Static mixer
By using the design of ports, mixing chambers and impact plates in the static mixer, accelerating jet impact plates are generated, which solves the problems of high energy consumption and maintenance costs in the prior art, and achieves the effect of efficient mixing and activation of two-component materials.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510324550.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-21
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing static mixers require additional external dynamic mixing systems or high pressure shock systems when mixing two-component materials, resulting in increased energy consumption and high maintenance costs, and lack of mixing solutions without movable components and external energy input, especially in applications of two-component foam materials.
A static mixer is designed, including a port, a mixing chamber and an impact plate, to generate an accelerated jet through a nozzle to impact plate, enabling mixing and activation of materials without the need for movable mixing elements or external energy input.
Efficient mixing and activation of two-component materials, especially two-component bonding materials such as polyurethane foam, reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs and is suitable for NVH applications.
Smart Images
Figure CN120245302A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a static mixer for activating and / or mixing at least one starting material. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a static mixer for mixing two-component adhesive materials, in particular two-component foam materials. Background Art
[0002] The disadvantage of traditional static mixers for mixing two-component materials is that, depending on the material groups, they generally require the combination of additional external dynamic mixing systems or high-pressure impact mixing systems. This is accompanied by additional energy input during the mixing process.
[0003] Currently, mixing technologies with corresponding additional energy sources are used, such as dynamic mixing heads with a third valve for gases or an additional motor or high-pressure impact mixing systems. Thus, additional energy or force can be introduced during the process, enabling the injection of two-component (2K) foam material castings.
[0004] Therefore, in addition to the static mixer, current mixing systems also include at least one mixing technology, which includes high-pressure impact mixing, dynamic drive mixing in a mixing chamber, drive mixing, wherein the static mixer includes movable mixing elements in the mixing chamber to drive the starting material, or an inflatable mixing head.
[0005] By using additional mixing technologies, not only is the energy consumption for generating 2K adhesive materials increased, but the maintenance costs are also increased, especially due to the complexity of the dynamic and / or drive mixing chambers. Compared with high-pressure and / or inflatable mixing heads, reducing the process risk is desirable.
[0006] Application cases of 2K foam material castings, such as 2K polyurethane foam (TPP), can be found especially in NVH application cases in the automotive industry (NVH stands for "noise, vibration, harshness").
[0007] In summary, in the prior art, no solutions for mixing and / or activating at least one component, especially two-component foams such as polyurethane foam or for NVH applications, have been shown that can be managed without movable components and / or external energy input. Summary of the Invention
[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a static mixer that is suitable for mixing two-component adhesive materials and at least partially reduces the disadvantages of traditional static mixers.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a static mixer that can independently mix and / or activate at least one component without movable mixing elements.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a static mixer which can independently mix and / or activate two-component adhesive materials without the need for movable mixing elements.
[0011] At least one of the above objects is achieved by a static mixer according to the independent claims. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent claims.
[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a static mixer for mixing and / or activating at least one component. The static mixer includes a port for receiving a starting material containing at least one component, a mixing chamber disposed downstream of the port, and an impact plate or impact device within the mixing chamber. A first nozzle is disposed between the port and the mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber is adapted to mix and / or activate and provide an accelerated jet of at least one component, and wherein the accelerated jet impinges on the impact plate.
[0013] The port is adapted to be mounted on a conventional metering machine for a starting material containing at least one component. In one embodiment, the port includes a thread. Alternatively or additionally, the port can be fixed by a clamping ring. The port can include a sealing ring. In one embodiment, the port can be formed as a mixing cup which can be connected to an external metering machine.
[0014] The starting material contains at least one component. In one embodiment, the starting material contains two components, for example, for two-component polyurethane foam. At least one component has a high viscosity.
[0015] The nozzle accelerates the starting material after it is received through the port due to its constriction compared to the diameter of the receiving opening. No external energy supply is required in addition to the injection of the starting material. In one embodiment, the nozzle is formed by a hollow cylinder. Alternatively, the nozzle can have a polygonal cross-section, in particular triangular, quadrilateral, pentagonal or hexagonal. The cross-section of the nozzle defines the cross-section of the jet, which in turn can affect the mixing in the mixing chamber.
[0016] The impact plate is arranged in the propagation direction of the accelerated jet such that the accelerated jet can impinge on the impact plate. The impact plate can in particular be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the static mixer. The impact plate forms a resistance or obstacle in the mixing chamber since it partially closes or delimits the mixing chamber in its position.
[0017] During operation, the (material) jet accelerated by the nozzle impinges on the impact plate, whereby at least one component can be activated. In addition, the jet undergoes a radial deflection, whereby the starting material can be further mixed. The mixed starting material can pass through the impact plate through at least one lateral opening between the impact plate and the inner wall of the mixing chamber and is provided by the static mixer.
[0018] Due to the impact on the impact plate, a jet with a circular cross-section can experience a substantially uniform radial distribution. Due to the angular cross-section, the radial distribution after impacting the impact plate can be controlled. For example, one corner of the jet cross-section can transport more material than between two adjacent corners.
[0019] The static mixer, particularly its mixing chamber, can have a cylindrical shape, i.e., a circular cross-section. In one embodiment, the static mixer has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group including oval, polygon, octagon, and combinations of their cross-sections.
[0020] The geometry of the impact plate can be consistent with or deviate from the cross-sectional shape of the mixing chamber. In one embodiment, the impact plate has a shape selected from the group including oval, polygon, octagon, and combinations of their cross-sections.
[0021] The impact plate is statically arranged in the mixing chamber. Thus, in the static mixer according to the present invention, no movable components are required to activate and / or mix at least one component.
[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, a static mixer for mixing and / or activating at least one component is provided. The static mixer includes a port for receiving a starting material containing at least one component, a first mixing chamber for pre-mixing at least one component, and a second mixing chamber arranged downstream of the first mixing chamber. The second mixing chamber includes a first nozzle for fluid communication with the first mixing chamber. The second mixing chamber is adapted to mix and / or activate and provide an accelerated jet of at least one pre-mixed component.
[0023] The static mixer according to this aspect of the present invention can include or have a port, a cross-section, and an impact plate in the second mixing chamber, as described above, and processes the same starting material. In particular, the second mixing chamber according to this aspect of the present invention can have the characteristics of the mixing chamber of the above-mentioned inventive aspect.
[0024] The first mixing chamber can be a conventional static mixing chamber for pre-mixing at least one component. The first mixing chamber can have an internal geometry selected from the group including: spiral geometry, X-shaped grid, spiral geometry, double spiral geometry, and combinations thereof.
[0025] The first mixing chamber and the second mixing chamber are connected by a first nozzle. On the input and output sides, the first nozzle can be connected to the first mixing chamber or the second mixing chamber through first and second conical structures respectively. In one embodiment, the first conical structure has a first slope and the second conical structure has a second slope. The slopes can be adapted to the viscosity of the starting material and / or be different.
[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a static mixer for mixing a two-component adhesive material. The static mixer includes ports for receiving two starting materials as components, a static mixing chamber for pre-mixing the two components, and a jet mixing chamber. The jet mixing chamber is arranged downstream of the static mixing chamber and includes a first nozzle for fluid communication with the static mixing chamber. The jet mixing chamber is adapted to mix and provide an accelerated jet of the pre-mixed components to the two-component adhesive material.
[0027] The static mixer according to this aspect of the present invention may include or have ports and cross-sections as described above. The first mixing chamber according to the above aspect may be a static mixing chamber, and the second mixing chamber may be a jet mixing chamber. In this regard, the static mixing chamber and the jet mixing chamber may have the above characteristics.
[0028] As the two-component adhesive material, for example, two-component polyurethane (TPP) for NVH applications can be mixed and / or activated by the static mixer according to the present invention.
[0029] The static mixer according to all the above aspects of the present invention is managed without additional energy supply or high-pressure recoil jets, and is thus more efficient and more sustainable than traditional mixing techniques, especially for two-component adhesive materials such as TPP.
[0030] In one embodiment, the static mixing chamber includes an internal structure that causes mixing of the starting materials, i.e., at least one of its components. The inventors were able to determine that the mixing success of the static mixer according to the present invention depends little on the specific configuration of the static mixing chamber, i.e., diameter, length, and / or internal geometry.
[0031] The starting materials pre-mixed in the static mixing chamber are accelerated through the first nozzle and aggregated into a jet.
[0032] In one embodiment, according to one of the above aspects, the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the static mixer. The first nozzle may be connected to the static mixing chamber through a first tapered portion and to the jet mixing chamber through a second tapered portion.
[0033] In one embodiment, according to one of the above aspects, the first tapered portion may have a first slope, and the second tapered portion may have a second slope less than the first slope.
[0034] In one embodiment, according to one of the above aspects, the jet mixing chamber further includes an impact plate or an impact device. The impact surface of the impact plate may be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the static mixer and / or be adapted to activate and mix the pre-mixed components.
[0035] The impact surface also physically activates the material mixture in order to achieve the complete product function of the material or starting material during subsequent chemical curing processes.
[0036] In one embodiment, the impact surface may have a microstructure in order to generate vortices on the impact surface as the impact jet propagates radially along it.
[0037] In one embodiment, according to one of the above aspects, the axis vertically passing through the center point of the impact plate and / or the impact surface is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle, such that the accelerated jet of the premixed components impacts the impact plate or its impact surface substantially centrally.
[0038] In one embodiment, according to one of the above aspects, the impact plate and / or the impact surface is formed to be rotationally symmetric. In one embodiment, the impact plate and / or the impact surface has a shape selected from the group including oval, polygon, angular, and combinations of their cross-sections.
[0039] In one embodiment, according to one of the above aspects, the impact plate is fixed to the inner wall of the jet mixing chamber by at least two suspension members.
[0040] Preferably, each of the at least two suspension members has a foot wider than the thickness of the impact plate.
[0041] The feet of the at least two suspension members are adapted to absorb the shear forces generated when impacting the surface. In one embodiment, the at least two suspension members further cause the backward guidance of the radially distributed jet, thereby enabling better mixing of the premixed components. A part of the radially distributed jet may pass through the impact plate between the at least two suspension members. In one embodiment, the jet chamber includes three suspension members for fixing the impact plate. The three suspension members may be arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the static mixer.
[0042] In one embodiment, according to one of the above aspects, the jet mixing chamber further includes a conical tip for providing a two-component adhesive material for mixing and / or activation.
[0043] Preferably, the conical tip is arranged below or behind the impact plate in the flow direction.
[0044] In one embodiment, according to one of the above aspects, the second nozzle is arranged at the outlet of the static mixer, preferably on or at the conical tip. Through the second nozzle, the two-component adhesive material for mixing and / or activation can be metered in a targeted manner.
[0045] In one embodiment, according to one of the above aspects, the static mixer is produced by an additive manufacturing method.
[0046] In one embodiment, the static mixer can be integrally produced with the above elements.
[0047] The static mixer may have a plurality of lateral openings in the region of the first nozzle for removing auxiliary structures or residual materials after performing an additive manufacturing method.
[0048] In one embodiment, the static mixer is produced from a liquid polymer, wherein the lateral openings are for discharging excess material during or after the production of the static mixer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] The present invention or further embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings, wherein the drawings only depict embodiments of the present invention. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings. Elements drawn in dashed lines are considered optional elements.
[0050] The drawings are not drawn to scale, and individual elements in the drawings may be shown in exaggeratedly large or exaggeratedly simplified form.
[0051] Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of a static mixer according to one aspect of the present invention is shown.
[0052] Figure 2a and Figure 2b A perspective view of a static mixer according to one aspect of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0053] Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of a static mixer according to one aspect of the present invention is shown.
[0054] According to Figure 1 the static mixer includes three regions: port 10, the first mixing chamber or static mixing chamber 20, and the second mixing chamber or jet mixing chamber 30.
[0055] The core of the present invention lies in the configuration of the jet mixing chamber 30, which is for fluid communication with the static mixing chamber 20 and includes a first nozzle 31 at the starting portion for generating an accelerating jet of the material to be mixed. Due to the narrowing of the first nozzle 31, the material is accelerated compared to the cross-section of the static chamber 20 that uses the Bernoulli effect. In addition, the material or starting material is aggregated through the first nozzle 31. The jet mixing chamber 30 is adapted to mix and / or activate and provide an accelerating jet of the material. The diameter of the first nozzle 31 will be selected in a manner specific to the material.
[0056] To this end, an impact plate 32 may be arranged inside the jet mixing chamber 30. The distance of the impact plate 32 from the first nozzle 31 and / or the diameter of the jet mixing chamber 30 or the impact plate 32 are selected according to the material.
[0057] Due to the impact of the impact plate 32, at least one pre-mixed component can be physically activated. In addition, at least one component is radially distributed along the impact plate 32 after the impact, wherein a part of the pre-mixed component can laterally pass through the impact plate 32 through the gap between at least two suspension members after the impact (see Figure 2a or Figure 2b ). Another part of the pre-mixed component can return after the impact in order to be further mixed with the subsequent jet.
[0058] Downstream of the impact plate 32, a conical part of the jet mixing chamber 30 and / or a second nozzle can be provided to provide at least one mixed component, in particular a mixed two-component adhesive material such as TPP, for its application.
[0059] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Perspective views of an embodiment of a static mixer according to one aspect of the invention are shown from two different perspectives.
[0060] In the embodiment of the static mixer 1 shown according to Figure 2a and Figure 2b , the impact plate 32 is fixed inside the jet mixing chamber 30 by three suspension members 37 such that during operation, the accelerated material jet is immediately impacted by the first nozzle 31 after entering the jet mixing chamber 30.
[0061] Each of the suspension members 37 can have a foot 38, which is represented by the dashed area in Figure 2a and Figure 2b , and its area is larger than the thickness of the impact plate 32. Thus, on the one hand, the impact plate 32 can be fixed more stably. On the other hand, a part of the material can return through the suspension members after the impact, that is, be guided in the direction of the first nozzle 31. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2a and Figure 2b , the suspension members can also serve as a guiding structure for a part of the material radially distributed after the impact, thereby improving the mixing of the material (i.e., the components). For this purpose, at least two suspension members can be substantially pyramid-shaped and / or their feet 38 can have a rectangular base surface, the longitudinal sides of which are parallel to the longitudinal axis LA of the static mixer 1.
[0062] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Also shown are a plurality of lateral openings 40, which are used in the region of the first nozzle 31 to remove auxiliary structures and / or excess polymer material from the inside of the static mixer 1 during or after the additive manufacturing process. In this case, no lateral openings are provided in the region of the jet mixing chamber 30 downstream of the second conical part 35.
[0063] Without external additional energy input and high-pressure recoil jets, the static mixer 1 according to one aspect of the present invention can physically activate and / or efficiently mix at least one component, in particular a two-component adhesive material. The static mixer 1 according to one aspect of the present invention is suitable for any desired two-component adhesive material.
[0064] List of reference numerals
[0065] 1 Static mixer
[0066] 10 Port
[0067] 20 Static mixing chamber
[0068] 25 First conical part
[0069] 30 Jet mixing chamber
[0070] 31 First nozzle
[0071] 32 Impact plate
[0072] 33 Second nozzle
[0073] 35 Second conical part
[0074] 36 Conical tip
[0075] 37 At least two suspension members
[0076] 38 Feet of the suspension member
[0077] 40 Lateral opening
[0078] LA Longitudinal axis of the static mixer
Claims
1. A static mixer (1) for mixing and / or activating at least one component, the static mixer (1) comprising: - a port (10) for receiving a starting material containing the at least one component, - a mixing chamber (30) arranged downstream of the port (10), - an impact plate (32) within the mixing chamber (30), wherein a first nozzle (31) is arranged between the port (10) and the mixing chamber (30), wherein the mixing chamber (30) is adapted to mix and / or activate and provide an accelerated jet of the at least one component, wherein the accelerated jet impacts the impact plate (32).
2. A static mixer (1) for mixing and / or activating at least one component, the static mixer (1) comprising: - a port (10) for receiving a starting material containing the at least one component, - a first mixing chamber (20) for premixing the at least one component, and - a second mixing chamber (30) arranged downstream of the first mixing chamber (20), including a first nozzle (31) for fluid communication with the first mixing chamber (20), wherein the second mixing chamber (30) is adapted to mix and / or activate and provide an accelerated jet of the at least one premixed component.
3. A static mixer (1) for mixing a two-component adhesive material, the static mixer (1) comprising: - a port (10) for receiving two starting materials as components, - a static mixing chamber (20) for premixing the two components, and - a jet mixing chamber (30) arranged downstream of the static mixing chamber (20), including a first nozzle (31) for fluid communication with the static mixing chamber (20), wherein the jet mixing chamber (30) is adapted to mix and provide an accelerated jet of the premixed components to the two-component adhesive material.
4. The static mixer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The longitudinal axis of the first nozzle (31) is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis (LA) of the static mixer (1), wherein the first nozzle (31) is connected to the static mixing chamber (20) through a first tapered portion (25) and to the jet mixing chamber (30) through a second tapered portion (35).
5. The static mixer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first tapered portion (25) has a first slope, and the second tapered portion (35) has a second slope smaller than the first slope.
6. The static mixer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The jet mixing chamber (30) further includes an impact plate (32), wherein the impact surface of the impact plate (32) is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (LA) of the static mixer (1) and is adapted to activate and mix the premixed components.
7. The static mixer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The axis passing vertically through the center point of the impact plate (32) is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first nozzle (31), such that the accelerated jet of the premixed components impinges substantially centrally on the impact plate (32).
8. The static mixer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The impact plate (32) is formed to be rotationally symmetric.
9. The static mixer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The impact plate (32) is fixed to the inner wall of the jet mixing chamber (30) by at least two suspension members (37), and preferably, each of the at least two suspension members (37) has a foot (38) that is wider than the thickness of the impact plate (32).
10. The static mixer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The jet mixing chamber (30) further includes a conical tip (36) for providing the two-component adhesive material and / or the static mixer (1) has a second nozzle (33) for providing the two-component adhesive material.
11. The static mixer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The static mixer (1) is produced by an additive manufacturing method, wherein the static mixer (1) has a plurality of lateral openings (40) in the region of the first nozzle (31) for removing auxiliary structures after performing the additive manufacturing method.