Modular Mixer Insert With Segmented Turbulence Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mixer inserts for mixing fluid components in tubular passages are not easily adaptable to different mixing tasks and do not efficiently handle fluids with short pot life, as they require complex assembly and maintenance, and often fail to effectively mix highly viscous or pasty materials.

Innovation Solution

A modular mixer insert with a support rod element and turbulence elements, where turbulators can be non-rotatably attached and inserted into the passage, allowing for adjustable assembly and use of different materials, enabling efficient mixing by creating turbulence and swirling of fluids through helical and spiral fluid vanes, and allowing for both static and dynamic mixing configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional mixer inserts are used, then mixing function is provided, but adaptability to different mixing tasks is poor and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different mixing tasksVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixer insert is divided into a support rod element and multiple separate swirl elements that can be independently mounted. This segmentation allows different swirl elements to be selected and assembled on the same support rod for different mixing tasks, improving adaptability without increasing overall assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support rod element serves as a universal mounting structure that can accommodate multiple different swirl elements. This universal design allows a single support rod to be used with various swirl elements for different mixing applications, enhancing versatility while maintaining simple assembly procedures.

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

2Reliability

If complex assembly structures are used, then mixing performance improves, but ease of assembly and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing performanceVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the swirl elements from the support rod and providing standardized mounting features, the design achieves reliable mixing performance through proper element positioning while maintaining ease of assembly. Each swirl element can be independently installed or removed without affecting the support rod or other elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If rotationally fixed swirl elements are used, then mixing efficiency for short pot life materials improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire mixer insert rotationally fixed, only the swirl elements are designed to be rotationally fixed on the support rod while the support rod itself remains rotatable. This inverted approach achieves efficient mixing for short pot life materials while maintaining simple overall device structure.

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

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 modular design enhances mixing efficiency, allows for easier assembly and maintenance, and effectively handles a wide range of fluid properties, including highly viscous materials, by creating efficient turbulence and swirling patterns, thus improving mixing performance and reducing material usage.

Implementation Method 1

turbulence elements that redirect, deflect, locally stagnate, create turbulence, and/or swirl the flowing fluid, thus mixing it thoroughly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

swirl elements with a fluid vane oriented to guide fluid spirally (in particular in the axial direction of the support rod element) around the support rod element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP2906334B1Mixer insert
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 TARTLER UDO
  • EP2906334B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2906334B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2906334B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a mixer insert (2) which comprises at least one whirling element (6, 8) and a carrier rod member (4) for at least one of the whirling elements, which mixer insert is adapted for being inserted into a tubular duct, which is in a line connection with at least two component feeds of a device for mixing at least two liquid components, characterized in that at least one of the whirling elements can be mounted on the carrier rod element, in particular retroactively.