EP3733271B1 - Mixer with rest reservoirs - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

Mixer for connection to a two- or multi-component cartridge containing at least a first component A and a second component B, comprising an inlet area, a calming area and a mixing area, the calming area being arranged between the inlet area and the mixing area.

STATE OF THE ART

There is a wide range of applications in which two components are only brought together immediately before use in order to produce the substance to be used (e.g. adhesives or sealants in the construction industry, medical technology, automotive sector, etc.) and processed immediately afterwards. As a rule, this is a basic substance in which a corresponding reaction is caused by contact with an activating substance or by the chemical interaction of both components.

In order to obtain a substance that is mixed as evenly as possible, it is particularly important that the starting components are mixed as well as possible. There are already many known mixing structures in the prior art for mixing the two starting components, e.g. by splitting, redirecting, partial mixing of the strands, etc..

That's it U.S. 5,487,606 A1 a mixer for a two-component cartridge with two storage cylinders with different volumes is known.

The U.S. 2017/157581 A1 discloses a cartridge system for mixing two components.

From the EP 3 299 082 A1 a mixer arrangement with a static mixing element for mixing two components is known.

Mixing is problematic if the starting materials are present in different proportions and/or the rheological properties are different, e.g. if one component is significantly more flowable than the other. In particular, different flow rates when entering the mixer prevent the components from immediately mixing.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a mixing device in order to uniformly mix at least two starting components with different quantities and different rheological behavior with one another.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

The object is achieved by a mixer for connection to a two-component or multi-component cartridge according to claim 1.

The mixer for connection to a two-component or multi-component cartridge with a longitudinal axis L, which contains at least a first component A and a second component B, comprises an inlet area, a settling area and a mixing area, with the settling area being arranged between the inlet area and the mixing area, wherein the inlet area has at least one first inlet opening for the entry of the first component A into the Has calming area and a second inlet opening for admitting the second component B into the calming area, wherein the first inlet opening has a first size F _A and the second inlet opening has a second size F _B , the calming area having a first calming chamber with a first volume V _A , and a second settling chamber with a second volume V _B , wherein the first component A flows into the first settling chamber via the first inlet opening in a first flow direction and the second component B flows into the second settling chamber via the second inlet opening in a second flow direction, wherein the first settling chamber and/or the second settling chamber are connected to the mixing area, and the settling area has a partition between the first settling chamber and the second settling chamber, which separates the first volume V _A from the second volume V _B , and at least one transverse and/or wall arranged perpendicular to the first and/or second flow direction for decelerating and/or deflecting the first inflowing component A and/or the second inflowing component B at the mixer-side end of the settling area, and wherein the first settling chamber and/or the second settling chamber has at least one deflection wall for Deflecting and forwarding the fluid flow, which is arranged parallel to the L axis or along the L axis.

In the following, the wall is referred to as a radial wall (in contrast to axial walls). However, this does not mean that the scope of protection claimed is restricted to a specific cross-sectional shape of the mixer.

As a rule, the starting components have different quantitative ratios depending on their respective use and also a different rheology due to their different specific chemical and material properties.

The two starting components are usually discharged from the cartridges by a combined force and mixed with one another in the mixing area. The mixed substance corresponds to the proportions of the starting substances. In a calming area arranged in front of the mixing area, a particularly free-flowing starting component can be slowed down or calmed down in order to achieve improved mixing. For this reason, the calming area is divided into two chambers according to the starting components.

For deceleration or calming or deflection, at least one calming chamber has a radial wall which is transverse and/or perpendicular to the fluid flow of the respective starting component and decelerates and/or deflects it. The fluid flow of the starting component, which is generally more flowable, is slowed down and subsequent mixing with the slower component is improved.

The mixer preferably has a mixer structure for separating and combining strands of component A and component B.

For this purpose, the mixing structure comprises one or more different geometries, such as vertical or inclined baffles and deflection walls, rearrangement chambers, passages, etc., in order to influence the fluid flows of the different starting components and to mix them with one another. The strands in the mixer structure are usually separated and recombined several times.

The ratio of the first variable F _A to the second variable F _B advantageously corresponds largely to the ratio of the first volume V _A to the second volume V _B .

The ratio of the respective quantity of a starting component, which is expressed by the size F of the respective inlet opening, corresponds to the ratio of the volumes V of the respective settling chambers in order to achieve uniform mixing.

The ratio is VA _{/ VB} = _FA / _FB +/- 50%* _FA / _FB , specifically VA _{/ VB} = _FA / _FB +/- 25%* _FA / _FB , in particular _VA / _VB = _FA / _FB +/- 10%* _FA / _FB .

The first variable F _A is preferably equal to or larger than the second variable F _B , and the first volume V _A of the first settling chamber is equal to or larger than the second volume V _B of the second settling chamber.

Due to the fact that different quantities of starting components are present, the sizes F of the inlet openings also differ, according to which the starting component which is larger in terms of quantity also has a larger outlet opening. The same applies to the volumes V of the settling chambers.

The first settling chamber and/or the second settling chamber advantageously has a dead volume arranged in front of the radial wall. The dead volume is in particular filled with the component. The mass already present in the dead volume slows down the inflowing mass.

The first component A and/or the second component B is decelerated and/or deflected in the area of the dead volume.

The dead volume is used for (short-term) storage or buffering of the (mostly) free-flowing starting component whose fluid flow is deflected by the radial wall. As a result, the fluid flow is slowed down (calmed down) and possibly subsequently deflected.

The decelerated fluid flow is deflected by the baffle.

The deflection wall advantageously adjoins the radial wall and the walls delimit the dead volume.

In this way, a space is formed in which the fluid flow is first decelerated, collected, and then deflected and passed on. As a result, the flow of a starting component that is very free-flowing is slowed down and subsequent mixing with the other starting component, which flows more slowly, is made easier.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first settling chamber and/or the second settling chamber of the mixer has at least one partition wall arranged along the longitudinal axis L, which divides the first settling chamber and/or the second settling chamber into two sub-chambers.

The fluid flow of the component is divided into two partial flows by the dividing wall. These can then be diverted separately. This facilitates subsequent mixing with the other component

The first settling chamber and/or the second settling chamber preferably has at least one connection opening to the mixing area, which serves to release component A and/or component B into the mixing area and/or to mix component A with component B.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

figure 1

Overall perspective view of a mixer

Figure 1A

Perspective detailed view of the inlet area with calming area of components A and B of the mixer figure 1 ;

Figure 1B

Perspective detailed view of the inlet area with calming area of component B of the mixer figure 1 ;

figure 2

Perspective overall view of a second embodiment of the mixer with two helix sections;

figure 3

Perspective overall view of a third embodiment of the mixer with two helix sections and with additional baffles in the calming area;

Figure 3A

Perspective detailed view of the inlet area with calming area of component A of the mixer figure 3 ;

Figure 3B

Perspective detailed view of the inlet area with calming area of component B of the mixer figure 3 ;

figure 4

Perspective overall view of a fourth embodiment of the mixer with a reduced volume of the calming area;

Figure 4A

Perspective detailed view of the inlet area of component A and the calming area figure 4 ;

Figure 4B

Perspective detailed view of the inlet area of component B and the calming area figure 4 .

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is presented below using non-exhaustive exemplary embodiments.

The figures 1 , 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of the mixing device 1 for arrangement in a mixer housing (not shown). The mixer 1 with a longitudinal axis L and a radius R has a connection area 2 for connection to a two-component or multi-component cartridge (not shown), which contains at least a first component A and a second component B. In the example shown, there is a different quantity or mixing ratio (and possibly different viscosity) between the two components, with a significantly larger amount of component A being present.

The mixer 1 has an inlet area 3, a settling area 4 and a mixing area 5.

The inlet area 3 has a first inlet opening 31 for the first component A and a second inlet opening 32 for the second component B. The inlet openings 31 and 32 open into the calming area 4.

The calming area 4 comprises a first calming chamber 41 with a first volume V _A and a second calming chamber 42 with a second volume V _B . The two settling chambers 41 and 42 are separated from one another by a partition wall 6 . The first Settling chamber 41 and the second settling chamber 42 are connected to the mixing area 5 .

The mixing area 5 has a continuous mixing structure 51 for mixing the two components A and B.

The Figures 1A and 1B show the calming area 4 with the inlet area 3 with the first inlet opening 31 with a first size F _A and the second inlet opening 32 with a second size F _B in detail. The first inlet opening 31 is approximately four times larger than the second inlet opening 32 in this example.

Out of Figure 1A shows the inlet opening 31 of the component A and the concrete structure of the adjoining first settling chamber 41 with a first volume V _A of the settling area 4 .

The first settling chamber 41 is divided by a dividing wall 9, which is arranged along the longitudinal axis L, into two sub-chambers 411 and 412, each with a first collecting area 4111 and 4121 and a second collecting area 4112 and 4122, whereby the fluid flow of component A is divided into two Partial streams is divided. The two subchambers 411 and 412 are structurally identical.

Furthermore, the first settling chamber 41 has a radial wall 7 along the radius R, ie perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, which blocks or decelerates the fluid flow or the partial flows of component A. In addition, the first settling chamber 41 has a deflection wall 8 . The deflection wall 8 together with the partition wall 9, the radial wall 7, the wall of the inlet area and the mixer housing forms a first collection area with a dead volume in which the (partial) fluid flow is slowed down and collected or calmed down.

The deflection wall 8 does not extend all the way to the wall of the inlet area and thus forms an opening 81. The deflection wall 8 therefore (partially) separates the first collection area 4111 and the second collection area 4112. The deflection wall 8 serves to deflect and forward the fluid flow to the second Catch area 4112.

The second collecting area 4112 is formed by the deflection wall 8, the partition wall 9, the radial wall 7, the wall of the inlet area and the mixer housing (not shown). The radial wall 7 has a connection opening 71 to the mixing area 5 . The second collecting area 4112 causes the fluid flow to be slowed down or backed up again and calming down. The fluid stream flows into the mixer area 5 via the connection opening 71.

From the Figure 1B It can be seen that the dividing wall 9 also divides the second settling chamber 42 into two sub-chambers 421 and 422, as a result of which the fluid flow of component B is divided into two partial flows. Each of the sub-chambers 421, 422 is spatially connected to the adjoining mixer structure 51 and is suitable for conducting the fluid flow or the partial flows of component B into the mixer structure 51.

From the figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention. The inlet area 3 and calming area 4 of the mixer are identical to the first embodiment. The mixing structure 51 of the mixing area 5 has two helical structures 52 which serve to mix the two starting components.

The Figures 3 , 3A and 3B show a third embodiment of the invention. In this case, the mixed structure 51 with two helix structures 52 corresponds to the mixed region 5 of the second embodiment. The settling area 4, in particular the first settling chamber 41, has differences in structural design with respect to the first two embodiments, which will be discussed below.

Figure 3A shows the first settling chamber 41 in detail. Again, the partition wall 9 divides the stilling chamber 41 into two structurally identical sub-chambers 411' and 412'. The first sub-chamber 411' is divided into three catchment areas 4111', 4112', 4113' by three radial walls 7', 72, 73'. The second sub-chamber 412' is also divided into three catchment areas 4121', 4122', 4123' (not shown). The radial wall 7' is basically drawn up to the partition wall 6, apart from a recess which forms an opening 71' between the mixer housing (not shown) and the partition wall 6. The fluid flow of component A or the partial fluid flows impinge on the radial wall 7′, are backed up in the first collecting area 4111′ and are then passed on to the second collecting area 4112′. The fluid flow hits the second radial wall 72, is backed up again and passed on to the third collection area 4113'. The third radial wall 73 has an opening 731 which then transitions into the mixer structure 51 .

Out of Figure 3B shows that the second settling chamber 42 is largely identical to the first two embodiments, in particular it is separated into two sub-chambers 421 and 422 by the dividing wall 9 .

From the figures 4 , 4A and 4B shows a fourth embodiment of the invention. Again, according to the second and third embodiment, the mixing structure 51 has, inter alia, two regions with a helical structure 52, each of which is arranged between the basic mixer structure. The main difference is that the first settling chamber 41 is basically divided into two sub-chambers 411" and 412" (only 412" is visible), but only one sub-chamber 412" is used to convey the fluid flow of component A and the other sub-chamber 411" is not is filled or separated and forms a cavity by component A. This measure serves to adapt the two starting components if, for example, component B is significantly more viscous than component A is pulled all the way through to the mixer housing to form the two sub-chambers 411" and 412".

From the Figure 4A shows the first calming area 41 in detail. Basically, the partition wall 9 divides the first (and second) stilling area into two sub-chambers 411'' and 412''. The first calming area is divided into three catchment areas 4121", 4122", 4123" by corresponding radial walls. The fluid flow of component A passes through the inlet opening 31 into the first catchment area 4121" of the first calming area 41, where it impinges on the perpendicular radial wall 7". The first collecting area 4121" has a further wall 91, which completely separates the two sub-chambers 411" and 412" from one another. Together with the radial wall 7", the partition 6, the wall of the inlet area and the mixer housing, the wall 91 forms the first collecting area 4121". In addition, the dividing wall 9 forms another dead volume in the first collecting area 4121'', in which the fluid flow of component A is collected and calmed.

The radial wall 7" has a connection opening 71" via which the fluid flow of component A passes into the second collection area 4122". The fluid flow meets a second radial wall 72' there and is directed to a connection opening 721' arranged therein, which is radially offset to the first connection opening 71". This is followed by the third collecting area 4123″ with a third radial wall 73′ with the opening 731′, which merges into the mixer structure 51. The connecting openings 721′ and 731′ are arranged radially offset from one another, so that the fluid stream flows through both collecting areas, i.e correspondingly deflected and calmed down.

Figure 4B shows the second inlet opening 32 with the adjoining second calming area 42, which structurally corresponds to that of the aforementioned embodiments or is divided into two sub-chambers by the wall 9.

In addition, the area of the first settling chamber 41 or the sub-chamber 411" can be seen, which is/are not filled by the component A, since the area is completely separated by the wall 91 from the area into which the first opening 31 opens.

REFERENCE LIST

• 1 mixer
• 2 connection area
• 3 inlet area
• 31-First inlet port
• 32-Second intake port
• 4-calming area
• 41-First Calm Chamber
• 411, 411', 411"-First subchamber
• 4111, 4111', 4111"-First containment area
• 4112, 4112'. 4112"-Secondary containment area
• 4113'-Third containment area
• 4113', 4113"-Third containment area
• 412, 412', 412"-Second subchamber
• 4121, 4121'-First containment area
• 4122, 4122'-Second catchment area
• 4123', 4123"-Third containment area
• 42-Second calming chamber
• 421-First subchamber
• 422-Second subchamber
• 5 mixing area
• 51 mixer structure
• 52 helix structure
• 6 partition
• 7, 7', 7" radial wall
• 71, 71' connection port
• 72'-Second radial wall
• 721' connection port
• 73, 73'-Third radial wall
• 731, 731' connection opening
• 8 baffle
• 81 opening
• 9 partition wall
• 91 wall
• F _A -First size of the first inlet port 31
• F _B -Second size of the second inlet port 32
• L longitudinal axis
• R radius
• V _A -First volume of the first settling chamber 41
• V _B - Second volume of the second settling chamber 42

Claims (10)

1. Mixer (1) configured for connection to a two or more component cartridge having a longitudinal axis L and comprising at least a first component A and a second component B, comprising an inlet region (3), a calming region (4) and a mixing region (5), wherein the calming region (4) is located between the inlet region (3) and the mixing region (5),

   wherein the inlet region (3) has at least a first inlet opening (31) for entry of the first component A into the calming region (4) and a second inlet opening (32) for entry of the second component B into the calming region (4), wherein the first inlet opening (31) has a first size F_A and the second inlet opening (32) has a second size F_B,

   wherein the calming region (4) comprises a first calming chamber (41) having a first volume V_A, and a second calming chamber (42) having a second volume V_B,

   wherein the first component A flows into the first calming chamber (41) via the first inlet opening (31) in a first flow direction and the second component B flows into the second calming chamber (42) via the second inlet port (32) in a second flow direction,

   wherein the first calming chamber (41) and the second calming chamber (42) are connected to the mixing region (5), and the calming region (4) has a partition (6) between the first calming chamber (41) and the second calming chamber (42), which delimits the first volume V_A from the second volume V_B, and at least one wall (7, 7', 7") arranged transversely and/or perpendicularly to the first and/or second flow direction, configured for braking and/or deflecting the first inflowing component A and/or the second inflowing component B at the mixer-side end of the calming region (4), and wherein the first calming chamber (41) and/or the second calming chamber (42) having at least one deflecting wall (8) for deflecting and conveying the fluid flow, which is arranged parallel to the axis L or along the axis L.
2. Mixer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing area (5) comprises a mixer structure (51) for separating and merging strands of component A and component B.
3. Mixer (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ratio of the first size F_A to the second size F_B is widely equal to the ratio of the first volume V_A to the second volume V_B.
4. Mixer (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the ratio V_A/V_B = F_A/F_B +/- 50%*F_A/F_B, in particular V_A/V_B = F_A/F_B +/- 25%*F_A/F_B, in particular V_A/V_B = F_A/F_B +/-10%*F_A/F_B.
5. Mixer (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the first size F_A is equal to or greater than the second size F_B, and the first volume V_A of the first calming chamber (41) is equal to or greater than the second volume V_B of the second calming chamber (42).
6. Mixer (1) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the first calming chamber (41) and/or the second calming chamber (42) has a dead volume arranged in front of the radial wall (7, 7', 7").
7. Mixer (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first component A and/or the second component B is braked and/or deflected in the region of the dead volume.
8. Mixer (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflecting wall (8) is adjacent to the radial wall (7), and the walls delimit the dead volume.
9. Mixer (1) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the first calming chamber (41) and/or the second calming chamber (42) comprises at least one dividing wall (9), arranged along the longitudinal axis L, which divides the first calming chamber (41) and/or the second calming chamber (42) into two subchambers (411, 412; 411', 412'; 421, 422; 421', 422 ') respectively.
10. Mixer (1) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the first calming chamber (41) and/or the second calming chamber (42) has at least one connecting opening (71, 71', 721', 731, 731') to the mixing region (4), configured to discharge component A and/or component B into the mixing region (4) and/or to mix component A with component B.

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