Under-mirror Jet Mixer for Air-free Paint Component Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing paints and varnishes struggle with efficiently distributing critical components like thickeners and solvents in storage containers without introducing air, which can lead to issues such as agglomeration or gel formation, especially when dealing with large volumes and medium-viscous media.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using an under-mirror jet mixer in the storage container to introduce components through a passage in the wall, ensuring they are added close to the mixer head, allowing for air-free distribution, with the option of circulation and precise control via a pump, and incorporating a static mixing element in the circulation circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If components are added to the intermediate product in the storage container, then the distribution of critical components is achieved, but air may be introduced leading to agglomeration or gel formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution speed of critical componentsVSAvoidproduct quality (avoiding agglomeration and gel formation)

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A pump is introduced as an intermediary device to add components to the intermediate product. The pump delivers components in a controlled, air-free manner through a dosing unit, preventing air entrapment while ensuring rapid and homogeneous distribution of critical components throughout the large volume of paint or varnish.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual or gravity-based addition of components is replaced with a mechanically controlled pump system. This substitution enables precise dosing and controlled delivery of components, ensuring they are incorporated immediately and uniformly without introducing air, thus preventing agglomeration and gel formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If components are added quickly to large volumes of intermediate product, then distribution time is reduced, but homogeneous mixing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime for component distributionVSAvoidhomogeneity of component distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pump operates continuously to deliver components throughout the intermediate product in the storage container. This continuous action ensures that components are distributed uniformly across the entire volume without interruption, achieving both rapid incorporation and homogeneous mixing simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The circulation of the intermediate product through the system allows it to pass repeatedly through the dosing unit where components are added. This self-circulating mechanism ensures continuous mixing and homogeneous distribution of components throughout the large volume of paint or varnish without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If manual addition of components is used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but air entrapment and inconsistent dosing occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of component addition systemVSAvoiddosage accuracy and air-free incorporation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Manual component addition is replaced with an automated pump system that provides precise dosing control. The pump delivers components at controlled rates through a dosing unit, ensuring accurate dosage and air-free incorporation while maintaining relatively simple equipment architecture suitable for industrial paint and varnish production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach ensures rapid, air-free distribution of critical components, preventing negative product properties like agglomeration, and allows for efficient adjustment of paint ingredients in large volumes directly in the storage container, optimizing production capacity by decoupling time-critical adjustments from dissolvers and inline dispersing machines.

Implementation Method 1

the intermediate product is mixed in the storage container with a jet mixer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

The components are preferably introduced into the reservoir with a pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2985073B1Method and device for preparing colours and paints

Publication Date: 2018.07.04 REMMERS BAUCHEM

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Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

In a process for manufacturing paints and varnishes, in which an intermediate product is stored in a storage container 1 and mixed in the storage container 1 with a jet mixer 2, the mixing is carried out with an under-mirror jet mixer 2. Six components are supplied to the intermediate product via an access point associated with the under-mirror jet mixer 2, with the components being released in the immediate vicinity of the head 3 of the under-mirror jet mixer 2. This allows for particularly gentle and air-free access of the components.