Stationary Liquid Mixing Vessel with Segmented Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid mixing devices fail to achieve the highest level of purity, especially in the ultra-trace range, due to contamination risks from personnel, air turbulence, and insufficient cleaning methods, which are critical for maintaining the cleanliness of stationary vessels used for mixing highly aggressive and sensitive liquids.

Innovation Solution

A liquid mixing device with a stationary vessel design that includes a cleaning system utilizing ultrapure water, multiple valves for fluid control, and a drainage system to ensure thorough cleaning, along with a dosing liquid dispensing device and exhaust air system to manage liquid movement and drying, ensuring the highest cleanliness standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional cleaning with ultrapure water from one side is used, then the cleaning process is simple, but the cleanliness level is insufficient for ultra-trace range mixing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleanliness levelVSAvoidcleaning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning process is segmented into multiple independent cleaning paths: (1) cleaning liquid flowing from above through the dosing device into the interior space, (2) cleaning liquid flowing from below through the drain pipe into the interior space, and (3) cleaning liquid flowing through the exterior space. This segmentation allows thorough cleaning of all surfaces including hard-to-reach areas, achieving ultra-trace cleanliness levels while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular valve control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If ultrasonic actuator is used for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but chemical reactions with certain liquids and unwanted liquid movement occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidchemical reactions and liquid splashing
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic mechanical vibration system is replaced with a fluid-based cleaning system using ultrapure water flow. The cleaning mechanism shifts from mechanical ultrasonic waves to hydraulic flow forces that rinse and flush contaminants from all surfaces. This substitution eliminates chemical reactions and unwanted liquid movement while maintaining high cleaning effectiveness through the dual-directional flow paths and overflow cleaning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If cleaning liquid is introduced only from above, then the system structure is simple, but deposits on walls and edges cannot be effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposit removal effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning liquid delivery system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

In addition to the conventional top-down cleaning approach, the system introduces cleaning liquid from below through the drain pipe in the opposite direction. This inverted bottom-up flow path creates counter-current cleaning action that effectively removes deposits from walls and edges by flushing them from the base upward. The combination of opposite-direction flows enhances deposit removal effectiveness while the valve system manages the added complexity efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Manufacturing precision

If the vessel is cleaned until overflow, then complete cleaning of interior surfaces is achieved, but liquid waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoidcleaning liquid waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows cleaning liquid to overflow from the interior space through the exterior space to the drain, deliberately discarding used cleaning liquid that has become contaminated. This ensures complete cleaning of all surfaces including upper walls and edges that cannot be reached by drainage alone. The overflow mechanism guarantees cleaning completeness while the continuous flow ensures contaminants are flushed out, accepting controlled liquid waste as necessary for achieving ultra-trace cleanliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 device effectively maintains the highest cleanliness standards by ensuring thorough cleaning and drying of the mixing vessel, preventing contamination and achieving reliable mixing results in the ultra-trace range, even with highly aggressive liquids.

Implementation Method 1

The means of transport can be a pump which ensures that the cleaning liquid in the first cleaning liquid reservoir is under pressure so that the cleaning liquid can reach the interior

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

An exhaust air device and a pump are preferably also provided, with the exhaust air device being connected to the drain pipe and the pump being provided for generating a negative pressure in such a way that liquid particles are drawn from the interior into the exhaust air device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Depressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP2849894B1Device for mixing liquids
Publication Date: 2019.01.16 PVA TEPLA
  • EP2849894B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2849894B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2849894B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for mixing liquids. The device comprises a container having an inner chamber, which comprises an opening at the lower end thereof. The opening can be opened and closed by means of a closure. The device further comprises an outlet pipe, the interior of which is connected to the opening, an outlet, and a first valve for the switchable connection of the outlet to the outlet pipe. The device also comprises a cleaning liquid reservoir for cleaning liquid, a second valve for the switchable connection of the cleaning liquid reservoir to the outlet pipe, and a transport means for transporting cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid reservoir to the inner chamber.