Deflecting Device for Deflecting a Melt Flow Inside a Distributing Plate

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a deflecting device, for deflecting a melt flow in a distributing plate of an injection molding machine, with a base body, wherein a deflecting channel is arranged inside the base body. In order to create an improved solution for diverting the melt flow in a hot runner manifold, the base body can have a separating surface which divides the base body into a first body half and a second body half, wherein the first body half and the second body half can be joined together firmly. The disclosure furthermore relates to a method for producing the deflecting device.

Claims

1. A deflecting device, for deflecting a melt flow in a distributing plate of an injection molding machine, with a base body, wherein a deflecting channel is arranged inside the base body, wherein the base body has a separating surface which divides the base body into a first body half and a second body half, wherein the first body half and the second body half can be joined together firmly.

2. The deflecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflecting channel extends in the separating surface.

3. The deflecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a center axis of the base body lies in the separating surface.

4. The deflecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base body has a flange on a first side and the flange has an abutment face for the abutment of the deflecting device against the distributing plate.

5. The deflecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflecting channel has a vertical section, which extends substantially parallel to a center axis of the base body and the deflecting channel has a radial section which extends substantially perpendicular to the center axis.

6. The deflecting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the deflecting channel has a curved section between the vertical section and the radial section.

7. The deflecting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a closure needle bushing extends concentric to the center axis of the base body and is connected to the vertical section of the deflecting channel.

8. The deflecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first body half has a first surface and the second body half has a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are each situated parallel to the separating surface, and wherein the first surface and the second surface each comprise at least one indentation.

9. The deflecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base body has a cylindrical shape.

10. The deflecting device as claimed in one claim 1, wherein the base body has a conical shape.

11. The deflecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base body comprises a material having a positive coefficient of thermal expansion.

12. The deflecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base body and the distributing plate each comprise a material having a similar coefficient of thermal expansion.

13. The deflecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material of the base body is larger than a coefficient of thermal expansion of a material of the distributing plate.

14. A method for producing at least one deflecting device as claimed in claim 1, comprising the following method steps for the machining of a blank with a machining surface: introducing a deflecting channel structure into the machining surface of the blank; planing the machining surface; dividing the blank along at least one parting plane into at least one first blank piece and at least one second blank piece; and machining the blank pieces to produce the outside of the base body comprising the body halves on the sides facing away from the machining surface.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the deflecting channel structure is introduced with mirror symmetry into the machining surface of the blank along the at least one parting plane standing perpendicular to the machining surface.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the deflecting channel structure is introduced into the machining surface of the blank such that it is introduced with rotational mirror symmetry along a second parting plane which is a rotary mirror plane and stands perpendicular to the first parting plane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will emerge from the wording of the claims as well as the following description of exemplary embodiments with the aid of the drawings. There are shown:

[0043] FIG. 1 a schematic exploded representation of the deflecting device in a perspective view,

[0044] FIG. 2 the first body half in a schematic perspective view,

[0045] FIG. 3 the second body half in a schematic perspective view,

[0046] FIG. 4 the blank used for the method of producing the deflecting device in a top view,

[0047] FIG. 5 the blank used for the method of producing the deflecting device in a perspective view,

[0048] FIG. 6 a schematic representation of a conical configuration of the deflecting device in a perspective view and

[0049] FIG. 7 a schematic cross sectional view of the conical configuration of the deflecting device installed in a distributing plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] FIG. 1 shows the deflecting device 1. The deflecting device 1 comprises a base body 10. The base body 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a first side 11 and a second side 12. The base body 10 is shown divided along a separating surface TF, wherein a center axis MA of the base body 10 extends in the separating surface TF. The base body 10 furthermore has a flange 13 on its first side 11. The flange 13 extends substantially perpendicular to the center axis MA. In a connection region of the flange 13 on an outer side 14 of the base body 10, the outer side 14 and the flange 13 have a groove 15 extending in the circumferential direction U, situated in an abutment face 18.

[0051] Owing to the abutment face 18, the deflecting device 1 may be inserted flush into a distributing plate. The defined abutment face 18 on a surface of the flange 13 facing toward the second side ensures a defined depth of penetration of the deflecting device 1 into the distributing plate. Thus, transitions between the deflecting device 1 and the distributing plate are avoided.

[0052] The base body 10 furthermore has a deflecting channel 20 with a vertical section 21, extending from a first opening 22 in the first side 11 of the base body 10 parallel, and especially preferably concentric, to the center axis MA. The vertical section 21 passes into a curved section 23, which passes into a radial section 24. The radial section 24 runs perpendicular to the center axis MA in a radial direction R and intersects the outside 14 of the base body 10 with a second opening 25. The deflecting channel 20 lies parallel to the separating surface TF of the base body 10. The second opening 25 may have a bevel on the outside 14 of the base body 10, which can compensate for orienting errors between the base body 10 and the second opening 25 of corresponding channels of a distributing plate in which the base body 10 can be installed. Furthermore, this avoids undercuts between the base body 10 and the distributing plate.

[0053] Furthermore, the base body 10 comprises a closure needle bushing 26, which extends from the second side 12 through a third opening 27 parallel to the center axis MA in the direction of the vertical section 21 of the deflecting channel 20, especially preferably concentric to the center axis MA. The closure needle bushing 26 intersects the deflecting channel 20. Furthermore, the closure needle bushing 26 has a connection geometry 28 by which a sealing element may be attached to the base body 10. The closure needle bushing 26 lies with the deflecting channel 20 in the separating surface TF. Along the separating surface TF, the base body 10 is divided into a first body half 30 and a second body half 40.

[0054] The body halves 30, 40 of the base body 10 may be joined to each other. For this, the base body 10 comprises a material which has a positive coefficient of thermal expansion. By virtue of the positive coefficient of thermal expansion, when the temperature is increased an increase occurs in the volume of the material, by which the base body 10 forms a press fit in a corresponding formation of a distributing plate. In order to form the press fit, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the base body 10 is greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the distributing plate.

[0055] In another configuration it may be provided that the base body 10 and the distributing plate have the same coefficient of thermal expansion or the base body 10 has a larger coefficient of thermal expansion than the distributing plate. In this case, the press fit is formed by a heating of the distributing plate and a following inserting of the base body 10, having a much lower temperature than the distributing plate, into a corresponding recess of the distributing plate. In this way, the base body 10 is shrink-fitted into the distributing plate. Likewise, the base body 10 may also be cooled down relative to the distributing plate. In this case, the press fit is accomplished by the temperature equalization and the associated expanding of the base body 10.

[0056] Alternatively, it may be provided that the base body 10 and the distributing plate each comprise a material having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion. In this case, the base body 10 or the deflecting device 1 can always be easily taken out from the distributing plate or inserted therein.

[0057] Furthermore, centering pins 17 are arranged between the first body half 30 and the second body half 40, which can be brought into engagement with corresponding centering holes 16 of the first body half 30 and the second body half 40. The centering holes 16 are formed here as core holes. The embodiment of the connection of the body halves 30, 40 of the base body 10 by means of the temperature-dependent press fitting and by means of the centering pins 17 constitutes a first configuration for the connection of the body halves 30, 40.

[0058] According to another configuration, screw bolts 32 may be led from the outside 14 through through-holes 31 of the first body half 30, the screw bolts 32 being screwed into blind holes 41 of the second body half 40, wherein the blind holes 41 of the second body half 40 correspond to the through holes 31 of the first body half 30 in regard to their position in the base body 10. In order to make a connection of the two body halves 30, 40 by means of the screw bolts 32, the blind holes 41 each have an internal thread 42.

[0059] The screwing together of the body halves 30, 40 together with the temperature-dependent press fitting and the centering pins may alternatively form a further embodiment of the connection of the two body halves 30, 40. FIG. 2 shows the first body half 30 of the base body 10 with the deflecting channel 20 divided along the separating surface TF and the divided closure needle bushing 26. The first body half 30 has a first surface 33 running parallel to the separating surface TF, in which first indentations 34 are made. The first indentations 34 are situated in regions in which, as seen from the first surface 33, the through holes 31 and the centering holes 16 are devised in the first body half 30. The first indentations 34 encompass areas not intersecting either the edges of the deflecting channel 20 or the closure needle bushing 26. Thus, an elevated region of the first surface 33 relative to the first indentations 34 is present between the first indentations 34 and the deflecting channel 20 and the closure bushing 26. The through holes 31 have an enlarged diameter in the region of the outside 14 of the base body 10, so that a screw head 35 of a screw bolt 32 finds an abutment in the respective through hole 31, while in a mounted stateas seen radiallythe screw head 35 does not protrude beyond the base body 10.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows the second body half 40, with the deflecting channel 20 divided along the separating surface TF, and the divided closure needle bushing 26. The second body half 40 has a second surface 43 running parallel to the separating surface TF, in which second indentations 44 are made. The second indentations 44 are situated in regions in which, as seen from the second surface 43, the blind holes 41 and the centering hole 16 are devised in the second body half 40. The second indentations 44 encompass areas not intersecting either the edges of the deflecting channel 20 or the closure needle bushing 26. Thus, an elevated region of the second surface 43 relative to the second indentations 44 is present between the second indentations 44 and the deflecting channel 20 and the closure needle bushing 26.

[0061] Owing to the indentations 34, 44 and the associated reduction in the surfaces 33, 43 of the two body halves 30, 40, the pressing force is increased in producing the connection joining the two body halves 30, 40.

[0062] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the blank 100 with the machining surface 101 for performing the method of production of the deflecting device 1. The blank in this configuration is formed as a cuboid, and the machining surface 101 is substantially a square. The sides of the square machining surface 101 are cut roughly in half by a first parting plane TE1 and a second parting plane TE2, the parting planes TE1, TE2 being oriented perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the machining surface 101. A deflecting channel structure 102, indentations 34, 44 and bores 105 are machined in the machining surface 101. The bores 105 are fashioned as through holes 31 and as blind holes 41. The deflecting channel structure 102, the indentations 34, 44 and the bores 105 are devised in the machining surface 101 such as to possess a symmetry, the parting plane TE1 and the parting plane TE2 acting as rotary mirror symmetry planes. In this way, by dividing the blank 100 along the parting planes TE1 and TE2, two pairs of a first blank piece 103 and a second blank piece 104 are generated, having a pronounced mirror image machining of the machining surface 101. Owing to the pronounced mirror image machining of the machining surfaces 101, the first blank pieces 103 and second blank pieces 104 can be coordinated with each other by the machining surfaces 101, so that the machined features lie directly above each other. Because the machining is done on the blank 100, the blank pieces 103, 104 can be made exactly congruent in regard to their machining.

[0063] In order to produce the first body half 30 and second body half 40 forming the base body 10, the first blank piece 103 and the second blank piece 104 are machined in a further method step on the sides facing away from the machining surface 101, so that they possess the corresponding geometry of the base body 10. For this, the through holes 31 and the blind holes 41 serve as engagement positions for centering pins 17 and tools, so that the blank pieces 103, 104 can be oriented and secured for the further machining.

[0064] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the deflecting device 1 with a conical base body 10. One notices that the diameter of the base body 10 decreases from the first side 11 in a direction parallel to the center axis MA toward the second side 12. The base body 10 thus has a tapering conicity in the direction of the second side 12.

[0065] This deflecting device 1 likewise has a first side 11 and a second side 12, like the configuration of FIGS. 1 to 3. The conical base body 10 in this configuration tapers from the first side 11 to the second side 12. Furthermore, the deflecting device 1 has a flange 13 at the first side 11. In the transition region of the flange 13 with the abutment face 18 and base body 10, a groove 14 is arranged, which protrudes into the outside 14 of the deflecting device 1. Perpendicular to the center axis MA runs a closure needle bushing 26, which emerges in the third opening 27 on the second side 12.

[0066] The deflecting device 1 is divided into a first body half 30 and a second body half 40. The body halves 30, 40 are joined together on a separating surface TF. The separating surface TF runs parallel to the center axis MA of the deflecting device 1.

[0067] A radial section 24 of a deflecting channel, running in the body halves 30, 40 along the separating surface TF, comprises a radial section 24, which emerges in the second opening 25 on the outside 14 of the deflecting device 1.

[0068] The body halves 30, 40 are held together by screw bolts with screw heads 35, as long as the deflecting device 1 is not mounted in the distributing plate.

[0069] In a special embodiment, the base body 10 comprises a material having a similar coefficient of thermal expansion, preferably the same coefficient of thermal expansion, as the material of the distributing plate. In this way, the base body 10 is easily interchangeable. As long as the base body 10 is produced oversized, the base body 10 can be inserted into the distributing plate if it has a lower temperature than the temperature of the distributing plate. Equalization of the temperatures produces a press fit between the base body 10 and the distributing plate, which can be released by producing a corresponding temperature difference.

[0070] In a further embodiment, the base body 10 comprises a material having a larger coefficient of thermal expansion than the material of the distributing plate. In this case, a press fit is produced between the base body 10 and the distributing plate when the injection molding machine is at operating temperature.

[0071] FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the conical configuration of the deflecting device 1 installed in a distributing plate. The base body 10 is installed in the distributing plate and closes off flush relative to the distributing plate surrounding the base body 10 by its first side 11 and second side 12. The distributing plate has a radial recess in the installation region of the deflecting device 1, in which the flange 13 is inserted. The radial recess has an end stop, against which the abutment face 18 of the flange 13 lies. Thus, the deflecting device 1 is secured in a direction parallel to the center axis MA. In this way it may be advantageously achieved that the deflecting channel 20 can be brought into congruency with a channel present in the distributing plate. Furthermore, the deflecting device 1 can be press-fitted into the distributing plate with a predefined dimension.

[0072] The invention is not confined to one of the above-described configurations, but instead it may be modified in many ways. It will be evident that a deflecting device 1 for the deflecting of a melt flow in a distributing plate of an injection molding machine has a base body 10, and inside the base body there is arranged a deflecting channel 20. In order to create an improved solution for the redirecting of the melt flow in a hot runner manifold, the base body 10 can have a separating surface TF, which divides the base body 10 into a first body half 30 and a second body half 40, while the first body half 30 and the second body half 40 can be firmly joined to each other.

[0073] The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing the deflecting device, wherein a deflecting channel structure 102 is worked into a machining surface 101 of a blank 100. After this, the machining surface 101 is planed, i.e., ground or polished flat, and the blank 100 is divided along at least one parting plane TE1, TE2 into at least one first blank piece 103 and at least one second blank piece 104. After this, the blank pieces 103, 104 are assembled into a deflecting device 1 in that the deflecting channel structures 102 formed in the blank pieces 103, 104 supplement each other to form a deflecting channel 20 and the blank pieces 103, 104 form the base body 10. After this, to produce the outside 14, the blank pieces 103, 104 forming the body halves 30, 40 are machined on the sides facing away from the machining surface 101.

[0074] All the features and advantages emerging from the claims, the description and the drawing, including structural details, spatial arrangements, and method steps, may be essential to the invention either in themselves or in the different combinations.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0075] 1 Deflecting device [0076] 10 Base body [0077] 11 First side [0078] 12 Second side [0079] 13 Flange [0080] 14 Outside [0081] 15 Groove [0082] 16 Centering hole [0083] 17 Centering pin [0084] 18 Abutment face [0085] 20 Deflecting channel [0086] 21 Vertical section [0087] 22 First opening [0088] 23 Curved section [0089] 24 Radial section [0090] 25 Second opening [0091] 26 Closure needle bushing [0092] 27 Third opening [0093] 28 Connection geometry [0094] 30 First body half [0095] 31 Through hole [0096] 32 Screw bolt [0097] 33 First surface [0098] 34 First indentation [0099] 35 Screw head [0100] 40 Second body half [0101] 41 Blind hole [0102] 42 Internal thread [0103] 43 Second surface [0104] 44 Second indentation [0105] 100 Blank [0106] 101 Machining surface [0107] 102 Deflecting channel structure [0108] 103 First blank piece [0109] 104 Second blank piece [0110] 105 Bores [0111] U Circumferential direction [0112] MA Center axis [0113] TF Separating surface [0114] R Radial direction [0115] TE1 First parting plane [0116] TE2 Second parting plane