Magnetic fixing device

• US 8,031,038 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2007
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation.
• Original Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation.
• Inventors: Kimura, Seiji
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai; Anh
• Assistant Examiner(s): MUSLEH, MOHAMAD A
• Application Number:
  US12/449,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20100013583A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,561 Days
• Field of Search: 335/229, 335/230, 335284-299, 335302-306, 361143-145, 361149-151, 361/267
• US Class Current: 335/285
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/1746 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1742 Mounting of moulds; Mould supports mounting of exchangeable mould inserts B29C45/2675

Abstract

The magnetic fixing device comprises a clamping plate having a fixing surface to which a clamping object is fixed and plural magnetic force generation mechanisms. The magnetic force generation mechanisms each comprise a magnetic material member facing the fixing surface, plural permanent magnets arranged around the outer periphery of the magnetic material member, a first Alnico magnet placed on the back of the magnetic material member, and a first coil for switching the polarity of the first Alnico magnet, and can be switched between the absorption state in which the clamping object is adsorbed and the non-absorption state in which the clamping object is not adsorbed. An operation state indication mechanism capable of presenting an indicator indicating that the plural magnetic force generation mechanisms are in the absorption state or in the non-absorption state is provided on the fixing surface or outer periphery of the clamping plate.

Claims

1. A magnetic fixing device comprising a clamping plate having a fixing surface for fixing a clamping object such as a mold and plural magnetic force generation mechanisms installed in the clamping plate for fixing the clamping object to the fixing surface by magnetic force,

wherein each of said magnetic force generation mechanisms comprises a magnetic material member facing said fixing surface, plural permanent magnets arranged around an outer periphery of said magnetic material member, a first Alnico magnet provided on a back of said magnetic material member, and a first coil for switching a polarity of said first Alnico magnet, and can be switched between an absorption state in which the clamping object is adsorbed and a non-absorption state in which the clamping object is not adsorbed,

an operation state indication mechanism capable of presenting an indicator indicating that said plural magnetic force generation mechanisms are in the adsorption state or in the non-adsorption state is provided on the fixing surface or outer periphery of said clamping plate and comprises a second Alnico magnet, a second coil electrically connected to said first coil in parallel wound around said second Alnico magnet, and a movable indication member made from a permanent magnet, and

an energizing circuit that energizes said second coil only while said first coils of said plural magnetic force generation mechanisms are energized is provided.

2. The magnetic fixing device according to claim 1 wherein said operation state indication mechanism comprises a casing member installed in said clamping plate, a transparent cover member closing a front of the casing member, a first housing pit formed in said casing member housing said second Alnico magnet, and a second housing pit formed in said casing member on a front side of the first housing pit and housing said movable indication member.

3. The magnetic fixing device according to claim 2 wherein said movable indication member is made of a disc-shaped permanent magnet that can be turned around in said second housing pit and said indicators are provided on end faces of said disc-shaped permanent magnet.

4. The magnetic fixing device according to claim 2 wherein said movable indication member is made of a cylindrical permanent magnet that can be turned around in said second housing pit, said indicators are provided on end faces of said cylindrical permanent magnet, and a pin member rotatably supporting said cylindrical permanent magnet at the longitudinal midpoint is provided.

5. The magnetic fixing device according to claim 2 wherein said movable indication member is made of a cylindrical permanent magnet housed in said second housing pit in a manner that is axially movable by a predetermined stroke and said indicators are provided on end faces of the cylindrical permanent magnet.

6. The magnetic fixing device according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said magnetic fixing device is mounted on a platen of an injection molding machine.

7. A magnetic fixing device comprising:

a clamping plate having a fixing surface for fixing a clamping object such as a mold;

plural magnetic force generation mechanisms installed in the clamping plate for fixing the clamping object to the fixing surface by magnetic force;

an operation state indication mechanism; and

an energizing circuit;

wherein each of said magnetic force generation mechanisms comprises;

a magnetic material member facing said fixing surface;

plural permanent magnets arranged around an outer periphery of said magnetic material member;

a first Alnico magnet provided on a back of said magnetic material member; and

a first coil for switching a polarity of said first Alnico magnet;

wherein each of the magnetic force generation mechanisms can be switched between an absorption state in which the clamping object is adsorbed and a non-absorption state in which the clamping object is not adsorbed;

wherein said operation state indication mechanism is capable of presenting an indicator indicating that said plural magnetic force generation mechanisms are in the adsorption state or in the non-adsorption state, and is provided on the fixing surface or outer periphery of said clamping plate;

wherein said operation state indication mechanism comprises;

a casing member installed in said clamping plate;

a transparent cover member closing a front of the casing member;

a first housing pit formed in said casing member;

a second Alnico magnet housed in the first housing pit;

a second coil wound around the second Alnico magnet; and

a movable indication member consisting of a permanent magnet housed in a second housing pit formed in said casing member on a front side of the first housing pit; and

wherein the energizing circuit energizes the second coil only while the plural first coils of said plural magnetic force generation mechanisms are energized.

8. The magnetic fixing device according to claim 7, wherein said movable indication member is made of a disc-shaped permanent magnet that can be turned around in said second housing pit and said indicators are provided on end faces of said disc-shaped permanent magnet.

9. The magnetic fixing device according to claim 7, wherein said movable indication member is made of a cylindrical permanent magnet that can be turned around in said second housing pit, said indicators are provided on end faces of said cylindrical permanent magnet, and a pin member rotatably supporting said cylindrical permanent magnet at the longitudinal midpoint is provided.

10. The magnetic fixing device according to claim 7, wherein said movable indication member is made of a cylindrical permanent magnet housed in said second housing pit in a manner that is axially movable by a predetermined stroke and said indicators are provided on end faces of the cylindrical permanent magnet.

11. The magnetic fixing device according to any of claim 7, wherein said magnetic fixing device is mounted on a platen of an injection molding machine.

12. The magnetic fixing device according to any of claim 8, wherein said magnetic fixing device is mounted on a platen of an injection molding machine.

13. The magnetic fixing device according to any of claim 9, wherein said magnetic fixing device is mounted on a platen of an injection molding machine.

14. The magnetic fixing device according to any of claim 10, wherein said magnetic fixing device is mounted on a platen of an injection molding machine.