JPS6254646B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coupling device for supplying energy to an exchangeable operating unit of an injection molding machine.

For example, for the production of differently shaped injection products and/or for the injection of other materials, the tool unit and/or the plasticizing and injection unit of the injection molding machine must be replaceable. .
This means that for the supply of energy into these units, for example for supplying heating current and supplying heating medium to the plasticizing unit and for supplying heating medium or cooling medium to the tooling unit. , a releasable coupling device is assumed in the connection of this unit. The cable connections or hose connections provided in known injection molding machines have to be handled to a large extent by hand, which makes automation of unit replacement very difficult.

The invention, on the other hand, allows for the precise positioning of the connecting parts to be connected and the correspondingly simple removal or insertion movements of these parts, making it easy to automate and thus simplifying the entire unit exchange process. The object is to obtain a coupling device of the type mentioned at the outset, which can also be used if the process is carried out automatically.

For this purpose, the coupling device according to the invention comprises:
At least one pair of joint portions capable of providing a coupling engagement action and a coupling release action in the axial direction are provided, one of which is connected to a first base plate stationary on the side of the forming machine. Therefore, on the other hand,
Each is supported by a second bedplate fixed to the replaceable unit, and these baseplates are arranged in the machine by means of a joint section in which the unit is axially aligned. When mounted on the molding machine, they are arranged parallel to each other at intervals;
It is characterized in that it has means for axially bringing the joint parts into coupling engagement and disengagement, as well as means for locking and unlocking the coupling engagement.

The device is equipped with a so-called quick coupling, the coupling part of which is formed with a bayonet socket and a bayonet pin which is axially accessible into this, the locking means being arranged in the periphery of the bayonet pin. formed by engaging blocking balls, these balls
For example, it has been found to be particularly expedient to be able to remain engaged by an axially movable socket by counter-spring action. Such quick couplings are known per se in hydraulic means. however,
The known embodiments have to be manually unlocked and inserted or removed;
It is disadvantageous. According to the invention, axially aligned joint parts are arranged on support plates having a certain predetermined relative position, of which the stationary support plate on the side of the forming machine Having operating means for unlocking the parts and for engaging and releasing the axial connections, the locking and unlocking of the joint parts as well as the insertion and removal are automated; Therefore, any manual operation is no longer necessary. Mechanically, pneumatically or electrically actuated operating means can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments thereof.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a synthetic resin injection molding machine having a replaceable tool unit 2, and mold halves 2a and 2b of the unit 2 are constructed in a known manner.
It is removably fixed to the fixed side mounting plate 3a and the movable side mounting plate 3b. The movable mounting plate 3b is guided in the usual manner on a guide rod 4 and can be operated by a closing unit arranged in the housing 5, which is not shown in detail. Both mold halves 2 of tool unit 2
a, 2b are connected to a heating medium line or a cooling medium line 7 via a coupling device 6 by means of a line section 7a. In each of the coupling devices 6 attached to the two mold halves 2a, 2b, a pair of couplings 8 are concentrated, each of which is provided for two supply conduits 7. This allows each pair of joints to be brought into engagement and disengagement at the same time and by common means, as will be explained below. However, in the same way
The coupling device 6 can also be provided with just one or more than one joint 8.

Each of the illustrated coupling devices 6 has a base plate 10a fixed to the corresponding mold half 2a or 2b.
It has a bracket 9a having a bracket 9a, which base plate 10a is attached to the bracket 9b when the tool unit is assembled.
b, and the bracket 9b is itself fixed to a mounting plate 3a or 3b attached to the mold half 2a or 2b in question. Base plate 10a
Some are both formed as bayonet pins, connected to the conduit part 7a, which has an axis perpendicular to the plane of the (here horizontal) mounting plate and a coupling pin 11 directed downwards. The joint portions 8a (only one of which is visible in FIGS. 2 to 4) are fixed. This fastening is expediently carried out with the interposition of a spring ring which allows an axial spring travel, albeit a small one, in the joint part 8a. A downwardly protruding piston rod 12a is fixed to the base plate 10b, and the piston 12b is guided into a cylinder 12c connected to the fluid system of the molding machine. The cylinder 12c is fixed to the lower side of a companion plate 13 parallel to the base plate 10b, and the piston rod 12c is guided through the companion plate 13. A joint part 8b is fixed to this companion plate 13, which has an axis perpendicular to the plane of the plate and has a joint socket 14 directed upwards. In addition, a cylinder 15c of another hydraulic device is connected to the lower side of the accompanying plate 13, and its piston 15b extends upward through the accompanying plate 13 and the base plate 10b at its end. A piston rod 15a is provided, which also serves as a centering pin and which, when the coupling 8 is connected, engages in a centering hole 10c in the base plate 10a. Piston rod 15a
An unlocking plate 16 is provided with a turning pin 16a.
This unlocking plate 16 has, on its outer periphery, a respective safety bushing 17 attached to the joint part 8b (FIG. 5). This safety bushing 17 rests on the milled end portion of the coupling socket 14 of the coupling part 8b. The safety bushing 17 is provided with an internal collar 17a, which when the joint is connected,
The ball 18 lying in the hole in the wall of the milled end portion of the coupling socket 14 remains engaged with the ring groove 19 of the coupling pin 11. A spring 20 supported on the shoulder of the coupling socket 14 holds the safety bushing 17 in a position that ensures the engaged position of this ball 18. The bushing 17 moves in the axial direction (downward in FIG. 5) against the action of the spring 20.
When the bushing part 17b is extended relative to the inner collar 17a, it reaches into the area of the ball 18, so that the ball 18 is moved in the axial direction between the two joint parts 8a, 8b. Under the separating force of
It is possible to exit the ring groove 19 in the radial direction, thus making it possible to separate the joint parts. This construction or mode of operation of the quick coupling 18 described above is known per se;
In this case, the movement of the safety bushing 17 necessary for uncoupling the ball joint 18 is carried out in each case by hand.

The cooperating parts 8a, 8b of the joint 8, which are arranged here in pairs, are attached to the base plate 10a or the companion plate 13 when they are mounted from above the tool unit 2 in the molding machine. To,
As shown in FIG. 3, it is also conceivable that they are secured so that they lie axially aligned and facing each other. Releasing a joint 8 will then cause all joints 8
This is done simultaneously and as follows. That is, as shown in FIG.
5b is in its lower end position and 12b is simultaneously in its upper end position, while the centering pin 15a is in the release position of the connection with the centering hole 10c and the coupling part 8a connecting pin 11
is in the disengaged position of this coupling portion from the coupling socket 14. As mentioned above, due to the corresponding supply of pressure medium, the piston 15b and with it the piston rod 15a and the unlocking plate 16 can be moved at their lower end (for example against a spring arranged in the cylinder 15c). held in position. As a result, the safety bushing 17 of each coupling is moved downwards against the action of the spring 20 via the associated rotary wheel 16a, which corresponds to the release position. Now, by supplying a corresponding pressure medium of the piston 12b, the companion plate 13 and with it the joint part 8b are moved axially towards the joint part 8a, so that the connecting pin 11 is moved into the connecting socket. 14 (4th)
In this case, the center pin 15a also enters the center hole 10a of the base plate 10a at the same time. By releasing the corresponding piston 15b from the medium pressure,
Under the action of the spring 20 mentioned above (and optionally a spring not shown in the cylinder 15c), the piston rod 15a and with it the unlocking plate 16
is pushed back to the upper end position (Fig. 4),
In this position, the rotor 16a moves the safety bush 17 and the ball 18 into the ring groove 19 of the coupling pin 11.
and held in a safe position engaged with. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the coupling engagement between the joint portions 8a and 8b is locked. To release the link,
Correspondingly, the reverse process takes place.

From the foregoing, it is clear that by means of a relative axial movement of joint parts arranged in alignment with one another, the locking and unlocking of the connection can be effected in a particularly simple and completely automatic manner. It will be appreciated that a capable coupling device is provided. This means, in particular, that the replacement of the actuating unit in question is likewise automatically controlled, for example hydraulically, so that such replacement can be carried out completely without any additional human handling. It is advantageous when it allows for automatic implementation.

As can be easily seen from FIG. 5, the above-mentioned quick coupling can also be used for pressure conduits of heating or cooling medium (by means of suitable leakproofing of the connecting joint between the bushing and the hollow bayonet pin) for electrical cables. Can also be used for plug-in connections.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of the part for changing the tooling unit of an injection molding machine having a coupling device according to the invention which ensures the supply of energy to the mold halves; FIG. - Cross-sectional view by line, 3rd
The drawings are an enlarged view of the connecting portion of FIG. 2 in the released state, FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 shown in the connected state, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an example of the quick joint. 2... Actuation unit; 8a, 8b... Joint part; 1
0a, 10b... base plate; 12a, 12b, 12c...
Piston device; 13...Same plate; 15a, 15b,
15c... Piston device; 16... Unlocking plate; 16a...
Rotary money.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. In a coupling device for supplying energy to exchangeable actuating units of an injection molding machine, at least one pair of coupling parts 8a can be brought into coupling engagement and disengagement in the axial direction. , 8b, one of which is fixed to the first molding machine side by means of a base plate 10b, and
The other is supported by a second base plate 10b fixed to the replaceable unit 2, and these base plates 10a, 10b are connected to the unit 2.
are mounted in the molding machine by means of axially aligned joint parts 8a, 8b, spaced apart and parallel to each other;
Further, a piston rod 12a is fixed to the lower side of the base plate 10b fixed to the molding machine side at its upper end.
is guided into a cylinder 12c connected to the fluid system of the molding machine, which is fixed to the lower side of a companion plate 13 arranged parallel to the base plate 10b. , a coupling part 8b having a coupling socket 14 directed upward perpendicularly to its plane is fixed, and furthermore, the coupling plate 1
3 has a cylinder 15 of another hydraulic device below it.
c is fixed, and its piston rod 15a is
It protrudes upwardly through the companion plate 13 and the base plate 10b, and its upper end can be engaged with a centering hole 10c drilled in the other base plate 10a, and this piston rod 15a For both base plates 1
An unlocking plate 16 is fixed between 0a and 10b and is arranged parallel to them.
A coupling device characterized in that it is adapted to support a safety bushing 17 attached to b. 2. The unlocking plate 16 is provided with a turner 16a, into which a safety bush 17 resting on the cut end portion of the joint socket 14 of the joint portion 8b can be attached. and
The safety bushing 17 is provided with an internal collar 17a which, when the fitting 8 is connected, transversely enters a hole drilled in the wall of the milled end portion of the fitting socket 14. floating ball 1
8 is brought into engagement with a ring groove 19 formed in a coupling pin 11 provided at the tip of the coupling portion 8a, but when the coupling 8 is released, the ball 18 is brought into engagement with the inner collar of the safety bushing 17. 2. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device is capable of reaching into the region of the bushing part 17b which is widened relative to 17a. 3 Fitting socket 14 inside safety bush 17
A spring 20 is disposed between the shoulder of the cut portion and its force maintains the ball 18 in engagement with the ring groove 19 of the joint pin 11 when the joint 8 is in the connected state. A connecting device according to claim 2.