Tie rod connection for die closing unit of injection molding machine

In the die closing unit of an injection molding machine in which a movable die plate and a stationary die plate or equivalent thrust member are aligned relative to each other for opening and closing movement of the injection molding die along at least two parallel tie rods, and in which the closing pressure applied to the die via the die plates and/or thrust members is transmitted through the tie rods as a tension force, a tie rod connection rigidly attaching the tie rods to a die plate or thrust member, the tie rod connection comprising in combination:

• a seating bore in the thrust member engaging the outer diameter of the tie rod with a tight fit, the tie rod reaching through said thrust member;
• an abutment groove in a portion of the tie rod which protrudes beyond the thrust member, i.e. to the outer side thereof;
• said groove having a substantially planar face oriented toward said outer side of the thrust member;
• a planar abutment face surrounding the tie rod bore on the outer side of the thrust member;
• a split abutment ring with parallel axial end faces received inside said groove in such a way that one of the ring end faces bears against said planar groove face and the other ring end face, projecting radially beyond the abutment groove, bears against said abutment face of the thrust member, thereby creating a tension force on the tie rod, if an outwardly directed thrust acts on the thrust member;
• means retaining the split abutment ring in the abutment groove;
• a clamping cap engaging the protruding portion of the tie rod;
• and
• a plurality of axially oriented clamping bolts which are seated in the clamping cap and engage suitable threaded bores in the thrust member.