Ejector-Plate Actuator of a Molding System

An actuator of a molding system, the actuator comprising:

• an ejector plate;
• an ejector rod fixedly connected to the ejector plate;
• connecting links pivotally coupled to the ejector plate, the connecting links, the connecting links configured to transmit substantially balanced applied forces to the ejector plate, the connecting links are configured maintain the ejector plate substantially parallel relative to a mold-support face of a moveable platen as the ejector plate is moved relative to the moveable platen;
• cranks pivotally connected to a respective link of the connecting links;
• crank shafts fixedly connected to respective cranks;
• a drive shaft;
• an electric motor configured to rotate the drive shaft;
• and
• a belt coupling the drive shaft to the crank shafts,
• in response to the drive shaft being rotated by the electric motor, the belt moves so as to rotate the crank shafts,
• in response to the crank shafts being rotated by the belt, the cranks rotate so as to move the connecting links,
• in response to the connecting links being pushed by the cranks, the ejector plate receives the substantially balanced applied forces from the connecting links,
• in response to the ejector plate receiving the substantially balanced applied forces, the ejector rod moves through a moveable platen of the molding system and a moveable mold portion supported by the moveable platen, the ejector rod pushes a molded article molded and retained in the moveable mold portion, and
• transmission of the substantially balanced applied forces includes:
• (i) transmission of a net orthogonal translational force to the ejector plate so as to translate the ejector plate, the net orthogonal translational force being aligned orthogonal relative to the ejector plate, and (ii) transmission of a net non-orthogonal force to the ejector plate that is substantially reduced as the net orthogonal translational force is transmitted to the ejector plate, the net non-orthogonal force being aligned non-orthogonal relative to the ejector plate.

A molding system, comprising:

• an actuator including:
• an ejector plate configured to support an ejector rod;
• and
• connecting links coupled to the ejector plate, the connecting links are configured to transmit substantially balanced applied forces to the ejector plate.

A molding system, comprising:

• a stationary platen configured to support a stationary mold portion of a mold;
• a moveable platen being moveable relative to the stationary platen, the moveable platen configured to support a moveable mold portion of the mold;
• an extruder configured to process and to inject a molding material into a mold cavity defined by the mold;
• and
• an actuator including:
• an ejector plate being moveable relative to the moveable platen;
• an ejector rod fixedly connected to the ejector plate, the ejector rod being moveable through the moveable platen and the moveable mold portion so as to abut a molded article to be molded and retained in the moveable mold portion;
• a guidance assembly configured to supportively guide movement of the ejector plate;
• and
• connecting links pivotally coupled to the ejector plate, the connecting links are configured to transmit substantially balanced applied forces to the ejector plate, the connecting links are configured maintain the ejector plate substantially parallel relative to a mold-support face of a moveable platen as the ejector plate is moved relative to the moveable platen;
• cranks pivotally connected to a respective link of the connecting links;
• crank shafts fixedly connected to respective cranks;
• a drive shaft;
• an electric motor configured to rotate the drive shaft;
• and
• a belt coupling the drive shaft to the crank shafts,
• in response to the drive shaft being rotated by the electric motor, the belt moves so as to rotate the crank shafts,
• in response to the crank shafts being rotated by the belt, the cranks rotate so as to move the connecting links,
• in response to the connecting links being pushed by the cranks, the ejector plate receives the substantially balanced applied forces from the connecting links,
• in response to the ejector plate receiving the substantially balanced applied forces, the ejector rod moves through a moveable platen of the molding system and a moveable mold portion supported by the moveable platen, the ejector rod pushes a molded article molded and retained in the moveable mold portion, and
• transmission of the substantially balanced applied forces includes:
• (i) transmission of a net orthogonal translational force to the ejector plate so as to translate the ejector plate, the net orthogonal translational force being aligned orthogonal relative to the ejector plate, and (ii) transmission of a net non-orthogonal force to the ejector plate that is substantially reduced as the net orthogonal translational force is transmitted to the ejector plate, the net non-orthogonal force being aligned non-orthogonal relative to the ejector plate.

A molded article made by usage of a molding system, comprising:

• an actuator including:
• an ejector plate configured to support an ejector rod;
• and
• connecting links coupled to the ejector plate, the connecting links are configured to transmit substantially balanced applied forces to the ejector plate.