Wedge-Shaped Mixing Tool for Uniform Wet-Mix Liquid Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mixing tools for wet mixes fail to uniformly distribute the liquid component, leading to granulation and non-uniform humidity distribution, necessitating additional processing to achieve a homogeneous mixture.

Innovation Solution

A mixing tool with a wedge-shaped working head and symmetrical or asymmetrical side walls, featuring a convex contact surface and varying distance from the axis of rotation, which imparts a vortical motion and compresses the material against the mixing chamber, ensuring uniform humidity distribution and preventing granule formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional mixing tools with curved contact surfaces are used, then material outflow is facilitated, but liquid component distribution becomes non-uniform causing granulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial outflowVSAvoidliquid component distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface is divided into multiple longitudinal elements (ribs or fins) extending along the axis of rotation. Each element acts as an independent liquid distributor, ensuring uniform liquid component distribution while maintaining material outflow capability through the segmented structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact surface transitions from a two-dimensional curved surface to a three-dimensional structured surface with longitudinal elements. This adds a vertical dimension to the liquid distribution mechanism, allowing liquid to be distributed uniformly across the entire contact area while preventing granulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If conventional mixing tools are used, then mixing action is achieved, but additional processing steps are required to obtain homogeneous mixture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal elements on the contact surface perform preliminary liquid distribution during the initial mixing action. This preliminary distribution of the liquid component ensures that subsequent processing steps receive material that is already uniformly mixed, eliminating the need for additional processing to achieve homogeneity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If conventional mixing tools with hollowed-out regions are used, then material conveyance is improved, but granulation effect occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial conveyanceVSAvoidmixture homogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the contact surface are given different functions: the longitudinal elements provide liquid distribution in specific areas, while the overall curved profile maintains material conveyance. This local differentiation of functions allows simultaneous achievement of uniform liquid distribution and effective material conveyance without granulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution achieves a homogeneous mixture without additional processing, ensuring uniform distribution of humidity and preventing granule formation, enhancing the quality of subsequent processing steps.

Implementation Method 1

the above-mentioned contact side walls are adapted to move the material being processed by imparting a three-dimensional vortical motion, such as to obtain the mixing thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortical motion: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

which imparts a vortical motion and compresses the material against the mixing chamber, ensuring uniform humidity distribution and preventing granule formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4631611A1Tool for mixing wet mixes, mixing rotor comprising a plurality of such tools, and mixing apparatus comprising such rotor

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 MIX

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AI summary

A tool (1) for mixing wet mixes, which comprises a substantially wedge-shaped working head (2) provided with a pair of side walls (3) for contacting the material being processed which are connected to each other at a midplane (M) adapted, in use, to be arranged substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation (A) of said tool and with a contact surface (4) adapted to come into contact with the material being processed, which is interposed between the side walls (3) in a distal position with respect to the axis of rotation (A). Each side wall (3) has at least one respective portion (3a) that converges toward the other one to define a tip (2a) and a tail (2b) at the mutually opposite end regions of the working head (2) along the midplane (M), in the configuration for use the tip (2a) being arranged in front of the tail (2b) in the direction of rotation (R) imparted to the tool (1); the tool (1) further comprises a shank (6) for supporting the working head (2) which is associable in use with a rotating shaft adapted to be turned about the axis of rotation (A) in the direction of rotation (R); the contact surface (4) is contoured according to a profile having a maximum distance (DMAX) from the axis of rotation (A) at the tail (2b) of the working head (2) and a minimum distance (DMIN) at the tip (2a) of said head in order to obtain an action to compress the work surface (4) onto the material being processed during the rotation of said tool in the direction of rotation (R).