JP7544406B1 - Molded product removal device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a molded product removal device that can easily adjust the position of an attraction unit to match the molded product. [Solution] The molded product removal device 1 comprises a flat metal plate 10, a plurality of attraction units 20 that are provided on the metal plate 10 while being spaced apart from one another and capable of attracting a molded product 200, and a flow path section 40 through which air flows that is sucked into a negative pressure generating section from each of the plurality of attraction units 20. The attraction units 20 each have a resin main body section whose longitudinal direction is aligned with the normal direction of the metal plate 10, and a magnet section that is provided at the lower end of the main body section and is fixed by magnetic force so as to be movable relative to the metal plate 10. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a molded product removal device for removing molded products from a resin molding machine.

The molded product removal device has a suction unit for suctioning and removing the molded product that has been injection molded by an injection molding machine, which is a resin molding machine. The suction unit, for example, vacuum-sucks the molded product using a suction pad held by a holder (see Patent Document 1 below).

Patent No. 4796338

Since molded products come in a variety of shapes and sizes, it is necessary to position the suction unit according to the molded product. Conventionally, however, the suction unit is installed along a specified rail, which limits the degree of freedom in the installation position, and it takes a lot of time to adjust the position of the suction unit according to the molded product.

Therefore, the present invention was made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a molded product removal device that allows the suction unit to be easily adjusted to the position of the molded product.

In one aspect of the present invention, a molded product removal device for removing a molded product held in an open mold of a resin molding machine is provided, the molded product removal device comprising: a flat metal plate; a plurality of suction units spaced apart from one another on the metal plate and capable of suctioning the molded product; and a flow path through which air flows that is sucked into a negative pressure generating section from each of the plurality of suction units. The suction unit has a resin main body whose longitudinal direction is aligned with the normal direction of the metal plate, and a magnet portion that is provided at the lower end of the main body and fixed by magnetic force so as to be movable relative to the metal plate.

The suction unit may further have a suction pad that is in contact with the molded product and suctions the molded product, and the main body may hold the suction pad and have a space that is in communication with the suction pad and the flow path.

The suction pad may be arranged along the normal direction and may be attached to the main surface of the molded product that faces the metal plate while in contact with the main surface.

The suction pad may also be configured to adhere to the side of the molded product while in contact with it.

The suction unit may further include a moving member provided at the upper end of the main body portion for moving the suction pad in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction.

The suction unit may further include a cylindrical spacer that is replaceably disposed between the main body and the magnet.

In addition, a plurality of holes penetrating the metal plate may be provided at predetermined intervals from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the metal plate.

The suction unit may further include a locking portion provided at the lower end of the main body portion and capable of locking into the hole portion.

The present invention has the advantage that the suction unit can be easily adjusted to fit the molded product.

1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a molded product removal device 1 according to one embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the molded product removal device 1. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the suction unit 20. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the suction unit 20 is disassembled. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the suction unit 20 in which a spacer 30 is not provided. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the position adjustment of a plurality of suction units 20. FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first modified example. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a suction unit 120 according to a first modified example. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a metal plate 10 according to a second modified example. 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams for explaining a method of fixing an adsorption unit 220 to a metal plate 10 according to a second modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a third modified example.

<Overview of the molding removal device>
The configuration of a molded product removing device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a molded product removal device 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the molded product removal device 1. The molded product removal device 1 is a device for removing a molded product 200 held in an open mold 110 of a resin molding machine 100.

The resin molding machine 100 is, for example, an injection molding machine. The resin molding machine 100 has a mold 110 and an ejector pin 112. The mold 110 fills a cavity with molten resin to mold a molded product 200. The mold 110 is composed of a male mold and a female mold that can be opened and closed. The ejector pin 112 pushes out the molded product 200 held in the mold 110 when the mold 110 is opened.

When the ejector pin 112 pushes out the molded product 200 while the mold 110 is open, the molded product removal device 1 suction-holds and removes the molded product 200. As shown in FIG. 1, the molded product removal device 1 has a metal plate 10, a suction unit 20, and a flow path section 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the molded product removal device 1 also has a negative pressure generating section 50, a moving mechanism 60, a detection section 70, and a control section 80.

The metal plate 10 is formed in a flat plate shape. Here, the metal plate 10 is rectangular, but is not limited to this. The metal plate 10 is movable between a standby position and an ejection position (position shown in FIG. 1) from which a molded product is ejected. The standby position is a position where the metal plate 10 waits away from the mold 110. When the metal plate 10 is located at the standby position, the resin molding machine 100 injection molds the molded product 200.

The suction units 20 are provided on the metal plate 10 at a distance from each other. The multiple suction units 20 are capable of suctioning the molded product 200. For example, when the metal plate 10 is located at the removal position, the suction units 20 vacuum-suck the molded product 200 pushed out by the ejector pins 112. The multiple suction units 20 are attached to the metal plate 10 so that their positions can be easily adjusted, as will be described in detail later. This makes it possible to properly remove the molded products 200 by adjusting the positions of the multiple suction units 20, even if the molded products 200 have different sizes and shapes.

The flow path section 40 connects the multiple suction units 20 and the negative pressure generating section 50. The flow path section 40 forms a flow path through which air flows that is sucked from each of the multiple suction units 20 to the negative pressure generating section 50. The flow path section 40 is, for example, a deformable tube. By deforming the tube or changing it to a tube of a different length, it is easy to adjust the position of the suction unit 20. Note that the flow path section 40 may be a hose instead of a tube.

The negative pressure generating unit 50 is a device that creates a negative pressure inside the suction unit 20. For example, the negative pressure generating unit 50 creates a negative pressure inside the suction unit 20 by sucking in air inside the suction unit 20 through the flow path unit 40.

The moving mechanism 60 is a mechanism for moving the metal plate 10 provided with the suction unit 20 and the flow path section 40. Specifically, the moving mechanism 60 moves the metal plate 10 between a standby position and a removal position. The moving mechanism 60 includes, for example, a drive source (motor) for moving the metal plate 10 and a guide member for guiding the movement of the metal plate 10. The moving mechanism 60 may move the molded product 200 adsorbed by the suction unit 20 together with the metal plate 10 to a location where a post-processing process for the molded product 200 (specifically, a process for cutting off unnecessary parts remaining in the molded product 200) is performed.

The detection unit 70 detects the state of the resin molding machine 100. For example, the detection unit 70 detects whether the resin molding machine 100 has performed injection molding of the molded product 200. Specifically, the detection unit 70 can detect the open/closed state of the mold 110, and determines that injection molding is complete when the mold 110 is open. The detection unit 70 may also detect the position of the metal plate 10.

The control unit 80 controls the operation of the molded product removal device 1. For example, when the detection unit 70 detects the completion of injection molding, the control unit 80 causes the moving mechanism 60 to move the metal plate 10 from the standby position to the removal position, and causes the negative pressure generating unit 50 to create a negative pressure inside the suction unit 20. As a result, the molded product removal device 1, with the metal plate 10 located at the removal position, adsorbs and holds the molded product 200 pushed out by the ejector pin 112. The molded product removal device 1 then moves the metal plate 10 to the standby position, thereby removing the molded product 200 from the resin molding machine 100.

<Detailed configuration of the suction unit>
The detailed configuration of the suction unit 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Since the multiple suction units 20 fixed to the metal plate 10 have the same configuration, the following description will be given by taking one suction unit 20 as an example.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the suction unit 20. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the disassembled state of the suction unit 20. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the suction unit 20 has a main body portion 22, a suction pad 24, a magnet portion 26, a nipple 28, a spacer 30, and a screw member 32.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 22 holds the suction pad 24. The main body 22 has a mounting portion 22a (FIG. 4) to which the suction pad 24 is removably attached. The mounting portion 22a is the upper end portion of the main body 22.

The main body portion 22 is arranged along the normal direction of the metal plate 10 (the left-right direction shown in FIG. 1). In other words, the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 22 is parallel to the normal direction of the metal plate 10. The main body portion 22 is made of resin. This allows the main body portion 22 to be lighter than when the main body portion 22 is made of metal. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 22 to further reduce the weight of the main body portion 22.

A through-hole 23a is formed inside the main body 22 as shown in FIG. 4. The through-hole 23a is formed to communicate between the mounting portion 22a of the main body 22 and the nipple 28. Therefore, the through-hole 23a functions as a space that communicates with the suction pad 24 and the flow path portion 40. A screw hole 23b into which the screw member 32 screws is formed at the lower end of the main body 22.

The suction pad 24 adheres to the molded product 200 while in contact with it. In this example, the suction pad 24 is made of rubber and is stretchable in the longitudinal direction. The suction pad 24 is arranged along the normal direction of the metal plate 10, and adheres to the molded product 200 while in contact with the main surface 202 (Figure 1) that faces the metal plate 10. The suction pad 24 has a contact surface 24a that can come into contact with the main surface 202.

The inside of the suction pad 24 is hollow along the longitudinal direction. An opening 24b (see FIG. 6) is formed in the center of the contact surface 24a where the suction pad 24 comes into contact with the molded product 200. This allows the negative pressure generating unit 50 to cause air to flow through the opening 24b into the hollow inside the suction pad 24. The suction pad 24 is replaceable. For example, it can be replaced with a suction pad 24 of a different diameter or length that is suitable for the shape and size of the molded product 200.

The magnet part 26 is provided at the lower end of the main body part 22 and is fixed by magnetic force so that it can move relative to the metal plate 10. The magnet part 26 is fixed to the metal plate 10 at the lower surface 26a. When an operator applies a force to the magnet part 26 that is greater than the magnetic force, the suction unit 20 including the magnet part 26 becomes movable relative to the metal plate 10. This allows the suction unit 20 to be fixed at any position relative to the metal plate 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, a through hole 26b is formed in the center of the magnet portion 26. The through hole 26b is large enough to allow the screw member 32 to be inserted therethrough. The magnet portion 26 also has an engagement portion 26c at the bottom center that is connected to the through hole 26b. The engagement portion 26c is capable of engaging with the head 32b of the screw member 32.

The nipple 28 is a joint that connects the main body 22 and the flow passage 40 (specifically, a tube). The nipple 28 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the main body 22. The inside of the nipple 28 is hollow and communicates with the through-hole 23a of the main body 22.

The spacer 30 is provided between the main body 22 and the magnet 26 as shown in FIG. 3. Here, the spacer 30 is a hollow cylindrical member. The spacer 30 is replaceable. For example, spacers 30 of different lengths are removably attached. By attaching a spacer 30 that is suitable for the distance between the metal plate 10 and the adsorption portion of the molded product 200, the suction pad 24 can appropriately adsorb the molded product 200.

The spacer 30 is made of resin, just like the main body 22. This allows the spacer 30 to be made lighter. In addition, grooves may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the spacer 30 to further reduce the weight. Since the main body 22 and spacer 30, which form the majority of the suction unit 20, are made of resin, it becomes easier to reduce the weight of the suction unit 20. As a result, even if multiple suction units 20 are fixed to the metal plate 10, the moving mechanism 60 (Figure 2) can move the metal plate 10 at high speed, improving productivity.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the suction unit 20 without the spacer 30. As shown in Figure 5, the suction unit 20 can be used even without the spacer 30. By using the spacer 30 in this way, it becomes easier to freely adjust the height of the suction pad 24 relative to the metal plate 10.

The screw member 32 fixes the main body portion 22 and the magnet portion 26. When the spacer 30 is positioned between the main body portion 22 and the magnet portion 26, the screw member 32 fixes the main body portion 22 and the magnet portion 26 by sandwiching the spacer 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the screw member 32 has a screw portion 32a and a head portion 32b.

The screw portion 32a is a male screw in this case, and screws into the screw hole 23b of the main body portion 22. The head portion 32b can engage with the engagement portion 26c of the magnet portion 26. The main body portion 22 and the magnet portion 26 are fixed together by the screw portion 32a screwing into the screw hole 23b and the head portion 32b engaging with the engagement portion 26c.

The screw member 32 is replaceable in the same manner as the spacer 30. For example, it is replaceable with a screw member 32 having a length that corresponds to the length of the spacer 30. Specifically, the length of the screw member 32 used in the suction unit 20 shown in FIG. 5 is shorter than the length of the screw member 32 used in the suction unit 20 shown in FIG. 3.

<Adjusting the position of the suction unit>
An example of adjusting the position of the suction unit 20 with respect to the metal plate 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the position adjustment of multiple suction units 20. Figure 6(a) shows the suction unit 20 and flow path section 40 before adjustment, and Figure 6(b) shows the suction unit 20 and flow path section 40 after adjustment. The arrows in Figure 6 indicate the direction of air flow when the negative pressure generating section 50 sucks air. In addition, a plug 44 is provided to prevent backflow of air. Note that in Figure 6, three suction units 20 are fixed to the metal plate 10, but four or more suction units 20 may be fixed to the metal plate 10.

For example, when the molded product 200 is large, the worker adjusts the positions of the multiple suction units 20 so that the multiple suction units 20 can suction and hold the molded product 200 at equal positions. Specifically, the worker shifts the fixed positions of the three suction units 20 shown in Fig. 6(a) relative to the metal plate 10 as shown in Fig. 6(b) so as to widen the intervals between them. As described above, the suction units 20 are fixed to the metal plate 10 by magnetic force, but the worker can move the suction units 20 relative to the metal plate 10 by applying a large force. Note that when the weight of the molded product 200 is heavy, the worker may suction and hold the molded product 200 with four or more suction units 20.
In addition, if there are limited flat surfaces on the main surface 202 of the molded product 200 to which the suction units 200 can adsorb, the worker may adjust the positions of the multiple suction units 20 so that the suction units 20 can adsorb and hold those flat surfaces.

The tubes that form the flow path 40 are deformable, so even if the three suction units 20 are moved, each tube can easily maintain a connection with the three suction units 20. If the suction units 20 are moved a large distance, the worker may replace the tubes with longer ones.

<Modification>
(First Modification)
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a first modified example. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an adsorption unit 120 according to the first modified example.

In the above embodiment, the suction unit 20 is adapted to suction the molded product 200 while in contact with the main surface 202 (the surface facing the metal plate 10). In contrast, the first modified example differs in that the suction unit 120 is adapted to suction the molded product 200 while in contact with the side surface 204.

When the molded product 200 has a complex shape as shown in FIG. 7, it is difficult for the suction unit 120 to suction the main surface of the molded product 200. Therefore, in the first modified example, the suction units 120 located on both sides of the molded product 200 suction while in contact with the side surface 204 of the molded product 200. This allows the suction unit 120 to properly suction the molded product 200 even if the shape of the main surface of the molded product 200 is complex.

The suction unit 120 has a moving member 130 that moves the suction pad 24 in an orthogonal direction (the up-down direction shown in FIG. 7) that is orthogonal to the normal direction of the metal plate 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the moving member 130 is provided at the upper end of the main body 22. By moving the suction pad 24 in the orthogonal direction, the suction pad 124 can be easily brought into contact with or separated from the side surface 204 of the molded product 200.

Here, the moving member 130 is an air cylinder. As shown in Fig. 8, the moving member 130 has a cylinder portion 131 and a rod 132. The cylinder portion 131 is connected to a flow path portion 133, and air is supplied into the cylinder portion 131 via the flow path portion 133. The rod 132 moves in the perpendicular direction (the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 8) by the air pressure in the cylinder portion 131.
The main body 22 and the suction pad 24 are attached to the tip of the rod 132. The cylinder portion 131 is fixed to the metal plate 10 with two spacers 140 and the magnet portion 26 sandwiched therebetween. The cylinder portion 131 is fixed to the metal plate 10 by a screw member (having the same shape as the screw member 32).
In the above, the spacer 140 is used, but the cylinder portion 131 may be fixed to the metal plate 10 with the magnet portion 26 sandwiched therebetween without using the spacer 140. The presence of two magnet portions 26 makes it possible to prevent the cylinder portion 131 from rotating when fixing the cylinder portion 131 to the metal plate 10. The configuration of the suction unit 120 other than the above is the same as that of the suction unit 20 described above, and therefore detailed description will be omitted.

(Second Modification)
Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a metal plate 10 according to a second modified example. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of fixing an adsorption unit 220 according to the second modified example to a metal plate 10.

The metal plate 210 of the second modified example is different from the metal plate 10 described above in that a large number of holes 212 are formed through the metal plate 210. A plurality of holes 212 are provided at predetermined intervals from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 210. By providing a large number of hole portions 212, which are through holes, in the metal plate 210, the weight of the metal plate 210 can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 10, the suction unit 220 has a locking portion 228 that can be locked into the hole portion 212 of the metal plate 210. The locking portion 228 is provided at the lower end of the main body portion 22 (specifically, the lower end of the spacer 30). The locking portion 228 locks into the hole portion 212, thereby fixing the suction unit 220 to the metal plate 210. Since the holes 212 are formed over a wide area of the metal plate 210, the locking portion 228 can be locked into the desired hole portion 212 to easily fix the suction unit 220 to the desired position on the metal plate 210.

Although not shown in Fig. 10, a magnet portion may be provided between the spacer 30 and the locking portion 228. This magnet portion is smaller than the magnet portion 26 shown in Fig. 3. By providing the magnet portion, the suction unit 220 becomes less likely to come off the metal plate 210.
Other configurations of the suction unit 220 are similar to those of the suction unit 20 described above, so detailed description will be omitted.

(Third Modification)
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the third modified example.
In the third modified example, a gripping unit 90 capable of gripping the injection residue of the molded article 200 is provided on the metal plate 10. Also, a hole 12 is provided in the center of the metal plate 10 for passing the injection residue of the molded article 200 therethrough.

The gripping unit 90 has a clamping section 92 that clamps and supports the injection residue of the molded product 200. The clamping section 92 is disposed in the hole 12 of the metal plate 10. The clamping section 92 can be opened and closed, and clamps the injection residue when closed and releases the injection residue when open. The clamping section 92 is opened and closed, for example, electromagnetically by an actuator or by receiving a supply of air (positive air pressure). The gripping unit 90 operates in conjunction with the operation of the ejector pin 112 of the resin molding machine 100, for example.

The plurality of suction units 20 are arranged around the gripping unit 90 (specifically, the clamping portion 92). For example, the suction units 20 are arranged so as to surround the clamping portion 92. By arranging the suction units 20 around the clamping portion 92 in this manner, the clamping portion 92 and the plurality of suction units 20 can easily stabilize the posture of the molded product 200.
The configuration of the suction unit 20 of the third modified example is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

<Effects of this embodiment>
The molded product removing device 1 of the above-described embodiment includes a plurality of suction units 20 that are provided on the metal plate 10 in a state spaced apart from one another and are capable of suctioning the molded product 200, and a flow path section 40 through which air flows that is sucked from each of the suction units 20 to the negative pressure generating section 50. The suction unit 20 also includes a main body section 22 made of resin, and a magnet section 26 that is provided at the lower end of the main body section 22 and is fixed by magnetic force so as to be movable relative to the metal plate 10.
Each of the magnet parts 26 of the plurality of suction units 20 is fixed by magnetic force so as to be movable relative to the metal plate 10, so that the fixed positions of the plurality of suction units 20 to the metal plate 10 can be freely adjusted. In addition, since the main body part 22 is made of resin, the suction units 20 are light in weight, so that it is possible to prevent the suction units 20 from coming off the metal plate 10 due to their weight when the metal plate 10 moves. As a result, even if the size or shape of the molded product 200 changes with each injection molding, for example, it is possible to shorten the time required to adjust the position of the suction units 20 and to suction and hold the molded product 200 so as to stabilize its posture.
Furthermore, by reducing the weight of the multiple suction units 20 fixed to the metal plate 10, the metal plate 10 can be moved at high speed, thereby improving the productivity of the molded product 200.

Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by distributing or integrating functionally or physically in any unit. In addition, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effect of the new embodiment resulting from the combination also has the effect of the original embodiment.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Molded product removal device 10 Metal plate 20 Suction unit 22 Main body 24 Suction pad 26 Magnet section 30 Spacer 40 Flow path 50 Negative pressure generating section 100 Resin molding machine 110 Mold 120 Suction unit 130 Moving member 200 Molded product 202 Main surface 204 Side surface 212 Hole 228 Locking section

Claims (8)

A molded product removal device for removing a molded product held in an open mold of a resin molding machine, comprising:
A flat metal plate,
a plurality of suction units provided on the metal plate at a distance from each other and capable of suctioning the molded product;
a flow path through which air flows that is sucked into a negative pressure generating part from each of the plurality of adsorption units;
Equipped with
The adsorption unit is
A resin body portion whose longitudinal direction is aligned with a normal direction of the metal plate;
A magnet portion is provided at a lower end of the main body portion and is fixed by magnetic force so as to be movable relative to the metal plate.
Molded product removal device. The suction unit further includes a suction pad that is in contact with the molded product and adsorbs the molded product,
The main body portion holds the suction pad and has a space communicating with the suction pad and the flow path portion.
The molded product removal device according to claim 1. The suction pad is arranged along the normal direction and is suctioned in a state of contact with a main surface of the molded product facing the metal plate.
The molded product removing device according to claim 2. The suction pad is in contact with the side surface of the molded product and adsorbs the molded product.
The molded product removing device according to claim 2. The suction unit further includes a moving member provided at an upper end of the main body portion and configured to move the suction pad in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction.
The molded product removing device according to claim 4. The suction unit further includes a cylindrical spacer replaceably provided between the main body portion and the magnet portion.
The molded product removal device according to claim 1. A plurality of holes penetrating the metal plate are provided at predetermined intervals from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the metal plate.
The molded product removal device according to claim 1. The suction unit further includes a locking portion provided at a lower end of the main body portion and capable of being locked in the hole portion.
The molded product removing device according to claim 7.