Self-Balancing Paint Adapter for Stable Multi-Container Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mixing apparatuses struggle to accommodate and balance multiple smaller containers of varying sizes during a single mixing cycle, leading to challenges in maintaining rotational stability and efficient mixing.

Innovation Solution

A self-balancing adapter that incorporates movable counterweights and ramp features to offset the weight of smaller containers, allowing for easy insertion and balanced mixing of one or more containers of different sizes within a single adapter unit, maintaining rotational balance and smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mixing apparatus is designed to receive a standard size container, then it can maintain rotational balance and smooth operation, but it cannot accommodate smaller sample size containers effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer size compatibilityVSAvoidrotational balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter incorporates movable counterweights that can be positioned to offset the weight of containers of varying sizes. When a smaller sample container is inserted, the counterweight mechanism adjusts to compensate for the reduced total weight, maintaining rotational balance and preventing vibration during mixing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter employs movable and adjustable components including counterweights that can shift position dynamically. This allows the adapter to adapt its balance characteristics in real-time based on the container size and weight being processed, enabling it to maintain stability across different container types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple smaller containers are mixed simultaneously, then mixing efficiency increases, but rotational balance and stability become difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidrotational stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter uses movable counterweights that can be positioned to compensate for the combined weight of multiple smaller containers. The counterweight mechanism adjusts to offset the total mass being processed, ensuring rotational stability even when multiple containers of varying sizes are mixed simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is designed to accommodate multiple containers of different sizes in a single mixing cycle. The universal design includes adjustable counterweights and positioning mechanisms that work whether one or multiple containers are loaded, maintaining stability across all configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If containers of different sizes are loaded into the adapter, then versatility is improved, but the adapter becomes unbalanced and difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer configuration flexibilityVSAvoidmixing operation smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter incorporates movable counterweights that automatically or manually adjust to balance the adapter when containers of different sizes are loaded. This ensures that the adapter remains rotationally balanced regardless of container configuration, maintaining smooth operation and ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The counterweight mechanism is designed to self-adjust or easily adjust to maintain balance. The movable counterweights can be repositioned by the user or automatically adjust to compensate for different container loads, eliminating the need for complex external balancing mechanisms and simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables seamless mixing of multiple smaller containers by maintaining the center of gravity, reducing vibration, and ensuring consistent mixing performance regardless of the number or position of containers loaded.

Implementation Method 1

at least one movable counterweight configured to be displaced when the first vessel is received in the first recess such that the movable weight at least partially offsets a weight of the first vessel within the body with respect to the vertical adapter axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCounterweight: Balance

Data Source

PatentUS20250345762A1Sample paint adapter

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 RADIA KB

AI summary

A self-balancing adapter for use with a mixer, the adapter having a body configured to interface with the mixer as a unit, the body having a front and a back, left and right edges, a top and a bottom, and a vertical axis passing through the top and the bottom, where the front has at least a first recess configured to receive and hold a first vessel substantially within the body; and the adapter having at least one movable counterweight configured to be displaced when the first vessel is received in the first recess such that the movable weight at least partially offsets a weight of the first vessel within the body with respect to the vertical axis.