Quick Disconnect Mixing Assembly for IBCs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing solutions for intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) are often cumbersome, costly, and require significant maintenance, limiting their efficiency and versatility for mixing liquids within IBCs.
Innovation Solution
A modular, portable, and lightweight mixing assembly comprising a rigid shaft, end and start connection components, a motor drive, and a quick-disconnect system that allows for easy attachment and detachment from IBCs, enabling efficient mixing without the need for extensive cleaning or maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional mixing solutions are used for intermediate bulk containers, then mixing capability is provided, but the equipment is cumbersome, costly, and requires significant maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing assembly is divided into separate modular components including a motor drive assembly, a mixing shaft with agitation elements, and a quick disconnect coupling system. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently at lower cost and simplifies the overall structure, eliminating the need for complex integrated mixing systems while maintaining full mixing functionality.
2Reliability
If traditional mixing solutions are used for intermediate bulk containers, then mixing capability is provided, but extensive cleaning and maintenance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing shaft and agitation elements are designed as removable components that can be easily extracted from the container through the quick disconnect coupling system. This extraction capability allows for rapid removal and cleaning of the mixing components without disassembling the entire mixing system, significantly reducing cleaning effort and maintenance time while ensuring reliable sanitation.
3Ease of operation
If a modular quick-disconnect system is implemented, then ease of attachment and detachment is improved, but connection reliability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The quick disconnect coupling system merges multiple connection functions into a single integrated coupling mechanism that simultaneously provides mechanical attachment, electrical connection, and alignment features. This merging allows for rapid one-action attachment and detachment while maintaining reliable connections through the combined functionality of the coupled components.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a mixing assembly. The mixing assembly includes a rigid shaft; an end connection component coupled to a first end of the rigid shaft; and a start connection component coupled to a second end of the rigid shaft opposite to the first end of the rigid shaft. Further, a motor drive is coupled to the start connection component and configured to rotate the start connection component, the rigid shaft, and the end connection component. A collar is arranged between the start connection component and the motor drive. A connector is arranged between the collar and the start connection component. The connector includes threads configured to threadably attach to an opening in an intermediate bulk container for mixing a liquid housed therein.