Portable Mixer Agitator Cleaning via Longitudinal Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning methods for agitators of portable mixers are inefficient, time-consuming, and messy, often requiring additional equipment and manual effort, and fail to effectively remove adhering materials without causing contamination.
Innovation Solution
A vibration device integrated into the agitator housing uses strong longitudinal vibrations to detach materials from the agitator blades, which are then returned to the mixing vessel, utilizing a freewheel clutch to transmit vibrations only in the cleaning direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cleaning brushes are mounted in a special container to clean agitators, then the agitator can be cleaned relatively well, but the mixing material lands on the cleaning brush which requires additional cleaning effort and the device takes up large space
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the cleaning function with the existing mixer housing by integrating a vibration device into the housing structure. The vibration device uses the mixer's own motor and mechanical structure to generate cleaning vibrations, eliminating the need for separate cleaning brushes and containers. This merging approach maintains effective cleaning while significantly reducing device complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitation cleaner uses the mixer's own vibration mechanism to clean the agitator. The vibration device is activated by the mixer motor itself, allowing the system to clean the agitator using its own operational characteristics. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external cleaning equipment and reduces overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the agitator is immersed in water while rotating to remove material, then the material can be removed from the agitator, but the mixed material enters the water and contaminates the surrounding area
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses mechanical vibrations generated by the vibration device to detach material from the agitator blades. The vibrations cause the adhering material to separate from the agitator surface and fall back into the mixing vessel due to gravity, eliminating the need for water immersion. This approach prevents material contamination while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of adhering material (which makes cleaning difficult) into a beneficial effect by using the same material's weight and the vibration-induced motion to force the material back into the mixing vessel. The material that would normally be a cleaning obstacle becomes the medium through which the cleaning action is achieved, preventing contamination.
3Ease of operation
If scraping is used to remove material from agitator blades, then the material can be removed, but significant manual effort and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration device generates strong longitudinal vibrations that automatically detach adhering material from the agitator blades. This mechanical vibration replaces manual scraping actions, significantly reducing the time and effort required for cleaning while achieving effective material removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical scraping system with an automated vibration-based system. The vibration device, driven by the mixer motor, automatically performs the cleaning function that previously required manual scraping, reducing both time and effort while maintaining effective material removal.
4Productivity
If a vibration device is built into the agitator housing to clean the agitator, then the cleaning process becomes automated and efficient, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration device is integrated into the existing mixer housing structure, combining the cleaning function with the mixer's mechanical framework. This merging approach achieves automated efficient cleaning while minimizing the increase in device complexity by reusing existing structural elements and the mixer motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixer motor serves dual functions: driving the agitator for mixing and driving the vibration device for cleaning. This multi-functionality increases productivity by enabling automated cleaning without requiring a separate motor or power source, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 vibration device efficiently cleans agitator blades by separating adhering materials back into the mixing vessel, reducing cleaning time and effort, and minimizing contamination, with optional manual cleaning for stubborn residues.
Implementation Method 1
clean the agitator with strong longitudinal vibrations of the agitator, which cause the mixed material to separate from the agitator
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a freewheel clutch to transmit vibrations only in the cleaning direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device for the automatic cleaning of tools, in particular agitators of portable mixers. The device consists of a stationary vibration ring (3) which is arranged immovably in the front housing of the mixer (1) centrally to the mixing shaft (2). A movable vibration ring (4) is arranged opposite it in the longitudinal direction and is attached to the mixing shaft (2) via a freewheel clutch (5). The stationary vibration ring (3) and the movable vibration ring (4) are provided with intermeshing teeth in the longitudinal direction. The diameter of the movable vibration ring (4) decreases gradually in the longitudinal direction. An axial roller bearing (9), on which one end of the spring (10) rests, rests on the resulting annular surface (8).The other end of the spring (10) rests on a ring (11), which is supported on the housing of the mixer (1) via a driver (12) mounted in the housing of the mixer (1). The force of the spring (10) thus acts on the movable vibration ring (4) on the one hand and on the ring (11) on the other side, the longitudinal displacement of which is limited by the driver (12). The movable vibration ring (4) is immovably connected to the mixing shaft (2) in the longitudinal direction, so that the longitudinal movement of the movable vibration ring (4) is transmitted to the mixing shaft (2). The mixing shaft (2) is mounted in the front housing of the mixer (1) in such a way that it can move partially in the longitudinal direction.