Mixing Device Handling Head for Granular Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mixing devices for powdered or granular substances are inflexible, requiring separate mixers for different container diameters, and are contaminated after each use, leading to inefficiencies and the need for frequent cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A mixing device with a handling head that can grip and release containers with varying sizes and lids, allowing for continuous operation without cleaning, and equipped with adjustable clamping means and multi-axis movement for efficient mixing and container handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a stationary mixing device with fixed mixing head is used, then mixing process is stable, but the device cannot accommodate containers of varying heights and diameters and requires cleaning after each use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of varying container sizesVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing device employs a movable mixing head with multiple degrees of freedom instead of a stationary fixed structure. The mixing head can move along the container axis and rotate, adapting its position and orientation to match containers of different sizes. This dynamic capability allows the same device to accommodate varying container dimensions without requiring multiple specialized mixers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mixing device remains stationary with fixed positions, then structural simplicity is maintained, but loading and emptying can only occur at a single point and the device is immobile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility and multi-position operationVSAvoiddevice mobility mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing head is designed with movable mounting on the container, allowing it to be positioned at different locations along the container axis and at different angular orientations. This enables the mixing device to perform mixing operations at various positions within the container, providing mobility and versatility without requiring the entire device to be physically relocated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the mixing device cleans itself after each use, then contamination is prevented, but the mixing device requires additional cleaning mechanisms and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing device efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing lid is designed as a separate removable component that can be detached from the container after mixing. By extracting the mixing lid as a separate element, the mixing device avoids direct contact with the mixed material inside the container. The lid can be easily removed and set aside, preventing contamination of the mixing device structure while eliminating the need for complex cleaning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If one mixer is used per container diameter, then mixing precision is optimized, but the system lacks flexibility and requires multiple mixers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer size flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of mixers required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing device is designed as a universal system where the mixing head can accommodate containers of different diameters and heights through adjustable positioning mechanisms. The same mixing device can be used for multiple container sizes by adjusting the mixing head position and orientation, eliminating the need for multiple specialized mixers while maintaining mixing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3442693B1Method and device for mixing pulverous or granular materials
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 HONEMEYER CHRISTIAN
  • EP3442693B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3442693B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3442693B1 patent drawingFigure 6~11

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for mixing pulverous or granular materials, wherein a mixing vessel (2) is filled with a specified amount of the materials to be mixed, an opening of the mixing vessel is covered with a mixing cover (4), the mixing vessel covered by the mixing cover is brought into a specifiable feed position within a grasping region of a mixing device (12), a handling head (18) of the mixing device, which handling head can be rotated about at least one axis and/or can be moved in at least one direction of motion, is brought into a starting position corresponding to the specified feed position, the mixing vessel is grasped in the feed position by the handling head, the mixing vessel is moved by the mixing device into at least one mixing position in accordance with a specified mixing process and the contained materials are mixed, and, after the conclusion of the mixing process, the mixing vessel is brought into a specifiable delivery position different from the feed position and the at least one mixing position by means of the handling head and is released from the mixing device in the specified delivery position while covered by the mixing cover.