Static Mixer Concave Corner Fillings Flow Stagnation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Static mixers for curing products face a reduction in output due to increasing pressure drop and viscosity changes, leading to a finite service life, especially when mixing high-viscosity substances like sealants and adhesives, resulting in inefficient mixing and reduced product discharge.
Innovation Solution
The mixer incorporates concave corner fillings in its mixing chambers to direct flowable components towards outlets, reducing stagnation and pressure gradients, thereby extending the service life by minimizing flow resistance and maintaining mixing quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disposable mixer is used for mixing curing products, then good mixing results are achieved, but the service life is limited due to increasing pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming concave corner fillings in the mixing chambers. These concave surfaces redirect the flow of components away from the corners, preventing stagnation and reducing pressure gradients. The curved geometry optimizes flow patterns to maintain mixing quality throughout the service life of the disposable mixer element.
2Duration of action of moving object
If extruding pressure is increased to extend service life, then discharge duration is prolonged, but the pressure drop within the mixer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the mixing chamber by introducing concave corner fillings. This modifies the flow characteristics and pressure distribution within the mixer, reducing the pressure gradient along the flow path and allowing for extended discharge duration with lower pressure drops.
3Duration of action of moving object
If corner fillings are added to mixing chambers, then flow resistance is reduced and service life extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding corner fillings only in specific locations (the corners of the mixing chambers) rather than redesigning the entire mixing chamber structure. This localized modification optimizes flow in critical stagnation zones while keeping the overall device complexity low and maintaining compatibility with injection molding manufacturing.
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 concave corner fillings in the mixer's design enhance the service life by reducing stagnation and flow resistance, allowing for continuous or quasi-continuous mixing with consistent pressure, thereby improving the mixing efficiency and extending the operational lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
reducing stagnation and pressure gradients
Implementation Method 2
minimizing flow resistance
Data Source
AI summary
The static mixer is used for a curing mixed product of flowable components that react to form a solidifying mass on mixing. The mixer has mixing chambers that are arranged behind one another and next to one another along a tube axis. Each mixing chamber is delineated by longitudinal walls oriented in the direction of the tube axis and by transverse walls standing transversely to the tube axis. Openings in the longitudinal walls and in the floor of each mixing chamber establish inlets and outlets for the mixed product. The corner of at least some of the mixing chambers upstream of an outlet in the longitudinal walls is filled in to form a concave surface for directing the flowable components towards the outlet. The transverse wall at an inlet to at least some of the mixing chambers is also formed with a concave surface for directing the flowable components through the inlet into the mixing chamber.