JP2020146892A - Molding manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a molding manufacturing method which can efficiently manufacture a molding of a thermosetting resin using a mold with high quality.SOLUTION: A molding manufacturing method includes: a step of filling a cavity 100 of a mold 10, which includes a plurality of mold members 11 and 12 forming a cavity 100 for molding and has a communication hole 111 that communicates the outside of the mold 10 with the cavity 100, with a thermosetting resin 80; and a step of irradiating the thermosetting resin 80 filling the cavity 100 with microwaves through a plurality of coaxial cables 20 mounted on the communication hole 111 of the mold 10, and curing the thermosetting resin 80 in the cavity 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a molded product of a thermosetting resin.

As a conventional method for producing a molded product of a resin composition containing a thermosetting resin, a material containing a thermosetting resin is injected into a cavity formed between molds facing each other, and the mold is heated. There is a production method for solidifying the resin composition (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-134996 (page 1, etc.)

However, the above technique also has the following problems, and there is a problem that a molded product of a thermosetting resin having good quality cannot always be efficiently manufactured by using a mold.

For example, in the above technique, in order to heat the thermosetting resin injected into the cavity of the mold by heating the mold, the thermosetting resin that has been heated and cured is cooled and removed from the mold. In that case, the entire mold having a large heat capacity had to be cooled, which took a long time to mold and could not efficiently manufacture the molded product.

Further, since the material containing the thermosetting resin injected into the cavity of the mold is heated by using the heated mold, the thermosetting resin is cured from the outside and internal stress is accumulated in the molded product. As a result, the molded product may be deformed after curing and cooling, and it is difficult to obtain a molded product having a resin composition of preferable quality.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is capable of producing a molded product of a thermosetting resin with high quality and efficiency using a mold. The purpose is to provide a method.

The molded product manufacturing method of the present invention is a mold provided with a plurality of mold members forming a cavity for molding, and the mold has a communication hole for communicating the outside of the mold with the cavity. The process of filling the cavity with a thermosetting resin and the thermosetting resin filled in the cavity are irradiated with microwaves via a transmission means attached to the communication hole to heat the cavity. It is a molded article manufacturing method including a step of curing a curable resin.

With such a configuration, a molded product of a thermosetting resin can be produced with high quality and efficiency using a mold. For example, in a mold, only the thermosetting resin can be heated by microwaves to cure the thermosetting resin, and a mold having a large heat capacity that is not heated immediately after stopping the microwave irradiation serves as a heat sink. By cooling the molded product having the thermosetting resin that has been cured by acting, it becomes possible to quickly remove the mold, and not only the molding time is significantly shortened, but also the thermosetting property in the cavity due to heating by microwaves. Since a molded product having a resin is cured from the inside, unlike the case where it is cured from the outside as in the case of heating from a conventional mold, internal stress is not accumulated in the molded product, and after curing and cooling, the molded product does not accumulate internal stress. It does not deform.

Further, in the molded article manufacturing method of the present invention, a plurality of transmission means may be provided to control the microwave irradiation intensity performed in the cavity so as to have a desired distribution.

With such a configuration, for example, the intensity of the microwave in the thick portion in the cavity is increased and the intensity of the microwave in the thin portion in the cavity is weakened, so that irradiation according to the wall thickness of the molded product becomes possible. , It is possible to prevent insufficient heating of the thick portion and overheating of the thin portion.

Further, in the molded article manufacturing method of the present invention, the irradiation of microwaves performed in the cavity via a plurality of transmission means may be performed by controlling the phase for each transmission means.

With such a configuration, the phase can be controlled, for example, the electric field or magnetic field can be concentrated at a desired location, or the electric field distribution or magnetic field distribution in a desired region can be made uniform, which is optimal for the shape and size of the molded product. Microwave irradiation can be performed.

Further, in the molded article manufacturing method of the present invention, the irradiation of microwaves performed in the cavity via a plurality of transmission means may be performed at different frequencies.

With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to perform microwave irradiation at a frequency at which the relative dielectric loss is high without changing the mold, and to perform optimum microwave irradiation for the molded product to be molded.

Further, in the molded article manufacturing method of the present invention, the microwave irradiation performed in the cavity via the plurality of transmission means may be performed with different outputs.

With such a configuration, the output can be changed to change the distribution of the microwave irradiation intensity, and the optimum microwave irradiation can be performed on the molded product to be molded. For example, the output of microwaves radiated from one transmission means to a thick portion in a cavity is made stronger than the output of microwaves radiated from another transmission means to a thin portion in a cavity to be thicker. It is possible to prevent insufficient heating of the thick part and overheating of the thin part.

Further, in the molded article manufacturing method of the present invention, the irradiation of microwaves performed in the cavity via a plurality of transmission means may be performed at different periods.

With such a configuration, it is possible to change the period of microwave irradiation and the time of microwave irradiation at different positions in the cavity, and the optimum microwave irradiation is performed for the molded product to be molded. be able to.

Further, in the molded article manufacturing method of the present invention, microwave irradiation may be performed by using a coaxial cable or a variable waveguide as a transmission means.

With such a configuration, the transmission means can be deformed to easily open and close the mold, and a molded product of a thermosetting resin can be efficiently manufactured.

According to the present invention, a molded product of a thermosetting resin can be produced with high quality and efficiency using a mold.

A view showing a molding apparatus according to the first embodiment (FIG. 1 (a)) and a perspective view of a mold of the molding apparatus (FIG. 1 (b)). Cross-sectional view showing a method of manufacturing a molded product using the molding apparatus (FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (d)). A perspective view (FIG. 3 (a)) showing a modified example of the second mold member of the molding apparatus, and an exploded view thereof (FIG. 3 (b)). A perspective view (FIG. 4 (a)) and a sectional view (FIG. 4 (b)) showing the molding apparatus according to the second embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing a method of manufacturing a molded product using the molding apparatus (FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (d)). A diagram showing a first example of the molding apparatus according to the third embodiment (FIG. 6 (a)) and a diagram showing a second example (FIG. 6 (b)).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the molding apparatus and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, the components with the same reference numerals perform the same operation, and thus the description may be omitted again.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a view showing a molding apparatus according to the present embodiment (FIG. 1 (a)) and a perspective view showing the vicinity of a mold of the molding apparatus (FIG. 1 (b)). In FIG. 1A, a portion of the mold is shown in cross section. Further, FIG. 1B shows a state in which the mold is closed.

Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, a case where the molding apparatus 1000 is a horizontal molding apparatus that performs injection molding will be described as an example.

The molding apparatus 1000 includes a mold 10, a coaxial cable 20 as two variable transmission means, a microwave irradiation means 30, a cooling device 60, a cooling medium supply tube 61, and a cooling medium discharge. A tube 62 and an injection device 70 for a resin material for molding are provided.

The mold 10 is a mold for injection molding used for molding a thermosetting resin. The mold 10 includes a first mold member 11 and a second mold member 12, which are a plurality of mold members forming a cavity 100 for molding. In the mold 10, a cavity 100 for molding is formed between the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 with the mold 10 closed. The cavity 100 is usually formed in a portion where the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 face each other. The state in which the mold 10 is closed means, for example, a state in which the mold 10 is molded, or a state in which the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 constituting the mold 10 are finally molded. The first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 are closest to each other for molding, the first mold member 11 and the second mold are arranged so as to be in a positional relationship to perform It is a state where the mold members 12 are combined. The state in which the mold 10 is opened is, for example, a state in which the mold 10 is not closed, for example, for molding the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12. It is in a state of being arranged so as to have a positional relationship other than the final positional relationship.

The cavity 100 is a space or cavity in which a part to be a product of a molded product molded using the mold 10 is molded. The molded product here means the entire product molded using the mold 10. On the other hand, the product is a finished product obtained by processing a molding material. More specifically, the molded product is one that is molded into the shape of the injection hole 221 using a molding material in the injection hole 221 described later (for example, a runner or the like), and a cavity in the cavity 100 that uses the molding material. It is connected to a product molded into a shape of 100. The product is finally obtained by removing unnecessary parts such as a runner, which are molded in a space other than the cavity 100, such as the injection hole 221 described later, from the molded product molded by the mold 10. is there. The product here may be a part or the like used as a part of an arbitrary final product. In addition, when the mold 10 has only the cavity 100 as a space for filling the molding material, the molded product molded by the mold 10 may be a product as it is.

In the present embodiment, when molding a molded product, the mold 10 is closed to form the cavity 100, and then the thermosetting resin is injected into the cavity 100 and filled. The surfaces of the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 on the cavity 100 side are referred to as the inner surface 100a of the cavity 100 here. For example, a thermosetting resin, which is a molding material, comes into contact with the inner surface 100a of the cavity 100 for molding during molding.

Here, the first mold member 11 is a movable mold member called a so-called movable mold, and the second mold member 12 is a fixed mold member so-called a fixed mold. Further, a cavity 100 is formed in a portion of the mold 10 where the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 face each other. The first mold member 11 is directly or detachably attached to a so-called mold clamping device (not shown) such as a hydraulic drive means or a fixed plate so as to face the second mold member 12. By operating this mold clamping device, the first mold member 11 can be moved in the lateral direction, that is, in the direction toward and away from the second mold member 12. It has become. However, the means for moving the first mold member 11 is not limited to the mold clamping device. Further, a guide rod (not shown), a tie bar (not shown), or the like for limiting the moving direction may be directly or indirectly attached to the first mold member 11. Hereinafter, the movement of the first mold member 11 in the direction of approaching the second mold member 12 is referred to as the movement in the direction of closing the mold, and the movement of the first mold member 11 in the second mold member The movement in the direction away from 12 is called the movement in the direction of opening the mold.

If at least one of the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 is movable so that they can be moved closer to each other or separated from each other, for example, the first mold member 12 can be moved. It does not matter whether the mold member 11 or the second mold member 12 is movable, for example, both may be movable. Further, the moving direction of the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 and the position where the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 are arranged need only be able to open and close the mold 10. Not limited to the above.

As the material of the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12, a material that can be used for a normal mold such as metal or ceramic is used. As the material of the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12, it is preferable to use a material having high microwave reflectivity such as metal, and by using such a material, the cavity 100 By reflecting the microwave radiated inside in the cavity 100 and confining it in the cavity 100, the microwave can be efficiently used and the leakage of the microwave to the outside of the cavity 100 can be reduced. Can be done. However, the materials of the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 are not limited to the above. Further, the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 may be made of a combination of a plurality of materials.

The first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 are preferably shaped so that the microwave irradiated in the cavity 100 does not leak from the cavity 100 to the outside of the mold 10. .. For example, when the mold 10 is closed, the gap between the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 excluding the cavity 100 is preferably large enough to prevent microwave leakage. ..

The second mold member 12 has a concave portion 122, the first mold member 11 has a convex portion 121 inserted into the concave portion 122, and the convex portion 121 of the first mold member 11 is formed. A cavity 100 is formed between the convex portion 121 and the concave portion 122 on the bottom surface side of the concave portion 122 in a state where the mold is inserted into the concave portion 122 and the mold is closed. At that time, the gap between the convex portion 121 of the first mold member 11 other than the cavity 100 and the concave portion 122 of the second mold member 12 is large enough not to leak microwaves. However, the structure and shape of the mold 10 for preventing the microwaves irradiated into the cavity 100 from leaking from the cavity 100 to the outside of the mold 10 are limited to the above-mentioned shape and structure. It's not a thing. Further, the shapes of the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12 are not limited to the above. In addition, in order to prevent the leakage of microwaves from the mold 10, a leakage prevention member (not shown) such as a shield for preventing the leakage of microwaves is appropriately provided in a portion where leakage may occur. You may do so.

The cavity 100 is filled with a thermosetting resin. The thermosetting resin here is, for example, an unsaturated polyester resin, an epoxy resin, a phenol resin, a urethane resin, a melamine resin, or the like. However, the thermosetting resin may be a combination of two or more of these resins, and is not limited to these. Here, a resin composed only of a thermosetting resin and a resin having a thermosetting resin and other substances may be considered as a thermosetting resin. For example, the above-mentioned thermosetting resin, fibers such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, or vegetable fiber, filler such as calcium carbonate powder, graphite powder, or metal powder, or thickener such as silica gel. The resin composition of the thermosetting resin having, may also be considered as a thermosetting resin here. Further, here, the resin composition of a thermosetting resin that foams during molding may be considered as a thermosetting resin, and a resin composition having a thermosetting resin that foams by adding a foaming agent and a foaming agent. May be considered as a thermosetting resin.

The thermosetting resin filled in the cavity 100 is a thermosetting resin before curing, such as a thermosetting resin in a low molecular weight state before curing. Here, the thermosetting composition which is cured by heat to become a thermosetting resin, the raw material of the thermosetting resin, the mixture of a plurality of types of thermosetting resins before curing, and the like are also thermosetting before curing. You may think of it as a resin. The thermosetting resin before curing may contain a resin other than the thermosetting resin before curing. For example, the thermosetting resin before curing may further contain a curing agent or the like used for curing the thermosetting resin. Further, the thermosetting resin before curing may be, for example, a resin composition of the thermosetting resin as described above before curing. As the thermosetting resin filled in the cavity 100, a resin that can be supplied into the cavity 100 by an injection device 70 or the like is used. As the thermosetting resin filled in the cavity 100, for example, one having fluidity is preferably used. For example, it is preferable to use a liquid or fluid (for example, a highly viscous fluid). However, if the cavity 100 can be filled, a thermosetting resin in a state other than the above may be used.

The mold 10 has two communication holes 111 that communicate the outside of the mold 10 and the inner surface 100a of the cavity 100. The outside of the mold 10 may be considered as the outside of the mold 10 or the outside of the mold member (here, the first mold member 11) provided with the communication hole 111. Each communication hole 111 is preferably a hole having a shape extending linearly in the axial direction, but may be curved in the axial direction. The cross section of the communication hole 111 perpendicular to the axial direction is preferably circular, but may have a shape other than circular (for example, a polygon). The thickness of the communication hole 111 may or may not be constant. For example, the thickness of the communication hole 111 may change continuously or stepwise from the outer side of the mold 10 toward the inner surface 100a of the cavity 100, and for example, the thickness may change toward the inner surface 100a. It may spread continuously or in stages. Here, a case where the two communication holes 111 are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the inner surface 100a of the cavity 100 of the first mold member 11 will be described as an example.

The first end portion 20a of the coaxial cable 20 is attached to each of the communication holes 111 of the mold 10. Here, the portion of the coaxial cable 20 on the first end 20a side is inserted into the communication hole 111 from the outside of the mold 10. As a result, the first end portion 20a of the coaxial cable 20 is arranged in the communication hole 111 so that the first end portion 20a does not reach the inner surface 100a side of the cavity 100. The communication hole 111 here is, for example, a hole in which the coaxial cable 20 for irradiating microwaves is attached into the cavity 100.

A plug-like member 50 such as quartz having microwave transparency is fitted on the inner surface 100a side of the cavity 100 of the communication hole 111. The surface shape of the plug-shaped member 50 on the cavity 100 side is preferably a shape that forms the same surface as the inner surface 100a of the cavity 100 around it. The plug-shaped member 50 prevents the molding material in the cavity 100 from entering the communication hole 111 during molding. The plug-shaped member 50 is not limited to quartz and may be any material having high microwave transparency, and its thickness is not limited.

A microwave antenna 40 connected to a central conductor (not shown) of the coaxial cable 20 is located between the first end 20a of the coaxial cable 20 arranged in the communication hole 111 and the plug-shaped member 50. It is arranged. The microwave transmitted through the coaxial cable 20 is emitted from the microwave antenna 40. Since the plug-shaped member 50 has microwave transparency, the emitted microwaves pass through the plug-shaped member 50 and are irradiated into the cavity 100. As a result, the microwave transmitted through the coaxial cable 20 is irradiated into the cavity 100 through the communication hole 111. As long as the inside of the cavity 100 can be irradiated with microwaves, the shape, structure, length, etc. of the microwave antenna 40 do not matter. The microwave antenna 40 may or may not be in contact with the plug-shaped member 50. Further, the portion of the microwave antenna 40 on the cavity 100 side may be embedded in the plug-shaped member 50. Further, the tip of the microwave antenna 40 may or may not be exposed on the inner surface 100a side of the cavity 100. The central conductor of the coaxial cable 20 and the microwave antenna 40 may be connected in any way, and may be connected by, for example, a connector (not shown). The central conductor may be exposed at the first end 20a of the coaxial cable 20, and this exposed portion may be used as the microwave antenna 40.

When the shape of the microwave antenna 40 on the cavity 100 side is a surface shape or the like, the plug-shaped member 50 is omitted, and the surface-shaped portion of the microwave antenna 40 on the cavity 100 side is a communication hole. The opening on the cavity 100 side of 111 may be closed.

The size of the communication hole 111 does not matter. Here, since the communication hole 111 is not used as a microwave waveguide, the size of the communication hole 111 does not have to be the size directly dependent on the microwave transmitted through the coaxial cable 20. The size of the communication hole 111 is preferably a size in which the coaxial cable 20 can be inserted, for example, when the coaxial cable 20 is inserted into the communication hole 111. For example, the size is preferably larger than that of the coaxial cable 20.

The method of attaching the first end 20a of the coaxial cable 20 to the communication hole 111 is not limited to the above. For example, if the coaxial cable 20 is attached so that the microwave transmitted through the coaxial cable 20 is irradiated into the cavity 100 through the communication hole 111, how is the coaxial cable 20 attached to the communication hole 111? May be good. As shown in FIG. 1B, the first end 20a of the coaxial cable 20 may be mounted so as to be located in the communication hole 111, and the first end 20a may be located in the communication hole 111. It may be installed so as not to. For example, the first end portion 20a may or may not be inserted into the communication hole 111. For example, when the length of the microwave antenna 40 arranged in the communication hole 111 is a length protruding to the outside of the mold 10, the first end portion 20a of the coaxial cable 20 is not located in the communication hole 111. The central conductor of the coaxial cable 20 may be connected to the microwave antenna 40 in the communication hole 111 outside the mold 10. However, it is preferable that the communication hole 111 is mounted so that the axial direction of the communication hole 111 and the coaxial cable 20 are in the same direction, and the axial center of the communication hole 111 and the axial center of the coaxial cable 20 are aligned. It is preferable that they are mounted so as to be coaxial.

Further, the first end portion 20a of the coaxial cable 20 may be directly attached to the communication hole 111, or may be indirectly attached to the communication hole 111. For example, the first end portion 20a may be fitted and mounted in the communication hole 111, or may be mounted by a joint or the like provided in each of the first end portion 20a and the communication hole 111. As such a joint, for example, a known joint for attaching a coaxial cable to another member, equipment, or the like can be used.

Further, it is preferable that the coaxial cable 20 is detachably attached to the communication hole 111 via, for example, a joint or the like.

Further, it is preferable that the coaxial cable 20 is attached with the first end 20a attached to the communication hole 111 so that microwaves do not leak from the gap between the communication hole 111 and the coaxial cable 20. .. For example, when the first end portion 20a of the coaxial cable 20 is inserted into the communication hole 111, the side surface of the portion inserted into the communication hole 111 of the coaxial cable 20 and the inner surface of the communication hole 111. When there is a gap or the like between the two, it is preferable that a shield material such as a metal mesh is arranged in this portion. When the first end portion 20a of the coaxial cable 20 and the microwave antenna 40 are connected to the outside of the communication hole 111, a cover such as a microwave reflective material covers the connection portion and the communication hole 111. It is preferable to arrange it in. For example, it is preferable that the joints are arranged so as to cover them. Since the temperature rises in the vicinity of the first end 20a of the coaxial cable 20, it is preferable to provide a cooling mechanism such as a disk-shaped heat radiation fin in the portion exposed from the mold.

The connection between the coaxial cable 20 and the microwave antenna 40 is not limited to the above connection. For example, the coaxial cable 20 and the microwave antenna 40 may be connected via a coaxial tube (not shown) or the like. For example, the microwave antenna 40 is connected to the first end (not shown) of the central conductor of the coaxial tube (not shown), and the second end (not shown) of the central conductor of the coaxial tube is connected. May be connected to a portion of the coaxial cable 20 on the first end 20a side of the central conductor (not shown). The entire coaxial tube may be arranged in the communication hole 111, a part of the coaxial tube may be arranged in the communication hole 111, or the entire coaxial tube may be attached to the outside of the communication hole 111. This coaxial tube may be fixed to the communication hole 111 by fitting it into the communication hole 111 or the like. The coaxial tube and the coaxial cable 20 may be connected via, for example, a joint (not shown). Further, it is preferable that the coaxial tube and the coaxial cable 20 are connected so as to be detachable by a detachable joint or the like. The same applies to the connection between the coaxial tube and the microwave antenna 40.

The arrangement of the communication holes 111 is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. The communication holes 111 are arranged so that the intensity distribution of the microwaves in the cavity 100 becomes a desired intensity distribution according to, for example, the shape and size of the cavity 100, the wavelength and intensity of the irradiated microwaves, and the like. Is preferable. The intensity of the microwave may be the electric field strength of the microwave or the magnetic field strength. The same applies to the following.

The second mold member 12 has an injection hole 221. The injection hole 221 is a hole provided for injecting a thermosetting resin, which is a molding material injected from the injection device 70, into the cavity 100, and is formed between the cavity 100 and the outside of the second mold member 12a. It is a hole that communicates with. The outside of the injection hole 221 is connected to the injection port 71 of the injection device 70, and the thermosetting resin injected from the injection port 71 of the injection device 70 enters the cavity through the opening on the cavity 100 side of the injection hole 221. It is injected into 100. The injection hole 221 is a flow path for injecting a thermosetting resin into the cavity 100, such as a so-called sprue or runner. In the present embodiment, the injection hole 221 is tapered toward the cavity 100 side so that the thermosetting resin cured in the hole can be removed from the mold 10 as a part of the molded product when the mold 10 is opened. It has a shape that spreads out like a shape. The shape of the injection hole 221 provided in the mold 10 and the like are known techniques as the shape of the sprue, the runner, and the like, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

A flow path (not shown) of a cooling medium is provided inside each of the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12. As the cooling medium, a refrigerant that can be used for cooling a normal mold, such as water, can be used. The flow paths of the cooling media provided in the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12, respectively, are connected to the cooling device 60 via the supply tube 61 and the discharge tube 62, respectively, and are cooled. The cooling medium supplied from the device 60 is supplied to the flow path of the cooling medium via the supply tube 61, circulates in the flow path, and is discharged to the cooling device 60 via the discharge tube 62. For example, the cooling device 60 cools the medium discharged through the discharge tube 62 again and supplies the medium to the mold 10 via the supply tube 61. According to the present invention, the temperature of the mold is not raised in the first place, but by repeating molding, it is possible to prevent the mold temperature from gradually rising over time by appropriate cooling, and the entire mold acts as a heat sink. The cured molded product can be cooled to a temperature at which it can be quickly taken out. Since the configuration for cooling the mold is known, detailed description thereof will be omitted here. Note that cooling the mold 10 is only an option, and if it is not necessary in consideration of the heat capacity and molding speed of the mold, the flow path of the cooling medium, the supply tube 61, the discharge tube 62, and the cooling The device 60 may not be provided. Further, the configuration for cooling the mold included in the molding apparatus 1000 is not limited to the configuration as described here.

The coaxial cable 20 has a first end portion 20a (one end) and a second end portion 20b (end end). The first end 20a of one coaxial cable 20 is attached to one communication hole 111. For example, one coaxial cable 20 is attached to each of one or more communication holes 111 provided in the mold 10. However, the coaxial cable may not be attached to all the communication holes 111 of the mold 10. Here, a case where two coaxial cables are attached to each of the two communication holes 111 will be described. The second end 20b of each coaxial cable 20 is connected to the microwave irradiation means 30, and the microwave output by the microwave irradiation means 30 is transmitted.

The thickness of the coaxial cable 20 does not matter. As the coaxial cable 20, for example, a cable capable of transmitting microwaves output by the microwave irradiation means 30 is used. A coaxial cable is different from a general waveguide having a fixed shape, and can selectively transmit microwaves of a plurality of types of frequencies with one type of cable. Although a flexible waveguide described later can be used to support a predetermined frequency range, a coaxial cable can handle a wider range of frequencies. For example, it is possible to transmit microwaves of a higher frequency without changing a coaxial cable capable of transmitting microwaves of a certain frequency. Therefore, by using the coaxial cable 20, it is possible to transmit microwaves of different frequencies and irradiate the inside of the cavity 100 without making major changes to the mold 10. When the microwave irradiating means 30 irradiates microwaves of different frequencies, as the coaxial cable 20, for example, a coaxial cable capable of transmitting all the microwaves of different frequencies radiated by the microwave irradiating means 30 is used. You may do so.

The microwave irradiating means 30 is connected to the second end portion 20b of the coaxial cable 20, and irradiates the cavity 100 of the mold 10 with microwaves via the coaxial cable 20. Specifically, the two different microwave oscillators 300 included in the microwave irradiation means 30 are the second of two different coaxial cables 20 whose first end 20a is attached to a different communication hole 111, respectively. The microwaves output from each microwave oscillator 300 are transmitted through the coaxial cable 20 connected to each of the ends 20b of the microwave oscillator 300. The microwave transmitted through each coaxial cable 20 is emitted from a microwave antenna 40 in a different communication hole 111 connected to the first end portion 20a of each coaxial cable 20, and is irradiated into the cavity 100. As a result, the microwave output from each microwave oscillator 300 is irradiated into the cavity 100 through different communication holes 111.

The microwave irradiating means 30 irradiates the thermosetting resin, which is a molding material filled in the cavity 100, with microwaves. The microwave irradiating means 30 can, for example, irradiate the cavity 100 with a microwave while the cavity 100 of the mold 10 is filled with the thermosetting resin to make the thermosetting resin in the cavity 100. The thermosetting resin is heated by irradiating it with microwaves. The microwave irradiation means 30 irradiates the thermosetting resin (thermosetting resin having fluidity) before curing filled in the cavity 100 with microwaves and heats the resin in the cavity 100. Let it cure.

The microwave irradiation means 30 starts irradiation of microwaves after the cavity 100 is filled with the thermosetting resin before curing, and irradiates the microwaves until the thermosetting resin is heated and cured. The microwave irradiation by the microwave irradiation means 30 may be performed continuously or intermittently. It may be determined in any way that the cavity 100 is filled with the thermosetting resin. For example, the completion of filling may be determined by the time when the injection device 70 injects the thermosetting resin. When the 70 injects an amount of thermosetting resin necessary for filling the cavity 100, the completion of filling may be determined. For example, the microwave irradiating means 30 starts irradiating microwaves when a predetermined time required for filling has elapsed since the injection device 70 started injecting the thermosetting resin which is a molding material. You may try to do it. The timing, length, and the like of the microwave irradiation means 30 as described above are controlled by, for example, a control unit (not shown) included in the molding apparatus 1000. Further, the control unit may also determine the completion of filling as described above. This control unit may be provided inside the microwave irradiation means 30, or may be provided outside the microwave irradiation means 30. The control unit that controls the microwave irradiation means 30 can be realized by using, for example, a dedicated control circuit, a computer, or the like.

Each microwave oscillator 300 included in the microwave irradiation means 30 may have any structure as long as it can generate and output microwaves. The microwave oscillator 300 is, for example, a semiconductor oscillator or an injection synchronous oscillator. By using a semiconductor oscillator or an injection synchronous oscillator as the microwave oscillator 300, for example, it is possible to control the phase of the output microwave. Therefore, when controlling the phase, the semiconductor oscillator or the injection synchronous oscillator It is preferable to use an oscillator. Further, the microwave oscillator 300 may be a microwave oscillator such as a magnetron, a klystron, or a gyrotron. Further, each microwave oscillator 300 may have an amplifier (not shown) or the like.

The frequency and output of the microwave emitted by the microwave oscillator 300 are not limited. The frequency of the microwave emitted by each microwave oscillator 300 may be, for example, 2.45 GHz, 5.8 GHz, 24 GHz, 10 GHz, or any other. The frequency may be in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz.

If the microwave irradiating means 30 is connected to the second end 20b of the coaxial cable 20 and irradiates the cavity 100 of the mold 10 with microwaves via the coaxial cable 20, the microwave irradiating means 30 is used. It is not limited to the above.

Further, the microwave irradiating means 30 branches the microwave output from one microwave oscillator 300 and transmits it to two coaxial cables 20, and from two communication holes 111 to which each coaxial cable 20 is attached. The cavity 100 may be irradiated with microwaves. For example, one microwave oscillator 300 is attached with a first end portion 20a in two communication holes 111 via a branching means (not shown), a branching means (not shown), or the like. It may be connected to the second end portion 20b of the two coaxial cables 20 so that the microwave output by one microwave oscillator 300 is transmitted via the two coaxial cables 20. In this case, the second end 20b of each coaxial cable 20 may be considered as a portion connected to a turnout or the like of the coaxial cable 20, and a branching means such as a turnout is connected to the microwave oscillator 300. You can think of it as the part that is. For example, when a semiconductor oscillator or an injection coaxial oscillator is used as the microwave oscillator 300, the microwave output by one microwave oscillator 300 is branched, and the branched microwaves are branched by different amplifiers. When amplifying and transmitting via the coaxial cable 20, each amplifier may be considered as a different microwave oscillator 300.

The microwave irradiating means 30 may irradiate microwaves having different frequencies. For example, in the step of irradiating the cavity 100 with microwaves, the microwave irradiating means 30 may irradiate the cavities 100 with microwaves at different frequencies via a plurality of coaxial cables 20. .. For example, the microwave irradiation means 30 has one or more microwave oscillators 300 whose frequency can be changed, and the frequency of the microwave irradiated via the coaxial cable 20 may be changed. Further, the microwave irradiating means 30 has two or more microwave oscillators 300 that irradiate microwaves of different frequencies, and connects the microwave oscillator 300 to the second end 20b of one coaxial cable 20. , It may be available by switching to any one of two or more microwave oscillators 300 that irradiate microwaves of different frequencies. Further, the microwave irradiating means 30 has two microwave oscillators 300 for irradiating microwaves having different frequencies, and different communication holes via a coaxial cable 20 connected to each microwave oscillator 300. Microwaves of different frequencies may be irradiated from 111. In this case, for example, different microwaves may be output from all the microwave oscillators 300 at the same time, or the microwaves may not be output at the same time.

The microwave irradiating means 30 may irradiate microwaves having different frequencies so that the relative dielectric loss of the molding material is increased, for example. In the present embodiment, since microwave irradiation is performed using a coaxial cable 20 capable of transmitting microwaves of different frequencies, the same metal is used without remodeling the mold 10 or the like or replacing the coaxial cable 20. Microwaves of different frequencies can be irradiated into the cavity 100 of the mold 10. This also applies to other embodiments. The microwave irradiating means 30 may irradiate microwaves having different frequencies over time according to the change over time in the specific dielectric loss of the molding material, and performs different molding such as molding using different molding materials. When using the mold 10 of the above, microwaves of different frequencies may be irradiated. Thereby, for example, the efficiency of microwave heating can be optimized or improved according to the difference in the relative dielectric loss for each molding material and the change in the relative dielectric loss due to the temperature change of the molding material.

For example, there are cases where one mold is used to manufacture molded products of different materials having the same shape according to the grade of the molded product. On the other hand, in microwave heating and the like, it is known that the frequency and the like of the microwave having the maximum relative dielectric loss differ depending on the molding material or the like to be heated. For this reason, when molding is performed using different molding materials with one mold, it is possible to perform molding by irradiating the molding material with microwaves having an optimum frequency for each molding material, such as heating efficiency. It is preferable from the point of view. Since the coaxial cable 20 can transmit microwaves of different frequencies, in the molding apparatus 1000 of each embodiment, microwaves of different frequencies can be irradiated into the cavity 100 of the mold 10 via the coaxial cable 20. , Microwave irradiation of different frequencies can be performed in molding using one mold 10. As a result, for example, when molding using different molding materials by one mold 10 as described above, microwave irradiation at a frequency suitable for the molding material can be performed, and the heating efficiency and the like can be improved. Can be planned.

Further, in microwave heating, it is known that the frequency of the microwave having the maximum relative dielectric loss differs depending on the temperature of the material. Therefore, in the process of heating the molding material by irradiating with microwaves, the frequency of the microwave to be irradiated is set to a frequency at which the relative dielectric loss at that temperature becomes large according to the change in the temperature of the molding material. It is desirable to change it from the viewpoint of heating efficiency and the like. In the molding apparatus 1000 of the present embodiment, since microwaves are irradiated using the coaxial cable 20, microwave irradiation of different frequencies can be performed in the cavity 100 of the mold. For example, molding is performed by microwave irradiation. When the material is being heated, the frequency of the microwave output by the microwave irradiation means 30 can be changed to perform microwave irradiation at a frequency suitable for the current temperature of the molding material. The temperature of the molding material at the time of molding may be detected by attaching a temperature sensor or the like (not shown) to the mold 10, and an experiment or the like is conducted in advance to show a change over time in the temperature at the time of microwave irradiation. Information may be acquired and the temperature may be acquired from the elapsed time using this information.

For example, in the molding apparatus of the above embodiment, instead of providing the mold with the communication hole 111 for attaching the first end portion 20a of the coaxial cable 20, a general waveguide having a fixed shape or the like is used. It is conceivable to attach it to a mold and irradiate the inside of the cavity 100 with microwaves, but the shape of the waveguide, the size of the cross section, the length, etc. of the waveguide are determined for each wavelength of the transmitted microwaves. Therefore, when such a general waveguide is used, the range of frequencies that can be transmitted is narrower than when a coaxial cable is used, and the frequency cannot be changed as much as the coaxial cable. .. Therefore, in order to irradiate microwaves having significantly different frequencies between the waveguide and the mold attached to the waveguide, it is necessary to remake the mold. Further, as in the case of using a coaxial cable, it is more difficult to change the frequency significantly during molding using one mold as compared with the case of using a coaxial cable. Therefore, when changing the frequency, it is preferable to use the coaxial cable 20.

The microwave irradiating means 30 may irradiate microwaves having different outputs, for example, via a plurality of coaxial cables 20. For example, in the step of irradiating the cavity 100 with microwaves, the microwave irradiating means 30 may irradiate the cavities 100 with different outputs via a plurality of coaxial cables 20. .. For example, the microwave irradiating means 30 may irradiate microwaves having different outputs for each coaxial cable 20. The microwave output here may be considered as the intensity or electric power of the microwave. For example, the microwave irradiating means 30 has two or more microwave oscillators 300 that irradiate microwaves having different intensities, and connects the microwave oscillator 300 to the second end 20b of one coaxial cable 20. , It may be possible to switch to one of two or more microwave oscillators 300 that irradiate microwaves having different intensities. Further, when the microwave output by one microwave oscillator 300 is branched, each branched microwave is amplified by a different amplifier, and transmitted via the coaxial cable 20, the amplification factor of each amplifier is changed. Therefore, the output may be changed for each coaxial cable 20. In this case, each amplifier may be considered as a different microwave oscillator 300. Further, the microwave oscillator 300 included in the microwave irradiation means 30 may be capable of individually controlling the on and off of the output.

The phases of the microwaves transmitted by the microwave irradiation means 30 via the different coaxial cables 20 may be the same phase or different phases. For example, in the step of irradiating the cavity 100 with microwaves, the microwave irradiation means 30 controls the phase of the microwave irradiation performed in the cavity 100 via the plurality of coaxial cables 20 for each coaxial cable. You may do it.

For example, the microwave irradiating means 30 may control the phase of the microwave irradiating from the two communication holes 111 via the two coaxial cables 20. By controlling the phase of the microwaves irradiating into the cavity 100 via the two coaxial cables 20, for example, the cavities 100 can be uniformly irradiated with microwaves due to interference between microwaves or the like. Microwaves can be concentrated or the intensity of microwaves can be strengthened at one or more desired points within 100. Thereby, for example, the distribution of the intensity of the microwave in the cavity 100 can be controlled to be a desired distribution. The microwave irradiation means 30 may control the phases of the microwaves emitted by the two microwave oscillators 300 to be in phase. The phase control here may be considered as, for example, an initial phase control. The microwaves output by the microwave irradiation means 30 having different phases are, for example, frequencies having the same frequency but different phases.

For example, as the two microwave oscillators 300 of the microwave irradiation means 30 connected to the two coaxial cables 20, those whose output microwave phases can be controlled are used, and the microwaves output by these are used. By individually controlling the phases of the microwaves, the phases of the microwaves emitted from the different coaxial cables 20 connected to the cables may be individually controlled. The microwave oscillator 300 whose phase can be controlled is, for example, a microwave oscillator including a phase controller or a phase controller (not shown). The phase-controllable microwave oscillator 300 is, for example, a phase device or phase that changes the phase of a semiconductor oscillator (or injection synchronous oscillator) and the microwave output by the semiconductor oscillator (or injection synchronous oscillator). It is a microwave oscillator having a controller. The phase of each microwave oscillator 300 is controlled by, for example, a control means (not shown). For example, the microwave irradiation means 30 may have a control means for controlling the phase. Note that only one of the two microwave oscillators 300 may be capable of controlling the phase. The microwave output by one microwave oscillator 300 is branched, the phase of each branched microwave is changed by a different phase controller or phase controller (not shown), and the microwave is transmitted via the coaxial cable 20. In this case, each phase controller or phase controller may be considered as a different microwave oscillator 300 whose phase can be controlled. For example, even when a magnetron is used as the microwave oscillator 300, the microwave output by one microwave oscillator 300 is branched by using a branching means or the like, and the branched microwaves are branched via the coaxial cable 20. May be transmitted. Further, in this case, for at least one or more of the branched microwaves, the phase may be changed by using a phase controller or a phase controller to be transmitted to the coaxial cable, and for at least one or more of the branched microwaves. May be amplified by an amplifier and transmitted to a coaxial cable.

Further, for example, the microwave irradiating means 30 has two or more microwave oscillators 300 that output microwaves of different phases as the microwave oscillator 300 connected to one coaxial cable 20, and the coaxial cable. By switching the microwave oscillator 300 connected to 20 to the microwave oscillator 300 that outputs microwaves of different phases, microwaves of different phases may be irradiated via one coaxial cable 20. ..

The microwave irradiation means 30 is provided with, for example, a plurality of microwave oscillators 300, and at least a part of the microwave oscillators 300 emits microwaves having a phase different from that of the other microwave oscillators 300. It may be controllable to occur. The microwave irradiation means 30 may be controllable so that the phases of the microwaves emitted by the plurality of microwave oscillators 300 are in phase with each other. The phase control may be considered as, for example, the initial phase control.

The microwave irradiation means 30 transmits microwaves into the cavity 100 from two communication holes 111 via two coaxial cables 20 so that the intensity distribution of the microwaves in the cavity 100 becomes a desired intensity distribution. It is preferable to irradiate. For example, in the microwave irradiating means 30, in the step of irradiating the inside of the cavity 100 with microwaves, the microwave in the cavity 100 is desired to irradiate the microwave in the cavity 100 via a plurality of coaxial cables 20. It may be done so that the intensity distribution is obtained. The above-mentioned control unit (not shown) or the like may control the microwave irradiation means 30 so that such microwave irradiation is performed. This also applies to other embodiments. For example, the microwave irradiating means 30 irradiates the microwaves in the cavity 100 with different intensities or the same intensities via the two coaxial cables 20 so that the microwaves in the cavity 100 have a desired intensity distribution. It may be set individually so as to be. Further, the intensity of irradiation from each communication hole 111 may be changed over time.

Further, for example, the microwave irradiation means 30 controls the phase of the microwaves irradiated into the cavity 100 via the two coaxial cables 20 so that the microwaves in the cavity 100 have a desired intensity distribution. You may. For example, by controlling the phase of the microwaves radiated from the two communication holes 111 of the first mold member 11, the positions where the microwaves strengthen each other's intensities due to interference or the like, or the positions where the microwaves cancel each other out, Since the position where the microwaves are concentrated can be changed, the phase of the irradiated microwaves can be controlled so that the microwaves have a desired intensity distribution. The phase of the irradiated microwave may be changed over time.

Further, the microwave irradiating means 30 may have different periods for irradiating microwaves via the two coaxial cables 20. For example, in the step of irradiating the cavity 100 with microwaves, the microwave irradiating means 30 may irradiate the cavities 100 with microwaves via a plurality of coaxial cables 20 at different periods. .. For example, in the microwave irradiation means 30, the period for irradiating the microwave may be different for each coaxial cable 20. For example, the microwave irradiating means 30 may irradiate microwaves through the two coaxial cables 20 as different periods or the same period. The different period is, for example, a period in which at least one of the end time and the start time of the periods is different. For example, by setting the period of microwave irradiation performed via different coaxial cables 20 to different periods, the intensity distribution of microwaves in the cavity 100 can be changed so as to be different with time. Further, from the relationship between the shape of the cavity 100 and the position of the communication hole 111, it is possible to optimally heat the molding material. For example, microwave irradiation from a communication hole 111 located in a portion where the thickness of the cavity 100 (for example, the distance between the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12) is thick is thin. By starting earlier than the microwave irradiation from the communication hole 111 located in the portion, it is possible to heat the thermosetting resin in the cavity 100 evenly or, in some cases, non-uniformly. Become. When the output of one microwave oscillator 300 included in the microwave irradiation means 30 is branched by a branching means or the like and connected to two coaxial cables 20, it is transmitted to at least one coaxial cable 20. A blocking means or the like for blocking the microwaves is provided, and the blocking means is appropriately operated or controlled by a control means or the like (not shown) so that the microwaves that are branched and transmitted through the two coaxial cables 20 are different. The irradiation period of the microwaves irradiated through the two coaxial cables 20 may be set to different periods by shutting off at the timing or the like.

The injection device 70 is a device for injecting a thermosetting tree before curing, which is a molding material, and has an injection port 71 for injecting a thermosetting resin. The structure of the injection device 70 and the injection port 71 does not matter. Since the injection device 70 is a known technique, description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the structure of the injection port 71 is a known technique, the description thereof will be omitted. Although the case where the molding device 1000 includes the injection device 70 has been described here, it may be considered that the molding device 1000 includes the injection device 70 or not. If it is not included, for example, an injection device 70 or the like outside the molding device 1000 may be used.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view (FIGS. 2A to 2D) for explaining a method of manufacturing a molded product using the molding apparatus 1000. In FIG. 2, the cooling device 60, the supply tube 61, the discharge tube 62, and the like are omitted.

Hereinafter, a specific example of a method for producing a molded product of a thermosetting resin using the molding apparatus 1000 will be described with reference to FIG.

(Step S101) First, as shown in FIG. 2A, a mold clamping device or the like (not shown) is operated to bring the first mold member 11 closer to the second mold member 12 to the position at the time of molding. By moving in the direction, the convex portion 121 is inserted into the concave portion 122, and the mold 10 is closed. A molding cavity 100 is formed between the first mold member 11 and the second mold member 12. Specifically, the cavity 100 for molding is formed in the portion sandwiched between the convex portion 121 and the concave portion 122.

(Step S102) Next, the cavity 100 is filled with the thermosetting resin 80. Here, with the mold 10 closed as in step S101, the thermosetting resin 80, which is a molding material, is injected into the cavity 100 of the mold 10 from the injection hole 221 to heat the inside of the cavity 100. Fill with curable resin 80. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2B, the thermosetting resin 80 before curing having fluidity is injected from the injection port 71 of the injection device 70, and the injection hole of the second mold member 12a is injected. The thermosetting resin 80 before curing is injected into the cavity 100 via 221. This injection is carried out until the cavity 100 is filled with the thermosetting resin. The thermosetting resin preheated by the injection device 70 at a temperature at which it does not cure may be injected from the injection device 70.

In addition, filling the cavity 100 with the thermosetting resin 80 means that, for example, the thermosetting resin 80 in an amount required for molding is arranged at a position required for molding in the cavity 100 (for example, injection). For example, the cavity 100 may be filled with the thermosetting resin 80, and depending on the design of the cavity 100 or the like, only a predetermined portion in the cavity 100 is filled with the thermosetting resin. It may be to satisfy. For example, the thermosetting resin 80 may be contained in the cavity 100 in a state of being filled with the thermosetting resin 80 without a gap, and depending on the product specifications, the thermosetting resin and the cavity 100 may be positively inserted. A portion where a gap or the like is present may be provided. This also applies to other embodiments.

(Step S103) As shown in FIG. 2C, after the filling of the thermosetting resin 80 into the cavity 100 is completed, the microwave irradiation means 30 attaches the thermosetting resin 80 to the plurality of communication holes 111 of the mold 10. The thermosetting resin 80 filled in the cavity 100 is irradiated with microwaves via the coaxial cable 20 to cure the thermosetting resin 80 in the cavity 100. For example, when the two microwave oscillators 300 of the microwave irradiation means 30 generate and output microwaves, the output microwaves are transmitted via the coaxial cable 20, respectively, and the first end of the coaxial cable 20. It is emitted from each of the microwave antennas 40 connected to the portion 20a, passes through the plug-shaped member 50, and is irradiated into the cavity 100. As a result, microwaves are irradiated into the cavity 100 from each communication hole 111. The microwave emitted into the cavity 100 is applied to the thermosetting resin 80 before curing filled in the cavity 100. The filled thermosetting resin 80 is heated and cured by irradiation with microwaves.

The microwave irradiation here is performed until, for example, the thermosetting resin 80 filled in the cavity 100 is cured. For example, microwave irradiation is performed for a preset time required for curing. For example, the microwave irradiation time and the like are set according to the size of the cavity 100 and the intensity of the irradiated microwave. The wavelength of the microwave to be irradiated is set according to the type of thermosetting resin used. When a sensor (not shown) such as a temperature sensor attached to the mold 10 or the like is used to detect the end of curing of the thermosetting resin from the change in temperature and the end of curing is detected, the microwave is used. Irradiation of the wave may be terminated.

Here, as described above, since the mold 10 has a structure that does not leak the microwave irradiated into the cavity 100, the loss of the microwave is small. Further, a configuration for preventing microwave leakage from the mold 10 (for example, a shield covering the entire mold 10 portion of the molding apparatus 1000) is unnecessary.

(Step S104) When the curing of the thermosetting resin 80 in the cavity 100 is completed, the output of microwaves from the microwave irradiation means 30 is stopped. After stopping the microwave irradiation, the mold 10 is cooled to cool the cured thermosetting resin in the cavity 100. Here, the cooling medium is supplied from the cooling device 60 to the flow paths for the cooling media provided in the first mold member 11a and the second mold member 12a via the supply tube 61 and the discharge tube 62, respectively. It is circulated to cool the cured thermosetting resin 80. Unlike the case where the temperature of the mold 10 when the microwave irradiation is stopped is the temperature at which the thermosetting resin 80 cured by heating can be removed from the cavity 100, cooling or the like using the cooling device 60 is unnecessary. If so, the cooling device 60 is unnecessary as described above, and this step does not have to be performed.

(Step S105) As shown in FIG. 2D, using a mold clamping device (not shown), the first mold member 11a is separated from the direction in which the mold 10 is opened, that is, the second mold member 12a. Move it laterally to open the mold 10. Then, the molded product 81 is taken out. Here, the molded product 81 composed of the thermoplastic resin cured in the cavity 100 and the thermosetting resin cured in the injection hole 221 is taken out.

In step S103, the irradiation of microwaves performed in the cavity 100 via the plurality of coaxial cables 20 is such that the intensity distribution of the microwaves in the cavity 100 becomes a desired intensity distribution as described above. You may try to do it. Further, as described above, the irradiation of microwaves performed in the cavity 100 via the plurality of coaxial cables 20 may be performed by controlling the phase for each coaxial cable 20. Further, the irradiation of microwaves performed in the cavity 100 via the plurality of coaxial cables 20 may be performed at different frequencies as described above. For example, the frequency of the microwave to be irradiated may be changed according to the passage of time. Further, the irradiation of microwaves performed in the cavity 100 via the plurality of coaxial cables 20 may be performed with different outputs as described above. For example, the microwaves radiated through each coaxial cable 20 may have different outputs (for example, different electric powers). Further, the microwave irradiation performed in the cavity 100 via the plurality of coaxial cables 20 may be performed in different periods as described above. This also applies to the step of irradiating the cavity with microwaves in another embodiment described later.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the cavity 100 of the mold 10 is filled with the thermosetting resin before curing, and then the first end portion 20a is attached to the communication hole 111 of the mold 10. Since the thermosetting resin is cured by irradiating the inside of the cavity 100 of the mold 10 through the 20 to cure the thermosetting resin, the inside of the cavity 10 is hardly heated by the microwave. Only the thermosetting resin filled in can be heated and cured. As a result, since the mold 10 remains cold, the temperature difference between the mold 10 and the cured thermosetting resin causes the molded product to cool immediately after the microwave irradiation is finished, and the molded product can be removed from the mold. Molding time is significantly reduced. In addition, since the thermosetting resin, which is a molding material, is cured from the inside due to heating by microwaves, the internal stress on the molded product is different from the case where it is cured from the outside as in the case of heating from a conventional mold. Does not accumulate and does not deform after curing and cooling. As a result, even in injection molding, high-quality molded products can be efficiently manufactured.

Further, in order to irradiate the molding material filled in the cavity 100 of the mold 10 with microwaves via the coaxial cable 20 in which the first end portion 20a is attached to the communication hole 111 of the mold 10, the mold is used. When the 10 is opened, it is not necessary to move the microwave irradiating means 30 or the like that irradiates the thermosetting resin with the microwave together with the first mold member 11 or the like provided with the communication hole 111, and it is easy. Moreover, microwave irradiation can be performed quickly.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the cavity 100 can be irradiated with microwaves by using the coaxial cable 20, molding is performed by irradiating microwaves of different frequencies using one mold 10. Can be done. Further, by using the coaxial cable 20 that can be flexibly bent and extended as the microwave transmission path output by the microwave irradiation means 30, the transmission path can be easily routed, and the molding apparatus 1000 can be designed. Becomes easier.

The communication hole 111 to which the coaxial cable 20 is attached may be provided in the second mold member 12 which is a fixed mold, but as in the above embodiment, the first mold which is a movable mold It is preferable to provide it on the member 11. In a normal mold, since the movable mold is a mold member in contact with the back surface side of the molded product, it is considered that the traces of the communication holes 111 and the like remain on the molded product with little influence on the quality of the molded product. Is. In the molding apparatus of the above embodiment, if a general waveguide (not shown) having a fixed shape is used as the microwave transmission path instead of the coaxial cable 20, such a guide is used. Since the wave tube cannot be flexibly bent or stretched, and the length of the waveguide is also limited by the frequency of the transmitted microwave, the waveguide can be used with the microwave irradiation means 30. In order to use the connected mold member as a movable mold, for example, it is necessary to move the microwave irradiation means 30 and the waveguide together with the movable mold, which complicates the configuration and the mold member which is a movable mold. It is considered that it is not easy to obtain a configuration that enables microwave irradiation. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the microwave is transmitted and irradiated by the flexible coaxial cable 20 as the variable transmission means, the coaxial cable 20 does not move the arrangement of the microwave irradiation means 30 or the like. Only the mold member to which the is attached can be moved. Therefore, microwave irradiation can be easily performed from the mold member which is a movable portion. Further, by providing the communication hole in the relatively lightweight and thin movable mold, it becomes easier to process the mold than in the fixed mold. It should be noted that this is the same in other embodiments.

In the above embodiment, the case where the thermosetting resin to be injected into the mold 10 has one injection hole 221 for flowing into the cavity 100 has been described, but the injection hole 221 is one. The above-mentioned branching portion (not shown) may have a structure branched into a plurality of flow paths (not shown) for pouring the thermosetting resin into the cavity 100. For example, the injection hole 221 may have a sprue (not shown) connected to the injection port 71 and a plurality of runners (not shown) connecting the sprue and the cavity. In this case, it corresponds to a flow path in which a plurality of runners are branched. Further, the injection hole 221 may be branched in multiple layers, and for example, one or more of the flow paths branched by one branch may be further branched by another branch. The branch structure of the injection hole 221 does not matter.

When the injection hole 221 has such a branched structure, the injection hole 221 having this branched structure can be removed when the mold 10 is opened so that the thermosetting resin that cures in the branched flow path can be removed. One mold member having the above may be composed of a plurality of mold members. The plurality of mold members become a mold member having an injection hole 221 having a branched structure in a combined state, and a thermosetting resin cured in the injection hole 221 in a disassembled state is formed in a cavity 100. The structure should be removable together with the thermosetting resin cured inside.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a mold member 12b which is a mold member composed of _two mold members 12b ₁ and 12b ₂ and which is a mold member having an injection hole 221 having a branched structure. FIG. 3A) and a perspective view (FIG. 3B) showing a state in which the mold member 12b is disassembled into _two mold members 12b ₁ and 12b ₂ . FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the mold member 12b as viewed from the side connected to the injection port 71. The mold member 12b is a mold member corresponding to the second mold member 12 of the above embodiment, and is a mold that can be used as a part of the mold 10 instead of the second mold member 12. It is assumed to be a member.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the mold member 12b branches in three directions toward the inner surface 100a side of the cavity 100 at the branch portion 222, and is connected to the inner surface 100a side of the cavity 100, respectively. have. For example, the portion of the injection port 221 from the end portion open to the outside to the branch portion 222 corresponds to a so-called sprue, and the portion connected from the branch portion 222 to the cavity 100 corresponds to a so-called runner. It is assumed that the axis of the injection hole 221 including the branched portion is located on a virtual coplanar surface. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the state where the mold member 12b is formed, the thermosetting resin cured in the cavity 100 and the thermosetting resin cured in the injection hole 221 are opened. It cannot be removed from the mold 10. However, the mold member 12b has a shape in which the mold member 12b is divided into two in a plane passing through the axis of all the portions including the branched portion of the injection hole 221 and the mold member 12b _1. Since it is a combination of 12b _2, after the mold 10 is opened and the first mold member 11 is removed, the mold member 12b is replaced with the mold members 12b ₁ and 12b as shown in FIG. 3 (b). _By disassembling into ₂ , the thermosetting resin cured in the cavity 100 and the thermosetting resin cured in the injection hole 221 can be removed from the open mold 10.

If the thermosetting resin cured in the injection hole 221 can be removed by disassembling the mold member into mold member pieces, the number of mold members forming the injection hole 221 and the number of mold members can be determined. The shape of each mold member does not matter. Further, even when the injection hole 221 is not branched, a plurality of mold members in which the injection hole 221 is formed are formed so that the thermosetting resin cured in the injection hole 221 can be removed or easily removed. It may be composed of members. For example, even when the injection hole 221 is bent, the thermosetting resin cured in the bent injection hole 221 can be obtained by forming the mold member having the injection port 221 with a plurality of mold members. It may be possible to remove it as follows. The technique of forming the mold member having the injection port 221 with a plurality of mold members so that the cured resin can be taken out in the injection hole 221 is a metal so that the cured resin can be removed by the sprue or runner of the mold. Since it is the same as the technique for forming a mold member with a plurality of mold members, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

(Embodiment 2)
In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a molding apparatus that performs injection molding has been described, but in the present embodiment, the same configuration as the molding apparatus described in the above embodiment is press-molded. The case where it is applied to the vertical molding apparatus to be performed will be described.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view (FIG. 4 (a)) showing the molding apparatus according to the present embodiment, and a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVb-IVb of FIG. 4 (a) (FIG. 1 (b)). Here, the state in which the mold 10a of the molding apparatus is closed is shown.

The molding apparatus 2000 includes a mold 10a, two coaxial cables 20 as variable transmission means, a microwave irradiation means 30, a cooling device 60, a supply tube 61, a discharge tube 62, and an injection device 70. And have. Since the two coaxial cables 20, the microwave irradiation means 30, the cooling device 60, the supply tube 61, and the discharge tube 62 are the same as those in the above embodiment, detailed description thereof will be given here. Omit.

The mold 10a includes a first mold member 11a and a second mold member 12a. The die 10a is, for example, a die for press molding. Since the molding apparatus 2000 is a vertical molding apparatus, here, the first mold member 11a and the second mold member 12a of the mold 10a are arranged so as to be arranged in the vertical direction, and the mold With the 10a closed, the cavity 100 is formed between the lower surface of the first mold member 11a and the upper surface of the second mold member 12a. Here, as in the above embodiment, with the mold 10a closed, the convex portion 121 on the lower surface of the first mold member 11a is inserted into the concave portion 122 on the upper surface of the second mold member 12a. A cavity 100 is formed between the convex portion 121 and the concave portion 122 on the bottom surface side of the concave portion 122. Here, an example is shown in which the first mold member 11a is arranged and used above the second mold member 12a.

The first mold member 11a arranges the above-mentioned first mold member 11 so that the surface having the inner surface 100a of the cavity 100 faces the second mold member 12a (here, the lower surface). Since it has the same configuration as the first mold member 11, detailed description thereof will be omitted here. Here, the first mold member 11a is a movable mold, and the mold clamping device (not shown) or the like is used so as to move in the direction of approaching and away from the second mold member 12a, that is, in the vertical direction. It shall be installed directly or indirectly. The molding apparatus 2000 may have a guide rod, a tie bar, or the like that limits the moving direction of the first mold member 11a.

In the second mold member 12a, the surface of the above-mentioned second mold member 12 having a surface to be the inner surface 100a of the cavity 100 is a surface facing the first mold member 11a (here, the upper surface). The injection hole 221 is not provided, and the configuration other than the injection hole 221 is the same as that of the second mold member 12, so the description thereof is omitted here.

Also in this embodiment, the cavity 100 is filled with a thermosetting resin. As the thermosetting resin filled in the cavity 100, the same thermosetting resin as described in the above embodiment can be used. Further, the thermosetting resin filled in the cavity 100 may be in a state where it can be filled in the cavity 100. For example, as the thermosetting resin filled in the cavity 100, for example, a liquid, a paste, a fluid (for example, a highly viscous fluid) or the like having fluidity, or a sheet is used.

In the present embodiment, since the thermosetting resin before curing cannot be injected into the cavity 100 in the state where the mold 10 is closed, for example, before the mold 10 is closed (that is, the mold). After arranging an amount of thermosetting resin before curing in an amount that fills the cavity 100 at the position where the cavity 100 of the mold 10 is formed in the state where the mold 10 is opened), the mold 10 is closed to close the cavity 100. By forming the cavity 100, as a result, the inside of the cavity 100 may be filled with a thermosetting resin.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (FIGS. 5A to 5D) for explaining a method of manufacturing a molded product using the molding apparatus 2000. In FIG. 5, the microwave irradiation means 30, the cooling device 60, the supply tube 61, the discharge tube 62, and the like are omitted.

Hereinafter, a specific example of a method for producing a molded product of a thermosetting resin using the molding apparatus 2000 will be described with reference to FIG.

(Step S201) First, with the mold 10a open, the thermosetting resin 80 is placed in a portion inside the cavity 100. The portion inside the cavity 100 is, for example, a portion of the mold 10a that is inside the cavity 100 when the mold 10a is closed. The portion inside the cavity 100 may be considered as a portion where the arranged thermosetting resin 80 is arranged in the cavity 100 when the mold 10a is closed, and the mold 10a is closed. In this case, the arranged thermosetting resin 80 may be considered as a position, a region, or a space pushed into the cavity 100. Here, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first mold member 11 is moved and held above the second mold member 12, and the second mold 10a is opened. The thermosetting resin 80 before curing is arranged on the bottom surface of the recess 122 of the mold member 12a. Here, the bottom surface of the recess 122 is the inner surface 100a of the cavity 100, and the upper surface of the inner surface 100a is inside the cavity 100 when the mold 10a is closed. The amount of the thermosetting resin to be arranged is the amount that the cavity 100 is filled with the arranged thermosetting resin 80 when the mold 10a is closed. Here, as the thermosetting resin 80 before curing, for example, a soft sheet-shaped thermosetting resin 80 is arranged. A thermosetting resin that has been preliminarily heated at a temperature at which it does not cure may be arranged.

(Step S202) Next, the mold 10a is closed, and the thermosetting resin 80 arranged in the portion inside the cavity 100 in the above step S101 is filled in the cavity 100. Here, as shown in FIG. 5B, a mold clamping device or the like (not shown) is operated to move the first mold member 11a downward, and the convex portion 121 of the first mold member 11a is moved. The mold 10a is closed by inserting it into the recess 122 of the second mold member 12a. When the mold 10a is closed, the thermosetting resin 80 before curing, which is arranged on the bottom surface of the recess 122 which is the portion to be the cavity 100, is the first mold member 11a and the second mold member 12a. During the period, specifically, it is sandwiched between the convex portion 121 and the concave portion 122, pressed and deformed, and when the mold 10a is completely closed, it is cured in the cavity 100 as shown in FIG. 5C. The previous thermosetting resin 80 is filled. The cavity 100 has a state at the time of molding, that is, a shape at the time of molding. When the mold 10a is closed, the gap between the convex portion 121 of the first mold member 11a and the concave portion 122 of the second mold member 12a other than the cavity 100 becomes almost 0, and this gap becomes almost zero. Is a size that does not allow microwaves to pass through. Here, in the state where the mold 10a is opened as in step S201, the thermosetting resin before curing is placed in the portion to be the cavity 100, and the mold 102 is closed as in step S202. As a result, the thermosetting resin 80 is filled in the cavity 100. Therefore, this series of steps can be considered as one aspect of the step of filling the cavity 100 with the thermosetting resin 80.

(Step S203) As shown in FIG. 5C, after the thermosetting resin 80 is filled in the cavity 100, the thermosetting resin 80 before curing is filled in the cavity 100 from the microwave irradiation means 30. On the other hand, the thermosetting resin 80 is cured in the cavity 100 by irradiating microwaves through the plurality of coaxial cables 20 attached to the plurality of communication holes 111 of the mold 10. For example, when the two microwave oscillators 300 of the microwave irradiation means 30 generate and output microwaves, the output microwaves are transmitted via the coaxial cable 20, respectively, and the first end of the coaxial cable 20. It is emitted from each of the microwave antennas 40 connected to the portion 20a, passes through the plug-shaped member 50, and is irradiated into the cavity 100. As a result, microwaves are irradiated into the cavity 100 from each communication hole 111. The microwave irradiated in the cavity 100 is applied to the thermosetting resin 80 before curing filled in the cavity 100, and the thermosetting resin 80 filled in the cavity is heated and cured by the irradiation of the microwave. .. The microwave irradiation time and the like may be set in the same manner as the irradiation time and the like described in step S103 and the like in the above embodiment.

As described above, microwaves do not leak from the gap of the portion other than the cavity 100 between the convex portion 121 of the first mold member 11a and the concave portion 122 of the second mold member 12a. There is little loss of microwaves, and a configuration for preventing microwave leakage from the mold 10a (for example, a shield covering the entire mold 10 of the molding apparatus 2000) is unnecessary.

(Step S204) When the curing of the thermosetting resin 80 in the cavity 100 is completed, the microwave output from the microwave irradiation means 30 is stopped and the cooling device 60 is turned on, as in step S104 of the first embodiment. In use, the mold 10 is cooled to cool the cured thermosetting resin 80 in the cavity 100. If cooling or the like using the cooling device 60 is unnecessary, the cooling device 60 is unnecessary as described above, and this step may be omitted.

(Step S205) As shown in FIG. 5D, the mold clamping device moves the first mold member 11 in the direction in which the mold 10a opens, that is, upward, and opens the mold 10a. Then, the molded product 81 is taken out.

As described above, in the present embodiment, after the cavity 100 of the mold 10a is filled with the thermosetting resin, the coaxial cable 20 to which the first end portion 20a is attached to the communication hole 111 of the mold 10a is used. Since the thermosetting resin is cured by irradiating the cavity 100 of the die 10a with a microwave, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained even when press molding is performed.

Further, also in the present embodiment, microwaves are applied to the molding material filled in the cavity 100 of the mold 10a via the coaxial cable 20 in which the first end portion 20a is attached to the communication hole 111 of the mold 10a. In order to irradiate the mold 10a, it is not necessary to move the microwave irradiation means 30 or the like together with the mold member provided with the communication hole 111, and the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the cavity 100 can be irradiated with microwaves by using the coaxial cable 20, molding is performed by irradiating microwaves of different frequencies using one mold 10a. By using a coaxial cable 20 that can be flexibly bent and stretched as a microwave transmission path, the transmission path can be easily routed, and the design of the molding apparatus 2000 can be facilitated.

In each of the above embodiments, the thermosetting resin in the cavity 100 is not irradiated with microwaves until the filling of the thermosetting resin in the cavities 100 of the molds 10 and 10a in the closed state is completed. It is preferable to do so. For example, heat is generated in the cavity 100 with the molds 10 and 10a closed, such as the step described in step S102 of the first embodiment and the steps described in steps S201 and S202 of the second embodiment. In the step of filling the curable resin, the thermosetting resin 80 injected into the cavity 100, the thermosetting resin 80 arranged in the portion to be the cavity 100, and the like are not irradiated with microwaves. It is preferable to do so. The step of filling the cavity 100 with the thermosetting resin may be considered as, for example, a step until the filling of the cavity 100 with the thermosetting resin is completed. The thermosetting resin filled in the cavity 100 is, for example, a thermosetting resin being filled in the cavity 100, or a thermosetting resin placed in the cavity 100 or a portion to be the cavity 100 before the filling is completed. It is a sex resin. For example, if microwaves are irradiated before filling is completed, some thermosetting resins may be cured or the fluidity may be deteriorated, so that filling may not be performed normally and normal molding may not be possible. Therefore, as described above, it is preferable not to irradiate the microwave until the filling is completed.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the molds 10 and 10a are composed of two mold members, that is, a first mold member and a second mold member has been described. The number of metal members constituting the molds 10 and 10a is not limited to two, and may be two or more. For example, the molds 10 and 10a may be composed of three or more mold members. Further, when the molds 10 and 10a are composed of a plurality of mold members, for example, it does not matter which mold member is used as the fixed mold and which mold member is used as the movable mold. For example, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the second mold member 12b is composed of _two mold members 12b ₁ and 12b _2. The current mold 10 may be considered as an example of the mold 10 composed of three mold members. When the molds 10 and 10a are composed of a plurality of mold members, for example, the description of the first mold member and the second mold member in each embodiment will be described as appropriate for the plurality of molds. It may be read as the explanation about the member. For example, when the molds 10 and 10a are composed of a plurality of mold members, the description of the first mold member in each embodiment and the like will be appropriately described as a movable mold among the plurality of mold members. The description of the mold member used and the mold member having the communication hole 111 to which the coaxial cable 20 is attached should be read, and the description of the second mold member should be appropriately described as a fixed mold among a plurality of mold members. It may be read as the description about the mold member used as the above and the mold member to which the coaxial cable 20 cannot be attached.

Further, the molds 10 and 10a may have two or more communication holes 111, and for example, the mold member and the position where the communication holes 111 are provided are not limited. For example, the mold member having the communication hole 111 to which the first end portion 20a of the coaxial cable 20 is attached is not limited to one, and among the plurality of mold members included in the molds 10 and 10a. It may be 1 or more. For example, the mold member having the communication hole 111 may be a part or all of the plurality of mold members included in the molds 10 and 10a. For example, in each of the above embodiments, one or more communication holes 111 may be provided in the second mold member. Further, the communication hole 111 may be provided in the fixed mold or the movable mold among the two or more mold members constituting the mold, and both the fixed mold and the movable mold may be provided. It may be provided in. Further, the number of communication holes 111 each of the mold members having communication holes 111 such as the first mold member is not limited to two, and for example, one or more communication holes 111 may be provided. You just have to have it. For example, the number of communication holes 111 included in the first mold member 11 of the first embodiment and the first mold member 11a of the second embodiment may be 1 or 2 or more, and may be 3 or more. You may. Further, when the plurality of mold members of the molds 10 and 10a have communication holes 111, the number of communication holes 111 of each mold member may be the same or different. Further, the arrangement of the communication holes 111 arranged in each mold member and the size (for example, diameter, length, etc.) of the communication holes 111 may be the same or different. Further, the arrangement of one or more communication holes 111 included in the molds 10 and 10a does not matter. It is preferable that the one or more communication holes 111 are arranged at positions such that the intensity distribution of microwaves in the cavity 100 becomes a desired intensity distribution.

The microwave irradiating means 30 can irradiate microwaves via a coaxial cable 20 attached to one or more communication holes 111 of the molds 10 and 10a, respectively. For example, as described in each of the above embodiments, the microwave irradiation means 30 may have the same number of microwave oscillators 300 as one or two or more communication holes 111. Good. Further, for example, the microwave irradiation means 30 may branch the output of one or more microwave oscillators 300 and output microwaves via two or more coaxial cables 20. The communication holes 111 included in the molds 10 and 10a are communication holes 111 included in a plurality of mold members constituting the molds 10 and 10a.

Further, when the molds 10 and 10a have two or more communication holes 111, the frequency of the microwave irradiated by the microwave irradiation means 30 through the plurality of communication holes 111 of the molds 10 and 10a is the above. Similar to each embodiment, the frequency may be the same, may be different, the frequency may be variable, or the frequency may be fixed. For example, the microwave irradiating means 30 may irradiate the cavity 100 with microwaves having different frequencies so that the relative dielectric loss of the thermosetting resin is high, as in the first embodiment.

Further, when the molds 10 and 10a have two or more communication holes 111 to which the coaxial cable 20 is attached, the microwave irradiation means 30 emits microwaves from the two or more communication holes 111 via the coaxial cable 20. The intensity of the microwave may be the same or different, the intensity of the microwave may be variable, or the intensity may be fixed, as in each of the above embodiments.

Further, when the molds 10 and 10a have two or more communication holes to which the coaxial cable 20 is attached, the microwave irradiation means 30 communicates with a plurality of communication via the coaxial cable 20 as in each of the above embodiments. The phase of the microwave emitted from one or more of the holes 111 may be controlled.

Even when the molds 10 and 10a are composed of three or more mold members, the communication hole 111 to which the coaxial cable 20 is attached constitutes the molds 10 and 10a as in each of the above embodiments. It is preferable that the movable mold member, that is, the movable mold, is provided among the plurality of mold members.

Further, when the molds 10 and 10a have two or more communication holes 111 to which the coaxial cable 20 is attached, the microwave irradiation means 30 makes the microwave intensity distribution in the cavity 100 a desired intensity distribution. Microwaves may be irradiated into the cavity 100 via two or more coaxial cables 20. For example, the microwave irradiating means 30 individually irradiates the cavity 100 via the plurality of coaxial cables 20 so that the microwave irradiating means has a different intensity, the same intensity, or the like, as in the first embodiment. It can be set, the phase of microwaves radiated into the cavity 100 via the plurality of coaxial cables 20 can be controlled, and the period of irradiating the microwaves via the plurality of coaxial cables 20 can be set to different periods. Therefore, microwave irradiation may be performed so that the intensity distribution of the microwave in the cavity 100 becomes a desired intensity distribution. When the phase is controlled so that the intensity of the microwave is locally increased, it is more preferable that the number of communication holes 111 to which the coaxial cable 20 is attached is 3 or more. For example, by controlling the phase of each microwave so that the microwaves radiated from three or more communication holes 111 are strengthened by interference at a desired position in the cavity 100, the desired position can be locally located. It is possible to heat it.

(Embodiment 3)
In each of the above embodiments, a flexible waveguide may be used instead of using the coaxial cable 20 as the transmission means for transmitting the microwave output by the microwave irradiation means 30.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a first example of the molding apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, in which the mold portion is represented by a cross section. The molding apparatus 1000a uses a flexible waveguide 25 instead of the coaxial cable 20 in the molding apparatus for performing injection molding described in the first embodiment.

The flexible waveguide 25 is, for example, a flexible waveguide. The flexible waveguide 25 is, for example, a waveguide formed in a tubular shape having a bellows-shaped metal foil or the like on the side surface. For an example of the flexible waveguide, refer to Non-Patent Document 1 below, for example. Non-Patent Document 1: "Square Long Flexible Waveguide", [online], Furukawa C & B Co., Ltd., [Searched on December 7, 2018], Internet <URL: https://www.furukawa-fcb. co.jp/product/micro/longpipe.htm>. However, the flexible waveguide 25 used in the present embodiment is not limited to the one having the above-mentioned structure. Here, an example is shown in which the flexible waveguide 25 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is used. However, the cross-sectional shape of the flexible waveguide 25 is not limited to a rectangle, and may be, for example, a rectangle with rounded corners, an ellipse, or a circle. The cross-sectional shape here is, for example, the cross-sectional shape of the opening of the flexible waveguide. It is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the flexible waveguide 25 and the cross-sectional shape of the communication hole 111 are the same. For example, when the cross-sectional shape of the flexible waveguide 25 is rectangular as described above, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the communication hole 111 is also rectangular. However, the cross-sectional shapes of the flexible waveguide 25 and the communication hole 111 may be different.

Similar to the coaxial cable 20, the flexible waveguide 25 has a first end 25a attached to the communication hole 111 of the mold 10 and a second end 25b connected to the microwave irradiation means 30. .. Here, an example is shown in which the first end portion 25a is attached so as to cover a portion opened by the communication hole 111 on the outside of the mold 10. As a result, the communication hole 111 and the opening of the first end portion 25a of the flexible waveguide 25 communicate with each other. However, in the method of attaching the first end portion 25a of the flexible waveguide 25 to the communication hole 111, the microwave transmitted in the flexible waveguide 25 is passed through the communication hole 111 to the cavity of the mold 10. As long as it is mounted so as to be able to irradiate within 100, it is not limited to the above mounting method. For example, as a method of attaching the first end portion 25a to the communication hole 111, the same attachment method as the attachment method of the first end portion 20a of the coaxial cable 20 to the communication hole 111 can be appropriately used. For example, similarly to the first end 20a of the coaxial cable 20, the first end 25a of the flexible waveguide 25 may be installed so as to be inserted into the communication hole 111. Further, the first end portion 25a of the flexible waveguide 25 may be indirectly attached to the communication hole 111 via a joint (not shown) or the like. Further, similarly to the first end portion 20a of the coaxial cable 20, an antenna (not shown) is attached to the first end portion 25a of the flexible waveguide 25, and this antenna is arranged in the communication hole 111. You may do so. The flexible waveguide 25 is preferably attached to the communication hole 111 provided in the movable mold of the mold 10. By providing the communication hole 111 and the antenna (not shown) in a relatively lightweight and thin movable mold, processing on the mold becomes easier than in the fixed mold. Further, it is preferable that the first end portion 25a of the flexible waveguide 25 is detachably attached to the communication hole 111. Here, a flange 26 is provided at the first end portion 25a, and the flange 26 is detachably attached with a bolt (not shown) around a portion opened by the communication hole 111. It is assumed that Further, here, the opening of the flexible waveguide 25 and the opening on the first end 25a side of the communication hole 111 have the same shape and size, and are attached so that the openings overlap each other. Shall be. And. The openings do not have to have the same shape and may not have the same size. Further, the structure for attaching and detaching the flexible waveguide 25 is not limited to the above.

Instead of providing the plug-shaped member 50 on the cavity 100 side of the communication hole 111, the opening of the first end 25a of the flexible waveguide 25 is at the same height as or substantially the same height as the inner surface of the cavity 100. The first end 25a is inserted into the communication hole 111 for mounting, and the opening of the first end 25a is closed with a member of the same material as the plug-shaped member 50. Is also good.

If the second end 25b of the flexible waveguide 25 and the microwave irradiation means 30 are connected so that the microwave output by the microwave irradiation means 30 is transmitted into the flexible waveguide 25, It doesn't matter how it is connected. For example, the second end 25b of the flexible waveguide 25 may be connected to the microwave irradiation means 30 via a waveguide (not shown) whose shape cannot be deformed, a coaxial cable, or the like. Good. The connection between the second end portion 25b of the flexible waveguide 25 and the microwave irradiation means 30 here may be considered as, for example, the connection of the microwave oscillator 300 included in the microwave irradiation means 30.

In the case where two or more flexible waveguides 25 are attached to each of the two or more communication holes 111 provided in the mold 10, microwave irradiation is performed in the same manner as in each of the above embodiments. The means 30 may have a plurality of microwave oscillators 300 connected to each of the two or more flexible waveguides 25. As a result, the microwave irradiation means 30 transmits the microwave output from each microwave oscillator 300 to the flexible waveguide connected to each microwave oscillator 300, and each flexible waveguide 25 is attached. Microwaves may be irradiated into the cavity 100 from the two communication holes 111.

Further, when two or more flexible waveguides 25 are attached to each of the two or more communication holes 111 provided in the mold 10, microwave irradiation is performed as in each of the above-described embodiments. One microwave oscillator 300 such as a magnetron or a semiconductor type oscillator included in the means 30 has two or more via a branching means such as a branching device (not shown) or a distributor (not shown) for a waveguide. It may be connected to the flexible waveguide 25. As a result, the microwave irradiation means 30 branches the microwave output from one microwave oscillator 300 and transmits it to two or more flexible waveguides 25, and each flexible waveguide 25 is attached. Microwaves may be irradiated into the cavity 100 from the two communication holes 111. The branching means and the microwave oscillator 300 may be directly connected or may be connected via a waveguide or the like, regardless of what kind of connection the connection is.

For example, a branched microwave is obtained by branching a microwave output by a microwave oscillator 300 such as a magnetron or a semiconductor oscillator using a branching device that extracts microwaves of different intensities from the input microwave. The strength of the above may be different. Further, branching is performed by setting the lengths of two or more flexible waveguides 25 connected to one microwave oscillator 300 such as a magnetron or a semiconductor oscillator 300 via a branching means (not shown) to different lengths. The phases of the microwaves that are later transmitted through each flexible waveguide 25 and oscillated into the cavity 100 may be different phases. Further, the microwave output by one microwave oscillator 300 such as a magnetron or a semiconductor type oscillator is branched by using a branching means or the like so that each is transmitted to the flexible waveguide 25, and the branched microwave is transmitted. For at least one or more, the phase of the microwave irradiated in the cavity 100 is changed by changing the phase using a waveguide type phase controller or a phase controller so that the microwave is transmitted to the flexible waveguide 25. May be in different phases. Further, at least one or more of the similarly branched microwaves may be amplified by an amplifier and transmitted to the flexible waveguide 25, so that the intensities of the branched microwaves may be different. Further, a cutoff capable of cutting off microwave transmission to at least one of two or more flexible waveguides 25 connected to one microwave oscillator 300 such as a magnetron or a semiconductor type oscillator via a branching means or the like, if necessary. By providing the means, the period for irradiating the cavity 100 with microwaves from each flexible waveguide 25 may be a different period.

In the above, the case where the flexible waveguide 25 is used instead of the coaxial cable 20 of the molding apparatus 1000 described in the first embodiment has been described, but the press molding apparatus described in the second embodiment has been described. In 2000, the flexible waveguide 25 may be used instead of the coaxial cable 20.

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a second example of the molding apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, in which the mold portion is represented by a cross section. This molding apparatus 1000a uses a flexible waveguide 25 instead of the coaxial cable 20 in the molding apparatus that performs press molding described in the second embodiment. The method of attaching the flexible waveguide 25 to the mold 10a, the method of attaching the flexible waveguide 25 to the microwave irradiation means 30, and the like are the same as those in the first example described above. Omit.

Also in the molding apparatus using the flexible waveguide 25 instead of the coaxial cable 20 as shown in the first example and the second example above, microwave irradiation is performed as in the first and second embodiments. The means 30 may irradiate the cavity 100 with microwaves via the plurality of flexible waveguides 25 so that the microwave intensity distribution in the cavity becomes a desired intensity distribution. Further, the microwave irradiating means 30 may irradiate the cavity 100 with phase-controlled microwaves via the plurality of flexible waveguides 25. The desired intensity distribution in the cavity may be set by, for example, the shape of the cavity and the arrangement of the plurality of communication holes 111, and the phase of the microwaves irradiated through the plurality of flexible waveguides 25, respectively. May be controlled and set. Further, the cavity 100 may be irradiated with microwaves having different outputs via the plurality of flexible waveguides 25. Further, the cavity 100 may be irradiated with microwaves having different irradiation periods via a plurality of coaxial cables.

As described above, in the molding apparatus of the present embodiment, the mold is used by irradiating the cavity 100 of the mold with microwaves via the flexible waveguide 25, as in the case of using the coaxial cable. The thermosetting resin irradiated with microwaves can be appropriately molded. Further, since the flexible waveguide has a smaller microwave attenuation than the coaxial cable, it can be molded with high energy efficiency.

Further, it is necessary to move one or more mold members constituting the mold at the time of molding and before and after molding, but in the present embodiment, the microwave output by the microwave irradiation means 30 By using a flexible waveguide 25 that can be flexibly bent and stretched as in the coaxial cable 20, a waveguide whose shape is fixed and whose shape cannot be changed is transmitted. Unlike the case of using it as a path, for example, when moving a mold member provided with a communication hole 111, the flexible waveguide 25 is bent or stretched without moving the microwave irradiation means 30 together with the mold member. By doing so, it becomes possible to move the mold member, improving convenience, eliminating the need for means for moving the microwave irradiation means 30, and reducing the size of the entire system equipped with the molding apparatus. be able to.

Needless to say, also in the present embodiment, it is sufficient that the communication holes 111 of the molds 10 and 10a are 2 or more as in the above-described first and second embodiments. Further, the microwave irradiation means 30 is provided with two or more microwave oscillators 300, and each microwave oscillator 300 is connected to two or more flexible waveguides 25 attached to two or more communication holes 111, respectively. You may be. Further, one or more microwave oscillators 300 included in the microwave irradiation means 30 may be connected to the flexible waveguide 25 attached to each of the two or more communication holes 111 via a branching means or the like. Further, a part of the plurality of microwave oscillators 300 is connected to two or more flexible waveguides 25 via a branching means or the like, and the other microwave irradiation means 30 are each one flexible waveguide. It may be connected with 25. Further, when the microwave irradiation means 30 has two or more microwave oscillators 300 and each microwave oscillator 300 is connected to two or more flexible waveguides 25 via a branching means or the like, each of them The period in which the microwave oscillator 300 outputs the microwave may be different.

Further, in the above embodiment, the molding apparatus in which the means for transmitting the microwave output by the microwave irradiation means 30 is the flexible waveguide 25 has been described, but the microwave output by the microwave irradiation means 30 has been described. The means for transmitting the wave may be a variable waveguide. The variable waveguide can transmit microwaves, such as the flexible waveguide 20 described above and a slide-type waveguide having a slide mechanism for expanding and contracting the length of the waveguide (not shown). Therefore, it is a waveguide in which the shape of the microwave transmission path can be deformed. The fact that the shape of the microwave transmission line can be changed means that, for example, the shape of the transmission line has flexibility and elasticity. For example, the flexible waveguide 25 is a flexible variable waveguide. The sliding waveguide (not shown) is a variable waveguide having elasticity. The slide mechanism of the slide-type waveguide may be, for example, an expansion / contraction mechanism of a tube or a cylinder similar to a zoom lens or a telescope. For the sliding waveguide, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-288710, which is a patent document. By using such a variable waveguide as a means for transmitting microwaves output by the microwave irradiation means 30, for example, a mold member provided with a communication hole 111 can be provided in the same manner as in each of the above embodiments. By bending or extending the variable waveguide, or by sliding the slide mechanism in the moving direction of the mold member to expand or contract it, without moving the microwave irradiation means 30 together with the mold member when moving it. , The mold member can be moved, the convenience is improved, the means for moving the microwave irradiation means 30 and the like are not required, and the entire system provided with the molding apparatus can be miniaturized. In the variable waveguide, the first end is attached to the communication hole of the mold, and the second end is connected to the microwave output means. For example, the second end of the variable waveguide is connected to the microwave oscillator of the microwave output means. Further, the two or more variable waveguides connected to the mold may be branched by a branching means (not shown) such as a distributor.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the molding apparatus in which the means for transmitting the microwave output by the microwave irradiation means 30 is a coaxial cable 20 or a variable waveguide such as a flexible waveguide has been described. However, the means for transmitting the microwave output by the microwave irradiation means 30 is not limited to the above configuration as long as it is a variable transmission means. The variable transmission means is, for example, a coaxial cable 20, a variable waveguide, or the like, which can transmit microwaves and can change the shape of the microwave transmission path. The fact that the shape of the microwave transmission line can be changed means that, for example, the shape of the transmission line has flexibility and elasticity, as described above. For example, the first end of the variable transmission means is attached to the communication hole of the mold and the second end is connected to the microwave output means for connection. For example, the second end of the variable transmission means is connected to the microwave oscillator of the microwave output means.

By using such a variable transmission means as a means for transmitting microwaves output by the microwave irradiation means 30, for example, a mold member provided with a communication hole 111 can be moved in the same manner as in each of the above embodiments. At that time, even if the microwave irradiation means 30 is not moved together with the mold member, the variable transmission means can be bent or stretched, or the slide mechanism can be slid and expanded or contracted in the moving direction of the mold member to expand or contract the metal. The mold member can be moved, the convenience is improved, the means for moving the microwave irradiation means 30 and the like are not required, and the entire system provided with the molding apparatus can be miniaturized.

In the molding apparatus using such a variable transmission means, similarly to each of the above-described embodiments, the microwave irradiation means 30 has a plurality of variables so that the microwave intensity distribution in the cavity becomes a desired intensity distribution. Microwaves may be irradiated into each of the cavities 100 via a transmission means. Further, similarly to each of the above-described embodiments, the microwave irradiation means 30 may irradiate the cavity 100 with microwaves whose phase is controlled via a plurality of variable transmission means. The desired intensity distribution in the cavity may be set by, for example, the shape of the cavity and the arrangement of the plurality of communication holes 111, and the phase of the microwaves irradiated through the plurality of variable transmission means is controlled. You may set it. Further, as in each of the above-described embodiments, the cavity 100 may be irradiated with microwaves having different outputs via the plurality of variable transmission means. Further, as in each of the above-described embodiments, the cavity 100 may be irradiated with microwaves having different irradiation periods via the plurality of variable transmission means.

The two or more variable transmission means connected to the molds 10 and 10a are branched by a branching means (not shown) such as a distributor, similarly to the coaxial cable 20 and the flexible waveguide 25 described above. It may be. Further, at least one of the microwaves transmitted to the branched variable transmission means is amplified in the same manner as in the case of the coaxial cable 20 and the flexible waveguide 25 as described above, and microwaves having different intensities are output. You can do it. Further, at least one phase of the microwave transmitted to each of the branched variable transmission means is controlled in the cavity 100 by using a phase device or the like as in the case of the coaxial cable 20 or the flexible waveguide 25 described above. The phase of the output microwave may be different. Further, the period in which the microwave is irradiated may be set to a different period by blocking at least one of the microwaves transmitted to the branched variable transmission means at a predetermined constant or indefinite timing or the like. good.

The variable transmission means may be a variable transmission means having a different structure (for example, a coaxial cable and a flexible waveguide) connected so that microwaves can be transmitted. Further, the variable transmission means may be a means having a portion in which the shape of the transmission line is variable and a portion in which the shape is not variable. However, in such a variable transmission means, the communication hole 111 is provided without removing the variable transmission means by deforming the shape of the portion having a variable shape (for example, bending or expanding / contracting). It is preferable that the mold member or the like can be moved. For example, at least one of a coaxial cable and a variable waveguide and a transmission means having a fixed shape such as a waveguide whose shape is not variable other than the variable waveguide are connected so that microwaves can be transmitted. It may be considered as a variable transmission means having a portion in which the shape of the transmission path is variable and a portion in which the shape is not variable.

In each of the above embodiments, it is preferable to use a variable transmission means for transmitting the microwave to the cavity 100, but a transmission means other than the variable transmission means such as a waveguide whose shape cannot be changed is used. You may. For example, even when a waveguide whose shape cannot be changed is used as a transmission means, it can perform the same function as that of each of the above-described embodiments when irradiating microwaves. That is, the means for transmitting the microwave output by the microwave irradiation means may be any transmission means, and is not limited to the variable transmission means as described above. The waveguide whose usual shape cannot be changed may be attached between the mold 10 or 10a and the microwave irradiation means 30 in the same manner as the flexible waveguide 25 described above.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the molding apparatus is a molding apparatus that performs vertical press molding and the case where the molding apparatus is an injection molding is described as an example, but the molding apparatus is described. A device that performs molding using a mold and is limited to these devices as long as it is a molding device that conventionally heats and cures a thermosetting resin by heating the mold. is not. For example, the molding apparatus may be, for example, a molding apparatus that performs transfer molding, a molding apparatus that performs laminating molding, a molding apparatus that performs sheet mold compound molding, or the like. That is, the molding apparatus includes a step of filling the cavity with the thermosetting resin and a plurality of variable transmission means attached to the plurality of communication holes of the mold for the thermosetting resin filled in the cavity. Any molding apparatus may be used as long as it can mold the thermosetting resin by performing a step of irradiating a microwave through the cavity to cure the thermosetting resin in the cavity.

The step of filling the cavity with the thermosetting resin is a step in which the thermosetting resin is filled in the cavity 100 in a state where the molds 10 and 10a are closed as a result. It does not matter how this process is performed. For example, as in the first embodiment, after the mold is closed, the cavity may be filled by injecting a thermosetting resin before curing, as in the second embodiment. Even if the cavity is filled with the thermosetting resin by arranging the thermosetting resin before curing in the cavity with the mold open and then closing the mold. Good.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the molds 10 and 10a have two or more communication holes 111 has been described, but in the case where one or more communication holes 111 can be realized, the number of communication holes 111 is one or more. It should be. The arrangement of the one or more communication holes 111 does not matter. When the communication hole 111 is set to 1 or more, the transmission means such as the coaxial cable 20 and the flexible waveguide 25 attached to the communication hole 111 may also be set to 1 or more according to the communication hole 111. Further, the microwave irradiation means 30 and the like may be any as long as they can irradiate microwaves via the one or more transmission means.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the method for producing a molded product according to the present invention is suitable as a method for producing a molded product using a mold, and is particularly useful as a method for producing a molded product of a thermosetting resin. ..

10,10a Mold 11,11a First mold member 12,12a Second mold member 20 Coaxial cable 20a, 25a First end 20b, 25b Second end 25 Flexible waveguide 26 Flange 30 Microwave irradiation means 40 Microwave antenna 50 Plug-like member 60 Cooling device 70 Injection device 71 Injection port 80 Thermosetting resin 100 Cavity 100a Inner surface 111 Communication hole 221 Injection hole 300 Microwave oscillator 1000, 1000a, 2000, 2000a Molding device

Claims (7)

A mold provided with a plurality of mold members forming a cavity for molding, and thermosetting in the cavity of the mold having a communication hole for communicating the outside of the mold and the cavity. The process of filling the sex resin and
A step of irradiating the thermosetting resin filled in the cavity with microwaves via a plurality of transmission means attached to the communication holes of the mold to cure the thermosetting resin in the cavity. Molded product manufacturing method with and. The molded article manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the transmission means are provided, and the microwave irradiation performed in the cavity is controlled so that the intensity has a desired distribution. The molded article manufacturing method according to claim 2, wherein the irradiation of microwaves performed in the cavity via the plurality of transmission means is performed by controlling the phase for each transmission means. The molded article manufacturing method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the irradiation of microwaves performed in the cavity via the plurality of transmission means is performed at different frequencies. The molded article manufacturing method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the irradiation of microwaves performed in the cavity via the plurality of transmission means is performed with different outputs. The molded article manufacturing method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the irradiation of microwaves performed in the cavity via the plurality of transmission means is performed in different periods. The molded article manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the microwave irradiation is performed by using a coaxial cable or a variable waveguide as the transmission means.

Images