US3463399A

US3463399A - Die lubricant spraying apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3463399A
Application number: US648615A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard J Ott
Original assignee: Respond Inc
Current assignee: Respond Inc
Priority date: 1967-06-26
Filing date: 1967-06-26
Publication date: 1969-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 1986-08-26

Description

Aug. 26, 1969 R. J. OTT

DIE LUBRICANT SPRAYING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1967 Aug. 26, 1969 R. J. OTT 3,463,399

DIE LUBRICANT SPRAYING APPARATUS Filed June 26, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,463,399 DIE LUBRICANT SPRAYING APPARATUS Richard J. Ott, Baroda, Mich., assignor to Respond Inc., Baroda, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed June 26, 1967, Ser. No. 648,615 Int. Cl. Bb 3/ 18 US. Cl. 239-186 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed an apparatus including a readily replaceable manifold and spray head assembly for simultaneously delivering a plurality of lubricant sprays to predetermined areas of dies in a die casting machine. The manifold and spray head assembly may be easily changed for adapting the system to different dies and for servicing. Lubricant and air control means are included for selectively delivering the fluid at the desired time and for directing air blasts only against the dies for cooling purposes.

The present invention relates to a novel spray system, and more specifically to a novel apparatus for delivering lubricant to dies in a die casting machine.

As will be understood, it is common practice to coat at least portions of a die casting die or mold with a. release agent or lubricant in order to facilitate removal of a cast workpiece without injury. Improper application of the lubricant can result in faulty workpieces. Furthermore, it is desirable that the lubricant be applied in the shortest possible time in order to permit a maximum production rate to be achieved with a given die casting machine.

In my copending application, Ser. No. 540,874, filed Apr. 7, 1966, now Patent No. 3,393,658, there is disclosed and claimed a spray system which has proved to represent a significant advance in the art of automatically lubricating die casting dies. The present invention contemplates further significant improvements. In general, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel spray system whereby production costs for die castings may befurther reduced, scrap may be further reduced, and production rates may be further increased.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a novel die lubricating apparatus which is constructed so that it may be adapted quickly and easily for lubricating different dies.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel die lubricating apparatus constructed so as to reduce release agent or die lubricant costs by eliminating any possibility of operator error and by spraying the lubricant only where needed.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel automatic die lubricating apparatus which is constructed so as to reduce the skill and time required for setup for different dies'which may be used in a die casting machine. I

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a novel die lubricating apparatus constructed for improving the manner in which dies are lubricated to such an extent that special dies for castings heretofore considered to be impractical from a production standpoint may now be used.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a novel die lubricating apparatus of the above-described type which may be economically adapted for installation with relatively small high speed die casting machines.

3,463,399 Patented Aug. 26, 1969 Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanyin g drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view showing a lubricating apparatus incorporating features of the present invention assembled in association with a die casting machine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lubricating apparatus incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, partially broken away, showing a forward end portion of the lubricating apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a manifold and spray head construction incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG; 7 is a fragmentary partial vertical sectional view showing a portion of the manifold and spray head construction; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals through out the various figures, a lubricating apparatus or system 10 incorporating features of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and is adapted to be installed in association with a die casting machine 12. The die casting machine may be of various known constructions and, in general, includes a stationary platen 14 and a movable platen 16 on which complementary dies 18 and 20 are respectively mounted. A hydraulically actuated toggle mechanism 22 is connected for shifting the movable platen between the open position shown in FIG. 1 and a closed position in which the

dies

18 and 20 are in cooperative engagement. Metal to be cast is to be introduced through a cylinder 24 and is forced into the dies by a hydraulically actuated piston 26 in a known manner.

The lubricating apparatus 10 may be adapted for mounting on connecting rods between the platens as is disclosed in the aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 540,874. However, in the embodiment disclosed herein, the apparatus includes a stand 28 so that it may be positioned at any desired location on the floor adjacent the die casting machine as shown in FIG. 1. The stand comprises

upstanding frame members

30 and 32 which embrace and are welded or otherwise secured to elongated horizontal extending side members 34 and 36 of the lubricating apparatus. The side frame members 34 and '36 are preferably formed from sufliciently heavy sheet metal and respectively include upper marginal portions folded inwardly and providing flanges 38 and 40 respectively defining a longitudinally extending elongated slot 42 therebetween.

A fixed end member 44 is secured. between forward ends of the side frame members 34 and 36 and a movable head or manifold 46 is disposed forwardly of the end member 44 and supported and actuated in the manner described below. The head member 46 is secured to and supported by

rods

48 and 50 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. The rod 48 is connected with a piston 52 slidably disposed within and actuated by a double acting hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 54. The rod 50 acts a guide rod and is slidably supported and guided by a bear ing 56 mounted in a bushing 58 secured between the side frame members. The rods extend slidably through the fixed head member 44 so that when the piston 52 is actuated in one direction, the movable head is advanced from the retracted position shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 to the extended position shown in FIG. 1.. When the piston is actuated in the opposite direction, the movable head is, of course, returned to its retracted position.

In accordance with the feature of the present invention, a manifold and spray head assembly or unit 60 is removably mounted on the movable head or manifold member 46. The unit 60 comprises a manifold srtucture 62 and a plurality of spray nozzles or heads 64 mounted at predetermined locations on the manifold structure. The assembly 60 is constructed so that some of the spray heads 64 will direct the release agent or lubricant at predetermined areas of the die 18 while other of the spray heads 64 extending from an opposite side of the manifold structure 62 will direct the release agent toward predetermined areas of the die 20 when, of course, the assembly is positioned between the dies as shown in FIG. 1. It will be be appreciated that the particular configuration of the manifold structure 62 and the particular number and arrangement of the spray heads 64 may be changed in accordance with the requirements of a particular set of dies. More specifically, the construction and arrangement of the unit 60 is such that all portions of the die which are to be lubricated will be sprayed simultaneously when the apparatus has actuated in the manner described below. The unit 60 is constructed so that it may be easily and quickly replaced with a different unit whenever the dies in the die casting machine are changed.

In the particular embodiment shown, the manifold construction which serves as an air manifold for the spray heads comprises a generally rectangular tubular upstanding member 66 which is adapted to be secured against a front face 68 of the movable head or manifold block 46 by

screws

70 and 72. Tubes 74 and 76 are welded between aligned apertures in opposite sides of the manifold section 66 for providing sealed passageways for receiving the

screws

70 and 72. The manifold structure 62 further includes horizontally extending

tubular sections

78 and 80 communicating with and projecting outwardly from the section 66 and another upstanding tubular section 82 communicating between intermediate portions of the

sections

78 and 80.

The particular features of the construction of the spray head 64 do not form a part of the present invention and need not be described in detail herein. For a complete disclosure of these spray heads reference is made to application Ser. No. 621,241 filed Mar. 7, 1967, now Patent No. 3,394,888. It suffices to state herein that each of the spray heads comprises an air inlet fitting 84 which is threadedly or otherwise coupled with a port formed at the desired location in a side wall of the manifold structure 62. In addition, each of the spray heads has a lubricant or release agent inlet fitting 86 connected by a suitable tubing 88 to the manifold block 46. Liquid release agent or lubricant is delivered to the manifold block 46 through a pipe or conduit 90 which is threadedly or otherwise secured in an inlet port 92 in the manifold block or movable head and is adapted to reciprocate with the movable head. A trailing end of the conduit or pipe is connected by a flexible hose 94 with a suitable source of supply in the manner described below. The movable head or manifold block is formed with a passageway 96 extending upwardly from the inlet port 92 as shown best in FIGS. 7 and 8. The passageway 96 intersects a plurality of laterally extending outlet ports 98 which are respectively connected by fitting means 100 with the various lengths of tubing 88 extending to the different spray heads.

Air under pressure is delivered to the manifold structure 62 through a pipe 102 which extends through an opening 104 in the manifold block or head 46 and shown best in FIGS. 7 and 8. The air supply pipe 102 is also fixed to the movable head 46 so as to reciprocate therewith and is connected with a suitable source of air under pressure in the manner described below. A trailing end of the pipe 4 102 is supported along with the pipe and guide rod 50 by a plate 103 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In order to facilitate quick assembly and disassembly of the manifold structure 62, a quick disconnect coupling is provided between the manifold structure and the supply pipe 102. As shown in FIG. 7, an outer end 106 of the air pipe extends out of the manifold block 46 and through an aperture 108 in the wall of the manifold structure. An O-ring 110 is clamped between the mating surfaces of the manifold structure and the block 46 and around the end 106 of the pipe for sealing the connection. A recessed seat 111 may be formed in the block 46 for accommodating the O-ring.

In order to actuate the pneumatic cylinder 54 and control the spray heads, the apparatus is provided with air and liquid lubricant supply control means shown in FIGS. 2-5. This means comprises a solenoid-actuated air valve 115 having an inlet connected by a conduit 117 to any suitable source of air under pressure. Preferably, the air is maintained under a pressure of between 80 and 140 p.s.i. for insuring proper operation of the spray heads. An outlet of the valve 115 is connected by a flexible hose or conduit 11 8 with a fitting 120 which is connected to the trailing end of the air supply pipe 102. Thus, when the solenoid 122 of the valve 115 is energized to open the valve, air under pressure will be delivered through the flexible hose 118 and pipe 120 to the manifold structure 62 and thus simultaneously to all of the spray heads.

The compressed air supply conduit 117 is also connected with a tube 124 which communicates with an inlet of another valve 126 which is controlled by a solenoid 128. This valve, like all the valves included in the system is of known construction and is commercially available. The valve 126 is a two-position valve and has a first outlet connected through a fitting 130 and a flow control valve 132 with a T connector 134. One branch of the T connector is connected by tubing 136 and a fitting 138 with the forward end of the cylinder 54. An opposite portion of the T connector 134 is connected by tubing 140 with one port of another solenoid-operated valve 142 which has a second port connected by tubing 144 with the fitting 130. The arrangement is such that during initial forward movement of the piston 52 and thus the manifold and spray head assembly, air being ex hausted from the forward end of the cylinder 54 flows through the tubing 136, the fitting 134, the tubing 140, the valve 142, the tubing 144, the fitting 130 and back into the valve 126 from which it escapes through an exhaust port. The various tubings, fittings and valve passageways in this portion of the circuit are formed so as to permit the air to exhaust freely for facilitating relatively rapid movement of the piston and thus relatively rapid feeding movement of the spray head and manifold assembly prior to the beginning of the actual spraying operation. When the spray head assembly has advanced to the desired position, the valve 142 is actuated in the manner described more in detail below so as to block the flow of air therethrough so that the exhaust air must flow back through the restricted check valve 132. The restriction in this valve is such that exhausting of the air is retarded and the feeding movement of the spray head and manifold assembly is reduced to a predetermined relatively slow rate during the actual spraying of the liquid lubricant or release agent.

The valve 126 has another outlet port connected by tubing 146 with a fitting 148 which is in turn connected to the outer end of the cylinder 54. When it is desired to advance the spray head and manifold assembly from the retracted position shown in FIG. 3 to the extended position shown in FIG. 1, the valve 126 is actuated so as to direct air under pressure through the tubing 146 to the outer end of the cylinder. Conversely, when it is desired to return the spray head and manifold assembly to the retracted position, the valve 126 is actuated so as to connect the tubing 146 with the exhaust port and so as to direct air under pressure to the forward end of the cylinder 54. Since the air is directed through the unrestricted passageway formed by the conduits 144, valve 142, tubing 140 and tubing 136, the retracting movement is accomplished relatively rapidly.

Liquid lubricant or release agent is delivered to the apparatus from any suitable pressurized source of supply, not shown. Various known pressurized supply tanks or containers are available on the market and may be used. While it is desirable that the release agent or lubricant be maintained under pressure, the pressure need only be sufficient to cause the lubricant to flow through the lines and is not relied upon to eject the lubricant from the spray head. For example, the pressure utilized in the lubricant supply system may be in the order of three to thirty p.s.i.

The liquid lubricant or release agent is delivered from the source of supply through a conduit 150 to a control valve 152 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. An outlet of the solenoid-actuated control valve is connected by the previously mentioned flexible conduit 94 with the trailing end of the pipe 90 as shown in FIGS. 25.

The various solenoid-actuated liquid and pneumatic valves are controlled by electric circuitry including a master control panel 154 shown in FIG. 2 including switch means operated by a timer 156 of known construction. In addition, a limit switch 158 having an operating arm 160 is positioned above the frame portions 38 and 40 adjacent the outer end of the cylinder 54 as shown in FIG. 2 and a similar switch 162 having an actuating arm 164 positioned above the frame members adjacent the forward end of the cylinder. The master control panel 154 is connected by a cable 166 with the switch 158 and a cable 168 with the solenoid-actuated liquid control valve 152. This valve is also connected by a cable 170 with the switch 162. In addit1on, the master control panel is connected by a cable 172 with a junction box 174. The junction box 174 is connected by a cable 176 with the solenoid 122 of valve 115. Another cable 178 extends from the junction box to the solenoid 128 of the valve 126, and still another cable 180 extends from the junction box to the solenoid valve 142.

The components of the electrical circuitry like those of the pneumatic and liquid circuitry are of known and commercially available con-struction. Thus, the details of these circuits may readily be changed and modified by those skilled in the art and such details need not be further described herein. It suflices to state that the circuitry is such that the apparatus functions in the following manner. The master control panel 154 is preferably connected with the actuating circuit of the die casting machine 12 by cable 182 so that the operation of the spraying apparatus is synchronized with that of the die casting machine. Thus, when the die casting machine has been actuated so that the dies are open, as shown in FIG. 1, a signal is sent through the cable 182 to the control panel 154 which is actuated so as to energize the solenoid 128 which serves to shift the spring-biased valve 126 from a normal position in which air under pressure is directed to the forward end of the cylinder 54 to a second position in which air is directed through the tubing 146 to the outer end of the cylinder. This causes the piston and the spray head and manifold assembly to advance from the retracted position shown in FIG. 3 toward the extended position shown in FIG. 1. As discussed hereinabove, this advance initially takes place rapidly but is slowed upon energization of the solenoid valve 142 which is closed upon such energization so as to direct the exhausted air from the forward end of the cylinder through the flow restricting valve 132.

In order to energize the solenoid valve 142 at the proper time and also to energize and open the air valve 115 and the lubricant vlave 152 so as to start the spraying operation, the switch 162 is actuated after the spray head and manifold assembly have been advanced to a predetermined position. Operating of the switch 162 is accomplished by a cam 184 carried by a cam bar 186 which is connected to and movable with the spray head or manifold block 46 as shown best in FIGS. 3-5. The cam bar 186 is in the form of a hollow tube positioned above the frame portions 38 and 40 and in alignment with the previously mentioned slot 42. Rollers 188 are connected at intervals with the lower side of the cam bar 186 and extend into the slot 42 for aiding in guiding and preventing twisting of the movable head assembly.

The tubular cam bar 186 is provided with a longitudinal slot 190 in the upper side thereof. As indicated in FIGS. 3-5, the cam 184 overlies the slot 190-. Clamping blocks 192 are positioned within the tubular cam bar and threadedly engage screws 194 extending through the cam and the slot 190. Wtih this arrangement, the cam may be easily and quickly adjusted longitudinally by loosening the screws 196, sliding the cam to the desired position and then retightening the screws.

As indicated above, the cam 184 is positioned so as to actuate the switch 162 for energizing the solenoids of the

valves

115, 142 and 152 at the desired time for initiating the flow of air and liquid lubricant to the spray heads and for slowing down the rate of travel. The length of time which the valve 152 is opened so as to permit the flow of lubricant and further travel of the spray head and manifold assembly is controlled by switch means within the master control panel which is operated by the timer 156. Thus, upon the completion of a predetermined interval of time after the switch 162 has been actuated by the cam, the timer control switches serve to deenergize the solenoid of 'the valve 152 and permit the spring-biased valve to close and thereby terminate the spraying operation. In addition, timer control switch means serves to deenergize the solenoid 128 so as to permit the spring-biased valve 126 to shift to its normal position for directing air under pressure through the tubing 136 to the forward end of the cylinder 54, while connecting the opposite end of the cylinder with the exhaust port, thereby retracting the spray head and manifold assembly. It will be noted that during this time, the air control valve remains open as long as the cam 184 remains in engagement with the actuating lever 164 of the switch 162. Thus, air continues to flow through the spray heads even after the liquid lubricant flow is stopped, and this air serves to aid in cooling and controlling the temperature of the dies. When the spray head and manifold assembly has reached the fully retracted position, either the cam 184 or a similar cam element carried by the bar 186 engages and actuates the limit switch 158 which serves to actuate the control panel 154 to deenergize the solenoid 122 of the air valve 115 and reset the timer and switch means within the control panel for the next cycle.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In an apparatus for spraying coating material, the combination comprising a coating material manifold, support means connected with said manifold and movable along a path of travel through forward and retracting strokes between retracted an dextended positions, a compressed air manifold removably secured against said coating material manifold, a plurality of separate spray heads mounted on said air manifold and arranged in a predetermined pattern, said spray heads having first and second inlet ports respectively for air and for coating material, means connecting said first inlet port of each spray head with said air manifold, and disconnectable means connecting said second port of each of said spray heads with said coating material manifold so that the air manifold and spray heads may be removed and replaced as a unit.

2. A combination, as defined in claim 1, which includes coating material supply conduit means connected with said coatingmaterial manifold, air supply conduit means extending through said coating material manifold and into said air manifold, and a sealing ring clamped between said air and coating material manifolds around said air conduit means for sealing the connection between the air conduit means and said air manifold.

3. A combination, as defined in claim 1, which includes coating material supply conduit means connected with said coating material manifold, air supply conduit supply means detachably connected with said air manifold, means for actuating said support means between said positions, and control means for admitting air and coating material to their respective conduit means when said support means has been advanced a predetermined distance and for subsequently stopping the coating material and continuing the air for cooling the member being sprayed.

4. A combination, as defined in claim 1, which includes means for actuating said support means between said positions, means for supplying coating material to the coating material manifold, means for supplying compressed air to said air manifold, and control means for controlling said actuating and supplying means, said control means including a tubular cam bar movable with said support means and extending longitudinally of said path of travel, said bar having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a cam disposed on said bar, releasable securing means extending from said cam through said slot for adjustably securing the cam at any desired position longitudinally of said bar, and a control element mounted adjacent said bar and actuated by said cam.

5. A combination, as defined in claim 4, which includes fixed frame means disposed along said bar providing a guide, and roller means mounted on and projecting from said bar and engaging said guide.

6. A combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein said air manifold comprises interconnected hollow elements extending both generally longitudinally of and transversely of said path of travel, and said spray heads being arranged on said air manifold in a pattern extending both longitudinally and transversely of said path of travel and in accordance with the configuration of a member to be sprayed.

7. A combination, as defined in claim 3, wherein said control means comprises a first valve for controlling flow of the coating material, the second valve for controlling the how of the air under pressure, means for opening both of said valves for initiating a spraying operation, and means including a timer for maintaining the air valve open after the coating material valve has closed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner