Injection molding actuator position sensing
AssigneeMold-Masters (2007) Limited
InventorsDenis Babin, Valery Ten
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nozzle has a valve pin for controlling flow of molding material through a nozzle melt passage. An actuator has a stationary part and a movable part. The actuator further has an extending rod connected to the movable part thereof and a block connected to the rod, the block being movable with the moveable part of the actuator. A pivoting linkage element is rotatably connected to the block of the actuator and is connected to the valve pin of the nozzle. The pivoting linkage element moves the valve pin in response to movement of the movable part of the actuator. A bracket is connected to the stationary part of the actuator. Two sensors are connected to the bracket for detecting different positions of the block. The sensors may be air proximity sensors.
Claims18
A nozzle system for an injection molding apparatus, comprising:
- a nozzle having a valve pin for controlling flow of molding material through a nozzle melt passage;
- an actuator having a stationary part and a movable part;
- a pivoting linkage element rotatably connected to the movable part of the actuator and connected to the valve pin of the nozzle, the pivoting linkage element moving the valve pin in response to movement of the movable part of the actuator;
- and
- at least one sensor for detecting a position of the movable part of the actuator, wherein the at least one sensor is an air proximity sensor.
A nozzle system for an injection molding apparatus, comprising:
- a nozzle having a valve pin for controlling flow of molding material through a nozzle melt passage;
- an actuator having a stationary part and a movable part, the actuator further having an extending rod connected to the movable part thereof and a block connected to the rod, the block movable with the moveable part of the actuator;
- a pivoting linkage element rotatably connected to the block of the actuator and connected to the valve pin of the nozzle, the pivoting linkage element moving the valve pin in response to movement of the movable part of the actuator;
- a bracket connected to the stationary part of the actuator;
- and
- at least two sensors connected to the bracket for detecting different positions of the block, wherein the sensors are air proximity sensors.
A valve pin actuating system for a nozzle of an injection molding apparatus, comprising:
- an actuator having a stationary part and a movable part;
- a valve pin holder connected to the movable part of the actuator;
- a valve pin connected to and extending from the valve pin holder, the valve pin having an up position and a down position for controlling flow of molding material;
- and
- at least one air proximity sensor proximate the valve pin holder for detecting the presence or absence of the valve pin holder to determine whether the valve pin is in the down position or the up position, the at least one air proximity sensor connected to an air supply line and a pressure measurement line that is connected to a pressure transducer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.