Blender

Abstract

The invention relates to a mixer (1) comprising a housing (2) and a stirrer drive (3) arranged in the housing. In order to determine the torque that can be introduced into a medium to be stirred by means of the stirrer drive (3) of the mixer, the mixer (1) has a measuring device (5). The stirrer drive (3) is pivotally mounted within the housing (2) of the mixer (1) and is supported at least indirectly in at least one direction of rotation opposite to the two directions of rotation of the stirrer drive. With the aid of the measuring device (5), a reaction force of the at least one support can be detected and the torque applied by the stirrer drive can be determined therefrom.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a mixer, which comprises a shell and a mixer driving device arranged in the shell. Background Art

[0002] Such stirrers are used, for example, as so-called overhead stirrers, viscometers or dispersers.

[0003] Depending on the application, it may be necessary to monitor the torque applied by the stirrer drive and introduced into the medium to be stirred by the stirrer. For this purpose, various approaches are already known on the market.

[0004] For example, document DE 44 01 679 A1 discloses a mixer having a holding device, a stirring tool and a measuring device for measuring the torque introduced into the medium to be stirred during stirring.

[0005] The torque can be determined indirectly, for example, via the current / power consumption of the agitator drive. Here, the torque is derived from the current consumption of the agitator drive, which introduces the torque into the medium to be processed with the agitator. However, there are application cases where such an indirect torque measurement is not sufficiently accurate.

[0006] It is also known to determine the torque using strain gauges arranged on the driven shaft of the mixer. The torque can be determined from the load on the driven shaft. Although such torque measurements are relatively accurate, measurement systems designed for such torque determination are relatively expensive. Summary of the invention

[0007] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a mixer of the type mentioned at the outset which allows a relatively advantageous and precise torque measurement.

[0008] In order to achieve the object, a mixer having the following features for such a mixer is proposed. Therefore, in particular, in order to achieve the object, a mixer is proposed, which comprises a housing and an agitator drive arranged in the housing, wherein, in order to measure the torque introduced by the agitator drive into the medium to be stirred, the agitator drive is pivotably mounted within the housing about a pivot axis and is supported at least indirectly opposite to at least one direction of rotation of the agitator drive; in order to detect the reaction force of this support, the mixer has a measuring device.

[0009] During operation of the mixer, the agitator drive, which is pivotably mounted in the housing, can be pivoted and supported in the housing of the mixer according to the principle of "action force equals reaction force". The reaction force of the support can be detected precisely by means of a measuring device. The torque applied by the agitator drive can then be at least indirectly inferred from the reaction force of the support. It has been found that this arrangement for determining the torque introduced into the medium to be stirred by the agitator drive is not only relatively advantageous, but is also satisfactorily precise.

[0010] By integrating the measuring principle into the housing of the mixer, the mixer acquires a relatively compact and at the same time robust structure. The mixer can therefore be operated particularly easily.

[0011] In one embodiment of the mixer, it is provided that the pivotably mounted agitator drive is supported in the housing opposite to its two directions of rotation. The measuring device can be designed to detect the reaction forces of the two supports. In this way, the torque applied by the agitator drive and introduced into the medium to be stirred can be determined independently of in which of its two directions of rotation the agitator drive is operated.

[0012] The measuring device of the mixer can have at least one force sensor, with which the reaction force of the at least one support can be measured. Preferably, the measuring device has at least one force sensor, with which the reaction forces of two supports can be measured. In one embodiment of the mixer, the mixer drive can be supported in the housing at least indirectly against the at least one force sensor.

[0013] At this point it should be mentioned that the housing in which the stirrer drive is arranged can be referred to as the drive housing of the stirrer.

[0014] The agitator drive can be connected at least indirectly to the measuring device, in particular to the at least one force sensor of the measuring device, in such a way that a reaction force of a support of the agitator drive opposing its two directions of rotation can be detected.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the mixer, the pivot axis, about which the agitator drive is pivotally mounted within the housing, coincides with the rotation axis of the mixer output shaft. In a variant of the mixer, a common support can be used for the pivotal mounting of the agitator drive and for the rotatable mounting of the mixer output shaft. This can reduce the structural complexity of the mixer.

[0016] In one embodiment of the mixer, the pivot axis, about which the mixer drive is pivotably mounted, is spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the mixer output shaft, in particular spaced apart in parallel or offset. In another embodiment, the pivot axis of the mixer drive intersects the axis of rotation of the mixer output shaft. In these embodiments, the mixer can have a mount, in particular a pivot mount, for the mixer drive and a separate mount, in particular a swivel mount, for the output shaft.

[0017] The agitator drive can be pivotally mounted in such a way that its pivot axis extends through the agitator drive. In this embodiment, the mixer can have a mount for the agitator drive, which is in this case designed as a pivot mount, and a separate mount for the output shaft of the mixer. The agitator drive can also be pivotally mounted in such a way that the pivot axis is spaced apart from the rotation axis of the driven shaft of the agitator drive, in particular spaced apart in parallel or oriented offset, or that the pivot axis intersects the rotation axis of the driven shaft of the agitator drive.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the mixer, the agitator drive can be arranged on a pivotably mounted holding arm within the housing, the holding arm being particularly pivotably mounted about a pivot axis. The holding arm can bring about a distance between the pivot axis and the agitator drive and thereby increase the reaction force that can be determined using the measuring device.

[0019] The at least one force sensor of the measuring device can be arranged, preferably within the housing, in such a way that the agitator drive, its holding arm and / or a force transmission element at least temporarily connected to the agitator drive can be supported at least indirectly against the at least one force sensor.

[0020] The mixer can have a support with at least one bearing for pivotably supporting the mixer drive in the housing. The at least one bearing can be, for example, a sliding bearing or a rolling bearing. Preferably, the support comprises two such bearings, with which the mixer is arranged to be pivotably supported in the housing.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the mixer, the support for pivotally mounting the mixer drive also serves to rotatably mount the mixer output shaft. Here, the axis of rotation of the output shaft and the pivot axis of the mixer drive can thus coincide. In this embodiment, the pivot support of the mixer drive also assumes the function of the rotary support of the output shaft or vice versa. Thus, a separate support for the mixer output shaft or a separate support for the mixer drive can be omitted.

[0022] One of the measuring devices, for example at least one force sensor already mentioned above, can be connected to the sensor arm and / or have a sensor arm. The sensor arm can serve as a force receiver, by means of which a supporting force or a reaction force applied to the sensor arm can be transmitted to the force sensor. The sensor arm can have at least one contact surface for supporting the pivotably mounted agitator drive opposite to at least one rotational direction of the agitator drive. In this way, the force sensor can be arranged spaced apart from the agitator drive, preferably within the housing of the mixer.

[0023] In one embodiment of the mixer, one of the measuring devices, in particular the already mentioned at least one force sensor, is provided with at least one contact surface for supporting the pivotably mounted agitator drive in two directions of rotation of the agitator drive. The at least one contact surface can be arranged or formed, for example, on the sensor.

[0024] In one embodiment of the mixer, one of the measuring devices, in particular the at least one force sensor already mentioned above, is provided with two contact surfaces for supporting the pivotably mounted mixer drive in opposition to the two directions of rotation of the mixer drive. One of the contact surfaces can be arranged or formed on two different, preferably mutually opposite or facing away sides of the force sensor.

[0025] In one embodiment of the mixer, one of the measuring devices, in particular the at least one force sensor already mentioned above, is connected to a sensor arm, which has at least one contact surface for supporting the pivotably mounted agitator drive in two directions of rotation of the agitator drive.

[0026] In another embodiment of the mixer, a force sensor, in particular at least one of the force sensors already mentioned above, is connected to a sensor arm, which has a contact surface on two different, preferably opposite sides, each of which is arranged and used to support the mixer drive device opposite to one of its two rotational directions.

[0027] The agitator drive can have or be connected to a force transmission element, with which the at least one contact surface of the sensor arm can come into contact, in order to be supported opposite to at least one direction of rotation of the agitator drive. In this way, the distance between the agitator drive on the one hand and the at least one force sensor of the measuring device of the mixer on the other hand can be increased, thereby making the measuring principle particularly flexible with regard to the use of the available installation space within the housing.

[0028] In one embodiment, the agitator drive and / or a holding arm, such as the holding arm already mentioned above, and / or a force transmission element, such as the force transmission element already mentioned above, have at least one support surface, via which the agitator drive can be supported within the housing at least indirectly in a direction of rotation opposite to at least one of its two directions of rotation. The agitator drive can be designed as an electric motor having a rotatably driven output shaft. The output shaft can be connected at least indirectly to an output shaft of the agitator.

[0029] In one embodiment of the mixer, the output shaft of the mixer drive can be used as an output shaft of the mixer.

[0030] As force sensors, strain gauges, pressure sensors, piezoelectric force sensors, piezoresistive force sensors, piezoelectric pressure sensors, capacitive pressure sensors, vibrating wire sensors or electromagnetic pressure transducers can be used. The stirrer can be designed, for example, as an overhead stirrer, a viscometer or a disperser. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The invention is now described in more detail with the aid of an embodiment, but the invention is not limited to the embodiment. Further embodiments result from the combination of the features of one or more claims with one another and / or with one or more features of the embodiment. The partially schematic drawings show:

[0032] Figure 1 shows a side view of a mixer comprising a mixer drive which is arranged in a housing of the mixer and is pivotably mounted therein,

[0033] Figure 2 The mixer is shown along the Figure 1 The mixer comprises a stirrer drive device rotatably supported therein,

[0034] Figure 3 A highly schematic illustration of a stirrer drive, in which a possible support surface is shown in hatched form, by which the stirrer drive can be supported at least indirectly against a force sensor of a measuring device of the stirrer for detecting a reaction force, and

[0035] Figure 4 A highly schematic side view of a stirrer drive is shown, which includes a support, wherein a possible position of a force sensor connected to a sensor arm is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] All figures show at least parts of a mixer, which is designated as a whole by 1. The mixer 1 has a housing 2 and a stirrer drive 3 arranged within the housing 2. The stirrer drive 3 is pivotably mounted within the housing 2 about a pivot axis 4 in order to determine the torque introduced by the stirrer drive 3 into the medium to be stirred.

[0037] The agitator drive 3 is supported in opposition to its two directions of rotation (cf. double arrow PF1) within the housing 2. In order to detect the reaction forces of the two supports, the agitator 1 has a measuring device 5. The measuring device 5 is designed to detect the reaction forces of the two supports.

[0038] For this purpose, the measuring device 5 has a force sensor 6. The force sensor 6 serves to receive and measure the reaction forces of the two supports. For this purpose, the pivotably mounted agitator drive 3 is supported against the force sensor 6 within the housing 2.

[0039] The stirrer drive 3 is at least indirectly connected to the measuring device 5 and its force sensor 6 , so that the reaction forces of the support of the stirrer drive 3 opposite to its two directions of rotation can be detected.

[0040] The agitator drive 3 is arranged on a pivotably mounted holding arm 7 within the housing 2. A transmission 8 can be arranged within the holding arm 7, with which the output speed output by the agitator drive 3 can be increased or reduced, for example, by acceleration or deceleration. The mixer 1 comprises a support 9 with a total of two bearings 10, which are designed as rolling bearings in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. The support 9 serves to pivotally mount the agitator drive 3 within the housing 2 of the mixer 1.

[0041] The force sensor 6 of the measuring device 5 is itself connected to a sensor arm 11. The sensor arm 11 has two contact surfaces 12 and 13, which are provided for supporting the pivotably mounted stirring drive 3 opposite to the two rotational directions of the drive. The contact surfaces 12 and 13 are arranged on opposite sides of the sensor arm 11.

[0042] The mixer 1 further comprises a force transmission element 14, which is connected to the mixer drive 3. The force transmission element 14 is used to come into contact with the contact surfaces 12 and 13 of the sensor arm 11 in order to support the mixer drive 3 in two directions of rotation opposite to each other, thus supporting the pivotably mounted mixer drive 3 at least indirectly on the force sensor 6 and transmitting the reaction forces generated thereby to the force sensor 6 for determining the torque.

[0043] For example, strain gauges, pressure sensors, piezoelectric force sensors, piezoresistive force sensors, piezoelectric pressure sensors, capacitive pressure sensors, vibrating wire sensors or electromagnetic pressure transducers may be used as force sensors 6 .

[0044] Figure 3 Potential support surfaces 15 are shown on the agitator drive 3 and the holding arm 7, which can be used to at least indirectly support the agitator drive 3. The support surfaces 15 are shown in hatched form. Figure 4 A small selection of possible arrangements of the force sensor 6 and its sensor arm 11 relative to the pivotably mounted agitator drive 3 is shown.

[0045] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the agitator drive 3 is designed as an electric motor 16, which is connected with its output shaft 17 via a transmission 8 to an output shaft 18 of the agitator 1. The output shaft 18 of the agitator 1 is supported by the two bearings 10 of the support 9. The support 9 thus serves both as a pivot support for the agitator drive 3 and as a rotary support for the output shaft 18 of the agitator 1. The rotation axis 19 of the output shaft 18 thus coincides with the pivot axis 4 about which the agitator drive 3 is pivotably supported within the housing 2.

[0046] In an embodiment of the mixer 1 not shown in the figures, the pivot axis 4, about which the mixer drive 3 is pivotably mounted within the housing 2, does not coincide with the rotation axis of the output shaft of the mixer 1. In such an embodiment of the mixer, the pivot axis 4 can be spaced apart from the rotation axis 19 of the output shaft 18, in particular spaced apart or offset in parallel, or can intersect the rotation axis 19 of the output shaft 18.

[0047] The agitator drive 3 has a separate mount in this case, which can then be designed and referred to as a pivot mount. In an embodiment of the agitator 1 not shown in the figures, the pivot axis 4 about which the agitator drive 3 is pivotably mounted within the housing 2 can extend through the agitator drive 3 and / or coincide with the axis of rotation of the output shaft 17 of the agitator drive 3.

[0048] The stirrer 1 can be designed, for example, as an overhead stirrer, a viscometer or a disperser.

[0049] The invention relates to a mixer 1. In order to determine the torque that can be introduced into the medium to be stirred by means of a stirrer drive 3 of the mixer, the mixer 1 has a measuring device 5. The stirrer drive 3 is pivotally mounted within a housing 2 of the mixer 1 and is supported at least indirectly in at least one direction of rotation opposite to the two directions of rotation of the stirrer drive. The measuring device 5 can be used to detect the reaction force of the at least one support and thereby determine the torque applied by the stirrer drive.

[0050] Reference numerals list

[0051] 1 Blender

[0052] 2 Housing

[0053] 3 Agitator drive

[0054] 4 Pivot axis

[0055] 5. Measuring device

[0056] 6 Force Sensor

[0057] 7 Holding arm

[0058] 8 Transmission mechanism

[0059] 9 Support

[0060] 10 Bearings

[0061] 11 Sensor Arm

[0062] 12 11 contact surface

[0063] 13 11 contact surface

[0064] 14 Force transmission element

[0065] 15 Support surface on 3 and 7

[0066] 16 Electric Motor

[0067] 17 3 driven shaft

[0068] 18 1 Output shaft

[0069] 19 18 rotation axis

Claims

1. A mixer (1), comprising a housing (2) and an agitator drive (3) arranged in the housing, wherein the agitator drive (3) is pivotally supported about a pivot axis (4) within the housing (2) and is supported at least indirectly opposite to at least one direction of rotation (Pf.1) of the agitator drive (3) in order to measure the torque introduced from the agitator drive (3) into the medium to be stirred, and the mixer (1) has a measuring device (5) for detecting the reaction force of the support.

2. The mixer (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The agitator drive (3) is supported opposite to the two directions of rotation (Pf. 1) of the agitator drive (3), and / or the measuring device (5) is designed to detect the reaction forces of the two supports.

3. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The measuring device (5) has at least one force sensor (6), with which the reaction force of the one support can be measured and / or with which the reaction forces of both supports can be measured.

4. A mixer (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The stirrer drive (3) is supported in the housing (2) against the at least one force sensor.

5. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The stirrer drive (3) is at least indirectly connected to a measuring device (5) so that reaction forces of a support of the stirrer drive (3) opposite to its two directions of rotation can be detected.

6. The mixer (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The agitator drive (3) is at least indirectly connected to the at least one force sensor (6) so that a reaction force of a support of the agitator drive (3) opposite to its two directions of rotation can be detected.

7. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pivot axis (4) coincides with the rotation axis (19) of the output shaft (18) of the mixer, or the pivot axis (4) is spaced apart from the rotation axis (19) of the output shaft (18) of the mixer (1), or the pivot axis (4) intersects the rotation axis (19) of the output shaft (18) of the mixer (1).

8. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pivot axis (4) is spaced apart or offset in parallel with the rotation axis (19) of the output shaft (18) of the mixer (1).

9. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pivot axis (4) extends through the agitator drive (3) and / or coincides with the rotation axis of the driven shaft (17) of the agitator drive (3), or the pivot axis (4) is spaced apart from the rotation axis of the driven shaft (17) of the agitator drive (3), or the pivot axis (4) intersects the rotation axis of the driven shaft (17) of the agitator drive (3).

10. The mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pivot axis (4) is spaced apart or offset in parallel with the rotation axis of the driven shaft (17) of the stirrer drive (3).

11. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The agitator drive (3) is arranged on a pivotably mounted holding arm (7) within the housing (2).

12. A mixer (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The holding arm is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (4).

13. The mixer (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The force sensor (6) of the measuring device (5) is arranged so that the agitator drive (3), the holding arm (7) and / or a force transmission element (14) at least temporarily connected to the agitator drive (3) can be supported at least indirectly against the force sensor (6).

14. A mixer (1) according to claim 13, wherein: The force sensor (6) is arranged inside the housing (2).

15. The mixer (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one force sensor (6) of the measuring device (5) is arranged so that the agitator drive (3), the holding arm (7) on which the agitator drive (3) is arranged and / or a force transmission element (14) at least temporarily connected to the agitator drive (3) can be supported at least indirectly against the at least one force sensor (6).

16. A mixer (1) according to claim 15, wherein: The at least one force sensor (6) is arranged inside the housing (2).

17. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The mixer (1) has a support (9) with at least one bearing (10) for pivotably mounting a mixer drive (3) about a pivot axis (4).

18. A mixer (1) according to claim 17, wherein: The bearing (10) is a sliding bearing and / or a rolling bearing.

19. A mixer (1) according to claim 17, wherein: The support (9) also forms a rotating support for the output shaft (18) of the mixer (1).

20. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The force sensor (6) of the measuring device (5) is connected to a sensor arm (11), which has at least one contact surface for supporting the pivotably mounted agitator drive (3) opposite to at least one rotational direction of the agitator drive (3).

21. The mixer (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one force sensor (6) of the measuring device (5) is connected to a sensor arm (11), which has at least one contact surface for supporting the pivotably mounted agitator drive (3) opposite to at least one rotational direction of the agitator drive (3).

22. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The force sensor (6) of the measuring device (5) is provided with at least one contact surface for supporting the pivotably mounted agitator drive (3) opposite to the two directions of rotation of the agitator drive (3).

23. A mixer (1) according to claim 22, wherein: The force sensor (6) is provided with two contact surfaces, each of which is provided for supporting the stirrer drive (3) opposite to one of the two rotation directions of the stirrer drive.

24. The mixer (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one force sensor (6) of the measuring device (5) is provided with at least one contact surface for supporting the pivotably mounted agitator drive (3) opposite to the two rotational directions of the agitator drive (3).

25. A mixer (1) according to claim 24, wherein: The force sensor (6) is provided with two contact surfaces, each of which is provided for supporting the stirrer drive (3) opposite to one of the two rotation directions of the stirrer drive.

26. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The force sensor (6) of the measuring device (5) is connected to a sensor arm (11), which has at least one contact surface for supporting the pivotably mounted agitator drive (3) opposite to the two rotational directions of the agitator drive (3).

27. A mixer (1) according to claim 26, wherein: The sensor arm (11) has a contact surface on two different sides, each of which is provided for supporting the stirrer drive (3) opposite to one of its two directions of rotation.

28. A mixer (1) according to claim 27, wherein: The two different sides are opposite.

29. The mixer (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The at least one force sensor (6) of the measuring device (5) is connected to a sensor arm (11), which has at least one contact surface for supporting the pivotably mounted agitator drive (3) opposite to the two rotational directions of the agitator drive (3).

30. A mixer (1) according to claim 29, wherein: The sensor arm (11) has a contact surface on two different sides, each of which is provided for supporting the stirrer drive (3) opposite to one of its two directions of rotation.

31. A mixer (1) according to claim 30, wherein: The two different sides are opposite.

32. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The agitator drive (3) has a force transmission element (14), with which at least one contact surface of a force sensor (6) of the measuring device (5) can come into contact, in order to support the agitator drive (3) opposite to at least one rotational direction of the agitator drive (3).

33. The mixer (1) according to claim 20, wherein: The agitator drive (3) has a force transmission element (14), with which at least one contact surface of the sensor arm (11) of the force sensor (6) can come into contact, in order to support the agitator drive (3) opposite to at least one rotational direction of the agitator drive (3).

34. The mixer (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The agitator drive (3) and / or the holding arm (7) has at least one supporting surface (15).

35. The mixer (1) according to claim 13, wherein: The agitator drive (3) and / or the holding arm (7) and / or the force transmission element (14) have at least one supporting surface (15).

36. The mixer (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The force sensor (6) is a strain gauge, a pressure sensor, a piezoelectric force sensor, a piezoresistive force sensor, a piezoelectric pressure sensor, a capacitive pressure sensor, a vibrating wire receiver or an electromagnetic pressure transducer.

37. A mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The stirrer (1) is configured as an overhead stirrer, a viscometer or a disperser.

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