Mortar Mixer Paddle Assembly for Polyethylene Drum Build-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Masonry industry faces challenges in cleaning mortar mixers, especially with polyethylene drums, due to reduced mixing pressure and slurry build-up, which prolongs the mixing process and complicates site cleanup, particularly on high-rise sites with water restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A portable mortar mixer paddle assembly with a rectilinear shaft and air-generating paddles that operate at a slow speed, incorporating mechanisms for air entrainment, horizontal reciprocation, and radial redirection of mortar slurry to prevent build-up, using a polyethylene drum without chemical additives, ensuring creamy and consistent mortar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional rectilinear shaft and steel paddles are used with polyethylene drum, then the mixer can operate, but mixing pressure is insufficient and mixing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a curved shaft that rotates to generate dynamic mixing action, replacing the static rectilinear shaft. The curved geometry creates varying radial forces during rotation that enhance mixing pressure while maintaining compatibility with polyethylene drums.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curvature by replacing the rectilinear (straight) shaft with a curved shaft design. This curvature allows the paddles to follow a rotational path that generates centrifugal and radial forces, improving mixing pressure without requiring high rotational speeds.
2Reliability
If traditional paddles are used with polyethylene drum, then the drum is protected from wear, but slurry build-up occurs on paddle components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the curved shaft and paddle assembly to automatically prevent slurry build-up through its rotational motion and geometric configuration. The design eliminates the need for separate cleaning mechanisms or chemical additives, allowing the system to maintain itself during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic rotation of the curved shaft creates continuous motion that prevents slurry from adhering to paddle surfaces. The varying forces during rotation dislodge any potential build-up, keeping the system clean without additional components.
3Productivity
If traditional paddles are used with polyethylene drum, then the mixer operates, but mixing time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The curved shaft design creates a rotational mixing pattern that enhances the efficiency of each rotation cycle. The curved geometry ensures that material is continuously lifted and dropped, creating more effective mixing action per unit time compared to linear reciprocating motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating curved shaft creates periodic mixing action through its rotational cycles. Each rotation provides a repeated sequence of lifting, dropping, and shearing forces on the mortar, which accelerates the mixing process compared to traditional linear motion.
4Stability of the object's composition
If chemical additives are used to reduce sand clumps, then mortar consistency improves, but chemical usage is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical additives with a mechanical solution - the curved rotating shaft that physically breaks down sand clumps through its rotational motion and associated forces. This mechanical action achieves the same result as chemicals would, but without introducing foreign substances into the mortar mix.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own mechanical energy from rotation to break down clumps and achieve consistent mortar, without requiring external chemical inputs. The curved shaft design inherently provides the necessary mixing action to maintain mortar composition stability.
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 significantly reduces mixing time by 30%, eliminates slurry build-up, and enhances mortar quality with elevated entrained air, making the mixer self-cleaning and more efficient, reducing labor and material costs.
Implementation Method 1
Air-generating paddles force entrained air into the mixing batch to provide creamy and consistent mortar
Implementation Method 2
a rectilinear shaft having a centrally registered longitudinal axis and configured to be operably rotated along a unidirectional counter clockwise rotation while positioned in an existing polyethylene drum for preparing a mortar mixture
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of venturi mid-paddles statically affixed to a second group of the paddle arms and being intermediately positioned between the plurality of air-generating paddles and the plurality of lateral paddles
Data Source
AI summary
The mortar mixer paddle assembly includes a rectilinear shaft having a centrally registered longitudinal axis, a tow-end and an engine-end axially opposed from the tow-end, and a plurality of rectilinear paddle arms radially extending outwardly from the centrally registered longitudinal axis. A mechanism for entraining air into the mortar mixture and along the rectilinear shaft inside the existing polyethylene drum is provided. A mechanism for horizontally reciprocating a mortar mixture slurry along a bi-directional linear travel path parallel to the centrally registered longitudinal axis of the rectilinear shaft is provided. A mechanism for radially redirecting slow-moving mortar mixture slurry, traveling along the rectilinear shaft, upwards into faster moving arcuate travel paths rotating about the rectilinear shaft thus eliminating mortar mixture slurry build-up on the rectilinear shaft and the rectilinear paddle arms is provided.