Static Mixer Sealing Element for Mixing Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art static mixers often exhibit deficiencies in mixing quality, particularly the presence of streaks of unmixed material due to gaps between the mixer housing and mixing inset, allowing poorly mixed material to bypass further mixing and reach the outlet.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sealing element between the mixer housing and peripheral web to block or reduce unwanted material flow, which can be a protrusion on the inside or outside of the mixer housing, designed to be flexible and angled to effectively seal the gap, ensuring thorough mixing by preventing unmixed material from propagating to the outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a small gap is left between the mixing inset and mixer housing for assembly reasons, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the mixing quality deteriorates due to unmixed material flowing through the gap
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the mixing inset and mixer housing. This seal blocks the gap that would otherwise allow unmixed material to flow through, thereby preventing the deterioration of mixing quality while maintaining the ease of assembly through a simple snap-fit connection.
2Ease of operation
If the sealing element is made flexible, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed as a flexible component that can be easily inserted into the gap between the mixing inset and mixer housing. The flexibility allows the seal to conform to slight variations in the gap dimensions and facilitates simple assembly, while still providing sufficient sealing action to prevent unmixed material flow.
3Manufacturing precision
If the sealing element is positioned to completely block the gap, then the mixing quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than implementing a complex sealing system throughout the entire mixer, the invention applies a simple sealing element only at the specific location where the gap between the mixing inset and mixer housing allows unmixed material to escape. This localized approach improves mixing quality without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A static mixer for mixing together at least two components includes an injection molded or dimensionally stable mixer housing, a mixing inset arranged at least partly in the mixer housing, the mixing inset including a plurality of mixing elements which are connected by at least one peripheral web, and a sealing element. A passage between the mixer housing and the at least one peripheral web is blocked by the sealing element, and the sealing element is located in a middle section of a set of mixing elements.