KR20110030758A - Silicon injection molding apparatus for components with super-hydrophobic surface - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A silicon injection molding apparatus for forming super-hydrophobic components is provided to reduce process costs, since resin is directly injected into a mold. CONSTITUTION: A silicon injection molding apparatus for forming super-hydrophobic components comprises a mold unit, a resin mixing unit(3), a hardener supply unit(4), a resin supply unit(5), and an injection unit. The mold unit is opened and closed vertically to the ground. The injection unit injects the resin discharged from the resin mixing unit into the mold unit. The resin mixing unit comprises a hardener input unit, a resin input unit(62), first and second mixing units(7,8), and a discharge unit. The hardener/resin input units inject hardener and resin which are provided from the hardener/resin supply units, respectively. The first mixing unit mixes the hardener and the resin injected from the hardener/resin input units. The second mixing unit accepts and stirs the mixed resin. The discharge unit discharges the mixed resin to the injection unit.

Description

Silicon Injection Molding Apparatus for Components with Super-hydrophobic Surface}

The present invention relates to a silicone injection molding machine for molding super water-repellent parts. In particular, the present invention relates to a silicone injection molding machine having a resin mixing portion for mixing the injected hardener and resin into a mold just before injection.

Recently, polymer parts having super water-repellent surface properties have been widely used. Super water-repellent properties of the surface of the polymer component can be achieved by a pattern having a specific function, such as light transmission or water repellent, among the nano- or micro-sized patterns existing in nature, and research on this is actively conducted in developed countries. It's going on. Polymer parts having super water-repellent properties can be used, for example, solar cell protective covers, lighting parts covers, plastic food containers, hygiene products, biosensors, microfluidics chips and the like. These parts can increase the light utilization efficiency by 2 to 5%, and when water-repellent properties are applied, natural washing is possible using rain, thereby reducing the use of water or detergents, thereby enabling eco-friendly use.

In order to commercialize a product having such a functional nano / micro pattern, the market price should be sufficiently lowered by lowering the production cost. That is, it must achieve a process that can be mass-produced, and should be able to reduce additional process costs such as anti-reflective coating and water repellent coating. In the case of manufacturing such a polymer part using an injection molding method, the conventional silicone injection molding apparatus is similar in structure to a general injection molding apparatus, and thus an injection molding apparatus as compared to producing a small component such as a polymer component. The complexity of the structure requires a relatively large amount of workspace.

On the other hand, unlike other injection molding apparatuses, the resin injected into the mold in the silicone injection molding apparatus is a mixed resin in which a curing agent and a resin are mixed. In a conventional molding process, a separate device from the injection molding apparatus is used before the injection molding step. After mixing the curing agent and the resin by injecting a resin into the mold of the injection molding machine, or using a mixed resin provided by pre-mixing. As such, a separate process of mixing the curing agent and the resin separately from the injection molding process also acted as a cause of lowering the production efficiency of the conventional silicone injection molding process.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a silicone injection molding apparatus that is structurally simple and easily assembled and disassembled by overcoming the problems of the conventional silicone injection molding apparatus as described above.

Silicone injection molding apparatus for forming a super water-repellent part according to the present invention, the mold opening and closing is possible in the vertical direction with the ground, the mold portion, the resin mixing portion, the curing agent supply portion, the resin supply portion, and the resin discharged from the resin mixture portion the mold An injection unit for injecting into the unit, wherein the resin mixing unit comprises: a curing agent input unit for introducing a curing agent supplied from the curing agent supply unit; Resin input unit for injecting the resin supplied from the resin supply unit; A first mixing unit to mix the curing agent and the resin introduced from the curing agent input unit and the resin input unit, respectively; A second mixing unit to receive and stir the mixed resin mixed in the first mixing unit; And a discharge part for discharging the mixed resin stirred in the second mixing part to the injection part.

In addition, the curing agent supply unit and the resin supply unit, respectively, the tank containing the curing agent and the resin, the bubble removing unit for removing the bubbles present in the tank, discharge the bubbles present in the curing agent and resin and discharge the curing agent and resin It is preferable to include a piston pump for supplying each, and a supply line to which the hardener and the resin supplied from the tank are moved. In addition, each supply line is preferably provided with a pressure regulator and a valve.

In addition, it is preferable that the secondary mixing unit further includes a bubble removing device, and the primary mixing unit further includes a backflow prevention control device for preventing the backflow of the mixed resin due to the pressure difference in the curing agent input unit and the resin input unit. It is desirable to.

The silicone injection molding apparatus for forming a super water-repellent part according to the present invention may further include a mixed resin supply unit for supplying a mixed resin in which a curing agent and a resin are previously mixed. In this case, the resin mixing unit may further include a mixed resin input unit receiving the mixed resin from the mixed resin supply unit. The mixed resin may be injected into the injection unit through the mixed resin inlet, or may be directly injected into the injection unit without passing through the mixed resin inlet.

The mixed resin supply unit may include a mixed resin tank containing the mixed resin, a mixed resin bubble removing unit for removing the bubbles present in the mixed resin tank, and a mixture for discharging the bubbles present in the mixed resin and supplying the mixed resin. A resin piston pump, and a mixed resin supply line to which the mixed resin supplied from the mixed resin tank is moved, wherein the mixed resin supply line preferably includes a pressure regulator and a valve.

According to the present invention, it is possible to directly inject the resin into the mold by mixing the curing agent and the resin during the injection molding process without having to go through a separate process of mixing the curing agent and the resin before the molding process, thereby reducing the overall molding process cost. Can be.

In addition, the silicone injection molding apparatus of the present invention has a compact structure and can be easily disassembled and assembled in comparison with a conventional injection molding apparatus.

In addition, as used in the conventional injection molding process, since the mixed resin provided in advance can also be used in the molding apparatus of the present invention, it can maintain compatibility with the existing injection molding process.

In addition, the clamping force can be significantly reduced in comparison with a general injection molding apparatus.

In addition, by arranging the mold opening and closing of the mold in a vertical structure in consideration of thermosetting characteristics and complex molding (insert molding), space utilization and work convenience can be achieved.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment according to the present invention.

1 is a perspective view briefly showing a silicon injection molding apparatus 1 for forming a super water-repellent part according to the present invention. FIG. 1 also includes a conceptual perspective view for explaining the concept of the resin mixing section 3 included in the silicon injection molding apparatus 1. 2 is a view for explaining a connection state of each component of the silicon injection molding apparatus 1 of the present invention.

The injection molding apparatus 1 of the present invention is a silicone injection molding apparatus used for molding a super water-repellent part, and includes a mold part 2 which is placed upright so that the opening and closing of the mold can be in a direction perpendicular to the ground. . In order to easily insert and remove the insert used for forming the surface of the super water-repellent part, and in view of the characteristics of the thermosetting resin used for molding, the mold is preferably arranged to be opened and closed in the vertical direction, This can contribute to space utilization and convenience of work.

In addition, the injection molding apparatus 1 is provided with the resin mixing portion 3 adjacent to the mold portion 2. The resin mixing portion 3 is connected to the curing agent supply portion 4 and the resin supply portion 5 which respectively supply the curing agent and the resin to the resin mixing portion 3. In addition, the resin mixing portion 3 discharges the mixed resin of the curing agent and resin, which is mixed and agitated therein, into the injection portion 11, and the mixed resin is driven into the mold portion 2 by driving the injection portion 11. It is injected into the mold.

The hardening | curing agent supply part 4 is equipped with the hardening | curing agent tank 43 which accommodates a hardening | curing agent, and the hardening | curing agent piston pump 41 which pumps a hardening | curing agent from the hardening | curing agent tank 43, and supplies it to the resin mixing part 3. The pumped hardener is supplied to the resin mixing part 3 through the hardener supply line 44. In addition, the curing agent supply unit 4 may include a bubble removing unit 42 to remove various bubbles contained in the curing agent tank 43 and the curing agent. The bubble removing part 42 communicates with the piston pump 41, and the piston pump 41 is comprised by the structure which removes the bubble which escapes, compressing the hardening | curing agent tank 43. As shown in FIG.

The resin supply part 5 has the structure similar to the hardening | curing agent supply part 4, and includes the resin tank 53, the resin piston pump 51, and the resin supply line 54. As shown in FIG. In addition, the resin supply unit 5 may include a bubble removing unit 52 to remove various bubbles contained in the tank 53 and the curing agent. Operation of each component is also the same as in the case of the curing agent supply (4), detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Although the curing agent supply part 4 and the resin supply part 5 are arrange | positioned outside the resin mixing part 3 in the figure, according to the whole structure of the injection molding apparatus, and the structure and capacity of the supply parts 4 and 5, the resin mixing part ( It can also be arrange | positioned in the structure integrated with 3).

The resin mixing section 3 of the injection molding apparatus 1 comprises a first mixing section 7 and a first mixing section for mixing the curing agent and the resin transferred from the curing agent supply unit 4 and the resin supply unit 5 firstly and stirring the mixture secondly. The secondary mixing section 8 is included. Moreover, the resin mixing part 3 is equipped with the hardening | curing agent injecting part 61 and the resin injecting part 62 which inject | transduced the conveyed hardening | curing agent and resin to the primary mixing part 7.

The pressure regulator 45 and the valve 46 are provided on the hardener supply line 44 close to the primary mixing part 7. Therefore, the curing agent pressurized from the curing agent supply unit 4 through the curing agent supply line 44 is appropriately adjusted by the pressure regulating device 45 and the valve 46 in accordance with values such as the amount of the resin and the feeding speed. It is thrown into the 1st mixing part 7. Similarly, a pressure regulator 55 and a valve 56 are provided on the resin supply line 54 adjacent to the primary mixing section 7, and the pressure regulator 55 is set to a preset value similar to the input of the curing agent. And injection of the resin into the primary mixing portion 7 by the valve 56. The curing agent and the resin controlled by the respective pressure regulators 45 and 55 and the valves 46 and 56 are transferred to the primary mixing unit 7 through the curing agent inlet 61 and the resin inlet 62, respectively. At the same time or at intervals of time, they are mixed together first.

The curing agent and the resin added to the primary mixing part 7 may be introduced at different pressures according to the properties of the injection molding resin required. When the curing agent and the resin are introduced into the primary mixing unit 7 at different pressures, the backflow of the curing agent or the resin is caused by the difference in the pressure applied by the curing agent and the resin to the inside of the primary mixing unit 7. May occur. For example, when the injection pressure of the curing agent is greater than the injection pressure of the resin, the curing agent may flow back through the resin injection unit 62 by the flow pressure of the curing agent. In this case, since the curing agent and the resin cannot be precisely added in the set amount, the desired mixed resin cannot be obtained. In order to prevent the backflow phenomenon of the curing agent and / or resin, the first mixing part 7 may be provided with a backflow prevention control device (not shown).

The resin mixed in the primary mixing section 7 then moves to the secondary mixing section 8. In the secondary mixing section 8, the mixed resin is sufficiently mixed using a stirring device or the like. Since bubbles may be generated in the mixed resin during or before stirring in the secondary mixing unit 8, the secondary mixing unit 8 may be provided with a bubble removing device 81.

The mixed resin thus mixed twice through the first and second mixing units 7 and 8 is transferred to the injection unit 11 through the discharge port 63.

For reference, since the three-dimensional shape of the resin mixing portion 3 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to a conceptual diagram for easily explaining the operating principle of the present invention, the injection molding apparatus 1 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown. Various modifications, changes and modifications are possible in the specific shape and configuration as long as the principle can be implemented.

3 shows another embodiment of a silicone injection molding apparatus 1 for forming a super water-repellent part according to the present invention. The silicone injection molding apparatus 1 according to FIG. 3 is the same as the silicone injection molding apparatus 1 of FIG. 2 except for the configuration related to the mixed resin supply unit 9.

Depending on the working environment of the injection molding or the conditions of the molded article, the mixed resin in which the curing agent and the resin are already mixed may be directly injected into the mold as in the conventional molding process. In order to prepare for such a case, the silicone injection molding apparatus 1 of the present invention may further include a mixed resin supply unit 9 for supplying a premixed mixed resin as shown in FIG. 3.

The mixed resin supply part 9 is similar in configuration to the curing agent supply part 4 and the resin supply part 5 of FIG. 1. That is, the mixed resin supply unit 9 pumps the mixed resin from the mixed resin tank 93 and the tank 93 to accommodate the mixed resin, and transfers the mixed resin directly to the injection unit 11 or to the resin mixing unit 3. And a mixed resin piston pump 91 and a mixed resin supply line 94 through which the mixed resin is conveyed. In addition, the mixed resin supply unit 9 may include a mixed resin bubble removing unit 92 to remove various bubbles contained in the tank 93 and the mixed resin. The operation principle and configuration of the bubble removing unit 92 are the same as those of the curing agent supply unit 4 and the resin supply unit 5. The mixing resin supply line 94 is provided with a configuration such as a pressure regulator 95 and a valve 96 to adjust the pressure and amount of the pre-mixed resin injected into the injection unit (11). In addition, since bubbles may occur in the process of the mixed gas is transferred along the supply line 94, the bubble removing device 97 may be additionally installed adjacent to the injection unit 11.

In addition, the primary mixing unit 7 of the resin mixing unit 3 may further include a mixed resin input unit 64 capable of receiving the pre-mixed resin. In this case, the premixed resin transferred from the mixed resin supply unit 9 is not injected directly into the injection unit 11, but is injected into the injection unit 11 via the resin mixing unit 3.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a silicon injection molding apparatus according to the present invention.

2 is a view showing the configuration of the resin mixing portion according to FIG.

3 is a view showing another embodiment of the resin mixing unit according to FIG. 2.

Claims (7)

In the silicone injection molding apparatus for forming a super water-repellent part, A mold part capable of opening and closing the mold in a vertical direction with the ground, a resin mixing part, a curing agent supply part, a resin supply part, and an injection part for injecting the resin discharged from the resin mixing part into the mold part, The resin mixing portion, A curing agent input unit for introducing a curing agent supplied from the curing agent supply unit; Resin input unit for injecting the resin supplied from the resin supply unit; A first mixing unit to mix the curing agent and the resin introduced from the curing agent input unit and the resin input unit, respectively; A second mixing unit to receive and stir the mixed resin mixed in the first mixing unit; And a discharge part for discharging the mixed resin stirred in the second mixing part to the injection part. The method of claim 1, The curing agent supply unit, A curing agent tank containing a curing agent, a curing agent bubble removing unit for removing bubbles present in the curing agent tank, a curing agent piston pump for discharging bubbles present in the curing agent and supplying the curing agent, and a curing agent supplied from the curing agent tank is moved. Including a curing agent supply line, And said hardener supply line is provided with a pressure regulator and a valve adjacent said primary mixing portion. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The resin supply unit, Resin tank containing the resin, a resin bubble removing unit for removing the bubbles present in the resin tank, a resin piston pump for discharging the bubbles present in the resin and supplying the resin, and the resin supplied from the resin tank is moved Including a resin supply line, And the resin supply line is provided with a pressure regulator and a valve adjacent to the primary mixing portion. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a mixed resin supply unit for supplying a mixed resin pre-mixed with the curing agent and resin, The resin mixing unit further comprises a mixed resin inlet unit which receives the mixed resin from the mixed resin supply unit. The method of claim 4, wherein The mixed resin supply unit, A mixed resin tank containing a mixed resin, a mixed resin bubble removing unit for removing bubbles existing in the mixed resin tank, a mixed resin piston pump for discharging bubbles existing in the mixed resin and supplying the mixed resin, and the mixed resin A mixed resin supply line to which the mixed resin supplied from the tank is moved, The mixed resin supply line is a silicone injection molding apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a pressure regulator and a valve. The method of claim 1, The second mixing portion is a silicon injection molding apparatus further comprises a bubble removing device. The method of claim 1, The first mixing unit further comprises a backflow prevention control device for preventing the backflow of the mixed resin due to the pressure difference in the curing agent input unit and the resin input unit.

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