JP6992127B2 - Injection device, gas melting method of injection device and program of injection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an injection device of an injection molding machine that injects a molding material obtained by compressing and dissolving gas to obtain a molded product, a gas melting method of the injection device, and a program of the injection device.

As one of the injection devices provided in the injection molding machine, conventionally, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2, a plasticizing section for plasticizing a thermoplastic molding material with a plastic molding screw and a plasticizing section are used. A so-called pre-plastic injection device is known in which a molded material in a molten state is pushed by an injection shaft and an injection portion for injecting into a mold is provided separately. In addition, the mixing part where the thermosetting molding material and the additive are mixed by the mixing shaft or the static mixer and the injection part where the liquid molding material mixed in the mixing part is pushed by the injection shaft and injected into the mold are separated. A pre-plastic injection device, which is provided in a box, is also known. For the injection shaft, for example, an injection plunger or an injection screw is used.

As one of the other injection devices, an in-line screw type injection device that performs both plasticization and injection by one injection shaft is conventionally known. Also known are in-line screw injection devices that perform both mixing and injection with a single injection shaft. For the injection shaft, for example, an in-line screw is used.

In general injection control of the injection part, in the injection process, the moving speed of the injection shaft is prioritized and controlled, the injection shaft is greatly advanced to inject the molding material into the mold, and then in the pressure holding process. , The pressure applied to the injection shaft is preferentially controlled to replenish the amount of the molding material in the mold that cools and shrinks.

On the other hand, for example, as shown in Patent Document 3, when the resin to be molded by the injection molding method has a high viscosity and is a difficult-to-mold resin, the difficult-to-mold resin is obtained by dissolving gas under high pressure in the difficult-to-mold resin. It is known to reduce the viscosity of. As a method for dissolving the gas in the difficult-to-mold resin, Patent Document 3 discloses a method of directly supplying the gas to the difficult-to-mold resin from a gas cylinder and a method of pressurizing and supplying the gas using a plunger pump or the like. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-97518 Japanese Patent No. 2615334 Japanese Patent No. 4148583

However, according to the research by the present inventors, the injection shaft is retracted and advanced in the injection chamber containing the molding material in the injection portion of the conventional injection apparatus, and the gas supplied to the injection chamber is compressed into the molding material in the injection chamber. It has been found that when applied as a means of dissolution, problems can arise in which it becomes difficult to accurately control the amount of gas supplied. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an injection device capable of compressing and dissolving gas in a molding material by an injection shaft while accurately controlling the supply amount. .. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gas melting method of an injection device and a program of the injection device capable of realizing such an injection device.

The injection device according to the present invention is
An injection cylinder in which an internal space including an injection chamber for accommodating molding materials is formed,
It has an injection nozzle, which is attached to an injection cylinder and has an injection hole that communicates with the injection chamber.
In an injection device having an injection unit that injects a molding material in an injection chamber into a mold through an injection nozzle.
A gas supply unit that supplies gas from the outside to the injection chamber through a gas supply hole that communicates with the injection chamber in order to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material supplied from the outside into the injection chamber.
A gas integrated flow rate measuring device that measures the integrated flow rate of the gas supplied to the injection chamber, and
In preparation for
The injection part is
An injection shaft that reciprocates in the internal space of the injection cylinder in the direction of the cylinder axis and retracts to increase the volume of the injection chamber, and moves forward to reduce the volume of the injection chamber.
An injection drive device that reciprocates the injection shaft in the direction of the cylinder axis,
By controlling the injection drive device, the injection shaft is retracted and advanced in the injection chamber so as to expand and contract the injection chamber, and after the injection shaft is retracted and gas is supplied to the injection chamber, the injection shaft is advanced. In order to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber and compress and dissolve a predetermined amount of gas in the molding material in the injection chamber, the injection shaft retracts and the gas in the injection chamber is less than the predetermined amount. After supplying the gas, the injection shaft is moved forward to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber for multiple cycles, and the integrated flow rate measured by the gas integrated flow rate measuring device reaches the target value indicating a predetermined amount. When it reaches, it has an injection control device that stops the retreat of the injection shaft and advances the injection shaft, and then completes the supply of gas and the compression and dissolution of the gas.
The injection chamber is formed on the front side of the tip surface of the injection shaft in the internal space of the injection cylinder.
The gas supply hole is formed in the injection shaft when one end is connected to the gas supply portion and the other end is formed so as to open to the tip surface of the injection shaft, and one end is connected to the gas supply portion. If the other end is formed so as to open to the wall surface of the injection chamber excluding the tip surface of the injection shaft, it is formed in the injection cylinder, or one end is connected to the gas supply part and the other end. Is formed in the injection nozzle when it is formed so as to open in the injection hole of the injection nozzle.

In the injection device according to the present invention, the injection control device controls the injection drive device to retract and advance the injection shaft before supplying the molding material to the injection chamber, so that the molding material remains in the injection chamber. It may be configured to compress and dissolve the gas.

Further, in the injection device according to the present invention,
One end of the gas supply hole may be connected to the gas supply unit via a gas integrated flow rate measuring device.

Further, the injection device according to the present invention may include a supply unit for supplying the molding material to the injection unit, and the injection shaft may be an injection plunger.

On the other hand, the gas melting method of the injection device according to the present invention is
In the gas melting method of the injection device that injects the molding material in which the gas is compressed and melted into the mold.
The injection device is
An injection cylinder in which an internal space including an injection chamber for accommodating molding materials is formed,
An injection nozzle that is attached to the injection cylinder and has an injection hole that communicates with the injection chamber.
An injection shaft that reciprocates in the internal space of the injection cylinder in the direction of the cylinder axis and retracts to increase the volume of the injection chamber, and moves forward to reduce the volume of the injection chamber.
An injection drive device that moves the injection shaft back and forth in the direction of the cylinder axis,
An injection control device that controls the injection drive device, and an injection control device,
A gas supply unit that supplies gas from the outside to the injection chamber through a gas supply hole that communicates with the injection chamber in order to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material supplied from the outside into the injection chamber.
A gas integrated flow rate measuring device that measures the integrated flow rate of the gas supplied to the injection chamber, and
In preparation for
The injection chamber is formed on the front side of the tip surface of the injection shaft in the internal space of the injection cylinder.
The gas supply hole is formed in the injection shaft when one end is connected to the gas supply portion and the other end is formed so as to open to the tip surface of the injection shaft, and one end is connected to the gas supply portion. If the other end is formed so as to open to the wall surface of the injection chamber excluding the tip surface of the injection shaft, it is formed in the injection cylinder, or one end is connected to the gas supply part and the other end. Is formed in the injection nozzle if it is formed to open into the injection hole of the injection nozzle.
The injection control device is
The injection shaft is retracted and advanced in the injection chamber so as to expand and contract the injection chamber of the injection cylinder.
After the injection shaft is retracted to supply gas to the injection chamber, the injection shaft is advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber, and a predetermined amount of gas is applied to the molding material in the injection chamber. For compression melting
The injection shaft retracts to supply a gas in an amount smaller than a predetermined amount to the injection chamber, and then the injection shaft is advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber. When the integrated flow rate measured by the gas integrated flow rate measuring device reaches the target value indicating a predetermined amount, the retreat of the injection shaft is stopped and the injection shaft is advanced, and then the gas supply and the compression dissolution of the gas are completed. To control,
It is characterized by that.

In the gas melting method of the injection apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable to retract and advance the injection shaft to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material remaining in the injection chamber before supplying the molding material to the injection chamber.

Further, in the gas melting method of the injection device according to the present invention, it is preferable that one end of the gas supply hole is connected to the gas supply unit via the gas integrated flow rate measuring device.

On the other hand, the program of the injection device according to the present invention
In the program of the injection device that injects the molding material in which the gas is compressed and melted into the mold.
The injection device is
An injection cylinder in which an internal space including an injection chamber for accommodating molding materials is formed,
An injection nozzle that is attached to the injection cylinder and has an injection hole that communicates with the injection chamber.
An injection shaft that reciprocates in the internal space of the injection cylinder in the direction of the cylinder axis and retracts to increase the volume of the injection chamber, and moves forward to reduce the volume of the injection chamber.
An injection drive that moves the injection shaft back and forth in the direction of the cylinder axis,
An injection control device that controls the injection drive device, and an injection control device,
A gas supply unit that supplies gas from the outside to the injection chamber through a gas supply hole that communicates with the injection chamber in order to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material supplied from the outside into the injection chamber.
A gas integrated flow rate measuring device that measures the integrated flow rate of the gas supplied to the injection chamber, and
In preparation for
The injection chamber is formed on the front side of the tip surface of the injection shaft in the internal space of the injection cylinder.
The gas supply hole is formed in the injection shaft when one end is connected to the gas supply portion and the other end is formed so as to open to the tip surface of the injection shaft, and one end is connected to the gas supply portion. If the other end is formed so as to open to the wall surface of the injection chamber excluding the tip surface of the injection shaft, it is formed in the injection cylinder, or one end is connected to the gas supply part and the other end. Is formed in the injection nozzle if it is formed to open into the injection hole of the injection nozzle.
The injection control device is
The injection shaft is retracted and advanced in the injection chamber so as to expand and contract the injection chamber of the injection cylinder.
After the injection shaft is retracted to supply gas to the injection chamber, the injection shaft is advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber, and a predetermined amount of gas is applied to the molding material in the injection chamber. For compression melting
The injection shaft retracts to supply a gas in an amount smaller than a predetermined amount to the injection chamber, and then the injection shaft is advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber. When the integrated flow rate measured by the gas integrated flow rate measuring device reaches the target value indicating a predetermined amount, the retreat of the injection shaft is stopped and the injection shaft is advanced, and then the gas supply and the compression dissolution of the gas are completed. To control,
It is characterized by that.

In the program of the injection device according to the present invention, it is desirable that the injection shaft is retracted and advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material remaining in the injection chamber before supplying the molding material to the injection chamber. ..

Further, in the program of the injection device according to the present invention , it is preferable that one end of the gas supply hole is connected to the gas supply unit via the gas integrated flow rate measuring device.

According to the injection device of the present invention and the gas melting method thereof , a predetermined amount of gas is used even when the pressure in the injection chamber, in which the internal pressure decreases due to the negative pressure when the injection shaft is retracted, varies from molding cycle to molding cycle. The gas supply amount is correctly controlled by repeatedly compressing and dissolving the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber after supplying a gas smaller than the predetermined amount to the injection chamber until the gas is supplied to the injection chamber. It will be possible. Further, according to the injection device of the present invention and the gas melting method thereof, the stroke of the reciprocating movement of the injection shaft can be set shorter than the case where the injection shaft is retracted and advanced only once, and the total length of the injection cylinder can be set. Can be set short. The detailed reason will be described later in detail according to the embodiment.

The figure which shows the schematic structure of the gas injection device in the pre-plastic injection device by one Embodiment of this invention. A cross-sectional view showing a part of the above gas injection device in an enlarged manner. Schematic diagram showing the operation of the above gas injection device Schematic showing another example of the sealing structure between the injection plunger and the injection cylinder Schematic diagram showing still another example of the seal structure Schematic diagram showing still another example of the seal structure

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a pre-plastic injection device using a thermoplastic resin as a molding material. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a pre-plastic injection device 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as an injection device 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this injection device 1, the plastic part 2 for plasticizing the molding material and the plasticized molten state molding material (hereinafter, simply referred to as the molding material) supplied from the plasticizing part 2 are used in the cavity space of the mold 4. It includes an injection unit 3 for injecting into the 41, communication passages 3a and 5a for communicating the internal spaces of the plasticization unit 2 and the injection unit 3, and a gas supply unit 8. The plasticized portion 2 and the injection portion 3 are connected by a connecting member 5.
The connecting member 5 is formed with a connecting passage 5a. The injection molding machine is composed of at least an injection device 1, a mold clamping device (not shown) on which the mold 4 is mounted, and a control device (not shown) for controlling them. The injection device 1 and the mold clamping device are arranged on a machine base (not shown). In the following description, it is assumed that a thermoplastic resin is used as the molding material, but as the molding material, in addition to the thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin or a composite material of those resins and a metal is used. It may be good, and it is not particularly limited.

The plasticizing unit 2 has a plasticizing cylinder 20, a plasticizing screw 21 arranged inside the plasticizing cylinder 20, a rotation driving device 22 for rotating the plasticizing screw 21, and a backflow prevention mechanism 6. Further, a hopper 7 for supplying the resin material from the rear end side of the plasticized cylinder 20 is provided. The hopper 7, the plasticized cylinder 20, and the backflow prevention mechanism 6 are attached to the hopper mounting member 2a. The rotation drive device 22 is attached to the backflow prevention mechanism 6. The material discharge port of the hopper 7 and the material supply port of the plasticized cylinder 20 communicate with each other inside the hopper mounting member 2a. The plasticized cylinder 20 is heated to the inside of the cylinder by, for example, a heater wound around the outer circumference. The mixing portion of the pre-plastic injection device using the thermosetting resin material as the molding material includes, for example, a mixing shaft and a mixing cylinder accommodating the mixing cylinder.
It is preferable that the mixing cylinder is cooled by winding a pipe for flowing a cooling medium around the outer circumference.

The inside of the plasticized cylinder 20 communicates with the injection chamber 34 of the injection unit 3 via the communication passage 5a of the connecting member 5 and the communication passage 3a of the injection unit 3. The opening 5b on the thermoplastic portion side of the communication passage 5a is located on the axis of the thermoplastic screw 21. The tip of the plasticized screw 21 is formed in a sharp conical shape. When the rotation drive device 22 is driven, the plasticized screw 21 rotates via a drive transmission mechanism (not shown) arranged in the backflow prevention mechanism 6 and the hopper mounting member 2a.
The molding material supplied from the hopper 7 to the plastic cylinder 20 is melted by, for example, heating of the plastic cylinder 20 by a heater and shear heat generation accompanying compression and rotation of the plastic screw 21. The connecting member 5 is heated to the inside of the member by, for example, a heater wound around the outer circumference. It is preferable that the connecting member 5 of the pre-plastic injection device using the thermosetting resin material as the molding material is cooled by winding a pipe for flowing a cooling medium around the outer periphery.

The backflow prevention mechanism 6 is provided to prevent the molding material in the injection chamber 34 from flowing back into the plastic cylinder 20 when pressure is applied to the injection chamber 34 by the injection plunger 31 described later. ing. As a specific configuration thereof, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent No. 6281999, the plasticized screw 21 is advanced by the backflow prevention mechanism 6, and the plasticized portion of the communication passage 5a is at the tip of the plasticized screw 21. A configuration or the like that closes the side opening 5b can be adopted. Further, the check valve, rotary valve, needle valve or other on-off valve that closes the middle of the communication passage 5a may be adopted as the check valve 6 as the check valve.

The injection unit 3 has an injection cylinder 30, an injection shaft 31 arranged inside the injection cylinder 30, and an injection nozzle 32 attached to the front end of the injection cylinder 30. The injection nozzle 32 is provided with an injection hole 32a that communicates with the injection chamber 34 formed inside the injection cylinder 30 and opens to the outside over the entire length of the injection nozzle 32. An injection hole on-off valve 33 for opening and closing the injection hole 32a is provided at the tip of the injection nozzle 32. As the injection hole on-off valve 33, for example, a check valve, a rotary valve, a needle valve, or the like may be adopted. The injection cylinder 30 and the injection nozzle 32 are heated to the inside of the cylinder by, for example, a heater wound around the outer circumference. The injection portion of the pre-plastic injection device using a thermosetting resin material as a molding material may be cooled, for example, by winding a pipe for flowing a cooling medium around the outer periphery of the injection cylinder and the injection nozzle.

The injection shaft 31 is an injection plunger 31 or an injection screw (not shown). From here on, the injection plunger 31 will be described as an example. A gas supply hole 31a extending over the entire length of the injection plunger 31 is formed in the center of the injection plunger 31, and the tip end portion (end portion on the injection nozzle 32 side) of the gas supply hole 31a is provided. A spring-loaded valve 31b that can open and close the gas supply hole 31a is housed. The gas supply hole 31a guides the gas supplied from the gas supply unit 8 into the injection chamber 34.

In FIG. 1, the above-described configuration of the injection unit 3 is schematically shown. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the above configuration in more detail. Note that FIG. 2 shows a state in which the injection plunger 31 is located on the injection nozzle 32 side as much as possible. As shown in FIG. 2, the spring type valve 31b is urged to the right in the figure by the coil spring 31s, and if no external force acts, the urging force keeps the gas supply hole 31a closed. Further, as shown in the figure, at least one seal ring 31c and at least one piston ring 31d are fitted side by side in the axial direction of the injection plunger 31 on the outer peripheral surface of the substantially columnar injection plunger 31. The injection plunger 31 maintains a confidential state with the injection cylinder 30 by sliding the seal ring 31c and the piston ring 31d with the inner peripheral surface of the injection cylinder 30 in the cylinder axial direction of the injection cylinder 30. It is possible to move relative to each other. The seal ring 31c mainly prevents the gas in the injection chamber 34 from leaking from between the inner peripheral surface of the injection cylinder 30 and the outer peripheral surface of the injection plunger 31. The piston ring 31d mainly aligns the injection plunger 31 sliding in the injection cylinder 30 and maintains the posture of the injection plunger 31 to facilitate the movement of the injection plunger 31 and the inner circumference of the injection cylinder 30. The gap between the surface and the outer peripheral surface of the injection plunger 31 is made uniform, and the seal ring 31c surely seals all the gaps to prevent gas in the injection chamber 34 from leaking from the gaps.

At least one of the seal rings 31c may be made of, for example, a metal. Preferably, three or more metal seal rings 31c are fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the injection plunger 31 side by side in the axial direction of the injection plunger 31. As a specific example, FIG. 4 shows an example in which three metal seal rings 31c are fitted side by side in the axial direction of the injection plunger 31. In FIG. 4, the same elements as those in FIG. 2 described above are assigned the same numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted unless otherwise required (hereinafter, the same applies).

At least one of the seal rings may be configured, for example, by covering the urging member with a flexible member. The urging member is, for example, a spring. The flexible member may have, for example, high heat resistance, high wear resistance, and further high slipperiness. The material of the flexible member may contain, for example, a fluororesin. FIG. 5 shows an example of the seal ring 131c thus formed. In the figure, 130 is an urging member and 132 is a flexible member. The seal ring 131c configured in this way may be attached to the injection plunger 31 together with the backup ring 131b in order to prevent the seal ring 131c from being deformed more than necessary and moving from the attachment position.

Further, as shown by an example in FIG. 6, on the outer periphery of the injection plunger 31, at least one annular groove 231b is provided in the portion on the forward side of the injection plunger 31 with respect to the seal ring 231c in the axial direction of the injection plunger 31. It is preferable that it is formed side by side with 231c.

Hereinafter, the description will be continued by returning to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the injection cylinder 30 may be provided with a cooling device 42 at the rear end portion. The cooling device 42 suppresses thermal expansion of the rear end portion of the injection cylinder 30 heated by the heater. The gap between the inner peripheral surface of the rear part of the injection cylinder 30 in which thermal expansion is suppressed and the outer peripheral surface of the injection plunger 31 facing the inner peripheral surface is suppressed from being increased by the heating of the heater, and injection is performed from the gap. Prevents the gas in the chamber 34 from leaking.

The cooling device 42 may be, for example, scraper ring provided with a cooling pipe 43 and attached to the rear end portion of the injection cylinder 30. The scraper ring provided with the cooling pipe 43 can cool the rear end portion of the injection cylinder 30 by a cooling medium supplied from the inlet of the cooling pipe 43 and discharged from the outlet. The scraper ring is a device for penetrating the injection plunger 31 and removing the thin film-like molding material adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the injection plunger 31. The cooling device 42 may be a single device separate from the scraper ring.

Of the internal space of the injection cylinder 30, the space on the front side of the injection plunger 31, that is, on the injection nozzle 32 side is the above-mentioned injection chamber 34. Further, a drive device holding portion 35 is provided on the rear side of the injection cylinder 30, that is, on the right side in FIG. 1, and the drive device holding portion 35 holds the injection drive device 36.

The injection drive device 36 is formed of, for example, a hydraulic piston cylinder device or the like, and is configured to move the rod 37 in the axial direction of the injection plunger 31. The rod 37 is connected to the injection plunger 31. Therefore, when the rod 37 moves as described above, the injection plunger 31 moves forward and backward. The volume of the injection chamber 34 decreases when the injection plunger 31 moves forward, and expands when the injection plunger 31 moves backward. Here, forward is a movement to the left in FIG. 1, and backward is a movement to the right in the same figure. The position of the injection plunger 31 may be detected by a position detector (not shown) such as a linear encoder or a rotary encoder. The drive of the injection drive device 36 is controlled by the injection control device 38. The injection control device 38 may be included in the above-mentioned control device that controls the entire injection molding machine. The injection control device 38 may control the injection drive device 36 based on the detection value of the position detector described above. The injection drive device 36 may be configured by various methods such as a pneumatic type and an electric type in addition to the hydraulic type.

The mold clamping device described above has a mechanism for opening and closing the mold 4, and has a structure in which a sufficient pressure (mold clamping force) is applied when the mold 4 is filled with a molding material. By applying a mold clamping force, the melted resin material is prevented from losing the pressure when it enters the mold 4 so that the resin material does not come out from the mold 4.

The gas supply unit 8 has, for example, a high-pressure gas cylinder 80 as a gas supply source storing gas such as carbon dioxide, and gas discharged from the high-pressure gas cylinder 80 via an internal passage (not shown) of the rod 37. , A gas passage 81 to be sent into the gas supply hole 31a of the injection plunger 31, a pressure reducing valve 82, a pressure gauge 83, and a switching valve 84 sequentially interposed in the gas passage 81 from the side of the high pressure gas cylinder 80. .. The gas supply unit 8 further has a branch passage 85 branched from the gas passage 81 on the downstream side of the switching valve 84, that is, on the side opposite to the high-pressure gas cylinder 80, and a switching valve 86 interposed in the branch passage 85. There is. The gas passage 81 constitutes the gas passage in the present invention together with the gas supply hole 31a of the injection plunger 31 described above.

In this example, normally, the switching valve 84 is opened and the switching valve 86 is closed so that the gas stored in the high-pressure gas cylinder 80 is sent into the gas supply hole 31a. The pressure of the gas sent into the gas supply hole 31a in this way can be set to a preferable value by operating the pressure reducing valve 82. The pressure of this gas can be confirmed by the pressure gauge 83. On the other hand, for example, for maintenance and management of the injection unit 3, the switching valve 84 is closed and the switching valve 86 is opened in the opposite direction to the above, and the gas in the gas passage 81 from the gas supply hole 31a to the switching valve 86 is opened. It is also possible to reduce the pressure of the gas in the gas passage 81 from the gas supply hole 31a to the switching valve 86 to the atmospheric pressure by discharging a part of the gas to the outside. Further, the gas supply unit 8 may be provided with, for example, at least one pressure control valve 92 such as a relief valve at a required position in the gas passage 81, if necessary. Note that FIG. 1 shows an example provided with two. The pressure control valve 92 discharges gas to the outside when the pressure of the gas in the gas passage 81 exceeds a predetermined pressure value, and controls the pressure of the gas in the gas passage 81 so as not to exceed the predetermined pressure value. ..

The gas supply unit 8 is further connected to, for example, a flow rate sensor 88 interposed in the gas passage 81 on the downstream side of the branch passage 85, an integrated flow rate controller 89 connected to the flow rate sensor 88, and the integrated flow rate controller 89. It has an integrated flow rate monitor 90. The flow rate sensor 88, the integrated flow rate controller 89, and the integrated flow rate monitor 90 constitute a gas integrated flow rate measuring device 91 that measures the integrated flow rate of gas, and the gas integrated flow rate measuring device 91 is connected to the above-mentioned injection control device 38. Has been done. For example, a signal indicating the integrated flow rate of the gas sent into the gas supply hole 31a through the gas passage 81 is input from the integrated flow rate monitor 90 to the injection control device 38. The integrated flow rate controller 89 and the integrated flow rate monitor 90 may be included in the injection control device 38 or the above-mentioned control device. The flow rate sensor 88 may be a mass flow meter. Further, the gas supply unit 8 may include a mass flow controller capable of detecting the gas flow rate and controlling the gas flow rate instead of the flow rate sensor 88. The mass flow controller includes a flow rate sensor, a flow rate control valve, and a control unit that controls the flow rate control valve based on the output of the flow rate sensor. The gas supply unit 8 can supply gas at a desired constant flow rate by the mass flow controller. Some mass flow meters have the function of the integrated flow controller 89. Some mass flow meters have the function of an integrated flow rate monitor 90. Some mass flow controllers have the function of the integrated flow controller 89. Some mass flow controllers have the function of the integrated flow rate monitor 90. The integrated flow rate controller 89 may utilize the function of the integrated flow rate controller 89 included in the mass flow meter or the mass flow controller. The integrated flow rate monitor 90 may utilize the function of the integrated flow rate monitor 90 included in the mass flow meter or the mass flow controller.

Hereinafter, the operation of the injection device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Generally, in injection molding, each step of mold closing and mold clamping, injection, holding pressure, cooling, weighing, mold opening, and taking out is performed in order, and a product molded by repeating this molding cycle is obtained. FIGS. 3 (1) to (11) show an injection plunger 31 and a spring-loaded valve from the time when the pressure holding is completed when molding one product to the time when the pressure is held when molding the next product. The states of 31b and the injection hole on-off valve 33 are schematically shown with the passage of time. In (1) of the figure, all the elements in the figure are numbered and shown, but in (2) to (11), only the elements necessary for explanation are shown in order to avoid complication of the drawing. Is shown with a number.

Further, the forward / backward positions of the injection plunger 31 in the injection cylinder 30 are determined by the operation of the injection drive device 36 controlled by the injection control device 38 as described above. However, in the following description, unless particularly necessary, the control of the injection control device 38 and the operation of the injection drive device 36 may not be described one by one, but only the operation or position of the injection plunger 31 may be described.

First, at the time when the pressure holding step is completed, the position of the injection plunger 31 is in the state shown in FIG. 3 (1). Further, the injection hole on-off valve 33 is in a state where the injection hole 32a of the injection nozzle 32 is opened. At this time, the molding material remains in the injection chamber 34 in front of the injection plunger 31. At this time, the backflow prevention mechanism 6 closes the communication passage 5a. The operation of the backflow prevention mechanism 6 is controlled by, for example, the injection control device 38, but the operation is not limited to this, and may be controlled by a control device that controls the operation of the entire injection molding machine.

Next, from the above state, as shown in FIG. 3 (2), the injection hole on-off valve 33 made of, for example, a solenoid valve or the like can be changed to a state in which the injection hole 32a of the injection nozzle 32 is closed. The operation of the injection hole on-off valve 33 is controlled by, for example, the injection control device 38, but the operation is not limited to this, and may be controlled by a control device that controls the operation of the entire injection molding machine. After the injection hole on-off valve 33 is changed to the above state, the mold opening step of opening the mold 4 with the mold clamping device and the taking-out step of taking out the cooled molded product from the opened mold 4 are performed. ..

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (3), the injection plunger 31 is retracted to a predetermined position at a predetermined speed while sending gas into the gas supply hole 31a through the gas passage 81 shown in FIG. The gas pressure at this time is set to, for example, about 5 MPa or less by the pressure reducing valve 82 shown in FIG. Due to the pressure of the gas and the negative pressure accompanying the retreat of the injection plunger 31, the spring type valve 31b opens the gas supply hole 31a against the urging force of the coil spring 31s. As a result, gas is sent from the gas supply hole 31a to the internal space (injection chamber 34) of the injection cylinder 30. Since the pressure of this gas is not so high as described above, it is basically avoided to dissolve in the molding material remaining in the injection chamber 34.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (4), the injection plunger 31 is advanced by a predetermined time at a predetermined pressure. As a result, the gas sent to the injection chamber 34 is compressed and dissolved in the molding material remaining in the injection chamber 34. Since the spring type valve 31b has the configuration as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to prevent the gas sent to the injection chamber 34 from flowing back into the gas supply hole 31a. The spring type valve 31b closes the gas supply hole 31a when the pressure obtained by adding the pressure of the gas in the injection chamber and the urging force of the coil spring 31s becomes larger than the pressure of the gas in the gas supply hole 31a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (5), the injection plunger 31 is retracted to a predetermined position at a predetermined speed in the same manner as shown in FIG. 3 (3). As a result, gas is sent from the gas supply hole 31a to the injection chamber 34 of the injection cylinder 30. Also in this case, it is basically avoided that the gas dissolves in the molding material remaining in the injection chamber 34.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (6), the injection plunger 31 is advanced by a predetermined time at a predetermined pressure in the same manner as shown in FIG. 3 (4). As a result, the gas sent to the injection chamber 34 is compressed and dissolved in the molding material remaining in the injection chamber 34.

As described above, the backward and forward movements of the injection plunger 31 are repeated for a plurality of cycles. Meanwhile, the flow rate sensor 88 shown in FIG. 1 detects the flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas passage 81, and the integrated flow rate controller 89 calculates the integrated flow rate from the flow rate of this gas. Then, the integrated flow rate is monitored by the integrated flow rate monitor 90, and a signal indicating the integrated flow rate is input to the injection control device 38. When the integrated flow rate indicated by this signal reaches the target value (desired amount to be supplied into the injection chamber 34), the injection control device 38 controls the operation of the injection drive device 36 to maintain the position of the injection plunger 31 for the first time. Return to the position when the compression process was completed. FIG. 3 (7) shows the state at this time. When the integrated flow rate reaches a preset target value in the injection control device 38, the integrated flow rate monitor 90 may output a signal indicating the integrated flow rate. When the signal indicating that the integrated flow rate has reached the preset target value is input, the injection control device 38 ejects the position of the injection plunger 31 so as to return it to the position at the time when the first holding step is completed. The operation of the drive device 36 may be controlled. The injection control device 38 includes the integrated flow rate monitor 90, and when a signal indicating the integrated flow rate calculated by the integrated flow rate controller 89 is input and the integrated flow rate reaches a preset target value, the position of the injection plunger 31 is set. , The operation of the injection drive device 36 may be controlled so as to return to the position at the time when the first pressure holding step is completed. The injection control device 38 includes the integrated flow rate controller 89 and the integrated flow rate monitor 90, receives a signal indicating the flow rate of the gas detected by the flow rate sensor 88, calculates the integrated flow rate from the flow rate of the gas, and integrates. When the flow rate reaches a preset target value, the operation of the injection drive device 36 may be controlled so as to return the position of the injection plunger 31 to the position at the time when the first holding step is completed.

Next, the injection control device 38 opens the communication passage 5a, and while applying a predetermined back pressure to the injection plunger 31 by the injection drive device 36, drives the rotation drive device 22 of FIG. 1 to rotate the plastic screw 21. The molded material melted from the hopper 7 is supplied into the thermoplastic cylinder 20. In addition to the injection control device 38 directly controlling the drive of the rotation drive device 22 in this way, a dedicated rotation drive control unit for controlling the drive of the rotation drive device 22 is provided, and the rotation drive control unit is controlled by injection. The device 38 may be controlled. The molding material supplied into the plasticized cylinder 20 is fed to the front, that is, toward the communication passage 5a while being kneaded by the rotating plasticized screw 21. The molding material sent from the plasticized portion side opening 5b of the connecting member 5 into the communication passage 5a is sent to the injection chamber 34 of the injection unit 3 via the communication passage 3a.

FIG. 3 (8) shows the state at this time, and as shown in the figure, the injection plunger 31 is pushed back by the molding material supplied to the injection chamber 34. In the molding material newly supplied to the injection chamber 34, the gas supplied to the injection chamber 34 is compressed and melted under high pressure by mixing with the molding material in which the gas has already been compressed and melted in the injection chamber 34. do. The injection control device 38 shown in FIG. 1 stops the injection plunger 31 at a position where the weighing is completed, that is, at a position where the amount of the measured molding material reaches a predetermined amount. L1 in FIG. 3 indicates the retreat length of the injection plunger 31 from the position (7) in the figure to the stopped position.

After the weighing is completed and the backflow prevention mechanism 6 closes the communication passage 5a, the injection control device 38 advances the injection plunger 31 at a predetermined pressure until the process of injecting the molding material into the mold 4 is started. .. FIG. 3 (9) shows the state after this advance is made. L2 in the figure indicates the length of this advance. By advancing the injection plunger 31 in this way, the molding material and the gas are further compressed, the dissolution of the gas in the molding material is promoted, and the state in which the gas is compressed and dissolved in the molding material is maintained. The viscosity of the molding material is lowered by the dissolution of the gas in this way, and the plasticity is enhanced.

Next, the injection control device 38 corrects the position of the injection plunger 31 when the molding material weighing is completed, which is stored in the internal memory, for example, as the position after the advance is made. The position of the injection plunger 31 when the molding material weighing is completed is the position where the injection plunger 31 starts advancing when the molding material is injected into the mold 4.

Next, after the injection hole on-off valve 33 is changed to a state in which the injection hole 32a of the injection nozzle 32 is opened, the injection control device 38 sets the injection plunger 31 at a predetermined speed as shown in FIG. 3 (10). Advance by a distance. L3 in the figure indicates the length of this advance. By advancing the injection plunger 31 in this way, the molding material in which the gas is dissolved and the viscosity is lowered is injected into the mold 4 through the injection hole 32a of the injection nozzle 32.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (11), the injection control device 38 holds the injection plunger 31 forward at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time until the molding material of the gate portion in the mold 4 is cooled and solidified. .. L4 in the figure shows the forward length of the injection plunger 31 at this time.

The injection control device 38 or the above-mentioned control device may control the injection device 1 according to the gas melting method of the injection device capable of realizing the injection device 1 of the present invention and the program of the injection device capable of realizing the injection device 1 of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the injection plunger 31 is provided with a gas supply hole 31a. The gas supply hole 31a opens in the tip surface of the injection plunger 31, and when the injection plunger 31 retracts, communicates with the space in the injection chamber 34 between the tip surface of the injection plunger 31 and the molding material in the injection chamber 34. do. In the space through which the gas supply hole 31a communicates, the pressure in the space is reduced by the negative pressure generated by the expansion of the volume by retracting the injection plunger 31. The gas is supplied into the injection chamber 34 through the opening of the gas supply hole 31a because the pressure in the space becomes smaller due to the negative pressure than the pressure in the gas supply hole 31a.

Generally, the molding material remains in the injection nozzle 32 and the injection chamber 34 after the pressure holding step. For example, when the gas supply hole 31a is open in the injection nozzle 32, or when the gas supply hole 31a is open in the wall surface of the injection chamber 34 facing the tip surface of the injection plunger 31, the gas is gas. The molding material covering the opening of the supply hole 31a is temporarily pushed away to reach the space where the internal pressure is reduced by the negative pressure.

In the present embodiment, the injection plunger 31 is retracted and advanced in a plurality of cycles in order to compress and dissolve a predetermined amount of gas in the molding material in the injection chamber 34.

Generally, the molding material remains in the injection nozzle 32 and the injection chamber 34 after the pressure holding step. In the pressure holding step, after injecting the molding material into the mold, the injection plunger 31 holds the molding material in the mold via the molding material remaining in the injection chamber 34 and the molding material remaining in the injection nozzle 32. Applying pressure. At this time, the molding material in the injection chamber 34 shrinks according to the elasticity of the molding material. When the holding pressure step is completed, the injection plunger 31 is no longer applied with the holding pressure. The molding material that has shrunk in the injection chamber 34 tries to return to its original state and generates a repulsive force. When the pressure holding step is completed, the injection plunger 31 is pushed back in the receding direction by the repulsive force due to the elasticity of the molding material.

The amount of molding material remaining in the injection chamber 34 after the pressure holding step varies from molding cycle to molding cycle. The stroke of the injection plunger 31 that moves in the receding direction due to the molding material that repels after the pressure holding step varies from molding cycle to molding cycle. Due to these variations, the pressure in the injection chamber 34 before the negative pressure is generated may vary from molding cycle to molding cycle. After that, when the injection plunger 31 is retracted, the pressure in the injection chamber 34 where the internal pressure drops due to the negative pressure may also vary from molding cycle to molding cycle. As described above, the gas is supplied into the injection chamber 34 from the opening of the gas supply hole 31a due to the pressure difference. When the injection plunger 31 is retracted only once and a predetermined amount of gas is supplied into the injection chamber 34 at one time, the amount of gas supplied may vary from molding cycle to molding cycle.

In the present embodiment, until a predetermined amount of gas is supplied into the injection chamber 34, a gas smaller than the predetermined amount of gas is supplied into the injection chamber 34, and then the gas is applied to the molding material in the injection chamber 34. By repeating the compression and melting, it becomes possible to accurately supply a predetermined amount of gas into the injection chamber 34 in each molding cycle, and it becomes possible to correctly control the amount of gas supplied.

In the present embodiment, the stroke of the reciprocating motion of the injection plunger 31 can be set shorter than in the case where the injection plunger 31 is retracted and advanced only once.

Generally, in order to set the reciprocating stroke of the injection plunger 31 to be relatively long, it is necessary to form the injection cylinder 30 so as to have a relatively long overall length. When the total length of the injection cylinder 30 is relatively long, the injection plunger 31 also passes through a part of the injection cylinder 30 which is separated from the thermoplastic cylinder 20 and the injection chamber 34 and has a low temperature. In such a case, the molten molding material adhering to the injection plunger 31 in the injection chamber 34 may cool and solidify thinly.

If this solidified molding material remains non-uniformly on the inner peripheral surface of the injection cylinder 30, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the injection cylinder 30 and the outer peripheral surface of the injection plunger 31 becomes non-uniform. The non-uniform gap may not be sealed even by the seal ring 31c attached to the injection plunger 31, and may cause gas in the injection chamber 34 to leak. If the reciprocating stroke of the injection plunger 31 is set to be relatively long, there may be a problem that the gas supply amount cannot be controlled correctly. On the other hand, if the reciprocating stroke of the injection plunger 31 can be set shorter, the above-mentioned problems can be avoided and the gas supply amount can be controlled correctly.

The injection device, the gas melting method of the injection device, and the program of the injection device of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 Pre-plastic injection device 2 Plasticization part 2a Hopper mounting member 3 Injection part 3a Injection part communication passage 4 Mold 5 Connection member 5a Connection member communication passage 6 Backflow prevention mechanism 7 Hopper 8 Gas supply part 20 Plasticization cylinder 21 Plastic Screw 22 Rotary drive device 30 Injection cylinder 31 Injection plunger 31a Gas supply hole 31b Spring type valve 31c, 131c, 231c Seal ring 31d Piston ring 31s Coil spring 32 Injection nozzle 32a Injection hole 33 Injection hole on-off valve 34 Injection chamber 35 Drive device holding Part 36 Injection drive device 37 Rod 38 Injection control device 41 Cavity space 42 Cooling device 43 Cooling pipe 80 High pressure gas cylinder 81 Gas passage 82 Pressure reducing valve 83 Pressure gauge 84 Switching valve 85 Branch passage 86 Switching valve 88 Flow sensor 89 Integrated flow controller 90 Integration Flow monitor 91 Gas integrated flow measuring device 92 Pressure control valve

Claims (10)

An injection cylinder in which an internal space including an injection chamber for accommodating molding materials is formed,
It has an injection nozzle attached to the injection cylinder and formed with an injection hole communicating with the injection chamber.
In an injection device having an injection unit that injects a molding material in the injection chamber into a mold through the injection nozzle.
A gas supply unit that supplies the gas from the outside to the injection chamber through a gas supply hole communicating with the injection chamber in order to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material supplied from the outside into the injection chamber.
A gas integrated flow rate measuring device that measures the integrated flow rate of the gas supplied to the injection chamber, and a gas integrated flow rate measuring device.
In preparation for
The injection part
An injection shaft that reciprocates in the internal space of the injection cylinder in the direction of the cylinder axis and retracts to increase the volume of the injection chamber, and advances to reduce the volume of the injection chamber.
An injection drive device that reciprocates the injection shaft in the direction of the cylinder axis,
After controlling the injection drive device to retract and advance the injection shaft in the injection chamber so as to expand and contract the injection chamber, the injection shaft retracts and the gas is supplied to the injection chamber. When the gas is compressed and dissolved in the molding material in the injection chamber by advancing the injection shaft and a predetermined amount of the gas is compressed and dissolved in the molding material in the injection chamber, the injection shaft retracts. After supplying the gas in an amount smaller than the predetermined amount to the injection chamber, the injection shaft is advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber in a plurality of cycles. When the integrated flow rate measured by the gas integrated flow rate measuring device reaches the target value indicating the predetermined amount, the retreat of the injection shaft is stopped and the injection shaft is advanced, and then the gas is supplied and the gas is compressed. Has an injection control device, which completes the dissolution,
The injection chamber is formed on the front side of the tip surface of the injection shaft in the internal space of the injection cylinder.
The gas supply hole is formed in the injection shaft when one end is connected to the gas supply portion and the other end is formed so as to open to the tip surface of the injection shaft, and the one end is the said. When it is connected to the gas supply unit and the other end is formed so as to open to the wall surface of the injection chamber excluding the tip surface of the injection shaft, it is formed in the injection cylinder or one end thereof. Is connected to the gas supply unit, and when the other end is formed so as to open into the injection hole of the injection nozzle, the injection device is formed in the injection nozzle. The injection control device controls the injection drive device to retract and advance the injection shaft before supplying the molding material to the injection chamber, and supplies the gas to the molding material remaining in the injection chamber. Compress and dissolve,
The injection device according to claim 1. One end of the gas supply hole is connected to the gas supply unit via the gas integrated flow rate measuring device.
The injection device according to claim 1 or 2. A supply unit for supplying the molding material to the injection unit is provided.
The injection shaft is an injection plunger.
The injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In the gas melting method of the injection device that injects the molding material in which the gas is compressed and melted into the mold.
The injection device is
An injection cylinder in which an internal space including an injection chamber for accommodating molding materials is formed,
An injection nozzle attached to the injection cylinder and having an injection hole communicating with the injection chamber, and an injection nozzle.
An injection shaft that reciprocates in the internal space of the injection cylinder in the direction of the cylinder axis and retracts to increase the volume of the injection chamber, and advances to reduce the volume of the injection chamber.
An injection drive device that moves the injection shaft back and forth in the cylinder axis direction,
An injection control device that controls the injection drive device,
A gas supply unit that supplies the gas from the outside to the injection chamber through a gas supply hole communicating with the injection chamber in order to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material supplied from the outside into the injection chamber.
A gas integrated flow rate measuring device that measures the integrated flow rate of the gas supplied to the injection chamber, and a gas integrated flow rate measuring device.
In preparation for
The injection chamber is formed on the front side of the tip surface of the injection shaft in the internal space of the injection cylinder.
The gas supply hole is formed in the injection shaft when one end is connected to the gas supply portion and the other end is formed so as to open to the tip surface of the injection shaft, and the one end is the said. When it is connected to the gas supply unit and the other end is formed so as to open to the wall surface of the injection chamber excluding the tip surface of the injection shaft, it is formed in the injection cylinder or one end thereof. Is formed in the injection nozzle when is connected to the gas supply unit and the other end is formed so as to open into the injection hole of the injection nozzle.
The injection control device is
The injection shaft is retracted and advanced in the injection chamber so as to expand and contract the injection chamber of the injection cylinder.
After the injection shaft is retracted to supply the gas to the injection chamber, the injection shaft is advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber, and the molding in the injection chamber is performed. In compressing and dissolving a predetermined amount of the gas in the material,
The injection shaft retracts to supply the gas to the injection chamber in an amount smaller than the predetermined amount, and then the injection shaft is advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber . When the integrated flow rate measured by the gas integrated flow rate measuring device reaches the target value indicating the predetermined amount, the retreat of the injection shaft is stopped, the injection shaft is advanced, and then the gas is charged. Controlled to complete the supply and compression dissolution of the gas,
A method for dissolving gas in an injection device. The gas melting of the injection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the injection shaft is retracted and advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material remaining in the injection chamber before supplying the molding material to the injection chamber. Method. The method for dissolving gas in an injection device according to claim 5, wherein one end of the gas supply hole is connected to the gas supply unit via the gas integrated flow rate measuring device. In the program of the injection device that injects the molding material in which the gas is compressed and melted into the mold.
The injection device is
An injection cylinder in which an internal space including an injection chamber for accommodating molding materials is formed,
An injection nozzle attached to the injection cylinder and having an injection hole communicating with the injection chamber, and an injection nozzle.
An injection shaft that reciprocates in the internal space of the injection cylinder in the direction of the cylinder axis and retracts to increase the volume of the injection chamber, and advances to reduce the volume of the injection chamber.
An injection drive device that moves the injection shaft back and forth in the cylinder axis direction,
An injection control device that controls the injection drive device, and
A gas supply unit that supplies the gas from the outside to the injection chamber through a gas supply hole communicating with the injection chamber in order to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material supplied from the outside into the injection chamber.
A gas integrated flow rate measuring device that measures the integrated flow rate of the gas supplied to the injection chamber, and a gas integrated flow rate measuring device.
In preparation for
The injection chamber is formed on the front side of the tip surface of the injection shaft in the internal space of the injection cylinder.
The gas supply hole is formed in the injection shaft when one end is connected to the gas supply portion and the other end is formed so as to open to the tip surface of the injection shaft, and the one end is the said. When it is connected to the gas supply unit and the other end is formed so as to open to the wall surface of the injection chamber excluding the tip surface of the injection shaft, it is formed in the injection cylinder or one end thereof. Is formed in the injection nozzle when is connected to the gas supply unit and the other end is formed so as to open into the injection hole of the injection nozzle.
The injection control device is
The injection shaft is retracted and advanced in the injection chamber so as to expand and contract the injection chamber of the injection cylinder.
After the injection shaft is retracted to supply the gas to the injection chamber, the injection shaft is advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber, and the molding in the injection chamber is performed. In compressing and dissolving a predetermined amount of the gas in the material,
The injection shaft retracts to supply the gas to the injection chamber in an amount smaller than the predetermined amount, and then the injection shaft is advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material in the injection chamber . When the integrated flow rate measured by the gas integrated flow rate measuring device reaches the target value indicating the predetermined amount, the retreat of the injection shaft is stopped, the injection shaft is advanced, and then the gas is charged. Controlled to complete the supply and compression dissolution of the gas,
A program of injection equipment characterized by that. The program of the injection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the injection shaft is retracted and advanced to compress and dissolve the gas in the molding material remaining in the injection chamber before supplying the molding material to the injection chamber. One end of the gas supply hole is connected to the gas supply unit via the gas integrated flow rate measuring device.
The program of the injection device according to claim 8 or 9.

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