EP4663284A1

EP4663284A1 - Mixing device and method for operating a mixing device

Info

Publication number: EP4663284A1
Application number: EP24182141.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mathias Keanu Engelskirchen; Johannes Maslennikov
Original assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
Current assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
Priority date: 2024-06-14
Filing date: 2024-06-14
Publication date: 2025-12-17

Abstract

The present invention provides a mixing device (100) for preparing a ready-to-use mass consisting of at least two components (12, 14) which are to be mixed before use, wherein the at least one first component (12) is stored in a cartridge (11) and the at least one second component (14) is stored in a tube-shaped mixing rod (13) extending into the cartridge (11), with the cartridge (11) having a storage and mixing chamber (15), an cartridge plunger (27) moveable by an equilibrating piston (4), and with a mixing head (20) arranged in the storage and mixing chamber (15) and wherein the tube-shaped mixing rod (13) is arranged in the storage and mixing chamber (15) so as to be movable in a translatory movement (B) and rotational movement (C) and with an injection plunger (3) for positioning within the mixing rod (13), comprising a first mounting (1) for receiving the cartridge (11), a second mounting (2) for receiving the mixing rod (13), at least one first drive unit (7) for translatory movement (B) of the mixing rod (13) relative to the cartridge (11) between a first target position and a second target position, at least one second drive unit (8) for rotational movement (C) of the first mounting (1) and the second mounting (2), at least a third drive unit (9) for translatory movement (D) of the injection plunger (3) relative to the mixing rod (13), and a method for operating the mixing device (100).

Description

The present invention pertains to a mixing device and a method for operating a mixing device.
Although it can be used in many applications, the present invention and the problems underlying it are explained in greater detail in relation to aircrafts. However, the structure and method described can likewise be used in other fields of application, in particular in vehicles in all sectors of the transport industry, e. g. for road vehicles, for rail vehicles or for watercraft. Use in other industries such as medical, space and chemical industry is encompassed as well.
Mixing of ready-to-use mass consisting of at least two components use 2K cartridges, in particular for providing sealants, adhesives and other mouldable reactive materials. The cartridges are used as a standard in the aerospace industry (Aircraft manufacturers, aircraft part suppliers, Maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) companies, helicopter and satellite companies) but also in other fields such as construction, marine, transportation and electronics. 2K cartridges provided in so called Tech-Kits or Sem-Kits are provided as universal packaging adapted for different default mixing ratios. The cartridges can also contain more than 2 components (e. g. hardener, accelerator, base material). To achieve best results in using the sealants or adhesives, 2K-materials require a high accuracy on mixing ratio and good mixing quality to provide a high quality product. Standard mixing devices mix the cartridges automatically in a predefined mixing cycle comprising hardener injection followed by rotational and translatory movement of the cartridge. Standard mixing devices use pneumatic drives for mixing the at least two components provided in the cartridge before use and provided a predefined automated mixing method. The cartridges can also be mixed completely by hand by injecting the hardener with a rod, rotating the cartridge and performing the vertical movement. However, this process is very exhausting, slow and requires a lot of force when mixing very viscous materials wherein standardised mixing parameters cannot be ensured.
Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to find a mixing device and a method for operating a mixing device that enables providing a ready-to-use mass in a standardized process to obtain a high-quality and reproducible mixing result.
This object is achieved by a mixing device having the features of claim 1 and a method for operating a mixing device having the features of claim 10.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a mixing device for preparing a ready-to-use mass consisting of at least two components which are to be mixed before use is provided, wherein the at least one first component is stored in a cartridge and the at least one second component is stored in a tube-shaped mixing rod extending into the cartridge, with the cartridge having a storage and mixing chamber with a first chamber end and a second chamber end opposite of the first chamber end, with a cartridge plunger moveable by an equilibrating piston provided at the second chamber end, which can be moved in a translatory movement in the storage and mixing chamber, and with a mixing head arranged in the storage and mixing chamber and wherein the tube-shaped mixing rod is arranged in the storage and mixing chamber so as to be movable in a translatory movement and a rotational movement and projects, guided in a bottle-neck-shaped section provided at the first chamber end of the storage and mixing chamber, from the cartridge and with an injection plunger for positioning within the mixing rod . The mixing device comprises a first mounting for receiving the cartridge, a second mounting for receiving the mixing rod, at least one first drive unit for translatory movement of the mixing rod relative to the cartridge between a first target position and a second target position, at least one second drive unit for rotational movement of the first mounting relative to the second mounting, at least a third drive unit for translatory movement of the injection plunger relative to the mixing rod, a control unit, and a power supply unit. This has the advantage that by a combined translatory and rotatory movement of the mountings one of the components being e. g. a hardener is injected and distributed homogeneously in the second component e. g. a base material thereby improving mixing quality of the at least two components. In some embodiments more than two components can be mixed by using the invention mixing device. The further components can be either provided in the cartridge separated by membranes disrupted upon starting the mixing process and/or in the mixing rod. The mixing rod can be provided with a protective membrane delimiting the component provided in the mixing rod against the injection plunger thereby providing an air-tight assembly and protecting the component from direct contact with the component and for ensuring complete injection of the component.
A further aspect of the invention lies in a method for operating a mixing device, comprising the steps of arranging the cartridge in the mixing device, connecting the first mounting to the cartridge and the second mounting to the mixing rod, and preferably locking the cartridge by locking or self-locking means actuated while arranging the cartridge, inserting the injection plunger into the mixing rod, translating the first mounting relative to the second mounting by means of the first drive unit for inserting the mixing rod into the storage and mixing chamber of the cartridge, translating by means of a third drive the injection plunger, thereby injecting the second component from the mixing rod into the at least one first component stored in the cartridge by means of the injection plunger, actuating the second drive unit to perform a rotational movement of the first mounting relative to the second mounting, actuating of the first drive unit to repeatedly perform a bidirectional translatory movement of the mixing rod between a first target position and a second target position, thereby moving the mixing head within the cartridge to mix the at least one first component with the at least one second component wherein the steps are carried out sequentially or simultaneously and in repetition. This has the advantage that the method provides for an increased product quality since errors in mixed material are prevented or identified by an automated method, which enables a higher reliability as a human inspection and mixing by hand.
Advantageous embodiments and further developments are apparent from the further dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the injection plunger is provided in the second mounting and configured for transferring the at least one second component provided in the mixing rod into the storage and mixing chamber upon translatory movement within the mixing rod. This has the advantage, that the injection rod can be inserted in the mixing rod only upon arrangement of the mixing rod in the second mounting and ensures a full injection and homogenous dispersal of the at least one second component in the at least one first component.
According to an embodiment of the invention a fourth drive unit is provided for translatory movement of the equilibrating piston in the storage and mixing chamber. This has the advantage, that a continuous equilibration of the inner volume of the cartridge can be ensured by compensating volume changes occurring during injection of the second component via actuating the fourth drive and translationally moving the equilibration piston. This also prevents air from being taken in, which could affect the mixing results and impair the mixing quality.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the drive units are configured as or provided with at least one electrical motor. This has the advantage that by utilizing electric energy no pneumatic energy is needed. This allows for the reduction of using pneumatic energy as production, transport and maintenance of pneumatic energy and systems that is expensive. Especially long pipe networks are prone to leakage connected with losses in energy and generation of high maintenance costs money. Using electric motors to drive the drive units enables the shutdown of pneumatic systems and leads to cost and carbon dioxide reduction and enables improved control, monitoring and data acquisition of the mixing process by analysing the electric current and power consumption of the electric motors as well as torque and force intake.
According to an embodiment of the invention the control unit has an input means for inputting target movement parameters of the drive units and wherein a control of the movement of the drive units can be derived from the input target movement parameters. This has the advantage that specific data for the mixing cycle can be generated or derived from the respective components or cartridges used in the mixing device or set in alignment with the specific components to be mixed. The device is thus suited to increase product quality and allows for using different cartridge sizes and mixing components in the same device. Furthermore, adaptation and monitoring of the mixing method and mixing parameters is possible thereby preventing errors in mixed material.
According to a further embodiment of the invention the input means is designed as at least one of a scanner, as a human-machine-interface and a selection unit for target movement parameters or for the initiation of deriving for the target movement parameters from a memory unit storing the target movement parameters.. This has the advantage that different cartridge sizes and mixing parameters can either be selected on the machine or are automatically detected by the machine. This allows for selection of material and cartridge size by the operator either from a predefined list or by scanning the cartridge (e. g. Barcode, RFID, NFC, QR-Code). Mixing parameters for the material (e. g. rotational speed, mixing time, mixing strokes) are then automatically retrieved from a parameter list on the machine or from a database stored on the control unit or a remote storage such as a cloud storage or server.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one sensor is provided for detecting actual movement parameters of the drive units and the control unit has an output unit for the actual movement parameters and/or a unit, in particular a computer-assisted unit, for automatically adapting the detected actual parameters to the target movement parameters or wherein the actual movement parameters are derivable from a power consumption, force intake or torque intake of the drive units, in particular from the at least one electric motor. This has the advantage that machine feedback can be used to adapt the mixing parameters and machine settings by using the sensors or the by using the actual movement parameters directly or indirectly derivable from a power consumption, force intake or torque intake of the drive units. This ensures complete mixing of the components, even when filling levels or tolerances vary or in case that misalignment occurs. This has the further advantage that monitoring and live-analysing of multiple parameters as torque, speed and forces for adjustment and auto-error detection as well as quality control is possible. This also enables an automatic adaptation of parameters by processing the results with algorithms. Furthermore, the gathered data can be saved on the machine or sent to a network e. g. to monitor mixing quality or consumption data.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, a mixing device housing is provided and at least the mountings and the drive units are arranged within the mixing device housing, preferably with the control unit being one of arranged on the mixing device housing, in the mixing device housing and provided as a separate control unit which is connectable to the mixing device via an interface. This has the advantage that the parts are held in position while the housing protects operators and parts. In some embodiments the housing also allows for implementation of safety mechanisms to enable safe operations and protecting the user when operating the machine by providing in particular a closed housing with safety switches and doors. Furthermore, this has the additional advantage that with the control unit provided on or in the mixing device housing, a compact mixing device can be provided that comprises all components required for safe an efficient operation wherein the option of providing a separate control unit which can be connected to the mixing device via an interface allows for using only a single control unit providing control of a plurality of different machine and mixing parameters with a variety of mixing devices and enables interchangeability of the control unit. The interface can be configured as one of a wired or wireless interface.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the mixing device is configured stationary, semi-portable or portable additionally or as an alternative the power supply unit is configured as one of grid-operated and battery-operated. This has the advantage that the device can be either permanently positioned on a workspace or transported along a flexible workplace or can be moved easily to different locations with changing requirements for the masses to be mixed, e. g. for out of hangar use in aircraft or maintenance applications. Battery- or grid operating the mixing device provides the additional advantage, that the mixing device can either be used in a fixed installation adjacent to a workplace or being fully mobile and portable when a device is battery operated thus enlarging the scope of application of the invention mixing device.
According to a further embodiment of the invention method, injecting the second component from the mixing rod into the at least one first component stored in the cartridge by means of the injection plunger is initiated at the first target position. This has the advantage that a full injection can be accomplished before or while mixing is initiated ensuring high mixing quality by full injection of the at least one second component.
According to a further embodiment of the invention method, the first target position is located in the region of the first chamber end and the second target position is located in the region of the second chamber end with the first target position and the second target position being derived by one of translatory moving the piston rod between the first chamber end and the second chamber end until detecting a change in actual movement parameters of the drive units, in particular an increase in power consumption, torque or force when reaching each of the first and second target position, by user-or sensor-based input and by receiving stored movement data from a memory unit. This has the advantage that mixing can be performed over the entire volume of the cartridge and occurrence of non-mixed or parts with poor mixing is avoided. With the automated detection of the first and second target position the method ensures that mixing is performed with high accuracy and thus enables yielding high quality mixing results and complete mixing of the components. Deriving the first and second target position during movement of the mixing rod allows for automated adjustment and adaptation of the mixing process irrespective of the cartridge. The mixing device can hence be operated also if no or poor information on the cartridge or cartridge configuration is available.
According to a further embodiment of the invention method, at least one of a repetitive, a multiple and a continuous adjustment of the second target position is performed during operation the translatory movement of the mixing rod and/or the equilibrating piston relative to the mixing rod based on at least one of a repetitive, a multiple and a continuous detection of changes in actual movement parameters of the drive units. This has the advantage that while the cartridge is held in position movement of the mixing rod and/or the equilibrating piston during injection of a second component into the base component avoids an intrusion of air and compensates for volume changes from injection of the second component in the first or base component. This results in a homogeneous distribution of the injected component in the entire volume filled with the second or base component.
In an embodiment of the invention method, the drive units are controlled on the basis of target movement parameters detected via the input means and wherein a control of the movement of the drive units can be derived from the detected target movement parameters. This has the advantage that all forces and torque values can be fully monitored and adapted to the requirements set out by the cartridges used and the materials to mixed resulting in an improved mixing quality and a homogenous distribution of the components in the ready-to-use mass consisting of at least two components which are to be mixed before use.
According to a further embodiment of the invention method, at least one of a repetitive, a multiple and a continuous recording of actual movement parameters of the drive units and at least one of a repetitive, a multiple and a continuous comparison with the target movement parameters is provided and wherein, in the event of deviations between the target and actual movement parameters, an automatic adjustment of the movement of the drive units is carried out and/or a warning signal is output. This has the advantage that all forces and torque values can be monitored compared to the allowed range for the permitted limits at any time and allows for causing a warning and/or stop the process when values are exceeded e. g. due to component viscosity being too high or a leakage of the cartridge occurring during mixing or in case all parameters are in the allowed range to inform the operator the mixing operation was successfully completed.
According to a further embodiment of the invention method, the drive units are designed as electric motors and a derivation of the actual movement parameters is carried out on the basis of at least one of power consumption, force intake or torque intake of the electric motors. This has the advantage that all forces and torque values can be monitored and compared to the allowed range for the permitted limits at any time which allows for issuing a warning signal or a stop of the mixing process if parameters are exceeded e. g. if component viscosity is too high or leakage of the cartridge during mixing occurs or for informing the operator about the successful mixing operation. As a further advantage the data can be analysed to determine whether the components are mixed correctly, to display mixing errors or to process the data e. g. on the machine or in the control unit to counteract mixing errors (e. g. by automated increasing of mixing time). In addition, the gathered data can be saved on the machine or sent to a network e. g. to monitor quality or energy consumption data.
The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings as appended.

Fig. 1: schematically depicts a mixing device according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2: depicts a flowchart of a method of operating a mixing device according to an embodiment of the invention.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. In the figures, like reference numerals denote like or functionally like components, unless indicated otherwise.
Although specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.
In the figures of the drawings, identical elements, features, and components that have the same function, and the same effect are each given the same reference signs, unless otherwise specified.
Fig. 1 schematically depicts a mixing device 100 comprising a first mounting 1 for receiving a cartridge 11 containing a first component 12 e. g. a base material. In the depicted embodiment the first component 12 consists of two sub-components 12a, b provided in the cartridge and separated in the pre-mixing state by a first membrane 10. The first membrane 10 is pierced upon starting the mixing by the mixing head 20 resulting in combining and mixing the subcomponents 12a, b that are later mixed with the second component 14 injected via the mixing rod 13. The first mounting 1 has a receiving portion 23 having a geometry suitable to hold the cartridge 11. The mixing device 100 comprises a second mounting 2 for receiving the mixing rod 13 with an injection plunger 3 accommodated inside the second mounting 2 and provided for being inserted in mixing rod 13 which contains the second component 14, e. g. a hardener to be mixed with the first component 12 to yield the ready-to-use mass. The second mounting 2 has a configuration with a geometry suitable to hold the second rod end 19a of the mixing rod 13 and the plunger end 19b of the injection plunger 3. In the mixing rod a second membrane 24 is provided, that separates the second component 14 against the injection plunger 3. The second membrane 24 also avoids the intrusion of air or other substances into the second component 14, e. g. a hardener and into the cartridge 11 during mixing.
The cartridge 11 provides a storage and mixing chamber 15 with a first chamber end 16 and a second chamber end 17 opposite of the first chamber end 16 with a cartridge plunger 27 connected to an equilibrating piston 4 provided at the second chamber end 17, which can be moved in a translatory movement A in the storage and mixing chamber 15. A fourth drive unit 25 connected to the equilibrating piston 4 is configured to actuate a translatory movement A of the equilibrating piston 4. The cartridge plunger 27 is further provided with a mechanical element, such as a spring 18, that maintains a preset force on the cartridge plunger 27, which moves relatively to the storage and mixing chamber 15 during the injection and mixing cycles. The cartridge plunger 27 is configured to compensate a volume change in the volume of the first component 12 during injection of the second component 14 either by the mechanical drive element, configured as a spring 18 and/or by means of the equilibrating piston 4 actuated by the fourth drive unit 25 to move the cartridge plunger 27 in a bi-directional translatory movement A. The second mounting 2 is configured to receive the second rod ends 19a of the mixing rod 13 and houses the injection plunger 3 which is inserted in the mixing rod 13 upon arranging the cartridge 11 and mixing rod 13 in the mixing device 100.
The mixing device 100 is provided with a first drive unit 7 for translatory movement B of the first mounting 1 relative to the second mounting 2 that allows of a continuous bi-directional movement of the mixing rod 13 in the storage and mixing chamber 15 of the cartridge 11 thereby moving the mixing head 20 connected to the first rod end 21 of the mixing rod 13 inserted into the storage and mixing chamber 15 via a bottle-neck-shaped section 22 provided at the first chamber end 16 of the storage and mixing chamber 15. The translatory movement B of the mixing rod 13 and the affixed mixing head 20 provides for a first mixing operation of the components 12, 14. The mixing device 100 further comprises a second drive unit 8 for rotational movement C of the first mounting 1 relative to the second mounting 2 providing a second mixing operation of the components 12, 14 due to rotation of the mixing head 20 within the storage and mixing chamber 15. A third drive unit 9 is provided within or adjacent to the second mounting 2 and provides for a translatory movement D of the injection plunger 3 relative to the mixing rod 13 to inject the second component 14 in the first component 12 for mixing. The first rod end 21 of the mixing rod 13 is inserted into the mixing head 20 wherein a valve 26 is provided that allows the second component 14 to enter the storage and mixing chamber 15 and avoids leakage of the mixed components 12, 14. Furthermore the valve 26 is configured to avoid air or other substances intruding into the storage and mixing chamber 15 via the connection point between the mixing head 20 and the mixing rod 13.
The mixing device is encased by a housing 5 that holds all parts of the mixing device 100 in position and protects the operator and the parts. The housing 5 also allows for implementation of safety mechanisms to enable safe operations and for protecting the user when operating the machine by e. g. providing a closed housing with safety switches and doors (not shown).
The mixing device 100 comprises a control unit 6 configured as a human-machine-interface (HMI). The human-machine-interface is used to enable the selection of materials and mixing programmes and is configured to inform the operator about the mixing status as well as enabling maintenance tasks such as changing mixing programmes e. g. via a display (not shown). The control unit 6 can also be implemented in an external device such a computer, a handheld or a mobile device or in a remote operation system running on a server connected to the mixing device 100 via an interface providing a wired or wireless connection.
The control unit 6 also controls the drive units 7, 8, 9, 25 configured as electrical motors by defined programmes. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the drive units 7, 8, 9, 25 are driven by electrical motors, without limiting the invention thereto. In some embodiments drive units 7, 8, 9, 25 may be supported by gears/transmissions to achieve sufficient movement speeds and forces or in the case of the fourth drive unit be replaced or supported by a mechanical drive element such as a spring 18. The nominal values of the drive units 7, 8, 9, 25 are preset and can perform either distance, force / torque or speed controlled. Force, torque and speed of the drive units 7, 8, 9, 25 are measured and controlled by the control unit 6.
In some embodiments not limiting the invention, the control unit 6 can comprise detections means such as scanners or sensors to automatically determine different sizes of cartridges 11 and mixing parameters. In some embodiments, after a cartridge 11 is inserted into the mixing device 100 and the mixing cycle is started by the operator, the control unit 6 automatically determines the cartridge 11 size by performing a vertical movement of the mixing rod 13 relative to the cartridge 11. By monitoring the motor power consumption, i. e. changes in electrical current during operation, torque or force intake e. g. by means of a sensor, the mixing device 100 detects on the basis of performance measurement the first chamber end 16 and the second chamber end 17 of the cartridge 11. By rotating the mixing rod 13 and monitoring the motor current, the mixing device 100 detects the first component 12 inside the cartridge 11. Mixing parameters (e. g. rotational speed, mixing time, mixing strokes) are then automatically retrieved from a parameter list stored in the control unit 6 in the mixing device 100 or provided from a remote source such as a server or cloud storage.
In another embodiment the components 12, 14 to be mixed and the size of the cartridge 11 are selected by the operator either from a predefined list or by scanning e. g. a barcode, RFID or NFC chip or a QR-Code provided on or in the cartridge 11. Mixing parameters for the components 12, 14 (e. g. rotational speed, mixing time, mixing strokes) are then automatically retrieved from a parameter list stored in the control unit 6 of the mixing device 100 or retrieved from a remote system. In yet another embodiment, the control unit 6 allows for inputting custom mixing parameters (e. g. strokes, rotational speed, mixing time) by the operator. The input values can optionally be saved in the control unit 6 e. g. in a list for future repeated use.
Fig. 2 schematically depicts a flowchart of a method of operating a mixing device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In step 201 a cartridge 11 is manually inserted into the first mounting 1 and received in the receiving portion 23 of the first mounting 1. In step 202 the second mounting 2 comprising the injection plunger is fixed to the mixing rod 13. In step 203 the first mounting 1 and the second mounting 2 move relatively to each other actuated by the first drive unit 7, to identify the position of dead centres 28a, b of the cartridge 11, also referred to as target positions in connection with the invention method, wherein a first dead centre 28a is defined as a target position of the mixing head 20 in the region of the first chamber end 16 of the cartridge 11 contacting the first component 12 contained in the storage and mixing chamber 15 of the cartridge 11 and the second dead centre 28b is defined as a target position of the mixing head 20 contacting the cartridge plunger 27 provided in the region of the second chamber end 17 of the cartridge 11. Translatory movement, i. e. stroke is limited to the path or distance between the identified dead centres 28a, b or target positions. In step 204 a combined and simultaneous relative translatory movement B of the first mounting 1 and the second mounting 2 and a rotatory movement C of the first mounting 1 and the second mounting 2 is effected and the second component 14, e. g. a hardener injected and distributed homogeneously in the first component 12, e. g. a base material during the translatory movement B and rotatory movement C. In step 205 an iteration of identification of the dead centres 28a, b i.e. target positions due to volume change from injection of the second components 14 is made. Translatory movement B, i.e. stroke is thereby adapted to the iterated path between the dead centres 28a, b or target positions. In step 206 a translatory movement B and rotatory movement C of the first mounting 1 and the second mounting 2 mix the first and second component 12, 14 for a predefined period. In step 206 stroke speed and frequency as well as rotatory speed as well as the period of mixing is preset by an operator. During step 206 all force and torque values are monitored by means of sensors provided in the drive units 7, 8, 9, 25 or by monitoring the current intake of the drive units 7, 8, 9, 25 configured as or driven by electrical motors. The thus retrieved data is compared to the allowed range for the permitted limits at any time by the control unit 6. Exceeding the values causes a warning and / or stop the process and/or provision of a respective information to the operator. Exceeding the values can occur if e. g. hardener viscosity is too high or if a leakage of the cartridge during mixing takes place. Thereby hardener viscosity being too high will result in increased current intake by the electrical motors while leakage on the contrary will result in a decrease. If all parameters are in the allowed range, the operator is informed about the successful mixing operation in step 207.
The invention mixing device 100 and the method for operating the mixing device 100 generation of data for the mixing cycle is possible by using sensors, motor current surveillance and data processing systems. Data acquisition and analysis can be used to monitor quality, detect mixing issues, track performance and usage. By adding these functionalities, a failsafe mixing device 100 can be provided which i. a. allows for detection if a false, bad or expired material is mixed. The mixing device 100 can also be configured to detect if mixing parameters are not fulfilled e. g. due to a stuck motor. Mixing operation can thus be executed in an automated and more efficient way and ensures mixing results obtaining high quality ready to use masses.
In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in one or more examples or examples with the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. Many other examples will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reviewing the above specification. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

List of reference signs

1: first mounting
2: second mounting
3: injection plunger
4: equilibrating piston
5: housing
6: control unit
7: first drive unit
8: second drive unit
9: third drive unit
10: first membrane
11: cartridge
12: first component
12a, b: subcomponent
13: mixing rod
14: second component
15: storage and mixing chamber
16: first chamber end
17: second chamber end
18: spring
19a: second rod end
19b: plunger end
20: mixing head
21: first rod end
22: bottle-neck shaped section
23: receiving portion
24: second membrane
25: fourth drive unit
26: valve
27: cartridge plunger
28a, b: dead centre
100: mixing device
201: step
202: step
203: step
204: step
205: step
A, B, D: translatory movement
C: rotational movement

Claims

Mixing device (100) for preparing a ready-to-use mass consisting of at least two components (12, 14) which are to be mixed before use, wherein the at least one first component (12) is stored in a cartridge (11) and the at least one second component (14) is stored in a tube-shaped mixing rod (13) extending into the cartridge (11), with the cartridge (11) having a storage and mixing chamber (15) with a first chamber end (16) and a second chamber end (17) opposite of the first chamber end (16) with an cartridge plunger (27) moveable by an equilibrating piston (4) provided at the second chamber end (17), which can be moved in a translatory movement (A) in the storage and mixing chamber (15), and with a mixing head (20) arranged in the storage and mixing chamber (15) and wherein the tube-shaped mixing rod (13) is arranged in the storage and mixing chamber (15) so as to be movable in a translatory movement (B) and rotational movement (C) and projects, guided in a bottle-neck-shaped section (22) provided at the first chamber end (16) of the storage and mixing chamber (15), from the cartridge (11) and with an injection plunger (3) for positioning within the mixing rod (13), comprising
- a first mounting (1) for receiving the cartridge (11),

- a second mounting (2) for receiving the mixing rod (13),

- at least one first drive unit (7) for translatory movement (B) of the mixing rod (13) relative to the cartridge (11) between a first target position and a second target position,

- at least one second drive unit (8) for rotational movement (C) of the first mounting (1) and the second mounting (2),

- at least a third drive unit (9) for translatory movement (D) of the injection plunger (3) relative to the mixing rod (13).
Mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the injection plunger (3) is provided in the second mounting (2) and configured for transferring the at least one second component provided in the mixing rod (13) into the storage and mixing chamber (15) upon translatory movement (D) within the mixing rod (13).
Mixing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a fourth drive unit (25) is provided for translatory movement (A) of the equilibrating piston (4).
Mixing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drive units (7, 8, 9, 25) are configured as or provided with at least one electrical motor.
Mixing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a control unit is provided with the control unit (6) having an input means for inputting target movement parameters of the drive units (7, 8, 9, 25) and wherein a control of the movement of the drive units (7, 8, 9, 25) is derivable from the input target movement parameters.
Mixing device (100) according to any one of claim 5, wherein the input means is designed as one of a scanner, a human-machine-interface, and a selection unit for direct input of the target movement parameters or for the initiation of deriving the target movement parameters from a memory unit storing the target movement parameters.
Mixing device (100) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein at least one sensor is provided for detecting actual movement parameters of the drive units (7, 8, 9, 25) and wherein the control unit (6) has an output unit for the actual movement parameters and/or a unit, in particular a computer-assisted unit, for automatically adapting the actual parameters to the target movement parameters or wherein the actual movement parameters are derivable from a power consumption, force intake or torque intake of the drive units (7, 8, 9, 25), in particular from the at least one electric motor.
Mixing device (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a mixing device housing (5) is provided, wherein at least the mountings (1,2) and at least one drive unit (7, 8, 9, 25) are arranged within the mixing device housing (5) and with the control unit (6) being one of arranged on the mixing device housing (5), in the mixing device housing (5) and provided as a separate control unit (5) which is connectable to the mixing device (100) via an interface.
Mixing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mixing device (100) is configured as one of stationary and mobile and wherein a power supply unit is provided with the power supply unit preferably being configured as one of grid-operated and battery-operated.
Method for operating a mixing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of:
- arranging the cartridge (11) in the mixing device (100),

- connecting the first mounting (1) to the cartridge (11) and the second mounting (2) to the mixing rod (13)

- inserting the injection plunger (3) into the mixing rod (13),

- translating by means of the first drive unit (7) the first mounting (1) relative to the second mounting (2) for inserting the mixing rod (13) into the storage and mixing chamber (15) of the cartridge (11)

- translating by means of a third drive (9) the injection plunger (3), thereby injecting the second component (14) from the mixing rod (13) into the at least one first component (12) stored in the cartridge (11) by means of the injection plunger (3),

- actuating the second drive unit (8) to perform a rotational movement (C) of the first mounting (1) relative to the second mounting (2),

- actuating the first drive unit (7) to repeatedly perform a bidirectional translatory movement (B) of the mixing rod (13) between a first target position and a second target position, thereby moving the mixing head (20) within the cartridge (11) to mix the at least one first component (12) with the at least one second component (14) ,
wherein the steps are carried out sequentially or simultaneously and in repetition.
Method according to claim 10, wherein injecting the second component (14) from the mixing rod (13) into the at least one first component (12) stored in the cartridge (11) by means of the injection plunger (3) is initiated at the first target position.
Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first target position is located in the region of the first chamber end (16) and the second target position is located in the region of the second chamber end (16) with the first target position and the second target position being derived by one of translatory moving the piston rod between the first chamber end (16) and the second chamber end (17) until detecting a change in actual movement parameters of the drive units (7, 8, 9, 25), in particular an increase in power consumption, torque or force when reaching each of the first and second target position, by user- or sensor-based input and by receiving stored movement data from a memory unit.
Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein at least one of a repetitive, a multiple and continuous adjustment of the second target position is performed during operation of the translatory movement of the mixing rod (13) and/or the equilibrating piston (4) relative to the mixing rod (13) based on the at least one of a repetitive, a multiple and a continuous detection of changes in actual movement parameters of the drive units (7, 8, 9, 25).
Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein at least one of a repetitive, a multiple and a continuous recording of actual movement parameters of the drive units (7, 8, 9, 25) and a at least one of a repetitive, a multiple and a continuous comparison with the target movement parameters is provided and wherein, in the event of deviations between the target and actual movement parameters, an automatic adjustment of the movement of the drive units (7, 8, 9, 25) is carried out and/or a signal is output.
Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the drive units (7, 8, 9, 25) are designed as electric motors, wherein the actual movement parameters are derived from at least one of power consumption, force intake and torque intake of the electric motors.