Silicone Mixer Cooling to Halt Vulcanization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing silicone manufacturing processes face inefficiencies and safety concerns due to the need for hazardous chemical cleaning during downtime, leading to material loss and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus arrangement where the silicone mixer is cooled to a temperature that halts the chemical reaction between subcomponents during downtime, allowing for uninterrupted production without the need for chemical cleaning, using a cooling element or separate cooling apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mixer is cleaned using hazardous solvents during downtime, then the vulcanization of silicone composition is prevented, but occupational safety deteriorates and environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of vulcanization in mixerVSAvoidoccupational safety and environmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of vulcanization (which occurs during downtime) into a beneficial storage state. By allowing controlled vulcanization during downtime and then removing the vulcanized composition, the system eliminates the need for hazardous cleaning solvents. The vulcanization reaction, normally a problem, becomes a method of stable storage that prevents degradation and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temperature parameter to control the vulcanization process. By lowering the temperature during downtime, the vulcanization reaction is slowed or stopped, preventing unwanted curing in the mixer. This temperature control allows the system to maintain reliability without requiring hazardous chemical cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the mixer is cleaned during downtime, then vulcanization is prevented, but downtime duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of vulcanization in mixerVSAvoiddowntime duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention eliminates the time-consuming cleaning operation by converting the vulcanization process into a beneficial storage mechanism. The vulcanized composition is removed and replaced with fresh material, eliminating the need for cleaning and significantly reducing downtime while maintaining mixer reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables continuous production by eliminating the cleaning interruption. The mixer remains in a usable state throughout the process, with vulcanized composition being removed and replaced rather than requiring cleaning, thus maintaining continuous useful action without downtime losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If the mixer is cleaned during downtime, then vulcanization is prevented, but material loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of vulcanization in mixerVSAvoidsilicone composition loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the problematic vulcanized residue into a valuable stored product. Instead of discarding vulcanized composition during cleaning, the system removes and stores it for later use, eliminating material loss while maintaining mixer reliability for ongoing production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If the mixer is cleaned during downtime, then vulcanization is prevented, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of vulcanization in mixerVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention eliminates costly hazardous cleaning operations and material waste by converting vulcanization into a beneficial storage method. The system recovers and reuses vulcanized composition, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining product quality and mixer reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 approach eliminates the need for hazardous chemical cleaning, reduces downtime and startup times, and prevents material loss, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and enhancing occupational safety.

Implementation Method 1

a silicone composition mixer is cooled to a temperature, in which a chemical reaction between different subcomponents of a silicone composition stops

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS10189183B2Method and apparatus arrangement for mixing silicone composition

Publication Date: 2019.01.29 PRO HYDRO

AI summary

In the manufacturing method and manufacturing arrangement according to the invention for a silicone composition the mixer mixing the different subcomponents of the silicone composition are removed for the duration of downtime and cooled to a temperature, in which the chemical reaction between the different subcomponents of the silicone composition stops. In the manufacturing method of the invention the mixer is reconnected to the manufacturing apparatus arrangement after downtime without cleaning it from the silicone composition subcomponents remaining in the mixer.