Hinged Static Mixer Housing for Cleanable Fluid Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing static mixers for fluids, such as cosmetic formulations, are difficult to clean and reuse effectively, lacking in design features that simplify maintenance and allow for easy disassembly for cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A static mixer with hingedly connected housing halves and a static mixing cavity featuring baffles to create a mechanical mixing path, allowing for easy opening and cleaning, along with a fluid mixing system that includes check valves and flexible cartridges for efficient fluid mixing and dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the static mixer housing is designed as a single integrated unit, then manufacturing precision and structural integrity are improved, but ease of cleaning and maintenance deteriorate due to inability to disassemble for thorough cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separable housing halves that can be detached from each other, allowing the mixing cavity to be accessed for thorough cleaning while maintaining structural integrity when assembled. The detachable design enables disassembly for cleaning purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the static mixer housing is made detachable for easy cleaning, then ease of cleaning is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional connection and disconnection mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidhousing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into two halves connected by a hinge mechanism, providing simple detachability for cleaning without requiring complex disassembly procedures. The hinge allows easy opening and closing while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the mixing cavity has a complex internal structure with multiple baffles for effective mixing, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates due to difficult access and multiple surfaces to clean

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing effectivenessVSAvoidease of cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing cavity is formed within the detachable housing halves, allowing the entire cavity including all baffle structures to be removed and thoroughly cleaned. The segmented housing design provides access to all internal mixing surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the baffles detachable, the housing itself is made detachable, inverting the approach to cleaning accessibility. This allows the baffles to remain fixed for effective mixing while the housing provides the removable access path for cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Productivity

If the static mixer is designed for reuse, then loss of time for production is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to difficulty in thorough cleaning and potential cross-contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereuse efficiencyVSAvoidcross-contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable housing design enables complete disassembly for thorough cleaning of all internal surfaces, eliminating hidden areas where contamination could occur. This ensures reliable reuse by preventing cross-contamination between different fluid mixing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enables simplified cleaning and reuse of the static mixer, ensuring effective mixing and minimizing cross-contamination, while allowing for the use of different fluid combinations and easy maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

the static mixing cavity defines a fluid mechanical mixing path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mechanical mixing: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

housing halves hingedly connected at one end, the housing halves configured to pivot with respect to the other about a hinge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge mechanism: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

The system also includes check valves associated with the one of the first and second connector ports or the first and second fluid connector fittings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCheck valve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 4

the first and second cartridges having a flexible housing configured so that when pressed, forces are applied to a fluid contained therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure application: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11820577B2Static mixer

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 LOREAL SA

AI summary

A static mixer suitable for mixing liquids, pastes, creams, gels or other fluids. Fluids introduced into a static mixing cavity of the static mixer are mechanically mixed by the static mixing cavity, and then dispensed from an outlet as a mixed fluid. The static mixer may be formed by two housing halves that are hingedly connected so that the static mixer can be easily opened for cleaning the static mixing cavity.