APPARATUS FOR RETAINING A HEATER AND THERMOCOUPLE ON AN INJECTION MOLDING NOZZLE

摘要

An apparatus for retaining a heater on an injection molding nozzle comprises a retaining body configured to fit around the injection molding nozzle. The retaining body has two flanges extending inward. One is configured to be received in a groove in the injection molding nozzle; the other is configure d to be received in a groove in the heater. An axial slot allows the retaining body to elastically spread outward. The retaining body also has at least one aperture that receives a thermocouple. The aperture is preferably an elongat ed hole having an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the retaining body. Preferably the heater is a thick-film heater and the thermocouple is install ed adjacent one on the resistive elements of the thick-film heater. When the resistive elements produce different heat levels, the thermocouple is preferably installed adjacent the resistive element that produces the greate st heat.