KR101764365B1

KR101764365B1 - Method and apparatus for supplying plastic resins

Info

Publication number: KR101764365B1
Application number: KR1020150136290A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 이진상
Original assignee: 이진상
Priority date: 2015-09-25
Filing date: 2015-09-25
Publication date: 2017-08-02
Also published as: KR20170037124A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for connecting plastic resin feed lines. This is a method for supplying a raw material plastic resin raw material from a plurality of raw material tanks to an injection machine, the method comprising: inputting plastic raw material information to be supplied; An open end of a raw material tank line corresponding to inputted raw material information is moved among a plurality of raw material tank lines for discharging the plastic resin raw material from the raw material tank to communicate with an open end of a fixed connecting pipe connected to a hopper of the injector, Connecting step; A waiting step of displaying the inputted raw material information and awaiting a confirmation command of the user; And a transfer step of starting the transfer of the raw material from the raw material tank to the injector through the raw material tank line communicated with the fixed connection pipe when the confirmation command of the user is inputted.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING PLASTIC RESINS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for supplying a plastic resin to a plastic molding machine, and more particularly, to a plastic resin molding machine for automatically and rapidly switching a connection between a raw material tank and an injection molding machine in a plastic molding process, To a method and apparatus for connecting a supply line.

Interior parts of automobiles such as door trim, pillar trim, dashboard, center console and the like are generally manufactured by injection molding using a plastic resin as a raw material. In recent years, various kinds of plastic resins have been used as raw materials for various purposes, in order to meet consumers' preferences, in order to have various shapes and various colors even if they are parts built in the same automobile.

1 schematically shows an injection molding process system for producing a conventional plastic molding product. 1, the raw material conveyor 11 supplies a variety of plastic resin raw materials to a plurality of raw material tanks 12, respectively. Generally, each raw material tank 12 is filled with one kind of plastic resin raw material. Therefore, a corresponding number of raw material tanks 12 are provided for producing products using various resin raw materials. The plastic resin material to be contained in each raw material tank 12 can be obtained by mixing a main material made of a predetermined plastic resin with a material for controlling a desired color or physical properties and molding the mixed material into granules or pellets and drying To form a granular or pellet-shaped plastic resin raw material. From the respective raw material tanks 12, the pellet-shaped resin raw material can be supplied to the hopper provided in each injector 16 through the transfer pipes 13 and 15. The injector 16 can then mold a predetermined product by heating the pelletized resin material to melt it in a liquid phase and injecting it into the mold.

In general, the injection machine 16 can mold various types of plastic resin materials using the same mold or various molds. For this purpose, it is necessary to switch the type of the plastic resin raw material supplied to each injector 16 and supply it. In the illustrated example, a connecting portion 14 for switching the transfer pipe connection is provided between the transfer pipe 13, 15 connected between the raw material tank 12 and the injector 16. The connection unit 14 includes a transfer pipe 13 disposed on the raw material supply side and a valve for connecting the transfer pipe 15 disposed on the injection machine side. Conventionally, the connection operation is manually performed.

Since the work of connecting the transfer pipes 13 and 15 is manually performed by the operator, it is burdensome for the operator to select and connect the precise raw material supply side transfer pipe 13 and the injector side transfer pipe 15. However, it is difficult for an expert or a general person to accurately determine the physical properties and color of the plastic resin raw material when the name is used or the raw material appearance is taken into consideration. As a result, the process of converting a raw material after molding a product and molding the other product is inconvenient and takes a long time, and the risk of a product failure due to an undesirable supply of resin material due to a mistake in connection operation due to a worker's mistake There was a problem that it existed.

Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1491127 (Registered on February 2, 2015) Registered Utility Model No. 20-0414238 (Registered on Apr. 11, 2006)

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a plastic resin supply line connection method capable of automatically and rapidly transferring various kinds of resin by automatically switching the connection between a raw material feeder used in a plastic molding process and an injection molding machine And an object thereof.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for selecting a transfer pipe connected to a raw material tank containing input raw materials by automatically reading information of a specific resin material through machine reading using a barcode or the like, And it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for connecting plastic resin supply lines that can easily and quickly switch and supply a resin material having desired physical properties and properties even if there is no technology.

This object is achieved by a plastic resin supply line connecting method and apparatus provided according to the present invention.

A method of connecting a plastic resin feed line according to an aspect of the present invention is a method of feeding a plastic resin raw material as a raw material from a plurality of raw material tanks to an injection machine, An open end of a raw material tank line corresponding to inputted raw material information is moved among a plurality of raw material tank lines for discharging the plastic resin raw material from the raw material tank to communicate with an open end of a fixed connecting pipe connected to a hopper of the injector, Connecting step; A waiting step of displaying the inputted raw material information and awaiting a confirmation command of the user; And a transfer step of starting the transfer of the raw material from the raw material tank to the injector through the raw material tank line communicated with the fixed connection pipe when the confirmation command of the user is inputted.

In the input step, the raw material information may be input in the form of barcode information read by the barcode scanner.

Wherein the movement of the open end of the raw material tank line is performed in a first position where an open end of one of the plurality of raw material tank lines is spaced apart from an open end of the fixed connection pipe, And a second position coupled to the open end.

And a sensing step of sensing a state in which the open end of the raw material tank line and the open end of the fixed connection pipe are coupled between the connection step and the atmospheric step.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for supplying a plastic resin raw material as a raw material from a plurality of raw material tanks to a plurality of injection machines, comprising: inputting plastic resin raw material information to be supplied and injector information to be supplied; A first connection step of moving the connection end of the raw material tank line corresponding to the input raw material information among the plurality of raw material tank lines for discharging the plastic resin raw material from the raw material tank to the first open end of the fixed connection pipe, ; A second connection step of moving the open end of the injector line corresponding to the inputted injector information to the second open end of the fixed connection pipe among a plurality of injection machine lines for introducing the plastic resin raw material into the hopper of the injection machine, ; A waiting step of displaying the inputted raw material information and injector information and waiting for a confirmation command of the user; And a transfer step of starting the transfer of the raw material from the raw material tank to the injector through the raw material tank line and the injector line communicated with the fixed connection pipe when the confirmation command of the user is inputted.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for supplying a plastic resin raw material as raw materials from a plurality of raw material tanks to an injection machine, the apparatus comprising: an input unit for inputting plastic raw material information to be supplied; Wherein an open end of a plurality of raw material tank lines for discharging the plastic resin raw material from each of the plurality of raw material tanks is connected to a first position spaced apart from an open end of a fixed connection pipe connected to a hopper of the injector, A plurality of link modules for moving between a second position to be engaged; A display unit that displays the input raw material information and waits for a confirmation command of the user; Wherein the control unit controls the link module corresponding to the raw material tank line in correspondence with the input raw material information among the plurality of link modules so that the open end of the raw material tank line is connected to the fixed connection The control unit controls the display unit to display the input raw material information and to wait for a user's confirmation command. When the confirmation command of the user is input, And control to start the feed of the raw material from the raw material tank to the injector through the tank line.

The input unit may include: a barcode scanner for reading and inputting the barcode.

The plurality of link modules may be arranged concentrically about the fixed connection pipe.

Wherein each of the plurality of link modules comprises: an air cylinder rotatably coupled to a frame to which the fixed connection pipe is fixed and having a movable arm whose length is changed; A gripper fixed to an open end of the raw material line; And a link arm rotatably coupled at one end to the frame to which the fixed connection pipe is fixed and fixed to the movable arm of the air cylinder at a predetermined position and the other end rotatably coupled to the gripping portion have.

And a sensor unit for sensing whether the open end of the raw material tank line is correctly seated in the open end of the fixed connection pipe.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for connecting a plastic resin feed line, comprising: an input unit for inputting plastic resin raw material information to be supplied and injection machine information to be supplied, from a plurality of raw material tanks to an injection machine, ; The open end of the plurality of raw material tank lines for discharging the plastic resin raw material from each of the plurality of raw material tanks is connected to a first position spaced apart from the first open end of the fixed connection pipe and to a first open end of the fixed connection pipe A plurality of first link modules for moving between a first position and a second position; And an open end of a plurality of injector lines for introducing the plastic resin raw material into the plurality of injectors is connected to a first position spaced apart from a second open end of the fixed connection pipe, A plurality of second link modules for moving between positions; A display unit that displays the input raw material information and waits for a confirmation command of the user; Wherein the controller controls the link module corresponding to the raw material tank line corresponding to the input raw material information among the plurality of first link modules so that the open end of the raw material tank line And an open end of the injector line is connected to the open end of the stationary connection pipe, and the control unit controls the link module corresponding to the injector line corresponding to the injector information inputted from among the plurality of second link modules, The control unit controls the display unit to display the input raw material information and the injector information and to wait for the user's confirmation command. When the confirmation command of the user is inputted, And controls to start the feed of the raw material from the raw material tank to the injector through the communicated raw material tank line and injector line.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a plastic resin supply line connecting method and apparatus, which can automatically and quickly supply various kinds of resin easily by automatically switching the connection between a raw material feeder and an injection molding machine used in a plastic molding process.

Specifically, according to the present invention, when information of a specific resin raw material is input through machine reading using a bar code or the like, a transfer pipe connected to the raw material tank containing the input raw material is automatically selected and automatically connected to the injection- It is possible to easily and quickly convert and supply resin materials having desired physical properties and properties even if the operator has no knowledge or skill.

According to the present invention, when information of a specific resin material is inputted through machine reading using a bar code or the like by designating a specific injection machine, the transfer pipe connected to the raw material tank side including the raw material inputted from among the plurality of transfer pipes is automatically It is possible to easily and quickly convert and supply the resin material having desired physical properties and properties to a specific injection machine even if the operator does not have a specialized knowledge or skill by automatically connecting the injection pipe to the injection pipe on the injection machine side selected from a plurality of injection machines.

Further, according to the present invention, it is indicated to the operator whether the connection is correctly performed before the transfer of the raw material, so that the transfer of the raw material is started only after confirmation of the operator, thereby preventing the mistake in supplying the raw material and supplying the correct raw material.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, not only information input by bar code machine reading but also manual input by a worker is enabled, so that a raw material feeding operation can be performed even when a machine reading device malfunctions.

1 is a schematic view of an injection molding process system for producing a conventional plastic molding product;
2 is a system schematic for an injection molding process employing a plastic resin feed line connection technique according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method of connecting a plastic resin feed line in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method of connecting a plastic resin feed line in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a plastic resin feed line connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a plastic resin supply line connecting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7A is a schematic side view illustrating the structure of a plastic resin supply line connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
7B is a schematic plan view illustrating the structure of a plastic resin supply line connecting apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 7A; FIG.
8 is a schematic side view illustrating the structure of a plastic resin supply line connecting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description and drawings are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In other words, it is to be understood that the embodiments described below can be modified in various ways when they are implemented in the field, and if they are within the technical idea of the present invention, they should belong to the present invention. To be readily understood by those skilled in the art of marine technology.

2 is a system schematic for an injection molding process employing a plastic resin feed line connection technique in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2, the injection molding system 20 includes a raw material conveyor 21, a raw material tank 22, a raw material tank line 23, a connecting device 24, an injector line 25, and an injector 26 . The raw material carrier (21) feeds a plurality of plastic resin raw materials into a plurality of raw material tanks (22). Each raw material tank 22 may further include a mixer that mixes the additive material to adjust physical properties and chemical properties, a drier to dry the plastic resin raw material in the form of granules or pellets, etc. although not shown. In this specification, it is assumed that the plastic resin stored in each raw material tank 22 is dried in the form of granules or pellets, and can be put into a subsequent injection process. The resin material in the form of pellets from the raw material tank 22 can be supplied to the hopper provided in the injector 26 via the raw material tank line 23, the connecting device 24 and the injector line 25. Thereafter, the injection machine 26 can mold a predetermined product by heating the pelletized resin material, melting it in a liquid phase, and injecting it into a mold.

In the present invention, which of the plurality of raw material tanks 22 to which the plastic resin of the raw material tanks 22 is supplied is fed to the injectors 26 of the plurality of injectors 26 is determined by the raw material tank line 23 and the injector line 26, As shown in FIG. The connecting device 24 is a device that automatically performs a transfer pipe connecting operation which has been performed manually. For example, an operator can input information of a desired plastic resin material to be supplied to a specific injection machine by using a barcode scanner. Then, the connecting device 24 selects the raw material tank line 23 connected to the raw material tank side containing the input raw material and connects it to the injector line 25 of the specific injector. Accordingly, the resin material having desired physical properties and properties can be easily and quickly converted and supplied to the injector 26 even if the operator does not have the expert knowledge or skill about the physical properties and characteristics of the plastic resin material.

The configuration of the connecting device 24 and the related connecting method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 3 to 8.

3 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method for connecting a plastic resin feed line in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a plastic resin supply line connecting method 300 in an injection system in which a plurality of raw material tanks are connected to one injector is illustrated. This case corresponds to a similar system in which there is only one injector 26 in the system 20 of FIG. In other words, a plurality of raw material tanks and raw material tank lines are arranged in this system, while only one injection machine line is connected from the injection machine to the connection device, the connection device is connected to a plurality of raw material tanks and raw material tank lines from one side, Quot; injector " The connection method 300 that can be performed in such a system includes a raw material information input step 301, a connection step 303, a display step 305, a confirmation step 307, and a raw material transfer start step 309 .

First, in the raw material information input step 301, the operator can input desired plastics resin raw material information into the connecting device by scanning a barcode previously prepared corresponding to the desired plastics resin raw material, for example, using a barcode scanner. In addition, or alternatively, the operator can directly input information of a desired plastic resin material using a keyboard or the like provided on the control panel.

When the raw material information is inputted, in the connecting step 303, the connecting device selects a raw material tank line corresponding to the inputted raw material, and connects the selected raw material tank line to a fixed connection pipe (not shown) connected to the injection machine (or the hopper built in the injection machine) Lt; / RTI > The fixed connection pipe may be in the form of a tube, a pipe, or a pipe having open ends, and one end of the fixed connection pipe may be open and the other end may be connected to the injector. In this connection step 303 it can be sensed by the sensor whether the raw material tank line is connected to the open end or open end of the fixed connection pipe.

If the connection of the raw material tank line and the fixed connection pipe is completed in the above connection step 303, then the next display step 305 proceeds. The connecting device can display information of the raw material to be supplied to the injector to the operator by using a visual and audible display device such as a display, an LED (light emitting diode) lamp, a warning light, a speaker and the like. This display step 303 enables the operator to confirm that the correct raw material is once again supplied, thereby reducing the raw material supply error.

In the next confirmation step 307, the operator can input a command to the connection device to confirm whether the displayed raw material information is correct, using an input device such as a button input part or a keyboard for inputting a predetermined example, for example, . If the user determines that the raw material displayed in the display step 305 is not the raw material to be actually supplied and inputs a 'no' command (NO in 307), the step 301 ). &Lt; / RTI > On the other hand, if the user judges that the raw material indicated by the displayed material in the display step 305 is the raw material to be actually fed, and inputs an 'Yes' command (YES in 307), the raw material transfer start 309 is performed.

Finally, the feedstart start step 309 can be accomplished, for example, by sending a signal from the control processor of the linking device to inform the control processor of the injector to start feeding the feedstock. Then, in the injection machine, suction pressure can be applied to the fixed connection pipe and the raw material tank line by using, for example, air pressure. By means of the air suction pressure from the injection machine, the pellet-shaped plastic resin material can be transferred to the injection machine from the corresponding raw material tank through the fixed connection pipe of the connection device connected to the injection machine and the raw material tank line connected to the fixed connection pipe .

4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method for connecting a plastic resin feed line in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a plastic resin supply line connection method 400 in an injection system in which a plurality of raw material tanks are connected to a plurality of injection machines is illustrated. In this case, similar to the system 20 of FIG. 2, a plurality of raw material tanks and a plurality of injectors are included, and the connecting device is connected to a plurality of raw material tanks and raw material tank lines from one side, It is assumed that it is connected to a plurality of injection machines. The connection method 400 that can be performed in such a system includes a raw material information input step 401, a connection step 403, a display step 405, a confirmation step 407, and a raw material transfer start step 409 .

First, in the raw material information input step 401, the operator can input desired plastics resin raw material information into the connecting device by, for example, scanning a barcode previously prepared corresponding to the desired plastics resin raw material by using a barcode scanner. In addition, or alternatively, the operator can directly input information of a desired plastic resin material using a keyboard or the like provided on the control panel. In addition, since the worker has to designate the injection machine to which the raw material is to be supplied among a plurality of injection machines, the injection machine information must be inputted. The injector information may be input using a barcode scanner or a keyboard, similar to the raw material information input method.

When the raw material information and injector information are inputted, in the connecting step 403, the connecting device selects the raw material tank line corresponding to the input raw material, and connects the selected raw material tank line to one end of the fixed connecting pipe. The fixed connection tube may be in the form of a tube, tube or pipe with open ends. If both open ends of the fixed connection pipe are referred to as a first open end and a second open end, respectively, the connecting device can connect the raw material tank line to the first open end of the fixed connection pipe. Whether or not the selected raw material tank line is connected to the first open end of the fixed connection pipe can be detected by the first sensor.

On the other hand, in the connecting step 403, the connecting device selects the injector line corresponding to the input injector and connects the selected injector line to the second open end of the fixed connector. Whether or not the selected injector line is connected to the second open end of the fixed connector can be sensed by the second sensor.

If both ends of the raw material tank line and injector line and the fixed connection pipe are connected in the above connection step 403, the next display step 405 is performed. The connecting device can display information of raw material to be supplied to the injection machine and information of the injection machine to be supplied to the operator by using a visual and audible display device such as a display, LED (light emitting diode) lamp, This display step 403 allows the operator to confirm that the precisely specified raw material will be supplied to the precisely specified injector once again, thereby reducing the raw material supply error.

In the next confirmation step 407, the operator inputs a command for confirming whether the displayed raw material information and injector information are correct using an input device such as a button input section or a keyboard for inputting a predetermined example, for example, can do. If the user determines that the material and / or the injector displayed in the display step 405 is not the raw material to be actually supplied and / or the injector to be supplied, and inputs a 'no' command (NO in 407) The process returns to the step 401 for inputting the raw material to be supplied and the injector information to be supplied. On the other hand, if the user judges that the raw material and the injection machine displayed in the display step 405 are correct and inputs the YES command (YES in step 407), the raw material transfer start step 409 is performed.

Finally, the feedstart start step 409 can be accomplished, for example, by sending a signal from the control processor of the linking device to inform the control processor of the injector to start feeding the feedstock. Then, in the injection machine, suction pressure can be applied to the injector line, the fixed connection pipe, and the raw material tank line, which are currently connected to each other, using air pressure, for example. The pelletized plastic resin raw material is transferred from the corresponding raw material tank to the injection machine through the injector line connected to the injection machine, the fixed connection line connected to the injection machine, and the raw material tank line connected to the fixed connection pipe by the air suction pressure from the injection machine .

5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a plastic resin supply line connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a connection device 50 of a plastic resin supply line in an injection system in which a plurality of raw material tanks are connected to one injector is illustrated. In the illustrated example, the linking device 50 includes a linking portion 50 including a control portion 51, an input portion 52, a display portion 53, a fixed connection pipe 54, and a plurality of link modules 551, 552, 55, and a sensor unit 59.

The input unit 52 is a device for inputting plastic resin raw material information to be supplied by a user or an operator. The input unit 52 may include an input device such as a barcode scanner, a keyboard, a touch screen, an input button, and the like. For example, an operator can input information of a desired plastic resin material to the connecting device 50 by scanning a bar code previously prepared corresponding to a desired plastic resin material by using a barcode scanner. In addition, or alternatively, the operator can directly input information of a desired plastic resin material by using a keyboard or the like provided on the control panel.

The fixed connection pipe 54 may be a part such as a pipe, a tube, a pipe or the like fixed to the frame of the connecting device 50. One end of the fixed connection pipe (54) is connected to the hopper of the injection machine. The other end of the fixed connection pipe 54 is kept open and connected to the raw material tank line by the operation of any one of the plurality of link modules 551, 552, 553 provided in the link portion 55 .

The link portion 55 includes a plurality of link modules 551, 552, 553 holding open ends of a plurality of raw material tank lines for discharging the plastic resin material from each of the plurality of material tanks. The plurality of link modules 551, 552 and 553 can move the open end of the raw material tank line between the first position and the second position, respectively. For example, the first position may be a position where the open end of the raw material tank line held by each link module is spaced apart from the open end of the fixed connection pipe 54. On the other hand, the second position may be a position where the open end of the raw material tank line held by each link module is engaged with the open end of the fixed connection pipe 54 to communicate with each other.

The plurality of link modules 551, 552, 553 constituting the link portion 55 may be arranged concentrically with the fixed connection pipe 54 as a center. The plurality of link modules 551, 552 and 553 can be disposed at the same radial distance around the fixed connection pipe 54 when the concentric circles are disposed, The simplicity can be provided that the distances moving the open ends of the tank lines are all the same.

The sensor unit 59 senses whether the open end of the raw material tank line moved by the link module 551, 552 or 553 is correctly seated in the open end of the fixed connection pipe 54 and supplies it to the control unit 51 to be.

The display unit 53 may be a device for displaying raw material information input visually or audibly to an operator and waiting for a user's confirmation command, and may include an LED lamp, a display, a monitor, a speaker, and the like.

The control unit 51 is a control device for controlling the operation of each part. The control unit 51 may be a control device including a processor or a microprocessor, or may be a control device including a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The control unit 51 controls the link module corresponding to the raw material tank line corresponding to the input raw material information among the plurality of link modules of the link unit 55 so that the raw material tank line, The open end of the fixed connection pipe 54 can be controlled to communicate with the open end of the fixed connection pipe 54. The control unit 51 may control the corresponding link module to remove the raw material tank line communicated with the fixed connection pipe 54 and to be spaced apart from the fixed connection pipe 54. [ Further, the control unit 51 may control the display unit 53 to display the raw material information inputted by the user through the input unit 52 and to wait for the user's confirmation command. The control unit 51 outputs a control signal for starting the transfer of the raw material from the raw material tank to the injector through the raw material tank line communicated with the current fixed connection pipe 54 can do.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a plastic resin supply line connecting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 6, a plastic resin supply line connecting device 60 in an injection system in which a plurality of raw material tanks are connected to a plurality of injection machines is illustrated. In the illustrated example, the connecting device 60 includes a control unit 61, an input unit 62, a display unit 63, a fixed connection pipe 64, and a plurality of link modules 651, 652, A second link portion 67 including a plurality of link modules 671, 672 and 673, and a sensor portion 69. [

The input unit 62 is a device for inputting the plastic resin raw material information to be supplied by the user or the operator and the injection molding machine information to be supplied. The input unit 62 may include an input device such as a barcode scanner, a keyboard, a touch screen, an input button, and the like. For example, an operator can input desired plastic resin raw material information and injection molding machine information into the connecting device 60 by scanning a bar code previously prepared corresponding to a desired plastic resin raw material and an injection machine by using a barcode scanner. In addition, or alternatively, the operator can directly input information of the desired plastic resin raw material and injection machine by using a keyboard or the like provided on the control panel.

The fixed connection pipe 64 may be a component such as a pipe, a tube, a pipe, or the like fixed to the frame of the connection device 60. One end of the fixed connection pipe 64 may be kept open and connected to a plurality of injector lines connected to the hopper of the specific injector by the first link portion 65, respectively. The other end of the fixed connection pipe 64 is maintained in an open state and is connected to a specific material tank by the operation of any one of the plurality of link modules 671, 672, 673 provided in the second link portion 67 And can be connected to the raw material tank line.

The first link portion 65 includes a plurality of link modules 651, 652 and 653 holding open ends of a plurality of raw material tank lines for discharging the plastic resin raw material from each of the plurality of raw material tanks. The plurality of link modules 651, 652, and 653 can move the open end of the raw material tank line between the first position and the second position, respectively. For example, the first position may be a position where the open end of the raw material tank line held by each link module is spaced apart from the first open end of the fixed connection pipe 64. On the other hand, the second position may be a position where the open end of the raw material tank line held by each link module is engaged with the first open end of the fixed connection pipe 64 to communicate with each other.

The plurality of link modules 651, 652, and 653 of the first link unit 65 may be concentrically disposed around the fixed connection pipe 64. 652 and 653 can be disposed at the same radial distance about the first open end of the fixed connection pipe 64 so that the plurality of link modules 651 and 652 , 653) are all the same in moving the open end of the raw material tank line.

On the other hand, the second link portion 67 includes a plurality of link modules 671, 672, 673 holding an open end of a plurality of injection machine lines for introducing the plastic resin material into each of the plurality of injection machines. The plurality of link modules 671, 672, 673 may each move the open end of the injector line between a first position and a second position. For example, the first position may be a position where the open end of the injector line held by each link module is spaced apart from the second open end of the fixed connection pipe 64. On the other hand, the second position may be a position where the open end of the injector line held by each link module is engaged with the second open end of the fixed connection pipe 64 to communicate with each other.

The plurality of link modules 671, 672, 673 of the second link portion 67 may be concentrically arranged around the second open end of the fixed connection pipe 64. The arrangement of the second link portions 67 may be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the arrangement of the first link portions 67.

The sensor unit 69 is connected to the first end of the fixed connection pipe 64 and the second end of the fixed connection pipe 64 by the open end of the raw material tank line moved by the link module 651, 652, or 653 (671, 672, Or the second open end, and provides the control unit 61 with the detected result.

The display unit 63 may be a device for displaying raw material information input visually or audibly to an operator and waiting for a user's confirmation command, and may include an LED lamp, a display, a monitor, a speaker, and the like.

The control unit 61 is a control device for controlling the operation of each part. The control unit 61 may be a control device including a processor or a microprocessor, or may be a control device including a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The control unit 61 controls the link module corresponding to the raw material tank line corresponding to the input raw material information among the plurality of link modules of the first link unit 65 so that the raw material, The open end of the tank line can be controlled to be communicated with the first open end of the fixed connection pipe 64. The control unit 61 may control the corresponding link module to remove the raw material tank line communicated with the first open end of the fixed connection pipe 64 and to be spaced apart from the fixed connection pipe 64. The control unit 61 controls the link module corresponding to the injector line in correspondence with the injector information inputted from among the plurality of link modules of the second link unit 67 so that the control unit 61, The open end of the injector line can be controlled to communicate with the second open end of the fixed connection pipe 64. The control unit 61 may control the corresponding link module so that the injector line communicating with the second open end of the fixed connection pipe 64 is disconnected to be spaced apart from the fixed connection pipe 64. [

Further, the control unit 61 may display the raw material and injector information input by the user through the input unit 62, and may control the display unit 63 to wait for the user's confirmation command. When the user's confirmation command is input through the input unit 62, the control unit 61 controls to start feeding the raw material from the raw material tank to the injector through the raw material tank line communicated with the fixed connection pipe 64 and the injector line A signal can be output.

7A is a schematic side view illustrating the structure of a plastic resin supply line connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7A, the connecting device 70 includes a frame 71, a control panel 72, a display lamp 73, a fixed connection pipe 74, a link module 75, an air pressure regulating portion 77, And an air tank 78.

The frame 71 is a supporting frame for fixing each part of the connecting device 70. The control panel 72 may include a control unit, an input unit, and a display unit described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. The display lamp 73 may display the operation state by lighting the blue lamp when the operation of the present connection device 70 is normal, and lighting the red lamp when an error occurs.

The fixed connection pipe 74 is fixed on one plane of the frame 71 as a pipe, tube or pipe-shaped part. The upper end of the fixed connection pipe 74 may be coupled to the hopper of the specific injection machine and the following pipe. On the other hand, the lower end of the fixed connection pipe 74 can be connected or opened by the link module 75. Although only one link module 75 is shown in the figure, this is for the sake of brevity. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the linking device 70 may include twelve link modules 75 concentrically disposed about the lower end of the fixed link 74.

Each link module 75 may include an air cylinder 751, a link arm 752, a grip portion 753, and a sensor portion 754. The air cylinder 751 is an actuator that is operated by the air pressure supplied by the air tank 78 and regulated by the air pressure regulating portion 77. A link arm 752 is fixed to the movable arm side of the air cylinder 751. One end of the link arm 752 is rotatably coupled to the frame 71 and the other end is fixed to the grip portion 753 holding the end of the raw material tank line. The link arm 752 can be rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the frame 71 by the operation of the air cylinder 751 so that the grip portion 753 fixed to the link arm 752 can be rotated 1 position and the second position. The sensor unit 754 can sense whether the raw material tank line fixed to the grip unit 753 is correctly coupled with the fixed connection pipe 74.

In the illustrated example, the raw material tank line is connected to the lower end of the fixed connection pipe 74, and the injector is connected to the upper end of the fixed connection pipe 74. Generally, when the pelletized plastic resin raw material is supplied from the raw material tank to the injection machine, the plastic raw material moves due to the air suction force applied from the injection machine. When the movement of the plastic raw material is stopped, when the suction force applied from the injection machine side is lost, the plastic raw material remaining in the fixed connection pipe 74 can flow down to the raw material tank line naturally by gravity. Accordingly, when a new plastic resin is to be supplied, it is possible to prevent the existing plastic resin material from being scattered to the outside of the apparatus when the existing raw material tank line is removed from the lower end of the fixed connection pipe 74.

7B is a schematic plan view illustrating the structure of the plastic resin supply line connecting apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. 7A.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the twelve link modules L01 to L12 are schematically illustrated as concentric circles arranged around the open end of the fixed connection pipe 74. As shown in FIG. Each of the twelve link modules L01 to L12 may be configured similarly to the link module 75 of Fig. 7A. When such concentric circles are arranged, the twelve link modules L01 to L12 can all be arranged at the same radial distance around the open end of the fixed connection tube 74, and simplicity can be provided that the travel distances are all the same have. Although 12 link modules are illustrated in the illustrated example, it is apparent that the number of link modules need not be limited to twelve, and may be configured in various numbers.

8 is a schematic side view illustrating the structure of a plastic resin supply line connecting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8, the connecting device 80 includes a frame 81, a control panel 82, a display lamp 83, a fixed connection pipe 84, link modules 85 and 86, an air pressure regulator 87 And an air tank 88. The air- The depicted example has a similar configuration to the linking device 70 shown in Figs. 7a and 7b, except that it has two sets of link modules 85, 86.

The frame 81 is a supporting frame for fixing each part of the connecting device 80. The control panel 82 may include a control unit, an input unit, and a display unit described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. The indicator lamp 83 may indicate the operating state by lighting the blue lamp when the operation of the present connection device 80 is normal, or by turning on the red lamp when an error occurs.

The fixed connection pipe 84 is fixed on one plane of the frame 81 as a pipe, tube or pipe-shaped part. The upper end of the fixed connection pipe 84 may be coupled or opened by a first link module 86 to an injector line which is connected to a hopper of a particular injector, respectively. On the other hand, the lower end of the fixed connection pipe 84 may be opened or closed by the second link module 85, respectively, with a specific raw material tank and a subsequent raw material tank line. Although only one of each of the first link module 86 and the second link module 85 is shown in the drawing, this is for the sake of brevity. 7b, the connecting device 80 may include twelve link modules 86, 85 concentrically disposed about the upper and lower ends of the fixed connection tube 84. In this example, have.

Each of the link modules 85 and 86 may include air cylinders 851 and 861, link arms 852 and 862, grip portions 853 and 863, and sensor portions 854 and 864. The air cylinders 851 and 861 are actuators which are operated by the air pressure supplied by the air tank 88 and regulated by the air pressure regulating portion 87. [ The link arms 852 and 862 are fixed to the movable arms of the air cylinders 851 and 861. One end of the link arms 852 and 862 is rotatably coupled to the frame 81 and the other end is fixed to the grippers 853 and 863 holding the ends of the raw material tank lines. The link arms 852 and 862 can be rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the frame 81 by the operation of the air cylinders 851 and 861 and as a result, The supporting portions 853 and 863 can be reciprocated between the first position and the second position. The sensor units 854 and 864 can sense whether or not the raw material tank line fixed to the grip units 853 and 863 is accurately engaged with the fixed connection pipe 74. [

In the illustrated example, the raw material tank line is connected to the lower end of the fixed connection pipe 84 and the injector can be connected to the upper end of the fixed connection pipe 84. The first link module 86 and the second link module 85 are arranged such that the twelve link modules L01 to L12 are positioned at the center of the open end of the upper and lower ends of the fixed connection pipe 84, As shown in FIG. Accordingly, the first link module 86 and the second link module 85 can be disposed mirror-symmetrically with respect to each other. Although in the illustrated example both the first link module 86 and the second link module 85 are illustrated as including twelve link modules, the number of link modules need not be limited to twelve, It is apparent that the first link module 86 and the second link module 85 may each be configured by a different number of link modules.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, Of course, fall within the scope of the present invention.

20: Injection molding system
21: Raw material carrier
22: raw material tank
23: raw material tank line
24: Line connection device
25: Injection machine line
26: Injection machine
50: connecting device
51:
52:
53:
54: Fixed connector
55:
59:
70: connecting device
71: frame
72: Control panel
73: Indicators
74: Fixed connector
75: Link module
751: Air cylinder
752: Link arm
753:
754:
77: Air pressure regulator
78: Air tank

Claims

A method for supplying a raw material plastic resin raw material from a plurality of raw material tanks to a plurality of injection machines,
Inputting plastic resin raw material information to be supplied and injection machine information to be supplied;
A first connection step of moving the connection end of the raw material tank line corresponding to the input raw material information among the plurality of raw material tank lines for discharging the plastic resin raw material from the raw material tank to the first open end of the fixed connection pipe, ;
A second connecting step of moving the open end of the injector line corresponding to the inputted injector information to the second open end of the fixed connection pipe among the plurality of injector lines for introducing the plastic resin raw material into the hopper of the injector, ;
A waiting step of displaying the inputted raw material information and injector information and waiting for a confirmation command of the user;
And transferring the raw material from the raw material tank to the injector through the raw material tank line and the injector line communicated with the fixed connection pipe when the confirmation command of the user is inputted,
Wherein the movement of the open end of the raw material tank line and the injector line in the first and second connection steps is performed by opening one raw material tank line of the plurality of raw material tank lines or one of the plurality of injector lines And a link device that reciprocates between a first position spaced apart from the first and second open ends of the fixed connection tube and a second position coupled to the first and second open ends of the fixed connection tube In addition,
The link device includes an air cylinder rotatably coupled to a frame on which the fixed connection pipe is fixed and having a movable arm whose length is changed; A gripper fixed to an open end of the raw material tank line; And a link arm rotatably connected at one end to a frame to which the fixed connection pipe is fixed and fixed at a predetermined position to the movable arm of the air cylinder and the other end rotatably coupled to the grip portion, ,
How to connect plastic resin feed line.

The method according to claim 1,
In the input step, the raw material information includes:
And is input in the form of barcode information read by a barcode scanner.

delete

The method according to claim 1,
Between the first and second connection steps and the waiting step,
Further comprising a sensing step of sensing an open end of the raw material tank line and a state in which the open end of the injector line and the first and second open ends of the fixed connection pipe are engaged.

An apparatus for supplying a raw material plastic resin raw material from a plurality of raw material tanks to a plurality of injection machines,
An input unit for inputting plastic resin raw material information to be supplied and injector information to be supplied;
The open end of the plurality of raw material tank lines for discharging the plastic resin raw material from each of the plurality of raw material tanks is connected to a first position spaced apart from the first open end of the fixed connection pipe and to a first open end of the fixed connection pipe A plurality of first link modules for moving between a first position and a second position;
And an open end of a plurality of injector lines for introducing the plastic resin raw material into the plurality of injectors is connected to a first position spaced apart from a second open end of the fixed connection pipe, A plurality of second link modules for moving between positions;
A display unit that displays the input raw material information and waits for a confirmation command of the user; And
A control unit for controlling the operation of each part
Wherein the control unit controls the link module corresponding to the raw material tank line corresponding to the input raw material information among the plurality of first link modules so that the open end of the raw material tank line communicates with the open end of the fixed connecting pipe So that the open end of the injector line communicates with the second open end of the fixed connection pipe by controlling the link module corresponding to the injector line corresponding to the inputted injector information among the plurality of second link modules And controls the display unit to display the inputted raw material information and injector information and to wait for a user's confirmation command. When the confirmation command of the user is input, the raw material tank line and the injector line To start the feed of the raw material from the raw material tank to the injector,
Wherein each of the plurality of first and second link modules comprises: an air cylinder rotatably coupled to a frame to which the fixed connection pipe is fixed and having a movable arm whose length is changed; A gripper fixed to an open end of the raw material tank line; And a link arm rotatably connected at one end to a frame to which the fixed connection pipe is fixed and fixed at a predetermined position to the movable arm of the air cylinder and the other end rotatably coupled to the grip portion, ,
Plastic resin feed line connection device.

6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the input unit comprises:
And a bar code scanner for reading and inputting a bar code indicating the raw material information.

6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the plurality of first and second link modules comprise:
And are arranged concentrically on upper and lower parallel planes about the fixed connection pipe.

delete

6. The method of claim 5,
Further comprising a sensor portion for sensing whether the open end of the raw material tank line and the open end of the injector line are correctly seated in the first and second open ends of the fixed connection pipe.