Sprayer Mixer Suction Lance and Tangential Injection Nozzle

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for mixing liquid and solid products in agricultural sprayers are physically demanding and pose environmental and health risks due to manual handling and potential splashing, with inefficient dispersion and clogging issues.

Innovation Solution

A mixer that allows direct suction of the solid product from its original container using a suction lance, featuring a tangentially or annularly injected liquid nozzle to create a vortex, a frustoconical bowl for enhanced mixing, and a venturi-effect suction system to prevent clogging and promote homogeneous mixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual handling and dumping of solid product bags is used, then the operation is simple and requires minimal equipment, but it is physically demanding, time-consuming, and poses environmental and health risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual operation simplicityVSAvoidincorporation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a suction lance connected to a vacuum system to aspirate solid products from containers and transport them through hoses into the spray tank. This pneumatic approach replaces manual handling, allowing rapid incorporation of multiple containers without physical strain on the operator, thus improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated suction and transport mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Device complexity

If manual dumping of solid product is performed, then no additional equipment is needed, but it creates pollution risks and operator exposure to harmful substances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution and operator exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closed pneumatic system aspirates solid products through sealed hoses, preventing product spillage and dust dispersion into the environment. The operator remains isolated from direct contact with harmful substances, as the suction lance handles all interactions with the solid product containers, thereby eliminating pollution and exposure risks while using relatively simple equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The suction lance acts as an intermediary between the operator and the solid product containers. It performs all functions of product handling, transport, and deposition into the tank, shielding the operator from direct exposure to harmful substances and preventing environmental contamination, thus resolving the contradiction between equipment simplicity and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If solid product is directly dumped into the tank, then the process is quick, but it causes product loss through spilling and inefficient mixing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveincorporation speedVSAvoidproduct loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic suction system precisely controls the transport and deposition of solid products into the tank, eliminating spilling and overflow losses. The controlled aspiration and directed delivery ensure complete product transfer from containers to tank, maintaining high incorporation speed while preventing substance loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Device complexity

If liquid is injected axially into the mixing bowl, then the injection is simple, but it causes liquid to reassemble the suction lance and creates clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection system simplicityVSAvoidsuction lance clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The injection nozzle is positioned asymmetrically at the periphery of the mixing bowl rather than axially at the center. This off-center positioning directs liquid flow away from the suction lance, preventing liquid from reassembling the lance and causing clogging, while maintaining a relatively simple injection system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

5Device complexity

If powdery products are mixed manually in the tank, then the mixing process is simple, but it results in non-homogeneous mixture and wall clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing process simplicityVSAvoidmixture homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing system incorporates vibration or agitation mechanisms that actively mix powdery products with liquid in the bowl, ensuring homogeneous distribution and preventing product adhesion to walls. This mechanical action achieves precise mixing quality while maintaining a relatively simple overall process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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

Reduces manual labor, minimizes environmental pollution, and ensures a homogeneous mixture by preventing clogging and promoting efficient aspiration and evacuation of the mixture.

Implementation Method 1

a second suction input which connects the evacuation duct of the bowl for Create a depression in the cuvette by venturi effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

a suction lance (18) which extends from a suction tip (20) adapted to suck the product (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAspiration: Suction

Implementation Method 3

the injection nozzle of the liquid extends generally tangentially to the axis of revolution of the bowl, so as to inject the liquid onto the wall of the bowl by printing a vortex movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP3256238B1Mixer for drawing and mixing a solid product with a liquid from a tank of a sprayer
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 EXEL INDUSTRIES
  • EP3256238B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a mixer (10) for drawing and mixing a solid product (12), such as a powder, with a liquid (14) from a tank (16), characterised in that it includes a drawing wand (18) which has a drawing tip (20) suitable for drawing said powder product (12), a mixing vat (32) which has a rotation shape delimited by a side wall (36), the discharge tip (22) of the drawing wand (18) leading into the top (38) of the vat (32) so as to inject the product (12) into the vat (32), a hydraulic circuit (46) designed to circulate the liquid (14) between the tank (16) and the vat (32), said circuit (46) including at least one injection duct (48) which includes at least one injection nozzle (52) leading into the top (38) of the vat (32) so that the liquid (14) from the tank (16) flows over the side wall (36) of the vat (32).