Pipe Bend Mixing Chamber Geometry to Prevent Beverage Encrustation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing devices for instant beverages suffer from encrustation issues in the pipe bend, leading to undesirable soiling and frequent cleaning needs due to particle deposition.
Innovation Solution
The mixing device incorporates a pipe bend with an internal wall featuring a planar surface on the outer curve, angled at 35° to 55°, which enhances flow velocity and prevents particle deposition by allowing particles to slide down easily, thus preventing encrustation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pipe bend is used to connect the inlet chamber to the rotor chamber, then the mixing device structure is simple, but particle deposition and encrustation occur in the outer curve of the bend
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe bend is designed with different surface characteristics in different regions: the outer curve features a planar surface at a specific angle to prevent particle deposition, while other regions maintain conventional curved surfaces. This local differentiation addresses the encrustation problem specifically in the outer curve without redesigning the entire pipe bend structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometry of the pipe bend outer curve is modified by introducing a planar surface at a specific angle (between 10° and 70° relative to the pipe bend axis). This parameter change in surface orientation alters the flow dynamics and particle trajectory, preventing deposition while maintaining the overall pipe bend structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the pipe bend outer curve has a conventional curved surface, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but particles deposit and encrustation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Only the outer curve surface of the pipe bend is modified to include a planar section, while the rest of the pipe bend maintains its conventional smooth curved surface. This localized modification minimizes manufacturing complexity while effectively addressing the encrustation problem in the critical outer curve region.
3Productivity
If particles are not prevented from depositing in the pipe bend, then cleaning frequency increases and maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The planar surface on the pipe bend outer curve proactively prevents particle deposition before it can occur by creating flow conditions that keep particles suspended. This preliminary anti-action eliminates the need for subsequent cleaning operations, saving maintenance time and maintaining continuous productivity.
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
This design significantly reduces particle deposition and encrustation in the pipe bend, improving the through-flow and reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
the planar surface on the side of the outer curve in the pipe bend, which planar surface extends at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, results in the flow velocity in this outer curve being relatively high, thus preventing the deposition of particles
Implementation Method 2
The planar surface which is situated perpendicularly below the inlet opening furthermore results in the particles which fall down through the inlet opening and land on this straight surface easily sliding downwards along this straight, planar surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mixing device (2) for mixing a liquid, such as water, with an instant ingredient to form a beverage. The mixing device (2) comprises a mixing chamber (13,16,24) and a rotor (25). The mixing chamber (13,16,24) comprises an inlet chamber (13), a rotor chamber (24) and a pipe bend (16). The inlet opening (29) of the pipe bend (16) extends in the horizontal plane. The rotor (25) is provided in the rotor chamber (24). The internal wall of the pipe bend (16) has, on the side of the outer curve (11), a planar surface (37) which is defined by a first direction (H) and a second direction (D). The first direction (H) extends in the horizontal direction and the second direction (D) extends at right angles to the first direction (H), at an angle to the horizontal plane. The planar surface (37) is situated perpendicularly below the inlet opening (29) of the bend (16).