Micro-Static Mixer Structure for Leak-Free Cleaning and Low-Flow Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional micro-static mixers face issues with fragile mixing elements due to small diameters, leading to damage during cleaning, and require a large number of components and a large structure, with potential fluid leakage.

Innovation Solution

A micro-static mixer design with a straight passage and branching passage housing an elongated mixing element, allowing for easy removal and cleaning, and a single-unit construction to prevent leakage, using a thick, integral structure with a belt-shaped mixing element for efficient mixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the diameter of the mixing element is reduced to obtain small amount of mixed fluid, then the productivity is improved, but the mixing element becomes more fragile and is damaged during cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of mixed fluidVSAvoidfragility of mixing element
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable components: the mixing element can be removed from the main body for cleaning without damage. The joint structure allows disassembly into the main body, mixing element, and cap, enabling safe cleaning of the fragile mixing element separately from the robust housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the joint is tightened to fix the cylindrical body to the fluid delivery tube, then the reliability is improved, but the mixing element becomes impossible to remove for cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid-tight connectionVSAvoidremovability of mixing element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The joint structure provides dynamic functionality: when tightened, it creates a secure fluid-tight connection; when loosened, it allows easy removal of the mixing element for cleaning. The cap and joint mechanism enable the system to switch between fixed and removable states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the main body is composed of multiple plates and spacers, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the device complexity increases and fluid leakage becomes possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly of main bodyVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple components (first plate, second plate, and spacers) are merged into a single integrated main body structure. This reduces the number of separate parts, eliminates potential leakage points at mating surfaces, and simplifies the overall device while maintaining manufacturability through integral forming processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4674522A1Microstatic mixer for mixing two components
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 NORITAKE CO LTD
  • EP4674522A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4674522A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4674522A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Provided is a micro-static mixer for mixing two components, the micro-static mixer having few components, being small in size, and eliminating the possibility of leakage of a liquid mixture or the like. The micro-static mixer comprises a first passage 38 that connects a first connection part 20 and a third connection part 24, a second passage 40 that branches from the first passage 38 and opens at a second end surface 14, and a long mixing element 42 that is accommodated within the first passage 38, the long mixing element 42 being positioned adjacent to a third tube 34 connected by a third joint 36 that is connected to the third connection part 24. As a result, the long mixing element 42 is accommodated within the linearly formed first passage 38, can be configured so that a main body 18 is integrally formed with a thick-walled portion thereof, and has high rigidity, making it possible for the long mixing element 42 to be extracted during cleaning; thus, high cleansing performance is achieved, the possibility of leakage of a liquid mixture (third liquid F12) is eliminated, the number of components in the mixer 10 becomes fewer, and the framework thereof decreases in size.