Helical Mixing Structure for Vortex Flow and Wall Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing assemblies are inefficient in converting heterogeneous products into homogeneous mixtures, particularly when dealing with liquids and non-liquids, as they often fail to effectively distribute and mix substances evenly, leading to incomplete blending.
Innovation Solution
A mixing assembly comprising a container with a helically extending mixing structure that moves within the container, creating a vortex flow and utilizing a conically shaped tip and planar outer surface to engage corners and scrape the container walls, ensuring thorough mixing by varying cross-sectional sizes and a channel design that enhances product contact with solid portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional mixing structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the mixing efficiency is insufficient and heterogeneous products cannot be effectively transformed into homogeneous mixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing structure employs a helical wall extending about a body axis, creating a curved, vortex-inducing flow path. This curvature transforms linear motion into rotational vortex flow, significantly enhancing mixing efficiency without requiring complex mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing structure adds a helical dimension to the mixing process, transforming simple linear or radial motion into three-dimensional vortex flow. The helical wall creates a spiral flow pattern that enhances product contact and mixing thoroughness without increasing structural complexity
2Productivity
If the mixing structure does not engage container walls, then the structure is simple, but product settling and adherence to container walls occurs, reducing mixing thoroughness
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing structure features a conically shaped tip at one end of the body portion, specifically designed to engage corners and walls of the container. This localized geometric feature enables wall engagement and prevents product settling without requiring the entire structure to be complex
Solution Approach 2:
The helical wall creates a curved flow path that guides product along the container walls, ensuring thorough contact and preventing adherence. The curved geometry naturally directs flow to engage all surfaces, improving mixing thoroughness through geometric design rather than mechanical complexity
3Productivity
If the channel length equals the wall length, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the product contact time is reduced, lowering mixing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The helical wall creates an extended curved path for product flow, increasing the effective contact length without requiring a proportionally longer structure. The curved geometry naturally extends the flow path, allowing product to traverse a longer distance and contact time along the helical surface
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 mixing assembly effectively transforms heterogeneous products into homogeneous mixtures by creating a vortex flow and ensuring thorough product contact, reducing the likelihood of settling and adherence, thus improving mixing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
creating a vortex flow
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing assembly includes a container having a wall that defines an interior chamber within which a product is received. A mixing structure is received within the interior chamber and mixes the product. The mixing structure has a body portion that extends along a body axis between a first end and a second end. The first end of the body portion has a first cross-sectional size. The second end of the body has a second cross-sectional size that is larger than the first cross-sectional size. The body portion has a wall that extends helically about the body axis between the first end and the second end. The wall defines a channel that extends helically about the body axis. An end axis extends perpendicular to the body axis radially outwardly to an exterior of the body portion through an opening defined by the wall.