Mold and molding method

Abstract

In a mold, at least a first half includes an insert member forming a cavity surface on one end side; a body member having an insertion part into which the insert member is inserted; and an insert member fixer interposed between the insert member and the insertion part, for holding the insert member. The insert member fixer is made of a shape memory alloy, and presses and holds the insert member when the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, to make a center axis alignment of the insert member with respect to the body member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are views each showing a mold according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plane view of the mold, and FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of the mold when cut along the line A-A in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a view explaining operation of the mold according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are views each showing a mold according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3A is a plane view of the mold showing a state of an insert member fixer before an insert member is inserted thereinto. FIG. 3B is a plane view of the mold showing a state of the insert member fixer after the insert member is inserted thereinto.

FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view explaining the insert member fixer. FIG. 4B is a schematic perspective view showing a variant of the insert member fixer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plane view showing another insert member fixer.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are schematic cross sectional views each explaining a still another example of the insert member fixer.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are views schematic cross sectional views each explaining a still yet another example of the insert member fixer.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a variant of the insert member fixer.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing a mold according to a conventional technology.

Claims

1. A mold in which a cavity is formed between at least a first half and a second half, for molding a product in the cavity, the first half comprising: an insert member forming a cavity surface on one end side;a body member having an insertion part into which the insert member is inserted; andan insert member fixer interposed between the insert member and the insertion part of the body member, for holding the insert member,wherein the insert member fixer is made of a shape memory alloy, andwherein, when the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, the insert member fixer presses and holds the insert member, to make a center axis alignment of the insert member with respect to the body member.

2. The mold according to claim 1, wherein a transformation temperature of the insert member fixer is higher than room temperature and lower than a temperature of the mold when a product is molded using at least the first half.

3. The mold according to claim 1, wherein a transformation temperature of the insert member fixer is set, at least in the first half, between a mold temperature during filling a resin and the mold temperature when a product is demolded.

4. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the insert member fixer has gathers protruding toward the insert member in a state where the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, at least when a product is molded, to press and hold a peripheral wall of the insert member inside an inner wall of the insertion part.

5. The mold according to claim 2, wherein the insert member fixer has gathers protruding toward the insert member in a state where the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, at least when a product is molded, to press and hold a peripheral wall of the insert member inside an inner wall of the insertion part.

6. The mold according to claim 3, wherein the insert member fixer has gathers protruding toward the insert member in a state where the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, at least when a product is molded, to press and hold a peripheral wall of the insert member inside an inner wall of the insertion part.

7. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the insert member fixer holds an outer circumference of the insert member at least in three directions in a state where the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, at least when a product is molded.

8. The mold according to claim 2, wherein the insert member fixer holds an outer circumference of the insert member at least in three directions in a state where the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, at least when a product is molded.

9. The mold according to claim 3, wherein the insert member fixer holds an outer circumference of the insert member at least in three directions in a state where the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, at least when a product is molded.

10. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the insert member fixer has a coiled form, wound around the peripheral wall of the insert member, and an inner diameter of the insert member fixer is reduced in a state where the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, at least when a product is molded, to press and hold the insert member inside the inner wall of the insertion part.

11. The mold according to claim 2, wherein the insert member fixer has a coiled form, wound around the peripheral wall of the insert member, and an inner diameter of the insert member fixer is reduced in a state where the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, at least when a product is molded, to press and hold the insert member inside the inner wall of the insertion part.

12. The mold according to claim 3, wherein the insert member fixer has a coiled form, wound around the peripheral wall of the insert member, and an inner diameter of the insert member fixer is reduced in a state where the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, at least when a product is molded, to press and hold the insert member inside the inner wall of the insertion part.

13. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the body member.

14. The mold according to claim 2, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the body member.

15. The mold according to claim 3, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the body member.

16. The mold according to claim 4, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the body member.

17. The mold according to claim 5, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the body member.

18. The mold according to claim 6, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the body member.

19. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the insert member.

20. The mold according to claims 2, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the insert member.

21. The mold according to claim 3, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the insert member.

22. The mold according to claim 4, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the insert member.

23. The mold according to claim 5, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the insert member.

24. The mold according to claim 6, wherein the insert member fixer is integrated with the insert member.

25. A molding method using a mold in which a cavity is formed between at least a first half and a second half, for molding a product in the cavity, the first half comprising: an insert member forming a cavity surface on one end side; a body member having an insertion part into which the insert member is inserted; and an insert member fixer interposed between the insert member and the insertion part of the body member, for holding the insert member, the molding method comprising the steps of: pressing and holding the insert member against the insertion part of the body member by a restoring force of the insert member fixer into its memorized shape; andholding the insert member and the body member in a state where a center axis alignment therebetween is achieved.