JP2007061880A - Injection molding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an injection molding apparatus capable of preventing molten material from flowing out from a rotary type nozzle to the periphery. <P>SOLUTION: The molten metal is allowed to flow to a metallic mold through a flow path and a valve device. In the flow path, the valve device is inserted and the flow of the molten metal is controlled by communicating and shutting off the flow path with the rotation of the valve. Further, a gap between the valve and the flow path, is shut off with a sealing member composed of a first member 363a and a second member 363b. Furthermore, the sealing member is arranged so that one pair of contacting surfaces 373, 374, 375 are inclined to the flowing-out direction of the molten metal from the gap. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an injection molding apparatus that injects a molten metal of light metal or light alloy into a mold.

  Conventionally, in an injection molding apparatus using resin as a molding material, a rotary valve is disposed between an injection nozzle and a heating cylinder, and the runner is shut off by rotating the rotary valve at the end of the injection process. Techniques for stopping the supply of molten material to the mold are known.

  Attempts have been made to apply this technique to an injection molding apparatus using light metal or light alloy (hereinafter simply referred to as metal) as a molding material (see Patent Document 1). However, as described in Patent Document 1, when the above technique is applied to an injection molding apparatus using a metal as a molding material, there arises a problem that the molding material flows out from the injection molding apparatus.

  For example, in the case of a molding material such as a resin having a high viscosity at the time of melting and a melting temperature of about 200 ° C. to 300 ° C., the molten material does not flow around the rotary valve. However, when a metal is used as a molding material, since a raw material having a low viscosity at the time of melting is used, such as magnesium and aluminum, it becomes a liquid that easily flows in a molten state, and the speed of passing through a runner is higher than that of a resin. It is 3 to 10 times faster than that, and the pressure loss is small, and it is easy to leak from a small gap. Therefore, the molten material flows out from the injection molding apparatus, and troubles such as malfunction of the rotary valve occur.

  With respect to this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses that a liquid molten metal supplied at a high speed and high pressure from the cylinder does not surround the rotary valve even if a general conventional seal ring or the like is provided so that the molten material does not flow out. It is difficult to reliably prevent leakage into the water (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, since the temperature of the molten material is as high as about 600 ° C., if the molten material flows out of the valve block, there is a risk of rapid oxidation or combustion, which is not preferable in terms of work.

Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a rotary valve (rotary shut-off) of a high-performance and highly safe metal injection molding machine that can efficiently recover the molten material flowing out around the rotary valve and prevent problems caused by this. Nozzle).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-320612

  However, the rotary valve described in Patent Document 1 employs a system that does not fundamentally prevent the outflow but recirculates the outflow. Therefore, since the outflow itself is not stopped, problems due to other factors such as clogging of the molten material recovery runner are likely to occur.

  The objective of this invention is providing the injection molding apparatus which can prevent the outflow of the molten material to the circumference | surroundings from a rotary nozzle.

Means and effects for solving the problems

(1)
An injection molding apparatus according to the present invention is an injection molding apparatus that injects molten metal into a mold at a predetermined pressure, a distribution path that distributes the molten metal to the mold, and a rotary path that is interposed in the distribution path. A rotary valve that communicates and shields the flow path in a type, and a seal member that prevents leakage of molten metal from the sliding portion of the rotary valve to the outside of the rotary valve. It consists of a first member and a second member provided so as to be adjacent to and adjacent to the periphery of the rotating shaft portion and the peripheral surface of the hole into which the shaft portion is inserted, and the first member and the second member are opposed to each other The surfaces are provided as a pair of contact surfaces that are inclined with respect to each other, and are inclined with respect to the outflow direction of the molten metal in the gap.

  In the injection molding apparatus according to the present invention, the molten metal is circulated to the mold through the flow path and the rotary valve. A rotary valve is inserted in the flow path, and the flow of the molten metal is controlled by rotating and rotating the rotary valve to connect and shield the flow path. Further, the clearance between the rotary valve and the flow path is sealed by the sealing member made up of the first member and the second member. The seal member is provided such that the pair of contact surfaces are inclined with respect to the flowing direction of the molten metal from the gap.

  In this case, when the molten metal leaks from the gap, a pressing force is applied to the first member of the seal member, and the first member and the second member move in opposite directions by the pair of contact surfaces with the second member, The gap can be more reliably sealed. That is, the first member is pressed by one wall forming a gap along the second inclined surface, and the second member is pressed by the first inclined surface and pressed by the other wall forming the gap. As a result, the molten metal can be reliably prevented from flowing out even in an injection molding apparatus using the molten metal as a molding material.

(2)
It is preferable that the first member and the second member have a right triangle shape in cross section and are provided so that the hypotenuses face each other.

  In this case, the gap can be sealed by the substantially rectangular sealing member in which the oblique sides of the first member and the second member having a right triangle shape are opposed to each other. That is, since the first member can form a surface perpendicular to the flowing direction of the molten metal, the pressing force of the molten metal can be reliably received.

(3)
Each of the first member and the second member is preferably made of an annular member. In this case, since notches are not provided, it is possible to more reliably prevent the molten metal from flowing out.

(4)
The first member and the second member are preferably made of Fe-based (for example, SUS), Ni-based, or Co-based heat resistant steel (heat resistant alloy).

  In this case, the seal member can be provided without a gap by the deformation (ring contraction or expansion of the ring) of the metal seal member caused by the pressing force received from the metal melting.

(5)
A plurality of seal members may be arranged along the axial direction of the shaft portion. In this case, even if it is not possible to prevent the molten metal from flowing out with one sealing member, the subsequent sealing member can reliably prevent the molten metal from flowing out.

(6)
A heater that can control the temperature in the vicinity of the seal member may be further included, and a controller that controls the heater so that the temperature in the vicinity of the seal member is maintained in the vicinity of the liquidus of the metal that is the injection molding material may be provided.

  In this case, since the temperature in the vicinity of the seal member is maintained in the vicinity of the liquidus, the molten metal can be maintained in a state of transition from a solid to a liquid, and the viscosity of the molten metal is increased and the outflow from the gap is more reliably performed. Can be prevented. In addition, it is preferable that the vicinity of a liquidus line here is the range of +10 degreeC--50 degreeC with respect to a liquidus line.

(7)
The control device further includes a heater capable of controlling the ambient temperature of the shaft portion outside in the axial direction from the seal member, and further controlling the heater to reduce the ambient temperature of the shaft portion positioned outside in the axial direction from the seal member. It can be maintained in a temperature range between the solidus temperature and the liquidus temperature of the metal used as the injection molding material.

  In this case, even if the molten molding material passes through the seal part due to wear or damage of the seal member, it is cooled and solidified and does not stick around the shaft part, and the operation of the rotary valve is maintained. can do. Further, when injection molding is performed for melting metal, even if the molding material in the liquid phase passes through the seal portion due to wear or damage of the seal member, it can be prevented from being ejected to the outside.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(One embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of an injection molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An injection molding apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes a molding material charging unit 10, a vertical mold arrangement barrel unit 20, a cylinder unit 30, and a mold clamping unit 40.

  The molding material charging unit 10 includes a hopper 12 connected to a melting furnace 11. The vertical arrangement barrel unit 20 includes a barrel 21, a screw 22, a storage unit 23, a cooling means 24 (a plurality of temperature control jackets 24a), a communication channel 25, a drive motor 26, a screw hydraulic cylinder 27, a supply port 28, and a cylinder. A rod 29 is included. The cylinder unit 30 includes a cylinder 31, a plunger 32, a plunger injection device 33, a metering unit 34, a nozzle unit 35, a valve device 36, and a plunger hydraulic cylinder 37.

  The mold clamping unit 40 includes a base 41, a link housing 42, a tie bar 43, a fixed plate 44, a movable plate 45, a mold clamping cylinder 46, a cylinder rod 47, a plurality of links 48, an extrusion cylinder 49a, and an extrusion rod 49b. The mold 60 includes a fixed mold 61 and a moving mold 62.

  Hereinafter, the injection molding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the injection molding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, a vertically arranged barrel unit 20 is connected to a molding material charging unit 10. A cylinder part 30 is provided below the vertically arranged barrel part 20, and a mold clamping part 40 is provided in the cylinder part 30 so as to communicate therewith. The mold clamping unit 40 is provided with a mold 60.

  The melting furnace 11 connected to the molding material input unit 10 of the injection molding apparatus 100 is not particularly limited, and includes a high-frequency induction furnace or an electromagnetic induction heating furnace. The melting furnace 11 preferably sends the molten metal to the hopper using atmospheric pressure or gravity, and communicates with the upper part or the middle part of the hopper 12 below the molten metal surface inside. When the melting furnace 11 is installed below the hopper 12, the molten metal may be sent from the melting furnace 11 to the hopper 12 using a pump or the like. The hopper 12 receives the molten metal melted in the melting furnace 11 and stores it. The hopper 12 is provided with temperature control means such as a heater. Further, the hopper 12 is filled with an inert gas such as argon, and the molten metal surface of the stored molten metal is sealed with the inert gas. If necessary, a stirring device that stirs the molten metal stored in the hopper 12 may be provided to provide a stirring action. The lower end opening of the hopper 12 communicates with a supply port 28 of the barrel 21 described later.

  A supply port 28 through which molten metal is supplied is provided on the upper portion of the barrel 21 of the vertically arranged barrel portion 20 arranged substantially vertically. Inside the barrel 21, there is provided a screw 22 that is rotatable and can be moved back and forth in the axial direction of the barrel 21. As the screw 22 moves backward, a storage portion 23 for storing the molding material is formed in the lower portion of the barrel 21.

  A drive motor 26 is directly connected to the upper end of the barrel 21, and an upper end of a screw 22 that is rotatably inserted into the barrel 21 is connected to a drive shaft of the drive motor 26. The lower end of the barrel 21 is a free end, and is arranged in a cantilever manner.

  A screw hydraulic cylinder 27 having a cylinder rod 29 protruding and retracted in the vertical direction is connected to the upper portion of the drive motor 26, and the drive motor 26 is directly connected to the cylinder rod 29 of the screw hydraulic cylinder 27. For this reason, in the screw extruder of this embodiment, the screw 22 is moved downward in the axial direction via the drive motor 26 by projecting the cylinder rod 29 of the hydraulic cylinder 27 for screw downward. The molding material (slurry HS) accumulated in the lower end portion (reservoir portion 23) can be pushed out to the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the barrel 21 is covered with the cooling means 24. The cooling means 24 includes a plurality of temperature control jackets 24a separated in the vertical direction. Then, by passing a heat medium such as oil lower than the temperature of the molding material (molten metal MF, slurry HS) in the temperature control jacket 24a, the molding material (molten metal) in the barrel 21 is below the liquidus temperature. In addition, cooling can be performed so that the temperature range is higher than the solid phase temperature. For example, the solid phase ratio is preferably in the temperature range of 0% to 50%, more preferably in the temperature range of 0% to 30%. In addition, in order to control the temperature of the molding material in the barrel 21 with high accuracy, each temperature control jacket 24a of the cooling means 24 also has a heating function.

  Further, the screw hydraulic cylinder 27 is configured such that when it moves upward in the axial direction, a storage portion 23 having a volume larger than the volume of the molded product can be formed in the lower portion of the barrel 21. Furthermore, it has a sufficient stroke to move from the position where the storage portion 23 is formed to a position where the communication flow path 25 can be closed. The cylinder part 30 is connected via a communication channel 25 provided at the lower end of the barrel 21.

  The cylinder portion 30 is provided with a cylinder 31 having a nozzle portion 35 provided with a valve device 36 on the front side (downstream), and a plunger 32 that can move forward and backward along the axis of the cylinder 31 inside the cylinder 31. As the plunger 32 moves backward, a measuring portion 34 for measuring the slurry-like molding material is formed in front of the cylinder 31, and when the plunger 32 moves forward, the molding material is injected from the nozzle portion 35. The volume of the measuring unit 34 can be appropriately set according to the retraction amount of the plunger 32 so as to have a capacity necessary for obtaining a molded product.

  The plunger hydraulic cylinder 37 is sufficient to move the communication flow path 25 connected to the vicinity of the tip of the cylinder 31 to a position where the plunger 31 can be closed when the plunger 32 moves forward from the position where the measuring portion 34 is formed. Has a good stroke.

  The plunger 32 is driven by the hydraulic pressure of the plunger hydraulic cylinder 37. The plunger hydraulic cylinder 37 is connected to a hydraulic control device 50 (not shown).

  Note that the valve device 36 provided in the vicinity of the nozzle portion 35 is in a closed state except during injection. Details of the valve device 36 will be described later.

  The mold clamping part 40 has a link housing 42 erected on a base 41, a fixing plate 44 fixed to the link housing 42 via a horizontal tie bar 43, and fixed to the fixing plate 44. A fixed die 61, a movable platen 45 slidably supported with respect to the tie bar 43, and a movable die 62 fixed to the movable platen 45 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the fixed die 61 in the horizontal direction. And are provided.

  A mold clamping cylinder 46 is fixed to the center of the outer surface of the link housing 42, and the tip of the cylinder rod 47 of the mold clamping cylinder 46 is connected to the center of the movable platen 45. The link housing 42 and the movable platen 45 are connected by a plurality of links 48 that are folded when approaching and separated in a horizontal direction when separated.

  An extrusion cylinder 49 a is provided on the side surface of the movable platen 45 on the side of the link housing 42, and an extrusion rod 49 b of the extrusion cylinder 49 a passes through the movable platen 45 and is connected to a product protruding mechanism of the movable mold 62.

  Therefore, in the mold clamping unit 40, the cylinder rod 47 of the mold clamping cylinder 46 is protruded so that the plurality of links 48 extend in a straight line, and the plurality of links 48 are stretched, thereby moving the mold. 62 can be strongly pressed against the fixed mold 61. Further, the release of the product is performed by operating the product projecting mechanism by projecting the push rod 49b of the push cylinder 49a.

  Next, the operation of the injection molding apparatus 100 and the light alloy injection molding method will be described.

  First, a melt MF of a light alloy (molding material) melted in the melting furnace 11 is sent into the hopper 12. The molten metal in the hopper 12 is kept at a uniform temperature by temperature control means such as a heater provided in the hopper 12. The molten metal MF is supplied to the supply port 28 of the barrel 21 in a gas-sealed state, and is cooled below the liquidus temperature and above the solidus temperature by each temperature control jacket 24a to grow into a dendritic crystal. The dendritic crystals are agitated and crushed by the shearing action of the rotating screw 22, and uniform and fine crystal grains are generated and transition to a semi-solidified slurry HS.

  In this case, the plunger 32 of the plunger injection device 33 has advanced to a position where the communication channel 25 is closed. Then, when the screw 22 of the screw extruder is retracted, a storage portion 23 is formed between the screw 22 and the communication channel 25, and slurry HS (molding material) is stored in the storage portion 23.

  The screw 22 may be either one that stops rotating and moves backward, or one that moves backward while rotating. At this time, it is preferable to provide a backflow prevention means such as a check ring at the tip of the screw 22, and by providing the backflow prevention means, the slurry HS (molding material) can flow smoothly downward when retreating. The primary measurement is performed in the reservoir 23 having a volume larger than the molded product volume.

  Next, the communication channel 25 is opened to retract the plunger 32, and at the same time, the screw 22 is advanced. And while the plunger 32 moves backward until it reaches a predetermined position set in accordance with the volume of the molded product, the slurry HS (molding material) is formed in front of the cylinder 31 while applying the pressure applied by the screw 22. Secondary weighing is performed by press-fitting 34 while applying positive pressure.

  When the metering by press-fitting is completed, the communication channel 25 is closed by the screw 22 and the backflow of the slurry HS (molding material) from the metering unit 34 is prevented. During measurement, the nozzle portion 35 at the tip of the cylinder 31 of the plunger injection device 33 is closed by a valve device 36.

  Thus, after the secondary metering is completed, the valve device 36 of the nozzle portion 35 is opened and the plunger 32 is advanced to inject the slurry HS, which is a molding material, into the mold 60 to form a molded body having a fixed shape. Done.

  Next, details of the valve device 36 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the valve device 36 in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams for explaining the valve device 36.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the valve device 36 is inserted into a flow path 366 from the cylinder 31 to the nozzle portion 35 of the plunger injection device 33.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the valve device 36 includes a shaft portion composed of a rotating member 360 and a holding member 361, a rotary valve composed of a valve body 362 a and a fixing member 365, a seal member 363, a heater 364, Temperature sensor 368.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, a flow path 366 is formed in the fixed member 365. The heater 364 is provided so as to be able to heat the fixing member 365. Here, the temperature of the heater 364 is set by the control device so that the fixing member 365 has a temperature in the vicinity of the liquidus line of the molding material in the vicinity of the seal member. The other heater 364 is controlled by the control device so that the fixing member 365 has a temperature higher than the solidus temperature of the molding material and lower than the liquidus temperature in the vicinity of the shaft portion positioned outside the seal member in the axial direction. Is set. For example, when the molding material is a magnesium alloy (AZ91D), the former set temperature is set within a temperature range of −50 ° C. to + 5 ° C. with respect to the liquidus temperature of magnesium (595 ° C.). . The latter set temperature is set to be not less than the solidus temperature (428 ° C.) and not more than the liquidus temperature (595 ° C.).

  In the case of injecting the molding material, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, the flow path 366 is provided in a state of communicating with the flow path 362 of the valve body 362a. Thereby, the molding material is supplied from the distribution path 366 to the nozzle portion 35 via the distribution path 362.

  On the other hand, when the molding material is not injected, the shaft portion 360 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R, for example, as shown in FIG. As a result, the distribution path 366 and the distribution path 362 do not communicate with each other. Therefore, the molding material does not flow into the flow path 362 of the valve body 362a.

  Thus, since the valve body 362a is rotatably provided with respect to the fixing member 365, the molding material flows out from a minute gap formed in the sliding portion between the members. In the present invention, the sealing member 363 is provided so that the valve device 36 is not broken due to the outflow and does not flow out to the outside of the valve to threaten the safety of the operator.

  Hereinafter, the function of the seal member 363 will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the seal member 363.

  The seal member 363 includes at least a pair of members. 5A and 5B, one mode 363K and 363L of the pair of seal members 363 is illustrated. The seal members 363K and 363L are ring-shaped members (ring-shaped) without notches. In the member 363K, the cross section whose thickness increases toward the outer peripheral side is a right isosceles triangle. Further, the ring inner diameter of the member 363K has a shape conforming to the outer diameter of the shaft portion 360. Further, the member 363K is made of Fe-based, Ni-based, or Co-based heat resistant steel, and is made of, for example, SUS430. The member 363L is the same as the member 363K except that the cross section whose thickness decreases toward the outer peripheral side is an isosceles triangle.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the function of the seal member 363 described in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6, in the gap between the holding member 361 and the fixing member 365, a spacer 367, three pairs of seal members 363, and a stopper 366a are provided in this order from the valve body 362a side.

  Hereinafter, for the sake of explanation, the seal member 363 will be described as members 363a to 363f, respectively. A pair of contact surfaces 373, 374, and 375 are formed by the oblique sides 363ca to 363cf of the members 363a to 363f facing each other.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a pressing force F <b> 1 is applied to the spacer 367 depending on the flow direction of the molding material (arrow FF). The pressing force F1 is given as a pressing force F2 of the seal member 363 with respect to the member 363a.

  When the clearance between the member 363a and the member 363b becomes zero and the movement in the outflow direction FF is restricted, the member 363a deforms in the direction of the arrow f2 until restricted by the flow path member, and at the same time, the member 363b. Is also deformed in the direction of the arrow f3 until it is limited by the holding member 361. Accordingly, the member 363a is pressed against the fixing member 365, and the member 363b is pressed against the holding member 361. Therefore, the members 363a and 363b act to securely seal the gap.

  Further, if a higher pressure is applied to the molding material, the pressing force F1 also increases, so that a large pressing force F3 is applied by the seal member 363c.

  The member 363c deforms in the direction of the arrow f4 until the clearance becomes 0 on the contact surface 374 with the member 363d and the movement in the outflow direction FF is restricted, and at the same time, the member 363d also It is deformed in the direction of the arrow f5 until it is limited by the holding member 361. Accordingly, the member 363c is pressed by the fixing member 365, and the member 363d is pressed by the holding member 361. Therefore, the members 363c and 363d act to reliably seal the gap.

  Further, since the pressing force F1 at which a higher pressure acts on the molding material is further increased, a pressing force larger than the pressing force F4 is applied by the member 363a.

  When the clearance between the member 363e and the member 363f becomes zero and the movement in the outflow direction FF is restricted, the member 363e deforms in the direction of the arrow f6 until it is restricted by the fixing member 365. It is deformed in the direction of the arrow f7 until it is limited by the holding member 361. Thereby, the member 363e is pressed by the fixing member 365, and the member 363f is pressed by the holding member 361. Therefore, the members 363e and 363f each act to securely seal the gap.

  In addition, a stopper 366 a is provided outside the seal member 363, and the seal member 363 is held so that a pressing force is applied to the seal member 363 so that the seal member 363 is not pulled out from the holding member 361. In the present embodiment, three pairs of seal members 363 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any other number of seal members may be provided. Further, the stopper may be provided integrally with the fixing member 365.

  From the above, since the valve device 36 is provided in the injection molding apparatus 100, the flow path 362 and the flow path 366 can be easily communicated and shielded. In addition, a seal member 363 including at least a pair of seal members 363K and 363L for preventing the molding material from flowing out is provided in the gap between the fixing member 365 and the holding member 361 of the valve device 36. A pressing force is applied to 363a, 363c, and 363e, and the contact surfaces 373, 374, and 375 with the other members 363b, 363d, and 363f cause the two members to be deformed in opposite directions so that the gap is more reliably sealed. Works. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the molding material in a molten state from flowing out in the injection molding apparatus 100 using the molding material made of metal.

  Further, by disposing a plurality of seal members 363, it is possible to reliably prevent the molding material from flowing out even when a high pressure acts on the molding material.

Further, since the temperature in the vicinity of the seal member 363 is maintained in the vicinity of the liquidus line of the raw material, the slurry HS changes from a liquid to a solid, so that the molten state of the molding material passing through the flow path 362 of the valve device is semi-solidified. Not only in the state but also in the molten state, the viscosity of the molding material in the vicinity of the seal member can be increased to prevent outflow more reliably.
(Other examples)

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram in the case where a seal member 369 having another cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 6 is provided.

  The seal member 369 shown in FIG. 7 has an annular shape (ring shape) having a pentagonal cross section. As shown in FIG. 7, a pressing force F <b> 1 is applied to the spacer 367 depending on the flow direction of the molten metal (molding material). The pressing force F1 is directly applied to the member 369a of the seal member 369 as the pressing force F2.

  The member 369a is deformed in the direction of the arrow f2 until it is restricted by the fixing member 365 when the gap becomes 0 on the contact surface 373a with the member 369b and the movement in the outflow direction FF is restricted, and at the same time, the member 369b Also moves in the direction of the arrow f3 until it is limited by the holding member 361. Thus, the gap is surely sealed.

  Further, if a higher pressure is applied to the molding material, the pressing force F1 is also increased, so that a large pressing force F3 is applied by the seal member 369c.

  The member 369c is deformed in the direction of the arrow f4 until the clearance becomes 0 on the contact surface 374a with the member 369d and the movement in the outflow direction FF is restricted, and at the same time, the member 369d is also restricted. It is deformed in the direction of the arrow f5 until it is restricted by the holding member 361. Thereby, the gap is surely sealed.

  Furthermore, since the pressing force F1 at which a higher pressure acts on the molding material is further increased, a pressing force larger than the pressing force F4 is applied by the member 369a.

  When the clearance between the member 369e and the member 369f becomes zero and the movement in the outflow direction FF is restricted, the member 369e is deformed in the direction of the arrow f6 until it is restricted by the fixing member 365. It is deformed in the direction of the arrow f7 until it is limited by the holding member 361. Thereby, it moves in the direction in which the gap is reliably sealed.

  Further, a stopper 366 a is provided outside the seal member 369, and the seal member 369 is held so that a pressing force is applied to the seal member 369 so that the seal member 369 is not pulled out from the holding member 361.

  As described above, in the injection molding apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when the molding material leaks from the gap in the sliding portion between the fixed member 365 and the valve body, the sealing members 363 and 369 are interposed via the spacer 367. A pressing force is applied to the first members 363a and 369a, and the first members 363a and 369a and the second members 363b and 369b are moved in opposite directions by the pair of contact surfaces 373 and 373a with the second members 363b and 369b. The gap can be more reliably sealed. That is, the first member 363a is pressed by one wall (the inner peripheral surface of the fixed member 365) that forms a gap along the second inclined surface 363cb, and the second member 363b is pressed by the first inclined surface 363ca. Is pressed against the other wall forming the gap (the outer peripheral surface of the holding member 361). As a result, in the injection molding apparatus 100 using the slurry HS or molten MF as a molding material, the outflow can be reliably prevented.

  Furthermore, since the members 363K and 363L are not provided with notches, it is possible to more reliably prevent the molding material (molten metal) from flowing out. When the metal is deformed (ring contraction or expansion) due to the pressing force received from the molding material, the seal members 363 and 369 can be provided without a gap in the gap between the fixing member 365 and the holding member 361 (shaft portion).

  Moreover, even when a high pressure acts on the molding material by arranging a plurality of seal members 363 and 369, the molding material can be prevented from flowing out.

  In addition, since the temperature in the vicinity of the seal member 363 is maintained in the vicinity of the liquidus line of the raw material, the slurry HS changes from a liquid to a solid, so that the molding material that passes through the flow path of the valve device is half melted. Not only in the solidified state but also in the molten state, the viscosity of the molding material in the vicinity of the seal member can be increased to more reliably prevent outflow from the gap.

  Furthermore, since the molding material (metal) in the state of the molten metal MF is supplied to the barrel 21, there is little gas mixing into the barrel 21. Further, since the supplied molten metal MF is cooled while stirring in the barrel 21 to produce a semi-solid slurry HS, there is no variation in thermal history such as shear history as in the thixomold method, and melting. The state (semi-solidified slurry state) is stabilized. Further, a storage portion 23 is formed in a lower portion of a screw extruder arranged substantially vertically, and a molding material (slurry HS) is moved there by utilizing the head pressure from the supply port 28 and its own weight. Therefore, the slurry HS can be temporarily stored without entraining gas. And since it measures by press-fitting from the storage part 23 into the measurement part 34 of predetermined volume, applying pressure to the slurry HS which is stored, it exceeds the pressure by the head pressure and its own weight in the slurry HS. Pressure is generated, and fluctuations in the head pressure on the supply port 28 side do not affect the measurement, and the residual gas can be extracted to the low-pressure supply port 28 side, so that stable and highly accurate measurement can be performed. In addition, since the starting material is a metal in the state of molten metal MF and is transported downward while cooling, it is possible to reduce abrasion and breakage of the upstream portion of the screw 22 and to reduce the load torque and stirring path of the screw extruder. Therefore, the apparatus can be downsized.

  In the present embodiment, the mold 60 corresponds to a mold, the molding material (slurry HS) cooled below the liquidus temperature and above the solidus temperature corresponds to the molten metal, and the injection molding apparatus 100 is Corresponding to an injection molding apparatus, the flow paths 362 and 366 correspond to flow paths, the valve device 36 corresponds to a rotary valve, the rotating member 360 and the holding member 361 correspond to a shaft portion, and the seal member 363 is a seal member. The members 363a to 363f, 369a to 369f correspond to the first member and the second member, the oblique sides 363ca to 363cf, 369ca to 369cf correspond to the inclined surface of the first member and the inclined surface of the second member, A pair of contact surfaces 373 (363ca, 363cb), 374 (363cc, 363cd) 375 (363ce, 363cf), 373a (369ca, 369) d) 373b (369cc, 369cd) 373c (369ce, 369cf) corresponds to the pair of contact surfaces, the direction of arrow FF corresponds to the outflow direction of the molten metal (slurry HS), and the members 363K and 363L correspond to the annular members. The heater 364 corresponds to the heater.

  Although the present invention has been described in the above-described preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, although the slurry in which the molding material injected as the molten metal is in a semi-solid state is exemplified, the molten metal may be in a liquid phase. In that case, the barrel part 20 of the injection apparatus 100 may be provided with at least a heater for bringing the molding material into a liquid phase state, or the barrel part 20 itself may be eliminated. Moreover, although the injection molding apparatus which provided the valve apparatus in the nozzle part vicinity was illustrated, the installation position of a valve apparatus is not restricted to this, It can provide in the desired position which requires the connection and shielding of a flow path. Thus, it will be understood that various other embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the effect | action and effect by the structure of this invention are described, these effect | actions and effects are examples and do not limit this invention.

The schematic diagram which shows an example of the injection molding apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention Enlarged view of the valve device in FIG. Schematic diagram for explaining the valve device Schematic diagram for explaining the valve device Schematic diagram showing the appearance of the seal member Explanatory drawing which shows the function of the sealing member demonstrated in FIGS. 3-5 Explanatory drawing at the time of providing the sealing member which has another cross-sectional shape of the sealing member shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

36 Valve device 60 Mold 100 Injection molding device 366 Distribution path 363 Seal member 363K Member 364 Heater 363a-363f, 369a-369f Member 363ca-363cf, 369ca-369cf hypotenuse 373, 374, 375, 373a, 374b, 375c Surface MF Molten metal HS slurry

Claims (7)

An injection molding device for injecting molten metal into a mold at a predetermined pressure,
A distribution channel for distributing the molten metal to the mold;
A rotary valve that is inserted in the distribution path and that communicates and shields the distribution path in a rotary manner;
A seal member for preventing leakage of the molten metal from the sliding portion of the rotary valve to the outside of the rotary valve,
The sealing member is
The first member and the second member are provided so as to be adjacent to and adjacent to the periphery of the rotating shaft portion of the rotary valve and the peripheral surface of the hole into which the shaft portion is inserted. An injection molding apparatus, wherein the opposing surfaces of the second member are provided as a pair of contact surfaces that are inclined with respect to each other, and are inclined with respect to the flowing direction of the molten metal in the gap.   2. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member have a right triangle shape in cross section and are provided so that their hypotenuses face each other.   The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the first member and the second member is an annular member.   The injection molding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first member and the second member are each made of Fe-based, Ni-based, or Co-based heat-resistant steel. The sealing member is
The injection molding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of parts are arranged along an axial direction of the shaft portion. A heater capable of controlling the temperature in the vicinity of the seal member;
The injection molding according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a control device that controls the heater so that a temperature in the vicinity of the seal member is maintained in the vicinity of a liquidus line of a metal serving as an injection molding material. apparatus. The controller is
A heater capable of controlling the ambient temperature of the shaft portion on the axially outer side than the seal member;
By further controlling the heater, the ambient temperature of the shaft portion located on the outer side in the axial direction than the seal member is maintained within a temperature range between the solidus temperature of the metal used as the injection molding material and the liquidus temperature. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

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