperature sensor are integrated in the nozzle body, preferably in corresponding grooves. The heat generated by the heating is always optimally introduced into the nozzle body and can be evenly distributed. The temperature sensor can detect the respective temperature quickly and unadulterated and pass it on to a controller. Structurally, it is advantageous if between the nozzle body and the housing an anti-rotation is formed. As a result, the nozzle is always kept in the same posi- tion. Further, an anti-rotation is formed between the housing and the injection molding, so that the nozzle tips can not rotate relative to the sprue openings in the injection mold, in particular in the mold cavity.

Additionally or alternatively, the rotation can also be formed between the nozzle body and the injection molding.

At the periphery of the nozzle body, a centering device is preferably arranged, which centers the nozzle body within a mold insert. This centering device prevents movement of the nozzle body in the transverse direction and thus supports the maintenance of the sealing effect of each sleeve-like sealing element.

The centering device is advantageously at least partially made of a poorly heat-conductive material in order to prevent heat is passed through the centering device in the mold insert.

Finally, the centering device preferably comprises a separate centering ring which can be positioned on a corresponding centering ring receptacle. The centering ring receptacle can be formed, for example, in one piece with the nozzle body. The centering ring is preferably made of a poor thermal conductivity material, such as titanium or ceramic.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by way of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In it is:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the injection molding according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a first side view of the injection molding nozzle shown in FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a second side view of the injection molding nozzle illustrated in FIG. 1, which is rotated by 90 ° relative to the first side view shown in FIG. 2; FIG.

4 shows a sectional view of the injection molding nozzle shown in FIG. 1 along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3 on an enlarged scale, FIG.

5 shows a sectional view of the injection molding nozzle shown in FIG. 1 along the line VV in FIG. 2, FIG.

Fig. 6a is a sectional view of another embodiment and

Fig. 6b is a detail view of a nozzle tip of the embodiment of Fig. 6a. Figures 1 to 5 show various views of a preferred embodiment of an injection molding nozzle according to the invention, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

This injection molding nozzle 10 is intended for use in an injection molding apparatus, which is used for the production of molded parts from a workable mass - for example, a plastic melt. The injection molding apparatus (not shown) usually has a platen and, in parallel therewith, a distributor plate in which a system of flow channels is formed. These open into a plurality of injection molding nozzles 10, which are designed, for example, as hot runner nozzles and are each mounted with a housing 12 on the underside of the distributor plate. Additionally or alternatively, the nozzles 10 can also be mounted directly on the distributor with the tool plate (so-called TT design).

Each injection molding nozzle 10 comprises a nozzle body 14, which has a longitudinal axis L and is provided with a flange-like connection head 16 at its upper end. In the present case, the connection head 16 is formed integrally with the nozzle body 14. Alternatively, however, the connection head 16 can also be formed separately and connected to the nozzle body 14, for example by means of a threaded connection, by pressing, by soldering or the like.

Within the nozzle body 14, a flow channel 18 for a molten material is centrally introduced. The preferably designed as a bore flow channel 18 has in the connection head 16 a material supply port 20. To seal the injection nozzle 10 relative to the distributor plate, not shown, an annular groove 21 is provided on the end cap 16 concentric with the material supply port 20, in which an unillustrated sealing ring used can be.

The flow channel 18 opens at its lower end into two connecting channels 22 which extend from the bottom of the flow channel 18 at an angle α to the longitudinal axis L downwards, the connecting channels 22 each open into a nozzle tip 24. The angle α is presently about 60 °.

Due to the fact that the angle α in the present case is substantially smaller than 90 °, the flow resistance during the transition of the melt from the flow channel 18 in the Both connecting channels 22 compared to the prior art, in which the angle α is about 90 °, are greatly reduced, which has a very positive effect on the injection molding process. The flow channel 18 is therefore formed as a nearly constant flow channel 18, 22, in which no stationary or static material can deposit up to the outlet opening. The nozzle 10 thus always allows optimum results, in particular, rapid color changes are possible at any time.

In the nozzle tips 24 branches off from the respective connecting channels 22 each have a further connecting channel 26 at an angle ß to the axial direction A of the connecting channels 22, whereby two material outlet openings 28 are formed through which the flowable molten material can get into a mold cavity, not shown. The nozzle tips 24 are preferably formed integrally with the nozzle body 14 and accordingly also consist of highly heat-conductive steel. However, the nozzle tips 24 may also be made separately and from a different material, e.g. Ceramics.

The injection molding nozzle 10 is inserted into a not shown, substantially cylindrical, formed in a mold insert opening such that the injection molding nozzle 10 rests with a shoulder 30 of the housing 12 on a corresponding edge of the mold insert. A centering sleeve 32, which is provided with an external thread and screwed from below into a corresponding internal thread of the housing 12, comprises an annular, radially outwardly directed centering surface 34, which centers the injection molding nozzle 10 relative to the opening of the mold insert.

A further centering device 36 is provided between the centering sleeve 32 and the nozzle tips 24 on the nozzle body 14, which has a centering ring 37 which is made of a poor thermal conductivity material and as well as the centering surface 34 of the centering sleeve 32, the injection molding 10 with respect to the wall of the opening the mold insert centered. In this way, a proper alignment of the injection molding nozzle 10 is ensured within the opening of the mold insert in the axial direction A and prevents movement of the nozzle body 14 in the transverse direction.

To seal the nozzle tips 24 relative to the mold insert, a sleeve-like sealing element 38 is arranged around each nozzle tip 24, the end face 40 of which forms the contact surface of the sleeve-like sealing element 38. The sealing elements 38 are made of a poorly heat-conductive material - in this case made of titanium. In this way, the heat transfer from the nozzle tips 24 to the mold insert is to be avoided. be reduced, so as to prevent a decrease in the temperature in the region of the material outlet openings 28. The serving as contact surfaces end surfaces 40 of the sleeve-like sealing elements 38 are so finely worked that they can be used at a low temperature together with the nozzle body 14 in a mold insert and at the latest when reaching the operating temperature sealingly against the corresponding wall of the mold insert. The centering device 36 prevents a tilting of the nozzle body 14 within the mold insert in the transverse direction, so that a proper alignment of the sealing surfaces to one another and, correspondingly, a proper seal is ensured. The fine machining takes place in relation to the contour and the surface roughness of the end faces 40 and can be realized for example by means of grinding and / or machining.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, the respective nozzle tips 24 do not protrude beyond the end faces 40 of the sleeve-like sealing elements 38, so that the injection molding nozzle 10 can be easily inserted into a one-piece mold insert. Alternatively, however, the nozzle tips 24 may also protrude beyond the end faces 40 if desired, in which case the mold insert must be formed in at least two parts in order to be able to mount the injection molding nozzle.

In the nozzle body 14, one or more grooves 42 are further formed, in which a presently not shown wire-shaped heating conductor can be used. This heating conductor serves to heat the nozzle body 14 and the nozzle tips 24 and thus the material flowing in the flow channel 18 and in the connection channels 22 and 26 to a predetermined temperature. The heater forming a heater can be pressed into the groove 42, soldered in this or otherwise secured therein. Furthermore, a (not shown) temperature sensor can be pressed into one of the grooves 42, in particular to detect the temperature at the nozzle tips 24. But you can also provide a separate groove or bore for the temperature sensor, which is introduced at a suitable locations in the nozzle body 14.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 6a and 6b shows an injection molding according to the embodiment of Fig. 4. Here, however, the nozzle tip 24 is formed with a over the end face 40 of the sleeve-like sealing element 38 protruding tip 29, preferably up to a respectively associated (not shown) sprue in form nest reaches. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous in order to avoid the formation of cold plugs. Consequently, this nozzle is especially for the rapid color change in the gating of particularly thin-walled injection molded suitable.

It should be understood that the embodiment described above is for illustrative purposes only and is not to be construed as limiting in any way. Accordingly, changes and modifications of the injection molding nozzle 10 shown in Figures 1 to 5 are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Substantial advantages of the invention are summarized as follows:

^■ The nozzle 10 allows rapid and rapid color changes at any time;

^■ The nozzle body 14 has over its housing 12 and with this against the tool an anti-rotation device;

^■ The nozzle 10 can be mounted quickly and conveniently, ie no components must be removed before assembly and then re-attached;

^■ the same applies to the disassembly of the nozzle 10; no components have to be removed;

^■ The nozzle 10 is thus extremely easy to maintain;

^■ The heater and the temperature sensor are integrated in the nozzle body 14, resulting in an always optimal temperature transmission and distribution.

It can be seen that an injection molding nozzle 10 for an injection molding apparatus has a nozzle body 14 in which at least one flow channel 18 is formed for a flowable mass. The nozzle 10 further has at least one nozzle tip 24 from which the flowable mass exits the nozzle body 14, wherein the at least one nozzle tip 24 extends transversely to the longitudinal axis L of the nozzle body 14 and is preferably formed integrally with the nozzle body 14. The flow channel 18 is continued almost barrier-free within the nozzle tips 24. The latter are provided for this purpose with connecting channels 22, which open within the sealing elements 38 and thus before the corresponding gate opening of the mold cavity. Reference number list

A Axial direction 24 Nozzle tip α Angle 26 Connecting channels ß Angle 28 Material outlet openings

L longitudinal axis 29 tip

30 paragraph

10 injection molding nozzle 32 centering sleeves

12 housing 34 centering

14 nozzle body 36 centering device

16 Connection head 37 Centering ring

18 flow channel 38 sleeve-like sealing element

20 material supply opening 40 end face

21 annular groove 42 grooves

22 connection channels

Claims

protection claims

An injection molding nozzle (10) for an injection molding apparatus, comprising a nozzle body (14) having a longitudinal axis (L) in which at least one flow channel (18) is formed for a flowable mass, and having at least one nozzle tip (24) from which the flowable mass exiting the nozzle body (14), wherein the at least one nozzle tip (24) extends transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) of the nozzle body, characterized in that the at least one nozzle tip (24) is formed integrally with the nozzle body (14).

2. Injection molding nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that around each nozzle tip (24) a sleeve-like sealing element (38) is arranged, which has a bearing surface (40) which bears in the intended state sealingly against a wall of a mold insert.

3. Injection molding nozzle according to claim 2, characterized in that the sleeve-like sealing element (38) is made of a poor thermal conductivity material.

4. Injection molding nozzle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the contact surface (40) of the sleeve-like sealing element (38) is fine machining.

5. Injection molding nozzle according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the contact surfaces (40) of all sealing elements (38) lie on a cylindrical surface.

6. Injection molding nozzle according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the sleeve-like sealing element (38) is designed such that it can be used at a low temperature together with the nozzle body (14) in a mold insert and sealing upon reaching a predetermined operating temperature abuts an associated wall of the mold insert.

7. Injection molding nozzle according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the contact surface (40) of the sleeve-like sealing element (38) is an end face thereof.

8. Injection molding nozzle according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the nozzle tip (24) is designed such that it does not project outwardly beyond the contact surface (40) of the sleeve-like sealing element (38).

9. Injection molding nozzle according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the nozzle tip (24) is formed with a tip (29) which projects beyond the contact surface (40) of the sleeve-like sealing element (38).

10. Injection molding nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each nozzle tip (24) is provided with a flow channel (22).

11. Injection molding nozzle according to claim 10, characterized in that the flow channel (18) in the nozzle body (14) from the flow channels (22) is continued almost barrier-free.

12. Injection molding nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the heating and / or the temperature sensor are integrated in the nozzle body 14.

13. Injection molding nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that between the nozzle body (14) and the housing (12) is formed against rotation.

14. Injection molding nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that between the housing (12) and the injection molding an anti-rotation is formed.

15. Injection molding nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that between the nozzle body (14) and the injection molding an anti-rotation is formed.

16. Injection molding nozzle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the circumference of the nozzle body (14) a centering device (36) is arranged, which centers the nozzle body (14) within a mold insert.

17 injection molding nozzle (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that the centering device (36) is at least partially made of a poor thermal conductivity material.

18. Injection molding according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the centering device (36) comprises a centering ring (37).

19. Injection molding nozzle according to claim 18, characterized in that the centering ring (37) is made of poorly heat-conducting material.