Injection Nozzle for an Injection Molding Machine

Abstract

An injection nozzle for use in an injection molding machine. The injection nozzle has a nozzle body. The nozzle body has a tip section, a nut section, a threaded section that are interposed between a first end and a second end. A conduit extends through the nozzle body between an intake orifice and an output orifice. Within the nozzle body, the conduit has a first zone and a second zone that meet at a transition area. The first zone extends into the nozzle body from the first end. The second zone extends into the nozzle body from the second end. Fins radially extend into the first zone of the conduit. The fins absorb heat from material passing through the first zone of the conduit. The fins can cause molten material to cool quicker in the first zone of the conduit than in the second zone of the conduit.

Claims

1. An injection nozzle for use in an injection molding machine, said injection nozzle comprising: a nozzle body having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein said nozzle body is symmetrically disposed around a center axis that extends through said first end and said second end, wherein said nozzle body has a tip section, a nut section, and a threaded section that is interposed between said first end and said second end; an output orifice of a first diameter disposed at said first end of said body, wherein said output orifice is concentric with said center axis; an intake orifice of a second diameter disposed at said second end of said body, wherein said second diameter is larger than said first diameter of said output orifice, and wherein said intake orifice is concentric with said center axis; a conduit that extends through said nozzle body between said intake orifice and said output orifice, said conduit having a first zone that extends into said nozzle body from said output orifice and a second zone that extends from said first zone to said second end; and a plurality of fins that radially extend into said first zone of said conduit toward said center axis from said nozzle body, wherein said plurality of fins conducts heat from said first zone of said conduit into said nozzle body.

2. The injection nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said first zone of said conduit has a length and has an internal diameter equal to said first diameter of said output orifice along said length.

3. The injection nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said first zone has internal diameters no greater than said first diameter of said output orifice.

4. The injection nozzle according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of fins has a ridge surface that faces said center axis.

5. The injection nozzle according to claim 4, wherein each said ridge surface has a first region that is positioned at a first angle of inclination relative said center axis.

6. The injection nozzle according to claim 5, wherein said first angle of inclination is between twenty degrees and sixty degrees.

7. The injection nozzle according to claim 5, wherein said first region of each said ridge surface begins within said first zone of said conduit and extends toward said second zone.

8. The injection nozzle according to claim 5, wherein said ridge surface of each said plurality of fins has a second section that has a second angle of inclination relative said center axis, wherein said second angle of inclination is less than said first angle of inclination.

9. The injection nozzle according to claim 8, wherein said second angle inclination is between two degrees and ten degrees.

10. The injection nozzle according to claim 8, wherein said ridge surface of each said plurality of fins has a third section that follows a concave curvature.

11. The injection nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fins are present only in said first zone of said conduit.

12. The injection nozzle according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of fins extends from said first zone into said second zone.

13. The injection nozzle according to claim 12, wherein each said ridge surface has a slope that changes as said ridge surface passes from said first zone to said second zone.

14. The injection nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said first zone of said conduit meets said second zone of said conduit at a transition area in said conduit that is perpendicular to said center axis.

15. The injection nozzle according to claim 14, wherein said tip section of said nozzle body has an exterior that tapers to a minimum in an area that surrounds said transition area within said conduit.

16. The injection nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle body has a curved surface that extends from said output orifice to said tip section, wherein said curved surface is textured.

17. An injection nozzle for use in an injection molding machine, said injection nozzle comprising: a nozzle body having a center axis, a first end and an opposite second end; an output orifice of a first diameter disposed at said first end of said body; an intake orifice of a second diameter disposed at said second end of said body, wherein said second diameter is larger than said first diameter of said output orifice; a conduit that extends through said nozzle body between said intake orifice and said output orifice, said conduit having a first zone that extends into said nozzle body from said output orifice and a second zone that extends from said first zone to said second end, wherein said first zone and said second zone meet in said conduit at a transition area; and a plurality of fins that radially extend into said first zone of said conduit toward said center axis from said nozzle body, wherein each of said plurality of fins terminates in said first zone at said transition area.

18. The injection nozzle according to claim 17, wherein each of said plurality of fins has ridge surfaces that face said center axis and are non-parallel to said center axis.

19. An injection nozzle for use in an injection molding machine, said injection nozzle comprising: a nozzle body having a first end and an opposite second end; a conduit that extends through said nozzle body between said first end and said second end, said conduit having a first zone that extends into said nozzle body from said first end and a second zone that extends from said first zone to said second end, wherein said first zone and said second zone meet in said conduit at a transition area; a plurality of fins that radially extend into said conduit toward from said nozzle body, wherein each of said plurality of fins follows a first slope in said first zone and changes to a different second slope in said second zone.

20. An injection nozzle for use in an injection molding machine, said injection nozzle comprising: a nozzle body having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein said nozzle body is symmetrically disposed around a center axis that extends through said first end and said second end, and wherein said nozzle body has a tip section, a nut section, and a threaded section that is interposed between said first end and said second end; an output orifice disposed at said first end of said body, wherein said output orifice is concentric with said center axis; an intake orifice disposed at said second end of said body, wherein said intake orifice is concentric with said center axis; a conduit that extends through said nozzle body between said intake orifice and said output orifice, said conduit having a first zone that extends into said nozzle body from said output orifice and a second zone that extends from said first zone to said second end, wherein said first zone and said second zone meet at a transition area within said conduit; and wherein said tip section of said nozzle body has an exterior that tapers from said first end to a minimum in an area that surrounds said transition area of said conduit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art abutment connection within an injection molding machine between an injection nozzle and a sprue bushing, wherein the abutment connection is shown disengaged;

[0029] FIG. 2 shows the prior art abutment connection of FIG. 1 shown in the middle of a molding cycle;

[0030] FIG. 3 shows the prior art abutment connection of FIG. 2 forming a string at the end of a molding cycle;

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an injection nozzle;

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4;

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a front view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an abutment connection within an injection molding machine between an injection nozzle and a sprue bushing, wherein the abutment connection is shown disengaged;

[0035] FIG. 8 shows the abutment connection of FIG. 7 shown in the middle of a molding cycle;

[0036] FIG. 9 shows the abutment connection of FIG. 7 shown at the end of a molding cycle;

[0037] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of an injection nozzle with a misaligned sprue bushing;

[0038] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of an injection nozzle;

[0039] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a nozzle; and

[0040] FIG. 13 shows a side view of the mold gate insert assembly of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Although the present invention injection nozzle and abutment connection can be adapted for use in many styles and models of injection molding machines, only two exemplary embodiments are described. The exemplary embodiments are selected in order to set forth some of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered limitations when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 5, an improved injection nozzle 40 is shown, for use in an abutment connection 42 between a mold 44 and the heated injection barrel 46 of an injection molding machine. The injection nozzle 40 has a nozzle body 41 that is machined of metal. The nozzle body 41 is symmetrically disposed around an imaginary center axis 48. The nozzle body 41 has a first end 50 and an opposite second end 52. An output orifice 54 is disposed at the first end 50. Conversely, in intake orifice 56 is disposed at the second end 52. Both the output orifice 54 and the intake orifice 56 are concentric with the center axis 48 and extend in parallel planes that are perpendicular to the center axis 48.

[0043] Progressing along the center axis 48 from the first end 50 to the second end 52, the nozzle body 41 has a curved contact surface 58, a tip section 59, a nut section 60 and a threaded section 61. The curved contact surface 58 radially extends from the periphery of the output orifice 54. The curved contact surface 58 has a radius of curvature that matches the radius of curvature used on the sprue bushing 62. The curved contact surface 58 can be machined smooth. However, for a purpose that will later be described, the curved contact surface 58 is preferably slightly textured.

[0044] The curved contact surface 58 extends to a first transition line 64. At the first transition line 64, the tip section 59 of the nozzle body 41 begins. The tip section 59 extends to the nut section 60. The tip section 59 decreases in diameter as it extends away from the transition line 64. As such, no part of the tip section 59 has a larger diameter than does the curved contact surface 58 at the transition line 64.

[0045] The decreasing diameter of the tip section 59 minimizes the mass of the tip section 59 and creates a low point 66 on the exterior of the nozzle body 41.

[0046] The nut section 60 has an exterior that is shaped as a hex-nut, or a similar configuration, that can be readily rotated by a wrench. This provides a means for a mechanic to engage the injection nozzle 40 during installation and removal. An indicia 68 can be engraved or printed on the nut section 60 to indicate the size of the output orifice 54 on the injection nozzle 40.

[0047] The nut section 60 leads into an externally threaded section 61. The externally threaded section 61 extends to the second end 52. The externally threaded section 61 enables the injection nozzle 40 to be threaded into the heated injection barrel 46 of an injection molding machine.

[0048] As shown best in FIG. 5, it will be understood that the injection nozzle 40 defines an internal conduit 70 of a complex shape. The internal conduit 70 begins at the output orifice 54 at the first end 50 and extends to the intake orifice 56 at the second end 52. In use, molten thermoplastic material flows into the intake orifice 56 at the second end 52 and is directed toward the output orifice 54 at the first end 50. The internal conduit 70 has two zones. A first zone 72 extends into the internal conduit 70 from the output orifice 54 at the first end 50. A second zone 73 extends into the internal conduit 70 from the intake orifice 56 at the second end 52. The first zone 72 and the second zone 73 meet at a transition area 74 within the internal conduit 70.

[0049] The first zone 72 within the internal conduit 70 can be cylindrical in shape or slightly frustum shaped. Regardless, the first zone 72 begins at the output orifice 54 and the diameter of the output orifice 54 is equal to, or greater than, any other part of the first zone 72. The first zone 72 extends to the transition area 74. The distance, as measured along the center axis 48, from the first end 50 to the transition area 74, is equal to or only slightly offset from the distance from the first end 50 to the low point 66 on the exterior of the nozzle body 41. This creates a thin segment 76 of the nozzle body 41 between the low point 66 on the exterior of the nozzle body 41 and the transition area 74 on the internal conduit 22.

[0050] The second zone 73 extends between the transition area 74 and the intake orifice 56 at the second end 52. The intake orifice 56 is the widest part of the second zone 73. The second zone 73 tapers down to the diameter of the first zone 72 as the second zone 73 approaches the first zone 72.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 6, it can be seen that within the first zone 72 of the internal conduit 70, a plurality of heat transfer fins 80 radially extend toward the center axis 48. In the shown embodiment, four heat transfer fins 80 are shown. However, it should be understood that any plurality of heat transfer fins 80 can be utilized if the space permits. In the shown embodiment, each of the heat transfer fins 80 extends through the first zone 72 of the internal conduit 70 from the first end 50 to the transition area 74. Each of the heat transfer fins 80 has a narrow ridge surface 82 that faces toward the center axis 48. The ridge surface 82 follows a complex path. The ridge surface 82 has three regions. The first region 84 begins at the output orifice 54 and steeply diverges toward the center axis 48 at a first angle of inclination. The first angle of inclination is preferably between twenty degrees and sixty degrees. The first region 84 of the ridge surface 82 bends into a second region 86 that has a reduced second angle of inclination. The second angle of inclination is preferably between two degrees and twenty degrees. The second region 86 of the ridge surface 82 bends into a third region 88. The third region 88 follows a concave curvature until it terminates at the transition area 74 at the start of the second zone 73. The concave curvature of the third regions 88 of the heat transfer fins 80 creates a partial bowl that helps direct molten thermoplastic material through and around the heat transfer fins 80 with a minimum of shear.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 in conjunction with FIG. 5, it will be understood that molten thermoplastic material 30 fills the internal conduit 70 of the injection nozzle 40 as the molten thermoplastic material flows through the injection nozzle 40 and into the sprue bushing 14. At the end of the transfer cycle, there is slight delay before the injection nozzle 40 and the solidified sprue 28 separate. During this slight delay, the molten thermoplastic material 30 in the injection nozzle 40 cools by transferring heat to the nozzle body 41. The nozzle body 41 is cooled by the ambient environment. The transfer of heat from the molten thermoplastic material to the nozzle body 41 is greatly increased by the presence of the heat transfer fins 80. Additionally, since the thermoplastic material 30 flows around the heat transfer fins 80, the heat transfer fins 80 absorb heat from the thermoplastic material 30 throughout most of its cross-sectional profile. This enables the thermoplastic material 30 to cool evenly throughout its cross-sectional profile and have a more uniform temperature at any given point in that profile.

[0053] The thermoplastic material 30 is also rapidly cooled by the thinned segment 76 of the nozzle body 41 between the low point 66 on the exterior and the transition area 74 within the internal conduit 70. Conversely, the nut section 60 of the nozzle body 41 has a large mass and the threaded section 61 is heated by the heated injection barrel. As a consequence, the thermoplastic material 30 in the first zone 72 of the internal conduit 70 will cool much faster than the thermoplastic material 30 in the second zone 73. The thermoplastic material 30 in the first zone 72 will therefore harden while the thermoplastic material 30 in the second zone 73 is still molten. The point of transition is designed to occur in the area of the transition area 74.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 9, when the solidified sprue 28 separates from the injection nozzle 40, the thermoplastic material 30 within the internal conduit 70 of the injection nozzle 40 separates. The separation occurs between the first zone 72 and the second zone 73, because the thermoplastic material 30 is hardened in the first zone 72 while still molten in the second zone 73. The angles of inclination on the ridge surfaces 82 of the heat transfer fins 80 enable the hardened thermoplastic material 30 to quickly separate from the heat transfer fins 80 without physical binding. Accordingly, the hardened thermoplastic material 30A from the first zone 72 remains attached to the solidified sprue 28 upon separation. The hardened thermoplastic material 30A is cleaned away when the mold opens and the solidified sprue 28 is ejected from the mold.

[0055] The advantages of having the thermoplastic material 30 separate at the transition zone 74 is multifold. The separation at this point minimizes the formation of strings. Accordingly, molds will have less string damage and require less maintenance. Furthermore, when the solidified thermoplastic material 30A repeatedly separates from the semi-rigid molding material at the transition area 74, the amount of thermoplastic material, known as shot size, is more precisely repeatable from cycle to cycle.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 10 in conjunction with FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, it can be seen that after a molding cycle, the mold operator can observe the curved contact surface 58 of the injection nozzle 40. As has been previously mentioned, the curved contact surface 58 can be textured rather than smooth. The texturing can have patterns of deformations of +/0.002 inches. In this manner, if the injection nozzle 40 is not perfectly aligned, the misalignment can be visualized by observing any deformation 59 left on the curved contact surface 58. Once the deformation 59 is observed, the mold operator can adjust the alignment to reduce or eliminate any offset.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 11, an alternate embodiment of an injection nozzle 90 is shown. This embodiment is similar to the earlier presented embodiment, with the added feature of heat conducting fins 92 in the second zone 93 of the internal conduit 94. The exterior of nozzle body 96 surrounding the second zone 93 is in contact with the heated barrel of the injection molding machine. Consequently, the nozzle body 96 surrounding the second zone 93 is heated. Thus, the heat conducting fins 92 transfer heat into the second zone 92 of the internal conduit 94. This helps keep the thermoplastic material within the second zone 93 molten while the thermoplastic material in the first zone 95 hardens.

[0058] The heat conducting fins 92 in the second zone 93 slope in different directions than do the heat conducting fins in the first zone 95. The change in slope occurs at a transition area 98 between the first zone 95 and the second zone 93. This helps the thermoplastic material part at the transition area 98.

[0059] The technology of using internal heat transfer fins to control heat and create a consistent separation point between molten and hardened thermoplastic material can be adapted to molding elements other than injection nozzles. Referring to FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, a hot runner nozzle 100 is shown. A hot runner nozzle 100 is a nozzle where the tip does not form part of the gate. In the molding industry, such nozzles are often referred to as tip-gate or bodiless point gate nozzles. In such a nozzle, a gate or outlet orifice 102 is formed within a separate mold gate insert 104 that is installed in, or on, a cooled mold plate (not shown). As shown, the mold gate insert 104 defines an interior conduit 105 having a first zone 106 and a second zone 108. Heat conducting fins 110 are provided in the first zone 106. The heat conducting fins 110 draw heat from the thermoplastic material and transfers the heat into the cooler adjoining gate insert 104 or mold plate. Accordingly, each of the fins 110 act as a heat sink in this manner. This would allow such a nozzle 100 to be provided with a larger output orifice 102 than is typical, while avoiding the formation of strings or a tall gate vestige.

[0060] The point gate design could be provided with many of the injection nozzle features shown and described herein, and a person of ordinary skill in the art would be capable of adapting such features for incorporation into a point gate type of nozzle.

[0061] It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. For instance, the nozzle assembly can be configured in different shapes and sizes to meet the needs of different molding machines. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.