Method for using a swing-type mixing device and a mixing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for using a SWING-type mixing device (1) and to a SWING-type mixing device (1), in which a main turning axle (2) of the mixing device is turned back and forth, that is in turns to a first direction all the way to a first turning point (FT) and to a second direction all the way to a second turning point (ST). According to the invention, power transmission to the main turning axle (2) can be produced by terminating power transmission to one direction slightly before the turning point, by letting mass inertia of the apparatus handle the turning of the direction of movement at the turning point and by starting power transmission to the opposite direction of the first slightly after the turning point.

Claims

1. A method for using a SWING-type mixing device, the method comprising: turning a main turning axle which defines a turning axis of the mixing device back and forth around the turning axis in a first direction all the way to a first turning point and in a second direction all the way to a second turning point to thereby cause other turning axes fixed to the main turning axle and a container of mixable substance to be moved responsively in a SWING-type movement; and monitoring the turning of the main turning axle by at least one sensor; wherein the turning of the main turning axle back and forth around the turning axis is practiced in accordance with the following steps a)-d): a) subjecting the main turning axle to a force turning it to the first direction until the sensor detects the main turning axle having turned at a certain distance from the first turning point, whereby the force turning into the first direction is terminated, b) allowing the main turning axle to turn to the first turning point and back therefrom by mass inertia of the mixing device until the sensor detects the main turning axle having turned at a certain distance from the first turning point; c) subjecting the main turning axle to a force turning it to the second direction until the sensor detects the main turning axle having turned at a certain distance from the second turning point, whereby the force turning into the second direction is terminated, d) allowing the main turning axle to turn to the second turning point and back therefrom by mass inertia of the mixing device until the sensor detects the main turning axle having turned at a certain distance from the second turning point.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the main turning axle turns about 222 around the turning axis from the first turning point to the second turning point.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the certain distance from the first turning point in steps a) and b) is 3-7.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the certain distance from the second turning point in steps c) and d) is 3-7.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of turning the main turning axle is accomplished by at least one actuator producing a linear back and forth movement, the back and forth movement of the at least one actuator being transferred to the back and forth movement of the main turning axle by a power transmission system.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of monitoring the turning of the main turning axle is practiced by indirectly monitoring by the at least one sensor the linear back and forth movement produced by the at least one actuator.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring the turning of the main turning axle is practiced by monitoring a turning speed of the main turning axle by a pulse sensor coupled to the main turning axle or to another axle.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one actuator is a pressurized air device, and wherein the method further comprises: directing the turning speed and the turning direction of the main turning axle to thereby direct the mixing by directing pressure and/or flow of compressed air to the actuator.

9. A SWING-type mixing device which comprises: a main turning axle which defines a turning axis of the mixing device and is arranged to be turned back and forth around the turning axis in a first direction all the way to a first turning point and in a second direction all the way to a second turning point; other turning axles fixed to the main turning axle; a fixing member for fixing a container of mixable substance to one of the other turning axles; at least one actuator; and a power transmission system which couples the actuator to the main turning axle; wherein the SWING-type mixing device further comprises: at least one sensor arranged to monitor the turning of the main turning axle; wherein the at least one actuator is arranged to subject the main turning axle to forces turning it around its axis in accordance with the following steps a)-d): a) subjecting the main turning axle to a force turning it to the first direction, until the at least one sensor detects the main turning axle having turned at a certain distance from the first turning point, whereby the force turning into the first direction is terminated, b) allowing the main turning axle to turn to the first turning point and back therefrom by mass inertia of the mixing device until the at least one sensor detects the main turning axle having turned at a certain distance from the first turning point; c) subjecting the main turning axle to a force turning it to the second direction until the at least one sensor detects the main turning axle having turned at a certain distance from the second turning point, whereby the force turning into the second direction is terminated, d) allowing the main turning axle to turn to the second turning point and back therefrom by mass inertia of the mixing device until the at least one sensor detects the main turning axle having turned at a certain distance from the second turning point.

10. The mixing device according to the claim 9, wherein the certain distance from the first turning point in steps a) and b) is 3-7.

11. The mixing device according to claim 9, wherein the certain distance from the second turning point in steps c) and d) is 3-7.

12. The mixing device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one actuator produces a linear back and forth movement, the back and forth movement of the at least one actuator being transferred to the back and forth movement of the main turning axle by the power transmission system.

13. The mixing device according to the claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged to monitor the linear back and forth movement produced by the at least one actuator to thereby indirectly monitor the turning of the main turning axle.

14. The mixing device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pulse sensor which is coupled to the main turning axle or to at least one of the other turning axles for monitoring a turning speed of the main turning axle.

15. The mixing device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one actuator comprises a pressurized air actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the enclosed schematic drawing, in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows different phases of the SWING-type movement according to prior art in a SWING-type mixing device;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a power transmission apparatus from an actuator to a main turning axle of a SWING-type mixing device as seen from the side;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the apparatus of FIG. 2 seen from above,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a mixing device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE FIGURES

(6) For the sake of clarity, the same reference number is used for some corresponding parts in different embodiments in the figures.

(7) FIG. 1 shows different phases of the SWING-type movement of a SWING-type mixing device according to prior art, which phases are marked with numbers (1) (12) drawn in the parenthesis. In a SWING-type mixing device 1, the main turning axle 2 is vertical and articulated in the direction of its longitudinal axis so as to be turnable. FIG. 1 does not show the actuator or the power transmission required for turning the main turning axle 2. Other turning axles 3 have been articulated sequentially on the top end of the main turning axle 2 in a freely rotating manner always in a direct angle with the preceding one, and last a holder 4 for the container of the mixable substance. A bottle 5 having a filling opening closed by a cap 6 is fixed on the holder 4. According to the known SWING-principle, the back and forth movement of the turning axle 1 around its longitudinal axis causes the movement of the bottle shown in FIG. 1, which is also shown with arrows drawn in the middle of the Figure. FIG. 1 shows how the container does not turn permanently around in relation to any axis during the circle. This enables, for example, a simple wiring (not shown) for example for measuring and even refilling or emptying of the container during the mixing through or at the cap 6, for example.

(8) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a power transfer apparatus 10 according to the invention, by means of which the movement of the main turning axle 2 is produced and transferred from the actuator to the main turning axle. FIGS. 2 and 3 show only the main turning axle 2 from the SWING-type mixing device. The SWING-type mixing device coupled to it can be, for example, in accordance to FIG. 1 or FIG. 4 comprising other turning axles 3 and the holder 4 of the container for the mixable substance.

(9) A linear rail 12 is arranged in connection with the pressurized air device 11, and a slide 13 is arranged to move on it. Directions of movement of the slide 13 are marked by arrows. There is a toothed bar 14 on the side of the slide, which is coupled to the lower end of the main turning axle 2 by means of a cog wheel 15, an axle 16 and a belt 17. When the pressurized air device 11 moves the slide 13, the main turning axle 2 turns respectively. The apparatus 10 is dimensioned so that the pressurized air device 11 produces to the slide 13 a movement of such length that the main turning axle 2 can turn around its longitudinal axis exactly the 111 from the central position to a turning point, required by the SWING-type mixing device, that is 222 from a turning point to another. Turning movement is marked with arrows.

(10) In FIGS. 2 and 3, there have been drawn limiting sensors 18 and 19, which monitor the position of the slide 13 on the rail 12. The sensors are positioned so that they will notice when the slide 13 is in the position corresponding the position of the main turning axle 2 about 5 away from the turning point or closer to it. In this case, the pressurized air device 11 will not generate push force to the slide 13.

(11) The pressurized air device 11, such as a pressurized air cylinder, is controlled by, for example, two 3/2 valves (not shown), in which both directions of movement have their own control valve. Thus, while the pressurized air device 11 generates push force for moving the slide 13 in one direction, the air controlling the other direction can be freely discharged. This way, the pressurized air device 11 will not generate substantial counterforce against the movement of the slide 13.

(12) FIG. 4 shows a mixing device 1 according to the invention. Its actuator 11 and power transfer apparatus 10 operate as is described in the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3. The main turning axle 2 in the mixing device 1 is vertical and articulated in the direction of its longitudinal axis so as to be turnable. Other turning axles 3 have been articulated sequentially on the top end of the main turning axle 2 in a freely rotating manner always in a direct angle with the preceding one, and last an opening holder 4 for the container of the mixable substance. A container 20 having a filling opening closed by a cap 21 is detachably fixed on the holder 4. The container 20 is detached from the holder 4 by opening a locking device 22 by a knob 23. Counterweights 24 have been placed on the main turning axle 2 and other turning axles 3 for balancing the effect of the mass of the axles, container and mixable substance during the mixing. The size and placement of the counter weights is always to be determined according to each situation. As in the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the power transmission apparatus 10 is dimensioned so that the pressurized air device 11 produces to the slide 13 a movement of such length that the main turning axle 2 can turn around its longitudinal axis for an angle A, that is in the example 111 from the central position C to the first turning point FT or to the second turning point ST. The back and forth turning movement of the main turning axle 2 and the linear back and forth movement of the slide 13 is marked with arrows. A pulse sensor 25 is coupled to the axle 16 for monitoring the turning movement of the main turning axle 2. The pulse sensor 25 or other sensor monitoring the turning movement of the main turning axle can be fixed to several different places in the apparatus, also for example directly to the main turning axle 2.

(13) The apparatus according to the invention also comprises a control unit (not shown), which receives, for example, the signals produced by the sensors 18 and 19 and 25, and controls the pressurized air device 11 or other actuator. The control unit can be, for example, an ordinary programmable control unit. For example, the speed and duration of the mixing can be controlled with the control unit.

(14) Above are given only some embodiments according to the invention. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited merely to the above-described examples, but the invention may vary within the scope of the claims presented below. For example, actuators and control units are common technique, and their functioning is not explained in more detail in this application. The dependent claims present some possible embodiments of the invention, and they are as such not to be considered to restrict the protective scope of the invention.