Bulk Material Mixing Device with End-Placed Lump Breaking Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bulk material mixing devices face challenges in achieving homogeneous mixing results and maintenance convenience due to the interference between mixing units and lump breaking units, leading to inefficient lump breaking and maintenance difficulties.

Innovation Solution

The mixing device is designed with a lump breaking unit arranged in an end area of the mixing container, positioned opposite the mixing unit, allowing for a large mixing unit with minimal interference. The mixing unit is mounted on one side, and the lump breaking unit is accessible via a pivoting door, enabling efficient lump breaking and easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the mixing unit and lump breaking unit are arranged in the mixing container, then mixing and lump breaking functions are achieved, but interference between the units occurs leading to maintenance difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing and lump breaking functionVSAvoidmaintenance convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing device is divided into functionally independent units: a mixing unit with mixing elements and a lump breaking unit with cutter elements. Each unit can be independently accessed and maintained through separate access points, eliminating interference during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lump breaking unit with cutter elements is positioned to protrude into the mixing container from the end wall, allowing it to be extracted or accessed separately from the mixing unit. This separation enables independent maintenance of each component without disrupting the other unit's operation or access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If a large mixing unit is used to achieve homogeneous mixing, then mixing quality improves, but space for lump breaking unit access is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing homogeneityVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lump breaking unit is positioned in the end wall area of the mixing container, utilizing the axial dimension rather than competing for radial space. This allows a large mixing unit to occupy the central volume while the cutter elements access the material from the end, maintaining both mixing efficiency and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutter elements are positioned to protrude into specific regions of the mixing container where lumps are most problematic, rather than requiring full radial access. This localized approach allows the mixing unit to maintain large dimensions for homogeneous mixing while the lump breaking unit provides targeted intervention where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the cutter element protrudes deep into the mixing container for effective lump breaking, then lump breaking efficiency improves, but collision risk with mixing unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelump breaking efficiencyVSAvoidcollision avoidance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cutter elements are positioned to protrude into the mixing container from the end wall before the mixing process begins. This preliminary positioning allows lumps to be broken up as they are conveyed into the mixing zone, preventing large lumps from interfering with the mixing unit's operation and reducing collision risk during mixing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The end wall structure serves as an intermediary between the lump breaking unit and the mixing container interior. The cutter elements protrude through this intermediary structure, allowing effective lump breaking while the end wall itself acts as a barrier that prevents direct collision between the cutter elements and the mixing unit operating in the central volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3315191B1Mixing device, in particular bulk material mixing device, and method
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 GERICKE AG MASCHINENFABRIK
  • EP3315191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3315191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3315191B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a mixing device, in particular a bulk material mixing device, with at least one mixing container (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d; 12e) which has a receiving area (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d; 14e) for receiving a mixture, with at least one mixing unit (16a; 16b; 16c; 16d; 16e) mounted on one side, which is provided for mixing the mixture located in the mixing container (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d; 12e), and with at least one lump-breaking unit (18a; 18b; 18c; 18d; 18e) which has at least one cutter element (20a; 20b; 20c; 20d; 20e). It is proposed that at least one lump-breaking unit (18a; 18b; 18c; 18d; 18e) is arranged in an end region (22a; 22b; 22c; 22d; 22e) of the mixing vessel (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d; 12e).