Powder Mixing Machine Valve System Prevents Liquid Backflow

Solution Overview

Problem

Continuous mixing machines for powders and liquids in paint production face issues with blockages due to unexpected viscosity changes, leading to operational disruptions when the rotor slows or stops, causing liquid to rise and accumulate in the powder feeding channel.

Innovation Solution

A mixing machine with a valve system that automatically closes to prevent liquid from rising into the powder inlet duct when anomalies occur, ensuring continuous operation and preventing blockages, featuring a rotatable powder inlet section and a mechanical seal to isolate the mixing chamber from the drive shaft, allowing for easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If continuous mixing is used to prevent batch mixer viscosity issues, then productivity is improved, but blockages occur when rotor slows or stops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous mixing capabilityVSAvoidblockage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing chamber is divided into two separate sections: a liquid feeding section and a powder feeding section. This segmentation prevents liquid from entering the powder feeding channel when the rotor stops, eliminating blockages while maintaining continuous mixing capability through independent control of each section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A valve is introduced as an intermediary element between the liquid feeding section and the powder feeding channel. The valve acts as a mediator that automatically closes to block liquid flow when the rotor slows or stops, preventing blockages in the powder feeding channel while allowing continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If high-speed stirring rotor is used for intensive dispersion, then mixing quality is improved, but blockages form when rotor slows down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform distribution of materialsVSAvoidblockage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing chamber is divided into two separate sections: a liquid feeding section and a powder feeding section. This segmentation prevents liquid from entering the powder feeding channel when the rotor stops, eliminating blockages while maintaining continuous mixing capability through independent control of each section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A valve is introduced as an intermediary element between the liquid feeding section and the powder feeding channel. The valve acts as a mediator that automatically closes to block liquid flow when the rotor slows or stops, preventing blockages in the powder feeding channel while allowing continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If rotor stops or slows down during operation, then energy consumption is reduced, but liquid rises along powder feeding channel causing blockages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidblockage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing chamber is divided into two separate sections: a liquid feeding section and a powder feeding section. This segmentation prevents liquid from entering the powder feeding channel when the rotor stops, eliminating blockages while maintaining continuous mixing capability through independent control of each section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A valve is introduced as an intermediary element between the liquid feeding section and the powder feeding channel. The valve acts as a mediator that automatically closes to block liquid flow when the rotor slows or stops, preventing blockages in the powder feeding channel while allowing continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution ensures uninterrupted operation by preventing blockages and allowing for easy maintenance, maintaining efficient mixing and product flow even when rotor speed is compromised, enhancing reliability and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanical seal to isolate the mixing chamber from the drive shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical seal:

Implementation Method 2

a valve system that automatically closes to prevent liquid from rising into the powder inlet duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 3

a rotor that rotates inside the mixing chamber and allows fast and efficient mixing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational mixing: Stirring

Data Source

PatentEP4480572A1A mixing machine for continuously mixing powder material into a liquid flow

Publication Date: 2024.12.25 DROMONT

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AI summary

A mixing machine (10) for continuously mixing powder material in a liquid flow, comprising: - a mixing section (40), - a liquid inlet section (56) located above the mixing section (40), - a powder inlet section (60) located above the liquid inlet section (56) and having a through-channel (62) having a lower end communicating with the liquid inlet chamber (57) and an upper end communicating with at least one powder inlet duct (63), wherein the powder inlet section (60) comprises a valve (64) having a valve member (66) cooperating with a valve seat formed in the through-channel (62) of the powder inlet section (60).