Gravity-Driven Stirrer Lid for Paint Homogenization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paint stirring and dosing systems are inefficient due to dependence on viscosity, leading to ineffective homogenization and potential emulsion or hardening issues, especially with modern paints that require reduced solvent levels and shorter or no shaking protocols.
Innovation Solution
A stirrer cover with a hollow cylinder and agitator shaft, where the blade is driven by its own weight, ensuring effective rotation and homogenization, combined with a variable-flow spout system and a cylindrical roller drive system for efficient paint agitation and preservation, adaptable to various container sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical drive system is used to rotate the stirring blade, then the stirring action can be controlled, but the system becomes complex and difficult to manage for multiple lids
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring blade is designed to rotate automatically using the gravitational force of the paint itself. As paint is poured into the container, it flows down the inclined blade, causing the blade to rotate without any external mechanical drive system. This self-service mechanism eliminates complex motors and transmissions while maintaining effective stirring action.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the mechanical drive system entirely from the lid assembly. By extracting the motor and transmission components, the design achieves simplicity and ease of operation while relying on the natural flow of paint to provide the stirring action through gravity-assisted flow down the inclined blade.
2Reliability
If the stirring blade is fixed to the lid, then it rotates with the lid, but the stirring effect becomes ineffective for high viscosity paints
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is designed with freedom of rotation relative to the lid, allowing it to dynamically adjust its rotational speed and orientation based on the paint viscosity and flow characteristics. The blade can rotate independently at optimal speeds regardless of lid rotation, ensuring effective stirring for both low and high viscosity paints through adaptive motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The stirring mechanism is separated into independent rotational components: the lid rotation and the blade rotation. This segmentation allows the blade to rotate independently at speeds optimized for stirring effectiveness, while the lid provides structural support and paint delivery through the spout, decoupling the two functions for improved reliability across different paint viscosities.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If modern paints with reduced solvent levels are used, then environmental standards are met, but the paints require shorter or no shaking protocols and can emulsion or harden
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined blade design creates continuous gentle agitation from the moment paint is poured into the container. This preliminary action prevents emulsion and hardening by maintaining constant motion that keeps pigments suspended, addressing the stability issues of modern low-solvent paints before they can develop problems during storage or use.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade design ensures continuous stirring action as paint flows down the inclined surface. This continuous useful action maintains paint homogeneity and prevents the emulsion or hardening issues that occur with static or intermittent stirring, particularly important for modern paints with reduced solvent levels that are more prone to these problems.
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 solution ensures effective homogenization of paint contents, reduces hardening, and maintains viscosity over time, improving ergonomics and reducing motor power and noise levels, while being adaptable to different container sizes and types.
Implementation Method 1
the blade(s) being driven at least in rotation around the agitator axis by the weight of the blade or blades which are located in the container
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a stirrer lid (5) intended to be fitted on a container (1), characterized in that it comprises: • - a hollow cylinder (60) passing perpendicularly through the centre of the lid; • - a first end (62) of a stirrer shaft (61) mounted so as to move freely at least in translation in the hollow cylinder (60); • - the second end (63) of the stirrer shaft (61) being provided with at least one stirring blade (6) which is free at least in rotation with respect to the stirrer shaft (61), the blade or blades (6) being driven at least in rotation about the stirrer shaft (61) by the weight of the blade or blades (6), which are located in the container (1) when the lid (5) is fitted on the container (1). The invention also relates to a system using the lid.