DE10216458C1 - Bi-component mixer, e.g. for making polyurethane seat cushions, has chamber with rotatable flow guides to give clear passage to ejector piston - Google Patents

Abstract

Two components enter through inlets (04, 05) into the mixing chamber (03) and the mixture leaves through an exit (06). Guides (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13), which project into the mixing chamber from recesses, control the flow pattern. The guides are shaped so that when they are rotated into the ejection position they give a clear path for the ejector piston (07). The mixing chamber (03) is cylindrical and the guides are cylinders with cut-outs to match the mixing chamber in the ejection position. The guides can be at right angles or inclined to the chamber axis and they can be staggered across the chamber diameter. In the operating position the final flow guides (12, 13) form an exit passage of lenticular cross-section. The flow guides are linked through a rack and pinion and are driven by electric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators. The mixer can be of modular construction.

Description

The invention relates to a device for mixing and / or passing through ten of at least two material components according to the generic term of claim 1.

Generic devices are, for example, but none wegs exclusively, as mixing heads for the application of foamable Masses used, for example, a mold with polyurethane foam to load. The foamable mass is made up of two in the mixing head Mixed components that react chemically with each other, the The mixture first foams and then hardens. To be a good one Obtaining a chemical reaction is a mixture that is as homogeneous as possible of the two components required.

For this purpose, a mixing chamber is provided in generic devices hen, which is flowed through by the components together, whereby the mixing of the components is made possible. As soon as no comm components are fed into the mixing chamber, for example  after the mold to be filled with sufficient foamable mass is loaded, the mixing chamber must be emptied, since they are together otherwise harden the mixed components in the mixing chamber and block the device. To empty the mixing chamber is on generic devices an adjustable ejector, for example, a push rod. The cross section of the Ejector corresponds to the cross section of the mixing chamber, so that by the ancestor of the ejector the mixed compo can be displaced from the mixing chamber. In the mix Chamber is provided an opening through which the each other mixed components during the filling of the mold (filling shot) emerge and after completion of the filling shot by the ejector can be displaced from the mixing chamber.

In known devices, the function of the ejector requires that the mixing chamber has no constrictions or Has undercuts, since the ejector otherwise when driving the mixing chamber cannot be completely emptied. At acquaintances Devices is therefore the arrangement of permanently installed inflow elements in the mixing chamber around which the components flow must be and thus a more homogeneous mixture of components enable, previously not feasible. You can also get acquainted with no devices at the opening of the mixing chamber be installed permanently because the ejector does not pass through this nozzle orifice can grip and thus a complete emptying of the mixing chamber is made impossible.

Mixing heads are known from DE 199 09 438 A1 and DE 100 44 013 A1 Cross slide known. The cross slide point coaxially Longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber on recesses through which correspond appropriate adjustment of the cross slide through an ejection piston can be used to empty the mixing chamber. Disadvantageous these known mixing heads is the difficult sealing of the linear  Slidably mounted cross slide, which leads to high wear and short downtimes.

The object of the present invention is based on this state the technology to create a new device that overcomes the disadvantages of known prior art overcomes.

This task is accomplished by a device according to the teaching of the An spell 1 solved.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of Dependent claims.

The invention is based on the basic idea of being rotatable in the device and thus adjustable flow element to be provided in its construction partial wall has at least one recess. The adjustability of the Onflow element enables different functional positions of the Define inflow element. There is at least one function tion, namely an inflow position, in which the component wall extension of the inflow element protrudes into the mixing chamber. This will the mixing chamber in the inflow position of the inflow element be abundantly narrowed, so that the flow of in the mixing chamber flowing components is deflected. This makes it special possible to set flow conditions in the mixing chamber that are suitable for the homogeneous mixing of the components.

As soon as no further components are added to the mixing chamber be promoted, this must be completed by advancing the ejector dig can be emptied. To make this possible, the inflow element moved from the inflow position to an eject position be, since the component wall of the Otherwise, the flow element cannot advance the ejector makes. The depression provided on the inflow element is such designed and arranged that by arranging the inflow element in  the ejection position the component wall of the inflow element in the we substantial edge-free and gap-free in the component wall of the mixer chamber passes. As a result, the component wall forms the Mixing chamber and the component wall of the inflow element in the Ejection position together, for example cylindrical or prismatic cross section, which corresponds to the cross section of the ejector speaks, so the mixing chamber by ancestors of the ejector can be emptied.

According to the inflow elements are rotatably mounted. The turn Bare storage of the inflow elements in particular simplifies the Ab sealing the gap between the component wall of the inflow element and the component wall of the mixing chamber in the ejection position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the inflow element is in the Formed like a cylindrical shaft. The wave is like this to arrange that their central axis is not coaxial with the central axis of the Mixing chamber extends, otherwise the definition of a flow point and a different ejection position by adjusting shaft is not possible.

The shape of the mixing chamber is based on the invention any additional. For example, prismatic cross sections are included square or rectangular cross section conceivable. After a In a preferred embodiment, the mixing chamber has a circular shape metric cross-section, since such mixing chambers through accordingly circular cylindrical ejector emptied particularly thoroughly can be. The circular symmetrical design of the mixing chamber it requires that the recess of the inflow element has the shape of a Has cylinder jacket section, the radius with the inner radius the mixing chamber matches. In the ejection position of the inflow elements goes the cylinder jacket section-shaped recess of the Inflow element then edge-free and gap-free in the component wall the mixing chamber over.  

According to a preferred embodiment, the central axis extends the shaft was substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the mix mer, since this makes a relatively large one with relatively small adjusting movements Narrowing or enlarging the flow cross-section in the mixer chamber is made possible.

According to a further embodiment, the central axis of FIG Mixing chamber at an acute angle to the central axis of the inflow elements. This causes turbulence and possibly an in the flow generates certain flow swirl, which improves the mixing.

For mixing, it is particularly advantageous if on the device at least two An arranged in the flow direction flow elements are provided, the center axis of which differs Lichen angles, in particular crossed, to the central axis of the mix extend. This will result in a vermi along the flow path realized in different directions.

Are the inflow elements along the flow path in the mix arranged chamber, so they serve the most homogeneous diam different components. By arrangement at least of an inflow element in the region of the opening of the mixing chamber an additional function can be realized. Because of the arrangement of the inflow element in its inflow position, the opening of the Mixing chamber narrowed so that a spray nozzle is formed. The shape the spray nozzle depends essentially on the shape of the type flow element and the recess provided therein.

According to a preferred embodiment, are in the area of the opening the mixing chamber opposite two flow elements arranged. This can be achieved by adjusting the two inflow elements in their respective inflow position a two tig from the flow elements limited spray nozzle is formed.  

As a result, the formation of spray nozzles with axisymmetric Flow cross section possible.

Are the inflow elements designed with a cylindrical shape, at for example in the type of waves, there is in the constructive implementation principle to form the spray nozzles two different Possibilities. After the first alternative is between the Mantelli nien the cylindrical inflow elements a certain distance, at approximately 1 mm, for example. That is, at the Verstel The inflow elements roll the outer surfaces of the inflow elements te do not depend on each other, but are according to the distance from one other separated. This design allows a particularly simple location tion of the inflow elements, since in the base body of the device for Storage of the flow elements only suitable Boh provisions must be provided.

So much for the distance between the cylindrical inflow elements is present, it follows from this that the mixing chamber through Adjustment of the flow elements not completely completed can, since the mixed mass in any case through the gap between can flow out the flow elements. In addition, the Length of the flow cross-section in the area of the inflow formed spray nozzle always the diameter of the mixing chamber mer. Therefore, in this case, the distance between the Mantelli nien the cylindrical inflow elements and the opening of the mixing chamber should be kept as small as possible, for example only about 1 mm to block the shadow from the spray nozzle Jet through the component wall of the To keep the mixing chamber as small as possible.

Since with the provision of a distance between the two cylindrical Shut-off elements completely shut off the mixing chamber without is not possible, the radius of the inflow elements can be smaller than the inner radius of the mixing chamber can be selected. As special before  It turned out to be partial when the radius of the inflow elements approximately 60% to 70% of the inner radius of the mixing chamber is.

According to a second alternative, the cylinder is between the surface lines There are essentially no distances between the flow elements. The means that the two inflow elements roll with their lateral surfaces the adjustment to each other.

The radius of the inflow elements in this embodiment chosen larger than the inner radius of the mixing chamber, so it is as a result possible by appropriate adjustment of the inflow completely shut off the mixing chamber. The flow cross The spray nozzle can thus cut in a setting range between zero and a maximum flow cross section can be selected.

It is for a particularly simple constructive design of the device particularly advantageous if the device has at least two separate Has modules, in each of which at least one inflow element device. This makes it possible to combine the modules as standardized identical parts can be made, very different Realize devices that match the respective application are adjusted.

Various embodiments of the invention are in the drawings are shown schematically and are explained below by way of example.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a Vorrich device according to the invention with flow elements arranged in the inflow position in cross section from above;

FIG. 2 shows an inflow element of the device shown in FIG. 1 in a side view;

Fig. 3 shows the device of Figure 1 in front view.

Fig. 4 shows the device according to Fig 1 with the ejection position arrange in th Anströmelementen in cross-section from above.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention Vorrich with tung arranged in Anströmstellung Anströmelementen in cross-section from above;

FIG. 6 shows an inflow element of the device shown in FIG. 5 in a side view;

Fig. 7 is the device according to Figure 5 in front view.

Fig. 8 shows the device of FIG. 5 with the flow elements arranged in the ejection position in cross section from above.

The device 01 shown in FIG. 1 is only shown schematically and can be used, for example, to produce a foamable mass, such as is used in the production of foam cushions for the motor vehicle industry. The sleeve-shaped base body 02 forms a mixing chamber 03 with a circularly symmetrical cross section. Through the inlets 04 and 05, two material components can be fed into the mixing chamber 03, where they mix with one another to form a foamable mass, for example a polyurethane foam. This foamable mass emerges from the mixing chamber 03 at an opening 06 in order, for example, to be conveyed into the mold cavity of a seat cushion mold.

Opposite the opening 06 is a in the device 01 Kind of an axially adjustable plunger trained ejector 07 see. The cross section of the ejector 07 corresponds exactly to the cross cut the mixing chamber 03 so that by advancing the ejector 07 in the direction of the opening 06 in the mixing chamber 03  Mass are displaced from the mixing chamber 03 through the opening 06 can.

The operating state of the device 01 shown in FIG. 1 is used to apply the foamable mass, the material components to be mixed being conveyed continuously through the inlets 04 and 05. In order to improve the homogeneous mixing of the material components in the mixing chamber, four flow elements 08, 09, 10 and 11 are provided on the device 03, which are arranged in their inflow position. In this inflow position, the inflow elements 08 to 11 protrude into the mixing chamber 03, so that the cross section of the mixing chamber 03 is partially narrowed along the flow path. This constriction results in a flow state in the mixing chamber 03, which enables a very homogeneous mixture of the different material components.

Furthermore, two inflow elements 12 and 13 are arranged in pairs on the device 01 in the area just before the opening 06. The shape of the inflow elements 12 and 13 can be seen in FIG. 2. Both Anströmele elements 12 and 13 are designed in the manner of cylindrical shafts and have depressions 14 and 15 , respectively, which have a sectional shape in the shape of a cylinder. The radius 16 of the inflow elements 12 and 13 is larger than the inner radius 17 of the recess 14 , which corresponds to the inner radius of the mixing chamber 14 . As a result, in combination with the fact that the two inflow elements 12 and 13 have no distance between their generatrices (see FIG. 1), the mixing chamber 03 can be completely shut off by appropriate adjustment of the inflow elements 12 and 13 .

In Fig. 3 the device is shown in front view 01. It can be seen that the recesses 14 and 15 form a lenticular spray nozzle 18, which is arranged shortly behind the annular opening 06. The cross section of the spray nozzle 18 can be varied by adjusting the inflow elements 14 and 15 . The shape of the spray nozzle 18 enables the application of a jet of the foamable mass with a substantially rectangular cross section.

To adjust the inflow elements 12 and 13 , a rack 19 is provided, the elements 14 and 15 of which come into engagement with their teeth at the upper ends of the inflow elements. By axially adjusting the rack 19 , the inflow elements 12 and 13 are rotatably adjusted, whereby the cross section of the spray nozzle 18 is variably adjustable.

In FIG. 4 the device is shown in an operational state 01, as is required for cleaning the mixing chamber 03. The Anströmele elements 08 to 13 have all been moved into their ejector position by appropriate adjusting movements. In this ejector position, the component walls of the inflow elements 08 to 13 pass into the component wall of the mixing chamber 03 without edges and gaps. It is thereby achieved that the mixing chamber 03 can be completely emptied by advancing the ejector 07 in accordance with the movement arrows 20 . The position of the ejector 07 after emptying the mixing chamber 03 is indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 4.

A second embodiment 21 of a device according to the invention is shown schematically in cross section in FIG. 5. In the base body 02, in turn, a mixing chamber 03 is formed, which can be charged with components through the inlets 04 and 05 in order to form a foamable mass. The foamable mass in turn emerges through the opening 06 from the mixing chamber 03, and after the mixing process has ended the mixing chamber 03 can be cleaned by moving the ejector 07 forward.

In the embodiment 21 shown in FIG. 5, the inflow elements 08 to 11 are not provided for more homogeneous mixing of the components. If such inflow elements are required for sufficient mixing, it is of course also possible to provide corresponding inflow elements on embodiment 21.

In contrast to device 01, two inflow elements 22 and 23 are provided on device 21 in the area of opening 06, between whose surface lines there is a small distance 24 of, for example, one millimeter. The shape of the inflow elements 22 and 23 can be seen in FIG. 6. The radius 25 of the inflow elements 22 and 23 designed in the manner of cylindrical shafts is approximately 66% of the inner radius 26 of the indentations 27 and 28 in the form of cylindrical sections in the inflow elements 22 and 23 .

As can be seen from FIG. 7, the inflow elements 22 and 23, when arranged appropriately in an inflow position, form a likewise lenticular spray nozzle 29 , the length of which corresponds to the diameter of the mixing chamber 03 regardless of the position of the inflow elements 22 and 23 . So that the shadowing of the jet formed in the spray nozzle 29 through the component wall of the mixing chamber 03 in the region of the opening 06 is as small as possible, the cross section of the inflow elements 22 and 23 should be as small as possible relative to the cross section of the mixing chamber 03.

To drive the inflow elements 22 and 23 , a rack 19 is again provided, which engages with a toothing on the circumference of the inflow elements 22 and 23 .

In Fig. 8 the device 21 is shown in the operating state, which is required for cleaning the mixing chamber 03. The inflow elements 22 and 23 are moved into their ejection position so that the ejector 07 can displace the foamable mass remaining in the mixing chamber 03 through the opening 06 to the outside. The position of the ejector 07 after the mixing chamber 03 has been emptied is indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 8.

Claims (19)

1. Device (01, 21) for mixing and / or passing at least two material components with a mixing chamber (03), which is flowed through by the components together, and an adjustable ejector ver (07), the cross section of the cross section of the Mixing chamber (03) corresponds, so that by adjusting the ejector (07) the components can be pushed out of the mixing chamber (03) essentially completely through an opening (06), characterized in that on the device (01, 21) at least one rotatably mounted inflow element (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23) is provided, which has a recess ( 14 , 15 , 27 , 28 ) in its component wall, the component wall of the inflow element (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23) protrudes into the mixing chamber (03) in at least one functional position (inflow position), and the recess ( 14 , 15 , 27 , 28 ) is designed and arranged in such a way that Adjustment of the inflow elements (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23) into a second functional position (ejection position), the component wall of the inflow element (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23) is essentially edge-free and passes into the component wall of the mixing chamber (03) without any gaps. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized, that the inflow element (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23) of the type a cylindrical shaft is formed. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mixing chamber (03) has a circularly symmetrical cross-section, the depression ( 14 , 15 , 27 , 28 ) of the inflow element (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23) has the shape of a cylinder section section, the inner radius ( 17 , 26 ) of which corresponds to the inner radius of the mixing chamber. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized, that the central axis of the inflow element (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23) not coaxial to the central axis of the mixing chamber (03) stretches. 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized, that the central axis of the inflow element (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23) at right angles to the central axis of the mixing chamber (03) stretches. 6. The device according to claim 4, characterized, that the central axis of the inflow element (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23) at an acute angle to the center axis of the mixer chamber (03) extends.   7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized, that on the device at least two in the flow direction behind mutually arranged inflow elements are provided, whose mit telaxis with different angles, especially crossed, extend to the central axis of the mixing chamber (03). 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one inflow element ( 12 , 13 , 22 , 23 ) is arranged in the region of the opening (06) of the mixing chamber (03), so that by arranging the inflow element in the Inflow position at the opening (06) of the mixing chamber (03), a spray nozzle ( 18 , 19 ) can be formed. 9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that two inflow elements ( 12 , 13 , 22 , 23 ) are arranged in the region of the opening (06) of the mixing chamber (03), so that by arranging the two inflow elements ( 12 , 13 , 22 , 23 ) in the respective inflow position, a spray nozzle ( 18 , 29 ) limited on both sides by the inflow elements is formed. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that a certain distance ( 24 ), in particular of about 1 mm, is present between the surface lines of the cylindrical inflow elements ( 22 , 23 ). 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that between the surface lines of the cylindrical inflow elements ( 22 , 23 ) and the opening (06) of the mixing chamber (03), the smallest possible distance ( 30 ), in particular of about 1 mm, is present. 12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the radius ( 25 ) of the inflow elements ( 22 , 23 ) is smaller than the inner radius ( 26 ) of the mixing chamber, in particular that the radius ( 25 ) of the inflow elements ( 22 , 23 ) is approximately 60% to 70% of the inner radius ( 26 ) of the mixing chamber. 13. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that there is essentially no distance between the surface lines of the cylindrical inflow elements ( 12 , 13 ). 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the radius ( 16 ) of the inflow elements ( 12 , 13 ) is larger than the inner radius ( 17 ) of the mixing chamber (03). 15. The device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized, that the inflow elements (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23) by An driven an electromotive, hydraulic or pneumatic Drive device can be adjusted remotely.   16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the inflow elements (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23) can be driven by adjustment of a rack ( 19 ). 17. The device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized, that the device has at least two separate modules, in which at least one inflow element is mounted. 18. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized, that in the mixing chamber (03) from the components a foam re mass, in particular made of polyurethane, can be produced. 19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized, that the device (01, 21) for loading a mold in the Manufacture of upholstery elements for the automotive industry is set.