Dynamic Mixer Coupling Socket for Misalignment-Tolerant Torque Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Dynamic mixers used in multi-component material mixing often fail to align correctly with the drive shaft, leading to insufficient force transfer and potential snapping of the mixing rotor when dealing with highly viscous materials, resulting in inadequate mixing and increased production costs due to rejected mixers.

Innovation Solution

The dynamic mixer features a coupling socket with convex part surfaces that allow for improved alignment and force transfer, incorporating projections with consistent shape and size to accommodate misalignments and facilitate torque transfer in the desired direction of rotation, reducing the need for complex insertion aids and minimizing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the drive shaft operates at maximum RPM automatically, then the mixing process is efficient and productive, but the coupling socket cannot align correctly with the coupling plug and is destroyed by the metal drive shaft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidcoupling socket integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing insertion aids (protrusions on the coupling plug that engage with recesses in the coupling socket) that automatically align the coupling components before the drive shaft engages at maximum RPM. This preliminary alignment prevents misalignment damage while maintaining efficient automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the coupling socket is made of plastic to reduce cost, then production cost is reduced, but the coupling socket cannot withstand the force transfer from the metal drive shaft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidforce transfer capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining plastic for the coupling socket body (cost-effective) with metal reinforcement elements (strengthening inserts or ribs) at critical stress points. This composite approach maintains low production cost while providing sufficient strength to withstand force transfer from the metal drive shaft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If the coupling socket has a simple hexagonal shape to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but misalignment with the coupling plug causes improper engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling socket designVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If the rotor is operated at maximum RPM with misalignment, then productivity is maintained, but shear forces cause the rotor to snap

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing speedVSAvoid rotor integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing insertion aids that automatically align the coupling components before the drive shaft engages at maximum RPM. This preliminary alignment prevents misalignment-induced shear forces that would cause rotor snapping, allowing safe operation at maximum productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11617996B2Dynamic mixer, automatic mixing unit and method of installing and driving a dynamic mixer

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 MEDMIX SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

A dynamic mixer for mixing a multi-component material includes a mixing rotor capable of being rotated about an axis of rotation, the mixing rotor having a coupling socket configured at an end thereof. The coupling socket has a reception space configured to receive at least a part of a polygonal shaped coupling plug of a drive shaft to transfer torque from the drive shaft to the mixing rotor. The reception space has an inner length in the direction of the axis of rotation and has an inner surface extending over the inner length and surrounding the axis of rotation.