Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a mixer having a mixer housing which encloses a mixing chamber, an input part which can be connected to the mixer housing and has at least two input openings for the components to be mixed, and a mixing element, at least some sections of which extend into the mixing chamber, wherein each of the input openings is flow-connected to the mixing chamber via at least one input duct, wherein there is also in the input part at least one compensation duct which connects the input openings to each other, and/or at least one holding chamber is provided in the mixing element.
Claims
1. A mixer, comprising: a mixer housing; a mixing element positioned at least partially in the mixer housing, wherein the mixing element includes at least one flow chamber; an inlet connectable with the mixer housing, wherein the inlet includes at least two input openings configured to receive one or more components to be mixed, wherein each of the at least two input openings is flow-connected with the mixer housing by way of at least one input channel; at least one compensation channel formed in the inlet, wherein the at least one compensation channel connects the at least two input openings with each other such that the one or more components are configured to meet in the compensation channel prior to entering the mixing element, wherein the at least one compensation channel comprises at least two flow walls, formed in a concave or convex manner, provided along a circumference of the at least two input openings, wherein the at least one compensation channel further comprises at least two deflecting walls, and wherein the at least two flow walls and the at least two deflecting walls together form a circular structure; and a reservoir chamber provided in the mixing element, wherein the reservoir chamber is connected to the at least one flow chamber of the mixing element through a single input opening such that forerun entering into the reservoir chamber remains therein.
2. The mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one compensation channel comprises two compensation channels formed in the inlet, which respectively connect the input openings with one another.
3. The mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one input channel comprise two input channels.
4. The mixer in accordance with claim 3, wherein the at least two input openings are positioned diametrically opposed to one another in the inlet, wherein the two input channels are separated from one another by a partition wall.
5. The mixer in accordance with claim 3, wherein the two input channels are designed such that the one or more components to be mixed with one another are guided into the mixer housing, at least partially, in an enveloping manner.
6. The mixer in accordance with claim 3, wherein the two input channels are connected with one another in a flow-connected manner, so that the one or more components to be mixed are jointly guided into the mixer housing.
7. The mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one compensation channel extends in an essentially circular arc between the at least two input openings.
8. The mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one compensation channel extends radially outside the at least one input channel.
9. The mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one compensation channel and the at least one input channel are formed as depressions or grooves in the inlet, which are, at least certain areas, closed by the mixer housing.
10. The mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inlet and the mixer housing are designed and adapted to one another such that the components to be mixed are deflected from the at least two input openings from a direction of flow extending in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the mixer housing by 90? in a direction of flow transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mixer housing.
11. The mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least two flow walls are closed in a sealing manner with a disk-shaped or funnel-shaped collar of the mixer housing or of the mixing element.
12. The mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein a baffle plate and/or a flow directing element is assigned to at least one of the at least two input openings, wherein the baffle plate at least partially covers and/or laterally restricts the respective input opening.
13. The mixer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the least one flow chamber is positioned adjacent to the reservoir chamber, and wherein the at least one flow chamber is connected to the mixer housing by way of a through-opening in a flow-connected manner.
14. The mixer in accordance with claim 13, wherein the at least one flow chamber is restricted in a direction of discharge by a transverse wall and that the transverse wall has a transverse wall opening.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
(1) The disclosure will be explained in further detail in the following by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the diagrams. All the characteristics described and/or graphically represented thereby form the object of the disclosure, either by themselves or in any desired combination, independently of their summary in the claims or in their referrals back to the same.
(2) The following are depicted schematically:
(3) FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d show a first side views (FIG. 1a), a second side view (FIG. 1b), a view from above (FIG. 1c), and a perspective view (FIG. 1d) of a first inlet,
(4) FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c show several views from above of the first inlet with an illustration of the directions of flow of the components,
(5) FIGS. 3a and 3b show a perspective views (FIG. 3a), and a view from above (FIG. 3b) of a second inlet,
(6) FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 4e are views from above (FIG. 4a), a perspective view (FIG. 4b), and an additional view from above (FIGS. 4c, 4d and 4e) of a third inlet,
(7) FIGS. 5a and 5b are views from above (FIG. 5a), and a perspective view (FIG. 5b) of a fourth inlet,
(8) FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c are views from above (FIG. 6a), a perspective view (FIG. 6b), and a view from above (FIG. 6c) of a fifth inlet,
(9) FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d and 7e are views from above (FIG. 7a), a perspective view (FIG. 7b), and an additional view from above (FIGS. 7c, 7d and 7e) of a sixth inlet,
(10) FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c show a perspective views (FIG. 8a), a side view (FIG. 8b) and a detailed view B (FIG. 8c) of a first mixing elements,
(11) FIGS. 9a and 9b are perspective views (FIG. 9a) of a helical mixer and a view from above of the corresponding mixer connection (FIG. 9b) in accordance with the state of the art,
(12) FIG. 10 shows views from above of an inlet and of a mixer upon the discharge of two components at different points in time in accordance with the state of the art,
(13) FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a mixer in accordance with the disclosure, with a mixing element, a mixer housing, and an inlet,
(14) FIGS. 12a and 12b show a first perspective view (FIG. 12a) and a second perspective view (FIG. 12b) of a second mixing element with an inlet,
(15) FIGS. 13a and 13b show a first perspective view (FIG. 13a), and a side view (FIG. 13b) of the first mixing elements with an inlet in accordance with FIGS. 12 and 12b,
(16) FIG. 14 shows several views from above of the second inlet, of the mixer, and of the components 1 and 2 at different points in time t1, t2 and t3,
(17) FIG. 15 shows several views from above of the third inlet, both with (top right) and without (top left) the input channel into the mixing chamber (mixer entrance),
(18) FIGS. 16a and 16b show a perspective view (FIG. 16a) and a detailed view (FIG. 16b) of the first mixing elements with an inlet,
(19) FIGS. 17a, 17b and 17c show a view from above (FIG. 17a), a perspective view (FIG. 17b), and a longitudinal section (FIG. 17c) along the section plane B-B of a seventh inlet,
(20) FIGS. 18a, 18b and 18c show a view from above (FIG. 18a), a perspective view (FIG. 18b), and a longitudinal section (FIG. 18c) along the section plane E-E of an eighth inlet,
(21) FIGS. 19a, 19b and 19c show a perspective view (FIG. 19a), a side view (FIG. 19b), and a longitudinal section (FIG. 19c) along the section plane A-A of a third mixing element,
(22) FIGS. 20a, 20b and 20c show a perspective view (FIG. 20a), and a side view (FIG. 20b), and a longitudinal section (FIG. 20c) along the section plane B-B of a fourth mixing element,
(23) FIGS. 21a, 21b and 21c show a perspective view (FIG. 21a), and a side view (FIG. 21b), and a longitudinal section (FIG. 21c) along the section plane C-C of a fifth mixing element,
(24) FIGS. 22a, 22b and 22c show a perspective view (FIG. 22a), and a side view (FIG. 22b), and a longitudinal section (FIG. 22c) along the section plane D-D of a sixth mixing element,
(25) FIGS. 23a, 23b and 23c show a perspective view (FIG. 23a), and a side view (FIG. 23b), and a longitudinal section (FIG. 23c) along the section plane E-E of a seventh mixing element, and:
(26) FIGS. 24a, 24b and 24c show a perspective view (FIG. 24a), and a side view (FIG. 24b), and a longitudinal section (FIG. 24c) along the section plane F-F of an eighth element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(27) FIGS. 1a to 1d depict a first embodiment of the inlet 1 with input openings 2 for the components to be mixed. The first inlet 1 has a guide projection 3. Its function is explained in WO 2013/026716 and reference is accordingly made to the same.
(28) At least one compensation channel 4 is formed between the input openings 2 (FIGS. 1c and 1d), which channel connects the input openings 2 with one another. Forerun entering through the input openings 2 is accommodated by the compensation channel 4. The input openings 2 are positioned diametrically opposite one another. Furthermore, a flow wall 5 is provided on each of the input openings 2, which flow wall is formed along a portion of the circumference of each input opening 2. Considered from the respective input opening 2, on which the corresponding flow wall 5 is formed, the flow wall 5 is positioned along the circumference and is thereby shaped in a concave manner. In the case depicted here, the components cannot flow through the entire circumference of the input openings 2 into the compensation channel 4, as can clearly be seen in FIG. 1c.
(29) The operating principle of the compensation channel 4 is explained by means of FIGS. 2a to 2c.
(30) In FIG. 2a, the component B forms a forerun. This exits through an opening and flows along the direction of flow 6B past a flow wall 5 and into the compensation channel 4. The forerun of component B likewise flows along the compensation channel 4 until the component A moves along the direction of flow 6A and enters into the compensation channel 4 and stops the forerun of component B. Both components A and B subsequently flow centrally through an additional intake opening into the mixing chamber (not depicted).
(31) In the example depicted in FIG. 2b, the component A forms the forerun, which flows along the direction of flow 6A into the compensation channel 4, until the component B likewise flows into the compensation channel 4.
(32) In the example depicted in FIG. 2c, no component forms a forerun, so that both components meet in the compensation channel 4 after half a flow path and subsequently enter into the mixing chamber (not depicted) through an opening 7 depicted here centrally. The input channel 7a connects the input openings 2 with the mixing chamber (not depicted) by way of the opening 7.
(33) FIGS. 3a and 3b depict, in a perspective view (FIG. 3a) and in a view from above (FIG. 3b) a modification of the first inlet as a second embodiment, wherein at least one indentation 8 projecting into the compensation channel 4 is provided between the input openings 2. In the case depicted here, two indentations 8 positioned opposite one another are provided, which indentations guide the directions of flow 6A and 6B of the components A and B more strongly to the central opening 7 of the mixing chamber (not depicted).
(34) A third embodiment of the inlet 1 is depicted in FIGS. 4a to 4e. In comparison with the first inlet 1, two additional flow walls, termed deflecting walls 9 here, are provided which, together with the flow walls 5, which are positioned in the input openings 2, form a circular structure 10. The flow walls 5 are so configured in a convex manner by the respective input opening 2 that the middle point of the circular structure 10 coincides with the middle point of the inlet 1.
(35) FIG. 4c depicts the direction of flow 6A and 6B for the case that none of the components forms a forerun, while, in the case depicted in FIG. 4d, the component B forms a forerun and, in FIG. 4e, the component A forms a forerun.
(36) The flow walls 5 and the deflecting walls 9 are positioned at a distance from one another, so that openings form between each deflecting wall 9 and the adjacent flow walls 5, or each flow wall 5 and the adjacent deflecting walls 9, as the case may be. The components A and B can flow through the openings into the centrally positioned inlet of the mixing chamber (not depicted). On the basis of the arrangement of the flow walls 5 and the deflecting walls 9, the components A and B first of all fill the compensation channel 4 and subsequently flow centrally into the mixing chamber through at least one input channel 7a.
(37) In FIGS. 5a and 5b, a fourth embodiment of the inlet 1 is depicted, which is based on the first embodiment of the inlet 1, but has been supplemented by a partition wall 11, however. The partition wall 11 lies between the input openings 2 and below the central entrance area to the mixing chamber (not depicted). Furthermore, two input channels of the components are separated from one another by the partition wall 11 in the mixing chamber.
(38) The fifth embodiment of an inlet 1 depicted in FIGS. 6a to 6c has an enveloping element 12 centrally positioned in the inlet 1. A circumferential compensation channel 4 that accommodates the forerun of components A and/or B is provided radially around the enveloping element 12.
(39) The enveloping element 12 is configured in an essentially circular manner and has a central opening 12a, which opens in the direction of an input opening of a component and leads this centrally in the direction of the mixing chamber. An additional opening is positioned opposite the central opening 12a in the direction of the other component, which directs this into an essentially semi-circular channel 12b around the central opening 12a. This leads to the fact that the components A and B are introduced into the mixing chamber approximately coaxially into one another, which facilitates the subsequent mixing of both components in the mixing chamber.
(40) The directions of flow 6A and 6B of the components A and B are depicted in FIG. 6c. In the case depicted here, no forerun of components A and B is formed.
(41) FIGS. 7a to 7e depict a sixth embodiment of the inlet 1 with an additional variant of a enveloping element 12 with flow walls 5. The flow walls 5 prevent a direct flowing of the components A and B into the enveloping element 12. Through that fact, the resistance of flow to the flowing in of the enveloping element 12 is increased, so that this embodiment is preferred for thinly viscous components.
(42) FIGS. 8a to 8c depict a mixing element 13 with reservoir chambers 14, which are positioned in the entrance area of the mixing chamber and can accommodate the forerun that occurs. The reservoir chambers 14 are sealed on their ends in the direction of flow of the components, so that the forerun does not enter into the additional mixing chamber and does not distort the mixing ratio.
(43) The mixing element 13 has a disk-shaped or funnel-shaped collar 15 on the inlet side. It is configured in such a way that it covers the inlet 1 and seals the compensation channel 4 in certain areas or as a whole.
(44) For a better understanding of the effects in accordance with the disclosure, a helical mixer 16 with a connection 17 and with an inlet 18 known in accordance with the state of the art is depicted in FIGS. 9a, 9b and 10. FIG. 9b depicts the first web 19 of the helical mixer, as well as the input openings 2 through which the components flow into the inlet 18.
(45) For the illustration of the problem forming the basis for the disclosure in accordance with the state of the art, FIG. 10 depicts, at points in time t1, t2, t3, t4 and t5, which are different and increase in this sequence, the components A and B and their boundary surface in the inlet 18. At the point in time t1, it is clear that the one component clearly collects more volume in the inlet 18 than the second component. The first component thereby forms a forerun and is, at point in time t2, present nearly exclusively in the inlet 18. Thus, in the view from above depicted at the bottom in FIG. 10 of the mixer and through the mixer tube, the forerunning component is present practically exclusively in the mixing element, even at the point in time t3. Only upon the additional discharges (points in time t4 and t5) does the portion of component A drop.
(46) FIG. 11, in an exploded view, depicts a mixer in accordance with the disclosure with a mixing element in accordance with FIGS. 8a to 8c, a mixer housing 13a, and an inlet 1.
(47) FIGS. 12a and 12b depict an additional mixing element 13 with an inlet 1. It can be clearly seen in FIG. 12a that the disk-shaped or funnel-shaped collar 15 covers the compensation channel 4 in the inlet 1 in the direction of discharge of the components, so that the components flow from the inlet 1 centrally into the mixing element 13 through a central intake opening 13b (see FIG. 13a).
(48) The transition from inlet 1 to the mixing element 13 is also clear from FIGS. 13a and 13b.
(49) FIG. 14 depicts several views from above of the second inlet 1 in accordance with FIGS. 3a and 3b, of the mixer, and of the components A and B at points in time t1, t2 and t3, which are different and increase in this sequence. The forerun of component A is compensated through the compensation channel 4 in accordance with the disclosure, so that both components A and B enter into the mixing chamber (bottom right) nearly simultaneously.
(50) A view from above of the third inlet, both with (top right) and without (top left) an input channel 7a is depicted in the mixing chamber (mixer entrance) at the top of FIG. 15. In the middle of FIG. 15, the forerun of component A (point in time t1) is depicted at the left, and the position of the components A and B shortly before the flow into the central input channel 7a (point in time t2) into the mixing chamber is depicted at the right. As can be seen, the forerun of component A is stopped by the flowing in of component B, so that the present disclosure allows a self-regulation in regard to the volume of the forerun and, furthermore, a compensation to be achieved independently of whether the component A forms the forerun (as depicted) or the component B (not depicted). At the inlet into the mixer (bottom of FIG. 15) (point in time t3), the components A and B are present in the mixing ratio of 1:1 intended here.
(51) FIGS. 16a and 16b illustrate the reservoir chambers 14 in the mixing element 13. As can be seen particularly well in the detailed view (FIG. 16b), the reservoir chambers 14 are positioned on a line lying in the middle point of the mixing element or diametrically opposite, as the case may be.
(52) The inlets 1 in accordance with a seventh embodiment (FIGS. 17a to 17c) and an eighth embodiment (FIGS. 18a to 18c) are optimized for a mixing ratio of the components diverging by 1:1. This is preferably the mixing ratio 1:10.
(53) In this case, a forerun of component present in 10-fold excess is regularly to be expected, since this has a correspondingly higher volume in comparison with the component present in insufficient quantity, so that proportional variations, such as upon the filling process, for example, and thereby a compensating forerun, are relevant practically exclusively for the component that is present in excess.
(54) FIGS. 17a to 17c depict a seventh inlet 1, whereby the component present in insufficient quantity can flow through the input opening 2a into the inlet 1, while the component present in excess can flow through the input opening 2b and into the inlet 1.
(55) The configuration of the compensation channels 4, of the flow walls 5, and the deflecting walls 9 of the seventh insert 1 is comparable to the third inlet 1 depicted in FIGS. 4a to 4e, so that reference is hereby made to the corresponding implementations above.
(56) Furthermore, the seventh inlet 1 comprises a baffle plate 20 lying in the direction of discharge of the material, which plate covers the input opening 2a in its radial external area at least partially in such a way that the component flowing through the input opening 2a is deflected in the direction of the centrally positioned opening to the mixing chamber 7 (not depicted) (FIG. 17c). This prevents the component present in insufficient quantity and flowing in through the input opening 2a from flowing into an area of the inlet 1, which inlet is no longer flowed through by one of the components during the additional course of the discharge and therefore no longer enters into the mixing chamber. As a result, the baffle plate 20 prevents a loss of the component present in insufficient quantity in the area of the inlet 1. As described above, the advantages connected with the baffle plate 20 can also be achieved by means of the collar 15 of the mixing element 13.
(57) An eighth embodiment of the inlet 1 is depicted in FIGS. 18a to 18c. The flow wall 5 is continuous here and is centrally connected with a web 19, which is positioned along a connecting axis between the input openings 2a and 2b. The input opening 2a is bordered by a flow directing element 22, so that the input channel 7a is oriented in the direction of the central opening to the mixing chamber 7 (not depicted). The compensation channel 4, which can accommodate the forerun there, is provided radially externally. This embodiment has the high internal volume of the compensation channel 4, so that this embodiment is particularly suitable for large-volume forerun.
(58) FIGS. 19a to 24c depict additional embodiments of a mixing element 13 with a reservoir chamber 14. The components to be mixed can flow in through the intake opening 13b provided centrally in the collar 15 from the inlet part 1 (not depicted).
(59) FIGS. 19a to 19c depict a mixing element 13 in accordance with a third embodiment. The arrangement of the reservoir chamber 14 of the first part of the mixing element 13, considered in the direction of discharge of the material, can be seen from the longitudinal view of FIG. 19b. In addition, the section plane A-A is depicted, while the corresponding longitudinal section is depicted in FIG. 19c.
(60) When the components flow in through the intake opening 13b, these are divided by a central wall 23 and flow partially into a reservoir chamber 14 and partially into a flow chamber 24. The components flow from the flow chamber 24 through a through-opening 25 and into the chambers of the mixing element 13, the length of which is defined in the direction of discharge of the material through the transverse wall 26.
(61) In the third embodiment depicted here, the cross-section of the through-opening 25 is smaller than the cross-section of the flow chamber 24. The smaller cross-section, thus the cross-section of the through-opening 25 here, is thereby decisive for the drop in pressure upon the discharge of the components. Relatively high discharge pressures can hereby appear, whereby the discharge pressure is also influenced by the configuration of the mixing element 13 and the specific viscosity of the components.
(62) A fourth mixing element 13 is depicted in FIGS. 20a to 20c, in a perspective view, in a side view, and in a longitudinal section along the section plane B-B. In comparison with the example depicted in FIGS. 20a to 20c, the mixing element 13 is shortened on its end positioned in the direction of discharge of the material. This reduces the discharge pressure, so that this embodiment is suitable for components with higher viscosity.
(63) FIGS. 21a to 21c depict a mixing element 13 in a fifth embodiment. In comparison with the third embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 20a to 20c, the draft angles on the open sides of the mixing element were increased here. The draft angles have, in particular, an angular range of 0.1? to 2?, preferably 0.1? to 1?, and, most particularly preferably to 0.5??0.1?.
(64) A sixth mixing element, which has been expanded in the area of the reservoir chamber 14 and of the flow chamber 24, is depicted in FIGS. 22a to 22c. Through that fact, the pressure is reduced upon the discharge of the components, because the cross-section of flow has been increased overall in this area. This embodiment is therefore particularly advantageous for highly viscous components.
(65) A seventh mixing element 13 is depicted in FIGS. 23a to 23c. The reservoir chamber 14 has been reduced here, in comparison with the preceding embodiments, in such a way that the through-opening 25 has been increased. The cross-section of flow of the flow chamber 24 and of the through-opening 25 are equally sized here. This leads, in turn, to the fact that the discharge pressure has been reduced in comparison with other embodiments. Since the reservoir chamber 14 has been reduced, however, this embodiment is particularly well suited in combination with an inlet 1, which has a relatively large compensation channel 4 or a reservoir space.
(66) FIGS. 24a to 24c depict an eighth mixing element. Here, a transverse wall opening 27 in a transverse wall sealing the flow chamber 24 in the direction of discharge of the material was added. This allows a portion of the components passing through the transverse wall opening 27 to flow directly into the adjoining mixing chamber, without the through-opening 25 having to be passed through. Through that fact, the discharge pressure of the components is reduced, since a portion of this does not have to change its direction of flow in order to flow through the through-opening 25.
