Molding and tentatively retaining mold and method of molding and tentative retention

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6596211
  • Patent Number
    6,596,211
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, December 20, 2000
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, July 22, 2003
    20 years ago
Abstract
A molding and tentatively retaining mold 10 of the invention has a plurality of molds which are relatively movable with respect to a fixed mold, and molds a housing 31 and rear holders 32 and 33, which are respectively independent, in a plurality of cavities formed in cooperation with the fixed mold. When rear holders 32 and 33 after molding are relatively moved with respect to a housing 31 by movable molds 12 and 15 and are tentatively retained, a runner 20 for a cavity for molding the housing 31 is kept connected to the housing 31 through a tunnel gate 20a. In addition, a portion 15a of the fourth movable mold 15 for forming the cavity in the housing 31 is kept fitted to the housing 31 as it was during molding.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to a molding and tentatively retaining mold and a method of molding and tentative retention in which a plurality of kinds of independent parts of different shapes are molded in a plurality of cavities formed between a fixed mold and a plurality of movable molds, and at least one part after molding is relatively moved with respect to another part by the movable mold so as to set the parts in a tentatively retained state.




The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. Hei. 11-361280, which is incorporated herein by reference.




2. Description of the Related Art




Referring to

FIG. 11

, as a conventional molding and tentatively retaining mold


100


for effecting the molding and tentative retention of a connector


110


with rear holders in its interior, JP-A-8-250183 discloses one which is comprised of an unillustrated fixed mold, a first movable mold


101


which is movable in vertical directions in

FIG. 11

, a pair of second movable molds


102


which are movable in left- and rightward directions in

FIG. 11

, and a pair of third movable molds


103


which are movable in directions substantially perpendicular to the second movable molds


102


.




It should be noted that the connector


110


with rear holders is comprised of a housing


111


having a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers


113


and a pair of rear holders


112


which are respectively retained on both sides of the housing Inner surfaces of the first and second movable molds


101


and


102


respectively form a cavity for molding the housing


111


of the connector


110


with rear holders in cooperation with the fixed mold. In addition, outer surfaces of the first movable mold


101


, inner surfaces of the second movable molds


102


, and inner surfaces of the third movable molds


103


respectively form cavities for molding the respective rear holders


112


of the connector


110


with rear holders in cooperation with the fixed mold.




In the above-described molding and tentatively retaining mold


100


, when the molding and tentative retention of the connector


110


with rear holders is effected, a resin material is charged into the respective cavities, for instance, from the upper direction in FIG.


11


through unillustrated runners for the respective cavities in a state in which the fixed mold and the movable molds


101


,


102


, and


103


are joined together.




Namely, as shown in

FIG. 12

, the charging of the resin material into the cavities by using the runners is effected through a pinpoint gate


114


in order to avoid the various mechanical parts inside the molds.




Consequently, the housing


111


and the rear holders


112


of the connector


110


with rear holders are independently molded, respectively.




Next, the first movable mold


101


is moved upwardly in

FIG. 11

, and the second movable molds


102


are respectively moved in the directions of arrows in FIG.


11


. Consequently, predetermined gaps are respectively produced between the respective rear holders


112


and the housing


111


. In this state, the third movable molds


103


are respectively moved toward the housing


111


so as to tentatively retain the rear holders


112


onto the side surfaces of the housing


111


, respectively.




After the housing


111


and the rear holders


112


are tentatively retained, the third movable molds


103


are respectively returned to their original positions. Then, the connector


110


with rear holders in the tentatively retained state is removed from the mold.




With the above-described conventional molding and tentatively retaining mold


100


, there has been a problem in that when the rear holders


112


are tentatively retained onto the housing


111


after the molding of the housing


111


and the rear holders


112


, trouble occurs in tentative retention owing to the shakiness or the like of the housing


111


. Accordingly, some means or other has been required for holding the housing


111


after molding.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The object of the invention is to provide a molding and tentatively retaining mold and a method of molding and tentative retention which make it possible to reliably prevent the shakiness or the like of another part during tentative retention without especially requiring the means for holding the other part after molding, thereby making it possible to reliably effect the tentative retention of the parts.




The above object of the invention can be attained by the following arrangements.




(1) A molding and tentatively retaining mold comprising:




a fixed mold;




a plurality of movable molds provided in such a manner as to be relatively movable with respect to said fixed mold and adapted to respectively mold a plurality of kinds of independent parts of different shapes in a plurality of cavities formed in cooperation with said fixed mold, and to relatively move at least one part with respect to another part after molding to thereby set said parts in a tentatively retained state; and




a plurality of runners respectively provided for the cavities to charge a molding material into the cavities;




wherein, when at least one of said parts after molding is relatively moved with respect to said other part by said movable molds and is tentatively retained, a runner for a cavity for molding said other part remains connected to said other part through a tunnel gate, and




the connection between said other part and said tunnel gate is cut off when said parts are removed from said mold after the tentative retention of said parts.




(2) A molding and tentatively retaining mold comprising:




a fixed mold;




a plurality of movable molds provided in such a manner as to be relatively movable with respect to said fixed mold and adapted to respectively mold a plurality of kinds of independent parts of different shapes in a plurality of cavities formed in cooperation with said fixed mold, and to relatively move at least one part with respect to another part after molding to thereby set said parts in a tentatively retained state; and




a plurality of runners respectively provided for the cavities to charge a molding material into the cavities;




wherein, when at least one of said parts after molding is relatively moved with respect to said other part by said movable molds and is tentatively retained, at least one of said movable molds for forming a cavity for molding said other part remains fitted to said other part as it was during molding.




(3) A method of molding and tentatively retaining, comprising the steps of:




forming a plurality of cavities between a fixed mold and a plurality of movable molds provided in such a manner as to be relatively movable with respect to said fixed mold;




charging a molding material into said cavities through runners respectively provided for said cavities;




molding a plurality of kinds of independent parts of different shapes in said cavities;




moving relatively at least one of said movable molds with respect to said another movable mold to thereby tentatively retain at least one of said parts to said other part, keeping at least one of said runners for a cavity for molding said other part connected to said other part through a tunnel gate, and




removing said parts from said mold to cut off the connection between said other part and said tunnel gate.




(4) A method of molding and tentatively retaining, comprising the steps of:




forming a plurality of cavities between a fixed mold and a plurality of movable molds provided in such a manner as to be relatively movable with respect to said fixed mold;




charging a molding material into said cavities through runners respectively provided for said cavities;




molding a plurality of kinds of independent parts of different shapes in said of cavities; and




moving relatively at least one of said movable molds with respect to said another movable mold to thereby tentatively retain at least one of said parts to said other part, while remaining at least one of said movable molds for molding said other part fitted to said other part as it was during molding.




In the molding and tentatively retaining mold constructed in (1) above in accordance with the invention, a molding material is charged into a plurality of cavities formed between the fixed mold and the movable molds through runners. Consequently, a plurality of kinds of independent parts of different shapes are respectively molded in the cavities.




After the molding of the respective parts, the movable mold relatively moves at least one part with respect to another part, thereby setting the parts in a tentatively retained state.




At this juncture, the runner for the cavity for molding the other part remains connected to the other part through the tunnel gate. Consequently, the shakiness and the like of the other part during tentative retention can be prevented. The connection between the other part and the tunnel gate is cut off as the parts are removed from the mold after the tentative retention of the parts.




In the molding and tentatively retaining mold constructed in (2) above in accordance with the invention, a molding material is charged into a plurality of cavities formed between the fixed mold and the movable molds through runners. Consequently, a plurality of kinds of independent parts of different shapes are respectively molded in the cavities.




After the molding of the respective parts, the movable mold relatively moves at least one part with respect to another part, thereby setting the parts in a tentatively retained state.




At this juncture, at least one of the movable molds for forming the cavity for molding the other part remains fitted to the other part as it was during molding. Consequently, the shakiness and the like of the other part during tentative retention can be prevented.




In the method of molding and tentative retention arranged in (3) above in accordance with the invention, a molding material is charged into a plurality of cavities formed between a fixed mold and a plurality of movable molds provided in such a manner as to be relatively movable with respect to the fixed mold, through runners respectively provided for the cavities. Consequently, a plurality of kinds of independent parts of different shapes are respectively molded in the cavities.




Next, at least one part after molding is relatively moved with respect to another part, thereby setting the parts in a tentatively retained state.




At this juncture, the runner for the cavity for molding the other part is kept connected to the other part through the tunnel gate. Consequently, the shakiness and the like of the other part during tentative retention is prevented. The connection between the other part and the tunnel gate is cut off as the parts are removed from the mold after the tentative retention of the parts.




In the method of molding and tentative retention arranged in (4) above in accordance with the invention, a molding material is charged into a plurality of cavities formed between a fixed mold and a plurality of movable molds provided in such a manner as to be relatively movable with respect to the fixed mold, through runners respectively provided for the cavities. Consequently, a plurality of kinds of independent parts of different shapes are respectively molded in the cavities.




Next, at least one part after molding is relatively moved with respect to another part, thereby setting the parts in a tentatively retained state.




At this juncture, at least one of the movable molds for forming the cavity for molding the other part is kept fitted to the other part as it was during molding. Consequently, the shakiness and the like of the other part during tentative retention is prevented.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a schematic plan view illustrating runners for cavities of a molding and tentatively retaining mold and a connector with rear holders in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;





FIG. 2

is a schematic cross-sectional view of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a plan view schematically representing

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state during molding by the molding and tentatively retaining mold;





FIG. 5

is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state prior to tentative retention after molding by the molding and tentatively retaining mold;





FIG. 6

is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state during tentative retention by the molding and tentatively retaining mold;





FIG. 7

is a schematic plan view illustrating a state prior to tentative retention by a pair of rear-holder tentatively retaining cylinders of the molding and tentatively retaining mold;





FIG. 8

is a schematic plan view illustrating a state after the tentative retention by the rear-holder tentatively retaining cylinders of the molding and tentatively retaining mold;





FIG. 9

is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connector with rear holders;





FIG. 10

is a perspective view illustrating a state of tentative retention of the connector with rear holders in

FIG. 9

;





FIG. 11

is a schematic perspective view illustrating a conventional molding and tentatively retaining mold; and





FIG. 12

is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pinpoint gate of the molding and tentatively retaining mold and the connector with rear holders shown in FIG.


11


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring now to the drawings, a description will be given of an embodiment of the invention.





FIG. 1

is a schematic plan view illustrating runners for cavities and a connector with rear holders of a molding and tentatively retaining mold in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2

is a schematic cross-sectional view of

FIG. 1

, and

FIG. 3

is a plan view schematically illustrating FIG.


1


.




In addition,

FIG. 4

is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state during molding by the molding and tentatively retaining mold.

FIG. 5

is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state prior to tentative retention after molding by the molding and tentatively retaining mold.

FIG. 6

is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state during tentative retention by the molding and tentatively retaining mold.

FIG. 7

is a schematic plan view illustrating a state prior to tentative retention by a pair of rear-holder tentatively retaining cylinders of the molding and tentatively retaining mold.

FIG. 8

is a schematic plan view illustrating a state after the tentative retention by the rear-holder tentatively retaining cylinders of the molding and tentatively retaining mold.




Further,

FIG. 9

is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connector with rear holders.

FIG. 10

is a perspective view illustrating a state of tentative retention of the connector with rear holders in FIG.


9


.




Referring to

FIGS. 1

to


8


, a molding and tentatively retaining mold


10


is comprised of a fixed mold


11


and first to fourth movable molds


12


,


13


,


14


, and


15


, and compression springs


16


are interposed between the first movable mold


12


and the second movable molds


13


, respectively. These compression springs


16


constantly urge the first and second movable molds


12


and


13


in directions in which they move away from each other (in the left- and rightward directions in FIG.


4


).




The movable molds


12


,


13


,


14


, and


15


are respectively provided in such a manner as to be relatively movable with respect to the fixed mold


11


, and mold a housing


31


and rear holders


32


and


33


of a connector


30


with rear holders respectively independently within a plurality of cavities


17


and


18


formed in cooperation with the fixed mold


11


. As the rear holders


32


and


33


after molding are relatively moved with respect to the housing


31


, the housing


31


and the rear holders


32


and


33


are set in a tentatively retained state.




Inner surfaces of the first movable mold


12


and outer surfaces of the fourth movable mold


15


respectively form the cavity


17


for molding the housing


31


of the connector


30


with rear holders


30


in cooperation with inner surfaces of the fixed mold


11


. Further, outer surfaces of the first movable mold


12


and inner surfaces of the third movable molds


14


respectively form the cavities


18


for molding the rear holders


32


and


33


of the connector


30


with rear holders in cooperation with the fixed mold


11


.




The second movable molds


13


support the first movable mold


12


movably along the left- and rightward directions in

FIG. 4

, and support the third movable molds


14


movably along the vertical direction in FIG.


4


.




As a pair of cylinder rods


19




a


of a pair of rear-holder tentatively retaining cylinders


19


(see

FIGS. 7 and 8

) project, the third movable molds


14


are moved toward the housing


31


side along the vertical directions in

FIG. 4

so as to tentatively retain the rear holders


32


and


33


onto the housing


31


.




The fourth movable mold


15


is supported by the first movable mold


12


, is movable in the left- and rightward directions in

FIG. 4

in interlocking relation to the first movable mold


12


, and holds the housing


31


during the tentative retention of the rear holders


32


and


33


. Namely, when the rear holders


32


and


33


after molding are relatively moved with respect to the housing


31


by the third movable molds


14


and are tentatively retained, the fourth movable mold


15


moves in the rightward direction in

FIG. 5

in interlocking relation to the movement of the first movable mold


12


in the same direction. At this juncture, a portion


15




a


of the fourth movable mold


15


for molding the cavity of the housing


31


is held as fitted to the housing


31


(in the state shown in FIGS.


5


and


6


).




The fixed mold


11


and the movable molds


12


,


13


,


14


, and


15


are provided with runners


20


and


21


serving as channels for the resin material to be charged for the respective cavities


17


and


18


.




The runners


20


and


21


have diameters which are set for the respective cavities


17


and


18


so as to obtain a molding balance in the cavities


17


and


18


, respectively. Namely, the ratio of the diameter between the runners


20


and


21


is set to a value whereby the charging of the resin material into the cavities


17


and


18


is completed substantially at the same time. For example, the diameter of the runner


20


for the cavity


17


in the housing


31


is set to about 4-fold in an area ratio with respect to the diameter of the runner


21


for the cavity


18


in each of the rear holders


32


and


33


.




When the rear holders


32


and


33


after molding are relatively moved with respect to the housing


31


by the movable molds


12


,


13


,


14


, and


15


and are tentatively retained, the runner


20


for the cavity


17


in the housing


31


remains connected to the housing


31


through a tunnel gate


20




a


. The connection between the housing


31


and the tunnel gate


20




a


is cut off when the connector


30


with rear holders is removed from the mold after the tentative retention of the housing


31


and the rear holders


32


and


33


.




Further, the runners


21


for the cavities


18


in the respective rear holders


32


and


33


are respectively located at parting lines between the fixed mold


11


and the movable molds


12


,


13


,


14


, and


15


. During molding, the runners


21


are connected to the rear holders


32


and


33


through tunnel gates


21




a


, respectively, and the connection is cut off in conjunction with the relative movement of the movable molds


12


,


13


, and


14


with respect to the fixed mold


11


.




Next, referring to

FIGS. 9 and 10

, a detailed description will be given of the connector


30


with rear holders.




Namely, the connector


30


with rear holders includes the housing


31


having a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers


34


, as well as the pair of rear holders


32


and


33


which are retained on the upper and lower side surfaces, as viewed in

FIG. 1

, of the housing


31


. Connecting terminals (not shown) attached to wires or the like are respectively inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers


34


of the housing


31


, and are electrically connected thereto.




Both left and right side surfaces, as viewed in

FIG. 9

, of the housing


31


are respectively provided with a pair of upper and lower tentatively retaining projections


35


(as viewed in

FIG. 9

) having tapered surfaces, a pair of upper and lower retaining steps


36


(as viewed in

FIG. 9

) formed in a tapered manner, a protecting rib


37


, and a finally retaining projection


38


.




As each tentatively retaining projection


35


on the upper side in

FIG. 9

is fitted in a retaining hole


32




a


provided in the rear holder


32


on the upper side in

FIG. 9

(hereafter, referred to as the upper rear holder


32


), the upper tentatively retaining projection


35


tentatively retains the upper rear holder


32


onto the housing


31


. Meanwhile, as each tentatively retaining projection


35


on the lower side in

FIG. 9

is fitted in a retaining hole


33




a


provided in the rear holder


33


on the lower side in

FIG. 9

(hereafter, referred to as the lower rear holder


33


), the lower tentatively retaining projection


35


tentatively retains the lower rear holder


33


onto the housing


31


.




When the rear holders


32


and


33


are tentatively retained onto the housing


31


inside the molding and tentatively retaining mold


10


, each retaining step


36


on the upper side in

FIG. 9

is engaged with a retaining pawl


32




b


provided on the upper rear holder


32


. Meanwhile, when the rear holders


32


and


33


are tentatively retained onto the housing


31


inside the molding and tentatively retaining mold


10


, each retaining step


36


on the lower side in

FIG. 9

is engaged with a retaining pawl


33




b


provided on the lower rear holder


33


.




The interval A between the protecting ribs


37


on both left and right sides surfaces, as viewed in

FIG. 9

, of the housing


31


is set to be larger than the transverse width B of each of the rear holders


32


and


33


. Consequently, the rear holders


32


and


33


are prevented from coming off the housing


31


when the connector


30


with rear holders in the tentatively retained state is released from the mold.




Further, when the connecting terminals inserted in the connector


30


with rear holders set in the tentatively retained state and released from the mold are primarily retained by housing lances (not shown) in the terminal accommodating chambers


34


in the housing


31


, the finally retaining projections


38


are respectively fitted in the retaining holes


32




a


and


33




a


of the rear holders


32


and


33


, so as to finally retain the rear holders


32


and


33


onto the housing


31


. In this state, as secondarily retaining projections


32




c


and


33




c


provided on the respective rear holders


32


and


33


are respectively advanced into the terminal accommodating chambers


34


of the housing


31


, the connecting terminals are secondarily retained.




A description will be given of the operation in accordance with this embodiment.




In the molding and tentatively retaining mold


10


, the resin material is charged into the cavities


17


and


18


for molding the housing


31


and the rear holders


32


and


33


of the connector


30


with rear holders through the runners


20


and


21


corresponding to the cavities


17


and


18


in the state in which the fixed mold


11


and the movable molds


12


,


13


,


14


, and


15


are joined together.




Namely, the resin material is charged into the cavity


17


for the housing


31


from the runner


20


through a tunnel gate


20




a


, while the resin material is charged into the respective cavities


18


for the rear holders


32


and


33


from the runners


21


through tunnel gates


21




a


. Consequently, the housing


31


and the rear holders


32


and


33


are independently molded inside the cavities


17


and


18


, respectively.




As the movable molds


12


,


13


,


14


, and


15


are relatively moved with respect to the fixed mold


11


after the molding of the housing


31


and the rear holders


32


and


33


, the connections between the runners


21


for the cavities


18


in the rear holders


32


and


33


and the rear holders


32


and


33


through the tunnel gates


21




a


are respectively cut off.




In this state, as the third movable molds


14


relatively move the rear holders


32


and


33


with respect to the housing


31


, the connector


30


with rear holders is set in a tentatively retained state.




At this juncture, the runner


20


for the cavity


17


in the housing


31


remains connected to the housing


31


through the tunnel gate


20




a


. Further, the portion


1


Sa of the fourth movable mold


15


for forming the cavity in the housing


31


is held as fitted to the housing


31


(in the state shown in FIGS.


5


and


6


). Consequently, the shaking and the like of the housing


31


during tentative retention can be prevented.




Referring now to

FIGS. 4

to


8


, a description will be given of a method of molding and tentatively retaining a connector


30


with rear holders by using the molding and tentatively retaining mold


10


in accordance with this embodiment.




Referring to

FIG. 4

, in the state in which the fixed mold


11


and the movable molds


12


,


13


,


14


, and


15


are joined together, the resin material is first charged into the cavities


17


and


18


formed in the mold through the runners


20


and


21


corresponding to the cavities


17


and


18


. As a result, the housing


31


and the rear holders


32


and


33


are respectively molded independently in the cavities


17


and


18


.




At this juncture, since the diameters of the runners


20


and


21


are set in correspondence with the volumes of the moldings for the respective cavities


17


and


18


, the charging of the resin material into the respective cavities


17


and


18


is completed substantially at the same time.




Next, referring to

FIG. 5

, the movable molds


12


,


13


,


14


, and


15


are respectively moved from the fixed mold


11


by predetermined amounts in the rightward direction in

FIG. 5

, and the first movable mold


12


is moved by a predetermined amount in the rightward direction in

FIG. 5

with respect to the second movable molds


13


by the urging forces of the compression springs


16


.




At this juncture, the fourth movable mold


15


is relatively moved by a predetermined amount with respect to the second movable molds


13


in interlocking relation to the first movable mold


12


up to a position for forming cavities in a right end portion, as viewed in

FIG. 5

, of the molded housing


31


by a left end portion, as viewed in

FIG. 5

, of the fourth movable mold


15


. Further, predetermined gap are formed on the inner sides of the third movable molds


14


by the movement of the first movable mold


12


.




Further, referring to

FIGS. 6

to


8


, the third movable molds


14


are respectively moved by the rear-holder tentatively retaining cylinders


19


in the directions of arrows in

FIGS. 6 and 8

, so as to press the molded rear holders


32


and


33


, respectively, toward the housing


31


and tentatively retain them onto the housing


31


.




Namely, as the rear holders


32


and


33


are respectively pressed by the third movable molds


14


in the directions of arrows in

FIGS. 6 and 8

, the tentatively retaining projections


35


of the housing


31


are fitted in the retaining holes


32




a


and


33




a


, and the retaining pows


32




b


and


33




b


are fitted to the retaining means


36


. Consequently, the rear holders


32


and


33


are respectively tentatively retained onto the housing


31


.




At this juncture, the runner


20


for the cavity


17


in the housing


31


is kept in the state of being connected to the housing


31


through the tunnel gate


20




a


. Further, the portion


15




a


of the fourth movable mold


15


for forming the cavity in the housing


31


is held as fitted to the housing


31


(in the state shown in FIGS.


5


and


6


). Consequently, the shaking and the like of the housing


31


during tentative retention is prevented.




As described above, in accordance with the above-described embodiment, when the rear holders


32


and


33


after molding are relatively moved with respect to the housing


31


by the movable molds


12


,


13


,


14


, and


15


and are tentatively retained, the runner


20


for the cavity


17


for molding the housing


31


remains connected to the housing


31


through the tunnel gate


20




a


, and the portion


15




a


of the fourth movable mold


15


for forming the cavity


17


in the housing


31


remains fitted to the housing


31


as it was during molding.




Accordingly, while it is possible to attain the simplification of the mold structure without especially requiring a means for holding the housing


31


after molding, it is possible to reliably prevent the shaking and the like of the housing


31


during tentative retention of the rear holders


32


and


33


onto the housing


31


. Consequently, the tentative retention of the rear holders


32


and


33


onto the housing


31


can be effected reliably.




As described above, in accordance with the invention, when at least one part after molding is relatively moved with respect to another part by movable molds and is tentatively retained, the runner for the cavity for molding the other part remains connected to the other part through a tunnel gate. The connection between the other part and the tunnel gate is cut off when the parts are removed from the mold after the tentative retention of the parts.




Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent the shaking and the like of the other part during tentative retention without especially requiring a means for holding the other part after molding. Consequently, the tentative retention of the respective parts can be effected reliably.




In addition, in accordance with the invention, when at least one part after molding is relatively moved with respect to the other part and is tentatively retained by movable molds, at least one movable mold for forming the cavity for forming the other part remains fitted to the other part as it was during molding.




Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent the shaking and the like of the other part during tentative retention without especially requiring a means for holding the other part after molding. Consequently, the tentative retention of the respective parts can be effected reliably.



Claims
  • 1. A method of molding and tentatively retaining a connector, comprising the steps of:forming a plurality of cavities between a fixed mold and a plurality of movable molds that are relatively movable with respect to said fixed mold; charging a molding material into said cavities through runners respectively provided for said cavities; molding a rear holder and a housing of different shapes in said cavities; moving relatively at least one of said movable molds with respect to another movable mold to thereby tentatively retain at least said rear holder to said housing, while keeping at least one of said runners for a cavity for molding said housing connected to said housing through a tunnel gate, and removing said rear holder and said housing from said molding and tentatively retaining mold to thereby cut off the connection between said housing and said tunnel gate.
  • 2. The method of molding and tentatively retaining according to claim 1, wherein during moving relatively at least one of said movable molds with respect to another movable mold to thereby tentatively retain at least said rear holder to said housing, at least one of said movable molds for molding said housing remains fitted to said housing.
  • 3. A molding and tentatively retaining mold for a connector, comprising:a fixed mold; a plurality of movable molds that are relatively movable with respect to said fixed mold and adapted to respectively mold a rear holder and a housing of different shapes in a plurality of cavities formed in cooperation with said fixed mold, and to relatively move at least said rear holder with respect to said housing after molding to thereby set said rear holder and said housing in a tentatively retained state; and a plurality of runners respectively provided for the cavities to charge a molding material into the cavities; wherein, when said rear holder after molding is relatively moved with respect to said housing by said movable molds and is tentatively retained, a runner for a cavity for molding said housing remains connected to said housing through a tunnel gate, and the connection between said housing and said tunnel gate is cut off when said rear holder and said housing are removed from said molding and tentatively retaining mold after the tentative retention of said rear holder and said housing.
  • 4. The molding and tentatively retaining mold according to claim 3, wherein, when said rear holder after molding is relatively moved with respect to said housing by said movable molds and is tentatively retained, at least one of said movable molds for molding said housing remains fitted to said housing.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
P. 11-361280 Dec 1999 JP
US Referenced Citations (7)
Number Name Date Kind
3013308 Armour Dec 1961 A
4012827 Abrams Mar 1977 A
5200132 Shfaram et al. Apr 1993 A
5709831 Endo et al. Jan 1998 A
5911935 Kawase Jun 1999 A
6206681 Kawase et al. Mar 2001 B1
6234782 Hansen May 2001 B1
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number Date Country
0 732 780 Sep 1996 EP
57-135133 Aug 1982 JP
8-250183 Sep 1996 JP
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry
Rosato et al., Injection Molding Handbook, second edition, 1995, International Thomson Publishing, pp. 257-260.