Static Mixer Threaded Cartridge Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cartridge systems face issues with cross-contamination and flow resistance due to misalignment of mixer nozzles, and they lack a reliable and simple connection mechanism between the mixer and the cartridge.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge system with a threaded connection using a positioning element and external/internal threads ensures correct alignment and secure locking, preventing cross-contamination and minimizing flow resistance by engaging the positioning element before the threads connect, thus ensuring proper nozzle alignment and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bayonet connection is used for connecting the mixer to the cartridge, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the alignment precision between inlet and outlet nozzles cannot be reliably ensured, leading to cross-contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into three functional segments: a positioning element (tongue) for alignment, an internal thread for secure connection, and an outlet nozzle for material flow. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, ensuring both reliable connection and precise alignment without cross-contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning tongue engages in the positioning opening before the threaded connection is established. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the inlet nozzle is correctly aligned with the outlet nozzle before the mixer is fully secured to the cartridge, preventing misalignment and cross-contamination.
2Ease of operation
If coding elements are provided to prevent wrong orientation, then the mixer should be fitted in a specific position, but cross-contamination cannot be reliably avoided if the mixer is misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning tongue has an asymmetric geometry that only fits into the corresponding asymmetric positioning opening in one specific orientation. This asymmetric design provides intuitive guidance for correct orientation while the threaded connection ensures that secure attachment only occurs when the asymmetric positioning elements are correctly aligned, reliably preventing cross-contamination.
3Manufacturing precision
If the inlet area of the mixer is designed to catch or deflect the leading component, then the component that tends to run ahead is caught before mixing, but the flow resistance within the mixer increases due to multiple deflections
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir chamber provides a preliminary holding area for the leading component before it enters the mixing chamber. This preliminary action allows the leading component to be temporarily stored and then released in a controlled manner, ensuring uniform mixing without requiring multiple deflections that would increase flow resistance.
4Manufacturing precision
If a threaded connection is used with positioning element engaging before threads engage, then correct alignment is ensured and cross-contamination is prevented, but the connection mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning tongue and threaded connection are merged into a single integrated coupling structure. The tongue is formed as an integral part of the cartridge coupling, and the thread is formed on the cartridge body itself. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the beneficial effects of both positioning and secure connection.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a cartridge system comprising two containers (2a, 2b) which each have an outlet connector (4a, 4b) and a common connection area for a mixer (1) provided with a positioning opening (7), and a static mixer (1) with inlet connectors (14a, 14b) and a positioning element (16). Said connection area of the cartridge comprises a ring (5), which surrounds the outlet connectors (4a, 4b), said ring having an internal screw thread (6), the mixer (1) comprising an external screw thread (11). The invention further relates to a static mixer (1) for said type of cartridge system.