Flexible Stirrer Tool with Radial and Distal Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stirrer tools are limited in their ability to completely remix products with varying viscosities and sedimentation, as they often cannot reach the bottom and corners of containers, and are either too large, expensive, or damage the container due to inflexible materials.
Innovation Solution
A stirrer tool with a flexible, stiff enough head component featuring radially extending projections and distally extending fingers, capable of being inserted through small openings, and a vortex mixing action, combined with an elongate shaft for rotation, allowing for effective mixing without damaging the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard materials like inflexible metal wire are used for the stirrer tool, then the tool has sufficient strength to dislodge and disrupt materials, but the tool cannot be inserted through small openings and frequently damages the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible shaft made of flexible material that can bend and conform to pass through small openings in containers. The flexible shaft includes flexible projections that can flexibly insert through openings smaller than the overall circumference of the stirrer tool head, enabling access to containers that rigid tools cannot reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The stirrer tool features a dynamic configuration where the flexible projections can change their spatial arrangement. The projections are capable of collapsing or reconfiguring to facilitate insertion through small openings, then expanding to their operational configuration for effective mixing. This dynamic adaptability allows the same tool to serve both insertion and mixing functions effectively.
2Productivity
If the stirrer tool is designed to reach the bottom and corners of containers, then complete mixing of sediment is achieved, but the tool size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stirrer tool head is segmented into multiple independent flexible projections (at least three projections extending radially outward). Each projection can independently reach into corners and along the bottom of containers, distributing the mixing function across multiple simpler elements rather than requiring a single complex structure. This segmentation enables complete mixing capability while keeping individual components simple.
3Productivity
If multiple and multi-level projections are added to reach bottom and corners, then mixing completeness improves, but the tool becomes more complex and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible projections are designed with variable parameters including different lengths, angles, and curvatures to optimize their reach into different container regions. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the projections can be configured to effectively reach bottom and corner areas without requiring complex multi-level structures. The flexibility of the material allows these parameter variations to be achieved through relatively simple manufacturing processes.
4Productivity
If the stirrer tool uses vortex mixing action, then mixing efficiency improves, but the tool requires sufficient speed and static to create vortex
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating flexible projections create vortex mixing action through their rotation, generating fluid flow patterns that efficiently mix contents. The flexible nature of the projections allows them to adapt to the fluid dynamics, creating effective vortices with lower power requirements compared to rigid impellers. The projections' flexibility enables them to work effectively with a wider range of viscosities while maintaining mixing efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool efficiently mixes viscous products by creating a vortex and reaching sediment at the bottom and corners of containers, ensuring thorough mixing without damaging the container, and can be adapted for various container sizes and materials.
Implementation Method 1
the first plurality of projections configured to provide a vortex mixing action
Implementation Method 2
The projections may be made of a substantially stiff material that is flexible enough to be bent to fit through an opening in a container
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a stirrer tool that includes a head component having a first plurality of projections extending substantially radially out from and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a body portion. Head component may also have a second plurality of projections extending in a substantially distal direction away from a distal end of the body portion, and all of the projections may be made of a substantially stiff material that is flexible enough to be bent to fit through an opening in a container that is smaller in diameter than a diameter of the head component and stiff enough to mix viscous products. The projections may further be capable of being shortened by cutting off a selected length of the projections. The first plurality of projections may be configured to create a vortex mixing action and the second plurality of projections may be configured to reach and stir up sediment on bottoms and in corners of containers. The system may further include an elongate shaft, which may be coaxially aligned with, and a distal end of the elongate shaft may be attached to the head component and the proximal end of the elongate shaft may be configured to be removable held in a device to rotate the elongate shaft.