Hybrid injection molding machine

• US 6,120,277 A
• Filed: 05/06/1999
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Uniloy Milacron USA Inc. (Hillenbrand Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cincinnati Machines Incorporated (Fives SA)
• Inventors: Klaus, M. Barr
• Primary Examiner(s): HEITBRINK, TIMOTHY W
• Application Number:
  US09/306,330
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 425/145, 425/149, 425/589, 264/40.5
• US Class Current: 425/145
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/1792 Machine parts driven by an electric motor, e.g. electric servomotor
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/7673 Recovering energy or power from drive motors
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/824 Accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/76602 derivative, change thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/76665 screw
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/5008 Drive means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/82 Hydraulic or pneumatic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working

Abstract

An electro-mechanical drive apparatus uses a single variable speed motor, two one-way clutches, a hydraulic pump stack and a hydraulic accumulator to provide both hydraulic power for linear motion axes and rotation of a driven element of an electromechanical drive system in an injection molding machine. When engaged, the first one-way clutch couples the drive motor to the pump stack, while the second one-way clutch couples the motor to the driven element. During rotation of the drive motor in a forward direction, (a) the first one-way clutch engages, rotating the shaft of the hydraulic pump stack to power the machine'"'"'s hydraulic systems and charge an accumulator; and (b) the second one-way clutch slips. When the drive motor is rotated in a reverse direction, (a) the second one-way clutch engages, rotating the driven element, and (b) the first one-way clutch slips.

Claims

1. An injection molding machine comprising at least one hydraulically operated system, an injection unit including a feed screw capable of rotational and translational movement within a barrel, a hydraulic pump, a variable speed electric drive motor, and transmission means for alternately transmitting power from the drive motor to (a) rotate the feed screw and (b) activate the hydraulic pump, such that operation of the drive motor in one direction rotates the feed screw to plasticize material in the barrel of the injection unit and operation of the drive motor in an opposite direction activates the hydraulic pump to enable operation of the hydraulic systems of the injection molding machine.

2. The injection molding machine of claim 1 wherein the transmission means comprises:

(a) a first one-way clutch interposed between the drive motor and the hydraulic pump, and

(b) a second one-way clutch interposed between the drive motor and the feed screw,

such that when the drive motor is operated in a forward direction,

(i) the first one-way clutch is engaged to operate the hydraulic pump thereby generating hydraulic power to operate the hydraulic systems of the injection molding machine, and

(ii) the second one-way clutch slips;

when the drive motor is operated in a reverse direction,

(iii) the second one-way clutch is engaged, rotating the feed screw, and

(iv) the first one-way clutch slips.

3. A molding machine having at least one hydraulically operated system, an injection unit including a feed screw rotatably and translatably carried in a barrel, a hydraulic pump, a variable speed electric drive motor, and transmission means for alternately transmitting power from the drive motor to the feed screw and hydraulic pump, the transmission means comprising:

(a) a first one-way clutch interposed between the drive motor and the hydraulic pump,

(c) a second one-way clutch interposed between the drive motor and the feed screw,

such that when the drive motor is operated in a forward (pump) direction,

(i) the first one-way clutch is engaged to operate the hydraulic pump thereby generating power to operate the hydraulically operated systems, and

(ii) the second one-way clutch slips;

when the drive motor is operated in a reverse (extrusion) direction,

(iii) the second one-way clutch is engaged, rotating the feed screw, and

(iv) the first one-way clutch slips.

4. An injection molding machine comprising at least one hydraulically operated system, at least one electro-mechanical drive system including a variable speed electric drive motor, a hydraulic pump, and transmission means for alternately transmitting power from the drive motor to (a) rotate a driven element in the electro-mechanical drive system and (b) activate the hydraulic pump, such that operation of the drive motor in one direction activates the electromechanical drive system and operation of the drive motor in an opposite direction activates the hydraulic pump to enable operation of the hydraulic systems of the injection molding machine.

5. The injection molding machine of claim 4 wherein the transmission means comprises:

(a) a first one-way clutch interposed between the drive motor and the hydraulic pump, and

(b) a second one-way clutch interposed between the drive motor and the driven element,

such that when the drive motor is operated in a forward direction,

(i) the first one-way clutch is engaged to operate the hydraulic pump thereby generating hydraulic power to operate the hydraulic systems of the injection molding machine, and

(ii) the second one-way clutch slips;

when the drive motor is operated in a reverse direction,

(iii) the second one-way clutch is engaged, rotating the driven element, and

(iv) the first one-way clutch slips.