Patent Description:
In general, molds include injection molds for injection-molding molded products and press molds for manufacturing products by using iron plates. Molds are divided into movable types and fixed types and manufactured in order to stably manufacture products.

The injection molds include general injection molds for producing plastic products, die-casting molds for producing products by melting metal, like plastics, etc..

An injection mold is an apparatus installed in injection-molding equipment to manufacture molded products by injecting a raw material molten by the injection-molding equipment into a cavity provided inside the injection mold and hardening the raw material.

To manufacture a large-size molded product, a large-size injection mold is required. However, as the weight of an injection mold increases, there may be difficulties in transferring and installing the injection mold due to the weight of the injection mold upon installing of the injection mold in injection-molding equipment.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a mold with an improved structure for reducing a total weight of the mold by omitting a high weight configuration among configurations constructing the mold.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a mold with an improved structure for preventing a molded project having at least three sides from being broken during extraction.

A mold is provided according to claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure may maximally reduce a weight of a mold by omitting an eject plate constructing the mold and a space block for forming a space in which the eject plate performs a translation movement.

The present disclosure may prevent a molded product having at least three sides from being broken during an extraction operation for extracting the molded product by performing the extraction operation in stages.

Configurations illustrated in the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification are only the preferred embodiments of the disclosure, and thus it is to be understood that various modified examples, which may replace the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification, are possible when filing the present application.

Also, like reference numerals or symbols denoted in the drawings of the present specification represent members or components that perform the substantially same functions.

Also, the terms used in the present specification are merely used to describe embodiments, and are not intended to restrict and/or limit the disclosure.

It will be understood that when the terms "includes," "comprises," "including," and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first", "second", etc., may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another.

For example, a first component could be termed a second component, and, similarly, a second component could be termed a first component, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

Meanwhile, the terms "front direction", "rear direction", "upper portion", "lower portion", etc., when used in this specification, are defined based on the drawings, and the shapes and locations of the corresponding components are not limited by the terms.

A mold <NUM> according to the disclosure may be installed in an injection device (not shown) to inject a molded product. In the disclosure, technical features of the mold <NUM> are disclosed, and descriptions about the injection device (not shown) and a process of injecting a molded product will be omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a mold according to the disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic cross sectional view of a movable mold of a mold according to the disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view of a molded product molded by a mold according to the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the mold <NUM> according to the disclosure may include a first mold <NUM>, and a second mold <NUM> detachably coupled with the first mold <NUM> and forming a cavity CA having a shape corresponding to a molded product P which will be manufactured, together with the first mold <NUM>.

The second mold <NUM> may be positioned above the first mold <NUM> in a first direction A. Also, the second mold <NUM> may be fixed. The first direction A may correspond to an up-down direction, although not limited thereto. However, the first direction A may be set to a front-back direction or a left-right direction. Also, hereinafter, a direction toward the first direction A will be described as an up direction, and the opposite direction of the first direction A will be described as a down direction. However, the direction toward the first direction A may be described as a front direction, and the opposite direction of the first direction A may be described as a rear direction.

The first mold <NUM> may be coupled with or separated from the second mold <NUM> according to an up-down movement, although not limited thereto. However, the first mold <NUM> may be fixed and the second mold <NUM> may move up and down.

The mold <NUM> may include cores <NUM> and <NUM> configured to inject the molded product P. The cores <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first core <NUM> rested on the first mold <NUM>, and a second core <NUM> rested on the second mold <NUM> and forming the cavity CA provided to correspond to a shape of the molded product P to be manufactured, together with the first core <NUM>.

When the first core <NUM> moves upward and is coupled with the second core <NUM>, the cavity CA may be formed, and when the first core <NUM> moves downward and is separated from the second core <NUM>, the molded product P manufactured in the cavity CA may be taken out of the mold <NUM>.

The molded product P may move downward together with the first mold <NUM> while being supported by the first core <NUM>, and then, the molded product P may be separated from the second core <NUM> covering an upper portion of the molded product P and extracted to the outside, which will be described below.

Upon injection-molding, when a raw material is injected into the cavity CA, temperature of the cores <NUM> and <NUM> may be raised by high temperature of the injected raw material, and accordingly, a cooling process for reducing the raised temperature of the cores <NUM> and <NUM> may be required.

Accordingly, the mold <NUM> may receive a cooling fluid such as water through a cooling device (not shown) to cool the cores <NUM> and <NUM>, and adjust a curing rate of the raw material injected into the cavity CA. Each of the first core <NUM> and the second core <NUM> may include a cooling flow path through which a cooling fluid supplied from the cooling device (not shown) passes, although not limited thereto. However, the cooling flow path (not shown) may be formed in any one of the first core <NUM> or the second core <NUM>.

The first mold <NUM> according to the disclosure may include a first molding plate <NUM> for accommodating the first core <NUM>, and a first template <NUM> on which the first molding plate <NUM> is installed.

The first template <NUM> may be connected to a transfer device (not shown) for moving the first molding plate <NUM> accommodating the first core <NUM>.

The first core <NUM> may be supported by the first template <NUM> and be elevated in the first direction A. The first molding plate <NUM> may be formed by coupling a plurality of unit configurations with each other, although not limited thereto. However, the first molding plate <NUM> may be formed as a single configuration.

The second mold <NUM> may include a second template <NUM>, and a second molding plate <NUM> by which the second core <NUM> is supported and which is fixed to the second template <NUM>. The second template <NUM> may support both the second core <NUM> and the second molding plate <NUM>. The second molding plate <NUM> may be formed by coupling a plurality of unit configurations with each other, although not limited thereto. However, the second molding plate <NUM> may be formed as a single configuration.

Also, the second mold <NUM> may include a third molding plate <NUM>. The third molding plate <NUM> may support the second core <NUM> together with the second molding plate <NUM>.

The third molding plate <NUM> may be formed by coupling a plurality of unit configurations with each other, although not limited thereto. However, the third molding plate <NUM> may be formed as a single configuration.

Hereinafter, only the first core <NUM> will be described, and, for convenience of description, the first core <NUM> is referred to as a core <NUM> and described. Also, hereinafter, only the first template <NUM> will be described, and, for convenience of description, the first template <NUM> is referred to as a template <NUM> and described. Also, hereinafter, only the first molding plate <NUM> will be described, and, for convenience of description, the first molding plate <NUM> is referred to as a molding plate <NUM> and described.

The core <NUM> may include an auxiliary core 30a for implementing a shape of the molded product P. The auxiliary core 30a may be formed as a configuration that is separated from the core <NUM>, although not limited thereto. However, the auxiliary core 30a may be integrated into the core <NUM>.

The core <NUM> may include a sliding core <NUM> for separating the molded product P hardened in the cavity CA from a core body <NUM>. The sliding core <NUM> may reciprocate in the first direction A.

The sliding core <NUM> may form a portion of the core body <NUM>. The sliding core <NUM> may be elevated in the first direction A with respect to the core body <NUM>.

The sliding core <NUM> may be rested on the core body <NUM> when the molded product P is molded in the cavity CA. The sliding core <NUM> may move in the first direction A and press the molded product P in the first direction A to separate the molded product P being in close contact with the core body <NUM> from the core <NUM> after molding of the molded product P is completed.

The sliding core <NUM> may be used to separate the molded product P in a state in which the first mold <NUM> is separated from the second mold <NUM>. The sliding core <NUM> may be in contact with the molded product P hardened and manufactured in the cavity CA and press the molded product P to separate the molded product P from the first mold <NUM>.

The sliding core <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a first sliding core <NUM> and a second sliding core <NUM> that are positioned at different locations. Details about this will be described below.

The mold <NUM> may include an ejector <NUM> for moving the sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A or in the opposite direction of the first direction A.

The ejector <NUM> may include a driver <NUM> positioned below the core <NUM> (or referred to as behind the core <NUM>) in the first direction A and moving up to a lower surface <NUM> (or referred to as a rear surface) of the core <NUM> (or the core body <NUM>), and rods <NUM> and <NUM> coupled with the main body <NUM> in the first direction A to press the sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A.

The rods <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first rod <NUM> that presses the first sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A, and a second rod <NUM> that presses the second sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A. Details about this will be described below.

The first rod <NUM> may be detachably coupled with the driver <NUM>. The ejector <NUM> may include a coupler <NUM> for selectively coupling/separating the first rod <NUM> with/from the driver <NUM>. Details about this will be described below.

An inner case of a refrigerator, an inner case of a clothes care apparatus, etc. may be provided as a molded product formed by a mold. Generally, because an inner case of a large-size refrigerator or an inner case of a large-size clothes care apparatus has a large size, it is difficult to mold such an inner case as one body. Accordingly, such an inner case was manufactured by a method of injection-molding some pieces of an inner case and then assembling the pieces with each other.

In a case in which an inner case is formed with divided configurations, additional sealing between the configurations is required, and incomplete sealing may cause a problem that air or water leaks out of the inner case.

Also, a separate configuration for assembling the divided configurations together is required, which may cause a problem of deterioration of assembly.

To prevent the problem, a large size mold for molding a large volume molded product as one body is necessarily required.

Particularly, to mold a molded product having a large inner space, such as an inner case of a refrigerator or an inner case of a clothes care apparatus, a core having a large volume needs to be used to mold the inner space.

As a size of a mold increases, and particularly, a moving length of a rod pressing an ejector to extract a molded product from a large core increases, a length of the mold in an extraction direction increases, which further increases the size of the mold.

That is, to form an inner space S such as that of the molded product P molded by the mold <NUM> according to the disclosure as shown in <FIG>, at least three portions P1, P2, and P3 extending in different directions may be needed.

To form the molded product P, the core <NUM> (or the core body <NUM>) may include a first portion <NUM> extending in a second direction B that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction A, and a second portion <NUM> and a third portion <NUM> extending in the opposite direction of the first direction A from both ends of the first portion <NUM> in a third direction C that is orthogonal to the first direction A and the second direction B.

The first, second, and third portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the core <NUM> may form a first portion P1, a second portion P2, and a third portion P3 of the molded product P, and the first, second, and third portions P1, P2, and P3 may form the inner space S.

As described above, after the molded product P is hardened, the sliding core <NUM> and the rods <NUM> and <NUM> may move in the first direction A to extract the molded product P from the core <NUM>. Lengths by which the sliding core <NUM> and the rods <NUM> and <NUM> need to move in the first direction A may increase by the second portion <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> extending substantially in the first direction A to form the inner space S of the molded product P.

Generally, a mold includes a plurality of rods and an eject plate for moving the plurality of rods together by fixing the plurality of rods to extract a molded product from a core.

As the eject plate reciprocates in an extraction direction, the plurality of rods fixed to the eject plate may move to press the molded product P and extract the molded product from the core.

The eject plate may be positioned between a template and a molding plate, and reciprocate between the template and the molding plate. To form a space where the eject plate moves between the template and the molding plate such that the eject plate reciprocates in the extraction direction, a configuration of a space block may be additionally provided.

However, in a case in which the core <NUM> is formed at a high location in the extraction direction A, moving lengths of the rods <NUM> and <NUM> may increase. In a core of a typical mold, as a moving length of an eject plate increases, a length of a space block may also increase to correspond to the moving distance of the eject plate.

Accordingly, the entire size of the mold may increase. The increase in size of the mold causes a problem that the manufacturing cost of the mold increases. However, there is a greatest problem that an increase in weight of the mold makes installing the mold in injection-molding equipment difficult, resulting in deterioration of moldability of a molded product.

A mold may be installed in injection-molding equipment, a first mold or a second mold may move by the injection-molding equipment such that the first mold and the second mold are coupled with each other and separated from each other, and a molded product may be molded inside a cavity formed between the first mold and the second mold.

At this time, the mold may be transferred to the injection-molding equipment by a transfer device and installed in the injection-molding equipment. However, when a weight of the mold increases due to an increase in size of the mold, there may be difficulties in transferring the mold and installing the mold in the injection-molding equipment.

Accordingly, in the case of a mold formed to mold the molded product P including the at least three portions P1, P2, and P3 extending in different directions, it may be necessary to minimize the weight of the mold by minimizing the size of the mold.

To solve the problem, the mold <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may omit both a configuration of an eject plate supporting the rods <NUM> and <NUM> for moving the sliding core <NUM> and a configuration of a space block for securing a moving distance of a typical eject plate.

Instead of the eject plate, the mold <NUM> may include the driver <NUM> for moving the sliding core <NUM>. By minimizing a moving distance in first direction of the driver <NUM> to minimize the entire size of the mold <NUM>, more specifically, a size of the mold <NUM> extending in the first direction A, a total weight of the mold <NUM> may be reduced, and accordingly, the mold <NUM> capable of molding a large molded product P may be easily transferred and installed in the injection-molding equipment (not shown).

Typically, when a distance by which a rod needs to move to extract a molded product P is a minimum secure distance <NUM>, the eject plate needs to move by the distance <NUM> between the molding plate and the template, and accordingly, a space block needs to be additionally provided between the molding plate and the template to secure the distance <NUM>.

However, because the driver <NUM> of the ejector <NUM> of the mold <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure moves by a distance l2 that is shorter than the minimum secure distance <NUM> by which the rod <NUM> needs to move in the first direction A, the mold <NUM> may have a shorter length in the first direction A than the typical mold, and accordingly, a total weight of the mold <NUM> may be reduced. A technical feature by which the driver <NUM> has a minimum secure distance that is shorter than the eject plate will be described with reference to <FIG>, below.

Hereinafter, the ejector <NUM> of the mold <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an ejector of a mold according to the disclosure. <FIG> is a bottom view showing a portion of a movable mold of a mold according to the disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic cross sectional view of a movable mold after a molding process, in a mold according to the disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the ejector <NUM> may include the driver <NUM> positioned below the core <NUM> in the first direction A and moving up to a lower end of the core <NUM>, and the rods <NUM> and <NUM> coupled with the driver <NUM> in the first direction A to press the sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A.

The rods <NUM> and <NUM> may include the first rod <NUM> that presses the first sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A, and the second rod <NUM> that presses the second sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A.

The first sliding core <NUM> may be positioned on an uppermost portion in first direction A of the core body <NUM> to press the first portion P1 of the molded product P molded on the first portion <NUM> of the core <NUM> in the first direction A.

The first sliding core <NUM> may form a portion of the first portion <NUM>. That is, a portion of the core <NUM> or a portion of the core body <NUM> may be formed by the first sliding core <NUM>. The first sliding core <NUM> may form a portion of an upper end of the core <NUM> in the first direction A.

A pair of second sliding cores <NUM> may be provided. The second sliding cores <NUM> may press the second portion P2 and the third portion P3 of the molded product P molded on the second portion <NUM> and the third portion <NUM> of the core <NUM> in the first direction A.

The pair of second sliding cores <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be positioned at heights corresponding to each other in the first direction A. The reason may be because lower ends of the second portion P2 and the third portion P3 of the molded product P are formed at heights corresponding to each other with respect to the first direction A, although not limited thereto.

However, in a case in which the lower ends of the second portion P2 and the third portion P3 of the molded product P are formed at different heights in the first direction A, the second sliding cores <NUM> may be formed at different heights with respect to the first direction A.

Because the pair of second sliding cores <NUM> is driven in the same way, a second sliding core <NUM> among the pair of second sliding cores <NUM> will be described below.

The first rod <NUM> may press a lower end 91b of the first sliding core <NUM> to move the first sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A.

An upper end <NUM> of the first rod <NUM> may face the lower end 91b of the first sliding core <NUM>. A lower portion of the first rod <NUM> may be coupled with the driver <NUM>.

The first rod <NUM> may be coupled with the driver <NUM> in such a way to be separable from the driver <NUM>. Details about this will be described below.

The first rod <NUM> may be inserted into a rod through hole <NUM> formed inside the core body <NUM>. The upper end <NUM> of the first rod <NUM> may pass through the road through hole <NUM> and extend to the lower end 91b of the first sliding core <NUM>.

The first rod <NUM> may move by a preset distance in the first direction A together with the driver <NUM> to press the first sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A.

The second rod <NUM> may press a lower end of the second sliding core <NUM> to move the second sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A.

An upper end <NUM> of the second rod <NUM> may be in contact with the lower end of the second sliding core <NUM>. Accordingly, the second sliding core <NUM> may move by the same distance by which the second rod <NUM> moves.

A lower end <NUM> of the second rod <NUM> may be coupled with the driver <NUM>. Unlike the first rod <NUM>, the lower end <NUM> of the second rod <NUM> may be coupled with the driver <NUM> without being separated from the driver <NUM>.

The second rod <NUM> may be inserted into a space formed between the core body <NUM> and the molding plate <NUM>, although not limited thereto. However, the second rod <NUM> may be inserted into a road through hole formed inside the core body <NUM>, like the first rod <NUM>, or into a road through hole formed in the molding plate <NUM>.

The second rod <NUM> may move by a preset distance in the first direction A together with the driver <NUM> to press the second sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A.

The driver <NUM>, which is a member fixing the first and second rods <NUM> and <NUM>, may function similarly to an eject plate of a typical mold.

The driver <NUM> includes a first hole <NUM> which the first rod <NUM> is inserted into and fixed to. The lower end of the first rod <NUM> may be inserted into the first hole <NUM> and fixed to the coupler <NUM> which will be described below to thereby be coupled with the driver <NUM>.

The driver <NUM> may include a second hole <NUM> into which a pressing member <NUM> which will be described below is inserted. The second hole <NUM> may guide, when the driver <NUM> moves in the first direction A, the pressing member <NUM> positioned on the lower end of the core <NUM> to be inserted into the coupler <NUM>.

The driver <NUM> may include a third hole <NUM> into which a guide rod <NUM> for guiding a movement of the driver <NUM> is inserted. The guide rod <NUM> may extend in the opposite direction of the first direction A from the lower surface <NUM> of the core body <NUM>, and the driver <NUM> may reciprocate in the first direction A in a state in which the guide rod <NUM> is inserted in the third hole <NUM>.

The template <NUM> may include an open space <NUM> of which at least one area opens such that the driver <NUM> is positioned inside the template <NUM>. The driver <NUM> may be positioned inside the open space <NUM>.

The driver <NUM> may move from the open space <NUM> to the lower surface <NUM> (the lower surface of the core body <NUM> in the first direction A) of the core body <NUM>.

In the typical mold, the eject plate may be positioned between the molding plate and the template to increase a length in first direction A between the molding plate and the template. However, the driver <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be positioned inside the template <NUM>, and accordingly, there may be no length of the mold <NUM> additionally extending in the first direction A between the molding plate <NUM> and the template <NUM>, which reduces the total weight of the mold <NUM>.

The open space <NUM> may communicate with outside in the first direction A. Accordingly, the lower surface 110b of the driver <NUM> may be exposed to outside of the template <NUM> in the opposite direction of the first direction A.

Accordingly, a lower end <NUM> of the first rod <NUM> inserted in the first hole <NUM> may also be exposed to the outside of the template <NUM> in the opposite direction of the first direction A.

The molding plate <NUM> may include a moving hole <NUM> through which the ejector <NUM> moves in the first direction A inside the molding plate <NUM>.

Inside the moving hole <NUM>, the driver <NUM>, the first rod <NUM>, and the second rod <NUM> may move together in the first direction A. The moving hole <NUM> may extend in the first direction A by a minimum length by which the main body <NUM> needs to move in the first direction A.

The moving hole <NUM> may include a front end facing the lower surface <NUM> of the core body <NUM> and a rear end facing the open space <NUM>, in the first direction A. The open space <NUM> and the moving hole <NUM> may be positioned at locations corresponding to each other in the first direction A.

Accordingly, the driver <NUM> positioned in the open space <NUM> may move from the open space <NUM> to the moving hole <NUM> in the first direction A, and move up to the lower surface <NUM> of the core body <NUM>.

In the typical mold, the eject plate may be positioned between the molding plate and the template, and accordingly, a length in first direction between the molding plate and the template may increase. However, the driver <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may move in the moving hole <NUM> formed inside the molding plate <NUM>. Accordingly, there may be no length of the mold <NUM> additionally extending in the first direction A between the molding plate <NUM> and the template <NUM>, which reduces the total weight of the mold <NUM>.

That is, because the driver <NUM> corresponding to the typical eject plate is movable in the first direction A inside the template <NUM> and the molding plate <NUM>, a space block typically positioned between a template and a molding plate may be not needed. Accordingly, a length additionally extending in the first direction A by a space block may be reduced, which reduces the total weight of the mold <NUM>.

The first rod <NUM> may further extend in the first direction A than the second rod <NUM>. The reason may be because the second sliding core <NUM> is positioned at a lower height in the first direction A than the first sliding core <NUM>.

The second sliding core <NUM> may press the lower ends of the second and third portions P2 and P3 of the molded product P. Because the lower ends of the second and third portions P2 and P3 are positioned at a lower location in the first direction A than the first portion P1 of the molded product P, the second sliding core <NUM> may be more adjacent to the driver <NUM> in the first direction A than the first sliding core <NUM>.

During a process of injecting and hardening the molded product P, the molded product P may be partially contracted.

At this time, the first portion P1 of the molded part P extending in the second direction B that is orthogonal to the first direction A as the extraction direction may be supported by the first sliding core <NUM> although the first portion P1 is contracted, whereas the lower ends of the second and third portions P2 and P3 extending substantially in the first direction A may be contracted in the first direction A and thus spaced a distance d1 from the second sliding core <NUM>.

When the first and second rods <NUM> and <NUM> are raised together in the first direction A and thus press the first sliding core <NUM> and the second sliding core <NUM> together, the first sliding core <NUM> may press the first portion P1 of the molded product P whereas the second sliding core <NUM> may not press the second and third portions P2 and P3 of the molded product P, while the first and second rods <NUM> and <NUM> move by the distance d1 in the first direction A.

Accordingly, the entire of the molded product P may not be pressed in the first direction A, and only the first portion P1 may be pressed in the first direction A.

As described above, contraction stress may be generated between the molded product P and the core <NUM> by a contraction generated while the molded product P is hardened. The molded product P may be pressed toward the core <NUM> by the contraction stress, and the molded product P may be maintained in a state of being inserted into the core <NUM>.

Although only the first portion P1 of the molded product P is pressed in the first direction A in a state in which the contraction stress is generated between the molded product P and the core <NUM>, the second and third portions P2 and P3 of the molded product P may not move in the first direction A together with the first portion P1 due to the contraction stress formed between the second and third portions P2 and P3 of the molded product P and the second and third portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the core <NUM>.

Accordingly, an external force pressing the molded product P in the first direction A may be generated in the first portion P1 of the molded product P, and an external force pressing the molded product P toward the core <NUM> may be generated in the second portions P2 and P3. Therefore, the molded product P may be partially broken by the external forces generated in different directions at connection portions between the first portion P1 and the second and third portions P2 and P3 of the molded product P.

At the connection portions between the first portion P1 and the second and third portions P2 and P3 of the molded product P, the molded product P may be cut, a shape of the molded product P may change, or molecular structures forming the molded product P may change.

That is, to mold the molded product P (see <FIG>) having the inner space S as one body, as described above, although a technical feature for reducing the total weight of the mold <NUM> is an issue, a technical feature for extracting the molded product P from the core <NUM> without breaking the molded product P by applying a constant force to the individual portions P1, P2, and P3 because the molded product P includes the at least three portions P1, P2, and P3 extending in different directions to form the inner space S may also be an issue.

Hereinafter, a technical feature for safely extracting the molded product P from the core <NUM> by the ejector100 will be described.

<FIG> is a schematic cross sectional view of a movable mold after a molding process, in a mold according to the disclosure, <FIG> is a cross sectional view showing a state of a first stage in an ejecting process of a molded product, in a mold according to the disclosure, <FIG> is a cross sectional view showing a state of a second stage in an ejecting process of a molded product, in a mold according to the disclosure, and <FIG> is a cross sectional view showing a state of a third stage in an ejecting process of a molded product, in a mold according to the disclosure.

As described above, when the molded product P is contracted, the upper end 92a of the second sliding core <NUM> may be spaced the distance d1 from the lower ends of the second and third portions P2 and P3 of the molded product P. Accordingly, when the ejector <NUM> moves in the first direction A to press the first and second sliding cores <NUM> and <NUM>, the second sliding core <NUM> may move by the distance d1 in the first direction A without pressing the lower ends of the second and third portions P2 and P3 of the molded product P.

As such, to prevent the ejector <NUM> from pressing only the first sliding core <NUM> when the ejector <NUM> starts being raised in the first direction A inside the template <NUM>, the lower end 91b of the first sliding core <NUM> may be spaced from the upper end <NUM> of the first rod <NUM> in the first direction A by the same distance d1 as that between the upper end 92a of the second sliding core <NUM> and the lower ends of the second and third portions P2 and P3 of the molded product P.

That is, before the mold <NUM> is extracted while the ejector <NUM> is not driven, the lower end 91b of the first sliding core <NUM> may be spaced the distance d1 from the upper end <NUM> of the first rod <NUM> in the first direction A without being in contact with the upper end <NUM> of the first rod <NUM>.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, when the main body <NUM> starts moving in the first direction A and moves by a first height h1 corresponding to the distance d1, the driver <NUM>, the first rod <NUM>, the second rod <NUM>, and the second sliding core <NUM> may move in the first direction A by the first height h1, while the first sliding core <NUM> may not move in the first direction A.

A location of the ejector <NUM> moved by the first height h1 in the first direction A is referred to as a first location 100A of the ejector <NUM>. When the ejector <NUM> is at the first location 100A, the driver <NUM> may be positioned at a first location 110L1 moved by the first height h1 from a start location, and the second sliding core <NUM> may also be positioned at a first location 92L1 moved by the first height h1 from a start location. The first sliding core <NUM> may be positioned at a first location 91L1 without a height change in the first direction A from a start location.

The first and second rods <NUM> and <NUM> may move by the first height h1 in the first direction A from a start location, like the driver <NUM>.

The ejector <NUM> may be pressed in the first direction A by a pressing rod R pressing the lower portion of the ejector <NUM> in the first direction A in the injection-molding equipment (not shown).

As described above, because the lower surface 110b of the driver <NUM> of the ejector <NUM> is exposed to the outside (see <FIG>), the ejector <NUM> may be pressed from the outside of the mold <NUM>.

The pressing rod R may press the lower end <NUM> of the first rod <NUM> in the first direction A. The pressing rod R may be positioned at a location corresponding to the first rod <NUM> in the first direction A.

A diameter of the pressing rod R may substantially correspond to a diameter of the first rod <NUM>, and have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the first rod <NUM>. Accordingly, the pressing rod R penetrates the first hole <NUM> and the rod through hole <NUM> of the core body <NUM> from the rear surface 110b of the driver <NUM>, which will be described below. The pressing rod R presses the rear end <NUM> of the first rod <NUM>, and because the first rod <NUM> is coupled with the driver <NUM>, the driver <NUM> may move in the first direction A together with the first rod <NUM> by the pressing rod R.

The second rod <NUM> coupled with the driver <NUM>, as well as the first rod <NUM> and the driver <NUM>, may also move to the same height at the same time in the first direction A together with the first rod <NUM> and the driver <NUM>.

Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, the ejector <NUM> may further move in the first direction A from the first location 100A by continuous pressing by the pressing rod R, and move up to a second location 100B at which a movement of the driver <NUM> is limited.

When the ejector <NUM> moves higher than the first location 100A, the upper end <NUM> of the first rod <NUM> may be in contact with the lower end 91b of the first sliding core <NUM> and press the first sliding core <NUM>.

That is, when the ejector <NUM> moves to the first height h1 or higher, the first sliding core <NUM> may also move in the first direction A together with the second sliding core <NUM>.

When the ejector <NUM> reaches the first height h1 or higher, the molded product P may be pressed by the ejector <NUM> and move in the first direction A.

Before the ejector <NUM> reaches the first location 100A, the first sliding core <NUM> may not move and the second sliding core <NUM> may move to be in contact with the lower ends of the second and third portions P2 and P3 of the molded product P. Accordingly, the sliding core <NUM> may not press the molded product P in the first direction A.

Thereafter, when the ejector <NUM> moves to a higher location than the first location 100A in the first direction A, the first sliding core <NUM> and the second sliding core <NUM> may be pressed by the first rod <NUM> and the second rod <NUM> and press the molded product P together in the first direction A.

The first sliding core <NUM> and the second sliding core <NUM> may press the molded product P in the first direction A with a greater force than contraction stress formed between the molded product P and the core <NUM>. Accordingly, the molded product P may move together with the sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A.

As the ejector <NUM> continues to move in the first direction A, an upper surface 110a of the driver <NUM> may be in contact with the lower surface <NUM> of the core body <NUM>. After the driver <NUM> is in contact with the core <NUM>, the driver <NUM> may no longer move in the first direction A. At this time, the ejector <NUM> may be positioned at the second location 100B.

The second rod <NUM> coupled with the driver <NUM> may also no longer move because a movement in first direction A of the driver <NUM> is limited.

When a height of the driver <NUM> moved until the driver <NUM> is in contact with the lower surface <NUM> of the core <NUM> and no longer moves after the driver <NUM> moves up to the first height h1 is a second height h2, all the first rod <NUM>, the second rod <NUM>, the first sliding core <NUM>, and the second sliding core <NUM> may move by the second height h2 in the first direction A together with the driver <NUM>.

When the ejector <NUM> is positioned at the second location 100B, the driver <NUM> may be positioned at a second location 110L2 at which the upper surface 110a of the driver <NUM> is in contact with the lower surface <NUM> of the core body <NUM>, the first sliding core <NUM> may be positioned at a second location <NUM> by moving by the second height h2 because the first rod <NUM> moves in the first direction A together with the driver <NUM>, and the second sliding core <NUM> may be positioned at a second location 92L2 by moving by the second height h2 because the second rod <NUM> moves in the first direction A together with the driver <NUM>.

The second height h2 may be set to a minimum height to which the molded product P moves in the first direction A by the sliding core <NUM> to substantially cancel contraction stress between the molded product P and the core <NUM>.

When the ejector <NUM> moves to a higher location than the second location 100B, only the first rod <NUM> may move in the first direction A, and accordingly, only the first portion P1 of the molded product P may be pressed by the first sliding core <NUM>, which will be described below.

At this time, an external force applied in the first direction A may be transferred only to the first portion P1 of the molded product P, and to prevent the molded product P from being broken by the external force, the contraction stress between the molded product P and the core <NUM> may need to be cancelled.

Accordingly, a minimum height to which the molded product P moves to cancel the contraction stress between the molded product P and the core <NUM> may be the minimum height of the second height h2, and the minimum height may be set to the second height h2.

However, to minimize a length of the mold <NUM> extending in the first direction A, the second height h2 may be preferably set to a minimum height to which the molded product P moves to cancel contraction stress between the molded product P and the core <NUM>.

When the ejector <NUM> is positioned at the second location 100B, the coupler <NUM> may be separated from the first rod <NUM>. Details about this will be described below.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, when the pressing rod R continues to press the ejector <NUM>, a movement in first direction A of the driver <NUM> may be limited by the core <NUM>, and only the first rod <NUM> separated from the driver <NUM> may move in the first direction A.

As described above, the pressing rod R may press the lower end <NUM> of the first rod <NUM>, and because a diameter of the pressing rod R corresponds to a diameter of the first rod <NUM> or is smaller than the diameter of the first rod <NUM>, the pressing rod R may penetrate the first hole <NUM> of the driver <NUM> and be inserted into the rod through hole <NUM> of the core body <NUM> to continue to press the first rod <NUM> in the first direction A.

The first rod <NUM> may further move by a third height h3 from the second height h2 such that the molded product P reaches a minimum height at which the molded product P is extractable from the core <NUM>. That is, the third height h3 may be a length resulting from subtracting the second height h2 from the minimum height at which the molded product P is extractable from the core <NUM>.

The third height h3 may be a length that is longer than a length resulting from subtracting the second height h2 from the minimum height at which the molded product P is extractable from the core <NUM>.

The pressing rod R may stop pressing the first rod <NUM> when the first rod <NUM> further moves up to the third height h3 from the second height h2.

A location of the ejector <NUM> when the first rod <NUM> moves up to the third height h3 from the second height h2 is referred to as a third location 100C. When the ejector <NUM> is at the third location 100C, a third location 91L3 of the first sliding core <NUM> may be a location moved by the third height h3 in the first direction A from the second location 91L2.

In this case, a third location 92L3 of the second sliding core <NUM> may be the same as the second location 92L2. Also, a third location 110L3 of the driver <NUM> may be the same as the second location 110L2.

The second rod <NUM> may also be maintained at the same location as when the ejector <NUM> is at the second location 100B, like the driver <NUM>. Accordingly, the third location 92L3 and the second location 92L2 of the second sliding core <NUM> may be maintained at the same locations.

A length of the third height h3 may be longer than that of the second height h1.

A total height by which the first sliding core <NUM> moves may be a height obtained by summing the second height h2 and the third height h3, and a total height by which the second sliding core <NUM>, the main body <NUM>, and the second rod <NUM> move may be a height obtained by summing the first height h1 and the second height h2.

Also, a total height by which the first rod <NUM> moves may be a height obtained by summing the first height h1, the second height h2, and the third height h3.

The ejector <NUM> may move up to the third location 100C from a start location in the first direction A, and a total height by which the first rod <NUM> moves may be higher than a total height by which the driver <NUM> and the second rod <NUM> move.

Because the first rod <NUM> is separable from the driver <NUM> and the first rod <NUM> is movable to a higher height than the driver <NUM>, a total height by which the driver <NUM> moves may be smaller than a total height by which the first sliding core <NUM> moves to extract the molded product P.

Accordingly, a length in first direction A of the open space <NUM> of the template <NUM> and the moving hole <NUM> of the molding plate <NUM> formed to move the driver <NUM> in the first direction A may be smaller than a minimum height for extracting the molded product P.

In a typical case, because an eject plate needs to move by a minimum height for extracting a molded product, a total height of a mold has increased by the minimum height for extracting the molded product, which increases a weight of the mold.

However, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, although the driver <NUM> corresponding to the eject plate moves to a lower height than a height for extracting a molded product P, the driver <NUM> may press the molded product P to the height for extracting the molded product P.

Accordingly, a total height in first direction A of the mold <NUM> may become smaller, and accordingly, the weight of the mold <NUM> may be reduced. Therefore, it may be possible to easily transfer the mold <NUM> and install the mold <NUM> in injection-molding equipment (not shown).

The reason may be because the first rod <NUM> of the ejector <NUM> is separable from the driver <NUM>.

The ejector <NUM> may move in the first direction A through three stages.

That is, the ejector <NUM> may move in the first direction A through a first stage in which the ejector <NUM> reaches the first location 100A, a second stage in which the ejector <NUM> further moves in the first direction A than in the first stage to reach the second location 100B, and a third stage in which the ejector <NUM> further moves in the first direction A than in the second stage to reach the third location 100C.

The first stage may be to cancel a spacing between the second and third portions P2 and P3 of the molded product P and the second sliding core <NUM> by moving only the second sliding core <NUM> in the first direction A.

The second stage may be to cancel contraction stress formed between the molded product P and the core <NUM> by causing both the first sliding core <NUM> and the second sliding core <NUM> to press the molded product P in the first direction A to press the molded product P in the first direction A safely from the contraction stress formed between the molded product P and the core <NUM>.

The third stage may be a stage for moving only the first sliding core <NUM> in a state in which contraction stress formed between the molded product P and the core <NUM> is cancelled to press the molded product P to extract the molded product P from the core <NUM>. The third stage may be to minimize a moving distance of the driver <NUM> by further moving only the first rod <NUM> in the first direction A.

As such, because the ejector <NUM> moves in the first direction A through three stages, the molded product P may be extracted safely without being broken, and a moving distance in first direction A of the driver <NUM> may be reduced, which reduces the size of the mold <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a technical feature for coupling/separating the first rod <NUM> with/from the driver <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion of <FIG>, <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state of a second stage in an ejecting process of a molded product, in a portion of a mold according to the disclosure, and <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state of a third stage in an ejecting process of a molded product, in a portion of a mold according to the disclosure.

The ejector <NUM> may include the coupler <NUM> for maintaining or releasing a coupled state of the driver <NUM> and the first rod <NUM>.

The coupler <NUM> may be coupled with the first rod <NUM> before the ejector <NUM> moves to the second location 100B to couple the first rod <NUM> with the driver <NUM>.

The coupler <NUM> may be coupled with the first rod <NUM> in the second direction B and separated from the first rod <NUM> in the opposite direction of the second direction B.

That is, the coupler <NUM> may move between a first location 140A at which the coupler <NUM> is coupled with the first rod <NUM> and a second location 140B at which the coupler <NUM> is separated from the first rod <NUM> in the second direction B.

When the coupler <NUM> moves in the first direction A, not in the second direction B, to be coupled/separated with/from the first rod <NUM>, a thickness in first direction A of the driver <NUM> may increase to increase a total volume of the mold <NUM>. Therefore, preferably, the coupler <NUM> may move in the second direction B or the third direction C that is orthogonal to the first direction A.

The coupler <NUM> may include a body <NUM>, a first coupling portion <NUM> positioned at one side of the body <NUM> and coupled with the driver <NUM>, and a second coupling portion <NUM> positioned at the opposite side of the first coupling portion <NUM> and coupled with the first rod <NUM>.

The first rod <NUM> may include a lower end portion <NUM> forming the lower end <NUM> and positioned in the lower portion of the first rod <NUM>. The lower end portion <NUM> may be provided as a separate configuration from the first rod <NUM> and coupled with the first rod <NUM>. However, the lower end portion <NUM> may be integrated into the first rod <NUM>.

The lower end portion <NUM> may include a coupling groove <NUM> in which the second coupling portion <NUM> is inserted to couple the first rod <NUM> with the coupler <NUM>.

The coupling groove <NUM> may be in a shape of a groove formed in a diameter direction in an outer circumference surface of the lower end portion <NUM>.

The coupler <NUM> may include an elastic member <NUM> for pressing the first coupling portion <NUM> in the second direction B. The elastic member <NUM> may press the body <NUM> in an extension direction of the first rod <NUM> to maintain a state in which the second coupling portion <NUM> is inserted in the coupling groove <NUM>. The direction in which the elastic member <NUM> presses the body <NUM> to the first rod <NUM> is referred to as the second direction B. Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the coupler <NUM> may be maintained in a state of being coupled with the first rod <NUM>.

The first coupling portion <NUM> may be in contact with the main body <NUM> in the first direction A. The first coupling portion <NUM> may be in contact with the driver <NUM> to maintain a coupled state of the coupler <NUM> and the driver <NUM>.

The ejector <NUM> may include the pressing member <NUM> for pressing the coupler <NUM> in the opposite direction of the second direction B such that the coupler <NUM> moves from the first location 140A at which the coupler <NUM> is coupled with the first rod <NUM> to the second location 140B at which the coupler <NUM> is separated from the first rod <NUM>.

When the coupler <NUM> is at the first location 140A, the body <NUM> may be pressed in the second direction B and positioned at a first location 141A in which the second coupling portion <NUM> is inserted in the coupling groove <NUM>.

The pressing member <NUM> may protrude in the opposite direction of the first direction A from the lower surface <NUM> of the core <NUM>.

The coupler <NUM> may include an insertion hole <NUM> through which the pressing member <NUM> is inserted in the opposite direction of the first direction A. The insertion hole <NUM> may be positioned to correspond to the pressing member <NUM> in the first direction A. Accordingly, when the driver <NUM> moves in the first direction A, the insertion hole <NUM> may move in the first direction A. As the driver <NUM> is adjacent to the lower surface <NUM> of the core <NUM>, the pressing member <NUM> may be inserted into the insertion hole <NUM>.

The pressing member <NUM> may include a pressing portion 38a for pressing the body <NUM> in the opposite direction of the second direction B when the pressing member <NUM> is inserted into the insertion hole <NUM>. The pressing portion 38a may be inclined with respect to the first direction A.

The coupler <NUM> may further include an inclined portion <NUM> positioned on an inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole <NUM>, inclined with respect to the first direction A, and being in contact with the pressing portion 38a to be pressed by the pressing portion 38a when the pressing member <NUM> is inserted into the insertion hole <NUM>.

The pressing portion 38a and the inclined portion <NUM> may be inclined in directions substantially corresponding to each other. However, an angle of inclination of the pressing portion 38a may be different from an angle of inclination of the inclined portion <NUM>.

Before the pressing member <NUM> is inserted into the insertion hole <NUM>, the body <NUM> may be pressed in the second direction B by the elastic member <NUM>, and a coupled state of the coupler <NUM> and the first rod <NUM> may be maintained. Accordingly, a coupled state of the main body <NUM> and the first rod <NUM> may be maintained.

Accordingly, when the ejector <NUM> is positioned at the first location 100A or before the ejector <NUM> moves up to the second location 100B, the driver <NUM> and the first rod <NUM> may move together in the first direction A.

Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, when the ejector <NUM> is positioned at the second location 100B, the driver <NUM> may be in contact with the lower surface <NUM> of the core body <NUM>, and accordingly, the pressing member <NUM> positioned on the lower surface <NUM> of the core body <NUM> may be inserted in the insertion hole <NUM>.

When the pressing member <NUM> is inserted into the insertion hole <NUM>, the pressing portion 38a of the pressing member <NUM> may press the inclined portion <NUM> of the insertion hole <NUM> obliquely along the inclined surface in the opposite direction of the second direction B to move the body <NUM> gradually in the opposite direction of the second direction B.

Thereafter, when the ejector <NUM> is positioned at the second location 100B, the pressing member <NUM> may be completely inserted into the insertion hole <NUM>. A state in which the pressing member <NUM> is inserted in the insertion hole <NUM> may be maintained, and accordingly, the pressing member <NUM> may continue to press the body <NUM> in the opposite direction of the second direction B.

The pressing member <NUM> may include a pressing maintaining portion 38b formed at a height corresponding to the insertion hole <NUM> in the first direction A when the ejector <NUM> is positioned at the second location 100B.

The pressing maintaining portion 38b may maintain a state in which the body <NUM> inserted in the insertion hole <NUM> is pressed in the opposite direction of the second direction B. The body <NUM> may be positioned at a second location 141B at which the second coupling portion <NUM> departs from the insertion groove <NUM> and maintained in a state in which the body <NUM> is positioned at the second location 141B, by the pressing maintaining portion 38B.

Accordingly, the coupler <NUM> may be positioned at the second location 140B at which the coupler <NUM> is separated from the first rod <NUM>, and the first rod <NUM> may be separated from the driver <NUM>.

Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, because the first rod <NUM> is pressed in the first direction A by the pressing rod R in a state in which the first rod <NUM> is separated from the driver <NUM>, the first rod <NUM> may further move in the first direction A than the driver <NUM>, and accordingly, a driving unit <NUM> may be positioned at the third location 100C.

So far, although the technical concept of the disclosure has been described based on specific embodiments, the scope of rights of the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

Claim 1:
A mold (<NUM>) comprising:
a core (<NUM>) comprising:
a core body (<NUM>); and
a sliding core (<NUM>) on the core body (<NUM>), and separable from the core body (<NUM>) in a first direction (A) with respect to the core body (<NUM>); and
an ejector (<NUM>) to press the sliding core (<NUM>) in the first direction (A) to separate a molded product (P) formed in the core from the core (<NUM>),
wherein the ejector (<NUM>) comprises:
a driver (<NUM>) positioned below the core (<NUM>) and movable up to a lower surface (<NUM>) of the core (<NUM>) in the first direction (A); and
a first rod (<NUM>) movable in the first direction (A) to press the sliding core (<NUM>) to be separated from the driver (<NUM>),
a coupler (<NUM>) configured to couple the first rod (<NUM>) with, or separate the first rod (<NUM>) from, the driver (<NUM>), and
wherein:
the first rod (<NUM>) is configured to be pressed by a pressing rod (R);
the driver (<NUM>) is configured to move in the first direction (A) when the pressing rod (R) presses the first rod (<NUM>) in a state in which the first rod (<NUM>) is coupled with the driver (<NUM>); and
the driver (<NUM>) comprises a first hole (<NUM>) through which the pressing rod (R) is configured to pass to press the first rod (<NUM>) in a state in which the first rod (<NUM>) is separated from the driver, so that the first rod (<NUM>) is movable further in the first direction (A) than the driver (<NUM>).