Static Mixer Chamber Layout to Prevent Unmixed Streaks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixers for pasty and flowable components, particularly those that harden, face challenges in achieving thorough mixing without complex and costly structures, often resulting in unmixed streaks and inconsistent mixing ratios.
Innovation Solution
A mixer design featuring cuboid chambers connected via through-openings, with a mixing element comprising strips and a web forming an H-shaped cross-section, and strategically arranged through-openings to prevent unmixed streaks, along with a storage chamber to manage initial component ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complex mixing elements with multiple flow sections are used to improve mixing result, then mixing quality improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing element is segmented into multiple chambers (first chambers and second chambers) arranged along the longitudinal axis, with through-openings providing controlled connections between chambers. This segmentation allows simple geometric shapes to achieve complex mixing patterns through sequential flow paths, resolving the contradiction between mixing quality and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing element transitions from a two-dimensional cross-sectional view to a three-dimensional structure with chambers arranged along the longitudinal axis. Through-openings connect chambers at different axial positions, creating multi-level flow paths that enhance mixing without requiring complex in-plane geometries, thus improving mixing quality while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex mixing elements with multiple flow sections are used to improve mixing result, then mixing quality improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing element is divided into multiple chambers connected by through-openings, allowing each chamber to be a simple geometric shape that can be manufactured using standard injection molding techniques. This segmentation enables complex mixing functionality to be achieved through simple, cost-effective manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The design parameters of the chambers and through-openings (such as chamber length, opening size, and positioning) can be adjusted to optimize mixing quality for different applications. This parametric approach allows a single base design to serve multiple purposes without requiring complex custom manufacturing, thereby controlling costs while maintaining high mixing quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If flow sections guiding components from center to outer areas and vice versa are used, then mixing result improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing element segments the flow path into sequential chambers with through-openings that force the fluid to transition between chambers. This segmentation naturally creates alternating flow patterns (center-to-outer and outer-to-center) through the chamber arrangement and opening positioning, achieving complex mixing patterns without requiring explicitly complex flow section geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing complex flow sections to actively redirect flow from center to outer areas and back, the invention inverts the approach by using simple chamber walls and strategically positioned through-openings to passively induce flow direction changes. The flow naturally alternates directions as it passes through the series of chambers, achieving the desired mixing pattern through inverted simplicity.
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 design ensures thorough mixing with a simple, cost-effective structure, reducing unmixed streaks and maintaining consistent mixing ratios, suitable for disposable applications.
Implementation Method 1
the chambers are connected to each other via through-openings provided in the side walls... the components to be mixed are not mixed by an actively driven mixing element, but rather flow past a mixing element and are mixed in the process
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a mixer for mixing pasty components, comprising a mixing case (1) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) and having at least one inlet, preferably two inlets (7), and an outlet (8), and comprising at least one mixing element (2) received in the mixing case (1), which defines a plurality of chambers (20, 21) together with the mixing case (1), said chambers being arranged successively and/or adjacently along a flow path from the inlets (7) to the outlet (8). The chambers (20, 21) are defined by transverse walls (17), each extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (L), and four side walls (13, 14, 18) that each extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (L), and adjacent chambers (20, 21) are interconnected by a flow by means of through-openings (15, 16, 19) provided in the side walls (14, 18), the mixing element (2) comprising two strips (13) forming side walls, which are connected by a web that forms other side walls and is perpendicularly arranged in relation to the strips (13), a first group of chambers (20) having first through-openings (15) arranged in the web (14), which extend up to a strip (13), and a second group of chambers (21) comprising second through-openings (16) positioned at a distance to at least one strip (13) in the web (14).