Injection molding machine

• US 6,582,632 B1
• Filed: 08/23/2000
• Issued: 06/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Engel Maschinenbau Gesellschaft
• Original Assignee: Engel Maschinenbau Gesellschaft
• Inventors: Urbanek, Otto
• Primary Examiner(s): HEITBRINK, JILL LYNNE
• Application Number:
  US09/644,129
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 264/40.1, 264/328.1, 425/136, 425/169-172, 737/67, 700/79, 700/82, 700/200, 700/204
• US Class Current: 264/40.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/7604 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/7619 barrel
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/76 Measuring, controlling or regulating measuring in general G01; controlling or regulating in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/768 Detecting defective moulding conditions B29C45/84 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/08 with provision for safeguarding the apparatus, e.g. against abnormal operation, against breakdown
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/03 with multiple-channel loop, i.e. redundant control systems

Abstract

An injection molding machine for plastic materials, the operation of which is governed by continuous monitoring of at least one measurement parameter, wherein there is provided a control which outputs a signal upon failure of a sensor which detects the measurement parameter, wherein at least two sensors (3, 3′) are associated with one and the same measurement parameters and the control records the failure of a sensor (3, 3′) without causing stoppage of the machine.

Claims

1. A method of operating an injection molding machine for plastic materials, the operation of which is interrupted upon failure of the monitoring of at least one measurement parameter, wherein there is provided a control which outputs a signal upon failure of a sensor which detects the measurement parameter, the method comprising:

associating at least two sensors with one and the same measurement parameter and recording failure of one of the sensors using the control without causing stoppage of the machine.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein more than two sensors are associated with a measurement parameter and a deviation of a value detecting by one sensor from the value detected by the other sensors is interpreted as failure.

3. An injection molding machine for plastic materials, the operation of which is interrupted, upon failure of a monitoring of at least one measurement parameter, comprising:

a control which outputs a signal upon failure of a sensor which detects the measurement parameter;

at least two sensors associated with one and the same measurement parameter;

the control recording the failure of one of the sensors without causing stoppage of the machine; and

the at least two sensors being combined together in space and in a holder.

4. An injection molding machine for plastic materials as set forth in claim 3 wherein a housing contains the at least two sensors and an evaluation circuit connected to the sensors.

5. An injection molding machine for plastic materials, the operation of which is interrupted, upon failure of a monitoring of at least one measurement parameter, comprising:

a control which outputs a signal upon failure of a sensor which detects the measurement parameter;

at least two sensors associated with one and the same measurement parameter;

the control recording the failure of one of the sensors without causing stoppage of the machine; and

a shut-off device between at least one sensor for monitoring a fluid pressure and a fluid being monitored.