Adjustable Mixing Paddles for Drum Surface Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction materials tend to adhere to the inner surfaces of mixing drums, leading to inefficient mixing and removal, as existing mixing technologies fail to uniformly engage and scrape these surfaces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mobile mixing apparatus with adjustable paddles, including a central paddle, base paddle, and side paddle, that can be positioned to maximize engagement with the inner surfaces of the mixing drum, utilizing a drive axle and paddle adjustment bars for rotation and adjustment, ensuring thorough mixing and removal of materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional mixing technologies are used, then the mixing drum can rotate and mix materials, but the construction materials adhere to the inner surfaces and are not effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing system is segmented into multiple functional paddle components (central paddle, base paddle, side paddle) that can be independently adjusted. Each paddle type targets specific areas of the drum interior, dividing the material removal task across multiple specialized elements rather than relying on a single mixing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The paddles are mounted on adjustable mechanisms that allow dynamic repositioning during operation. The central paddle can be adjusted radially, the base paddle can be positioned along the drum's length, and the side paddle can be angled and positioned to optimize engagement with adhered materials at different drum locations.
2Device complexity
If fixed paddles are used in the mixing drum, then the structure is simple, but the paddles cannot uniformly engage and scrape all inner surfaces of the drum
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable paddle system serves multiple functions: mixing materials during rotation, scraping adhered materials from the drum interior, and adjusting to optimize performance for different material types and drum configurations. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate fixed paddle systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows continuous adjustment of paddle parameters including radial position, longitudinal position, and angular orientation. These parameter changes enable the same paddle structure to effectively engage different portions of the drum interior surface, achieving uniform surface coverage without requiring complex multi-component structures.
3Reliability
If the paddles are adjusted to maximize surface engagement, then material removal improves, but the adjustment mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable paddles are positioned and secured using mechanisms that allow operators to easily adjust and lock positions during normal operation. The self-adjusting design enables operators to optimize paddle engagement for different mixing tasks without requiring complex external adjustment systems or specialized tools.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile mixing apparatus for ensuring optimal mixing of a material includes a support member which is mobile on a support surface. A mixing drum is carried by the support member. The mixing drum has a base drum end, a side drum wall extending from the base drum end, an open drum end opposite the base drum end, a drum interior extending between the base drum end and the open drum end, a central inner surface and a base inner surface on the base drum end and a side inner surface on the side drum wall and facing the drum interior. A paddle assembly is disposed for rotation in the drum interior of the mixing drum. The paddle assembly includes a plurality of paddles engaging the central inner surface, the base inner surface and the side inner surface, respectively, of the mixing drum. At least one motor drivingly engages the paddle assembly for rotation in the drum interior of the mixing drum.