Valve pin actuating mechanism
View Patent ↗A valve pin actuating mechanism including a valve pin guiding element for connection to a valve pin, a linkage element and an actuator. The valve pin guiding element has a sliding surface for sliding within a channel, and first and second engagement surfaces. The linkage element has first and second arms, which have opposing, inwardly facing arcuate engagement surfaces for engaging the valve pin guiding element. The linkage element is moved by the actuator.
1. A valve pin actuating mechanism for use with a valve pin, the valve pin being moveable in a portion of a melt passage of an injection molding machine, the melt passage having an inlet for receiving melt from a melt source, the valve pin actuating mechanism comprising:
a valve pin guiding element for connection to the valve pin and for guiding the valve pin along a line of travel, said valve pin guiding element having first and second receiving surfaces, wherein at least one of said receiving surfaces is substantially perpendicular to said line of travel;
a linkage element, said linkage element having first and second arms having inwardly facing, opposed engagement surfaces for engaging said first and second receiving surfaces on said valve pin guiding element; and an actuator for moving said linkage element;
wherein at least a portion of said valve pin is engaged directly by at least one of said first and second engagement surfaces.
2. A valve pin actuating mechanism for use with a valve pin, the valve pin being moveable in a portion of a melt passage of an injection molding machine, the valve pin actuating mechanism comprising:
a valve pin guiding clement for connection to the valve pin and for guiding movement of the valve pin in the melt passage, the valve pin guiding element having a first receiving surface with a valve pin bore and a second receiving surface longitudinally displaced from and substantially parallel to the first receiving surface;
a linkage element including a first arm with a first engagement surface for engaging with the first receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element, and a second arm with a second engagement surface for engaging with the second receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element; and
an actuator for moving the linkage element.
3. The valve pin actuating mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the first receiving surface is substantially perpendicular to a line of travel of the valve pin.
4. The valve pin actuating mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the linkage element includes two second arms having second engagement surfaces for engaging with the second receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element.
5. The valve pin actuating mechanism claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the valve pin is engaged directly by the first engagement surface of the linkage element.
6. A hot runner system for positioning between a mold gate of a mold cavity and a melt source of an injection molding machine, comprising:
a manifold having a manifold melt passage for receiving melt from the melt source;
a nozzle having a nozzle body defining a nozzle melt passage, the nozzle melt passage having an inlet for receiving the melt from the manifold melt passage;
a heater connected to the nozzle body, the heater for heating melt in the nozzle melt passage;
a valve pin having a head portion, wherein the valve pin is moveable in the nozzle melt passage; and
a valve pin actuating mechanism including,
a valve pin guiding element for holding and guiding the valve pin, the valve pin guiding element having a first receiving surface substantially perpendicular to a center line of the valve pin guiding element and a second receiving surface substantially parallel to the first receiving surface, wherein the head portion of the valve pin is disposed between the first and second receiving surfaces of the valve pin guiding element,
a linkage element having a first arm for engaging the first receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element and a second arm for engaging the second receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element, and
an actuator for moving the linkage element.
7. The hot runner system of claim 6 , wherein the first receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element includes a receiving bore for receiving and capturing the valve pin.
8. The hot runner system of claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the valve pin is engaged directly by the first engagement surface of the linkage element.
9. The hot runner system of claim 6 , wherein the linkage element includes two second arms having second engagement surfaces for engaging with the second receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element.
10. A hot runner system for positioning between a mold gate of a mold cavity and a melt source of an injection molding machine, comprising:
a manifold having a manifold melt passage for receiving melt from the melt source;
a nozzle having a nozzle body defining a nozzle melt passage, the nozzle melt passage having an inlet for receiving the melt from the manifold melt passage;
a valve pin moveable in the nozzle melt passage and seatable in the mold gate; and
a valve pin actuating mechanism including,
a valve pin guiding element for holding and guiding the valve pin, the valve pin guiding element having a first receiving surface substantially perpendicular to a centerline of the valve pin guiding element and a second receiving surface longitudinally displaced from the first receiving surface,
a linkage element having a first arm for engaging the first receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element at a point that is substantially along the centerline of the valve pin guiding element and a second arm for engaging the second receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element, and
an actuator for moving the linkage element.
11. The hot runner system of claim 10 , wherein the first receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element includes a valve pin receiving bore that is coaxial with the centerline of the valve pin guiding element.
12. The hot runner system of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the valve pin received within the bore is engaged directly by the first engagement surface of the linkage element.
13. The hot runner system of claim 10 , wherein the linkage element includes two second arms having second engagement surfaces for engaging with the second receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element.
14. The hot runner system of claim 10 , wherein the first receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element is substantially parallel to the second receiving surface of the valve pin guiding element.