Intelligent hydraulic manifold used in an injection molding machine
AssigneeHusky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
InventorsChristopher Choi, Ian Crookston
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for controlling a hydraulic actuator in an injection molding machine, where the hydraulic actuator moves in a linear or rotary manner to effect movement of an injection molding device, such as a mold clamp. A microcontroller is locally disposed adjacent to the actuator or the hydraulic fluid distribution manifold to cause the actuator to drive the device. The microcontroller is electrically coupled to the system control processor. This distributed control architecture increases system processing throughput, enhances reliability, and permits easier upgrades/repair. Preferably, the microcontroller is mounted on the manifold and controls all of the actuators supplied from that manifold.
Claims17
An intelligent hydraulic actuator operating in conjunction with an injection molding machine which has a system controller and a hydraulic manifold, the actuator comprising:
- a hydraulic actuator for moving in a linear or rotary manner between first and second positions in response to hydraulic fluid flow, or for generating a required torque or force to move a controlled injection molding structure;
- and
- a microcontroller disposed adjacent at least one of said hydraulic manifold and said hydraulic actuator, for causing said hydraulic actuator to move between the first and second positions, said microcontroller being coupled to the system controller.
An apparatus for controlling a hydraulic actuator in an injection molding machine having (i) a hydraulic manifold for supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator, (ii) a system control processor, and (iii) at least one sensor for sensing an operational condition associated with the hydraulic actuator, said apparatus comprising:
- a processor which controls movement of the hydraulic actuator, said processor having a memory for storing at least one control program which said processor runs to control said movement, said processor being coupled to the manifold;
- a command input which provides command signals from the system control processor to said processor;
- and
- a control output which provides control signals from said processor to the hydraulic actuator.
At least one computer-readable storage medium storing an instruction set which causes a microcontroller to control a hydraulic actuator in an injection molding machine by performing the steps of:
- configuring a control program which provides control signals based on feedback signals from a sensor which monitors an operational parameter of said actuator;
- receiving feedback signals from the sensor;
- receiving command signals from an injection molding system control processor;
- modifying the configured control program based on the received command signals;
- generating actuator control signals based on one of the configured control program and the modified configured control program;
- and
- outputting the actuator control signals to the actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.